I Just Want To Slack off In Cultivation

by Little Merger

[I have led a cautious life, but the system keeps trying to do me in] “Ding Dong!” “Welcome to the Smart Cultivation System!” “You have chosen to cultivate the Bone Forging Art. The system will start cultivating for you. The system has detected that the host is missing the Bone Tempering Pill. Please wait a moment…” “Ding Dong!” “The system successfully stole ten Bone Tempering P

2. 33

I Just Want To Slack off In Cultivation #Chapter 33 - Read I Just Want To Slack off In Cultivation Chapter 33 Online - All Page - NOVEL NEXT

Chapter 32: Blood Spiraling Escape Technique

Wu Liu circled him like a ghost and floated in midair. Its cold palm pressed against Pei Ling's face as she said softly, "Young master… What do you want to ask? No matter what you ask, remember that you can only ask one question. If you ask more, I will feel quite troubled… If that happens…"

She narrowed her eyes and gave a strange smile. "You won't ever annoy me, right?"

Hearing this, Pei Ling asked without hesitation, "Miss Wuliu, I want to know how to earn tens of thousands of spirit stones quickly!"

"Tens of thousands of spirit stones?" Wu Liu seemed to choke for a moment before she laughed again. Her eyes curved into crescents as it said, "Why do you need to use your brain for such a small amount of spirit stones? Why don't you ask my master for it?"

Pei Ling: "…"

Wu Liu continued, "You can also just slaughter a city and gather them."

Pei Ling: "…"

Wu Liu went on, "Or you can also kill that girl you've been intimate with these few days and skin her for me. I can help you with it too. How about that?"

"…Miss Wuliu, you must be joking," Pei Ling replied with a stiff expression.

Ask Fairy Li for spirit stones? Hohoho! It was already merciful enough of Fairy Li not to slap him to death!

As for massacring the city, that was something only a devil would do… Besides, even if he tried, was a mere cultivator at the fourth stage of Qi Refinement going to slaughter the city or die instantly?

And about skinning Chen Mei…

Thinking of this, Pei Ling seriously replied, "Senior Brother Chen, Senior Sister Chen, and the others are quite friendly to me. How can I repay kindness with ingratitude?"

"Friendly?" Wu Liu gave him a strange look and chuckled. "Hmm, that makes sense. You can think about it slowly."

As she spoke, she turned into a black mist that dispersed away quickly.

Pei Ling frowned. Wu Liu gave him a strange look before she left, as if… she was watching a good show!

When he said that Chen Huan and Chen Mei were friendly to him, Wu Liu prepared to watch a good show?

In other words, not only were Chen Huan and Chen Mei not friendly to him in the eyes of Wu Liu, they even had ulterior motives?

Was everything that he had seen these few days part of the plan of this pair of siblings?

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When he realized that, Pei Ling's heart sank. He did not trust Wu Liu too much, but it was still related to his safety. He planned to find an opportunity to test Chen Huan and the others tomorrow. If there were any problems…

As he was thinking this, a booklet fell in front of him.

The system began to record the unfamiliar escape technique. At the same time, Wu Liu's charming and cold voice sounded in his ear. "Master said that you have to master it in seven days. Otherwise, die!"

Pei Ling immediately returned to his senses. He pressed down on the hilt of his saber and walked over to pick it up, only to see that it was a handwritten booklet similar to the Blood Malevolence Saber Art.

Great, this is getting better.

He did not even know the name on the booklet.

What is that word after the 'Blood' this time?

A moment later, the system said, "Ding Dong! The unknown escape technique has been recorded. Host, please name it!"

"…Just call it the Blood Spiraling Escape Technique." Pei Ling casually gave it a name, thinking about how it was some kind of Escape Technique that he had obtained in Spiraling Mountain City. There was nothing wrong with calling it the Blood Spiraling Escape Technique.

After he kept the booklet in his pocket, he saw the scenery around him sway slightly. The dilapidated courtyard filled with dust instantly transformed into a quiet garden decorated by plants. Moonlight poured onto the ground, causing a silvery frosty glow to cover the floor while insects chirped.

If not for the fact that he was in the courtyard and that the injuries on his body were still present, he would have suspected that the scene earlier was an illusion.

Meanwhile, Chen Huan's place was silent, with only slight breathing sounds. From its location, the breathing came from a servant. On Huang Xian's side, however, there were teasing and playful sounds. He was likely enjoying the service of a beautiful servant.

Clearly, be it Chen Huan or Huang Xian, they did not notice what happened at all. Even the owner of this mansion, City Lord Duanmu, was unaware of this event.

Wu Liu is too scary…

Pei Ling's heart shivered. When he thought of Fairy Li, he felt a headache.

A mere ghost servant was so terrifying already. How terrifying would the master's abilities be? Yet, that master was actually… Wait! He was also a victim in that incident!

Sighing deeply, Pei Ling shook his head.

He had two key things to do now. The first was to solve the fines problem as soon as possible, and the second was to find out the real purpose of the pair of siblings, Chen Huan and Chen Mei.

With this thought, Pei Ling quietly returned to his room.

He flipped through the booklet Wu Liu had just handed to him and did not dare use the system to cultivate immediately.

Wu Liu could come and go without a trace, treating City Lord Duanmu as nothing. Thus, he did not dare to use One-Click Management rashly.

Who knows if this retarded system will run to steal City Lord Duanmu's things? Or will it pull Chen Mei to be my Dao partner? Or will it kill Chen Huan and the others for my Outer Malevolence?

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He decided to find a secluded place to cultivate when he had the chance.

That night, nothing else happened. The morning after, after Pei Ling had breakfast, Chen Mei came to find him. She asked with a smile, "Junior Brother Pei, let's rest for today. My brother and the rest had to prepare something before leaving the city, but we got nothing to do. What are your plans?"

"Senior Sister, my cultivation is low. I'm quite exhausted from traveling continuously, and I would like to rest for the day." Pei Ling replied without batting an eyelid. "Of course, if you have anything you need, please feel free to tell me."

Chen Mei's eyebrows moved slightly as if she was elated. "No, no, I just came to ask you. Since you want to rest, I won't disturb you anymore."

Then, she bade farewell and left.

After she left, Pei Ling suddenly turned to the maidservant packing the cutlery. "Is there any marketplace in Spiraling Mountain City that's suitable for strolling around?"

The maid hurriedly put down the messenger in her hand and said, "In reply to Immortal Master, there is a market in the city, it is located…"

After hearing this, Pei Ling nodded slightly. He first had to prepare for the worst-case scenario: If Chen Huan and the others wanted to attack him, what should he do next?

It seemed feasible to flee directly, but it was a dead-end!

Chen Huan and the others must have something to rely on if they dared to leave him here alone.

Moreover, even if Chen Huan and the others hadn't made any preparations, it was his first time in Spiraling Mountain City, and he was unfamiliar with the place. Moreover, his cultivation was two sub realms lower than Chen Huan's. So how could he escape their pursuit?

If he could not flee normally…

There was only one way to break the situation, and that was to borrow the power of Wu Liu!

Indeed, Misty had promised him last night that she wanted Chen Mei's skin…

With that thought, Pei Ling immediately made up his mind. He wanted to confirm whether Chen Huan and the others really had ill intentions towards him…

Therefore, Pei Ling instructed the maid not to tell Chen Mei about his whereabouts before he slipped out of the guest courtyard through the back door and headed for the market slowly.

…

Several hours later, outside Spiraling Mountain City. In a peach blossom forest that stretched for a hundred miles, Xiao Tasha closed her eyes. The array disc in front of her floated in the air as she formed hand seals. After a moment, the array disc fell into her hands. She opened her eyes and shook her head helplessly. "No! The Yang Qi in this forest is too strong, and it's conflicting with the Soul Summoning Banner! Although it's not impossible to set up the Soul Devouring Mother Array, the souls extracted will probably be damaged, which won't do any good for improving the Soul Summoning Banner.

"Then what do we do?" Huang Xian frowned. "Didn't you solemnly promise that there would be no problem?"

"This is our first time here. How would Junior Sister Xiao know that this isn't a suitable place?" Chen Huan hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Mount Spiral is vast, so let's find another place."

Huang Xian was still not satisfied. "We are all here to set up the array while that kid is staying in the city alone. If we delay any longer, there better not be any accidents."

"Don't worry, Senior Brother Huang. Nothing will go wrong," Chen Mei said. "I placed the Thousand Li Incense on him a few days ago. That punk will not be able to escape the pursuit of the Tracking Bee within a thousand miles!"

As she spoke, she pointed at an insect on her sleeve. It was shaped like a bee, but it was the size of a thumb. It looked only somewhat similar to ordinary bees, and its mouthpart seemed especially ferocious.

However, it was very tame under Chen Mei's hand as it affectionately rubbed its head against her fingertips.

Huang Xian did not say anything else when he saw the Tracking Bee. Meanwhile, Xiao Tasha felt ashamed. She lowered her head and studied the map for a while. Suddenly, she exclaimed in surprise, "This way! There's a canyon here, and it should be fine from the looks of it.."

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Chapter 33: Suspicion

At dusk, Chen Huan and the others dragged their exhausted bodies back to the City Lord Residence.

Xiao Tasha, in particular, was so pale that she could barely stand up. Half of her body was leaning against Chen Huan, and she was almost dragged back to the courtyard.

"Immortals, what ha…?" The servant in charge of the guest courtyard was surprised to see this. "Shall I report this to the steward?"

"No need." Chen Huan did not look too good either. He took a quick breath and said, "We just took a long walk today, so it's not a big deal. And please prepare some water for us to wash up. Oh yes, where's Junior Brother Pei?"

The commotion caused by their return was not small. If a mortal like a servant in charge of the guest courtyard was alerted, it was impossible for a cultivator like Pei Ling to be unaware of it.

Yet, he had not shown up until now. There was no way he was still sleeping?

Seeing the servant's blank expression, Chen Huan immediately said to Chen Mei, "Go and take a look. Junior Brother Pei shouldn't be feeling unwell!"

Chen Mei did not dare to act slowly. She forgot about her fatigue and rushed over. However, when she went to ask at the small building, her expression changed instantly. "What?! Pei Ling is not here? Where did he go? When did he go out?"

The maid responsible for serving Pei Ling knelt on the ground, trembling, "I don't know, Fairy."

"You don't know? You're responsible for serving him here, so how could you not know!" Chen Mei's heart sank, and her anxious voice broke as she snapped, "Then what are you good for?"

She was struck with terror. Chen Huan's Soul Summoning Banner was on the brink of success. If it failed at the last moment, this…

"What are you panicking about?" Chen Huan, who had rushed over after receiving the news, seemed calm.

He was not worried if Pei Ling attempted to escape.

Over the years, he had refined plenty of fellow disciples into the Soul Summoning Banner. The reason why the Disciplinary Hall never approached him was that he left no evidence behind!

This time, he had chosen the missions in Spiraling Mountain City personally for good reasons.

After all, Spiraling Mountain City was located in the mountains. Besides the city, there was no lack of beasts and poisonous insects in the area. Even a Qi Refinement Stage cultivator born in Spiraling Mountain City would find it difficult to survive alone!

Furthermore, it was Pei Ling's first time here.

Even if they let him escape for a few days and nights, they would still be able to catch up to him with ease!

Moreover, it would probably be better if the Pei Ling did not escape. This Spiraling Mountain City was, after all, the territory of City Lord Duanmu under the rule of the Holy Sect. Indeed, the city lord was smooth and slick and would not protect Pei Ling specifically. However, if they dared to lay their hands on Pei Ling inside the city, the city lord might not be willing to help cover it up when the Disciplinary Hall investigated them in the future.

It would be a huge loss for them!

However, if Pei Ling took the initiative to leave the city…

At the thought of this, Chen Huan reminded, "Didn't you put the Thousand Li Incense on him? Now, use the Tracking Bee to locate him."

Chen Mei finally returned to her senses. She hurriedly took out the Tracking Bee and closed her eyes to communicate with it for a moment. She could not help but be delighted. "Brother, he's still in the city."

"Still in the city?" Chen Huan sneered. "Where is he now?"

"It seems…" Chen Mei hesitated for a moment before asking in confusion," It seems to be… the market in the north of the city? "

"Market?" Chen Huan suddenly turned to the maidservant from before and berated, "How dare you lie in front of us! Junior Brother Pei is new here. Since he wants to go to the market, how could he not ask you about the directions?! How dare you say that you don't know anything!"

The maid felt bitter. She was only a mortal maidservant. How could she afford to offend any cultivator?

Initially, she thought that she could fool them, but now she could only confess honestly. "Immortal Master, it was Immortal Master Pei who specifically instructed me not to divulge his whereabouts…"

Chen Mei's expression changed when she heard this. Could it be that Pei Ling had discovered their intentions?

Chen Huan, on the other hand, remained calm throughout. Pei Ling was only at the fourth level of Qi Refinement. Even if he realized anything, it was already too late!

Therefore, Chen Huan immediately looked at Zhang Zhongqin and said, "He might have discovered something, or maybe not. We'll go to the north of the city to find him immediately and bring him back!"

"Okay!"

At the moment, in a tea house in the city.

Pei Ling calmly drank a pot of tea.

The locals and the customs here were different from Deer Spring City. There were more cultivators here. As he strolled along, he had already encountered several itinerant cultivators.

"It's already so late. Chen Huan and the others should be out here looking for me soon…" Pei Ling thought to himself. If he wanted to test whether Chen Huan and the others had any ulterior motives for him, he only needed to hide from Chen Huan.

Of course, if there was really a problem with Chen Huan and the others, Pei Ling chose to visit the market specifically to prevent them from attacking him in advance.

There were many people here, and as long as Chen Huan and his team dared to lay a hand on him, they would not be able to escape the pursuit of the Deep Sea Sect later on!

A team that had to hustle for dozens of spirit stones constantly definitely could not afford to pay the fine of 10,000 spirit stones!

It was unless Chen Huan and company killed all the mortals in the city. However, would City Lord Duanmu agree to that?

As Pei Ling thought about it, he suddenly heard a shout from behind him, "Pei Ling!"

Pei Ling recognized Chen Mei's voice. His gaze shifted around slightly before he turned around calmly.

Chen Mei took the lead and ran over with Zhang Zhongqin following closely behind. The two of them walked quickly to Pei Ling and immediately sandwiched him. Chen Mei said sternly, "Didn't you say that you were going to rest in the guest courtyard today? Why did you come out?!"

Pei Ling did not bat an eye. Something is really a little off with these two!

"Senior Sister Chen, I did try to rest, but after lying on the bed for a while, I couldn't fall asleep. So I came out to take a walk." Pei Ling explained casually, "I was afraid that you all might need more rest, so I didn't disturb you."

Zhang Zhongqin said with a dark expression, "Since we're a team, you should let us know when you come and go. Otherwise, how can we not be worried if you disappeared out of the blue?"

"Senior Brother Zhang is right. This time, I was being inconsiderate." Pei Ling said with a sincere expression.

Seeing how Pei Ling did not panic at all, as if he was really only going out for a walk, the two secretly sighed in relief. After exchanging a look, Chen Mei toned down and snorted, "I'll forget about it this time. If there's a next time, see if I still care about you."

"Don't worry, Senior Sister. Junior Brother will inform you what I'm doing from now onwards." Pei Ling immediately replied, "It's getting late, so let's return to the city lord's residence!"

These words were in line with Chen Mei and Zhang Zhongqin's intentions. The two of them nodded without hesitation and said, "Alright! Let's return to the City Lord Residence first!"

Hence, the three of them walked back together.

Along the way, Pei Ling deliberately walked closer to Chen Mei, almost to the point that his body glued onto her.

Chen Mei frowned. She was unhappy inside, but she was afraid that Pei Ling would escape halfway, so she did not dare to scold him or even avoid him.

After walking for a while longer, Pei Ling went overboard and placed an arm on Chen Mei's shoulder!

Chen Mei's body froze. When she reacted, she angrily said, "Junior Brother Pei, you…"

"Senior Sister Chen, since you're so concerned about me. Do you like me?" Pei Ling deliberately asked with a puzzled look.

Chen Mei choked on her word. She subconsciously looked at Zhang Zhongqin, only to see that he was also startled. However, after realizing what was going on, not only did he not intervene, he even used his gaze to signal her to cooperate!

Chen Mei's expression turned ugly. However, seeing that Pei Ling was still looking at her with an earnest look, she could only reply reluctantly, "Yes, a little…"

"Isn't that enough? Us cultivators should be open and above board. Why must we be like ordinary people, stuck to the so-called etiquette and social norms!" Pei Ling replied decisively. Then, he put his arm around Chen Mei's waist and swaggered towards the City Lord Residence.

As they passed by a street and a crowd, Pei Ling suddenly pinched Chen Mei's waist hard.

"Ah!" Chen Mei cried out in shock and almost broke free from Pei Ling's arm.

It caught Zhang Zhongqin's attention momentarily as well.

While the two were distracted, Pei Ling secretly took action and stole a sachet from the crowd.

Seeing that Pei Ling was only taking advantage of her, Chen Mei was flustered and furious. However, Zhang Zhongqin became relieved. The boy seemed lustful, but it meant that he would not need to worry about Pei Ling's cooperation with their subsequent plans!

After a while, the three of them returned to the City Lord Residence. As they passed by a bamboo forest inside, Pei Ling used the same trick again and touched Chen Mei's body.. With Chen Mei shrieking and Zhang Zhongpang distracted, he secretly threw the sachet that he had stolen behind a cluster of bamboo…

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Chapter 34: Where Are You Going?

When the three of them returned to the guest courtyard, Chen Huan and the others were already waiting there. When they saw Pei Ling swagger back with his sister in his arms, Chen Huan could not help but be startled. Soon, he became boiling with rage!

This brat actually dared to take advantage of her. I got Chen Mei to feign civility so we can refine the Soul Summoning Banner smoothly. How dare he touch my sister in public!

However, he immediately calmed down when he saw Zhang Zhongqin giving him a look.

"It's not early anymore." Zhang Zhongqin coughed and said, "You two should go and rest first."

Hearing this, Pei Ling agreed immediately. He continued placing his arms around Chen Mei and walked towards his residence.

Chen Huan's face darkened, but he didn't stop them. After they left, he asked immediately, "What happened?"

Zhang Zhongqin shook his head slightly and said, "This kid knows nothing!"

"He only went to walk around the market. When Chen Mei and I found him, he was still drinking his tea and did not intend to run away.

"And he was the one who suggested returning here.

"He is now captivated by your sister's beauty, daydreaming about how a beauty would fall in love with him at first sight. It is rather beneficial to our plan!

"After all, the difference between using a corpse as a blood sacrifice to the Soul Summoning Banner and a lively cultivator who survived the entire process is like the difference between heaven and earth!"

Chen Huan understood what Zhang Zhongqin meant immediately.

Indeed, he was missing the final blood sacrifice material for the Soul Summoning Banner.

If this material consisted of a cultivator with complete essence, Qi, and spirit, the effects would naturally become maximized! By then, the quality of his Soul Summoning Banner after refinement would definitely be extraordinary!

However, if they killed Pei Ling now, the power of the Soul Summoning Banner refined with his dead body would definitely reduce greatly!

That was also why they had worked hard to obtain his trust during their time on the Corpse Cloud.

After all, if this kid knew their true goal, he would definitely resist desperately.

Not to mention killing Pei Ling, even if he only chopped off one of his limbs, it would be a loss to the Soul Summoning Banner!

Indeed, he had waited all these years. He could not allow it to fail at the last moment!

At the thought of this, Chen Huan nodded slightly as a form of tacit agreement. However, when he thought of how his sister had been handled by Pei Ling earlier and the way she did not dare to resist, anger boiled in his heart.

He vowed to let that kid suffer all kinds of torture and pain to vent his hatred during the blood sacrifice tomorrow!

Therefore, Chen Huan said in a deep voice, "I've bought everything required. We'll bring him to the mountain tomorrow!"

Huang Xian snorted. "It's all because of Xiao Tasha's lack of preparation! As a result, we had no choice but to resupply in Spiraling Mountain City at the last minute. This matter probably won't escape City Lord Duanmu's notice."

"That's alright," Chen Huan said lightly. "City Lord Duanmu is renowned for being a wheeler-dealer. Pei Ling is not related to him at all, and he won't interfere in this."

The few of them discussed for a while before dispersing.

…

At the same time, at Pei Ling's residence.

"J-Junior Brother Pei, it's getting late. I'm going to go back to my room to rest…" Chen Mei finally found an opportunity to break free of Pei Ling's arm and escape out the door.

"Senior Sister Chen, don't go." Pei Ling pretended to urge her to stay.

Slam!

What answered him was the sound of the door closing.

Pei Ling smiled coldly. He was now certain that Chen Huan, Chen Mei, and the others had ill intentions towards him!

Otherwise, not to mention that the leader of this group, Chen Huan, was Chen Mei's older brother, and the others were clearly closer to Chen Mei than to Pei Ling. These people's cultivation levels were all higher than Pei Ling's! Even Chen Mei herself was a cultivator with the same cultivation level as him.

How could she tolerate his rude behavior until now?

If not for their unfathomable motives, Pei Ling should have been taught a lesson by Chen Mei and Zhang Zhongqin when he placed his hand on Chen Mei's shoulder on the way back. He might even get chased out of the team.

"I must think of a way to contact Wu Liu again tonight…" Pei Ling thought to himself. He then instructed the maidservant to serve dinner.

After a moment, a maidservant walked in. Pei Ling casually glanced at her, and he could not help but stare at her. He asked in a deep voice, "You don't look like the one who served me this morning?"

The maid looked down and said carefully, "In reply to Immortal Master… my older sister was serving you in the morning."

"Then why are you here?" Pei Ling asked. Seeing the maidservant wringing her clothes, he hurriedly comforted her, "I don't mean to say that you're not good. I only want to know why you replaced her."

The maid forcefully held back a sob and knelt on the ground. "Immortal Master, my older sister… she didn't mean to leak your whereabouts! Now, the steward has already dragged my older sister out for punishment. I beg you to show mercy to my family! I beg you to show mercy! I beg you to show mercy!"

As he watched the maid prostrating on the ground and desperately kowtowing, Pei Ling frowned and said in a deep voice, "What in the world is going on? I've never said that I'm blaming your sister?"

Seeing that the maid was afraid to speak, Pei Ling continued, "Make yourself clear. Perhaps I can speak to the steward to save your sister?"

"Immortal Master, it was Immortal Master Chen and Fairy Chen's idea." The maid hesitated for a moment before she said softly, "They said that since you told Sister not to leak your whereabouts, and she didn't comply. She deserves to die, so the steward…"

Pei Ling's expression was ashen. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Did Senior Brother Chen and Senior Sister Chen come to ask about my whereabouts after they returned?"

Seeing the maid nod, he continued to ask, "Your sister didn't tell them at first, right?"

"Yes…" the maid replied with tears in her eyes.

Pei Ling sighed secretly. That maidservant did not get punished because of exposing his whereabouts!

On the contrary, it was likely because they became angry at her for not telling them his whereabouts in the first place.

When he instructed that maidservant previously, his main objective was to test Chen Huan and the others' true motives. He did not expect that the maidservant would actually try to keep it a secret for him…

Thinking of this, Pei Ling said to this maidservant, "I understand. I will inform the steward about this tomorrow. It's just that you also know that Senior Brother Chen and Senior Sister Chen are my fellow disciples. It's their order to deal with your sister. If they find out that I turned around to plead on her behalf, it won't look too good for me. So, pretend that I didn't say anything. In the future, when your sister is released, you should also pretend that nothing happened."

As the maid gratefully excused herself, Pei Ling sat quietly for around two hours. Then, he stood up and took out some unnecessary items from his storage bag and scattered them around the room, and messed up the bed. He even went to lie down on the bed for a while.

By then, it was already deep into the night. Pei Ling felt that it was about time, so he placed the tightly wrapped Life-Extinguishing Blade at the head of the bed. Then, he gently pushed open the back window and jumped out!

Outside the back window was a sizable flower bed, followed by a gravel path. Beyond that were a few tall trees.

Pei Ling walked out of the flower bed and saw that there was no one around. He immediately called out softly, "Miss Wuliu, Miss Wuliu…"

After waiting for a while, no one appeared. Pei Ling frowned slightly, then changed directions and continued to call out softly, "Miss Wuliu, I have something to tell Fairy Li. Please come out…"

Pei Ling did not dare to speak too loudly. However, after he called out from the back of the building where he lived to the two other buildings, he did not see Wu Liu appear. His heart could not help but sink. Wu Liu was no longer around?!

The escape technique Fairy Li gave him this time required him to learn it in seven days. If nothing went wrong, his mission outside the sect would last for more than seven days!

Under normal circumstances, Wu Liu should be staying in the dark and coming out to check his cultivation results after the seven days were up. Right?

Or did he really need to skin Chen Mei for Wu Liu to come out and see him?

"Junior Brother Pei, where are you going at night?" An icy voice suddenly sounded from behind Pei Ling.

Pei Ling turned around with a calm look. He saw that Huang Xian's entire body floated down like a dead leaf as he jumped down from the top of a nearby tree.

He landed silently on the ground, his face shrouded in the shadows of the plants, exuding a sinister feeling.

"Senior Brother Huang?" Pei Ling revealed a surprised look, then said, "I dropped something very important to me. I must have dropped it somewhere along the road during the day, so I'm planning to find it."

Huang Xian stared intently into Pei Ling's eyes, though he could not see any flaws at the moment. After a while, he suddenly asked, "Where's your saber? Why didn't you bring it with you when you're going out at night?"

"Why do I need to bring my saber when I'm only going out to look for something?" Pei Ling replied quickly.

Huang Xian nodded slightly, but he relaxed his guard a little. He then asked, "What did you drop? I'll help you find it."

"It's a sachet. It's pretty old and worn out, but it's something left behind by my birth mother. So I've never left it by my side at all times." Pei Ling replied casually.

Then, he roughly described the design of the sachet—the one he had stolen during the day.

Huang Xian nodded again. "I'll tell you what. You and Junior Sister Chen have to deal with the flower demon tomorrow, so you better rest well at night. Since I already know what your sachet looks like, you should go back and sleep first. I'll help you to find it.."

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Chapter 35: Sachet

"Thank you, Senior Brother Huang," Pei Ling replied calmly.

As he spoke, Pei Ling turned around and headed for his room.

Watching Pei Ling return to his room, Huang Xian suddenly spoke, "Junior Sister Chen, did you hear what this brat said just now?"

Chen Mei walked out from the shadows of the bushes. The moonlight shone on her face, illuminating her cold expression. "I'll get the Tracking Bee to find it!"

Not long after, the sachet that Pei Ling had deliberately thrown into the bamboo forest was discovered by the two of them.

"We did pass by here during the day when we returned," said Chen Mei.

Huang Xian sized it up a few times and found that it was only an ordinary sachet used by mortals, so he did not put much thought into it. He said lightly, "He didn't bring a weapon when he went out. It seems that he was only finding something. I'll give it back to him tomorrow."

"Okay!"

…

Meanwhile, in the small building.

Pei Ling frowned. He had many preparations in advance, and meeting Huang Xian just now was expected.

Since Chen Huan and the others wanted to harm him, they would definitely send someone to monitor him.

However, that was not the most important thing right now. He had not managed to contact Wu Liu!

"This is going to be troublesome!"

"If Wu Liu isn't here, with my cultivation level, I'm no match against Chen Huan, let alone against the five of them!

"Should I ask for help from City Lord Duanmu?

"No! The city lord is not related to me. He won't help me unconditionally if he doesn't benefit from it.

"Plus, Chen Huan and the others chose this place specifically. They must have been well-prepared for this."

"Then… I'll use Fairy Li's name to deter them from touching me?"

Pei Ling thought carefully for a moment and shook his head. He could not use the name of Fairy Li unless he had no other choice.

It was because he could not be sure if Wu Liu was currently monitoring him!

If Wu Liu were to keep watch over him while he used her master's name without permission, Wu Liu would definitely take his life at the first moment!

"There are two ways to test whether Wu Liu is here. The first is to skin Chen Mei alive, and the second is to master the Blood Spiraling Escape Technique!"

"If Wu Liu isn't here for the first option, I'm doomed!

"To be safe, it's better to cultivate the Blood Spiraling Escape Technique.

"But I can't cultivate in the city!

"Otherwise, if the system continues to cause trouble, the consequences will be unimaginable!

"I have to get out of the city.

"I'll suggest to Chen Huan tomorrow to leave the city together for the mission.

"Also, Chen Mei is the key to my survival now. I must be inseparable from her tomorrow!

"This way, even if Chen Huan decides to attack me on the way, I'll have Chen Mei as a hostage. In fact, if Wu Liu is here, I can even lure her out with Chen Mei!"

After making up his mind, Pei Ling looked at the sky outside the window. It was already late at night. He seized the moment and fell asleep to maintain his energy level for the next day.

The next morning.

Pei Ling had just woken up and gotten dressed when there was a knock on the door.

Dong dong dong!

"Junior Brother Pei, are you up?" Chen Mei's voice sounded from outside the door.

Hearing this, Pei Ling carried the Life-Extinguishing Blade on his back and went to open the door.

The door opened, and Chen Mei stood outside in her long skirt. Chen Huan and the rest were right behind her.

Everyone smiled when they saw Pei Ling.

Indeed, everything was in place.

They had already set up the sub-formation of the Soul-devouring Mother Array in Mount Spiral yesterday.

Today, as long as they brought Pei Ling over and locked him in the sub-formation, then set up the mother formation, he could sit and wait for the Soul Summoning Banner to be completely refined!

The lad in front of them was simply too silly and adorable and did not realize anything wrong.

Then next, they only needed to keep up the guise of friendly disciples to deceive Pei Ling and lure him into the sub-formation step by step.

It would not only save them trouble but also ensure that the most important offering at the moment was intact in all aspects!

At the thought of this, the smile on Chen Huan's face widened. He casually stuffed the sachet Huang Xian found last night into Pei Ling's hand and said, "Junior Brother Pei, today, we…"

Before he could finish, Pei Ling had already walked to Chen Mei's side and pulled her into his embrace in front of her brother.

Chen Huan's expression stiffened. Chen Mei instinctively wanted to struggle, but she was afraid that Pei Ling would sense something amiss. Therefore, she did not dare to move even when she was angry and embarrassed.

"Senior Brother Chen, it's getting boring in this city. When can we go out and do missions?" Pei Ling asked as if he was already his sister's boyfriend.

Chen Huan was furious. They had come to find Pei Ling early in the morning to find an excuse to let him enter Mount Spiral with them. It was great that Pei Ling took the initiative to mention it.

But now, Pei Ling was touching his sister in front of him and taking liberties with her. It was simply outrageous!

Noticing the change in Chen Huan's expression, Zhang Zhongqin hurriedly sent a voice transmission to advise him, "Senior Brother Chen, he's going to die anyway, why bother with a sacrifice?"

"That's right, Senior Brother Chen. It's all for the bigger picture!" Huang Xian said via voice transmission.

Chen Huan understood the severity of the matter, and he forcefully suppressed his rage while he squeezed out a smile on his face and said, "Since Junior Brother Pei wants to do the mission, then let's leave the city now!"

A moment later, they left the city and arrived at a quiet corner. Chen Huan said to Xiao Tasha, "Thank you for your hard work, Junior Sister Xiao."

Xiao Tasha glanced at him dotingly and said, "It's not hard at all. Don't worry, Senior Brother Chen. I will do my best for you."

With that, she took out a disk array and cast a few hand seals. She shouted, "Wind rise!"

A strong wind rose from the ground, sweeping everyone up and rapidly heading for the bottom of Mount Spiral in the distance!

Pei Ling held Chen Mei tighter as the strong wind blew them into the air. He was relieved to see that Chen Huan and the others had no intention of attacking him.

As far as the eye could see, he quickly saw a patch of pink and white in the southeast corner, as if there was a dash of brilliance amidst the wild greenery. It was an extremely large flower bed…

They had received three missions this time. Their first mission was sending a letter to City Lord Duanmu, which they had already completed. The second was to kill the flower demons. The third was to deal with the sixth-stage Awakening Realm Purple-eyed Mink.

Their current mission should be killing the flower demon.

However, they headed towards the southwest, where the interweaving of different shades of green continued.

Although plants were luxuriant in that direction, they were all grass and trees.

No matter how he thought about it, it could not be the location of the flower demon.

The flower demon should be in the flower forest in the southeast corner. The place Chen Huan and the others are bringing me to is probably Mount Spiral…

It seems that they have prepared to attack me too. I must be one step ahead!

Pei Ling thought while maintaining his composure.

After a while, everyone descended from the fierce wind. They had already reached the dense forest at the foot of Mount Spiral.

However, casting the spell just now had exhausted Xiao Tasha. Her face turned pale, and she was on the verge of collapse. She could not even speak at the moment.

Chen Huan hurriedly stepped forward to hold her and ask about her well-being. He then said, "In a while, I'll need you to do the job. I'll get Huang Xian to carry you on his back first."

Xiao Tasha was not too happy to hear that. She looked at Chen Huan frequently. It became clear that she hoped that Chen Huan would carry her himself.

However, after Chen Huan explained the complicated situation in the forest in a low voice, Xiao Tasha reluctantly agreed. After all, Chen Huan was the most powerful person on the team, and he had to keep an eye on the team at all times.

Pei Ling narrowed his eyes. Xiao Tasha seemed to be a crucial part of this team.. In other words, as long as she had not recovered, he would be fine!

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Chapter 36: Soul Devouring Mother Array

Mount Spiral was vast. According to Chen Mei's introduction on the Corpse Cloud, Mount Spiral had 36 peaks and 72 waterfalls. There were countless rivers and streams, and the mountain range stretches for tens of thousands of kilometers.

As water vapor was abundant, vegetation flourished, and there were countless birds and beasts. The same applies to snakes and other insects.

It was not a big deal as Chen Huan's team was well prepared. After they entered the forest, they distributed the insect repellent sachets one by one. Zhang Zhongqin held a long saber and bashed open a path in front of them. Although they had encountered several ambushes from beasts and insects, Chen Huan and the others displayed their experience in missions. They cooperated well and dealt with those situations with relative ease. Overall, things were going rather smoothly.

"Silence!" After walking for an unknown amount of time in the forest, Zhang Zhongqin, who was leading the way, suddenly gestured with his hand. The entire team immediately turned cold. Before Pei Ling could react, his shoulder sank. It was Chen Hen who rushed over from the back and held him down.

Chen Huan's face was dark as he gave Pei Ling a warning look before looking ahead.

In the middle of the towering ancient trees and behind some dense trees were several red-eyed, green-haired, ape-like demon beasts playing around.

He gestured for everyone to retreat a distance, then asked Zhang Zhongqin to confirm any problems in the vicinity. Chen Huan then said in a low voice, "According to previous scoutings, this group of Fire-Eyed Green Apes is the most troublesome in the vicinity. If we don't get rid of them, I'm afraid there will be more complications."

Pei Ling watched quietly, but he did not intend to help at all. It was best if something happened to them so that he could take Chen Mei away and complete the deal with Wu Liu!

Then, Xiao Tasha and the others took out some wine, drug powder, and other items from their storage bags. After a series of intricate moves, they used the Fire-Eyed Green Ape's weakness of alcohol drinking to put them down… In the end, they killed this group of demon beasts without spilling a single drop of blood!

Then, they used the same adequate preparations to kill a nest of Spirit Devouring Ants and a Blue-Winged Crow.

It was difficult to determine the direction in the dense forest, and Pei Ling could only vaguely sense that they seemed to be walking around in a rather large circle. After sweeping through the troublesome demon beasts and insects in this circle, Chen Huan and the others stopped the hunting and led him toward the middle of the circle.

During the process, Chen Huan remained highly vigilant against Pei Ling, paying attention to his every move, not giving him any chance to do anything.

Pei Ling's expression did not change. Chen Huan and the others' intentions towards him were becoming more and more obvious. It might be due to him acting cooperatively now, or maybe Chen Mei was in his hands, so these people did not intend to fall out with him yet.

"Senior Brother Chen, how far are we from the mission location?" After walking for a while, Pei Ling suddenly asked. The surroundings gradually turned cold.

There were even some changes in the vegetation. The plants that faced the sun decreased significantly, while the plants that thrive in the shade rapidly increased… Meanwhile, the terrain they were walking on headed downwards gradually.

"We're almost there," Chen Hen answered.

As they spoke, they entered a long and narrow gorge.

Pei Ling's gaze flashed as he recorded down all the traces along the way in his mind.

The gorge in front of him looked like a line of sky, and there was only one path after entering. The green rocks above him faced each other, and rocks filled with pith hung down to the bottom of the gorge, blocking out the sun. Miasma lurked around, and their vision became limited in the daytime.

After this period of recovery, Xiao Tasha had finally caught her breath. She got down from Huang Xian's back, raised her array disc, and replaced Zhang Zhongqin to lead the way.

Although this place had not seen the sun all year round, and it was still bone-chilling at noon, for some reason, various kinds of vines grew exceptionally well. They were connected in all sorts of peculiarities, making them look like demons at first sight.

Not long after, they pushed aside a cluster of thick roots, and the space in front of them opened up. It was a flat space.

Xiao Tasha heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Junior Brother Pei, the flower demon is right in front of you. You can proceed!"

Pei Ling's heart jumped though he replied without hesitation, "Okay! Hunting the flower demons is a mission for Senior Sister Chen Mei and me. We will go in together!"

As he spoke, Pei Ling pulled out the Life-Extinguishing Blade and placed it on Chen Mei's neck!

Chen Mei's expression froze, not knowing what had happened. She heard Pei Ling say coldly, "Don't move, otherwise…"

Before he could finish his sentence, their waists tightened. Pei Ling looked down and saw that a vine as thick as a child's arm had stretched out from behind him. It wrapped around him and Chen Mei at the same time and abruptly dragged the two of them forward!

The scenery around him rippled like water. Pei Ling's pupils constricted abruptly. He saw that Chen Huan and the others had already disappeared from sight.

Instead, towering ancient trees that towered into the sky from all directions entered his sight.

Pei Ling was startled. He grabbed Chen Mei with one hand and used the other to chop at the vines wrapped around him.

However, the vine seemed to be able to sense it. Before the blade landed, it suddenly let go of Pei Ling. Right after that, it grabbed Chen Mei and pulled her into the forest!

Pei Ling did not hesitate as he slashed at Chen Mei. However, the vine was too fast, and it was one step ahead of him as it pulled Chen Mei back rapidly!

Pei Ling immediately followed. He knew that this vine was a magic technique used by Chen Huan! Although he had plenty of preparations in advance, the two sides were two sub realms apart, and he still could not catch up to his opponent!

Soon, not long after, Chen Mei disappeared into a bush.

However, once Pei Ling followed closely behind and stepped in. The bush felt endless, and it almost ripped the bottom of his pants.

A maze?!

Pei Ling's expression changed, then he said coldly, "Senior brothers and sisters. What is the meaning of this?"

"Nothing much. We just hope that you can stay here for a while. We'll be back for you soon!" Chen Huan replied with a smile.

Pei Ling gave a cold sneer when he heard this, but he quickly recovered his composure and said, "Senior Brother Chen, I have treated you as my older brother and respected you. Why did you plot against me?"

"Since you treat Senior Brother Chen as your older brother, how can you stay out of his troubles?" Pei Ling could not see anyone, but he could hear Xiao Tasha's voice. She chuckled and said, "Junior Brother Pei, stop struggling. Be a good boy and stay in the sub formation. When the mother array is ready, you can feed the Soul Summoning Banner for Senior Brother Chen. So that your body won't become wasted."

Pei Ling wanted to determine the position of the sound and confirm the direction of the exit, but the voice came from all directions. He could not distinguish the way out at all.

Seeing this, Pei Ling did not speak anymore and sat quietly on the ground.

Outside the array, Chen Huan looked away and asked Xiao Tasha, "Are you sure he can't come out?"

Xiao Tasha replied confidently, "Don't worry, Senior Brother Chen! I have set up a maze outside the sub formation. It's the same one that I used to trap Senior Brother Huang and Senior Brother Zhang the other time. Even if he manages to get out of the sub-formation, he won't be able to get out of the maze."

She continued, "The most important thing now is the mother array. Because of the lack of materials yesterday, we could only set up a sub-formation and a maze. In comparison, the mother array is more complicated and requires more attention."

"To maximize your ability to command the refined Soul Summoning Banner with ease, and not get disturbed by the soul you control. In a while, I need everyone's blood essence and birth characters… We must get all of these done before midnight. By that time, we can then perfectly extract the soul and blood essence of that brat in the sub formation and thoroughly integrate him into the Soul Summoning Banner."

"Otherwise, if we miss this opportunity, the next suitable day will be five days later."

Chen Huan thanked her while he looked at Huang Xian and Zhang Zhongqin. After they nodded to show that Xiao Tasha's maze was reliable, Chen Huan said with a smile, "Then we will follow Junior Sister Xiao's arrangement."

After checking that the maze and the sub-formations were intact, they went to the location of the mother array outside the gorge..

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Chapter 37: I'll Give You a Four-Star Rating Later!

In the sub formation, Pei Ling sat quietly for a while and listened carefully. He saw that the surroundings were silent, and Chen Huan and the others seemed to have left.

His gaze flashed as he kept the Life-Extinguishing Blade. He chose a direction and rushed into the forest.

This forest was not much different from the forests he had passed on his way here. It was just strangely quiet, without any sounds of insects or birds, only the rustling of leaves as he stepped on the grass.

Pei Ling rushed forward for a moment before his eyes suddenly brightened!

He quickened his pace, but after he walked out, he returned to the empty land!

Subsequently, no matter how hard he tried, and no matter how he thought of ways to find any directions. Not long after he entered the forest, he would walk back to the same space. The markings that he used various methods would also return to normal, leaving no traces.

"I guess I can't get out. Though this formation doesn't do any harm temporarily."

"I'll first cultivate the [Blood Spiraling Escape Technique]. Then, I'll be able to get Miss Wu Liu to come out and check on my progress!"

"If Wu Liu isn't here, I'll use my last trick…"

Thinking of this, Pei Ling sat down cross-legged and thought to himself, "System, I want to cultivate."

With his current cultivation, even if he did not get trapped in the formation, he would fight Zhang Zhongqin to a draw at best.

Besides Zhang Zhongqin, there were four others!

Other than Chen Mei, the weakest of the team, Huang Xian and Xiao Tasha were all at the fifth stage of Qi Refinement. They were enough to control the situation, not to mention that Chen Huan was at the sixth stage of Qi Refinement.

He had zero chance of winning in a head-on battle.

He could only wait for an opportunity to strike.

Now that Chen Huan and the others had left, for now, he could act according to his original plan.

He had to plan for the worst too. If all his plans failed, he would have more chances of survival if he could master a new technique now.

"Ding Dong! The Smart Cultivation System is at your service!"

Pei Ling immediately said, "Choose the [Blood Spiraling Escape Technique, [Temporary Cultivation—Smart Duration, and [One-Click Management]!"

The familiar feeling of losing control of his body came. Pei Ling could only feel the blood and Qi in his body circulating in an entirely new way. It went from slow to fast, and he faintly heard sounds like a rushing river from his body. His steps became faster and faster, and a faint blood shadow gradually formed behind him!

Pei Ling was shocked. His movement was much faster than before.

And he had only just begun his cultivation of the technique.

It was a pity that Spiraling Mountain City had City Lord Duanmu, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, guarding it. Otherwise, after Wu Liu left, he would have found a corner to cultivate this escape technique overnight. Chen Huan would not have been able to save Chen Mei from him moments ago!

Just as he thought about it, his body suddenly stopped.

A thought flashed through Pei Ling's mind. Indeed, a familiar notification sounded. "Ding Dong! Detected that blood feed is needed to continue practicing the Blood Spiraling Escape Technique. Detected that there is a lack of blood feed…"

"Blood feed?" Pei Ling chuckled in his heart. He was not as frightened as in the previous few incidents as he was penniless now.

He had also confirmed earlier that apart from him, there was nothing else in this formation.

If you want blood feed, find it yourself!

Just as he thought about it, the system indeed sounded again. "Ding Dong. The system will give you several high-grade blood feeds for free…"

Immediately, Pei Ling's body moved.

Just like the previous few times, he traveled incredibly fast at this moment.

It was even faster than when he first cultivated the Blood Spiraling Escape Technique!

He pulled out the Life-Extinguishing Blade in front of him and rushed into the forest without hesitation. After a series of turns that Pei Ling could not see clearly, he suddenly slammed into the trunk of a large tree!

"System?!" Pei Ling was about to scold the system when he realized that he felt no pain. Instead, his vision blurred while he suddenly felt released from a form of dead silence as he heard the rushing waters and birds chirping—he came out?

Pei Ling was first startled before he was overjoyed. He said sincerely, "System, I'll give you a four-star rating later!"

With the lesson from the incident with Fairy Li, he did not dare to give it a five-star rating for the time being.

After all, who knew what kind of 'cashback' this retarded system would give him?

However, accounting for the system's contribution this time, a four-star rating should be enough.

The system ignored him, remaining indifferent. It operated his body to run through the forest. Pei Ling observed for a while and saw that the system was clearly heading in a particular direction. Although he did not know what was there, it was always better than staying in the array.

Ever since the system got activated, this was the first time he had felt relieved to receive a "gift" from the system.

However, this relief disappeared when his body traversed mountains and rivers, plucked vines and drilled holes… and finally entered an underground lair!

"I knew it…" Pei Ling looked at the spider webs that appeared from time to time, as well as the spider eggs that piled up in front of him. He almost felt a bucket of ice water pour down his head. He immediately thought of the Man-Faced Spider City Lord Duanmu had mentioned.

Pei Ling sighed and watched numbly as the system stepped forward and stabbed the eggs of the little spiders that were still in the middle of incubation to death. Then, he used the Blood Spiral Escape Art to extract blood from all of them.

"Ding-dong!" The system reminded him. "The high-grade blood feed has been gifted to you! The system will continue to cultivate for you…"

As the unhatched little spiders turned to ashes, increasing power became absorbed into Pei Ling's body. He felt a powerful spiritual strength rush from his tailbone to the back of his head. Immediately, Pei Ling's entire body's vitality seemed ignited!

The roar of the surging waves sounded in his body!

The next moment, his body felt like it exploded. A mist of blood spurted out from his pores as if a blood-colored cloak was covering his entire body. He leaped out and had already shifted around the lair several times in the blink of an eye. The blood shadow behind him became dense as if it materialized.

At first glance, it was as if several people were running back and forth. Pei Ling's body seemed illusory, making it difficult to tell whether they were real or fake!

Pei Ling silently praised the Blood Spiraling Escape Technique in his heart.

If only he had cultivated this escape technique earlier, Chen Huan and the others would be dreaming if they thought they could capture him.

"Fairy Li is a good…" Pei Ling was about to praise Fairy Li. However, thinking of his experiences thus far, he quickly suppressed the thought.

The disciples of the Deep Sea Sect were too demonic. It was only the outer sect. When he thought of how the inner sect disciples and even core disciples had slaughtered their way up the ranks in such environments, he did not dare to give Fairy Li a "good person's card" right now.

Who knows what Fairy Li is thinking…

In any case, it seemed like she had given him a chance to live up to this point.

In that case… I'll leave it at that.

Pei Ling composed himself and focused on the circulation of the Blood Spiraling Escape Technique.

After an unknown period, his body suddenly stopped. At the same time, the system gave a notification. "Ding Dong! This cultivation session has ended. Thank you for using the smart cultivation system. You have ascended without a worry! I'll look forward to you sharing the cultivation experience. If you are satisfied, please give me a five-star rating!"

Pei Ling did not say a word. He did not even check the situation in the lair as he picked up the Life-Extinguishing Blade and ran!

He gave the system a one-star rating as he ran!

Trash!

You are only worthy of a one-star negative rating for the rest of your life!

Did you hear that, trash?!

You will only be worthy of a one-star rating for life!!

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Chapter 38: Man-Faced Spider

Pei Ling followed his rough idea of the route leading outside. After escaping from the lair, he was about to catch his breath when he suddenly felt the hill behind him shake slightly. Immediately, a shrill cry sounded!

Before he could react, he felt as if a huge rock had slammed into his chest. He was dizzy and tasted blood in his throat.

F*ck!

Is the Man-Faced Spider back!?

Pei Ling did not have the luxury of time to think as he hurriedly shouted, "Miss Wuliu! I have already cultivated the [Blood Spiraling Escape Technique]. Please come out!"

The surroundings remained empty and quiet for a long time.

Wu Liu was really not here?

Pei Ling's heart sank. He did not place his hopes on this female ghost anymore. After finding his direction, he fled towards Spiral Mountain City.

It was a demon beast that even City Lord Duanmu, who was at the Foundation Establishment stage, did not dare fight head-on. Other than Spiraling Mountain City, he could not think of any other safe place.

He had only escaped for some distance when he heard continuous vibrations from behind him, accompanied by the furious shriek of a demon beast—Pei Ling took the time to turn around and take a look. He saw that more than half of the hill where the spider lair was originally located got lifted, and a spider, the size of a house, emerged from the lair.

This spider was entirely pale, and there was a lifelike human face on its abdomen. The corners of its mouth were naturally curved up as if it was smiling. It looked ferocious and strange.

Its pedipalps were still stained with the flesh of unknown demon beasts. Clearly, it had just returned from its hunt and had been confronted with the death of this batch of children.

At this moment, it was full of rage. It looked around and noticed Pei Ling's rapidly departing figure. It then sensed the residual scent in the lair and could not help but let out another shrill cry. Its four pairs of legs began moving as it cleaved through the trees in front of it and chased after him madly.

Pei Ling was scared out of his wits when he realized what was coming. He frantically executed the Blood Spiraling Escape Technique in an attempt to get further away from the man-faced spider.

Fortunately for Pei Ling, the escape technique came from Fairy Li, and it had been cultivated through the system. Pei Ling had already escaped for a while, and the distance between them quickly widened to the naked eye. No matter how the Man-Faced Spider charged toward him mindlessly, even spitting out spider webs in anger, it could only watch helplessly as Pei Ling's figure turned into a black dot.

"The Blood Spiraling Escape Technique is so powerful!" After confirming that the man-faced spider was much slower than him, Pei Ling heaved a sigh of relief and could not help but be fascinated. "I wonder if Fairy Li has any more cultivation techniques for me after learning this escape technique?"

He would like to have a dozen more of such powerful cultivation techniques for free.

Pei Ling looked forward to it for a while. He thought of how he would answer to City Lord Duanmu after he entered Spiraling Mountain City.

After all, City Lord Duanmu was not willing to provoke this Man-Faced Spider…

"Anyway, although the Foundation Establishment Man-Faced Spider has some intelligence, it can't speak." Pei Ling quickly thought of an excuse. "When he asked, I'll say that it provoked me first."

As for why? He was only a new outer sect disciple of the Deep Sea Sect at the fourth level of Qi Refinement.

What evil intentions could he have?

Even if he had any, who would believe that he had the ability to provoke a man-faced spider in the Foundation Establishment stage?!

With that thought, Pei Ling relaxed as if a huge burden lifted from his shoulders.

However, his expression changed soon when he realized the harsh reality: he did not have enough spiritual power!

Although the Blood Spiraling Escape Technique gave him super speed, it consumed a lot of spiritual power.

Pei Ling was so focused on escaping that he did not notice it just now. In this short span, half of the spiritual power in his body was gone. If this carried on, he could forget about escaping into Spiraling Mountain City since he would probably get caught by the Man-Faced Spider before he even left the forest at the foot of the mountain.

"Damn it…" Pei Ling's face was ashen. He thought quickly and changed directions suddenly, heading for the gorge where he had previously gotten trapped in!

It was impolite not to reciprocate!

The reason he angered this Man-Faced Spider was that Chen Huan and the others had forced him to.

Since that was the case, how could he let them stay out of it?

If he did not have enough spiritual power to return to Spiral Mountain City, he would make Chen Huan and the others buy time for him!

As Pei Ling rushed toward the gorge, there was an empty space that someone had cleared up a few kilometers outside the gorge. The place was filled with a complex array patterns formed by cinnabar and human blood. In the middle of the empty space was a Soul Summoning Banner.

This Soul Summoning Banner was roughly the same as the Soul Summoning Banner used in the market during funerals. However, more than ten souls were struggling hysterically on the surface of the banner, their faces twisted with resentment. "Chen Huan! You will die a horrible death!"

"Huang Xian, I treated you as my older brother, but you betrayed me like this! You will suffer retribution sooner or later!"

"Mei'er… Mei'er… Why don't you look at me? Back then, you said you liked me. But you turned around and tricked me into a trap. Not only did you kill me, you even took my blood essence and soul to refine a talisman for Chen Huan. You… Don't you feel any guilt after treating me like this?!"

"Zhang Zhongqin! You animal! If I hadn't saved you back then, you would have died a long time ago! How could you repay kindness with ingratitude!! Animal! Animal!!"

"Xiao Tasha, you b*tch! You and I are cousins! How could you harm me just for Chen Huan! You will die a horrible death! How are you going to answer to your parents and elders if you enter the underworld after you die and see them?!"

"Cousin, stop struggling." On a makeshift altar, Xiao Tasha stood on seven stars, performing a series of hand seals, and bit the tip of her tongue to spit out a mouthful of blood. However, the patterns on the altar lit up with a faint bloody glow.

She was pale, and there were traces of blood at the corner of her mouth, but she seemed extremely excited.

She first teased the female ghost in the banner and replied, "You were pursuing the Great Dao wholeheartedly, but you were slow-witted. Now that you've entered the Soul Summoning Banner, Senior Brother Chen's cultivation will improve in the future. Once he becomes successful in the Great Dao, you'll ascend to the heavens as well. Wouldn't that be equivalent to fulfilling your wish? Why must you scold me? You should be thanking me."

She then turned to Chen Huan and said with a smile, "Senior Brother Chen, I'll never fail you. This mother array is finally complete! We only need to wait until midnight."

Chen Huan, Huang Xian, Zhang Zhongqin, and Chen Mei stood at a specific position in the array while holding a talisman flickering with spiritual light. Blood could be seen on their wrists, and all of their faces were pale while their breathing was rapid. Especially Chen Mei, who had the lowest cultivation, her legs went weak when she heard this, and she directly knelt on the ground.

When she looked up at the talisman floating in front of her, there was actually some fear in her eyes as she said with lingering fear, "Fortunately, I made it through. Although Senior Sister Xiao's method of using the Talisman Array can allow her to set up an array beyond her cultivation realm, it's too costly in terms of spiritual energy and blood essence."

She felt like she was going to be sucked dry!

"Junior Sister Xiao, it's all thanks to you this time." Chen Huan was the most powerful of them all. Although he had suffered much, he was still in high spirits. He ignored his sister and went up to support Xiao Tasha. After showing concern to Xiao Tasha, he said to Chen Mei, "Go down and see how Pei Ling is doing."

Before Chen Mei could calm down, she was already unhappy. "Him? He can't even come out. What else can he do?"

As she spoke, she summoned the Tracking Bee from her sleeve.. To her surprise, the Tracking Bee did not fly toward the gorge as it flew south without hesitation!

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Chapter 39: Natural Enemy?

"…" Chen Mei shuddered as her eyes widened.

She took a breath before realizing what this meant. In an instant, her voice changed. "Senior Sister Xiao! Didn't you say that Pei Ling couldn't leave the array formation you set up?! Then why is he no longer in the gorge?"

Chen Huan, who was still coaxing Xiao Tasha, suddenly looked up and shouted, "What did you say?"

"Brother, look at the Tracking Bee." Chen Mei hurriedly formed hand seals to stop the Seeking Bee and shouted, "The path down the valley is too difficult to walk on, and I'm not sure if I would get lost. So I planned to let the Seeking Bee lead the way, but I did not expect it to fly south. Pei Ling is not in the gorge anymore!"

"How is that possible?!" Before Chen Huan could answer, Xiao Tasha said in shock, "A sub-formation is not something he can leave with his current cultivation level. Not to mention that I have set up a maze outside… He's not a descendant of a big family. His older brother is the eldest son of the Pei family, and we all know how ignorant he was when he first entered the outer sect?!"

"Otherwise, why would Pei Hongnian become controlled by someone like Sun Yinglan?!"

"How can this Pei Ling break out of my sub-formation?"

Xiao Tasha could not help but question the Tracking Bees. "Did your Tracking Bee make a mistake?"

"Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand anything." Chen Mei's cultivation level was not high, and most of her value was in her Tracking Bee. Her expression could not help changing when she heard that, and she said, "This Tracking Bee cost my family a lot of resources… It has never gone wrong before!"

Xiao Tasha wanted to say something else, but Chen Huan stopped her.

Chen Huan's expression was dark as he shouted, "Stop fighting. Junior Brother Huang, can you and Mei'er go down and see what's going on?"

He said lightly, "The Tracking Bee has indeed never gone wrong. We have also personally witnessed Junior Sister Xiao's ability to set up the array. In this situation, it might not be Pei Ling who escaped. Perhaps he threw his outer clothes and the like out of the array in despair which was then brought to the south by beasts passing by."

"I think it's better to go down and take a look."

Despite saying that, Chen Huan's heart palpitated as he had a bad feeling.

That premonition got confirmed quickly: Huang Xian brought Chen Mei down to the gorge for a while and returned soon with a grim expression. "Senior Brother Chen, Pei Ling is indeed no longer in the sub-formation. Moreover, I saw a footprint near the stream outside the array. It's still fresh, and it's most likely his judging from the size."

Before he could finish his sentence, Zhang Zhongqin's face turned pale. He shouted at Xiao Tasha, "Didn't you say that Pei Ling couldn't get away? That's why we can come to set up the array here. What happened?"

Xiao Tasha went blank for a second before she exclaimed, "How… how is this possible?!"

"Why not?" Huang Xian said with a cold face. "Do you think that Junior Sister Chen and I would joke about such a thing?"

"Alright, cut it out!" It was Chen Huan who stepped forward to mediate the situation. He said in a deep voice, "Although that punk has just entered the sect, he must have some secrets about him. Not mentioning anything else, just the saber technique he used in the array previously is something else. Not to mention a family like the Pei family, even the Outer Sect's various magic pavilions probably can't find more than a few sets of similar ones."

"I'm afraid that he met some opportunities before entering the sect."

"Otherwise, how could a person at the fourth stage of Qi Refinement coming from a poor and backward place like Deer Spring City have such a strong physical body?"

"Although it's surprising that he can escape the sub-formation, it isn't entirely impossible…"

He looked up at the sky. "Fortunately, there's still time before midnight. Let the Tracking Bee lead the way. We'll catch him and bring him back."

"Senior Brother Chen, that kid must be frightened by us," Huang Xian said. "Judging from the direction, he didn't dare to return to Spiraling Mountain City and would rather run deep into the mountains. We have to hurry over in case he accidentally enters the demon beast territories and complicates matters."

Therefore, after a short discussion, they decided that Huang Xian, Zhang Zhongqin, and Chen Mei would go and capture Pei Ling while Chen Huan and Xiao Tasha would recover on the spot. Both sides would hold a voice transmission talisman and contact each other if there were any issues.

After all, no matter how anxious they were to bring Pei Ling back, the array would become activated at midnight. Chen Huan and Xiao Tasha were the main force. If they exhausted themselves too much at this moment, it would be disastrous if they could not suppress the Soul Summoning Banner.

Huang Xian and Zhang Zhongqin did not dare waste any time. They had Chen Mei communicate with the Tracking Bee to chase after Pei Ling.

Luckily, they had eliminated all the nearby troubles in advance for the sake of safety, such as the Fire-Eyed Green Ape. At the moment, no demon beasts were interfering, and their speed was not too slow.

The only person slowing them down was Chen Mei. The problem was that they needed her to control the tracking bee, and she was Chen Huan's relative. They could only endure their impatience.

Chen Mei was also anxious. However, she was only at the fourth stage of Qi Refinement. Even if she used all her strength, she would eventually fall behind.

After traveling for a while, the Seeking Bee continued to fly forward. Huang Xian could not help but scold, "Xiao Tasha is really unreliable. If that kid had suffered any damage while breaking the array, he wouldn't have traveled that far."

"Xiao Tasha's ability to set up arrays is not bad." Zhang Zhongqin shook his head. "She's a talent that's highly regarded in the Array Peak. I tried to walk out of the maze she set up once, but as you know, I walked for three days and three nights. I tried all kinds of methods, but in the end, I still admitted defeat… For the sake of Senior Brother Chen, she'll always try her best. There must be something wrong with that kid, Pei Ling. When you see him later, you must not hold back."

"At this point, even if we can't bring him back unharmed, it's better than letting him slip away again."

Huang Xian nodded. "I know…"

Suddenly, Chen Mei gasped.

The two of them hurriedly became alert and asked, "Did you find him?!"

"…The Tracking Bee seems to have met its natural enemy and doesn't dare to move forward." Chen Mei looked bewildered. "Did you bring the map? Is there anything in the vicinity that the Tracking Bee is afraid of?"

"Afraid?" Huang Xian and Zhang Zhongqin looked at each other, their eyes filled with doubt. "The map is with Senior Brother Chen. We were in a hurry just now and forgot to take it. However, I remember that along the way, up to the Man-Faced Spider's territory, there weren't any decent demon beasts?"

After all, with the Man-Faced Spider in the vicinity. Even if there were powerful demon beasts, they would have tactfully fled into the distance after sensing the aura of this Foundation Establishment demon beast. Those who were tactless would have more or less entered the Man-Faced Spider's stomach.

Chen Mei blurted out, "Don't tell me we're near the Man-Faced Spider's territory?"

"That's impossible." Huang Xian shook his head. "I've always calculated the distance. We are now almost 50 kilometers away from the Man-Faced Spider's foraging area. According to City Lord Duanmu, the Man-Faced Spider will not change its hunting area easily. After all, it left the depths of Mount Spiral to breed and hatch its offspring safely. In that case, it won't leave its lair easily."

Zhang Zhongpang frowned and said, "It might be some other natural enemy… Get the Tracking Bee to ignore it. If it really can't, tell us where the Tracking Bee is now. Let's go over and check if there are any traces of Pei Ling?"

"Okay!" Chen Mei nodded.. Just as she was about to bring them to the place where the Tracking Bee had stopped, Huang Xian's ears suddenly twitched as he shouted, "Wait! There's movement!"

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Chapter 40: Meeting Up

Zhang Zhongqin's reaction was sharp. He immediately dashed and climbed up a towering ancient tree not too far away. Looking around, he saw the forest in the distance tremble. Someone was speeding through the trees. As his clothes fluttered, his figure could be seen clearly. Wasn't that Pei Ling?

"That brat is right in front!" Zhang Zhongqin felt ecstatic. He hurriedly told his companions under the tree, "He seems lost, and he's actually running towards us!"

"So we searched far and wide for him only to find him by chance!" Huang Xian and Chen Mei were surprised. Then they laughed loudly. Huang Xian snapped his fingers as he said with a ferocious smile, "I was afraid that I would delay Senior Brother Chen's time. I didn't expect that this kid would deliver himself to my door."

They were overjoyed as they went to surround Pei Ling. Pei Ling quickly sensed the three while running for his life, and he could not help but rejoice. He welcomed them as if he was meeting his biological siblings, who had been separated from him for many years. "Senior Brother Huang! Senior Brother Zhang! And Senior Sister Chen… I finally found you! Oh yes, why aren't Senior Brother Chen and Senior Sister Xiao here?"

"The two of them are waiting for you in the Soul Devouring Mother Array!" Huang Xian laughed grimly and reached out his arm, wanting to grab him.

However, a bloody glow surged out from Pei Ling's body. He suddenly increased his speed and flashed past them like an arrow leaving a bow at the last moment.

The wind that was stirred up even hurt their faces!

Huang Xian and the other two were startled for a moment. Only then did they realize that something was wrong as Pei Ling had already slipped away quickly. As he ran, he shouted, "Senior Brothers, what Senior Brother Chen said has been completed. This evil creature has also been lured here according to the plan… Quick! Let's kill it together! Let's help it reunite with those dead offspring!"

The three of them subconsciously looked in the direction he came from and saw that several towering ancient trees were cut off. In the gaps where they collapsed, a pair of crimson eyes were looking at them with fury!

Immediately after, it shook its eight legs and jumped into the air with ease. The human face symbol on its abdomen extinguished the tiny hope of Huang Xian and the other two. Without any hesitation, the enraged Man-Faced Spider spat out a spider web.

Huang Xian and the other two were scared out of their wits as they ran frantically.

However, it was not a big deal for Huang Xian and Zhang Zhongqin. After all, they were both at the fifth level of Qi Refinement. At the critical moment, they forced themselves to speed up and narrowly avoided the spiderweb. However, Chen Mei was not so lucky. She could only let out a scream before she got enveloped by the spiderweb.

Immediately, the Man-Faced Spider pulled the spiderweb containing Chen Mei with a strand of spider silk. Its vicious mouth moved closer, and the agonizing "crunch" sound followed was accompanied by a scream for a moment before it quickly fell silent.

Pei Ling turned his head for a glance. As his hair stood on end, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He would rather his fellow Daoists get killed instead of him! If not for this group of people, he would not have provoked the Man-Faced Spider. As the saying went, the one who started the trouble should end it. Whether he could safely escape back to Spiraling Mountain City depended on these 'companions'.

The problem was that Chen Mei had already died right after seeing the Man-Faced Spider. The remaining two probably could not hold on for long. He had to pull away from the Man-Faced Spider quickly and think of a solution!

At the thought of this, Pei Ling endured the discomfort and forcefully activated his spiritual power. The Blood Spiraling Escape Technique increased his speed while he turned into a blood-colored light that instantly disappeared into the horizon.

Upon seeing this scene, Huang Xian and Zhang Zhongqin's eyes almost split open. "You little bastard!!!"

However, the Man-Faced Spider quickly finished eating Chen Mei and caught up to them again. Although their cultivation levels were higher than Pei Ling's, they had nothing similar to Pei Ling's escape technique. Even if they tried their best, they could only watch as the Man-Faced Spider rapidly closed in on them.

Soon, a foul wind blew at the back of their heads. The Man-Faced Spider's legs tore through the branches and leaves of the forest, almost hitting their backs.

"Damn it!" The duo's faces turned pale. They hurriedly looked at each other and understood each other. Almost at the same time, they slammed their palms against their chests. A green light flashed in their eyes as they suddenly accelerated.

However, at the same time, blood gushed out of their seven orifices, complementing their twisted faces. They looked terrifying, and their auras rapidly dropped down.

It was the Blood Ignition Art of the Deep Sea Sect. It used the burning of blood essence to increase one's power forcefully. However, the price was that one's cultivation level would drop drastically after practicing it, resulting in a backlash from their spiritual power.

It was no different from quenching one's thirst with poison.

However, at this moment, the two of them did not have a better option.

"Look for Senior Brother Chen!" Blood flowed from the corner of Huang Xian's mouth as he shouted, "We can't hold on for too long!"

Zhang Zhongqin also understood their situation. Blood flowed faster from his seven orifices as his figure flashed through the forest like the wind.

After a while, Chen Huan was meditating by the Soul Devouring Mother Array before he opened his eyes suspiciously. Xiao Tasha was admiring his handsome face, and she was about to say something when two bloodstained figures fell from the sky.

"Senior Brother Huang! Senior Brother Zhang?!" Xiao Tasha swallowed her words and exclaimed, "How did you guys become like this?"

Huang Xian coughed up a mouthful of blood and ignored her. He hurriedly said to Chen Huan, "Senior Brother Chen, the situation isn't good! That little bastard Pei Ling has somehow provoked the Man-Faced Spider while he possesses an extremely fast escape technique… Just now, Junior Sister Chen Mei got swallowed by the Man-Faced Spider, while that little bastard was nowhere to be seen. We used the Blood Ignition Art to shake off that monster temporarily."

Xiao Tasha's eyes widened as she gasped. "What? Doesn't this mean the Man-Faced Spider is coming this way? Senior Brother Chen, we have to leave at once!"

"Leave?" Chen Huan's expression darkened. He quickly thought about it before looking up and saying coldly, "We can leave, but what about Junior Brother Huang and Junior Brother Zhang? Do you think we can outrun the Man-Faced Spider if we bring them along? Or do you want to abandon them?"

"I…" Xiao Tasha said subconsciously.

Huang Xian and Zhang Zhongqin gave her a resentful glance, making her feel even more embarrassed. She then lowered her head in silence.

"We definitely can't leave." Chen Huan turned to his two junior brothers and said quickly, "The only thing we can do now is to use the Soul Devouring Mother Array."

He explained, "This array formation has already been set up. Since the Man-Faced Spider is going to chase after us soon, how about this? You guys go down to the sub-formation first and lure it in. Once the sub-formation traps the Man-Faced Spider, Junior Sister Xiao and I will split up and run."

As he spoke, he took out two talismans from his storage bag and handed them to Huang Xian and Zhang Zhongqin. "As for you guys, you are definitely in no condition to run in this situation. These are Breath Concealing Talismans for the both of you. While the Man-Faced Spider is in the sub-formation, you guys quickly find somewhere to hide. At that time, once the Man-Faced Spider can't find you two temporarily, it will definitely chase after us if it sees me splitting up with Junior Sister Xiao to escape! This way, you guys will be safe."

Huang Xian coughed and replied, "Thank you, Senior Brother! It's just that the sub-formation can't even trap Pei Ling…"

"Even if Pei Ling's cultivation isn't high, he's a human after all. He might have obtained lucky opportunities before he entered the sect." Chen Huan said without batting an eyelid, "Although the Man-Faced Spider is a Foundation Establishment demon beast, it's a beast that had no human form. Its intelligence is inferior to ordinary mortals! Besides, the sub-formation should delay it for a while. Otherwise, none of us can escape!"

Before Huang Xian could say anything, Xiao Tasha looked at Chen Huan with a pale face and said anxiously, "Er… Senior Brother Chen, you told them we would split up to run away while they hide? So what will happen to me?"

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Chapter 42: Fall Out

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Chen Huan was at the sixth-stage Qi Refinement realm. The Man-Faced Spider was not yet mature, but it was no fool and could reach the Foundation Establishment realm. It would be easy for him to catch up with the slow Xiao Tasha then.

This was no different from sending her to her death on behalf of Huang and Zhang.

Hearing this, Huang Xian and Zhang Zhongain's eyes flashed, but they did not say anything.

Chen Huan sighed and said, "Don't worry, Junior Sister Xiao. How could I not care about you? Look, there's another Breath-Restraining Talisman here. This is the last one. You're an array cultivator, so you can use the array formation to accelerate your escape. After that, use this talisman to hide yourself.

How about that?"

"The last card?" Xiao Tasha was angry and anxious at first, but when she heard this, she felt a little embarrassed. She hesitated for a while but did not take it. Instead, she said softly, "Then… Then you take it, Senior Brother Chen. I'm an array cultivator after all. I might have other ways to escape."

Chen Huan stuffed the talisman into her hand without hesitation and said to Huang Xian and Zhang Zhonggin, "There's no time to lose! The Man-Faced Spider will probably catch up with us soon. Go to the sub-formation quickly."

Huang Xian and Zhang Zhongqin looked at each other. Both of them had exhausted their blood essence and were on the verge of death. They really did not have a better solution. They cupped their fists and said, "Yes!"

They hurried to the sub-formation. Chen Huan looked at them intently for a while. After confirming that his two junior brothers had left, he suddenly turned around and instructed Xiao Tasha, who was still worried. "When they enter the sub-formation, activate the array immediately and refine them into

the Soul Summoning Banner."

"… Huh?" Xiao Tasha was too stunned to respond at first. She rubbed the corner of her shirt and looked at him blankly.

"The sub-formation couldn't even trap Pei Ling, so how could it trap the Man-Faced Spider?" Chen Huan suppressed his anxiety and advised gently, "I said those words just now to stabilize them. After all, they clearly knew that we are no match for the Man-Faced Spider, but they still implicated us.

Obviously, they have ill intentions. If we're honest, we won't be able to escape with them. Instead of being wiped out, it's better to cut our losses… But if I say that, they might not fight alongside us to the death.

And they're not innocent.

Don't forget, Mei'er went with them just now. Since only the two of them are back now, Mei'er might have been harmed by them to stall the Man-Faced Spider.

It's fine if I'm alone. At most, we can escape together. I'm at the sixth-stage Qi Refinement realm. No matter what, I can run faster than them.

But what about you, Junior Sister Xiao? You're at the fifth-stage Qi Refinement realm like them. They don't have the confidence to run back to Spiraling Mountain City before the Man-Faced Spider catches up with them. How are you going to escape the threat, Junior Sister Xiao?

Do you want me to abandon you?

But if I bring you along, both of us might not be able to escape!"

Ahint of ruthlessness flashed between his brows. "For now, we can only sacrifice two junior brothers by refining the Soul Summoning Banner in advance. Only then will we have a chance of survival."

At first, Xiao Tasha was very shocked. After all, in her heart, although Chen Huan is cunning and ruthless with outsiders, he has always been sincere to his own people. She did not expect that her senior brother, who had been blaming her for Huang Xian and Zhang Zhonggin, would turn around and refine

these two junior brothers into the Soul Summoning Banner.

However, from what Chen Huan said, he was actually thinking about her. Xiao Tasha had always been devoted to him. At this moment, even though she knew that the situation was dire, she could not help feeling sweet inside.

She thought about how Huang Xian and Zhang Zhonggin usually treated her coldly. Just now, they were blaming her for Pei Ling's escape. Every time this happened, only Chen Huan would come out to help her.

Even if she helped Chen Huan to refine them now, it seemed justifiable.

With that thought in mind, Xiao Tasha nodded and said, "Alright! But Senior Brother Chen, the two of them are badly injured now. The timing is not right. I'm afraid the effect might not be as good as it was on Pei Ling."

"We have to do things quickly. We can't care so much," Chen Huan urged. "The Man-Faced Spider might catch up at any moment. Junior Sister, please do it as soon as possible! Otherwise, if the two junior brothers sense something, there might be trouble."

Xiao Tasha did not hesitate anymore. She hurried into the Mother Array, took out the array disc, and made hand gestures as she performed an incantation. The array patterns that were originally suffused with a faint bloody glow gradually lit up. The entire ground became warped like a living thing, and

then a pulse was slowly but firmly transmitted.

In the canyon below, the sub-formation received the summon of the Mother Array, and the trees seemed to shatter with a loud crash.

In their place were countless blood-colored tentacles that headed towards Huang Xian and Zhang Zhonggin, who were recovering from their panic.

This?! The two of them sensed the commotion at first and thought that the Man-Faced Spider had caught up with them. They jumped up hastily, but they did not see that strange face. Instead they were shocked to see countless tentacles. "This is the sub-formation's effect of extracting souls and refining

blood… The Man-Faced Spider has yet to enter the formation, so why is it activated?!"

"Chen Huan, you bastard!!!" The two of them were only slightly stunned before they understood what was going on. They could not help but swear. "I've worked so hard for you for so long, but you f*cking sold me out?!"

In the Mother Array, Chen Huan turned a deaf ear to the curses coming from the canyon. He asked Xiao Tasha, "How much longer?"

"Soon!" Xiao Tasha was anxious too. After all, the Man-Faced Spider could appear at any time. She had yet to recover her spiritual power, so she could only swallow a pill and activate the array. She said, "Senior Brother, wait a moment. It won't take more than 10 minutes."

Chen Huan's gaze flashed as he said, "Alright… Oh right, Junior Sister, can this Mother Array trap the Man-Faced Spider? I think the placement of the Mother Array is much more troublesome than the Child Array. If possible, perhaps we can use it to scheme against that bastard?"

"No, Senior Brother." Xiao Tasha activated the array formation with all her might and did not have time to think too much. She said casually, "With this Soul Devouring Mother Array, the sub-formation specializes in trapping and killing. As for the Mother Array, it can only be used to refine talisman

artifacts. Using it to scheme against Foundation Establishment Stage demon beasts like the Man-Faced Spider won't work, let alone trapping intelligent ones. After all, they can get in and out ata glance."

As she spoke, the patterns on the Mother Array trembled. Immediately, two beams of blood light that were wrapped around the souls were forcefully drawn from the sub-formation and flowed into the Soul Summoning Banner through the formation patterns.

The Soul Summoning Banner moved without any wind. Blood seemed to surge onto the surface of the banner. Looking at the souls that had cursed him previously, Chen Huan was delighted. "Huang Xian, Zhang Zhongqin? Hahaha, to think that you would have such a day!

Good, good, good. Back then, I didn't know how to read people. Seeing you two fight each other today, I can finally rest in peace."

"Huang Xian, you bastard! I'l kill you!"

"A dog that bites doesn't bark. Zhang Zhonggin, you've been a traitor in vain. Now, you will become my accomplice ghost."

As their souls were caught up in a scuffle, Xiao Tasha's cousin stood by and sneered. She looked at Xiao Tasha viciously and said coldly, "Bitch! I'll wait for you to enter the banner too.. Then I'll tear you to pieces with my own hands!"

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Chapter 43: Not Letting You Down!

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Xiao Tasha frowned slightly. Chen Huan quickly said, "Junior Sister, don't stoop to her level. When the Soul Summoning Banner is completed, I'll hand her over to you."

With that, he glanced at her cousin extremely coldly and said coldly, "Junior Sister Xiao is devoted to me. At first, I had no romantic feelings toward her. As time passed, I started to develop feelings for her. How could I bear to be heartless and disappoint her? You're an unreasonable slut who only knows to

pursue the Great Dao. How could you know about true feelings?"

That cousin laughed coldly but did not say anything else.

Xiao Tasha thought that she was at a loss for words and was delighted. She burned a drop of blood essence and urged the Mother Array to speed up the refinement. A light flashed on the Soul Summoning Banner and its aura fluctuated. She quickly shouted, "Senior Brother! Hurry up and drip your blood

essence, From now on, you will be the owner of this Soul Summoning Banner. The Accomplice Ghosts will not be able to resist you!"

"Alright!" Chen Huan had been planning this for many years. Now that he had succeeded, his heart could not help but beat faster. He quickly cut his fingertip and forced out a drop of blood essence. He flicked it onto the Soul Summoning Banner. After obtaining that drop of blood essence, the Soul

Summoning Banner quickly stabilized. At the same time, Chen Huan felt its connection to his heart. With just a thought, he understood its functions.

Even though the Accomplice Ghosts had a deep-seated hatred for him a moment ago, they were all subservient now and could not even think of resisting him.

"Good! Good, good, good!" Chen Huan extended his hand and beckoned. The Soul Summoning Banner left the spot and flew into his palm.

He rubbed the banner and was overjoyed.

Xiao Tasha was on the verge of collapse and panting heavily. She felt a little resentful that he did not come over to help her immediately like before. However, on second thought, he had been busy refining this Soul Summoning Banner since entering the sect. Now that his long-cherished wish had been

fulfilled, it was alright for him to ignore her in his ecstasy.

So she leaned over and called out "Senior Brother" sweetly. Just as she was about to remind him of her hard work, Chen Huan looked up and smiled at her. "Junior Sister, I almost forgot about you."

"It's alright…" Xiao Tasha thought that he was apologizing to her, so she spoke gently. However, before she could finish speaking, there was a sound of a giant tree falling to the ground not far away. Immediately, a spider web covered the Mother Array—the Man-Faced Spider had caught up with them!

Xiao Tasha's expression changed. Ignoring her own sufferings, she urged Chen Huan, "Senior Brother, leave quickly! I'll control the array to hide you for a while. Later, I'll use the Breath Restraining Talisman to contact you…"

Before she could finish, she felt a chill in her chest!

She was stunned for a moment before she realized that Chen Huan was holding the Soul Summoning Banner in one hand and her beating heart in the other.

"Senior Brother… You… You…" Xiao Tasha was shocked and confused. She wanted to say something, but blood was flowing out of the corner of her mouth and she fell to the ground.

"Junior Sister Xiao, don't blame me." As Chen Huan urged the Soul Summoning Banner to transform into a black cloud that swept him towards Spiraling Mountain City, he grabbed her corpse to facilitate the absorption of the talisman. He said calmly, "You said it yourself. Huang Xian and Zhang Zhongqin

are badly injured now. The timing is also wrong, I'm afraid the effect might not be good.

Thave to borrow Junior Sister's soul and flesh to nourish it.

Junior Sister is so loyal to me that even your biological cousin, who has always treated you well, was deceived into the Soul Summoning Banner. I'm sure you can't bear to see my hard work over the years go down the drain at the last minute, right?

Moreover, the Soul Summoning Banner will be with me from now on and will never leave my side. Junior Sister, as an accomplice ghost, you must be very happy to be able to accompany me at all times.

In the end, I didn't let you down.

Thank you, Junior Sister, for your kindness to me.

When I return to the sect, I'll definitely find a place with auspicious geomantic omens in the back mountain of Shady Sophora Peak. I'll set up a cenotaph for you as your husband and offer sacrifices year after year!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the blood in Xiao Tasha's body disappeared. The Soul Summoning Banner rippled like water. A blank-faced Xiao Tasha appeared.

Chen Huan raised his hand to touch her face and said slowly, "Good junior sister, stay inside obediently. I'll fulfill my promise and take you out of here."

Meanwhile, Pei Ling had already fled to the edge of the forest. However, because his spirit energy had been completely exhausted, not only was he unable to use the Blood Spiraling Escape Technique, he felt dizzy. The scenery in front of him spun and overlapped, and he almost fainted.

He knew that if he lost consciousness here, he would most likely die. He pulled out the Life-Extinguishing Blade and struck his own arm!

The pain sobered Pei Ling up a little, but this situation could not last long… Pei Ling forced himself to calm down and took a deep look at the distant Spiraling Mountain City. He did not go straight there. Instead, based on his memory, he changed directions and forced himself to head for the nearest main

road that led to Spiraling Mountain City.

Spiraling Mountain City was much larger and more prosperous than Deer Spring City. Before long, a convoy passed by on the road.

Seeing that he was in a sorry state, the guards were a little surprised and uncertain. They even held the swords at their waists and looked at him warily.

"1m a disciple of the Deep Sea Sect!" Pei Ling was already a spent force at this moment. He even had to lean on the Life-Extinguishing Blade as he stood up. He raised his nameplate high and shouted, "There's a matter from the sect that needs to be reported to City Lord Duanmu. All of you, quickly send me

into the city… Those who violate the sect's rules will not be let off lightly!"

The expression of everyone in the team changed when they heard this. One of the guards received a signal from his leader and said, "Excuse me." He braced himself and rushed forward to check the nameplate. He immediately got off his horse and knelt on the ground. "The Shen Family Trading Company

will comply with your orders!"

Before the group of people were done with kneeling, they heard a thud. When they looked up, Pei Ling had fainted on the ground.

Meanwhile, in the forest, Chen Huan was tumbling through the air for dozens of feet before crashing heavily into a towering ancient tree. He spat out a mouthful of blood and fell to the ground.

He did not even dare to turn around. He steered the Soul Summoning Banner and ran!

The moment he left the spot, a pool of venom fell. The vegetation that it touched instantly withered, and even the mud started to emit smoke.

Damn it… What did that little bastard, Pei Ling, do to this bastard?! At this moment, Chen Huan was no longer as skillful as he was when he was scheming against his companions. His face was livid and he looked disheveled. As he ran through the forest, his mind raced. Even if Pei Ling, a fourth level Qi

Refinement cultivator, accidentally attracted the attention of the Man-Faced Spider, it should have given up after chasing him for so long. Why does this Man-Faced Spider seem to have an irreconcilable grudge against him? Not only has it not turned back, but it has also become increasingly crazy!

Isn't it out to lay eggs? Isn't it afraid that its nest will be destroyed after leaving it for so long?!

At this moment, there was a shadow above his head. It was a spider web!

Chen Huan quickly changed direction. Unexpectedly, just as he dodged, the spider's abdomen was raised high again and another spider web suddenly appeared.

After all, after chasing these cultivators for so long, even if the intelligence of a Foundation Establishment demon beast was inferior to that of a human, it was enough to figure out some strategies.

Bastard! Chen Huan was furious. Seeing that it was too late to dodge, he had no choice but to endure the pain in his heart and summon the Soul Summoning Banner to block the spider.

He heard a wail. The Soul Summoning Banner, which he had worked so hard to refine, was considered powerful in the Qi Refinement realm. However, in the face of an angry attack from a Foundation Establishment demon beast, a crack almost appeared on it! Two of the Accomplice Ghosts in it vaporized

in an instant.

If this continued a few more times, this high-grade talisman treasure that was rarely seen in the Qi Refinement realm would probably be scrapped on the spot.

Chen Huan's heart was bleeding. He hated Pei Ling to the core. It's best that this little bastard returns to Spiraling Mountain City peacefully. I'll deal with him personally when I get back!

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Chapter 44: What Bad Intentions Can a New Disciple Have?

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Just as Chen Huan had expected, Pei Ling returned to Spiraling Mountain City peacefully.

Under the rule of the Deep Sea Sect, the Holy Sect had always been supreme.

'When the disciples of the sect were in distress, those who did not save them would have their whole clan implicated!

Moreover, the person Pei Ling sought help from was the City Lord Duanmu, whom the Shen Family Trading Company looked up to. So after confirming that the nameplate was correct, they did not dare to slight him.

They did not bother with their goods and threw them onto the side of the road in order to make room in the best horse carriage for Pei Ling and his Life-Extinguishing Blade. They even checked the place where he was unconscious several times. After confirming that there was nothing left behind, they

abandoned the old, the weak, the sick, and the disabled. They deployed the young and strong—one man to two horses—to escort the horse carriage to Spiraling Mountain City as quickly as possible!

The group sped all the way and just as they arrived at the city gate, a cavalier spurred his horse forward and shouted from afar, "The Shen Family Trading Company met the unconscious disciple of the Deep Sea Sect on the way. He said that he has something urgent to report to City Lord Duanmu!"

Upon hearing this, the expression of the guard instantly changed. He hurriedly reported the matter to the commander who naturally took it seriously as well and reported it to the higher-ups. Not long after the carriage carrying Pei Ling entered the city, City Lord Duanmu appeared in front of the

carriage!

His expression was grave. He could not be bothered with the people kneeling around him. He stepped forward and lifted the curtain of the carriage. After taking a few looks at Pei Ling's condition, he heaved a sigh of relief. "It's just that his spiritual power is exhausted. He doesn't have any other injuries.

Give him an Essence Enhancing Pill."

The steward went personally to get a medicinal pill. Soon he returned and fed it to Pei Ling. City Lord Duanmu used his spirit energy to help Pei Ling absorb the medicinal effects. After a while, he slowly regained consciousness.

"Little Friend Pei." City Lord Duanmu immediately asked, "I wonder what happened to you that you need to report to me immediately? And what about Little Friend Chen and the rest?"

Pei Ling's heart raced. He had said that only because there was nothing like having a man on the spot to help smooth the way. In the wilderness, he could not depend on the Deep Sea Sect's name alone to suppress that trading company, so he had dropped City Lord Duanmu's name.

Now it seemed that although this move was effective, he had to give City Lord Duanmu an explanation or it might be difficult to resolve the matter!

They were both at the Foundation Establishment stage. Although this City Lord said that he could not do anything to the Man-Faced Spider, to Pei Ling, he could be more dangerous than the spider.

Fortunately, he thought quickly on his feet and said, "City Lord, I was going to eliminate the flower demon with Senior Sister Chen, but Senior Brother Chen said that he wanted to take us to the deep mountains to broaden our horizons… Who knew

Pei Ling deliberately looked left and right, indicating that he did not know if it was appropriate to continue.

As City Lord Duanmu waved his hand to set up a small soundproof area, Pei Ling quickly softened his tone. When the City Lord signaled him to continue, he faked a sorrowful expression and said anxiously, "Who knew! Senior Brother Chen and the rest got Senior Sister Xiao to set up an extremely

complicated array. They planned to refine that Man-Faced Spider into the Soul Summoning Banner."

"What?" City Lord Duanmu was stunned before he burst out laughing. He looked at Pei Ling a little strangely. "Have your Senior Brother Chen and the rest gone crazy? I don't even dare to provoke the Man-Faced Spider, so why would they throw their lives away?"

"City Lord, I don't know why either!" Pei Ling evaded his questio

have known that it was a Foundation Establishment demon beast. In short, Senior Brother Chen's plan failed, and we fled separately. Perhaps my strength was low, so the Man-Faced Spider didn't fancy me and went to chase the other senior brothers and sisters

"On the second day after I entered the sect, Senior Brother Chen took me out on a mission. I didn't know anything. If not for the City Lord's kindness and heads-up, I wouldn't have known that it was a Man-Faced Spider, and I wouldn't

He looked terrified. "Looking in the direction, the Man-Faced Spider was heading for Spiraling Mountain City. That evil creature was ferocious and Senior Sister Chen had been harmed! If we let it enter the city, the consequences will be unthinkable, City Lord!"

City Lord Duanmu narrowed his eyes and stared at him for a moment. Pei Ling felt like he was a mortal being targeted by a venomous snake that was ready to strike. The immense pressure made him not dare to breathe loudly.

He had cold sweat on his back as he wondered if he had been exposed.

However, the pressure from City Lord Duanmu suddenly disappeared as he slowly said, "Spiraling Mountain City… Don't worry. In the cities under the governance of the Holy Sect, as long as the population reaches a certain number, there will be a Dark Demon Subduing Array set up. The array will activate

automatically when the demon beasts at the Foundation Establishment stage and above are within 50 kilometers and kill them, unless they are wearing an Imperial Beast Ring."

"Is, is that so?" Pei Ling's hair stood on end. He gulped and forced a smile. "I joined the sect belatedly. I don't know either… Did I disturb the City Lord?"

City Lord Duanmu smiled and said amiably, "Although Spiraling Mountain City is free of worries, Little Friend Chen and the rest are disciples of the Holy Sect after all. It's one thing if I don't know what happened, but since I know now, how can I leave you in the lurch? But I wonder where they refined the

Soul Summoning Banner?"

Pei Ling did not expect things to develop like this. Although it was a good thing that the City Lord did not pursue the matter, he actually wanted to save people!

There's actually such a kind elder in this Underworld Sect. What kind of f*cking luck is this?!

Could it be that the hidden side effect of the retarded system is to reduce luck?

He wanted to spout nonsense about a completely different place so that the City Lord would make a wasted trip and Chen Huan and the rest would die in the forest, but the City Lord asked very carefully and even hinted that he was very familiar with the forest in Spiraling Mountain City.

In exasperation, Pei Ling had to tell the truth. He even acceded to the City Lord's request to map out a rough location in the sand.

"Little Friend Pei, you've worked hard." The City Lord questioned him twice. After confirming that he said the same thing and that he did not miss anything, he smiled and instructed the steward, "I'm going out of the city to save some people. Send Little Friend Pei back to his residence to rest and serve

him well."

Without waiting for the steward to reply, he flicked his sleeve and transformed into a cool breeze that drifted through the city wall in the blink of an eye.

Pei Ling looked at the steward, who was gesturing "please come this way'. He composed himself, put on a bold face, and moved forward.

At this moment, Chen Huan still did not know that his savior was about to arrive. His hair was disheveled and he was covered in injuries. His shoulders, arms, back, thighs… All of them were corroded by the venom, leaving behind large and small wounds and bloodstains.

A big chunk of his left shoulder had been cut off!

This was to prevent the Soul Summoning Banner from being damaged. He would rather use his body to block the inevitable.

"Beast… Pei Ling, that bastard!!! Man-Faced Spider, that bastard!!!" There was nothing right with Chen Huan's body at this moment. His limbs and bones were aching from the repeated pressure as his spiritual power was almost exhausted.

Compared to the pain in his body, he could not endure the heartache.

Although Chen Huan had done his best to protect it, under the hysterical attacks of the Man-Faced Spider, two cracks had appeared on the Soul Summoning Banner, and five of the Accomplice Ghosts had disappeared.

This included the newly refined Huang Xian.

At the thought of the price of repairing it, Chen Huan's heart ached immensely, and he could not help cursing.

At this moment, another spiderweb sprayed from behind him—Chen Huan's eyes widened in anger. "Beast! If I escape this time and reach the Foundation Establishment realm in the future, I'll definitely slaughter all your heirs!!"

He cursed as he dodged to the side. At the same time, he activated the Soul Summoning Banner, and braced himself for the second spider web that followed closely behind. However, the Soul Summoning Banner floated above his head for a moment and did not move.

Chen Huan was stunned. He instinctively turned around and saw that although the Man-Faced Spider was still furious, its cold eyes revealed a hint of exhaustion.

Is this bastard tired? Chen Huan immediately understood. After all, not to mention the fact that this Man-Faced Spider had lost its vital energy after laying its eggs, even a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator would not have been able to chase him all the way from its nest to this place.

Even if it could continue to pursue him, the frequency at which it spat spider webs and venom was clearly going to drop.

At the thought of this, Chen Huan could not help but feel energized. Without hesitation, he used the Blood Ignition Technique and shot towards the edge of the forest. Bastard, don't f*cking give up if you have the ability! After I leave the forest, I'll travel a short distance and will soon be within 50

kilometers of Spiraling Mountain City.

At that time, when the Dark Demon Subduing Array is activated, I might be able to take advantage of it!

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Chapter 45: Kind Elder

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

After a while, Chen Huan's mouth was bleeding, but everything became clear—he had rushed out of the forest!

"Hahahahahahaha…" Although the Man-Faced Spider was still hot on his heels, Chen Huan was delighted.

After leaving the mountain forest, he would reach the Dark Demon Subduing Array about five kilometers ahead.

If the Man-Faced Spider did not stop, it would definitely die.

That little bastard, Pei Ling, almost caused all my years of hard work to go down the drain. Chen Huan took the time to turn around and take a look. Seeing that the Man-Faced Spider's eyes were bloodshot and that it had no intention of giving up, he could not help but sneer inwardly. When I come back

for it later, I'll definitely chop it up and feed it to the Soul Summoning Banner!

However, this little bastard has done a good deed by accident.

The Man-Faced Spider has yet to calm down and weigh the pros and cons of pursuing me. It's very likely that it will chase me into the City Protection Array next.

When the time comes, I'll be ready to bury it. Even if it's a demon beast at the Foundation Establishment stage, it will be reduced to ashes by the array formation. As long as there's even a little bit of ashes left, it's enough for me to make a small fortune… It's just nice to use it to repair the Soul Summoning

Banner.

As he thought about this, he felt increasingly happy. Even the injuries on his body seemed to have subsided a little.

At this moment, a cool breeze blew past and City Lord Duanmu appeared in midair.

"City Lord?!" Chen Huan was stunned. He immediately thought that he would probably not be able to benefit from the Man-Faced Spider. However, on second thought, the effect of the Blood Ignition Technique was about to end. Even if he was lucky enough to escape into the range of the array formation,

if the Man-Faced Spider risked its life to give him a shot, or if he encountered other risks, there might be trouble.

Meeting City Lord Duanmu at this time might not be a bad thing.

A smile appeared on his face as he quickly changed directions and shouted, "City Lord, save me! I don't know why that Man-Faced Spider left its nest and chased me all the way here. It has undertaken a long journey and is exhausted. It's the best opportunity for you to attack!"

City Lord Duanmu's gaze swept across him. When he saw the Soul Summoning Banner, a smile instantly appeared in his eyes. "Alright."

Joy appeared on Chen Huan's face when he heard this. He increased his speed and ran towards City Lord Duanmu. He saw the other party raise his hand and slap him.

It seemed like a light and powerless move, but Chen Huan was suddenly sent flying dozens of feet away, blood spurting out of his mouth! He could not even hold the Soul Summoning Banner and dropped it.

"City Lord, what are you doing?!" Chen Huan turned pale with fright, but he still held on to a glimmer of hope. After all, if City Lord Duanmu wanted to kill him, the attack just now was enough to take his life. Now that he was only seriously injured, it was obvious that this City Lord had no intention of

killing him.

At the thought of this, he observed the other party's expression intently. Seeing that City Lord Duanmu had turned a deaf ear to his question and was staring intently at the Soul Summoning Banner, his face could not help but twitch. Just as he was about to say something, a hand formed by spirit energy

had already risen from behind City Lord Duanmu. It grabbed the Soul Summoning Banner and handed it to the City Lord.

"Good stuff!" The Soul Summoning Banner was refined by Chen Huan. At this moment, it was naturally unconvinced in City Lord Duanmu's hands. It struggled and wailed, wanting to fly back to Chen Huan'ss side. City Lord Duanmu looked at it carefully but was not angry. Instead, he stroked his short

beard and praised, "As expected of a high-grade talisman artifact! A mere Qi Refinement realm talisman dares to resist a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Over time, such a fierce personality will definitely be of assistance in cultivation."

With that, he flipped his hand and an array disc appeared. It flashed with a black light that enveloped the Soul Summoning Banner. In just a breath's time, Chen Huan felt as if a steel knife had been stabbed into his brain, forcefully severing something.

He could not help but let out a heart-wrenching scream!

Immediately after, he realized that his connection with the Soul Summoning Banner had been completely severed.

City Lord Duanmu slowly put away the Soul Summoning Banner and extended his hand to point at the ground. Several thick vines suddenly grew out of the originally bare ground and wrapped around Chen Huan tightly.

Then he summoned a dark cloud and sat upright on it. It floated in midair as he waited calmly.

Not long after, the Man-Faced Spider caught up with them. Sensing the aura of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, it hesitated for a moment but did not retreat. Instead, it advanced ferociously!

"Fellow Daoist, I'm the City Lord of Spiraling Mountain City. Not far behind me is the Dark Demon Subduing Array." City Lord Duanmu cupped his hands, bowed from the cloud, and said slowly, "Although I don't know how these juniors have offended you, as the saying goes, it's easier to make enemies

than to reconcile. Along the way, I'm sure you've killed a few of them with your ability. Now, I'll give this kid at the sixth-stage Qi Refinement realm to you. Let's forget about this matter. At least let's forget about today. How about it?"

Chen Huan was so scared that his soul almost left his body. He screamed, "Duanmu Yan! How dare you!!! Foundation Establishment cultivators murdering Qi Refinement cultivators is bullying the weak. According to the sect's rules, you…"

"Noisy!" City Lord Duanmu's expression did not change as he reprimanded calmly. With a wave of his hand, Chen Huan felt that his tongue was stuck and could not speak.

City Lord Duanmu ignored him and discussed seriously with the Man-Faced Spider. "Although this Chen Huan might not be able to compensate for Fellow Daoist's losses, it's still a token from me. Fellow Daoist has come out of the deep mountains to lay eggs. You must be badly injured now. Even without

entering the Dark Demon Subduing Array, our cultivation realms are similar. Even if your body is powerful, you and I won't gain anything from fighting each other.

If we alert the elites of our Holy Sect, Fellow Daoist will definitely die.

So let's call it a day. It's good for you and for me."

'The Man-Faced Spider's mouthpiece hissed as it waved its tentacles in midair as if rejecting the offer.

"Fellow Daoist, must we have a fight?" Seeing this, City Lord Duanmu could not help but sneer. "Do you really think that I, Duanmu Yan, am easy to bully just because I'm backing down?!"

Before he could finish speaking, spirit energy surged around him and the array disc in his hand was suffused with corpse aura and killing intent!

Instantly, he suppressed the Man-Faced Spider's ferocity.

'The Man-Faced Spider let out a low whistle. Its four pairs of feet left deep marks on the ground. When it streaked across some mountain rocks, sparks flew. It was obvious that its heart was not calm.

After a while, it raised its head and let out a shrill cry. Suddenly, it spat out a spider web!

City Lord Duanmu watched calmly.

A spiderweb enveloped Chen Huan!

The toxicity of the Man-Faced Spider Silk instantly burned his body. Even though Chen Huan could not make a sound now, he could not help twitching in pain.

However, just this was not enough to drive away the Man-Faced Spider's anger and hatred. It pulled Chen Huan forward and, with a foot like a knife, cut off Chen Huan's limbs in an instant. It even started chewing his arm in front of him!

As it chewed, its fierce eyes stared intently at City Lord Duanmu.

City Lord Duanmu played with the new Soul Summoning Banner with a faint smile. His expression did not change.

'The Man-Faced Spider deliberately slowed down its eating motion and finished Chen Huan's limbs bit by bit. Seeing that City Lord Duanmu remained calm and composed, and after weighing the pros and cons, it finally threw Chen Huan angrily like a human swine onto its back and retreated with hatred.

"Fellow Daoist, take care." Seeing this, City Lord Duanmu heaved a sigh of relief. He formed an incantation gesture and Chen Huan, who was on the verge of death, immediately realized that he could finally speak. He could not help but forcefully cry out, "City Lord, please spare my life! Take the Soul

Summoning Banner as my way of showing filial piety to the City Lord! I'm willing to be your servant… I'm willing to swear an inner demon oath that I'll be under the orders of the City Lord and Senior Brother Mingyan for the rest of my life. I won't hesitate to go through hardships and dangers… City

Lord, please spare my life!

City Lord, please show mercy!!!

City Lord… City Lord, I've sent a letter to Senior Brother Mingyan. Senior Brother Mingyan and I are like brothers! City Lord!

As long as you spare my life, City Lord, I'm willing to listen to the Duanmu family's orders for generations to come!!!"

City Lord Duanmu stood with his hands behind his back and a smile on his lips. He was unmoved.

'The hope in Chen Huan's heart was completely extinguished. He turned to cursing hysterically. "Duanmu Yan! You bastard! As the City Lord of Spiraling Mountain City, you didn't think about protecting the disciples of the Holy Sect. You actually dared to openly rob and kill people. You will die a horrible

death!

And that little bastard, Pei Ling!!!

"The Sect's Disciplinary Hall will not let you off!!!"

City Lord Duanmu's sovereignty was known to everyone, so he did not care at all.

He chuckled and flicked his sleeve in a happy mood. He transformed into a breeze again and returned to Spiraling Mountain City..

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Chapter 46: Senior Brother Chen Will Definitely Agree!

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

A moment later, at the City Lord's Residence in Spiraling Mountain City, Pei Ling, who had just washed up, was notified by the steward and went to the main hall anxiously.

The moment he entered, he saw the neat and elegant City Lord Duanmu sitting in the hall. He was holding the Soul Summoning Banner.

"Little Friend Pei." Only then did City Lord Duanmu see Pei Ling, He immediately showed a sorrowful expression and gently placed the Soul Summoning Banner on a bench beside him. He sighed and said, "I'm really sorry. The Man-Faced Spider was fierce and took advantage of the fact that I was a step

too late. Your senior brother, Chen Huan, had died in the mouth of the beast. After several twists and turns, I fought desperately to retrieve his remains."

II! This is really great!!

The Man-Faced Spider is really a good demon beast!

Pei Ling was overjoyed. He tried his best to calm down before suppressing the smile on his face. He stepped forward and consoled him hypocritically, "City Lord, you must not say that. You did not want this to happen, City Lord. The dead are gone. Please restrain your grief."

After saying this, he was a little worried and probed, "Oh right, City Lord, other than Senior Brother Chen, the other senior brothers and sisters… ?"

"Sigh, when I arrived, I happened to see Little Friend Chen being killed by the Man-Faced Spider." City Lord Duanmu had a sad expression." After that, I searched carefully. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything. But I hope they can return safely."

Pei Ling's heart sank when he heard this. He thought to himself that those people must die in the hands of the Man-Faced Spider.

Otherwise, even if they did not have evidence to frame him and could not use the sect rules to deal with him, they would definitely think of ways to take revenge.

This kind of hidden danger is too troublesome. Should I go and hide outside the city later and strike first?

Just as he was pondering, he suddenly heard City Lord Duanmu sigh. "No matter what, you two were in the same team. Now that you're here, I'll hand over Little Friend Chen's inheritance to you, Little Friend Pei. This Soul Summoning Banner is a high-grade talisman artifact. It's also one of the best

high-grade talisman artifacts recorded in the various technique pavilions of the outer sect. Take it. It can protect your Dao and is also a keepsake."

As he spoke, he handed the Soul Summoning Banner over.

So good?

Pei Ling was stunned when he heard this. He could not suppress the smile on his face. He instinctively reached out to receive it. However, just as he was about to say some polite words, he looked up and saw City Lord Duanmu's clean outer shirt. He instantly quivered!

"City Lord!!!" Pei Ling suddenly pushed the Soul Summoning Banner back and said righteously, "Who do you think I am?! We, a group of juniors, set out on a mission just to help you deliver a letter from family. It was nothing, but I had to trouble you for your hospitality. Not only did you sincerely inform

me about the Man-Faced Spider, but you also bestowed me with spirit wine that was helpful in cultivation."

"You're so loving, like a blood-related nephew."

"We have nothing to repay you with. In fact, because Senior Brother Chen and the others provoked the Man-Faced Spider, they added a lot of trouble to you and Spiraling Mountain City.

City Lord, you did not hold it against us. Now, this Soul Summoning Banner is something that you have worked hard to retrieve. If I, Pei Ling, still want to take it, wouldn't I become a shameless person?!"

He stuffed the Soul Summoning Banner into City Lord Duanmu's hands and said in a low voice, "City Lord, please accept this Soul Summoning Banner. Take it as an apology from us!"

"This isn't too good, right?" City Lord Duanmu sighed, his gaze sad. "This Soul Summoning Banner is quite famous in the outer sect of the Holy Sect. Little Friend Chen and company have been working hard to refine it since you entered the sect…"

"So the City Lord must accept it

cruel nature.

" At this moment, the clothes on Pei Ling's back were completely wet. The damn Underworld Sect was indeed the Underworld Sect. To think that he had boasted that he had been indulging in debauchery for so many years. It seemed that he was still ignorant of the old man's

He had thought that the City Lord was sincerely trying to save them when he was actually in a hurry to kill them and snatch their treasures.

If not for Pei Ling's careful nature, he wouldn't have sensed that there was a problem with the so-called 'retrieving the remains after a few desperate struggles' from the other party's clothes. If he had accepted the Soul Summoning Banner just now, he would probably have followed in Chen Huan's

footsteps and been eaten by the Man-Faced Spider.

Pei Ling looked at the Soul Summoning Banner again. What the f*ck, a high-grade talisman. This is a f*cking death sentence!

He held City Lord Duanmu's hands tightly and said sincerely, "The reason why the City Lord refused to accept it is that you look down on us juniors at the Qi Refinement realm. You think that our strength is low and that the talisman artifact we've refined is not worthy of you!"

"This…" City Lord Duanmu hesitated.

Seeing this, Pei Ling continued to press on. He pulled up his robe and knelt on the ground, saying bitterly, "City Lord! We are all disciples of the Holy Sect. If you don't accept it, it will disappoint us Qi Refinement cultivators!

As you said, this Soul Summoning Banner cost Senior Brother Chen immeasurable effort. In that case, even though Senior Brother Chen had perished, he would definitely hope that the Soul Summoning Banner would go to the right person.

I'm just a junior in the sect. How am I worthy?

Only in the hands of the City Lord will it not be considered an insult to this high-grade talisman artifact.

If Senior Brother Chen knew in the netherworld, he would definitely approve of this!"

"Sigh, Little Friend Pei, what are you doing? Get up quickly! Get up quickly!" Finally, City Lord Duanmu's expression relaxed. He picked up the Soul Summoning Banner with one hand and supported Pei Ling with the other. He said, "Why don't I just accept it then? As you said, we are all disciples of the Holy

Sect. Is there a need to give such a big gift?"

Pei Ling felt relieved and stood up.

After everything that had happened, the Soul Summoning Banner was given to this old thing. He should be safer now, right?

Wait!

He suddenly thought of something. The Life-Extinguishing Blade on his back seemed to be quite extraordinary! Otherwise, why would Li Siguang and the other two have designs on it the moment they met?

Pei Ling broke out in cold sweat!

Although he had wrapped up the Life-Extinguishing Blade tightly to avoid inviting trouble again after killing Li Siguang and the others, this was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in front of him! Who knew if he had any way to discover the quality of the Life-Extinguishing Blade through the

concealment?

What should I do?

Hand it over myself?

But what if this old thing is still worried after I hand it over and try to silence me?

Moreover, what weapon would I use after handing it over?

Pei Ling's mind raced. In the end, he gritted his teeth and decided to wait and see.

Perhaps the City Lord Duanmu did not even notice the Life-Extinguishing Blade. Why should I cause trouble?

In fact, Duanmu Yan had indeed not noticed Pei Ling's weapon. After all, this was a young cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refinement who had just entered the sect. He did not come from an influential family. In his opinion, what good thing could he have?

"Little Friend Pei, such a thing has happened." City Lord Duanmu was very satisfied with Pei Ling's tactfulness. He stroked his short beard and his attitude became gentler. He said softly, "I wonder when you plan to return to the sect?"

Return to the sect?

Pei Ling, who had just composed himself, felt his heart tense up again.

It was impossible to return to the sect. He had no clue how to ean spirit stones. He could only stay outside to preserve his life.

If he had not been in a hurry to escape from the sect back then, he would not have been tricked by Chen Huan and the others.

Now that Spiraling Mountain City was far away from the sect, the families of Li Siguang and the other two would not be able to extend their reach for a while. Meanwhile, Chen Huan and the others had either died or dispersed, and the Soul Summoning Banner had become the City Lord's spoils of war. He

had also survived many obstacles and was chatting happily with Duanmu Yan. Although this Duanmu Yan was also very shady, he was a talent after all. His words were pleasant to the ears, and it was simply more comfortable here than his so-called home in the Pei Residence in Deer Spring City.

He did not want to leave at all!

At this thought, Pei Ling's expression showed that he was in a bind. "This… City Lord, we had set out on a mission. Now, although my senior brothers and sisters are all… I still want to try to complete the mission alone. This can be considered as comforting Senior Sister Chen and the rest of their souls in

heaven. So I'm afraid I'l have to trouble you for a while."

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Chapter 47: How Can I Take Thi

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Huh?

City Lord Duanmu frowned slightly. This action made Pei Ling subconsciously hold his breath and focus. He could not help but touch the saber hilt at his waist.

Fortunately, the City Lord's brows relaxed the next moment as he said slowly, "That's true. You came from afar, so you can't return empty-handed… How about this? After all, you juniors encountered these things in my territory. In that case, I'll take over this mission."

He instructed his subordinates, "Serve Little Friend Pei well."

He barely finished speaking when he turned into a cool breeze and disappeared.

After a few minutes, the City Lord returned and threw two bloody demon beasts in front of Pei Ling, "Little Friend Pei, on the left is a peach blossom demon, and on the right is a purple-eyed mink. Can you check if that's correct?"

Pei Ling gulped and forced a smile. "City Lord, I'm just a new disciple at the fourth stage of Qi Refinement. I don't know anything…"

"It's fine, it's fine." The City Lord smiled charmingly and said, "Just check the nameplate and rum a test. If there's a mistake, I'll make another trip."

Pei Ling was extremely unwilling, but under the gaze of this Foundation Establishment cultivator, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and take out the nameplate.

However, after taking out the nameplate, he did not know what to do.

"Young friend, take the demon beasts' blood and apply it on the nameplate. You will know if it is needed for the mission." City Lord Duanmu saw his hesitation and reminded him.

However, after Pei Ling took the blood of two demon beasts and smeared it on the badge, there was no reaction!

He was delighted and hurriedly said, "City Lord, it seems to be a mistake. I don't dare to trouble you to make another trip. It's better for me to go alone!"

"How could that be?" City Lord Duanmu was stunned when he heard this. He had asked Pei Ling to check just now, but it was actually just for show. After all, as the City Lord of Spiraling Mountain City, he knew better than anyone else about the demon beasts that were close to him.

It was impossible to make a mistake even with his eyes closed.

At the thought of this, he frowned and pondered for a moment. Suddenly, he thought of something. "Little Friend Pei, did you not accept a mission?"

"Accept a mission?" Pei Ling asked blankly. "How do I accept a mission? Senior Brother Chen had always said that I should tag along with Senior Sister Chen and that the mission was to send you letters and peach blossom demons."

City Lord Duanmu sighed and said, "As expected! Little Friend Pei, you've just entered the sect. No wonder you don't understand. The Holy Sect's missions all have to have the nameplates accepted on the spot by the Miscellaneous Committee. Only then can the reward be settled. For someone like you to

come out without doing anything, unless you specially make a trip to the General Affairs Hall upon your return, it won't count."

At this point, he looked puzzled. "I think Little Friend Chen and the rest treated you well, and you were very respectful to them. By right, they were veterans on missions. Why didn't they warn you?"

Why?

Because those bastards were here to take my life. Why would they waste their time?

Pei Ling was clear about this, but he played along with City Lord Duanmu. He said blankly, "That's right, why is that?"

"Perhaps it was because they were too anxious to refine the Soul Summoning Banner." City Lord Duanmu smiled when he heard that and said slowly, "After all, the consumption of the Soul Summoning Banner was huge, and it required more souls and flesh. Even for a young talent like Little Friend Pei,

you would need at least dozens of people for the Soul Summoning Banner to become a high-grade talisman artifact… Perhaps it's because of this that they were in a hurry to complete their mission and did not have the time to tell Little Friend the details.

Anyway, it's not too troublesome to go back and do some paperwork.

Now that Little Friend Chen and the others are no longer around, Little Friend Pei can make a trip to the General Affairs Hall by yourself."

"… Yes." Pei Ling pondered for a moment. His face showed shock, astonishment, deep thought, realization, anger, relief, melancholy, and other emotions. His tone quickly fell. "Thank you for your guidance, City Lord!"

City Lord Duanmu smiled amiably. "You and I are both disciples of the Holy Sect. We are family. There's no need to be so polite."

As he spoke, he pointed at the two demon beasts in front of him. "Then Little Friend Pei should quickly bring them back to the sect. Don't forget to report this matter to the Disciplinary Hall immediately after you return. Then go to the General Affairs Hall to fill in the paperwork."

"City Lord." Pei Ling really did not want to go back and face the families of Li Siguang and the other two at this time. He hesitated for a moment, then summoned up the courage to reject him tactfully again. "Tl have to trouble City Lord to do it for me, but… although Senior Brother Chen had been killed by

the beast, the other senior brothers and sisters… might still be outside the city? Since we came out together, should I wait for them? Who knows, we might have news of them tomorrow, the day after, or in a few days?"

Duanmu City Lord fell silent.

Pei Ling forced himself to be calm. "If I'm disturbing the City Lord too much, I'll go to the inn…"

"What are you talking about?" City Lord Duanmu suddenly laughed and interrupted him. "I've already said that we're family. How can you not stay in the City Lord's huge guesthouse but instead stay in an inn? I'm just thinking that I have been negligent in this matter. How about this? I'l give the order later

to get the guards of Spiraling Mountain City to leave the city to search for the rest of the juniors. If they are injured or in danger, we can help. How about that?"

At this point, Pei Ling could only shed tears of gratitude. "What have I done to meet such an open-minded and kind elder like the City Lord!"

Damn it, did I just remind this old man to send his guards to silence the rest of them overnight?

This guess was confirmed half a day later. In the evening, Pei Ling, who had been in the guesthouse for a while, was invited to the main hall again.

The moment he entered, he saw the pained expression on City Lord Duanmu's face. His heart immediately tensed up.

As expected, the old man held back his sobs and said, "My condolences, Little Friend Pei. Just now, the guards brought back some broken limbs. After being identified by the Coroners and the steward, they confirmed that other than Little Friend Chen, I'm afraid all of you—"

Pei Ling was instantly at a loss for words. How am I supposed to continue staying in Spiraling Mountain City now??

"Young friend, the dead are gone. Please take care!" Seeing his grief-stricken expression, City Lord Duanmu praised the younger generation for being awesome. He quickly persuaded him, "You and Little Friend Chen were kind to each other. I'm sure their souls in heaven would not have the heart to see

you grieving for them… Oh right, other than their broken limbs, we also found some of their belongings at the scene. You can keep these things when the time comes. They can be considered keepsakes."

"No, no, no!" Pei Ling, who was immersed in sorrow, was instantly jolted awake. His hands were shaking so hard that they almost left afterimages. "City Lord, please calm down! My cultivation level is low and my morals are low. How am I worthy of safeguarding the belongings of my senior brothers and

sisters? Those things must be held by the City Lord! City Lord doesn't accept them because you look down on us Qi Refinement realm cultivators!"

City Lord Duanmu smiled and said gently, "Young friend, there's no need to be like this. After all, those ordinary things were items that your senior brothers and sisters carried with them. Logically, they should be given to you."

Seeing that he had deliberately emphasized 'ordinary', Pei Ling was still worried. He firmly refused to accept them no matter what. In the end, it was City Lord Duanmu who got someone to bring everything over. He saw that the ebony and gold lacquered plate was filled with some shabby things. The only

valuable things were the three Qi and Blood Pills in a small porcelain bottle and five low-grade spirit stones.

This old fellow is so f*cking evil!

In that case… Pei Ling cursed inwardly. So Chen Huan had casually given him a Qi and Blood Pill from the grave. How could the belongings of the five of them be so little?

Not only did the old fellow take away the most valuable Soul Summoning Banner, but he also swallowed the rest of the benefits and sent him some scraps!

This is outrageous! he thought.

How could I accept this!!!

Although he thought this, Pei Ling did not hesitate to say, "City Lord, allow me to say this: The Man-Faced Spider is savage by nature.. If not for the fact that City Lord is supremely righteous, we would definitely be consigned to eternal damnation! I will never forget your kindness!"

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Chapter 48: Going Away After This

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Over, Hiding the Scapegoat's Name

City Lord Duanmu quickly went forward to help him up. "Young friend, you're exaggerating. As fellow disciples of the Holy Sect, we should support each other. Oh right, my son, Duanmu Mingyan, is also in an outer sect, the Ghostly Willow Peak. After you return to your sect, if you have time, feel free to

interact with my son."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, City Lord Duanmu raised the topic again and urged Pei Ling to return to the sect. He said, "It's not that I don't want to keep you here for long heart-to-heart talks, but this is for Little Friend. After all, Little Friend and the others went out on a mission, but now only

Little Friend has returned safely. According to common sense, how could people not suspect that Little Friend has harmed his group of friends?"

"City Lord, I…" Pei Ling was about to argue when he was interrupted by City Lord Duanmu who said amiably, "Of course I know that you are not that kind of person! But gossip is a fearful thing! At that time, if too many people suspect you, won't the Disciplinary Hall step up investigation and waste your

time for no reason, thus delaying your cultivation?

So you have to report this matter quickly. Then the Disciplinary Hall will investigate immediately. I can vouch for you and clear your name!

Otherwise, someone may get suspicious and attack you at some point. Won't that be a hidden danger?"

At this point, how could Pei Ling dare to say that he wanted to stay?

If he found an excuse again, what if this old fellow became suspicious and contacted Li Siguang and his family, and then finished him off?

"What the City Lord said is very true!" Pei Ling nodded heavily and expressed his gratitude. Then he said, "Then I'll pack my luggage and leave immediately!"

City Lord Duanmu smiled. "T'll send you to the Cloud Platform."

Cloud Platform?

Pei Ling immediately understood that it was the high platform that he had come from. He quickly said, "No need, City Lord. The Corpse Cloud is too expensive. I can't afford it. I'd better walk back!"

"Little Friend, you really know how to joke. Walk back? How long will you have to walk for?" City Lord Duanmu could not help but laugh. Then he said, "Besides, Little Friend, don't worry. The Corpse Cloud is for journeying back and forth. Previously, when you came, the cloud aura only temporarily sank

into the cloud platform. Now, just summon it for your return trip."

What the f*ck, doesn't that mean I won't even have the chance to sneak out of the city?! he thought.

Pei Ling's expression changed indeterminately, but he had no choice but to smile and thank him again.

'As he walked out of the City Lord's Residence, he suddenly thought of something and said to City Lord Duanmy, "City Lord, I heard that my maidservant was punished because of me?"

City Lord Duanmu understood what he meant and immediately said, "I'm not aware of this matter. However, since you intend to forgive her, I'll get someone to release her and give her some rewards."

"Thank you, City Lord." Pei Ling heaved a sigh of relief. That mortal maidservant had suffered an undeserved calamity because of him.

This outcome could be considered fulfilling his promise to his younger sister.

Just like that, City Lord Duanmu personally sent Pei Ling to the edge of the cloud platform and summoned the Corpse Cloud that would bring him back to the sect. After that, he sent two mission demon beasts and Pei Ling up and waved goodbye

"City Lord, this kid is only at the fourth-stage Qi Refinement realm. Why give him face like this?" When the Corpse Cloud rose to the sky, Pei Ling could no longer hear the commotion below. The steward stepped forward and said, "It's a fact that the Man-Faced Spider was chasing after them. Why didn't

we let him die too? Wouldn't that be clean?"

City Lord Duanmu glanced at him and said calmly, "And then? Chen Huan and the others were quite well-known in the Outer Sects Shady Sophora Peak. They brought a newbie to Spiraling Mountain City. Everyone knew what they were doing. In the end, if they and even the newbie himself were gone, but

the Soul Summoning Banner fell into my hands, what would the outer sect think when the news spreads?

They will definitely think that I killed and robbed them for Mingyan's sake!

Foundation Establishment cultivators killing Qi Refinement cultivators is considered bullying the weak. The fine is high enough to make those crazy dogs in the Disciplinary Hall pursue the matter relentlessly!

If [hide the Soul Summoning Banner or sell it, I might be able to conceal the matter. However, wouldn't that delay Mingyan? After all, his path is most compatible with the Soul Summoning Banner.

Leave this Pei Ling alive. All his team members have died, and he's the only one who returns alive. He even completed the Purple-eyed Mink mission that was originally impossible to complete… When the time comes, as long as we give him some guidance—no, even without doing anything—there will be

people who suspect that Chen Huan and the others have been subdued by him.

They would think that not only did this kid, Pei Ling, tun around and scheme against Chen Huan and the others, he even used the Soul Summoning Banner to bribe me to turn a blind eye!

We've reaped such a big benefit while making Pei Ling the scapegoat… So what if we give him a few spirit stones and two demon beasts?"

The steward listened solemnly and quickly said, "City Lord, you have foresight. And I thought I was being clever!"

"Now we just have to wait." City Lord Duanmu stroked his short beard and said, "When this kid returns and informs the Disciplinary Hall… At that time, we can deliver the Soul Summoning Banner to Mingyan rightfully."

He raised his eyebrows slightly. "Although this Pei Ling is young, he has some tricks up his sleeve. Go back and find out more about him. It won't hurt to let Mingyan have more interactions with him if possible."

"This kid is really lucky to have caught the eye of the City Lord!" The steward nodded. "I'll get someone to investigate later."

At this moment, Pei Ling, who was on the Corpse Cloud, did not know that he had already been designated as a companion to the young master of Spiraling Mountain City. He was worried. What if the family members of Li Siguang and the other two see me when I return to the sect this time?

No, there was no 'what if'. Those three people had backing. It was all very well that he had escaped quickly previously, but now that he was going back, it would be strange if they did not come looking for him!

Fortunately, I specially destroyed the evidence before I left. The outer sect is so big. Perhaps they're still looking for someone….? Pei Ling consoled himself. In that case, I might be able to bluff my way through

Meanwhile, at the Deep Sea Sect's outer sect, Shady Sophora Peak.

In the residence of the outer sect elder, Li Ping, a middle-aged woman in a gorgeous dress knelt in front of him with tears streaming down her face. She begged bitterly, "Old Master! Siguang was your biological grandson! Our son had already died, and he only had this heir. You can't ignore this. You have

to avenge him!!"

'The woman burst into tears. "How old was Siguang? He was actually killed! You're an elder of this Shady Sophora Peak. That little bastard named Pei Ling, how dare he… How dare he?! Not only is he crazy, he doesn't even have any respect for Old Master… Boohoo…"

Li Ping frowned slightly as he looked at his beloved concubine, who had only reached the second-stage Qi Refinement realm despite having expended a lot of resources. "Are you sure it's that Pei Ling?"

"rm sure!" The woman wiped her face indiscriminately, not even caring that her makeup had been ruined. She choked as she said, "That little bastard suddenly entered the sect. The disciple in charge of arranging accommodation failed to extort him and deliberately arranged for him to stay in Siguang's

house. In the end, the next day, the General Affairs Hall sent a message. They said that one night, Siguang and the other two's Life Soul Candles were extinguished. The location was at their residence at Shady Sophora Peak! After that, the steward sent someone to investigate, saying… saying that the

three children were all… burned to ashes!!"

At the thought that her grandson had fallen to such a state at such a young age, her heart ached and she almost could not continue. However, seeing that Li Ping's expression did not change and that he was still listening carefully, she could only hold in her grief and continue, "That little bastard had just

entered the sect and did not know any of the Holy Sect's tricks. Some of the tricks he did were ordinary. The Disciplinary Hall speculated that it was that the little bastard cultivated an extremely powerful saber technique and an escape technique that was extraordinarily fast. However, after a conflict, he

pretended to be weak and deliberately escaped to a secluded mountain forest.

'When the three children lowered their guard, he suddenly came back! First, he killed our Siguang in a sneak attack, then he killed the children of the Miao and Zhou families

The little bastard was simply heartless!!!

What right did he have to get into a conflict? Couldn't he talk nicely? How dared he scheme so deliberately to kill three fellow disciples who were about the same age!?

Theard that he's only 18 years old. If he's already so vicious, what will happen in the future?

When Li Ping heard this, he suddenly asked, "Where is the disciple who arranged for him to stay in Siguang's house?"

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Chapter 49: The Culprit!

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

The woman was stunned and instinctively said, "He's gone."

"Gone?" Li Ping frowned. "Why did he disappear?"

'The woman's gaze was a little evasive and a little pleased as she said, "Old Master has been in seclusion these past few days. I… I discussed it with the Miao and Zhou families. After that, he disappeared."

"Nonsense!" Li Ping's expression darkened as he shouted, "You actually let those two families silence such an important witness?!"

"But isn't the matter obvious?" the woman asked curiously. "Moreover, although that little bastard, Pei Ling, was vicious, if that disciple had not had bad intentions and arranged for such a bastard to go to Siguang and the others, would such a thing have happened?"

Li Ping sneered. "What a worthless opinion! Do you believe whatever the Disciplinary Hall says? Yes, their reconnaissance ability is indeed peerless. Ever since the founding of the Holy Sect, there have been few cases of injustice and falsehood! But even their words can't prove that the culprit is Pei Ling."

'The woman was tongue-tied. "B, but.

"That Pei Ling is only at the fourth-stage Qi Refinement realm, and he is not highborn. I'm sure he doesn't have any foundation," Li Ping said coldly. "With his age and cultivation level, it's already not bad to be able to defeat any of the three children one-on-one. But where did he get the ability to fight all

three on his own and kill Siguang and the other two?"

The woman said, "The Disciplinary Hall said that he knows a powerful saber technique and an escape technique

"Isn't that settled?" Li Ping said calmly. "He is Pei Hongnian's junior. Pei Hongnian has been in the sect for many years. Who doesn't know his background? Does Pei Hongnian know such powerful saber and escape techniques? If he does, based on his stupidity of being toyed with by Sun Yinglan, he would

have been exposed long ago! Since Pei Hongnian doesn't know, let me ask you, on what basis does Pei Ling know?"

"Perhaps it was his own private opportunity?" The woman was a little unconvinced. "After all, it was not the time for the sect to recruit new people, but he was an exception brought in by the inner sect's Branch Master Zheng. Clearly, he has his unique points?"

Li Ping looked at her as if he was looking at an idiot. "Do you think the Pei family members of Deer Spring City are dead? How could such saber and escape techniques be executed overnight? If Pei Ling had such an opportunity, how could the Pei family not have noticed that when he had grown up in Deer

Spring City? After sensing it, would they not have told Pei Hongnian, who is the eldest son?"

".. Then what does Old Master mean?" The woman opened her mouth, feeling that what he said made sense. Her voice immediately lowered as she asked slowly.

Li Ping sneered. "The key is not Pei Ling at all! It's Zheng Jingshan from the inner sect!"

He pointed in the direction of the Hall of Affairs. "After I heard about Siguang, I'd already sent someone to ask around. On the morning that Siguang and the others were killed, this Pei Ling appeared at the Miscellaneous Committee and went around begging people to team up with him… He was taken

away by Chen Huan and the others. Now, I'm afraid his cultivation, flesh, and soul have been refined into the Soul Summoning Banner. If he's really as cruel as you say, how could he be so easy to harm?

Zheng Jingshan must have done this!

As for the reason, hehe, it's probably because of that child from the Miao family.

Miao Cheng'an's older brother, Miao Chengyang, is also a member of the 13 inner sect branches like Zheng Jingshan. They have a grudge against each other.

Although in terms of ability, Miao Chengyang doesn't take Zheng Jingshan seriously at all, Zheng Jingshan and Li Zhenchuan are old friends… So Miao Chengyang doesn't dare to go overboard.

Not long ago, there was a conflict between these two factions. Zheng Jingshan suffered a huge loss and almost had to ask Li Zhenchuan to settle the aftermath.

Later, although the other Branch Masters mediated, Zheng Jingshan kept threatening to take revenge…"

Li Ping narrowed his eyes. "Otherwise, since Pei Ling's is of low birth and his cultivation is weak, would he be crazy to attack Siguang and the other two as soon as he entered the sect?!

Tm afraid he entered the sect to take revenge by killing Miao Cheng'an on Zheng Jingshan's orders."

'The woman was stunned for a moment. She felt that something was wrong and could not help but remind him, "Old Master, you said just now that if Pei Ling knows powerful saber and escape techniques, it's impossible for the Pei family not to notice. It's also impossible for Pei Hongnian not to learn

them! But Pei Hongnian doesn't even know saber techniques… Moreover, Branch Master Zheng seemed to have gone to Deer Spring City only recently. How could Pei Ling have mastered them so quickly…"

"Why are you so stupid?" Li Ping sighed helplessly and interrupted her. "It's not like Pei Hongnian has been under Zheng Jingshan for only a day or two. Who knows if he secretly imparted some cultivation techniques to his younger brother? As for why Pei Hongnian and the Pei family don't know about it,

it's very simple. Zheng Jingshan just wants to find a pawn. Why would he care about Pei Ling's life or death? How precious are true superior cultivation techniques! Is the Pei family's status worthy of him paying such a high price to bribe them?

It must be powerful and can be completed quickly, without regard for the consequences or the price.

It's one thing for the Pei family to have a collateral descendant working for Zheng Jingshan, but why would they be willing to trade the eldest son they have high hopes for?

As for that Pei Ling, his biological mother passed away early. After his stepmother entered the family, he became redundant in the Pei family. With such a background, he's most suitable to be abandoned!"

He sneered again. "This is Zheng Jingshan's old trick. Don't forget that when he first entered the inner sect, he killed his own father in order to cultivate and seize the position of Branch Master! Even his own father could be used as a stepping stone, let alone a mere Pei family member."

The woman gritted her teeth and stood up. "Old Master! Since we know what Zheng Jingshan did, we must not let him off!"

"It's too late!" Li Ping said coldly. "The sect rules are heartless, but the sect rules also rely on evidence. Now, Pei Ling has become an accomplice of the Soul Summoning Banner. The dead can't testify. No matter how much we suspect Zheng Jingshan, we can't convince the Disciplinary Hall to attack him.

They can't go knocking on his door to denounce him for no reason. Who knows, if they accidentally violate the sect rules, they might even have to pay a fine!"

He slowly exhaled and said resentfully, "That's why I asked you where the disciple who assigned Pei Ling to Siguang and the others is. Initially, I thought that if we could find evidence against Zheng Jingshan, it would be a clue that he bribed the disciple. Otherwise, how could it be so coincidental? Pei Ling

just came to the outer sect and an outer sect disciple with a bad temperament assigned him to Miao Cheng'an's residence?

It's obvious that Zheng Jingshan bribed the disciple. He did it on purpose to give Pei Ling a chance to carry out his vicious killing.

But I didn't expect you to be so impulsive as to help Zheng Jingshan clean up the mess!"

The woman could not help but cry. "Old Master, that's your biological grandson! Even if you have other children, this concubine gave you this little heir. Are you really not going to care?"

"Of course I can't ignore it." Li Ping glanced at the concubine. After all, she had served him for many years, and he could not bear to see her like this. He hesitated for a while and said, "But Zheng Jingshan is in the inner sect, and it's not appropriate for me, an outer sect elder, to do anything. Why don't you

tell the news to the Miao and Zhou families and ask Zhou Zhenchuan to restrain Li Zhenchuan so that Miao Chengyang can deal with Zheng Jingshan? Without the protection of Li Zhenchuan, Zheng Jingshan will not be able to withstand a single blow from Miao Chengyang!"

"Yes!" The woman wiped her face indiscriminately and bowed with a ferocious expression. She tumed around and walked out with a murderous look. She said bitterly, "Tll go avenge Siguang now!"

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Chapter 50: Miao Chengyang

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Half a day later, by the Kulan waterfall in the inner sect of the Deep Sea Sect.

Ina small courtyard by the riverside, Zheng Jingshan was wearing a brocade robe and a jade crown. He had an extraordinary bearing and was guiding a few junior brothers from the same lineage.

His tone was soothing, and he spoke confidently and calmly. His confidence and propriety made people instinctively want to believe him.

'When the junior brothers saw this scene, they were even more respectful. Their expressions naturally revealed their regard for him. If only I can be like Senior Brother Zheng in the future!

Zheng Jingshan noticed it and sneered in his heart. He adjusted his posture quietly to look more like a big shot.

However, at this moment, the courtyard door not far away was suddenly kicked open!

"Zheng Jingshan, get out here and accept your death!" The senior and junior brothers in the yard were shocked. Before they could react, they saw a rough-looking man in a blue robe stride in. His eyes were deep and he swung his fists at Zheng Jingshan.

'The wind from the punches whistled, mixed with strange whispers. Halfway through, a few junior brothers in the yard felt dizzy. Unknowingly, they walked over and blocked the direction in which Zheng Jingshan had escaped.

"Miao Chengyang, how dare you?!" Zheng Jingshan was shocked. He had suddenly been attacked, and the other party was at the late-stage of the Foundation Establishment realm. He had instinctively wanted to avoid being attacked, but Miao Chengyang had already achieved minor mastery of the Inner

Demon Fist. As soon as he attacked, he controlled a few junior brothers at the early stage of the Foundation Establishment realm and forcefully blocked his way.

If Zheng Jingshan retreated now, he would definitely hurt his junior brothers.

As the master of the lineage, he had been deliberately nurturing these junior brothers as his assistants. At this moment, he naturally could not abandon them. Immediately, he raised his spiritual energy forcefully. A green light surged around his body. The bronze rust-colored patterns on his arms and

neck quickly appeared. Instantly, he activated the Green Ghost Battle Body.

Activating this combat body with a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation was naturally incomparable to the power of Zhou Yi, who was at the fourth-stage Qi Refinement realm, that Pei Ling faced that day. A pair of horns appeared on Zheng Jingshan's head, and his exposed muscles were

suffused with a cold metallic glow. He looked exceptionally powerful!

However, Miao Chengyang sneered and suddenly changed his fists into claws. His five-fingered nails expanded and a cold blue light shone on his fingertips. With a casual grab, Zheng Jingshan's Green Ghost Battle Body was torn apart.

"Miao Chengyang! Are you crazy?!" Zheng Jingshan endured the pain and finally took the opportunity to summon the weapon in his storage bag. With a blood-colored long saber in hand, he finally found something to rely on. He glared at Miao Chengyang. "Back then, we had already made things clear in

front of the senior brothers and sisters of the Upper Three factions. From now on, we'd mind our own business. Today, you attacked our branch for no reason. Do you think the senior brothers and sisters of the Upper Three factions are nothing?!"

"Of course, I don't dare to be disrespectful to the senior brothers and sisters of the Upper Three factions." Miao Chengyang glanced at the wound on his chest and did not pursue the matter. Instead, he said coldly, "However, you can't beat me in the inner sect. You actually resorted to unscrupulous means

to arrange for someone to kill my younger brother in the outer sect… Cheng'an was my only younger brother! This enmity is irreconcilable! Not to mention the senior brothers and sisters of the Upper Three factions, I'm in the right even if the matter is brought to Li Zhenchuan's attention!!"

Zheng Jingshan was dumbfounded as he shouted, "Wait! Are you crazy? When did I get someone to kill your brother in the outer sect? I don't even know where your brother is in the outer sect."

Miao Chengyang sneered when he heard that. "Zheng Jingshan! Although you relied on killing your father to climb up the ladder, as a member of the Holy Sect, we only ask about strength and not tactics. I'd never mocked you about this in the past. Now that you dare to do it but don't dare to admit it, I

really despise you. I originally thought that although your cultivation level is temporarily behind, you're still my opponent from the outer sect. Now it seems that you're not worthy at all!"

"If Thad done it, of course I would admit it!" Zheng Jingshan was about to vomit blood as he shouted, "You idiot, you believed in rumors. You don't even know who is using you as a weapon."

"Do you dare to say that you haven't been thinking of taking revenge on me recently?!" Miao Chengyang said coldly. "How many people have heard it with their own ears? How dare you quibble!"

Zheng Jingshan said angrily, "I…" He was just saying it. After all, he had really suffered losses. If he did not even say a few harsh words, how could he calm people down?

He could not say this out loud in front of his junior brothers. He only shouted coldly, "I think you're here to cause trouble on purpose!"

"So what?!" Miao Chengyang had seen the evidence given by Li Ping's concubine. When Pei Ling alighted from the Dark Bone Phantom Ship, many people at the Dust Severing Square saw it with their own eyes. How could it be fake? Moreover, later on, Pei Hongnian brought this junior into the sect and

called him Senior Brother Zheng.

Now that Zheng Jingshan denied it, how could Miao Chengyang believe him?

He felt that he was despicable, shameless, and absolutely disgusting.

He could not be bothered to confront the other party in detail. He took a step forward and tapped the center of the other party's forehead.

'The 13 inner sect factions were divided into the upper three, middle five, and lower five factions. Miao Chengyang and Zheng Jingshan were from the lower five factions. However, Miao Chengyang was the leader of the lower five factions while Zheng Jingshan was at the bottom. The two of them had

fought from the outer sect to the inner sect. Back then, Zheng Jingshan killed his father in order to cultivate but was still defeated by Miao Chengyang.

Now, although he had a weapon in his hand, Miao Chengyang was able to dodge his blood-colored long saber's consecutive attacks. In the small courtyard, Miao Chengyang's figure was like a dream, seemingly real, yet illusory. His hands gradually turned ice-blue. Every time he touched Zheng Jingshan's

body, he left a wound that was so deep that his bone could be seen.

"Ghostly Escape!" Zheng Jingshan's expression turned ugly when he saw this. This Ghostly Escape was one of the top escape techniques concealed in the inner sect's All Techniques Chamber. It was rumored that it could combine with a few other top-notch escape techniques to form the sect's signature

escape technique, Five Ghosts Heavenly Network! It was said that from the mists of mountain peaks to the netherworld, there was nowhere one could not go!

However, it was also very difficult to cultivate alone and very costly. He had not thought about it at all previously, but he did not expect Miao Chengyang to not only buy it but also master it.

With a slight distraction, Zheng Jingshan felt a sharp pain in his arm. Miao Chengyang dodged his blade and closed in on him, suddenly breaking his hand that was holding the blade. Then, Zheng Jingshan was hit in the face by Miao Chengyang's Inner Demon Fist without any resistance. He felt a buzz in

his mind and his willpower became momentarily fuzzy. It was as if he saw several Demonesses wearing flimsy clothes dancing close to him

Zheng Jingshan was not lecherous, but he could not regain his senses at this moment. He could not be vigilant and continued to stare blankly. It was not until a moment later when the witch suddenly disappeared and someone helped him up in his dizziness that he realized that every part of his body was

hurting!

He instinctively touched his face. His hand was covered in blood.

The junior brothers who had been very respectful to him just now were huddled together like quails. They looked at each other and did not dare to say anything.

Go, report to the Disciplinary Hall." Zheng Jingshan's face was livid. He knew that he had lost a lot of face today. He coughed twice and spat out a mouthful of blood. With hatred in his heart, he instructed, "Tell them that the branch master of Zhaochuan's branch has openly come to provoke us. Please

ask the Disciplinary Hall to punish him immediately!"

The junior brothers looked at each other. In the end, they pushed the youngest out and said timidly, "Senior Brother, when Branch Master Miao left just now, he said that he would immediately go to the Disciplinary Hall to pay the fine. He asked… asked you not to think about it."

When Zheng Jingshan heard this, he almost vomited blood again.

He held his chest for a moment, holding back his anger. "What else did he say?"

"…" His junior brother glanced at him furtively and said carefully, "He also said that if not for Fairy Li, he would have killed you today! To avenge his younger brother! Even if he doesn't kill you now, in the future… he will come over from time to time to 'spar' with you!"

Zheng Jingshan :"…"

Who the f*ck is harming me?!!

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Chapter 51: Sect Punishment

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Pei Ling naturally did not know what was going on in the inner sect.

He was worried the whole journey here. After getting out of the Corpse Cloud, he quickly stuffed a Spirit Stone into his senior brother's hand and asked him to take him to the General Affairs Hall.

When the disciple from the General Affairs Hall heard the reason for Pei Ling's visit, there was a playful look in his eyes, but he did not say anything. Soon he completed the paperwork for him. After accepting the two demon beasts, he nimbly gave out the rewards.

Delivering a letter was as easy as lifting a finger. The main reward was 20 inferior-grade Spirit Stones for traveling back and forth. Getting rid of the flower demon was 47 inferior-grade Spirit Stones. The last purple-eyed ferret was at the sixth-level of the Awakening Realm, after all. The mission reward

was 100 inferior-grade Spirit Stones, totaling 167 inferior-grade Spirit Stones.

Pei Ling counted carefully and sighed inwardly. If not for the punishment from the sect, he would have gained a small fortune from the three missions.

Compared to a five-digit fine, 100 inferior-grade Spirit Stones was just a drop in the bucket.

Speak of the devil. He had just left the General Affairs Hall when several cultivators in tight-fitting clothes and soft-soled boots arrived.

The person in the lead had a silver mark embroidered on his sleeve. He walked like a dragon or tiger, had a dark face, a slight beard, and a pair of narrow eyes that shone brightly. On his back was a sword case. He blocked Pei Ling's path in front of everyone. "New disciple of Shady Sophora Peak, Pei Ling?

Come with us."

Pei Ling's heart sank as he said, "Who are you? Why do you want me to go with you?"

"The Disciplinary Hall of Shady Sophora Peak," that person said calmly. "You've been exposed. Either you follow us obediently, or we 'invite' you to leave."

As he spoke, he gestured with his hand.

Pei Ling's expression changed several times. In the end, he slowly exhaled and said in a deep voice, "Alright, I'll go with you!"

This was the outer sect. He could not escape.

Furthermore, even though the other party's attitude seemed to be calm, his vital energy was ready for action. If Pei Ling made any untoward moves, he would definitely suffer a heavy blow.

"New disciple, Pei Ling," Half a day later, Pei Ling was brought back to Shady Sophora Peak. The Disciplinary Hall was located in a valley on the north side of the peak. It was a three-story building made entirely of black stone. The surroundings seemed to have been cleaned. There was no vegetation, but a

large square was paved with bluestone. It seemed deserted.

The person who brought Pei Ling back said that his surname was Jiang and his name was Liang. He was one of the three silver-robed deacons of Shady Sophora Peak. He was fully responsible for investigating the deaths of Li Siguang and the other two.

In the interrogation room in the northeast corner on the first floor, Jiang Liang sat in the seat of honor and flipped through the case file in front of him casually. "On the 14th, before 6:30 am, they took the Dark Bone Phantom Ship and entered the Holy Sect! Then they were led by their elder brother, Pei

Hongnian, to…"

Pei Ling had originally been racking his brains for excuses. At this moment, as he listened to Jiang Liang's words, he broke out in a cold sweat!

Jiang Liang recounted everything that had happened, from the moment he stepped onto the Dust Severing Platform to the moment he left the sect with Chen Huan and the others. He covered every detail big and small and even the timing was not the slightest bit off! What made Pei Ling's blood run cold

was the conflict between him and Li Siguang and the other two. Now that Jiang Liang said it, it was as if he had witnessed it with his own eyes at the scene. Who attacked first, who used a spell, who moved, who counter-attacked

He also described the dense forest where Pei Ling had gone to train in vivid detail.

Jiang Liang even took the time to evaluate, "From the damage to the vegetation, this set of saber techniques was fierce and ruthless. It was really not bad."

Then it was another series of precise and detailed descriptions. The only mistake was that he had returned from the dense forest to his residence to launch a sneak attack and kill Li Siguang and the other two not because he held a grudge or was deliberately taking revenge; nor did he cultivate any

exceptionally brilliant escape technique. It was purely the system's doing!

"… The evidence is conclusive." Jiang Liang was finally done with the whole story. He asked amiably, "New disciple Pei Ling, do you have any objections?"

Pei Ling smiled bitterly and said, "No."

Jiang Liang nodded and took another stack of documents. "Then let's discuss the punishment."

There was another round of detailed analysis and evaluation. From the moment Li Siguang, Miao Cheng'an, and Zhou Yi entered the sect, to their cultivation, personality, their contributions to the sect, their spending power in the sect, the sect's investment in them, their respective backgrounds, the

series of effects caused by their deaths, and so on

In the end, he concluded, "A total of 74,841 inferior-grade Spirit Stones. Starting from today, they have to be paid within three months. If you're late by a day, you'll be handed over to the sect to be punished. Is there a problem?"

What?

It's not 90,000 Spirit Stones, but only about 70,000?!

And he did not even deduct the time that he had fled to escape punishment. Pui! It was time for him to go out on a mission.

Perhaps because he had always thought that he had to pay 90,000 Spirit Stones all this while since he killed Li Siguang and the other two, Pei Ling was actually a little touched.

However, he quickly calmed down and tried to bargain. "Miao Cheng'an and Zhou Yi were both at the fifth level of Qi Refinement. They attacked me together with Li Siguang and were killed by me. It's obvious that they couldn't be educated and wasted the sect's painstaking nurturing. In that case, isn't

more than 70,000 Spirit Stones inappropriate? I think 30,000 Spirit Stones is more reasonable."

"74,844 inferior-grade Spirit Stones. This is the result of the Disciplinary Hall's precise calculations." Jiang Liang smiled and pushed the documents to the side. He crossed his fingers and looked at Pei Ling with interest, saying slowly, "In fact, Li Siguang, Miao Cheng'an, and Zhou Yi's friends and families

are not satisfied. They think that it should be 90,000 inferior-grade Spirit Stones.

Especially the outer sect elder, Li Ping. Just yesterday, he even personally held a banquet to entertain our Disciplinary Hall Master. At the banquet, he inadvertently mentioned you!

However, the Hall Master has always been fair and rejected him immediately. That was why he maintained the amount of 74,841 inferior-grade Spirit Stones."

He smiled. "Do you still think that the Disciplinary Hall's judgment is unfair?"

".. understand." Pei Ling took a deep breath and cupped his fists. "Thank you, Deacon, for upholding justice."

Jiang Liang nodded and said nonchalantly, "You can leave! When the three months are up and you have not paid the fine, we'll look for you again. You can do whatever you want in these three months. If you want to run, you can give it a try."

"Deacon, you're joking," Pei Ling said in a low voice. "A country has its laws, a family has its rules. Since I've entered the Holy Sect, I naturally have to defend the sect's rules with my life!"

He wanted to f*cking run.

The key was that judging from Jiang Liang's confident look, he, a fourth-stage Qi Refinement realm cultivator, would not be able to run away.

After leaving the Disciplinary Hall, Pei Ling thought quickly for a while and walked resolutely to the mountainside.

A moment later, an old disciple, who had obtained three inferior-grade Spirit Stones, summoned a Corpse Cloud for him with a smile. "Don't worry, if you're looking for other inner sect senior brothers and sisters, we might not be able to help you. But we know the residence of the inner sect master all too

well. The Corpse Cloud will send you directly to the entrance of his courtyard in Kulan. If Master Zheng is not there, there will definitely be disciples from the branch there! You can ask again then. Since you were brought in by Master Zheng, they will definitely tell you."

Pei Ling had thought that since the outer sect disciples lived high up on the mountains above the sea of clouds, the residences of the inner sect disciples would definitely be on even higher mountains. Contrary to his expectations, however, after the Corpse Cloud floated into the inner sect's territory, it

instantly descended.

Before him was a stretch of plains and valleys.

There was lush vegetation, and many birds and beasts.

Occasionally, there was a seven-colored mist rising in the air. It was a beautiful sight.

Just as Pei Ling was taking in the scenery, the Corpse Cloud suddenly turned into a valley and descended to the ground in front of a small courtyard beside a waterfall. Then it disappeared.

Seeing that there was no one outside the small courtyard, Pei Ling solemnly adjusted his robes and appearance before stepping forward and carefully knocking on the door..

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Chapter 52: Junior Brother, Feel free to Tell Me If You Have Any Trouble!

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

In the small courtyard, Zheng Jingshan, who had a bruised face, was applying medicine on himself angrily.

He had been beaten up by Miao Chengyang for no reason that day. If not for the fact that Miao Chengyang was afraid of Fairy Li, he might not have survived.

Over the past two days, Zheng Jingshan had anxiously sent someone to the outer sect to find out the ins and outs of the matter so that he could find the culprit who framed him. But his face had been greatly damaged after all. Therefore, he used the excuse of cultivation to curl up in the small courtyard of

Kulan and not go out. He even ordered his junior brothers and sisters not to approach him unless it was urgent.

When he heard the knocking on the door, he frowned and thought to himself, Could it be that he found the person who framed me?

He immediately made a hand seal and withdrew the array formation. At the same time, he waved his hand to open the door and said in a low voice, "Come in."

"Senior Brother Zheng!" Pei Ling, who was outside the door, heaved a sigh of relief. It was always a good thing that Zheng Jingshan was willing to see him.

As soon as he entered, he cupped his fists and bowed. "Ever since I entered the sect, I've been thinking about repaying Senior Brother Zheng's kindness all the time! It's just that my cultivation level is low and I don't have anything on me. It's a little too insincere to thank you with nothing. Now that I've

returned from the mission, thanks to Senior Brother Zheng, I am lucky to have gained something. So I came to express my sincerity."

As he spoke, he took out 10 inferior-grade Spirit Stones from his storage bag, held them with both hands, and handed them to Zheng Jingshan respectfully.

On the way here, Pei Ling had already done a calculation. The mission reward in his hands was 167 inferior-grade Spirit Stones. In addition, he had inherited the remnants of Chen Huan and the others' inheritance. At most, it was less than 200 inferior-grade Spirit Stones. Compared to a fine of more than

70,000 Spirit Stones, it was nothing.

If he could greatly reduce the fine through Zheng Jingshan, or obtain benefits such as an extension of the deadline, or at least intimidate Li Siguang and his family… In short, he would not lose anything by achieving any goal.

If he gained nothing, he would lose 13 inferior-grade Spirit Stones. Pei Ling could afford to pay this price.

At the thought of this, Pei Ling looked up slightly so that Zheng Jingshan could see the sincere and grateful expression on his face.

…" Zheng Jingshan was stunned. He did not expect it to be Pei Ling, nor did he expect him to thank him.

He could not react in time.

On the other hand, Pei Ling looked up and saw the injuries on Zheng Jingshan's face. He could not help but be stunned. "Senior Brother Zheng, you are…?"

"A few days ago, I sparred with a late-stage Foundation Establishment Branch Master." Pei Ling was shocked when he heard that. He quickly coughed to hide his reaction. "Although I won by a hair's breadth, the other party's cultivation is after all a level higher than mine. It was inevitable that I'd suffer

some physical injuries."

Pei Ling could not help but be impressed. In his opinion, the outer sect's Chen Huan and his group were not easy to deal with, and the inner sect disciples who were promoted from the outer sect were definitely more vicious.

Zheng Jingshan could fight those at a higher level than him and even won by a move. No wonder he could follow Fairy Li.

He quickly said, "So that's how it is. Senior Brother Zheng was actually able to defeat a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator with a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation. As expected of an inner sect elite, the future of the sect!"

Zheng Jingshan's body was still aching faintly. Hearing this, his face heated up slightly. He forced himself to be calm and said, "Junior Brother Pei, you're going too far. Among the Branch Masters in the inner sect… Cough, cough…"

After all, he still cared about his face. He swallowed his words halfway.

To his surprise, Pei Ling immediately nodded and said seriously, "Senior Brother Zheng, I understand! Although Senior Brother's cultivation level is high and your strength is formidable, you don't like to be ostentatious… I won't tell anyone!"

Isn't he just playing indifferent? I f*cking know too well!

At the thought of this, Pei Ling could not help but feel a little worried. If this Senior Brother Zheng is someone who sits on the fence, there's a high chance that he won't interfere in my troublesome affairs. Could it be that my 13 inferior-grade Spirit Stones have gone down the drain today?

"Let's not talk about this anymore." Zheng Jingshan did not want to continue this topic and quickly changed the subject. "Oh right, you just came back from a mission? You've just entered the sect and you're already doing a mission? What mission are you doing? Did you meet with any trouble?"

"Senior Brother Zheng," Pei Ling waited for him to ask these questions, so he said respectfully, "When I first entered the sect, I read the sect rules. But I was pemniless, so for security against the unexpected, I accepted a few missions. It was to go to Spiraling Mountain City…"

At the mention of Spiraling Mountain City, Pei Ling's heart skipped a beat. At long last, he remembered Duanmu Yan's advice.

"Go to the Disciplinary Hall later!" He quickly took note of this matter and composed himself. He briefly described the circumstances of the mission to Zheng Jingshan and talked about the trouble he encountered at the end. "On the way to Spiraling Mountain City, Senior Brother Zhang Zhongqin said that

he wanted to assess my strength so that I wouldn't get into trouble at the critical moment. Senior Brother Zhang Zhongqin's cultivation level is a level higher than mine. I didn't last long before I was defeated… As expected, Senior Brother Zheng is still amazing. You can win against a cultivator who is a

level higher."

'When Zheng Jingshan heard this, the corners of his lips twitched and his mood improved.

After all, ever since he was beaten unconscious by Miao Chengyang in front of his junior brothers, his prestige had plummeted. However, since his senior sister was in seclusion, he could not ask for her protection and could only rely on himself to face this situation.

On the other hand, Miao Chengyang had deliberately publicized what happened. It was said that he even received the support of Zhou Zhenchuan, who had always been at odds with his senior sister and had been suppressed by her… Instantly, this matter became a laughing stock in the entire inner sect.

Otherwise, Zheng Jingshan would not have used cultivation as an excuse to lie low in this small courtyard until the fuss died down.

Now that he was repeatedly praised by Pei Ling, he could not help but feel that what he said made sense.

After all, that damn Miao Chengyang was at the late-stage of the Foundation Establishment realm!

He was a mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Was it embarrassing to lose to Miao Chengyang? No, that was a given.

On the other hand, although Miao Chengyang seemed to be very aggressive, he did not really dare to kill him to avenge his brother.

What a coward.

Pei Ling did not know what this Senior Brother Zheng was thinking, but after he sensed that Zheng Jingshan's expression seemed to have eased, he was secretly delighted and did not mention his mission. After all, it was really not easy to tell Zheng Jingshan about the deaths of Chen Huan and the others.

If he concealed anything, once Zheng Jingshan found out, who knew if he would lose his trust and his favorable impression of him?

So he did not mention the mission situation at all. He only repeated the scene where he could not beat Zhang Zhongqin on the Corpse Cloud to set off Zheng Jingshan's 'outstanding battle achievements'. He put in more effort to flatter this senior brother until Zheng Jingshan beamed with joy. Feeling that

the atmosphere was about right, he said, "Senior Brother Zheng, I just joined the sect. I really encountered some trouble out of sheer helplessness. I wonder if you can give me some pointers?"

Zheng Jingshan was in a good mood. When he heard this, he quickly calculated in his heart. This Pei Ling was someone that Senior Sister Li took a fancy to. Now that Senior Sister Li was in seclusion, he had to take care of him on her behalf.

In addition, Pei Ling did not come from an influential family background. He was sensible, and he even took the initiative to give him Spirit Stones as a thank-you gift. Although 10 inferior-grade Spirit Stones were not worth mentioning, it was obvious that this kid was not unreasonable

He guessed that the so-called trouble would not be borrowing money or any big trouble.

Since that was the case, he patted his chest confidently and promised, "Don't worry, Junior Brother Pei. Although I'm only one of the 13 Branch Masters in the inner sect, matters of the outer sect are not a big deal. Just tell me if you have any trouble!"

Seeing this, Pei Ling heaved a sigh of relief and praised himself for the value of these 13 Spirit Stones.

He hurriedly said, "It's like this, Senior Brother. On the day I entered the sect, Li Siguang, Miao Cheng'an, and Zhou Yi took a fancy to the Life-Extinguishing Blade that Senior Brother rewarded me with. Not only did they want to snatch it, but their words were also quite disrespectful to Senior Brother! I,

Pei Ling, was deeply indebted to Senior Brother. How could I tolerate them treating Senior Brother like this!?

Even though I was weak, in order to protect Senior Brother, I risked my life. I had to kill them to avenge Senior Brother!

In short, after a desperate battle, I killed all three of them with the Life-Extinguishing Blade!"

Pei Ling slightly glossed over the entire incident and said hopefully, "Senior Brother Zheng, those three bastards' friends and families hate me now.. Please protect me, Senior Brother!"

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Chapter 53 Relaxed

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

What?!

The pupils of Zheng Jingshan, who was initially calm and composed, suddenly constricted. He turned around abruptly and stared at Pei Ling intently. His gaze was fierce, as if he wanted to devour him.

Pei Ling was shocked. "Senior Brother Zheng?"

"…" So it was this bastard who hurt me!

Zheng Jingshan was furious. He wished he could slap Pei Ling to death immediately. However, as the spiritual power circulated in his body, he took a deep breath and did not attack.

After all, Senior Sister had taken a fancy to Pei Ling.

Without his senior sister's permission, he could not make the slightest move.

"I understand." Zheng Jingshan did not want to see Pei Ling anymore. After all, when he saw this kid, he could not help but remember how Miao Chengyang beat him up in public that day.

Although he and Miao Chengyang had long had grievances against each other, it was fine if he got beaten up because of his personal grievances.

But because of Pei Ling… What is this?!

So Zheng Jingshan calmed himself down and ordered his guest to leave in a low voice. "If there's nothing else, you should go back to the outer sect. After all, there's a difference between the inner and outer sect. You're

only an outer sect disciple now. It won't be good for you if others see you in the inner sect."

Get lost quickly!

F*ck off!

I don't want to slap you to death on the spot!!

ei Ling felt that something was wrong, but seeing Zheng Jingshan's expression, he did not dare to say anything. He said resentfully, "Yes."

But just as he turned around to leave, Zheng Jingshan thought of something and called out to him, "You killed Miao Cheng'an and the other two single handedly? What were their cultivation levels? Were they injured?"

"In response to Senior Brother Zheng, two of them were at the fourth-stage Qi Refinement realm and the other was at the fifth-stage Qi Refinement realm. Neither of them was injured." Pei Ling did not understand

what he meant, but he still said truthfully, "I could not have killed them. It was after a life-and-death struggle…"

He wanted to highlight how fearless he was in order to protect Zheng Jingshan's reputation and honor, but he was already in front of Zheng Jingshan who sized him up carefully and gasped, "You're actually not

injured?!"

Defeating three people single handedly was rarely seen, and one of the fellow disciples had a cultivation level that was higher than his. More importantly, Pei Ling actually appeared in such a perfect state in just a few

days… This meant that killing Miao Cheng'an and the other two was not a deathmatch at all. It was not effortless, but it was not difficult either.

Otherwise, based on Zheng Jingshan's understanding of Pei Ling, this kid did not have any elixirs or powerful healing techniques. If he was really seriously injured, how could he have recovered so quickly?

Senior Sister is really discerning! Although Zheng Jingshan had never doubted Fairy Li's judgment, he did not expect that Pei Ling, who Fairy Li seemed to have casually accepted, was actually so outstanding.

When he thought of this, the anger in his heart did not decrease at all, but his killing intent became much fainter.

The main reason was that if Pei Ling was just an ordinary person, killing him would be fine if he was really pushed into a corner. At most, he would turn around and apologize to his senior sister and receive some

punishment.

However, he did not expect this kid to be an unpolished gem buried in the Pei family.

He had just entered the sect and already displayed such amazing talent and combat strength. In time, he would definitely become a formidable stalwart under Senior Sister.

n that case, how could Zheng Jingshan dare to touch him?

n fact, he really wanted to give this kid some protection as he had requested.

Zheng Jingshan's expression darkened. After a moment, he said coldly, "I know what to do with this matter. I'll arrange it for you. It's just that the rules of the Holy Sect are not to be defied. You have to know what to do

in the future."

ei Ling was overjoyed when he heard that. "Yes! Don't worry, Senior Brother. If those people didn't provoke me, I would have cultivated well to repay you."

n his opinion, Zheng Jingshan's words meant that he had agreed to shoulder the responsibility.

As for what to do next, Pei Ling also understood.

After all, the Deep Sea Sect had been established for tens of thousands of years and had thrived until now. How could the rules of the sect be so easily violated?

Therefore, the fine this time could not be exempted. However, Zheng Jingshan was responsible for resolving the other troubles, such as the three families' plot.

At the thought of this, Pei Ling instantly felt much more relaxed. He excused himself from the Kulan courtyard and formed a seal to summon the Corpse Cloud to return to the outer sect. He felt from the bottom of his

heart that today's 10, no, 13 inferior-grade Spirit Stones were totally worth it.

Senior Brother Zheng is really a good person!

After returning to Shady Sophora Peak, Pei Ling rushed straight to the Disciplinary Hall without stopping. He found Jiang Liang and told him everything that he had told Duanmu Yan. Finally, under Jiang Liang's faint

smile, he braced himself and said, "… That was probably what happened. I just joined the sect and didn't know much. According to City Lord Duanmu's guidance, this matter needs to be reported to the Disciplinary

Hall, so I came to pass on the message."

"I understand." The corners of Jiang Liang's lips twitched as he said, "The Disciplinary Hall will send someone to investigate. When the results are out, they will naturally inform you."

If this was before, Pei Ling might have thought that since Chen Huan and the others were dead, and it was City Lord Duanmu's territory, and there was no evidence, the Disciplinary Hall would not find anything even if

they wanted to.

However, after witnessing the ability of the Disciplinary Hall to investigate, he did not dare to be so arrogant. He could only bid farewell with a forced smile.

"Forget it, the most important thing now is to earn Spirit Stones!" After leaving the Disciplinary Hall again, Pei Ling thought about the current situation and a cold glint flashed across his eyes. The plot by Li Siguang and

the other two's families was blocked by Zheng Jingshan; the Disciplinary Hall's investigation into the deaths of Chen Huan and the others was also mediated by Duanmu Yan, the City Lord.

Although he could not say that he would not be implicated, at least for the time being, he did not have to worry.

The current plan was to find a way to earn Spirit Stones as soon as possible.

Otherwise, even if Chen Huan and the others' deaths were thought to have nothing to do with him and no one in the sect wanted to harm him, just the fine would be enough to kill him in three months!

At the thought of this, Pei Ling went to the platform on the mountainside and spent a spirit stone to head toward Elixir Peak.

Although he felt that he might be more talented in talisman crafting, considering that talisman crafting actually required two to three years to master the basics, it was f*cking useless. What use was there in learning?

As for forging, seeing how strenuous it was for Chen Huan and the rest, he felt that it was better to go to Elixir Peak to take a look. If not, he could try controlling beasts… In short, he would take a spin first.

Outer Sect Elixir Peak did not look much different from the surrounding mountains. However, after landing, one could sense that the vegetation on this mountain was particularly luxuriant.

In the midst of it, he could clearly feel the exuberant vitality. It was incomparably abundant, and it caused Pei Ling's spirits to be lifted!

He composed himself and looked around at the situation. Soon he followed a large group of disciples who were in a hurry.

Not long after, they entered a majestic hall close to the mountaintop.

When they entered the hall, what they thought was a classroom was actually a huge pit. The bottom of the pit was uneven and there were seats placed. In the middle was an island-like stage.

Pei Ling's luck was not bad. Not long after he sat down with everyone, he heard three chimes. The hall that was filled with whispers instantly fell silent.

After a while, a young cultivator in a light robe appeared on the stage..

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Chapter 54 Benefits of the Demon Sect

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

This cultivator looked to be about 27 or 28 years old. After he appeared, he flicked his sleeves and sat down. Surprisingly, he had an old man's voice.

He first said a few polite words before continuing, "Recently, I've already explained the entire process of refining the Bone Tempering Pill. So today, I'll start the furnace on the spot to refine the elixir and let you see it

from beginning to end. During this process, you're not allowed to speak or disturb. After the refinement is over, you can ask five questions for free."

As soon as he finished speaking, he took out a palm-sized elixir refining furnace from his sleeve and threw it into the air. It quickly expanded and became a three-legged copper furnace that was more than half the

height of a person. It was black with some silver bits. The body of the furnace had some engravings of demons, but the lid was shaped like Buddha.

After it landed, the entire hall felt a little cold.

The cultivator formed another seal and a dark blue flame silently ignited in front of him. It seemed cold and lonely. It quickly burrowed into the bottom of the furnace and quietly lapped it up.

"This was an opportunity I had when I was young. A seventh-grade immortal fire." The cultivator then took out some medicinal herbs, metals, and so on. As he arranged them, he introduced each one. "You don't have

an immortal fire now. If you have an immortal fire in the future, but if it's only a ninth-grade immortal fire, it's better to rent an alchemy room in Elixir Peak. After all, the array formation set up by the sect in a higher

than C-grade alchemy room can directly guide the Nine Nether Fire at the bottom of the mountain to refine elixirs. If you rent a D-grade alchemy room, you can buy the Nine Nether Fire sealed in a talisman to use…

The Nine Nether Fire is considered superior among the nine grades of immortal fire."

Pei Ling memorized the lesson with all his attention. Although he could not understand it at all, it was obvious that this cultivator would not teach him one-on-one. He could only try his best to learn it by heart and try

to make up for the gaps in understanding by learning from his fellow disciples.

Just as he was observing carefully, a miserable cry suddenly sounded!

Pei Ling felt dizzy. When he came back to his senses, he saw that the cultivator was holding a ball of mangled flesh. He said calmly, "This is the most difficult medicinal herb to handle, the Ghost Placenta, as I mentioned

previously.

The Ghost Placenta can attack the soul with wailing. You guys are only at the Qi Refinement realm. It's very easy to be controlled by the wailing.

So you have to strictly follow the steps taught in my class.

f you really can't handle it, it's fine. There's a stall at Elixir Peak Bazaar which has the 'Yan' flag. It has ready-made Ghost Placenta for sale. You can get a discount if you mention my name!"

The lecturer named Yan Gu spoke as he nimbly operated the furnace. Soon the wailing sound quickly weakened and finally turned into a mass of bloody liquid that was thrown into the furnace.

ext was the refining process that dazzled Pei Ling. He could not understand it at all. He could not even understand some of the terms that the other disciples were discussing in low voices.

Just as he felt that he might not have the talent for alchemy and should have gone to the other peaks to take a look earlier, the system's "Ding-Dong" sounded. "Detected that the outside world is imparting alchemy

skills. Recording…"

ei Ling was stunned. When he came to his senses, he was instantly overjoyed. He did not expect that other than cultivation techniques, the system could also record elixir refinement. This retarded system has finally

become smart!

After a while, the fragrance of elixirs filled the room. As Yan Gu performed hand seals and explained how to start up the furnace, a batch of freshly refined Bone Tempering Pills appeared in front of everyone. System:

"Ding-Dong! Alchemy recording completed. Host, please name it."

ei Ling said, "Let's call it the [Elixir Refinement Technique—Bone Tempering Pill]."

He had a lightbulb moment. Since the system could record alchemy, then wouldn't talisman refinement, weapon forging, beast taming… also work?

At the thought of this, Pei Ling did not delay and promptly attended all the free courses in the outer sect.

The second place he went to was Talisman Peak!

This mountain was clearly taller than the surrounding mountains. Upon arrival, one would discover that there were talisman engravings everywhere. Some were as small as the head of a fly while others spanned

several feet. They could be found throughout the mountain.

The lecturer was no exception. His bare hands, arms, and even his neck and face were covered with various talismans!

"If you want to do a good job, you have to sharpen your tools first." This lecturer's expression was stern and unsmiling. The moment he came up, he started straight away. "It's the same principle when it comes to

making talismans. If you want to become a talisman practitioner, you have to learn how to make talisman paper first."

As he spoke, he waved his hand and got someone to escort five death-row prisoners to the classroom.

Among these five death-row convicts, one was old, one was young, and one was burly. There were two women, both very young. One had tender skin, while the other had coarse skin.

The five of them were restrained by a spell. Their eyes were filled with terror, but they were like wooden puppets, unable to move at all.

The lecturer looked at them as if he was looking at materials and asked patiently and kindly, "Of these five people, whose skin do you think is most suitable for making talisman paper?"

"Gulp…" Pei Ling swallowed silently and quickly glanced around. He saw that all his fellow disciples had serious expressions. There was even someone who raised his hand eagerly. "Lecturer, I think that young man is

the most suitable! He's young and still a child. Although his innate Qi from the womb has dissipated, his spirit energy should still be higher than the others."

"I think it should be the women's! Women have a dark nature and female ghosts are clearly more ferocious than male ghosts. These two women look weak, but if they are made into talisman paper, the quality will

probably be higher than those made from the three men!"

"No, no. That burly man is full of spirit and energy. His skin is the best."

"What about the old man? Am I the only one who thinks that this old man's skin is not bad?"

"Damn, you're obviously guessing!"

"So what if I'm guessing? Guessing correctly is also a form of strength."

The lecturer on the stage looked at the disciples discussing animatedly. In the end, he waved his hand. "Since you can't decide, then I'll hand the five of them to you to make talisman paper on the spot! The best will be

rewarded!"

Not long after, screams rose and fell in the classroom, and the smell of blood quickly pervaded the place.

The lecturer had a calm expression as he commented on the disciples' knife skills and techniques from time to time. Soon after, he noticed Pei Ling who was wiping his cold sweat and frowned. "What's your name? You

don't seem to have the heart to do it."

"No!" Pei Ling was stunned and denied it immediately. "I just think that my senior brothers and sisters' knife skills are all exquisite. I'm afraid I'll drag them down."

"That's fine too." The lecturer stared at him for a while and said with a chuckle, "If your knife skills are not good, you can buy ready-made ones. There's a store in my Talisman Peak bazaar that was opened by a

good-for-nothing junior of mine. Say my name and I guarantee that you'd get good and cheap talismans… If you want to practice your knife skills, my junior also has death row prisoners like the ones today. Men,

women, old, young, sick, disabled, and pregnant. There's everything you need…"

Pei Ling forced a smile. "Yes, yes, yes. I'll definitely buy some later! I'll definitely buy some!"

He felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. It was not easy for him to endure until this lesson was over. He immediately escaped and did not dare to look back until he left Talisman Peak.

1 didn't expect Pei Hongnian to have survived such a course. Pei Ling was not a soft-hearted person. If it threatened his own survival or even important benefits, he would not hesitate to do it no matter how weak and

innocent the other party appeared.

The problem was that crafting talismans was not his only way out. To peel off the skin of a living person just like that—and some were even children's skin—to practice crafting talismans really went against the values

he had developed in his previous life.

On the way to Weapon Forging Peak, Pei Ling thought to himself, That's not a good person either… He was actually toyed with by Sun Yinglan? Damn it, has this brother never seen a woman in Deer Spring City?

On Weapon Forging Peak, the lecturer this time was a beautiful middle-aged woman with an elegant demeanor. Her voice was gentle and her manner was graceful. She looked frail.

Pei Ling sat down carefully and held his breath, waiting for the lesson to begin..

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Chapter 55 Elixir Refinement

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

After a moment, the lesson time arrived. This seemingly weak female lecturer took out a cute little demonic beast cub and said, "The core of our Weapon Forging Technique is spirit integration!

Only by mastering the secrets of many punishments can you inflict maximum pain on the victim during execution.

Only then can their hearts be filled with hatred and anger towards you, followed by fear.

Only extreme fear can make them fear you even after they are tortured and refined. They won't dare to resist at all, or else they might suffer a backlash… So, to become a qualified Forger, one must first be a qualified

executioner."

As she spoke, the lecturer listed dozens of torture devices that Pei Ling had never seen or heard of. She introduced them as if she was familiar with them and continued to remind them, "If anyone is interested, there is

a shop opened by a senior sister of yours at the marketplace on Weapon Forging Peak. If you mention my name, you will be given the insights on forging tools… Alright, back to business. Let me demonstrate the key to

whipping."

In the evening, Pei Ling dragged his exhausted body back to Shady Sophora Peak. He had originally wanted the Hall of Affairs to find him a new place to live. Unexpectedly, when he arrived, the other party's expression

changed drastically when he saw his nameplate. "Junior Brother Pei, you already have a place to live. According to the sect's rules, if you want to change your residence, you have to pay 100 inferior-grade Spirit

Stones."

Pei Ling asked worriedly, "Then who are the people living in my place now? Is it empty?"

That disciple had an anxious expression as if he was trying to chase away the plague. "Of course it's empty. Moreover, we won't arrange for anyone to go over in the short term. So Junior Brother Pei, you should rest

assured and stay there. That place is clean and elegant. It's one of the best places on this peak!"

Just me?

Then what if Li Siguang and his family ambush me?

Although Senior Brother Zheng would have helped to warn him, one could never be too careful…

ei Ling could not help feeling conflicted. After pondering for a moment, he took out the sect rules and flipped through them. Then he put them away and went decisively… to the Disciplinary Hall.

He sat in the square in front of the Disciplinary Hall and meditated the entire night. The attendants who came and went ignored him, which made Pei Ling heave a sigh of relief.

The next morning, he went to Elixir Peak.

He had no choice. After yesterday's experience, what he could accept the most was elixir refinement.

After all, Pei Ling did not want to skin people alive, nor did he want to torture and kill demonic beasts' cubs…

Fortunately, the journey to Elixir Peak was smooth. Pei Ling followed Yan Gu's instructions and quickly found a place. After bargaining, he bought two sets of materials for refining Bone Tempering Pills: Ghost Placenta,

Frost Iron Grass, Crocodile-Scale Tiger Bone, Crimson Sunflower… Blood Essence of Awakened Demonic Beast.

To be honest, he felt the pinch buying these two sets of materials. Just the Ghost Placenta alone cost 10 inferior-grade Spirit Stones!

He was still not done.

ff he wanted to handle it well, he would have to add another five inferior-grade Spirit Stones.

As for Frost Iron Grass, they were six inferior-grade Spirit Stones per stalk, two stalks for each furnace. Crocodile-Armored Tiger Bone, seven inferior-grade spirit stones for one tael, half a tael for each furnace.

Crimson Sunflower, three inferior-grade Spirit Stones for one petal. One furnace had to have three petals. As for the blood essence of an awakened demonic beast, it depended on the cultivation level of the demonic

beast. Below level three, each drop was an inferior-grade Spirit Stone. Above level three, the price doubled.

Adding some miscellaneous supplementary materials, one set of materials cost 37 inferior-grade Spirit Stones!

"Junior Brother, alchemy is really not as simple as you think." The shopkeeper kept persuading Pei Ling to buy more. "Even if you're extraordinarily talented, you'd have to practice on dozens or even hundreds of

furnaces at first. The materials you buy are only enough to start two furnaces. It's not enough to master the skill at all. At that time, I'm afraid you'll have to leave just as the furnace in the alchemy room is operating. It's

just a waste of spirit stones."

Then he said, "Why don't you put off buying all the ingredients on the formula and focus on buying one or two types of medicinal herbs to practice the method of processing?"

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother." If Pei Ling were to do it himself, he would definitely follow this senior brother's suggestion.

However, he had the system and rejected him immediately. "But I still want to try."

The shopkeeper advised him a few more times. Seeing that Pei Ling had made up his mind, he shook his head and did not say anything. After handing over the spirit stones and the goods, he watched as his junior

brother left. Then he said to his subordinate, who was running an errand, "I wonder how many new people Uncle-Master Yan has deceived with his alchemy skills! I keep feeling that seeing Uncle-Master Yan refine

elixirs so casually, they think that they will definitely be able to do it."

The handyman flattered, "Boss is kind-hearted and repeatedly advised him. But this Immortal Master would not listen. When he comes to his senses in the future, he can't blame Boss."

Kindhearted? The shopkeeper could not help but laugh. If he was sincere, he would not have colluded with Yan Gu to open this store. He only pretended to be considerate because he could tell that Pei Ling would not

listen.

The Deep Sea Sect was huge. With so many people, there would always be a portion of people who dreamed of reaching the top in a single step.

The shopkeeper had seen many disciples like Pei Ling who felt that they could do it after attending a few classes.

However, even among these people, the shopkeeper felt that Pei Ling had an inflated sense of his own abilities.

You should f*cking buy materials for tens of furnaces. If you're unlucky, you might even end up with a furnace and a half's worth of defective goods.

You want to succeed by buying only two sets of materials?

This is no different from throwing spirit stones into the water to listen to the sound.

Shaking his head, the shopkeeper sighed. "This Pei Ling is so rash and headstrong. I'm afraid soon he'll end up like those brainless bastards. He wouldn't even know how he died!"

It did not matter if Pei Ling died. The key was that his store would lose a buyer.

However, on second thought, no matter how stupid Pei Ling was, he would come to his senses after suffering a few losses. Even if he did not come to his senses, there was nothing he could do after he used up all his

spirit stones. If he wanted his store to last, he would ultimately have to rely on those proper alchemists.

At the thought of this, the shopkeeper forgot about Pei Ling and arranged the medicinal herbs with the handyman, preparing to receive the next customer.

… Pei Ling did not know what the shopkeeper was thinking. Even if he knew, it did not matter.

He left the market and went straight to the Pill Chamber to rent a D-grade alchemy room.

Even though it was the worst alchemy room, it cost 10 inferior-grade Spirit Stones per hour!

Moreover, although the elixir refining furnace in the alchemy room was free to use, the immortal fire was not free. It was sealed in a talisman for 10 Spirit Stones each.

The two sets of expenses added up to a total of 94 inferior-grade Spirit Stones.

Before the elixir refinement began, more than half of his wealth, which he had put his life on the line for, was gone…

Pei Ling's heart was bleeding.

After entering the alchemy room, he locked it with his nameplate and walked around to check. After finding no problems, Pei Ling cautiously called out the system.

On the floating interface, there was an additional option behind [Option].

[Technique Selection].

Inside were the fruits of Pei Ling's labor from the various peaks yesterday—[Elixir Refinement Technique—Bone Tempering Pill, [Talisman Creation Technique—Skinning, [Casting Technique—Spirit Integration]…

Pei Ling placed the ingredients for the Bone Tempering Pill in front of him and carefully checked them. After confirming that there were no problems, he instructed in his mind, "System, I want to cultivate. Choose

[Elixir Refinement Technique—Bone Tempering Pill]!"

"Ding-dong!" The system operated rapidly. "The Smart Cultivation System is at your service! One-click management, smart upgrades! Beginning cultivation now. A thoughtful reminder: During the cultivation period,

the host will lose control of the body. Please do not panic…".

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Chapter 56 Failure

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

ei Ling watched as he walked to the furnace in the alchemy room. He formed hand seals skillfully, drew out the Nine Nether Fire from the talisman, and lit the furnace.

While the furnace was heating up, the system began to process the medicinal herbs.

First was the Ghost Placenta.

ei Ling had already experienced the power of this material yesterday. It was naturally capable of attacking the soul. However, in front of the system, its impact was useless. Soon it was cleaned up and thrown into the

furnace.

Following that was Frost Iron Grass. As its name suggested, Frost Iron Grass was like a ball of cold iron wire. It did not look like grass at all.

He needed to nurture it a little with his spiritual power before it would melt into liquid form.

According to the instructions given by Yan Gu, dealing with the Frost Iron Grass was not difficult. The difficult part was the meticulous control of spiritual force.

This was what the system was good at.

The next step was the Crocodile Armor Tiger Bone. This was simple. He just had to find a way to crush it into powder.

The finer the powder, the better it was for the medicinal effects.

The system spared no effort in crushing one or two Crocodile Armor Tiger Bones several times…

As a result, Pei Ling's spiritual energy and physical strength were greatly depleted. He was actually panting.

Fortunately, he only needed to lightly process the Scarlet Sunflower and the Blood Essence of Awakened Demonic Beast. As for the other supplementary materials, they were not particularly troublesome.

Soon the system finished processing all the materials and officially began refining the pills.

Pei Ling watched coldly from the sidelines. The system almost completely replicated Yan Gu's refining process yesterday.

It was skillful, smooth, and did not hesitate or pause at all. It was as if it had practiced for a long time.

After a while, the sound of the medicinal liquid boiling could be heard from the furnace. Waves of medicinal fragrance wafted out, causing Pei Ling, who was sweating profusely, to instantly feel relaxed. His muscles,

bones, and skin seemed to have been soaked in hot water, and he felt warm and comfortable.

Yesterday, when Yan Gu was refining the Bone Tempering Pill, it did not seem to have such a strong fragrance. Pei Ling was puzzled. J wonder if this is good or bad? Forget it. No matter what, as long as the pill is

formed, this investment today will not be in vain.

After a while, the system made a series of hand seals and the elixir fire slowly extinguished. The furnace was opened. The system controlled Pei Ling's body who reached out to grab 12 grayish-white elixirs.

The pills were similar to the color of the 10 pills given by the system previously. They had a bone color.

However, when Pei Ling observed carefully, he realized that these 12 pills seemed to be more transparent than what the system had taken from Zheng Jingshan. It was as if there were fewer impurities.

He wanted to take a closer look, but the system had already casually stored this batch of pills and started refining the next batch.

Twelve Bone Tempering Pills… Pei Ling was in no mood to observe the system's elixir refinement process now. He calculated inwardly. According to Chen Mei, one Bone Tempering Pill is priced at 10 inferior-grade

Spirit Stones. But since this is the retail price, then the Hundred Treasure Pavilion will probably have to suppress the cost price… Nine is unlikely. It should be around seven or eight?

Based on the price of seven spirit stones, one furnace will produce 84 inferior-grade Spirit Stones.

Two furnaces will produce 168 inferior-grade Spirit Stones.

After deducting the production cost of 94 spirit stones, the profit is 74 inferior-grade Spirit Stones.

It hasn't been two hours yet. Let's calculate based on two hours. 24 hours a day, 30 days a month. Three months…

It's a little difficult. I have to refine pills round the clock.

But it's not impossible!

At the thought of this, Pei Ling's spirits were lifted!

He would survive!

However, at this moment, the system threw the processed supplementary materials into the furnace. The elixir liquid in the furnace did not change as smoothly as before. Instead, black smoke quickly rose.

Only then did doubts arise in Pei Ling's heart. The color of the elixir changed rapidly before it evaporated quickly. Before Pei Ling could understand what was going on, an unpleasant smell came from the furnace.

When he looked again, there was only a layer of charred black at the bottom of the furnace. It was like charcoal.

"Ding-Dong!" The system suddenly stopped what it was doing and sent a notification. "Detected that the host's spiritual force is insufficient and that the elixir refinement has failed. This transfer training session is

over. Thank you for using the smart cultivation system. With a key, you can ascend without worries! I look forward to sharing your cultivation evaluation. If you're satisfied, please give a five-star rating!"

Before it could finish speaking, Pei Ling regained control of his body. He staggered and held on to the wall to stabilize himself. His entire body was aching and he felt dizzy.

He couldn't care less about the discomfort from maxing out his spiritual force. He wanted to cry but had no tears to shed.

His spirit stones!

He had just calculated and felt that had a chance of paying the fine. In the end, this furnace of refinement was ruined. Putting aside the lost profit, he had also lost 10 inferior-grade Spirit Stones!

"Insufficient spiritual force…" Pei Ling's heart ached for a moment. He thought of the system's notification and gave it a one-star rating with a dark expression. He sighed inwardly and calculated in his heart. He took

out a porcelain bottle that he had prepared and put away a furnace's worth of Bone Tempering Pills. After cleaning up the mess, he left the alchemy room and headed for the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

Elixir Peak's Hundred Treasures Pavilion was built in the southeast direction. It was pleasantly warm and there were many beautiful flowers. It was adjacent to a stream that led to a pool. There was vegetation around

it, which attracted many birds.

He looked over and saw colorful birds chirping in the shade of the trees. It was beautiful and lively.

When they sensed that someone was approaching, countless pairs of eyes looked over. In broad daylight, it felt rather strange.

However, Pei Ling had something on his mind and did not have the time to care about unrelated things. He did not even spare them a glance as he strode down the path surrounded by flowers and trees and hurried

inside the pavilion.

Upon entering, he saw a Hundred Treasures Grid.

There were many artifacts on display in the Hundred Treasures Grid, big and small, and there were many pots of flowers and shrubs around them.

There were a dozen or so green-feathered parrots resting among the flowers and trees. Some were preening while others were tilting their heads and sizing up Pei Ling with their black beady eyes.

Not far away stood a short and fat male cultivator in luxurious clothes. His face was flushed as he tried to argue. "… The medicinal pills that my servant bought for me are all nine inferior-grade Spirit Stones each. Why

is the Bone Tempering Pill here actually 10 inferior-grade Spirit Stones each? Could it be that you're deliberately raising the price because I'm dressed well? Don't think I don't know that you paid only five or six

low-grade spirit stones for each Bone Tempering Pill here!

The profits are almost double.

What a shady store!"

Pei Ling's expression changed slightly when he heard the first two sentences. What? The price offered by the Hundred Treasure House is actually so low?

His plan for repaying his debts at the specified time hinged on skipping his meals and time for cultivation, and simply focusing on refining elixirs day and night. He intended to sell each Bone Tempering Pill for seven

inferior-grade Spirit Stone.

Not any less!

He did not expect the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to only offer six inferior-grade Spirit Stones.

What should I do?

Chapter 57 Jin Sumian

Pei Ling's heart sank. Just as he was about to ask questions, he heard a crisp voice that sounded like a little girl's. He looked over and saw a green-feathered parrot standing on a branch. It flapped its wings and said in a crisp voice, "Customer, don't talk nonsense. The Hundred Treasures Pavilion was set up by the sect. Why would it cheat you disciples? It's just that you were buying medicinal pills outside. Whether those medicinal pills are good or bad depends on one's judgment. But the things that come out of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion are checked by professionals.

For example, the bottle of Bone Tempering Pills that I showed you just now was refined by Jin Sumian.

This person is quite famous in Elixir Peak. She's touted to be one of the disciples who is most likely to enter the Dao by refining elixirs.

We convinced her to sign a contract for long-term supply and had to pay a premium price.

How can a medicinal pill refined by such a person be priced the same as a medicinal pill refined by an ordinary person? That male cultivator said indignantly, "Then you'll refine it for me with an ordinary alchemist. Although I've heard of this Senior Sister, Jin Sumian, no matter how talented she is in alchemy, the Bone Tempering Pill is just a Bone Tempering Pill. Could it be that she can make me fly on the spot? Since that's the case, why should I waste this money?!"

The parrot said plausibly, "There's a saying in the market that goes, 'One cannot travel a thousand miles without accumulating small streams'… In terms of cultivation, one has to take things one step at a time. Good medicinal pills are naturally better than bad! In the mortal world, aren't people who eat big fish and big meat generally stronger than those who eat plain porridge and small dishes? This sort of thing might not be obvious in a short period of time, but if you take the medicinal pills concocted by an alchemist like Jin Sumian every time, others can only use ordinary things. After accumulating for so long, how could there be no difference?"

"This…" The male cultivator was actually tempted and hesitated for a moment.

Pei Ling took a deep breath and went forward to say, "May I know the procedure for selling medicinal pills?"

The parrot glanced at him casually and said nonchalantly, "Go to the back. When you see the entrance to the Lunar Cave, enter and head for the third room on the left. The elixir appraiser is inside."

Pei Ling thanked it and followed its instructions. After taking a few steps, he heard the crisp voice of the parrot from behind him. "Look at that person just now. He wants to sell medicinal pills too. Look at how shabby his clothes are. Can he afford good medicinal herbs? Can he afford a good alchemy room? Can he have superior immortal fire? He looks so young and has such a weak cultivation level. How much experience does he have in mixing water and fire, and sorting out medicinal properties?

The pills refined by such a person are only benevolent by the sect. They would rather lose money than take them. You're a good-looking person. Do you dare to use it? Aren't you afraid that after taking it, you'll lie down for a few days? It's a small matter delaying your cultivation. If something serious happens, it'll affect your foundation. That's a big matter for life!"

"…" Pei Ling was speechless.

He turned around and saw that although the male cultivator still looked a little conflicted, he had already taken out his spirit stones…

This bastard!

Pei Ling cursed silently but did not take it to heart. He followed the directions given by the parrot, found the room, and pushed the door open. Just as he entered, he heard a low shout. "Get out!"

Pei Ling was stunned. He looked inside and saw a very spacious room with luxurious furnishings. There were already two male and two female cultivators sitting there.

Three of them seemed to be crowding around a female cultivator with a wooden hairpin.

The person who spoke was a well-dressed male cultivator who looked to be in his twenties. He had long eyebrows and bright eyes. He was very handsome, but his expression was rather arrogant.

Seeing that Pei Ling did not move, he frowned slightly and reprimanded bluntly, "Didn't you hear? Get out!"

Isn't this the place of the Hundred Treasure Pavilion's medicinal pill appraiser? Pei Ling's first reaction was that that feathered thing was playing him! It was deliberately pointing the wrong way. But on second thought, he said, "I'm here to sell pills."

"So what if you are?" The male cultivator said impatiently, "Can't you see Junior Sister Jin here? Wait outside! Come in after we leave."

"Forget it." Just as he finished speaking, the female cultivator with the wooden hairpin and cloth robe spoke slowly and said calmly, "It's not like there's no empty seat here. Let this junior brother in."

When the male cultivator heard that, his expression instantly turned gentle as he said with a smile, "Junior Sister Jin, you're always so approachable."

He glanced at Pei Ling again and said coldly, "It's just that there are always some people who don't know what's good for them and take your thoughtfulness as their opportunity!"

"How many medicinal pills are you selling?" Junior Sister Jin ignored this male cultivator and looked at Pei Ling instead. "I brought quite a number of medicinal pills today. I'm afraid the appraiser will be busy for a while. If you don't have many medicinal pills, I can let them appraise yours first."

Pei Ling cupped his hands at her but did not say anything.

After all, comparing them to his good senior sister, Chen Mei, none of these fellow disciples made him feel at ease.

The female cultivator seems to be doing this out of goodwill. But who knows if she's trying to seduce me? he thought.

So after taking a seat in the furthest corner from them, Pei Ling lowered his head and pretended that he did not want to join the conversation at all.

"Senior Brother Shao, look at how fierce you are." Seeing that, the female cultivator in the cloth robe shook her head and did not say anything. Instead, another female cultivator who wore a green shirt and had her hair in a topknot covered her mouth in a chuckle and teased, "You scared this junior brother. Not only did he sit so far away from Junior Sister Jin, he didn't even dare to greet her." The male cultivator who reprimanded Pei Ling snorted and said, "At least he knows his place." The green-shorted female cultivator did not pay too much attention to Pei Ling. However, after teasing her companion, she quickly mentioned something else. "… The last mission was indeed difficult, having to deal with a demon beast at the ninth-stage of the Awakening Realm. Fortunately, Senior Brother Fan's sword techniques were excellent. At the critical moment, he turned the tide and saved us from being wiped out…"

"Junior Sister Lu, you're exaggerating. We're all from the same sect. We should watch out for each other," a male cultivator who had not said a word all this while said slowly. "Besides, if I were alone, I wouldn't be able to deal with that bastard…"

Pei Ling did not show it on his face as he listened to their idle chatter, but he was feeling a little apprehensive.

Shockingly, these four people were all at the sixth-stage and higher Qi Refinement realm. They were disciples who were quite well-known in the outer sect.

The female cultivator in the cloth robe who was surrounded by the other cultivators was Jin Sumian, whom the parrot outside mentioned. She was now at the seventh-stage Qi Refinement realm and could be considered the weakest among the four. However, she was good at refining pills, and her status could not be measured solely by her cultivation level. The male cultivator surnamed Shao, who reprimanded Pei Ling, was called Shao Ningzhi. He was at the eighth-stage Qi Refinement realm.

This Shao Ningzhi seemed to have a good family background. His speech and deportment revealed the arrogance that came from being pampered since he was young. He was only very gentle and obedient towards Jin Sumian. Clearly, he was wooing this junior from Elixir Peak.

The female cultivator in the green blouse was called Lu Luqiang. She was at the eighth-stage Qi Refinement realm and had a good relationship with Jin Sumian. They were like sisters.

As for the last male cultivator, Fan Xi, he was at the ninth-stage Qi Refinement realm and was only one step away from Foundation Establishment!

"Fellow Daoist Jin." Just as Pei Ling was feeling a little uncomfortable, a door close to him suddenly opened. A white-robed, white-bearded old man rushed in and said apologetically, "Sorry to have kept you waiting! The appraisal results are out. Please have a look."

As he spoke, he moved aside to reveal a long line of maidservants in colorful clothes behind him. All of them were holding ebony lacquer plates covered in brocade. Before the servants even got close, they could already smell the fragrance of elixirs.

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Chapter 58 Superior-Grade Bone Tempering Pill!

When the people in the room smelled the fragrance, they felt their minds clearing up.

Shao Ningzhi's reaction was especially exaggerated. Reveling in the fragrance, he took a deep breath, sighed with emotion, and said, "Junior Sister Jin's alchemy skills have gone up another level! Just smelling this fragrance will save me a day's work."

"Senior Brother Shao, you're too kind." Jin Sumian's expression was calm, without any surprise. She turned to the white-robed, white-bearded old man and asked, "What was the result?"

The old man smiled and said, "Daoist Jin sent a total of 347 elixirs this time, of which 164 are Bone Tempering Pills and 39 are Essence Enhancing Pills…" In a very familiar manner, he first listed the types of pills that Jin Sumian wanted to appraise this time. The smile on his face deepened. "Congratulations, Daoist Jin. Among them, 289 are middle-grade pills and 57 are inferior-grade pills."

He deliberately paused for a moment and took a deep breath before saying seriously, "There's another… superior-grade pill! Essence Enhancing Pill!"

"What?!" Hearing this, Jin Sumian revealed a faint smile and raised her chin slightly. Her originally calm face was also slightly more expressive now. Shao Ningzhi and the other two immediately cried out in surprise. They turned to her in unison and said in surprise, "Superior-grade pill?" The white-robed old man smiled and said, "That's right, it's a superior-grade pill."

He looked at Jin Sumian in admiration. "Daoist Jin, you've devoted yourself to the Alchemy Dao and have been able to refine superior-grade pills in less than 10 years. You can be said to be talented! In time, there will definitely be a place for you on the Alchemy Rankings."

"Senior, you're joking." Jin Sumian suppressed her joy and said humbly, "The people on the Alchemy Rankings are all alchemy geniuses. I'm still far from them. I still need to continue researching diligently."

The two of them exchanged pleasantries before the white-robed old man and Jin Sumian settled the account.

Jin Sumian asked softly, "It seems to be too much?"

"Not much, not much," said the white-robed elder with a chuckle. "This is the Pavilion's Deputy Head's wish. In the future, we will buy Daoist Jin's pills at a 10% premium to aid your cultivation level in improving your alchemy."

"Thank you very much." Jin Sumian could not help smiling. Shao Ningzhi and the others beside her were fawning over her.

Shao Ningzhi said bluntly, "Of course, there are alchemy geniuses on the Alchemy Rankings, but isn't Junior Sister Jin a genius too? She's even a genius among geniuses!"

Although Lu Luqiang and Fan Xi were not as explicit as he was, they nodded slightly and acknowledged Jin Sumian's alchemy talent.

After a long while, the white-robed old man finally noticed Pei Ling. He thought that he was with Jin Sumian, so he asked, "This young Daoist is a little unfamiliar, but which peak is he from?"

"Senior, I'm here to sell pills." Pei Ling was getting impatient. As the saying goes, time is spirit stones, and spirit stones are my life!

If not for the fact that Jin Sumian and the rest were all high-level Qi Refinement cultivators who were more than his match, he would have urged them to stop dawdling just now.

He quickly said, "Please appraise it, Senior."

That white-robed old man sized him up and saw that he was young and inexperienced. He smiled slightly and did not take it to heart. He only called out to him, "Show him."

Then he continued to talk to Jin Sumian and the others.

Pei Ling frowned and looked behind the old man. A teenager who looked to be no more than 15 or 16 years old walked out shyly and said softly, "Senior Brother, where are your pills? Let me appraise them."

"They're all in here." Pei Ling pondered and handed a porcelain bottle over. "Please appraise the quality."

He felt a little perturbed when he said this.

After all, when he was refining pills just now, the pill fragrance was much stronger than when Yan Gu was demonstrating. Pei Ling relied purely on the system to refine pills. He did not know anything.

He did not know if this situation was good or bad.

Seeing his casual attitude, the youth did not pay much attention to it. He took the porcelain bottle and opened it casually. However, just as the cork was pulled out, a medicinal fragrance quickly wafted out and filled the room!

"Fellow Daoist Jin's alchemy skills have improved so quickly." The white-robed old man was smiling as he said to Jin Sumian, "I'm sure you'll be able to try refining the Foundation Establishment Pill soon?"

Jin Sumian shook his head slightly and said, "The formula for the Foundation Establishment Pill…"

Before they could finish, they smelled the pill fragrance and could not help but be stunned. They suddenly turned their heads!

The white-robed old man's pupils constricted when he saw the young man pouring out a pill. Just as he was about to hold it up to take a closer look, the old man quickly rushed forward and snatched it.

This pill was grayish-white in color, but its translucence was almost like glass. It looked lustrous.

Moreover, it exuded an extremely pure fragrance that seeped into the heart.

"Superior Bone Tempering Pill?!" The white-robed old man and Jin Sumian exclaimed in unison!

Pills were classified into inferior, medium, superior, and supreme-grades.

No matter what pill it was, as long as it was superior or supreme-grade, it would attract everyone's attention. The difference between the Bone Tempering Pill and the Essence Enhancing Pill was that it was an essential elixir for the basic skills of the outer sect disciples, the Bone Forging Art. It was widely circulated in the outer sect and even in the entire Deep Sea Sect. However, such a huge base rarely produced superior-grade pills. Not to mention a junior in the Alchemy Dao like Jin Sumian, even many famous veteran alchemists had never produced a superior-grade Bone Tempering Pill.

The reason was very simple. This kind of entry-level pill was used on a large scale. Over the tens of thousands of years of the Deep Sea Sect's existence, the pill formula had evolved in terms of price and quality. The simplicity and low cost of the raw materials directly determined the supply limit of this kind of pill. Although it was not impossible to refine superior-grade or supreme-grade pills, it had extremely stringent requirements for alchemy skills.

The problem was that the Bone Tempering Pill was only an entry-level pill. The profits and uses were limited. If one's skills reached the level of a master, who would do a thankless thing like refining the Bone Tempering Pill?

That was why most of the Bone Tempering Pills circulated in the Deep Sea Sect were inferior-grade. As for middle-grade pills, only someone with outstanding alchemy talent like Jin Sumian could guarantee a stable long-term supply. This was also the reason why the Hundred Treasures Pavilion valued it so much.

"Little friend." The white-robed old man suppressed his excitement and did not bother to continue appraising. He quickly said to Pei Ling, "Our Hundred Treasures Pavilion will pay 30 inferior-grade Spirit Stones for this superior-grade Bone Tempering Pill. How about that?"

Thirty inferior-grade Spirit Stones? Pei Ling was stunned for a moment. When he came to his senses, he could not help being overjoyed!

He had originally thought that selling one pill for seven inferior-grade Spirit Stones was already a high price, but he did not expect the other party to offer 30 spirit stones immediately! Just as he was about to agree, Jin Sumian narrowed her eyes and shouted, "Wait!"

She turned to Pei Ling and said in a low voice, "I'll pay 50 inferior-grade Spirit Stones!"

"Daoist Jin, what do you mean?" The white-robed old man frowned when he heard that. His warmth toward Jin Sumian immediately disappeared. "This is the Hundred Treasure Tower. This young friend clearly came specifically to sell pills in our Hundred Treasures Pavilion."

Jin Sumian snorted lightly and said, "Deputy Head Lin, this junior brother just said that he came to sell pills. He didn't say that he would definitely sell them to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Besides, I didn't force him. Isn't business about mutual consent?"

"…" The old man surnamed Lin looked at her speechlessly and said to Pei Ling, "Let's do this. The Hundred Treasures Pavilion is offering 50 inferior-grade Spirit Stones for this superior-grade Bone Tempering Pill. In addition, we will add a 10% premium to the remaining pills in the bottle. What do you think, young friend?" Without waiting for Pei Ling and Jin Sumian to speak, he continued, "If you want to sell other pills here in the future, we will offer a premium of 10%!

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Chapter 59 Master

Pei Ling could hear the implied meaning in the old man's words. Even if Jin Sumian could offer a high price, she could not keep buying like the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. After all, she was an alchemist.

So in the long term, the premium price of 10% from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion was definitely better.

"Junior Brother, I've already received a promise from Elder Shen in the inner sect. After I build my foundation, I'll immediately become a disciple of Elder Shen!" Jin Sumian's expression darkened slightly. She naturally understood what Pei Ling understood.

Thinking quickly, she said, "I'm sure Junior Brother knows Elder Shen's alchemy skills. If you're willing to sell this superior-grade Bone Tempering Pill to me, I'm willing to introduce you to him!"

Damn it! Before Pei Ling could react, the muscles in the corners of the old man's eyes twitched. Shen Chun, an inner sect disciple, was one of the five great alchemists of the Deep Sea Sect. Although the Deep Sea Sect was not famous for its pill refinement, Shen Chun was the most skilled in pill refinement compared to the other disciples over the years.

This person's cultivation level could only be said to be ordinary among the inner sect elders. However, because of his status as an alchemist, he was highly revered and well regarded.

It was obvious how enticing Jin Sumian's promise was!

Old Man Lin quickly reminded Pei Ling, "Little friend, Daoist Jin's offer is only verbal. Who knows if it's true or false? Moreover, Elder Shen has always been straightforward in accepting disciples. Not only does he look for talent, but he also emphasizes natural affinity. In the past, there was an outer sect disciple with outstanding talent who respected his master. However, after kneeling for 10 days and 10 nights, he was still rejected by Elder Shen! Little friend, you're young, so why take such a risk? Why don't you use spirit stones to increase your cultivation and alchemy skills? You can plan things slowly."

me

"Junior Brother, you have to think carefully." Jin Sumian sneered and advised, "You can earn spirit stones anytime. If you miss the opportunity, there won't be any left!" "Little friend…" The old man whose surname was Lin did not give up. He wanted to say something else, but Pei Ling did not want to listen to their argument anymore. He interrupted, "Just go with the spirit stones. I'll sell them to whoever gives the highest price." Then he looked at Jin Sumian. "Senior Sister Jin, I'm sorry. I'm very short of spirit stones now."

"I wonder how many spirit stones Junior Brother lacks?" Jin Sumian's heart sank when she heard that. Because of her outstanding alchemy skills, she was considered quite well-off among the outer sect disciples. However, it was impossible for her to compete with the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in wealth.

At this moment, she braced herself and asked, "Perhaps I can lend a little to Junior Brother temporarily in case Junior Brother misses a good opportunity…"

Pei Ling shook his head. What he lacked now was not a little, but tens of thousands! Unless Jin Sumian was crazy, she would not lend him tens of thousands of spirit stones at once!

So he said, "Thank you, Senior Sister. If you can lend me 10,000 inferior-grade Spirit Stones, I'll sell all the Bone Tempering Pills to you."

Hearing this, Jin Sumian frowned. Her intended price was 1,000 inferior-grade Spirit Stones.

Who would have thought that Pei Ling would ask for 10,000?

Of course, she could afford to fork out this sum of spirit stones, but she did not know this junior brother of hers. Instead of lending them, it would be more accurate to say that it was a free gift… A mere superior-grade Bone Tempering Pill was not worth that much!

"10,000 inferior-grade Spirit Stones is too much. Please forgive me for being powerless." Jin Sumian shook her head.

Old Man Lin's eyes lit up as he chuckled. "In that case, this superior-grade Bone Tempering Pill will be accepted by our pavilion…" As he spoke, he ordered the youth behind him to take a brocade box and specially placed the superior-grade Bone Tempering Pill inside. As if he had thought of something, he said to Pei Ling, "Oh right, let me remind you of something. Superior-grade Bone Tempering Pills are precious. In the future, it's better not to put them together with pills of different grades."

Seeing that Pei Ling did not respond, the Old Man Lin did not mind and casually poured out the remaining 11 pills. Amidst the overflowing medicinal fragrance, the 11 Bone Tempering Pills appeared clear and sparkling! Old Master Lin's eyes widened instantly. In his opinion, it was already a blessing for him to have encountered a superior-grade Bone Tempering Pill. The remaining pills in this porcelain bottle were at most middle-grade or even inferior-grade.

This was also the reason why he had promised Pei Ling a 10% premium for the purchase.

Who would have thought that all the Bone Tempering Pills in this bottle were actually superior-grade?!

"… All, all of them are superior-grade Bone Tempering Pills?!" Jin Sumian, who had failed in bidding for the pill, had already left with her companions. However, when she smelled the fragrance of the pills, she suddenly turned around. Seeing this scene, Lu Luqiang could not help crying out in surprise.

She knew nothing about pill refinement. She only felt that these 11 pills looked the same as the one that was carefully put away just now.

Shao Ningzhi and Fan Xi were also stunned. They looked at Pei Ling, flabbergasted.

"They're all superior-grade Bone Tempering Pills!" Jin Sumian stared intently at the pills in the old man's hand. Suddenly, she walked back quickly and grabbed Pei Ling's arm. Her eyes shone as she said, "Junior Brother, may I know which master this bottle of pills came from?"

Before Pei Ling could say anything, she continued, "As long as you're willing to introduce me to this master, I'll immediately get someone to lend 10,000 inferior-grade Spirit Stones to you!"

"If my young friend is willing to introduce the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to the master, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion is also willing to lend you 10,000 inferior-grade Spirit Stones." Old Man Lin had originally abided by the rules of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and did not inquire about the origins of the items. However, at this moment, he could not restrain himself and immediately promised, "And it will be fine as long as you repay it within 10 years!"

Are alchemists so popular?

If I knew this would happen, I wouldn't have gone to the Miscellaneous Committee!

Feeling touched, Pei Ling said inwardly, System, you're really good! I'll definitely give you a three-star rating later.

"Ding-Dong!" the system said robotically. "The Smart Cultivation System is at your service! Enjoy one-click management and smart upgrades! Automatic cultivation. End any accidents. No worries about mental demons. Fulfill your dream of ascension!" "…" Pei Ling was speechless.

He composed himself and quickly replied, "The two of you are mistaken. I just happened to obtain this bottle of pills. I don't know any master."

Pei Ling quickly calmed down. He had joined the sect for a short time. He did not have time or spirit stones to gain a general knowledge of pills. In his ignorance, he was directly selling superior-grade pills. Now this scene is too f*cking high-profile, making me, a non-committal person, feel very insecure.

Seeing that Pei Ling was unwilling to say anything, Old Man Lin did not dare to say anything because of the rules of the pavilion. He only laughed dryly a few times. However, Jin Sumian did not have such qualms. She grabbed Pei Ling's arm and refused to let go. She asked, "May I know where you got these pills, Junior Brother?"

"This…" Pei Ling pondered over how to reject her without becoming enemies with her. However, Jin Sumian immediately stuffed a porcelain bottle into his hands and said with a smile," Junior Brother, I won't let you work for nothing. This bottle of Essence Enhancing Pills was refined by Senior Sister herself. Junior Brother, please evaluate them."

"Thank you, Senior Sister!" Pei Ling immediately put away the Essence Enhancing Pill. It would be a waste not to accept benefits that came knocking on his door. Moreover, looking at this Senior Sister's expression, if he did not accept it, he would offend her.

In that case, Pei Ling immediately said, "A senior brother named Chen Huan rewarded me. As for where Senior Brother Chen got it, I don't know."

Jin Sumian asked, "Which peak is Chen Huan from?"

After Pei Ling answered, she bargained with the Old Man Lin and bought a superior-grade Bone Tempering Pill before leaving with satisfaction.

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Chapter 60 Wu Liu Comes Again

After Jin Sumian left, Old Man Lin chatted with Pei Ling for a while and began to settle the payment.

The Bone Tempering Pills that were sold to Jin Sumian alone were sold at 60 inferior-grade Spirit Stones. As for the remaining 11 pills, after some discussion, they were sold at 55 inferior-grade Spirit Stones per pill. In other words, he got 665 inferior-grade Spirit Stones for such a bottle of Bone Tempering Pills!

After deducting all costs for the first refinement, the net profit was 571 inferior-grade Spirit Stones.

It was more than a few times higher than his previous estimation!

"Reward… This is real profit!" Pei Ling was excited but did not show it on his face. He exchanged a few polite words with Old Man Lin and promised that he would come to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to sell similar quality pills the next time he got them. Then he left in a hurry.

After all, no matter how high the profits were, he only had a few hundred spirit stones now. It was not even enough to cover the fine.

He had to make the most of the time to earn spirit stones.

It was not until he left the Hundred Treasures Pavilion that Pei Ling came back to his senses. Wu Liu had told him before that the Holy Sect had obtained a cultivator with the Myriad Wood Rejuvenating Body. In order to study the uniqueness of his physique, they severed his limbs, removed his eyeballs, cut off his tongue, cut open his stomach, and cut out his internal organs… In the end, he was tortured to death!

In his current situation, it was fine if he only went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to sell pills once. If he sold superior-grade Bone Tempering Pills every time, the fact that he was the one who refined the pills would definitely be discovered. At that time, if he was treated as the second "Myriad Wood Rejuvenating Body"…

At this thought, Pei Ling immediately decided that he should not take the risk!

The next time I go to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, I must disguise myself!

Meanwhile, in a forest some distance away from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Lu Luqiang was also guessing. "Junior Sister Jin, superior-grade Bone Tempering Pills are so precious, so how could that Chen Huan be willing to give them to someone? And an entire bottle at a time. Is it possible that that kid is the refiner himself?"

"Of course not!" Jin Sumian could not help laughing when she heard that. She said calmly, "Junior Sister Lu, you don't know how to refine pills. No wonder you have such fanciful thoughts. Let's put it this way. We've never heard of that junior brother until just now. Even if he started learning to refine pills from memory, he's still unknown up until now. It's obvious that he's a mediocre person.

If he brought an inferior-grade Bone Tempering Pill today, he might have refined it himself. But a superior-grade Bone Tempering Pill? And an entire bottle of superior-grade Bone Tempering Pills?

He must be really blessed. But how is that possible?

If refining pills is so easy, why would I waste my time studying meticulously?"

As she spoke, she took out the superior-grade Bone Tempering Pill that she had just bought from her sleeve and sized it up with an admiring gaze. "You're all amateurs, so you can't tell. This superior-grade Bone Tempering Pill has extremely ordinary materials. The reason why it can become a superior-grade pill is because the person who refines it has peerlessly exquisite and almost perfect refining skills. From the step of processing the materials, all the impurities were removed. What remained were pure medicinal properties.

Then, during the refinement process, the medicinal properties of all the materials were optimized and a perfect balance was established!

In other words, not a single pill from this bottle of Bone Tempering Pills became superior by luck. It was purely based on the refiner's ability.

The Bone Tempering Pill is just the most ordinary pill, but this Bone Tempering Pill contains the hard work of an absolute master. To an alchemist like me, its value is unimaginable!

Actually, this kind of pill should not be sold to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion like ordinary cultivation items. It should be auctioned.

If that junior brother is really the refiner, why would he waste such a treasure so recklessly? Only he himself said that he got it by chance and was ignorant. That was why he sent it to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion."

As Jin Sumian spoke, she slowly put away the superior-grade Bone Tempering Pill and snorted with a smile. "Such a stupid and unbearable person can sell good things to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion cheaply. If I can refine a superior-grade Bone Tempering Pill, I'll even swallow the pill refinement furnace!"

Lu Luqiang and the others nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Shao Ning's gaze flashed as he said, "In that case, should we immediately send someone to Shady Sophora Peak to contact that Chen Huan so as to avoid delaying Junior Sister from seeking advice from the master?"

Jin Sumian nodded and said, "Send someone over immediately! However, before we know about Chen Huan's relationship with this master, we have to be polite."

"Junior Sister, you're right." Shao Ning nodded politely. "I'll remind my subordinates to be careful."

Pei Ling did not know what these people were thinking. After he left the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, he instinctively rushed to the market. However, halfway there, he suddenly realized something. Although the system's guidance in pill refinement was useful, it had failed because of insufficient spiritual power during the second furnace.

In other words, the plan of not eating, drinking, or concocting pills day and night that he had envisaged previously… was not feasible in reality.

After all, the system could handle it, but he could not!

"Fortunately, that Senior Sister Jin gave me a bottle of Essence Enhancing Pills just now," Pei Ling muttered. "The Essence Enhancing Pills can help me recover my spiritual power. This bottle is enough to last me for a few days."

However, Jin Sumian only gave him one bottle. After he had finished using it, Pei Ling would fall into a situation of insufficient spiritual power and wasting materials again.

It seems that my previous intention of temporarily putting down my cultivation and going all out to earn spirit stones is not very reliable. Pei Ling frowned and thought to himself, If I want to earn spirit stones, I have to keep up with my cultivation! Otherwise, even with the system's 100% superior-grade pill refinement cheat sheet, I might not be able to earn enough to pay my fine within three months.

At the thought of this, Pei Ling decided to leave a portion of the Bone Tempering Pills that he would refine for his own use.

After his cultivation level increased, he would not fail in refining pills because of insufficient spiritual energy. He would then sell the remaining Bone Tempering Pills.

But every time, it's superior-grade pills. Even if I disguise myself, if I do it too many times, there will inevitably be trouble. Pei Ling thought of a countermeasure. After all, I'm just a new disciple. My words don't carry weight and my cultivation level is low. I'm afraid I can't withstand these people's schemes. Should I think of a way to discuss with Senior Brother Zheng and use his name to do things?

Wait! Money moves people's hearts. What if Senior Brother Zheng has evil intentions too?

As he was thinking, he took a step forward. Suddenly, the surroundings fell silent!

Pei Ling was stunned. The originally beautiful scenery seemed to have changed in an instant to one of desolation.

"Miss Wu Liu?" Having experienced a similar transformation, Pei Ling was only slightly surprised before he reacted and greeted politely, "Is Miss here?"

A cold finger touched his lips teasingly.

Wu Liu instantly appeared. With a pale face and pure black eyes, she exuded a cold aura and said gently, "Young Master Pei Ling, it has been a long time.

"Replying to Miss Wu Liu." This female ghost's actions seemed gentle and affectionate, but Pei Ling felt a heavy weight pressing down on him. Even breathing was difficult.

He tried his best to stabilize his mind and forced a smile. "I've already mastered the Blood Spiraling Escape Technique. Miss, please release your suppression and allow me to show

you."

"Blood Spiraling Escape Technique?" The sinister-looking Wu Liu relaxed and blurted out, "Isn't it the Blood Ghost Escape Technique?"

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Chapter 61 Heavenly Maiden Secret Prayer Primordial Demon Technique

Huh?

That cloud seal ghost? Pei Ling's face reddened. Just as he was about to explain vehemently, Wu Liu had already brushed past him. She tilted her head and said, "Forget it, let's not talk about this. Didn't you already master the Blood Ghost Escape Art? Do you see the tree over there? Go and pluck a branch for me."

Is it that simple?

Pei Ling could not believe it. After all, this female ghost was not kind.

Previously, she almost killed me with the excuse of checking the Blood Malevolence Saber Art. If not for Fairy Li's restraint, she would have cut me open on the spot to take a look… This time, she definitely has ill intentions.

At the thought of this, Pei Ling shivered inwardly. He activated the Blood Spiraling-ah, pei, it was the Blood Ghost Escape Art-and suddenly appeared beside the branch that Wu Liu pointed at. Although the branch in front of him was a little withered and did not have any abnormalities, Pei Ling did not dare to be careless. He specially took off his outer shirt and wrapped it around the branch before carefully holding it. With a flash, he appeared in front of Wu Liu and said respectfully, "Miss Wu Liu, this is the branch you want."

Wu Liu did not take it. Instead, for a moment, she sized him up with a complicated expression and sighed. "Impressive!" ? Before Pei Ling could process what she meant, the scenery in front of him, including the fog, suddenly shattered like glass. Immediately after, the surrounding vegetation and paths returned to their previous verdant state. The place was alive with sound and movement.

… This round is actually over just like that?

Pei Ling was stunned for a while before he tossed the branch in his hand far away and left with misgivings.

Meanwhile, Wu Liu appeared deep in the inner sect, in a palace built with layers of array formations.

She walked quickly across the courtyard and entered a long, narrow passageway. Dark blue lights lined both sides of the corridor, and at the end was a wooden door that was dozens of feet high.

The wooden door was covered in marks, as if it had been through hard times. However, if one looked carefully, the so-called marks were clearly faces that were screaming in pain as they wriggled within the wooden door.

The entire wooden door seemed to be alive and filled with strangeness.

Even Wu Liu could not help but look fearful when she saw this wooden door.

She knelt down more than 100 feet away and walked forward on her knees. She crossed her hands on the ground and pressed her forehead to the ground. She said in a low voice, "Master, Pei Ling has already mastered the Blood Ghost Escape Technique."

Fairy Li's indifferent voice came from behind the door. "It's not time yet. Why did you go ahead to check on his progress?"

"… Reporting to Master." When Wu Liu heard this, she shivered slightly and said with a trembling voice, "Wu Liu took the initiative to reduce the half a month that Master gave to seven days. I originally planned to go and play with Pei Ling, but I did not expect that… he had already… Master's vision is like a torch that sees that this child has outstanding talent."

Fairy Li snorted.

Purple-black blood immediately seeped out of the corner of Wuliu's mouth. She did not dare to wipe it at all and hurriedly kowtowed. "Thank you for your punishment, Master. Wu Liu will remember this. I will definitely not dare to defy you again in the future."

"You may leave," Fairy Li instructed indifferently.

"Yes!" Wu Liu heaved a sigh of relief and exited the tunnel obediently

Outside the corridor, Jiao Ni was waiting anxiously. Seeing her come out, she heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly pulled her to a corner. She grumbled, "I knew it. Although Master doesn't like to do the general work herself, she's most impatient with us acting on our own… Fortunately, she didn't do anything to you this time. Otherwise, if she breaks your soul seal, your soul would have dispersed!"

Wu Liu's already pale face became even paler. She nodded slightly. "I understand."

"And that Pei Ling, don't look for trouble with him in the future." Seeing that she was listening to her advice, Jiao Ni quickly added, "Think about it, the Blood Malevolence Saber Art is a saber technique that can only be practiced at the Foundation Establishment realm. There are many disciples in the Deep Sea Sect. Over the years, only one outstanding disciple mastered it at the Qi Refinement realm a hundred years ago… Now that person has real power in the sect.

Just based on this, as long as Pei Ling doesn't die midway, his future achievements won't be bad.

Besides, he has mastered the Blood Ghost Escape Technique!"

At the mention of this escape technique, Jiao Ni's expression became serious. "The Blood Ghost Escape Technique is one of the prerequisites of the Holy Sect's signature escape technique, the Five Ghosts Heavenly Network. One has to be highly talented to cultivate it. Even in the inner sect, there are very few who have mastered it. Pei Ling is only at the fourth level of Qi Refinement now. Not only did he master it, but he also mastered it in seven short days. This goes to show that his talent is outstanding. He has already proven his value. How could Master tolerate it if you look down on him?"

"… How would I know that Master is actually sincere in nurturing him?" Wu Liu said dispiritedly. "I think this lowly person actually made Master suffer so much. How could Master let him off?"

Jiao Ni sneered at her words and said, "Master is farsighted. How can you and I guess her thoughts?"

She turned to look at the secret chamber where Fairy Li was in seclusion. She sighed and lowered her voice. "Originally, with Master's aptitude and temperament, the position of Saintess was within her reach. However, now that her primordial Yin has been broken, the Heavenly Maiden Secret Prayer Primordial Demon Technique must have backfired on her. Otherwise, she wouldn't have hurriedly returned to the sect and immediately entered Closed Door Meditation! Pei Ling's uniqueness was something that you and I should have sensed even when we were detained in the Soul Suppressing Bell back then. Zheng Jingshan was in the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment realm. At that time, he couldn't even get close to the elite residence, but Pei Ling was not affected at all… This person either has a secret or has a special soul.

In short, giving vent to her feelings by killing him won't help. It's better to nurture him. When his cultivation level is higher in the future, whether it's nourishing the soul or refining puppets, he will be excellent material.

After all, that cheap slut, Zhou, has been testing us a lot these days.

Even Zheng Jingshan was beaten up. No matter how unbearable Zheng Jingshan is, as the saying goes, one has to look at the owner before beating a dog. If that Miao Chengyang did not have the assurance of the lowly servant, Zhou, he wouldn't dare to hit Zheng Jingshan publicly in the small courtyard in Kulan even if the entire Miao family had died in his hands, not to mention just a younger brother!"

A fierce look flashed across Wu Liu's eyes. "Just Miao Chengyang, I…"

"This is a matter between inner sect disciples. Without Master's permission, you and I can't make a move on our own." Jiao Ni shook her head and interrupted her. "Otherwise, we will only cause trouble for Master… Sigh, the Heavenly Maiden Secret Prayer Primordial Demon Technique is one of the top cultivation techniques in the Holy Sect. The only problem is that you can't lose your virginity before you achieve phenomenal success. Otherwise, your cultivation level will not advance but decline, and there might even be a chance of you going berserk… Ever since Master returned, she has been in seclusion for many days. I wonder how she is now."

She warned Wu Liu again, "In the future, don't play tricks on Pei Ling. With his talent and with Master's care, he will definitely soar in the future! At that time, I'm afraid you and I will be less useful to Master than him."

The second attendant did not know that at this moment, behind the wooden door, Fairy Li was sitting on a futon in a black dress in the middle of a spacious but empty hall, immersed in cultivation.

After a while, her cultivation came to an end. She slowly opened her eyes, and a dark purple glow flashed across her eyes. Her aura was vigorous and peerless. She did not show any signs of suffering any backlash from being injured. Instead, her cultivation level seemed to have improved.

Fairy Li had been thinking about this for many days. At this moment, her long lashes were lowered as she fell into deep thought. Her bright red lips gently spat out four words. "Six Desires Secret Manual…"

After some consideration, she transmitted her voice and instructed, "Send someone to the outer sect to keep an eye on Pei Ling."

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Chapter 62 Exposed

Outer Sect, Elixir Peak.

Pei Ling consumed the Essence Enhancing Pill to recover his spiritual power in the square at the entrance of the Disciplinary Hall and went to the market to buy materials.

When the shopkeeper saw him, he could not help but ask with a smile, "Junior Brother Pei, have you used the materials from before?"

"I used them." Pei Ling sighed and revealed a helpless expression. He cupped his hands at him and said, "Senior Brother is right. Refining pills is too difficult. Previously, when I saw how skillful lecturer Yan Gu was, I thought that it was very simple. Who knew that I would fail the moment I started. I lost everything." He sighed and asked the shopkeeper to get him another 10 sets of materials. "But I went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to sell something just now and found that the profits from the pills are quite high. I want to try again." The shopkeeper chuckled and said, "Don't worry, Junior Brother. That's what all alchemists go through. How can one succeed in pill formation without refining dozens or hundreds of them?"

Pei Ling added a few more words and used the fact that he had just lost a sum of money to get the shopkeeper to give him a discount. Only then did he pack up the materials and go straight to the alchemy room.

This time, he rented it for the entire day and night.

After entering the alchemy room, he checked it as usual and got the system to start refining.

In order to ensure that everything was in order, Pei Ling specially placed the remaining Essence Enhancing Pills at the most convenient place for retrieval.

"Ding-Dong! The Smart Cultivation System is now cultivating the (Elixir Refinement Technique-Bone Tempering Pill] for you…" Accompanied by a familiar prompt, the system manipulated Pei Ling's body and skillfully lit the Nine Nether Fire. It handled the medicinal herbs and added them to the furnace one by one… Soon a batch of Bone Tempering Pills was freshly made.

Pei Ling quickly took a look and was surprised to discover that, perhaps because the system's alchemy skills had improved or because the materials were particularly good, there was actually an additional pill! There were 13 superior-grade Bone Tempering Pills!

This meant 75 inferior-grade spirit stones!

He was one step closer to paying the fine!

As his emotions fluctuated, the system was as stable as ever. It casually stored these pills and started the second batch without stopping.

However, the development that followed was different from what Pei Ling had anticipated. The system handled the materials step by step. Even though the feeling of the spiritual power depletion in his meridians was becoming more and more obvious, he had no intention of taking the Essence Enhancing Pill.

Not long after, accompanied by a puff of black smoke and a strange smell, the system withdrew its right to control Pei Ling's body. "Ding-Dong! Detected that the host's spiritual power is insufficient and the pill refinement has failed. This adjunct training session is over. Thank you for using the Smart Cultivation System. With One-Click Management, you can ascend without worries! I look forward to sharing your cultivation evaluation. If you're satisfied, please give a five-star rating!"

Pei Ling moved his hands and feet with a surly expression. He looked at the charcoal at the bottom of the furnace and frowned in deep thought. In the past few cultivation sessions, the system had 'smart-sent' the pills he needed.

Especially when he was cultivating the Blood Malevolence Saber Art, the system automatically used the Essence Enhancing Pill on him.

So he had specially placed the Essence Enhancing Pills beside him this time but the system actually ignored them completely.

Could it be that to the system, pill refinement and technique cultivation are two separate projects that don't interfere with each other? Pei Ling pondered. So when it's entrusted with alchemy, it only does things related to alchemy. Even if the Essence Enhancing Pill is in front of it, it won't automatically recover its spiritual power?

He frowned and gave a one-star negative rating.

Right on the heels of that, Pei Ling took out a Bone Tempering Pill and placed it in front of him, preparing to use it for his upcoming cultivation. As for the rest of the Bone Tempering Pills, he put them all into a jade bottle. He was going to sell this to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion later.

After finishing these preparations, Pei Ling said in his mind, "I want to cultivate! I choose the (Bone Forging Art, the (Smart-Cultivation System), and the (One-Click Management)."

He had no choice. Since the retarded system had such a bug, Pei Ling had originally wanted to save some spirit stones before cultivating but now, he could only cultivate first. Otherwise, it would delay the efficiency of refining pills.

"Ding-Dong!" The system immediately began operating. "The Smart Cultivation System is at your service!"

Then something that left Pei Ling speechless happened again! System: "Ding-Dong! Detected insufficient spiritual power from the host. Continuing cultivation will cause damage to the meridians…

Ding-Dong! Essence Enhancing Pill detected… Ding-Dong! I've already taken the Essence Enhancing Pill for you. The system will continue to cultivate for you…"

The system operated in Pei Ling's body and poured the rest of the bottle of Essence Enhancing Pills into his mouth. Not long after, the system started the "Ding-Dong" notification again. "Detected that a Bone Tempering Pill is needed for cultivation…"

The system grabbed the pill in front of it. "Ding-Dong! Bone Tempering Pill detected…"

The system operated Pei Ling's body and swallowed the Bone Tempering Pill he had prepared. Then it took out the bottle of Bone Tempering Pills that he was going to sell to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and poured all of them into his mouth. "Ding-Dong! I have already taken the Bone Tempering Pills for you. The system will continue to cultivate for you…"

"…" Pei Ling was speechless.

My spirit stones!

The system was indifferent to the host's heartache. According to the Bone Forging Art, it diligently crushed all the bones in the body, eliminated the impurities and toxins, extracted the surrounding spiritual aura to strengthen and reorganize… As the cultivation progressed, the alchemy room was gradually filled with a strange smell.

Meanwhile, Pei Ling was unconsciously immersed in the pleasure of becoming stronger. After an unknown period of time, the system finally stopped. "Ding-Dong! This cultivation session has been completed. Thank you, host, for using the Smart Cultivation System. With One-Click Management, you can ascend without worries! I look forward to sharing your cultivation evaluation. If you're satisfied, please give a five-star rating!"

Pei Ling stood up. He could feel that the spiritual energy in his body had clearly become stronger. He was probably not far from reaching the fifth level of Qi Refinement. However, he did not feel happy at all. This retarded system! It actually used up all the pills it had refined every time it cultivated a new batch of pills.

Fortunately, he found out early. Otherwise, if he were to use all his earned spirit stones to buy medicinal herbs to refine pills, only to have the system use these pills when it was cultivating, wouldn't he lose everything?

With this in mind, Pei Ling decisively gave the system a one-star rating. Seeing that there was still some time, he called out in his mind, "System, I want to refine pills. I choose the (Elixir Refinement Technique] Bone Tempering Pill, one-click management."

System: "Ding-Dong! Smart Cultivation System is sincerely at your service…"

After his cultivation level increased, the effects were immediate. This time, the system refined three cauldrons of pills in one go. When he refined the fourth cauldron, he failed because he lacked spiritual energy.

Looking at the materials that had been abandoned in the fourth furnace because it was only half done, Pei Ling gave the system a one-star rating.

Immediately after, he carefully put away the three cauldrons of superior-grade Bone Tempering Pills and left the house. As he was leaving the Pill Chamber, he was stopped because he had exceeded the time limit by a few hours and had to pay for it.

So after paying a few dozen spirit stones, he rented a Corpse Cloud and casually found an unfamiliar mountain. He went to the market to buy some items to disguise himself. He found a corner to disguise himself and deliberately adjusted his voice. After passing through several mountains, he returned to Shady Sophora Peak.

Pei Ling's main purpose in coming to Shady Sophora Peak was to look for Pei Hongnian. To be precise, he wanted to test the effectiveness of his disguise with Pei Hongnian.

As it turned out, he had been hanging around Pei Hongnian for a while but the other party did not recognize him at all.

Pei Ling was relieved. After passing through a few more mountains, he reached the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to sell his pills.

The appraiser of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion was a middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties. He was taciturn and had a malicious expression.

After he finished appraising the pills, he did not ask anything. He only looked intently at Pei Ling and instructed the person beside him, "Give him 2,145 inferior-grade spirit stones." Pei Ling frowned.

He had made a total of 39 superior-grade Bone Tempering Pills out of the three batches of herbs.

According to the transaction price with the Hundred Treasures Pavilion previously, it was 2,145 inferior-grade spirit stones.

Disguising his identity was not useful for dealing with the Hundred Treasures Pavilion!

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Chapter 63 Isn't It Enough to Have Hands for Refining Pills?

After counting the spirit stones, Pei Ling left the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. He did not dare to stay any longer and quickly left this mountain!

He did not even dare to return to Shady Sophora Peak immediately. Instead, he found a nearby mountain and went straight to the Disciplinary Hall. He only heaved a sigh of relief when he sat down in the square in front of the hall and saw the staff coming and going.

I can't sell the Bone Tempering Pills myself! Pei Ling frowned. But the retarded system won't lower the quality of the pills… "System, can you only refine middle-grade or inferior-grade Bone Tempering Pills next time?"

System: "Ding-Dong! Smart Cultivation System at your service. One-Click Management. Ascend without worries and fulfill your dream of ascension!"

Pei Ling sighed and perked up, seriously considering what to do next.

He definitely had to continue refining the pills. Otherwise, if he could not pay the fine when the deadline came, he would definitely be in trouble.

As for getting the system to craft talismans and forge weapons, he would probably face similar difficulties.

The problem was that superior-grade Bone Tempering Pills had clearly attracted some attention.

Besides the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, there was also Jin Sumian… Pei Ling had a headache. He had to think of a way to resolve the drawbacks of refining pills too well.

Perhaps I should change my thinking. After focusing for a moment, Pei Ling thought, The Deep Sea Sect is not Deer Spring City. In Deer Spring City, the Pei family is powerful. My mother passed away early and my stepmother is in charge and suppresses me a lot. However, when I show that I'm not a threat to Pei Tu, my stepmother and son won't exterminate me.

After all, he was a member of the Pei family.

The Pei family did not have someone like Zheng Jingshan who used his blood to cultivate. As a family, and a family that wanted to improve, even if they turned a blind eye to some unfair situations in the family, they would never allow an outsider who married into the family to wantonly kill their own family's children.

At least not subjectively.

To his stepmother, Pei Ling was no longer a threat to her and her son's interests. If she tried to harm him again, the gains would not make up for the losses. The problem was that he was not in the Pei residence but in the Deep Sea Sect now. There was no assurance of blood ties here to ensure that as long as he lived an ignoble life, he would be fine.

If this continued, he would most likely die.

He had to find a new safeguard!

To be exact, he wanted to find a backer.

He would be safe hiding behind a backer as a shield. To simply hide without one was equivalent to being an individual with no power!

And only Zheng Jingshan could be his backer. After all, he did not even have the right to meet other big shots, let alone cozy up to them. At the thought of this, Pei Ling no longer hesitated. He rented a Corpse Cloud and rushed to Kulan Residence.

"What are you doing here again?" This time, when he saw Zheng Jingshan, his injuries were basically healed. If one did not look carefully, one would not be able to see any traces.

Zheng Jingshan was not very happy to see Pei Ling. In fact, if not for Fairy Li, he would have slapped Pei Ling the moment he saw him!

Although he did not make a move at this moment, his expression was calm and his tone was very cold. Pei Ling was a little puzzled. He thought he had always respected this senior brother. This was clearly not his attitude the last time he came over.

Just as he was feeling suspicious, Zheng Jingshan asked him to leave. "I have something to do here. You can go back first. In the future, if you have nothing to do, don't keep coming to the inner sect. You have to know that the reason why outer sect disciples are not barred from coming to the inner sect is that the inner sect disciples will kill you within the inner sect's boundaries. They just have to insist that you launched an offensive and get you to hand over some spirit stones."

What the f*ck, this sect can actually be so evil?!

Pei Ling spat out a mouthful of blood inwardly and said hastily, "Senior Brother, I went to Elixir Peak to listen to a lecture on alchemy two days ago and realized that alchemy seems to be very simple. I heard that the Hundred Treasures Pavilion said that the profits from refining pills are not bad, so I immediately thought that this is my chance to repay Senior Brother!"

Zheng Jingshan did not know whether to laugh or cry. "Simple to refine pills? You'll know after you refine one. Back then, I…"

He stopped mid-sentence and reprimanded him. "You've only been in the sect for a few days and you're already biting off more than you can chew. You'll definitely not become successful in the future. How can you live up to Senior Sister's expectations!"

"Senior Brother, refining pills is really simple," Pei Ling said seriously. "I've already refined a few cauldrons of Bone Tempering Pills and sold them all to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. I came to show my filial piety after confirming that the profits from this matter are considerable."

"Huh?" Zheng Jingshan frowned at him and said suspiciously, "Is that true?".

If an ordinary outer sect disciple at the fourth-stage Qi Refinement realm told Zheng Jingshan this, Zheng Jingshan would not even bother to listen. That person should count himself lucky if he did not beat him to death on the spot.

However, in his opinion, Pei Ling was a gem that his senior sister had taken a fancy to. It was natural for him to have outstanding qualities.

That was why Zheng Jingshan patiently said, "It's not difficult to investigate the information about the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. If you're spouting nonsense, don't blame me for being impolite!"

He thought to himself that even if he was a talent that his senior sister had taken a fancy to, if he fooled around with him, his senior sister would not blame him for teaching him a lesson.

"Senior Brother, if you don't believe me, please help me borrow a pill furnace. I have a few sets of Nine Nether Fire talismans here. I can refine them on the spot for you to see," Pei Ling said in a low voice. "Refining pills is really easy. As long as you have hands." That's right, he decided to disguise himself as an alchemy genius. In any case, when the system controlled his pill refinement, outsiders could not tell at all. They would only see him being immersed in the refining process. Based on the experience of refining the superior-grade pills, it was natural for Pei Ling to be fully focused.

After all, to ensure that his relationship with his backer was stable, mutual benefits were necessary! This was the only bargaining chip he had at the moment.

Zheng Jingshan narrowed his eyes and looked at him. After a moment, he formed hand seals and muttered a few words. Soon someone came to knock on the door. It was a male disciple who was about the same age as Pei Ling. His eyes were filled with curiosity. "Branch Master, I've borrowed a pill furnace."

"Put it down, then leave." Zheng Jingshan nodded, but he did not intend to satisfy the disciple's curiosity. After he left, he closed the small courtyard and signaled for Pei Ling to begin. "You just joined the sect and went out on a mission. You haven't been in the sect for long, so I won't make things difficult for you. As long as you refine a finished product, even if it's just an inferior-grade pill, I'll treat you as an alchemy genius.

But if all of them are unusable, don't waste my time!"

Pei Ling said solemnly, "Don't worry, Senior Brother. I won't disappoint you."

He sneered in his mind, System, I want to refine pills! Zheng Jingshan had been wa nonchalantly. After all, in his opinion, even if Pei Ling was really very talented in alchemy, how many days had he been in the sect? Even if he studied alchemy without eating or drinking and had a massive amount of resources for practice, it was already not bad to be able to refine an inferior-grade Bone Tempering Pill. If he were still in the outer sect, he would value Pei Ling more. But he was already an inner sect leader, so this did not mean much.

However, Pei Ling had only handled two main materials when Zheng Jingshan suddenly sat up straight. This technique was too exquisite!

Back then, when he was in the outer sect, he had tried to refine pills himself. After investing a lot of resources, he had no choice but to give up. He knew very well that in order to become a true alchemist, talent, resources, and time were indispensable.

Even the few elders who were publicly acknowledged to have the best alchemy skills in the Deep Sea Sect only began to make a name for themselves after joining the sect for at least a year and a half. They either came from a noble background or found a sponsor so they could focus on alchemy without worrying about other things.

But this Pei Ling came from a humble background. Before he entered the sect, it was impossible for him to come into contact with alchemy techniques. After he entered the sect… When all was said and done, he could shock everyone simply by managing a few main materials well!

Zheng Jingshan's expression was grave as he watched Pei Ling's every move. He even suspected that he was a spy from another sect who was using his identity as Pei Ling to infiltrate the Deep Sea Sect.

No, this is impossible.

But soon, Zheng Jingshan dispelled his doubts. After all, Pei Ling's every move at this moment was smooth to the extreme. Be it his handling of the medicinal herbs, his control of the elixir fire, his heat control, or the timing when he placed the medicinal herbs, everything was going well!

Even if this was only the most basic Bone Tempering Pill, it was enough to show how solid his basic skills were.

No sect would dislike having such a genius. Why would they send him out on a dangerous undercover mission?

Soon, under the system's control, Pei Ling refined the first batch of elixirs. After taking out all the Bone Tempering Pills from the furnace, Zheng Jingshan was even more shocked. "Not only did this kid really refine the Bone Tempering Pills, but this elixir fragrance… The 12 Bone Tempering Pills are all superior-grade!"

When he looked at Pei Ling again, his eyes could not help but be filled with astonishment.

Genius!

A peerless genius!

Senior Sister is indeed Senior Sister. She has great acumen!

I, Zheng Jingshan, can't catch up to her!

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Chapter 64 I'll Give You An Opportunity!

As Zheng Jingshan's heart was in turmoil, he suddenly smelled a strange smell.

He was stunned, but he saw that Pei Ling seemed to be in an unnatural daze for a moment. Then he retracted his hands that were forming hand seals to refine the pills. He stood up straight and explained with an embarrassed expression, "I was busy just now. My spiritual power was insufficient, so…"

"It's fine." Zheng Jingshan glanced at the charcoal at the bottom of the furnace and did not care at all.

After all, that batch of superior-grade Bone Tempering Pills had already fully demonstrated Pei Ling's talent in alchemy.

It was beyond shocking!

At this moment, even if he destroyed a cauldron of pills, so what?

He pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, I already know that your talent in alchemy is indeed very outstanding." Pei Ling was delighted. He was about to open his mouth to discuss sales, profits, dividends, and so on when he heard Zheng Jingshan say, "How about this? You go back now and start cultivating diligently from now on. Try to reach the fifth-stage Qi Refinement realm as soon as possible. At that time, I'll give you an opportunity!"

Opportunity? If this was before he entered the sect, Pei Ling would have been very interested. But now, the fine of more than 70,000 inferior-grade spirit stones was like a sharp sword hanging from the ceiling. How could he care about anything else?

After all, the sect's laws were heartless. What good opportunity? Unless he could ascend on the spot or become invincible, if he did not produce spirit stones in three months, he would be torn apart by the sect to pay his debts!

At the thought of this, Pei Ling was about to find an excuse to decline when Zheng Jingshan continued, "This opportunity is hard to come by. Speaking of which, it depends on your luck. So you must cultivate diligently. If you miss the opportunity, you will definitely regret it for the rest of your life.

But if you succeed, then you can forget about the fine for killing Li Siguang and the other two, and your status in the sect will also be very different."

Forget about the fine?

Pei Ling's eyes lit up when he heard this and he immediately probed, "May I ask Senior Brother, the opportunity you're talking about is…"

"You'll know when the time comes." Zheng Jingshan smiled confidently. "Don't think too much now. Go back and increase your cultivation level. If your cultivation level is not high, no matter how good the opportunity is, it will have nothing to do with you."

Pei Ling was about to ask more when he saw Zheng Jingshan's expression darken. He said solemnly, "Just do as I say. Do you think I will harm you?"

"Don't worry, Senior Brother." Seeing this, Pei Ling did not dare to say more. He quickly said, "When I go back, I'll definitely start cultivating immediately. I won't disappoint you!"

After a moment, as he watched Pei Ling turn around and leave, Zheng Jingshan thought to himself, Although this Junior Brother Pei is exceptionally talented in alchemy, judging from the speed at which he progressed from the second level of Qi Refinement to the fourth level of Qi Refinement, his cultivation talent is not bad. Looking at his strong aura now, he is not far from the fifth level of Qi Refinement…

Half a month, at most a month, there is hope for a breakthrough.

This duration is still within the range of his mediation.

If it is any later, it can only be said that Pei Ling is lacking in talent and luck.

However, he hoped that this Junior Brother Pei would not disappoint him or his senior sister.

After Pei Ling returned to the outer sect, he began to cultivate non-stop. After all, although this Underworld sect was not something decent, with Zheng Jingshan's identity and strength, if he wanted to harm him, there was no need to feign civility.

In particular, he had just taken the initiative to showcase his amazing alchemy talent. Zheng Jingshan had no reason to harm him at this time.

Even if there was, this would at most delay his repayment of the fine.

However, after careful calculation, Pei Ling realized that he was not far from the fifth-stage Qi Refinement realm. This would not delay him for long.

As expected, after taking the drugs twice, everything was going smoothly. Pei Ling clenched his fists gently and felt the obvious strength in his body. After a brief moment of joy, he stepped onto the Corpse Cloud that led to Kulan Residence.

When Zheng Jingshan saw him coming, he was quite unhappy at first. "Didn't I tell you to cultivate well…"

Before he could finish speaking, his gaze froze. He could not help but be shocked to find that Pei Ling had already reached the fifth level of Qi Refinement!

Unparalleled alchemy talent, amazing cultivation talent… This Pei Ling is actually so outstanding! Zheng Jingshan cursed the Pei family for being a bastard in his heart. Such a talented person, the son that many cultivation families dream of, is left to fend for himself just because he comes from a branch family.

If not for Senior Sister's discerning eyes, wouldn't this Pei Ling's astounding talent be buried?

As expected, a small family was a small family, It was reasonable that he could not develop.

If he did not nurture Pei Ling but scrimped and nurtured to nurture that good-for-nothing Pei Hongnian, what future could he have?

He composed himself and pretended to be calm. "Forget it. It seems that you've been cultivating diligently these past two days."

He conjured a seal and muttered a few words to summon his subordinates.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Zheng Jingshan said to Pei Ling, "Do you know why I wanted you to advance to the fifth level of Qi Refinement?"

"Please advise, Senior Brother," Pei Ling said respectfully.

Zheng Jingshan said, "This is because the bones tempered by the Bone Forging Art are divided into iron bones, essence bones, and jade bones. And iron bones are divided into inferior-grade iron bones, middle-grade iron bones, superior-grade iron bones, and rare supreme-grade iron bones. The same goes for essence bones and jade bones.

The first to third levels of Qi Refinement are called iron bones. The fourth to sixth levels of Qi Refinement are called essence bones. The seventh to ninth levels of Qi Refinement are called jade bones.

You've been to the Miscellaneous Committee. You should know that many missions are set at the sixth level of Qi Refinement.

This is because those who are at the sixth-stage Qi Refinement realm have attained phenomenal success in their essence bones, or even jade bones for those who are exceptionally talented. There is an obvious leap in ability from the fifth-stage Qi Refinement realm.

Although the Cold Marrow Fire is only one level higher than the Nine Nether Fire, it is not easy to deal with.

You were only at the fourth-stage Qi Refinement realm previously. I'm afraid you can't subdue it at all. Even now, at the fifth-stage Qi Refinement realm, there's a considerable risk…"

When Pei Ling heard this, he could not help being stunned. Cold Marrow Fire? Risk?

Didn't you say that it is a rare opportunity?? Didn't you say that a fine is nothing??

He quickly said, "Senior Brother, what exactly is this Cold Marrow Fire? Is it very valuable? And since there's a risk, why don't we forget about it this time? Let's go again when I'm more powerful and more confident." "No!" Zheng Jingshan refused flatly. "Other than being an eighth-grade immortal fire and being quite useful to alchemists, that Cold Marrow Fire is also useful for Purification. There are many people setting their eyes on it. I only managed to obtain it with the help of Senior Sister's name. So I can't wait! Otherwise, who knows who will intercept it?"

Zheng Jingshan looked at him suspiciously. "Junior Brother Pei, I remember that before you entered the sect, you dared to steal my Bone Tempering Pills to cultivate. To be honest, I was very impressed with your boldness to pursue the Great Dao with no fear of death. But you've only been in the sect for a few days, so why have you become so timid and cautious?"

Not afraid of death my a*s!

The system is retarded.

Do I look like a brainless person?

"Senior Brother, I'm not afraid." In front of Zheng Jingshan, Pei Ling said insincerely, "I'm just worried that I'm weak and will let down your nurturing. At that time, won't you have worked for nothing?"

Zheng Jingshan stared at him for a moment and saw that his junior brother was sitting upright and still. His eyes were bright and unyielding. Only then did Zheng Jingshan feel relieved. He said earnestly, "Junior Brother Pei, you have to know that in the struggle for the Great Dao, if you don't advance, you will retreat! Especially for a cultivator like you who comes from a humble background. One step behind, many steps behind. A hundred years later, when you look back, it's too late for regrets, but you no longer have a chance.

With the vastness of the Holy Sect and the great number of disciples, although there are few people with a talent like yours, it's definitely not just a handful of them either. If you don't work hard to advance yourself and if you make the slightest mistake, you will definitely disappear from the masses!

At that time, you will be like countless seniors, striving hard for a hundred years and eventually turning into dust."

Pei Ling's expression changed slightly as he lowered his head to listen. "Yes, what Senior Brother said is enlightening. Junior Brother will definitely remember it!"

Although he said that, he did not want to die. There was no need to talk about dying.

Just as he was about to ask about the details of the mission, there was a knock on the small courtyard. Zheng Jingshan opened the array formation and a woman and two men in inner sect disciple clothes walked in.

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