141: Chapter 141 The Team at Qingyun Lake

Three days later, the mountain gate of the Heavenly Sword Sect was bustling with noise, as Spiritual Qi and a murderous aura intertwined and permeated the air.

On the broad mountain gate square, Cultivators dressed in various styles of clothing were lined up neatly in teams; there were Foundation Establishment Cultivators, as well as Outer Sect Disciples.

Qin Changsheng also appeared within the ranks.

However, at this moment, Qin Changsheng had already used the Golden Trait Breath Concealment Technique to control his cultivation at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining.

The team Qin Changsheng was in consisted entirely of the Outer Sect Disciples recruited this time. Their cultivation levels were uneven, mostly at the fourth or fifth level of Qi Refining, and everyone's face carried a hint of novelty and expectation.

After Qin Changsheng entered the team, he used his Divine Sense to check everyone out.

At the very front of the mountain gate stood two teams of Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

One was the Qingyun Lake team led by Lin Zhentian, and the other was the Misty Forest team led by Elder Qingxuan and Fairy Qingling.

Li Hu and Lin Hao both appeared within Lin Zhentian's team.

Meanwhile, Hu Nan, Jiang Lijuan, and others appeared in Fairy Qingling's team.

Qin Changsheng also discovered a familiar figure among the Outer Sect Disciples for Qingyun Lake.

That person was Qin Changsheng's fellow townsman, Zhang Han.

Qin Changsheng was not at all surprised by Zhang Han's appearance in the team.

During this period, Zhang Han had owed many Spirit Stones in his pursuit of Lin Yao.

Therefore, as long as it was a large-scale mission for the Sect, Zhang Han would accept it.

Shortly after Qin Changsheng discovered Zhang Han, Zhang Han also discovered Qin Changsheng.

However, Zhang Han did not even look directly at Qin Changsheng.

After all, Zhang Han had always believed he was the most formidable Genius in Beihai Prefecture.

A low-level Disciple like Qin Changsheng simply did not have the qualifications to stand beside him.

Before long, Lin Zhentian, dressed in brocade robes, led Elder Qingxuan and Fairy Qingling as they slowly walked onto the high platform of the mountain gate. With a serious expression, he scanned all the Cultivators on the square, his thick voice slowly ringing out as he issued the order to set off.

Qin Changsheng set off with the Qi Refining team, following behind the Foundation Establishment team, heading towards the direction of Qingyun Lake.

Meanwhile, Hu Nan followed Fairy Qingling, Elder Qingxuan, and the others toward the direction of the Misty Forest.

More than two hours later, the field of vision ahead suddenly opened up, and a massive lake appeared before everyone.

Qin Changsheng was extremely familiar with this lake.

This was the Qingyun Lake near the Heavenly Sword Sect.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, Qin Changsheng had often sent Hu Nan here to investigate.

"Everyone, halt!" Lin Zhentian was the first to stop. His thick and majestic voice resounded through the field, instantly suppressing the clamor of the team.

The crowd stopped in unison, raising their eyes one after another to look at Lin Zhentian.

Lin Zhentian's gaze swept across the lake surface, then slowly looked at the team of Cultivators behind him, issuing the mission command: "Foundation Establishment Cultivators, hear my order! Disperse immediately and head to the areas surrounding Qingyun Lake and the waters within the lake. Put all your effort into clearing out the Yao Beasts!"

Pausing for a moment, he looked at the team of Outer Sect Qi Refining Disciples nearby, his tone becoming even more severe: "Qi Refining Disciples, hear my order! You are not permitted to participate in killing Yao Beasts without authorization. Follow behind the Foundation Establishment Cultivators throughout the process to assist in collecting Yao Beast corpses, organizing Yao Beast inner cores and skins, and guarding the team's supplies. If anyone acts without authorization, they will be dealt with according to the Sect's punishment—no leniency will be shown!"

"We respectfully obey Elder Lin's command!" all the Cultivators replied in unison, their voices perfectly aligned.

As his voice fell, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators one after another activated their Spiritual Qi, their figures moving swiftly. Each holding a Magical Artifact, they dispersed toward the perimeter of Qingyun Lake. Streaks of spiritual light pierced the sky and landed around the lake shores. Instantly, they engaged in fierce combat with the hidden Yao Beasts. The sounds of Magical Artifacts clashing, Yao Beasts roaring, and Spiritual Qi exploding intertwined, echoing along the banks of Qingyun Lake.

Qin Changsheng blended into the team of Outer Sect Qi Refining Disciples, walking to the edge of the lake shore with the others. He took the simple cutting tools distributed by the deacons and put on a clumsy act, following the other Outer Sect Disciples to clear away the corpses of low-level Yao Beasts slain by the Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Dressed in Outer Sect attire, his figure was inconspicuous. His movements seemed slow, but in reality, they were extremely composed.

But no one knew that Qin Changsheng's Divine Sense had already quietly spread out, passing over the battling Foundation Establishment Cultivators and the churning lake surface, firmly locking onto one figure—Li Hu.

While nonchalantly using the tools to clean debris from the Yao Beast corpses, he used his Divine Sense to closely monitor Li Hu's every move, not daring to relax in the slightest.

He had originally thought that Li Hu would take advantage of the chaos to secretly look for an opportunity to approach the location of the lake center's Secret Treasure. But after observing for a long time, he found that Li Hu showed no abnormalities whatsoever.

Within his Divine Sense, Li Hu held a sharp longsword, his surrounding Spiritual Qi condensed but not released, as he focused on killing Foundation Establishment Yao Beasts in the lake.

His movements were clean and efficient. As his longsword swung, spiritual light flickered, and every strike precisely pierced the Yao Beasts' vital points. His expression was serious and earnest, his gaze sharp. Throughout the process, he never had the slightest Divided Soul, nor did he look toward the center of the lake even once, as if he were truly just concentrating on executing the Sect's beast-clearing mission without any thought of seizing the Secret Treasure.

A flash of realization crossed Qin Changsheng's eyes.

Li Hu was indeed meticulous and extremely patient. He knew that with so many eyes watching and Lin Zhentian patrolling in secret, any rash movement would inevitably arouse suspicion. That was why he deliberately feigned total concentration on clearing the beasts, lying in wait for the optimal moment to strike.

Qin Changsheng also pretended to focus on cleaning the Yao Beast corpses, but his Divine Sense never left Li Hu for a single step. Simultaneously, he kept a secret watch on the lake center area, sensing the powerful aura of that Golden Core Yao Beast and silently calculating his subsequent plan to seize the treasure, ensuring everything was foolproof.

Just then, Zhang Han suddenly rushed out from the Qi Refining Disciple team. Ignoring the deacon's scolding, he jogged all the way toward Li Hu's direction.

A fawning smile was on his face, and his expression was urgent. He had completely lost the arrogance he showed when looking down on Qin Changsheng earlier, appearing somewhat humble instead.

At this time, Li Hu had just slain a Yao Beast and was raising his hand to wipe the blood off his longsword. Sensing the movement behind him, he turned slightly to look. Seeing the running Zhang Han, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, and his brow furrowed slightly as he spoke flatly: "What is it?"

Zhang Han quickly ran up to Li Hu and hurriedly bowed in greeting, his posture extremely low: "Junior Martial Uncle Li, I am Zhang Han, a fellow townsman from Beihai Prefecture!"

"To be able to execute a mission with Junior Martial Uncle today is truly an honor! I ask that Junior Martial Uncle allow me to follow behind you!"

Li Hu glanced at Zhang Han, then nodded and said, "We are fellow townsmen; there is no need to be so formal."

"Just follow behind me and clean up the Yao Beasts!"

"Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle Li! Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle Li!" Zhang Han's face was full of joy.

Just now, Zhang Han had observed for a long time. He discovered that among these Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Li Hu's strength was the highest.

While others had just slain one Yao Beast, Li Hu had already killed three.

By following behind Li Hu, he would definitely be able to obtain many rewards from the Sect.

Furthermore, Li Hu was also a fellow townsman from Beihai Prefecture; they had joined the Heavenly Sword Sect together back then.

After completing the mission, Li Hu would surely reward him.

As the sun set in the west, the afterglow spilled over the lake surface, dyeing the clear yet dark waters a golden red. The roars of the Yao Beasts gradually subsided, replaced by the slightly weary conversations of the Cultivators and the light hum of Magical Artifacts returning to their sheaths.

After a day of fierce fighting, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators had slain a large number of low-level Yao Beasts. The Yao Beast corpses scattered around the lake shore had been properly cleared by the Outer Sect Disciples. Although the rank smell in the air had not fully dissipated, it had weakened significantly.

"It is late; stop the hunting!" Lin Zhentian's thick voice rang out again.

"Everyone, proceed to the camp immediately to rest, take stock of supplies, and heal. We will continue the clearing tomorrow morning! Foundation Establishment Cultivators will take turns standing guard to prevent night raids by Yao Beasts!"

Everyone responded in unison, withdrawing their Spiritual Qi one after another and walking toward the camp on the east side of the lake shore.

The camp had already been properly set up in advance by Outer Sect Cultivators led by the Sect deacons. Dozens of green tents were arranged neatly, with an open space cleared in the center where healing Medicinal Pills, dry rations, and drinking water were piled.

Qin Changsheng remained blended among the Outer Sect Disciples, arriving at the camp with the crowd. He took his distributed rations and water, found an inconspicuous spot in a corner of a tent, and sat down. He appeared to be casually munching on the rations, but in reality, his Divine Sense was still quietly spread out, firmly locked onto Li Hu's figure.

He could clearly see Li Hu walking with the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators to the open space in the center of the camp, finding a bluestone to sit on without any abnormal behavior.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator took out a wine jar he carried with him, poured out some fragrant spiritual wine, and handed a cup to Li Hu.

Li Hu did not refuse. He reached out to take the wine cup, a gentle smile appearing on his face as he talked and laughed with the surrounding Foundation Establishment Cultivators. His tone was natural, and he would occasionally discuss the techniques used to hunt Yao Beasts during the day. His expression was composed and relaxed, as if he were truly just a cheerful Foundation Establishment Cultivator focused on executing the Sect mission.

Qin Changsheng observed silently, his expression calm and ripple-less. He continued to slowly chew the rations in his hand, but a flash of realization crossed his eyes.

He knew that Li Hu's peaceful behavior was nothing more than a disguise. Focusing on hunting Yao Beasts by day and drinking and chatting with fellow Disciples by night were all intended to numb everyone's senses, causing Lin Zhentian and the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators to lower their guard against him, paving the way for his subsequent plan to seize the treasure.