One dose of Yin Sha Pill, and I'll send you to the Western Paradise.

The smoke and dust in the valley, mixed with a pungent smell of charring and the Qi of Yin Sha, slowly settled.

The deafening roar still echoed in Lin Yuan's ears, and his entire body felt as if it had been struck repeatedly by giant hammers; every inch of his muscles protested, making him feel like he was about to fall apart.

He knew the power of the yin sha pill was astonishing, but he hadn't expected it to be terrifying to this extent.

Fortunately, he was not at the center of the explosion, but merely thrown back by the violent aftermath. Aside from his vital energy surging and his internal organs shaking, he had suffered no fatal injuries.

"It's over."

Lin Yuan's voice was a little hoarse. He gently patted the delicate body still trembling slightly in his arms.

Su Qingyan was curled up in his embrace, her snow-white, slender fingers desperately clutching his lapel. It wasn't until his warm palm touched her that her tense body slowly relaxed and she gradually let go.

Lin Yuan helped her stand steady. Looking around, his heart was also filled with shock.

Where the valley had once been filled with scattered rocks, there was now a gigantic crater more than ten zhang in diameter. The bottom of the pit was scorched black, as if struck by a meteorite from beyond the heavens. That arrogant Senior Brother Lu had been completely erased from this world, leaving not a single trace behind.

Lin Yuan released his Divine Sense, sweeping inch by inch over the ruined battlefield.

Soon, his figure flashed. Under a pile of charred debris and scattered rocks, he found Wei He, half-buried. He checked his breathing; it was faint, but he was still clinging to life.

This trash is still useful. He is the one they are relying on for the whereabouts of the Earth Core Nether Fire.

Lin Yuan expressionlessly took out a healing Medicinal Pill from his Storage Pouch, pried open Wei He's mouth, and stuffed it in.

Su Qingyan also staggered over. When her gaze fell upon Wei He's pale face, a deep, bone-piercing hatred flashed in her eyes.

But that emotion was fleeting, instantly transforming into a faint sigh, and her expression once again became complex yet gentle.

She crouched down, tore off a piece of her skirt, and silently, meticulously cleaned and bandaged Wei He's wounds.

Seeing Wei He's breathing gradually stabilize under the power of the Medicinal Pill, Lin Yuan finally breathed a slight sigh of relief. He then looked at the gigantic crater, his heart aching.

"Damn it, over two thousand Spirit Stones just got blown up!"

However, the next moment, his Divine Sense picked up something, and the pain on his face was instantly replaced by a hint of ecstasy. His figure flickered, and from a pile of blasted dust and debris far away, he dug out the glittering Long Spear and an intact Storage Pouch.

The Long Spear felt incredibly heavy in his hand, and faint electrical arcs were still flickering on its surface. This was the very thing that had nearly taken his life moments ago!

Plus this Storage Pouch... Lin Yuan weighed it in his hand. Not only was this trip not a loss, but he had made a huge profit!

Suppressing his excitement, he searched the ruins carefully for a moment longer, retrieving his own dimly lit azure profound shield, as well as Wei He's Bronze Armored Corpse and the Broken Saber Magical Artifact, storing them all away.

"It is not wise to stay here long. We must leave immediately!"

Su Qingyan nodded. Lin Yuan summoned the black wood shuttle, moved the unconscious Wei He onto it, and the two of them instantly transformed into a streak of light, vanishing into the horizon.

The night was as dark as ink.

Lin Yuan found a sufficiently hidden cave and started a bonfire.

Wei He's injuries were extremely severe, but fortunately, his life was not in danger. It was just uncertain when he would wake up.

The flames crackled, casting the shadows of the two people onto the mottled stone wall, constantly swaying and stretching.

"Do you hate him?" Lin Yuan asked.

Su Qingyan looked at the flickering firelight, first nodding, then gently shaking her head, her eyes filled with indescribable conflict.

"The Yin Corpse Sect is just that kind of place. It's the law of the jungle—kill or be killed. If I hadn't chosen to marry him back then, I might be struggling inside some Senior's yin soul banner right now."

"I thought I could keep enduring it. I've grown used to his constant abuse over the years."

"But today, the moment he grabbed me and pushed me out to be a human shield..." Su Qingyan raised her head and looked at Lin Yuan. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with tears, reflecting the orange-red firelight and clearly reflecting Lin Yuan's figure.

The sight of Lin Yuan's back, shielding her without hesitation in that critical moment.

The arms that tightly protected her the instant the yin sha pill exploded.

Scene after scene, they played repeatedly in her mind.

"When I first became intimate with you, I genuinely harbored the thought of retaliating against him." She suddenly untied the sash of her outer garment. "But... now..."

"Just talk... What are you doing..." Lin Yuan was momentarily stunned.

A nearly cruel smile appeared on Su Qingyan's face. She glanced at the unconscious Wei He beside the stone wall. "I want to retaliate against him one more time, right in front of him..."

"You... that's a bit perverse..."

Su Qingyan's gaze returned to Lin Yuan, carrying a hint of provocation and seduction.

"Don't you like it?"

...One hour later.

Moonlight streamed through the cave entrance, shining on Su Qingyan's face.

The firelight inside the cave still flickered. The two of them faced each other and bitterly Cultivated three times before slowly concluding their session.

Lin Yuan had to admit that after stepping into the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining, his old body was indeed much more robust. At least right now, he didn't feel the slightest soreness in his waist or knees.

He fumbled through the clothes tossed aside for a moment and retrieved the exquisite Storage Pouch belonging to Senior Brother Lu.

Lin Yuan turned the opening of the pouch downward, released a trace of spiritual power, and gave it a gentle shake.

Clatter!

Amidst the flashing spiritual light, a pile of miscellaneous items scattered onto the ground. What was most eye-catching were over a dozen women's Dudou (bodices) of various styles, upon which a faint fragrance of cosmetics seemed to linger.

This guy probably had some special collecting fetish.

Lin Yuan disgustedly swept the Dudou aside before looking at the remaining items: one Jade Slip, a small pile of Spirit Stones, three jade bottles, a delicate jade box, and two Magical Artifacts.

Counting the Spirit Stones, there were more than 2,300, which exactly made up for the loss of the yin sha pill, with a slight surplus.

Lin Yuan picked up the Jade Slip and extended his Divine Sense into it. A Cultivation Technique named "Purple Firmament Divine Thunder" appeared in his mind.

This Cultivation Technique was overwhelmingly powerful, specifically countering all dark and evil ghosts, but the requirements for Cultivation were extremely strict, demanding the user possess a Lightning Spiritual Root.

Lin Yuan's heart stirred. Although he did not possess a Lightning Spiritual Root, the Jade Slip also recorded several methods for utilizing lightning techniques, such as the method for drawing the "Shocking Thunder Talisman," the formula for refining the "evil warding divine thunder pill," and the forging blueprint for the Thunder-Rushing Spear!

For him, living within the Yin Corpse Sect, these items were simply trump cards for survival and turning the tables!

Satisfied, he put away the Jade Slip.

The three jade bottles were opened one by one. One contained Medium Grade Qi Condensation Pills, and another contained mid-grade qi gathering pills—both necessary for a Cultivator's daily Cultivation.

The last jade bottle contained three healing Medicinal Pills named "muscle-generating and bone-mending pill," which could quickly recover Physical Body injuries.

Lin Yuan had long wanted to refine this pill, but unfortunately, he never had the Pill Formula. With this item, Wei He's injuries should be able to heal faster.

Finally, he picked up the delicate jade box.

The moment it opened, a soft spiritual light spilled out.

Lying quietly inside the box was an exquisitely carved Jade Hairpin. It was entirely lustrous and shining with spiritual light, clearly a rare High Grade defensive Magical Artifact.

Lin Yuan picked up the Jade Hairpin, walked up to Su Qingyan, and personally placed it in her cloud-like bun.

"Not bad, it suits you well."

Su Qingyan raised her hand and gently stroked the Jade Hairpin in her hair, feeling its warm, smooth texture and the spiritual power contained within. Her eyes instantly reddened, and her face was filled with unspeakable emotion.

She threw herself into Lin Yuan's embrace, quietly sobbing. She couldn't remember how many years it had been since anyone had treated her so kindly...