264: Head to Giant Flame City

Deep within the gloomy underground palace of the Yin Demon Sect.

A thick, cloying scent of blood and a chilling Death Qi had almost condensed into a solid substance. At the heart of the palace, a blood pool churned with dark red foam. Several Elders of the Yin Demon Sect who had remained behind stared at the nearly unrecognizable figure by the pool's edge, their Souls flying away and spirits scattering in terror.

Zhongli Wu, the Sect Master who had once commanded awe across the region with his billowing black robes, now sat slumped at the edge of the blood pool. His damaged Heaven Rank demonic armor had been stripped away, revealing a body of mangled, charred, and cracked flesh beneath. His arms were nothing but stark white bone. His aura was weak to the extreme, his eyes dull, bearing not a trace of the majesty of a Late Stage Martial Sovereign.

"Sect... Sect Master! You... what happened? Who? Who could have injured you like this?!" one Elder stammered, unable to believe his own eyes.

A sound like a broken bellows rasped from Zhongli Wu's throat as he forced out a few words: "Blood... Blood Soul Pill... quick..."

The Elders snapped out of their stupor, scrambling to retrieve the Sect's treasured, forbidden Medicinal Pill used to sustain life and prolong vitality—the Blood Soul Pill. As the pill's power, vast yet tainted with a sinister, bloody aura, dissolved within him, a faint trace of color returned to Zhongli Wu's face. However, his injuries were simply too severe. The pill could only temporarily stabilize him and prevent death. Recovery would require who knew how many years and resources.

At that moment, a black crystal embedded in a grotesque skeletal altar at the center of the palace suddenly lit up with an eerie glow, projecting a blurred, indistinct phantom. Yet, this phantom radiated a pressure far exceeding Zhongli Wu's power at his peak. Shrouded in rolling Devilish Qi, its features were unclear, only two pairs of eyes like abysses gazing down.

A low, authoritative voice, seeming to echo directly within their Souls, sounded: "Zhongli Wu, the task this seat entrusted to you... how goes it?"

Zhongli Wu trembled, struggling to rise and pay his respects, but the movement agitated his wounds, causing him to cough up another mouthful of black blood. He replied, weak and fearful, "I... I report to the Grand Elder... this subordinate... this subordinate has failed in the task... That Qin Feng... was rescued by Medicine King Valley's Li Changqing, Sikong Ye, and those two old devils from the Ouyang family... four old bastards at the Late Stage Martial Sovereign working together... The Corpse Demon Sect Master and his forces, along with the elite subordinates I brought... were almost completely wiped out... This subordinate... this subordinate barely escaped with my life..."

The phantom on the altar fell silent for a moment. The surrounding Devilish Qi seemed to fluctuate. Though no sound was made, the sudden increase in invisible pressure forced all the Elders in the palace to prostrate themselves, trembling.

After a long while, the voice sounded again, its tone unreadable but cold enough to chill Zhongli Wu to the bone: "...Useless."

Just two words, yet they made Zhongli Wu feel as if he had fallen into an icy abyss. He buried his head lower, not daring to offer any excuse.

"Enough." The phantom seemed to weigh something. "Considering your past merits, and that you truly exerted yourself this time. You may go into seclusion to heal. The entire Yin Demon Sect is to curtail all activities for now and await further instructions."

"Yes! Thank you for your mercy, Grand Elder!" Zhongli Wu hurriedly replied, feeling a slight relief in his heart.

"As for that Qin Feng..." The phantom's voice carried a hint of amusement and scrutiny. "It seems this youth truly has some tricks up his sleeve, not relying solely on luck. For Medicine King Valley to value him so highly, even dispatching four Late Stage Martial Sovereigns to protect him in secret... he likely holds more secrets than we initially guessed."

The phantom paused, as if conveying an order: "This seat recalls... our Heavenly Demon Sect's current Saintess is currently 'gaining experience' in the Great Qian Imperial Capital. Send her a message. After Qin Feng arrives at the capital, she may find an Opportunity to 'make contact'. There is no need to force it. She merely needs to probe his Heart-Nature and potential, to see if this youth... can indeed be of use to our Holy Sect. If not... note his weaknesses and eliminate him when the Opportunity arises."

"The... the Heavenly Demon Sect Saintess?!" Upon hearing this, cold sweat instantly soaked through the wounds on Zhongli Wu's back, bringing a sharp sting, but what filled his heart more was boundless chill and awe. That Saintess... it was said she was a peerless Prodigy nurtured with the full resources of the main Sect. Her talent, methods, and background were all unfathomable. To have her 'probe' Qin Feng?

"This subordinate... obeys! I will ensure the Grand Elder's decree is accurately conveyed to Her Highness the Saintess!" Zhongli Wu suppressed his fear and responded respectfully.

The black crystal's light extinguished, and the phantom dissipated. The underground palace was left with only Zhongli Wu's labored breathing and the gurgling churn of the blood pool. He stared at the crystal, lingering fear in his eyes. For *her* to take action... Hmph... Qin Feng, no matter who or what you are, your upcoming journey to the capital will likely be anything but peaceful.

One month later, outside Juyan City.

By the side of the official road, the autumn wind brought a refreshing coolness, tinged with a slight chill.

Qin Feng and his group stood by the roadside. Their complexions were worlds apart from a month ago. Although their cultivation had not fully recovered (Qin Feng had barely returned to the Early Stage Martial King, and his Foundation was unstable; the others mostly hovered around the Mid-stage Martial King), the deathly weakness and scars that had clung to them were gone. Their eyes had regained their former sharpness and spirit.

Qin Feng had changed into a new set of dark blue martial attire. On his back was a sheathed sword of ancient, simple design, black with faintly flowing lightning patterns. This was the newly forged "ink plum sword" by Great Master Ouyang Zhi, utilizing the remaining essence of the Nine Tribulations Lightning-Struck Wood mixed with other Materials. For now, its rank only reached High Grade Earth Rank, but its potential was considerable, and it better suited his current comprehension of lightning and fire attributes. The heavenly silkworm jade thread garment had been repaired by Li Changqing and Sikong Ye working together, expending many treasured Materials. Though it had not fully regained the spiritual glow of a Low Grade Heaven Rank item, its defensive capabilities were not to be underestimated. The white dragon armor, however, was completely scrapped, its Materials reclaimed.

Xia Ya's "black tortoise carrying mountain armor" greatshield had been personally reforged by Ouyang Lie, using the essence of Sinking Mountain Iron to recast its core and smooth out the dents, making its defense superior to before. Ji Ruxue's purple moon dagger had also been re-tempered, its coldness now restrained within. Xiao Chun's mystic yellow mountain-suppressing mirror had suffered the greatest loss, but after continuous nurturing by Li Changqing using the Medicine King Valley's secret warming method, the chaotic light on its surface had re-condensed, though its power would require time to fully restore. Tao Yuanyi and Cold Peach Blossom had also equipped themselves with spare, finely crafted weapons and armor.

The four Elders—Li Changqing, Sikong Ye, Ouyang Zhi, and Ouyang Lie—stood beside a carriage opposite them.

"This is far enough," Li Changqing said, stroking his beard. "Juyan City is a major northern stronghold, a place where fish and dragons mingle, but also full of Opportunities. It's wiser for you to rest, gather information here, and then proceed to the capital. If us old fellows continue following, we'd draw too much attention, which would be counterproductive."

Sikong Ye cautioned, "The capital's waters run deep, with intricate and entrenched powers. Although the Yin Demon Sect has been heavily wounded this time, a centipede dies but never falls down. Be even more wary of the Heavenly Demon Sect behind them, and other forces that may have their eyes on you. Remember to act with discretion and plan before you move."

Ouyang Zhi patted Qin Feng's shoulder with a booming voice, "Kid, a weapon is a Martial Artist's courage! Nurture that new sword of yours well! If you get the chance to find better Materials, this old man will upgrade it for you again! Don't disgrace my name!"

Xia Ya simply nodded to Great Master Ouyang Zhi: "The shield stands with the man."

Xiao Chun's eyes reddened as she tugged on Li Changqing and Sikong Ye's sleeves. "Master, Master Sikong, you must take care of yourselves."

"Alright now, this isn't a permanent farewell," Li Changqing said gently. "Medicine King Valley will always be your support. If you encounter dangers you cannot resolve, remember to send word promptly."

"Yes, Master (Valley Master)!" everyone chorused in response.

The four Elders said no more, turned, and boarded the carriage. The driver cracked his whip, and the carriage soon disappeared down the end of the official road.

Qin Feng withdrew his gaze and looked toward the majestic, towering city not far away, from which a faintly scorching aura emanated—Juyan City. The third largest city in the north, renowned for its forging and fire-attribute Ores, and also an important gateway to the imperial capital.

A new journey would begin from here.

"Let's go, into the city," Qin Feng said, taking the lead.

Xiao Chun, Xia Ya, Ji Ruxue, Tao Yuanyi, and Cold Peach Blossom followed closely behind. (Ye Wuyou had left after recovering from her injuries and did not follow.)

The gates of Juyan City yawned like the maw of a giant beast. What awaited them were new challenges and new Opportunities.

The winds and clouds were stirring once more.