Just as Su Yuheng returned outside the gates of the Heavenly Feather Sect, she suddenly sensed a violent fluctuation from within the interspatial ring on her finger. At the same time, an intense unease surged in her chest.
She extended her Divine Sense into the ring and was completely shocked.
“Hong Ling and Lan Shang’s soul tokens… actually shattered? How is that possible?!”
It hadn’t even been two hours since they parted outside Wushuang City, and now two more of her Void Refining Realm subordinates were dead?
Adding the previous ones, that meant in just one day, she had lost five Void Refining Realm subordinates.
For a moment, Su Yuheng panicked. A strong sense of dread crept up inside her.
“How could this be? Could it be that Gu Luoqing, that little wench, discovered their movements?”
“But even if that were true, Gu Luoqing wouldn’t have gone as far as to kill them!”
Her thoughts were in complete turmoil. Even though the gate of the Heavenly Feather Sect was right in front of her, she couldn’t take another step forward.
“It must be an accident. Yes, that’s it. Just an accident.”
She tried to convince herself, never once thinking to suspect Shen Lian.
“Calm down. Send someone to investigate the situation thoroughly before making any decision. Don’t panic. After so many years, I’ve weathered storms far worse than this. It wasn’t easy getting to where I am now. How could I let such a small matter shake my Dao Heart? Right now, the priority is looking after Junior Brother Ye.”
After steadying her emotions, her gaze became resolute. She decisively stepped through the gates of the Heavenly Feather Sect.
…
“Fellow Daoist, I sincerely apologize. I didn’t expect someone would be able to bypass the barrier’s defenses using concealment talismans.”
“I’m starting to regret working with you. If your barrier can’t even stop a few small fry, then I can’t blame you for losing to Su Yuheng.”
Late at night, after learning that Shen Lian had been ambushed, Gu Luoqing specially came to the pill chamber to apologize. However, she hadn’t expected that Shen Lian would actually kill Hong Ling and Lan Shang.
That only made her more certain—Shen Lian, the pitiful simp who used to make others laugh, no longer existed.
Gu Luoqing asked, “Fellow Daoist, since Hong Ling and Lan Shang are dead, Su Yuheng surely won’t let you go once she finds out. What do you plan to do next?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Lian flicked his folding fan and tossed something toward her.
Gu Luoqing caught it on instinct. It was a translucent pill radiating a faint golden glow.
“This is?”
“This is a pill refined using herbs from your pill chamber. It’s designed to cure the chronic head ailment you suffer from. I made it while upgrading the Vitalhorn Pill. After taking it, your condition will be completely cured. Your cultivation will also rise rapidly due to the years of suppressed potential. As for how much you improve, that depends on you.”
Gu Luoqing was shocked, “You actually refined a pill that can permanently heal my hidden illness?”
Shen Lian said, “If you don’t believe it, you can destroy it. I won’t stop you.” The source of this chapter is g.com.
Gu Luoqing quickly put it away, “No, Fellow Daoist, don’t misunderstand. Of course I believe you. I just don’t know how to thank you.”
After years of suffering from her chronic ailment, she now saw hope for a cure and naturally treated the pill like a priceless treasure.
“No need to thank me. I’ve always drawn a clear line between public and private matters. If there is kindness, it must be repaid. If there is a grudge, it must be settled. Since you allowed me to stay and detoxify here, it’s only right I return the favor. I do have one more question I hope you can answer.”
“Please go ahead.”
“I want to know if in this world, there are any things that can temper one’s physique—such as pills, essence cores, or anything like that.”
Gu Luoqing was momentarily stunned, “To temper the physique? Are you—”
Shen Lian said impatiently, “Don’t ask so much. Just answer yes or no!”
Gu Luoqing was slightly overwhelmed by Shen Lian’s commanding aura. To be honest, she still couldn’t fully adapt to the dramatic change in his demeanor.
Was this really the same Shen Lian who would rather be poisoned and mutilated than stop simping for those seven ungrateful women?
Whatever. That didn’t matter.
At least now, this change in him greatly benefited her.
“Yes!” Gu Luoqing answered firmly with a nod.
Shen Lian closed his eyes and gently fanned himself, listening.
“The best method to temper the physique is, of course, with monster beast essence cores—especially those from 7th-rank Profound Beasts, whose strength rivals the Tribulation Crossing Realm. Their essence cores can eliminate all hidden impurities within the body and strengthen the meridians, achieving a complete transformation.”
Shen Lian’s eyes opened, “So, if I want to temper my physique, I must go to the Monster Beast Mountain Range?”
Gu Luoqing took a sip of tea and nodded, “Currently, only the monster beasts within the Monster Beast Mountain Range have essence cores capable of tempering the body. However, the Seal there has begun to loosen recently, and tens of thousands of righteous cultivators from across the continent are flocking there. I suggest waiting until the commotion settles before going.”
Shen Lian thought to himself: As expected, the best way to temper one’s body in this world is still through monster beast cores. That’s a relief. It’s just strange that the original host had no memory of this at all.
Having reached a conclusion, he stood up and said, “Thank you for the information. I hope our cooperation continues smoothly until the very end.”
Gu Luoqing was surprised, “You’re leaving now?”
Shen Lian folded his fan and replied, “I don’t have any more time to waste.”
“But the Monster Beast Mountain Range is in utter chaos right now. I heard people from the Heavenly Feather Sect are there too. If you run into them, wouldn’t that be—”
“When did it become your place to manage my affairs?!”
Such piercing eyes… why is my heart racing?
“Hmph.”
Shen Lian left her with a cold snort, then opened the pill chamber door.
As the door opened, a gentle breeze swept through, rustling the bamboo outside.
Bathed in moonlight, Shen Lian’s face revealed a rare moment of calm.
After a brief pause, he said, “I’m leaving now. Don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten the promise to help you suppress the World Auction Chamber. We’ll discuss the details after I return from the Monster Beast Mountain Range.”
As soon as he finished, he prepared to depart in a flash of light.
“Wait!”
Gu Luoqing quickly called out to him.
“What else do you want to say?”
“Don’t misunderstand, Fellow Daoist. Since this is a partnership, as someone from the Longevity Chamber of Commerce, it’s only right I show some sincerity too.”
As she spoke, she raised her hand. A wave of silver Spiritual Light burst forth outside the pill chamber.
“Neigh…”
“Clip-clop…”
In the next moment, a black cloud shrouded the bamboo grove, circling rapidly. Accompanied by heavy hoofbeats and shrill neighs, it all came to a sudden stop before Shen Lian.
A black horse with crimson eyes appeared before him, pulling a luxurious carriage.
“This horse is from the Netherworld Domain. My Gu Clan obtained it by chance a thousand years ago. It can travel 500,000 kilometers in a day, crossing mountains and seas with ease. Consider it a gift for your journey.”
“Hmm?”
Shen Lian paused and studied the spirit beast closely.
“If that’s the case, I’ll gladly accept. Farewell.”
Within a few breaths, Shen Lian leapt onto the carriage. Under Gu Luoqing’s gaze, the Netherworld carriage turned into a black cloud and vanished from the Gu Clan compound.
Staring at the dark cloud that flashed and disappeared under the moonlight, Gu Luoqing clenched her jade-like fingers tightly.
“Shen Lian…”
A soft whisper escaped her lips, filled with emotions even she couldn’t quite understand.