74-83

Chapter 74. The Down and Out Master

Ren Tianyi saluted Shu Han, "Senior brother, I am sorry for the trouble today. I will compensate you in the future. I will also need your help when walking around the sect in the future!"

"It's a trivial matter, junior brother, there's no need to mention it." However, Shu Han changed the subject, "That man mentioned earlier about demonic cultivators infiltrating. Do you know what these demonic cultivators want from our Purple Sun Sect?"

Ren Tianyi laughed, "The only thing that could attract demonic cultivators to the Purple Sun Sect is the quota for the Immaculate Realm. Every time the Immaculate Realm is opened, there will be incidents of demonic cultivators infiltrating the sect."

Shu Han explained, "I see, I had not joined Purple Sun Sect the last time the Immaculate Realm was opened, so I was quite ignorant."

Ren Tianyi laughed heartily and said, "No problem at all. Brother Xu, first of all, upon returning to the sect, you have to pay respects to your master. I'll invite you for a drink another day. Goodbye!"

"Goodbye!"

With that, Ren Tianyi flew towards the Purple Sun Peak.

Watching Ren Tianyi leave, Shu Han thought to himself that he should also go to meet his "master" according to the rules.

According to Xu Zimo's description, his master is a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator, with a cave dwelling on the Purple Abyss Peak.

According to Xu Zimo, Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Purple Sun Sect generally have dozens of Qi Refining disciples, and Xu Zimo was considered an upper-middle-class disciple under his master, Cheng Yuhuan, who had some impression of him.

This is the downside of joining a sect at the Foundation Establishment stage, as it requires time to mentor Qi Refining disciples and is not as carefree as being an independent cultivator. However, joining a sect means a stable supply of spiritual energy and reliable backup support, so there are many benefits.

Shu Han carefully recalled Xu Zimo's words, putting himself in Xu Zimo's shoes, hoping not to reveal his identity in front of this unfamiliar "master."

Not familiar with the routes, Shu Han wandered around in the Purple Sun Sect for quite a while before he found Purple Abyss Peak. After wandering around the Purple Sun Sect, Shu Han realized that even the worst corner of the Purple Sun Sect had ten times better spiritual energy than the outside world! The closer to Purple Sun Peak, the richer the spiritual energy.

According to Xu Zimo, being assigned an external mission was basically the same as being exiled to the frontier. After all, the concentration of spiritual energy is critical to cultivators.

Upon reaching Purple Abyss Peak, the spiritual power was much worse. Shu Han found Cheng Yuhuan's cave dwelling and shouted outside, "Disciple Xu Zimo, returning from an external mission, is here to pay respects to my master!"

"Xu Zimo?" A surprised voice came from inside the cave, followed by, "Come in."

Shu Han walked into the cave. With his Clear Bright Spiritual Eye scanning the room, he noticed that the cave was protected by a few simple formations. They only seemed effective against Qi Refining disciples. They would be far from enough against a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

It seems that his "master" is having a tough time.

Upon entering the cave, Shu Han saw a middle-aged man with a pale face sitting in the center of the modestly furnished dwelling.

Cheng Yuhuan opened his eyes and looked at Shu Han, "Didn't you only leave two years ago? How come you're back so soon? Eh, Qi Refining twelfth level, weren't you just breaking through to the eleventh level when you left? How did an external mission increase your cultivation?"

Shu Han explained, "I was ordered to pick Snow Lotuses. By chance, I came across a thousand-year-old Snow Lotus. I absorbed a bit of its spiritual energy, and luckily, I broke through."

"Hmm, indeed, there's a rich chill of Snow Lotus on you. A thousand-year-old Snow Lotus, tut, tut, it seems you got quite lucky on this mission."

"Master is joking, it was purely a fluke."

Just as Cheng Yuhuan was about to say something, a hearty laugh suddenly came from outside the cave.

"Hahaha, Old Cheng, guess what, my useless disciple has actually reached the forty-eighth place on the Heaven List today!" As he spoke, another bald man walked in from outside the cave. Behind the man was a young man with pride flashing in his eyes.

Cheng Yuhuan looked at the bald man, his face turned gloomy, "So what if it's the forty-eighth place? Why are you making such a fuss in my cave!"

The bald man pulled the young man forward, boasting, "Hehe, isn't it just to share our joy with you! With the opening of the Immaculate Realm imminent, four of my disciples have already made it into the top fifty of the Heaven List. Once they come out of the Immaculate Realm, all four of them might be promoted to the Foundation Establishment stage. At that time, if the Sect Leader is happy, he might reward me with a Breaking Calamity Pill. Ah, by then, I could smoothly break through the mid-stage barrier and advance to the late stage! Oh, by the way, how many of your disciples have made it to the Heaven List, Old Cheng? Isn't your eldest disciple still hovering around the fifty-second place?"

Cheng Yuhuan said gloomily, "Well, congratulations to you. You should go now, I need to meditate."

The bald man laughed, "What are you meditating for? Is there any room for you to improve your cultivation? You should take care of your disciples. If they're weak, they'll bring shame when they go out. Hey, who's this kid, your disciple?"

Shu Han greeted, "Junior Xu Zimo, pleased to meet Uncle Master."

"Qi Refining twelfth level, how come I've never heard Old Cheng mention you?"

Cheng Yuhuan said, "How could my disciples catch your eye?"

The bald man put his arm around Shu Han's shoulder and said, "Tell Uncle Master, what's your rank on the Heaven List?"

"Uh... It's beyond a hundred, not worth mentioning."

The bald man sighed, "Ah, what a pity. You need to be within the top fifty to qualify for the Immaculate Realm. Plus, the next distribution of Foundation Establishment Pills is forty years later. Ah, you young ones should strive more for your master. Look at him, his face has turned blue from your lack of achievement."

Shu Han thought to himself: my "master" looks blue, more likely because of your provocation! So, only those within the top fifty can enter the Immaculate Realm? That's important news. It seems I need to find a way to improve my ranking on the Heaven List.

Unable to bear it any longer, Cheng Yuhuan finally erupted, "Enough! Old Liu, do you have to come over every day to show off? Will you die if you don't show off for a day? Go! Zimo, see your Uncle Master out!"

"Hey, hey!" The bald man, still holding onto Shu Han, laughed, "Alright, he's really angry now! Old Bro, if I have a bite to eat, so do you. How about this, your disciple just reached the twelfth level of Qi Refining, and he's probably unfamiliar with this realm. Let my foolish disciple spar with him. This could increase his combat experience. Who knows, he might even make a good ranking on the Heaven List in the future."

Cheng Yuhuan thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's fine. But he's just promoted, be careful."

The bald man patted Shu Han on the shoulder and reassured him, "No worries, listen to your Uncle Master, feel free to fight hard. My disciple can take it, and he won't hurt you out of respect for your master."

Shu Han: Fight hard? Are you sure?

Shu Han laughed and replied, "Uncle Master, if by some chance I defeat this senior brother, then his place on the Heaven List will be mine, right?"

The bald man was taken aback, "That would be quite a coincidence, wouldn't it? You really dare to dream."

At this moment, the young man stepped forward and disdainfully said, "Master, I can agree to his proposal. If you win, naturally, the spot is yours! But let's see if you have the ability to match your big words!"

Chapter 75. Purple Cloud Skyfall Divine Art

Cheng Yuhuan and Liu Wanchang stood outside the cave, watching the two confronting each other.

Liu Wanchang slapped his bald head, took out a bag of purple jade sunflower seeds from his storage bag, and shared some with Cheng Yuhuan. They then started cracking them with interest.

The young man showed his magic tool from his storage bag. It was a blue segmented whip. He looked at Shu Han with disdain and greeted, "Wei Zhiming, Qi Refining twelfth level cultivator, magic tool Blue Jade Bamboo Whip! Please guide me!"

Shu Han then showed his Black Gold Folding Dragon Saber, and replied, "Xu Zimo, Qi Refining twelfth level cultivator, magic tool Black Gold Folding Dragon Saber! Please guide me!"

Cheng Yuhuan, who was watching the fight, glared angrily at Liu Wanchang, "Damn! Old Liu, you're not following the martial ethics, that boy's Bamboo Whip is a top-quality magic tool!"

Liu Wanchang, stroking his bald head, said, "Stop talking nonsense. Any cultivator who can make it to the Purple Sun Heaven List has a top-quality magic tool. I see you have two top-quality magic tools in your pocket, why don't you give them to your disciple?"

Cheng Yuhuan snorted, "Apart from my life-bound magic treasure, I only have these two top-quality magic tools. What will I do if I give them to him?"

"What do you need top-quality magic tools for when you never leave your house? Your old stingy nature hasn't changed. If your disciple performs well, the sect will naturally reward you."

While the two were chatting, Shu Han and Wei Zhiming were already in a heated battle, causing dust to fly around and rocks to crack on Purple Abyss Peak.

Every now and then, a stone would fly over and be immediately blocked by the protective shields of the two chattering men.

Looking at Wei Zhiming's overwhelming whip technique, Liu Wanchang sighed, "My disciple, his whip technique can make it into the top three in the Purple Sun Sect! It's continuous and steady, leaving no loopholes. Look at your disciple, he's already being beaten back step by step. He's going to lose soon."

Cheng Yuhuan said with disdain, "Top three in Purple Sun Sect? Old Liu, you really like to boast. There might not be three people using a whip in the Purple Sun Sect. You think my disciple is about to lose, but I don't think so. Although your disciple's attack is fierce, Zimo not only has enough defense but is also looking for an opportunity to counterattack. Winning won't be so easy!"

"Right, this kid's footwork is strangely fast! Is it the Cloud Sky Step from our Purple Sun Sect?"

Cheng Yuhuan shook his head, "No, the Cloud Sky Step doesn't have the ability to maneuver in such a narrow space. This footwork seems to rely more on physical condition."

Liu Wanchang asked in surprise, "Didn't you secretly teach him this?"

Cheng Yuhuan was speechless, "I would have to fucking know it first!"

"Also, his teleportation speed has surpassed that of a regular Qi Refining cultivator, almost comparable to a beginner Foundation Establishment cultivator," Liu Wanchang slapped his bald head, "I got it! There's something odd about that kid's shoes! Damn it, it's a top-quality magic tool, Old Cheng, you're tricking me. When did you give your disciple such a treasure?"

Cheng Yuhuan was taken aback, "I would need to fucking have one first!"

Shu Han's evasiveness had evidently exceeded Wei Zhiming's expectations. His continuous whip swings almost tore down the mountains and rocks, yet he still couldn't land a substantial attack on Shu Han.

To Wei Zhiming, it seemed as if Shu Han had eyes all over his body, predicting his every move.

Is this the feeling of fighting a Qi Refining cultivator?

The angrier Wei Zhiming became, the more his anger built up. Unable to suppress it, he thrust his whip into the ground, popped a pill, clasped his hands in front of his chest, and his body started to emit a purple aura. He shouted angrily, "Let's see how you dodge this!"

Liu Wanchang said triumphantly, "Oh, he's desperate now, using the Purple Cloud Skyfall Divine Art! Old Cheng, this is the end."

Cheng Yuhuan's face was getting greener, "This kid can use the Purple Cloud Skyfall Divine Art?"

"He can barely use it with the help of the Essesce Extracting Pill, but he will be weak for a month afterward. Should I stop the fight now? This is hurting the harmony between our two houses. If your disciple gets seriously injured, I can't explain it."

However, Cheng Yuhuan waved his hand, "No! This kid has changed a lot since he came back from his trip. I want to see how much he has grown! Let them continue fighting. With you and me here, nothing will go wrong."

Liu Wanchang said, "You're right! Wait, why is this kid also clasping his hands together? Is he also going to use... damn... he's using the Purple Cloud Skyfall Divine Art too!"

Two powerful auras rose on Purple Abyss Peak. Wei Zhiming was shocked to see Shu Han also gathering spiritual power and using the same technique.

"Are you kidding? An Qi Refining cultivator wants to perform this divine technique without the aid of a pill? Impossible, he must be bluffing! Purple Cloud Skyfall, suppress him for me!"

Wei Zhiming pressed down with both palms and in a boom, the illusory purple cloud gathered into the illusion of a small palace, descending above Shu Han's head. In an instant, a tremendous pressure came down, and Shu Han felt indeed suppressed by this spell.

The pressure is tolerable, but the destructive power is lacking!

Shu Han thought if he could use the Triple Rotation Protective Shield, this guy's spell would be like a breeze.

So, he lifted his hands, and the purple cloud above his head also began to take shape. A palace more solid than Wei Zhiming's rose from the ground. The purple palace gradually turned blue, like the Cold Moon Palace described in books, and directly broke through Wei Zhiming's palace.

Forced back by Shu Han's technique, Wei Zhiming had to retreat three steps.

However, Shu Han's Cold Moon Palace immediately suppressed him, the cold air pouring down from above his head, making him shudder uncontrollably.

Liu Wanchang shouted, "What kind of technique is this? Since when does the Purple Cloud Skyfall Divine Art have this form? Old Cheng you..."

Cheng Yuhuan was also stunned, "Don't ask me if I taught this, same as before, I don't know how to do this either!"

"What's going on then? There's a bone-chilling cold!"

"Thousand-year Snow Lotus!"

Cheng Yuhuan suddenly realized, "My disciple absorbed the essence of the Thousand-year Snow Lotus while outside and was thus able to break through. This transformation of the Purple Cloud Skyfall Divine Art must be related to the chill of the Thousand-year Snow Lotus!"

Liu Wanchang touched his bald head, "Your disciple actually had such an encounter! And you said you weren't trying to trick me! Forget it, we concede, no more fighting!"

Cheng Yuhuan laughed heartily, shouting triumphantly, "Zimo! Hold back!"

Shu Han withdrew his technique on command.

Cheng Yuhuan's previously green face immediately beamed with vitality. He patted Liu Wanchang's shoulder and laughed, "Oops. Oops. Old Liu, how can you say I tricked you? You came here on your own to show off. After all these years, you've been provoking me every day, this is karma!"

Liu Wanchang pulled a long face, and shook off Cheng Yuhuan's hand, "Enough! Look at you, gloating! Disgusting!"

Shu Han said from the side, "Uncle Master, about the ranking..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Wanchang's face lengthened even more. He glanced at Shu Han, and glared at Cheng Yuhuan, "Old Cheng, are you serious? With his level, he should challenge others directly. Why is he coveting my disciple's rank? It was hard-earned!"

"Didn't you agree to it?"

Liu Wanchang took a deep breath, put on a smile, and draped his arm around Shu Han, "Good nephew, your Uncle Master wants to discuss something with you..."

Chapter 76. 300 Solutions to Refining Tools

Looking at Liu Wanchang's smile as he approached, Shu Han resisted the urge to roll his eyes and said, "Uncle Master, what can I do for you?"

Liu Wanchang stroked his bald head and advised, "Nephew, this was a private competition, not conducted on the Purple Sun Platform, so strictly speaking, it doesn't count. You see, your master and I are from the same sect, we're basically family! And families should not keep things from each other, so let's forget about the ranking."

Wei Zhiming came over with a dark face, "Master, a bet is a bet. My ranking belongs to him."

Liu Wanchang turned his head and glared, kicking him on his butt, nearly making him fall face down, "Don't you know your state after taking the Essence Extracting Pill? Weakened for a month, unable to continue taking it for three months. How are you going to get back on the Heaven List in less than half a year?"

Wei Zhiming patted his butt, and complained, "If I'm not as good as others, it's okay not to be on the Heaven List and not go to the Immaculate Realm!"

"Enough!" Cheng Yuhuan shouted triumphantly, "Let it be, I'll decide on this matter. We won't take your disciple's ranking. It indeed harms the harmony."

Liu Wanchang quickly gripped his hand, gratefully saying, "Once a senior brother, always a senior brother! I won't say much, I'll thank you another day!"

Having said that, he was about to leave, but was held back by Cheng Yuhuan, "Not another day, today."

"Alright!" Liu Wanchang frowned, and looked at him suspiciously, "What did you set your eyes on, tell me."

Cheng Yuhuan laughed, "It's not about what I want, but what my disciple wants. We all know that you made a small fortune in the last Immaculate Realm, let my disciple see your treasure trove."

Liu Wanchang raised his eyebrows, "You want him to choose?"

"Yes."

Liu Wanchang clapped his hands, "Great! As long as it's not you, the old dog, going. Let's go, nephew, your Uncle Master will show you the big treasures!"

Shu Han: ...

So, Shu Han followed Liu Wanchang to the other side of Purple Abyss Mountain.

There was another cave mansion here, which was visibly larger and better protected by arrays than Cheng Yuhuan's.

When showing his cave mansion to Shu Han, Liu Wanchang boasted with pride, "I didn't see you before, so you must have joined that old dog's sect recently. It's a pity, it would be great if you were my disciple. For a disciple like you, I would go as far as selling everything I have to get you a top-quality magic tool! Only that old dog would be stingy."

Shu Han asked, "Master said that most of your current wealth comes from that trip to the Immaculate Realm twenty years ago?"

Liu Wanchang laughed, "Exactly! Twenty years ago, just like you, I was a Qi Refining Twelfth Layer disciple. Back then, the old dog took the Foundation Establishment Pill first and reached the Foundation Establishment stage. I missed that batch, so I got on the Heaven List and tried my luck in the Immaculate Realm."

"The Immaculate Realm is a great place, rumored to be the ruins of an ancient immortal sect. Its origin is unknown, but the things inside are absolutely fantastic! Everything it produces is a rare treasure. It's possible that even a stone you randomly pick up could be a precious treasure!"

Shu Han clicked his tongue, "That magical?"

"Don't you dare not believe it!" Liu Wanchang pulled out a jade pendant and proudly showed off, "This was carved from a stone I picked up in the Immaculate Realm last time, and it actually has the effect of nourishing spiritual consciousness! Its value can match a hundred middle-grade spirit stones!"

"Nephew, it's not that your Uncle Master is playing tricks. The Immaculate Realm matters a lot to cultivators who haven't reached Foundation Establishment. If my disciple doesn't squeeze into the top fifty this time, he'll have to wait another twenty years for the Foundation Establishment. The sect always has assessments for us masters."

Shu Han asked, "Can one reach the Foundation Establishment just by entering the Immaculate Realm?"

"Not exactly, but if you make a certain level of contribution to the sect in the Immaculate Realm, the sect will reward you with a specially made Foundation Establishment Pill. Those with special contributions can even enjoy the sect leader's Purple Sun Baptism."

Seeing Shu Han's thoughtful expression, Liu Wanchang said, "It looks like you also want to try your luck in the Immaculate Realm. That's a good thing. Your master hasn't cultivated a Foundation Establishment disciple in years, and if he drags on, the sect may cut his stipend. He's already poor..."

Shu Han nodded and asked, "Uncle Master, have you ever heard of the Heavenly Creation Fluid?"

Liu Wanchang frowned, "Why are you asking about this?"

"I heard that the most precious product of the Immaculate Realm is this."

Liu Wanchang said, "Indeed, but the Heavenly Creation Fluid is something contested by the late-stage Foundation Establishment monsters of various sects. I'm not clear about it, and every time there are only one or two drops, it's basically all taken by people from the Qing Lei Sect. As a Qi Refining period disciple, you shouldn't think about it. Isn't it good to look for opportunities outside?"

"I was just curious."

Since Liu Wanchang was unclear, Shu Han did not pursue the matter, and instead asked, "Uncle Master, are there any dangers in the Immaculate Realm?"

"That's the right question to ask! There are dangers, as I've heard from my predecessors. At first, a group entered the Immaculate Realm and they died. As more people died, they learned from their experiences. The particularly dangerous areas have been marked, so the Immaculate Realm is not as dangerous as before, in theory."

"But!" Liu Wanchang patted Shu Han's head and said, "There are still dangers. Every time, there's a group of brainless people who die inside. And if you go in, you also need to guard against disciples from other sects. After all, in the Immaculate Realm, order is broken."

Shu Han nodded. At this moment, he had been led by Liu Wanchang into his treasure cave. There were three yellow pear wood bookshelves standing here, and various trinkets were displayed on the shelves.

"Choose one from here. There are materials, spells, pills, and magic tools."

Then he hummed a tune and went to clean his treasures, leaving Shu Han to make his choice.

Shu Han stood in front of the three bookshelves, using his Clear Bright Spiritual Eye to examine each treasure line by line.

Having scanned most of them, Shu Han had already anticipated that the things here were somewhat precious to those in the Qi Refining period, but for someone like him at the peak of the early stage of Foundation Establishment, they seemed somewhat redundant.

Liu Wanchang was cleaning his treasures outside, but his spiritual consciousness was always on Shu Han.

At this time, Liu Wanchang couldn't help muttering in his heart.

"He's looked at so many of my treasures and still hasn't chosen? So hard to serve. Eh, he's looking at my Purple Gold Jade Ruyi! That's the most valuable treasure here. With a little modification from an expert, it could be a top-notch magic tool! Kid, don't you dare choose that!"

"Oh! Still looking! Have you looked enough? You're not really going to choose this, are you? Put it down! Down! Phew! Luckily you're as blind as a bat. If it were Old Dog Cheng, he probably would've taken the Ruyi right away."

"Huh? He's been looking at a copy of '300 Solutions to Refining Tools' for a long time. Is this guy thinking about learning tool refining? He's not focusing on the main path!"

"But if you choose this, that would be great. Although this book was brought out from the Immaculate Realm, I've made hundreds of copies of the content, so whether it's the original doesn't matter."

Then Shu Han walked out from inside, holding precisely this book, '300 Solutions to Refining Tools'.

Liu Wanchang slapped his thigh, exclaiming, "You actually picked my most precious treasure! Nephew, you're really not ordinary!"

Chapter 77. Another Golden Page

Shu Han walked out of Liu Wanchang's cave holding the book, "300 Solutions to Refining Tools."

Shu Han threw the book into his storage bag, and on the way, he used an invisible technique to tear off a page from it and hid it on his person before returning to Cheng Yuhuan's cave.

At this time, his heart was beating wildly, and it took several deep breaths to calm his excited mood.

Upon returning to Master Cheng Yuhuan's cave, Cheng Yuhuan patted Shu Han on the shoulder with a smile and praised, "Good boy! Finally, a disciple can bring some honor to his master! Come, tell your master about where those treasure boots come from."

Shu Han was speechless, wondering why he asked this as soon as he returned.

So Shu Han explained that when he was picking Snow Lotus and encountered the thousand-year-old Snow Lotus, he found a frozen corpse, presumably killed by the blizzard summoned by the Snow Lotus. These top-tier boots were taken off from that dead person.

"I see, so you should have other treasures on you! Tell your master about them."

Seeing Shu Han's awkward expression, Cheng Yuhuan laughed and said, "Silly boy, what can you hide from your master? Your master is in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, could he covet your things?"

Left with no choice, Shu Han had to reveal his Heavenly Quadrant Sword Formation.

He thought to himself, if he was going to challenge the Purple Cloud Heaven List in the future, relying solely on his Black Gold Folding Dragon Saber wouldn't be enough.

Although the Heavenly Quadrant Sword Formation was a top-tier among top-tier items, it was still lacking in power for a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

If Cheng Yuhuan dared to covet his Heavenly Quadrant Sword Formation, then his peaceful days would be over. Wait for the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword attack then.

Upon seeing the four Heavenly Swords, Cheng Yuhuan's eyes widened in astonishment, exclaiming, "A sword array made up of four top-tier magic tools! Disciple, you really hit the jackpot this time!"

Then he burst out laughing, "Haha, finally a disciple who can fight has emerged from my school! When old Liu finds out you were holding back, he'll be so mad his nose will be crooked! Come on! Let your master see what treasures you got from old Liu."

Next, the laughing Cheng Yuhuan saw the book "300 Solutions to Refining Tools" and his face turned green.

"Did old Liu give this to you?"

Shu Han dumbfounded, "I picked this myself..."

Hiss!

Cheng Yuhuan took a deep breath, suppressing his urge to lash out, and said, "Never mind, you've done well today, I won't scold you."

Then he threw a token to Shu Han and said, "I see you don't have any defensive magic tool. Take my token to Treasure Peak and have them forge a top-grade protective magic tool for you. As for the cost... just deduct it from my offerings for next month."

A top-grade magic tool... to be deducted from next month's offerings... How poor can you be!

Shu Han thanked him, "Thank you, Master!"

"I'm not just giving you a top-grade magic tool! I give you half a year to break into the top forty of the Heaven List and secure a spot in the Immaculate Realm!"

"Yes, master!"

...

Zhang Village.

Shu Han's main body was practicing with Shangguan Ruolin in a field of flowers, digesting the remaining fragments of the Golden Core in his body, hoping to break through the peak bottleneck of the early Foundation Establishment stage and enter the stage mid of Foundation Establishment.

Suddenly, Shu Han woke up from his meditation, his face beaming with joy. He immediately ordered his two avatars to stop refining pills and return to his main body.

Shangguan Ruolin woke up too and asked, "What happened?"

Shu Han smiled and said, "Linlin, are you curious about where the Clear Bright Spiritual Eye technique and External Incarnation Technique I taught you came from?"

Shangguan Ruolin said, "These techniques are indeed amazing, but if you don't tell me, I won't ask."

Shu Han took out the golden page and handed it to Shangguan Ruolin, saying, "Actually, it's nothing. I just happened to get this golden page. You've seen a lot and have a wide range of knowledge, do you know what this is?"

Shangguan Ruolin picked up the golden paper and examined it carefully, shaking her head and saying, "I've never seen anything like this, but the material is quite amazing, it seems indestructible."

"The Clear Bright Spiritual Eye and External Incarnation recorded on the golden page has benefited me immensely, and now I've found another golden page!"

"Really?"

Shangguan Ruolin, who was in the Golden Core stage, also became excited.

Shu Han stood up, looked into the distance, and said, "The other page is in the Purple Sun Sect. However, this page is different. It requires the Clear Bright Spiritual Eye to see through its disguise. However, my External Incarnation's Clear Bright Spiritual Eye cultivation is not enough, I can barely see through the disguise, but I can't read the text recorded on it. Now we need to go there immediately to assist."

...

Shu Han's avatar, holding Cheng Yuhuan's token, left Purple Abyss Peak and flew to Treasure Peak.

The most conspicuous part of the Purple Sun Sect is the Purple Sun Peak enveloped in purple mist, followed by Treasure Peak shrouded in smoke from refining pills and magic tools.

This peak supplies all the elixirs, magic tools, and magic treasures for the entire Purple Sun Sect, and every day, countless rare and precious resources are sent into Treasure Peak.

With this thought, Shu Han became extremely eager. He was in desperate need of various materials. His Stellar Wish Formation and Silent Heartbreak Formation were still under construction. And now he didn't dare to show his face at the cultivator gathering in the north of Great Cloud, for fear that a cultivator who could glimpse his true appearance would tip off Shangguan Ruotong.

Shu Han looked at Treasure Peak, which was full of spiritual aura, and thought it would be nice if he could get some leftover materials for refining tools here. There were people coming and going, but most of them flew directly to the foot of the mountain instead of flying to the top of the peak.

Shu Han followed the crowd to the foot of Treasure Peak and climbed up the stone steps with a group of people.

The foot of Treasure Peak was a large market, and after a tour, Shu Han found that this market was different from the Green Stone Gathering. It did not directly sell finished products, but labor.

Basically, disciples in the Qi Refining stage were setting up stalls and shouting with signs like "Pill Refining", "Magic Tool Refining", and so on. Many disciples chose to have these stalls make their orders instead of going up to the main peak to customize, probably because it was cheaper. Some stalls were overcrowded, while others were deserted, indicating the skill level of the stall owners.

Shu Han was not interested in these stalls. Since Cheng Yuhuan was paying, he definitely wanted to go to the top of the mountain to find a master craftsman to customize.

However, before he had taken two steps, he was stopped by a thin, tall man who looked at Shu Han with a smile on his face and exclaimed with delight, "Yo! Isn't this Zimo? You came back from an external mission and didn't even tell me."

Shu Han looked at the man with a puzzled look, thinking, Who are you?!

Seeing Shu Han's puzzled look, the man raised an eyebrow and said, "What's the matter? You're acting like you don't know me. I told you, I'll pay back the spirit stones I borrowed from you, I'm just a bit tight on cash lately."

Suddenly, Shu Han remembered that Xu Zimo seemed to have a friend named Fei Zhengyang, who was said to be a tool refiner from Treasure Peak.

"Brother Fei, I have something to do now. My master wants me to order a top-grade defensive magic tool. I'll chat with you another day."

Shu Han hurriedly tried to leave. Being with Xu Zimo's old acquaintances might give him away.

"Wow! You don't find me to order a magic tool! Do you want to break off our friendship? I helped you refine the Black Gold Folding Dragon Saber at a low price. The water that flows out of the field should not be given to outsiders, you know!"

Shu Han: Damn, this piece of junk was refined by you?!

Fei Zhengyang wrapped an arm around Shu Han's neck, smiling, "You look distracted, the external mission in the past few years must have been tough! Let's go! I'll take you to drink flower wine and relieve your boredom!"

What?

Shu Han was dragged away by him.

"I'm here to order a magic tool!"

"The magic tool thing is up to me. It's just a top grade, right? I'll refine it for you with my eyes closed. Let's drink, we haven't gotten together in a long time."

Shu Han was speechless, "Aren't you setting up a stall?"

Fei Zhengyang waved his hand, "I haven't had an order recently anyway, treating my brother to a drink is the most important thing!"

Chapter 78. Flower Wine at the Floating Fragrance Pavilion

Under the watchful eyes of all present, Shu Han was pulled away by the man's casual, friendly arm draped across his shoulders. The man appeared familiar, and it seemed inappropriate for Shu Han to resist. Thus, he was led away from Treasure Peak.

Moreover, Shu Han was intrigued by the alchemical materials at Treasure Peak. He thought this man, likely an alchemical disciple of the peak, might prove useful in acquiring some scraps.

"You've returned with even stronger cultivation, brother. Truly, fortune favors you."

Shu Han responded with an awkward smile, "Merely a stroke of luck."

"You are indeed fortunate, and your timing is impeccable! The Floating Fragrance Pavilion has recently recruited a number of young and beautiful female disciples, all fresh and tender. I'm hosting tonight; I insist you have a night of joy!"

What?

Taken aback, Shu Han wondered how he could stumble upon such an occurrence just after arriving at the Purple Sun Sect.

Fei Zhengyang, with a sidelong glance at Shu Han, queried, "What's wrong, Brother Zimo? You used to talk endlessly before. Why are you so quiet since your return? And why hesitate to enjoy flower wine? Isn't that one of your favorite pursuits?"

Shu Han explained, "The Immaculate Realm is about to open. I'm considering venturing inside, so I can't stay in the Qi Refining stage forever. I'm not interested in these pleasures now. Let's discuss tool refining instead."

"Oh? Are you eligible for the Immaculate Realm? When did you become so formidable?"

Shu Han then shared his tale of the Thousand Year Snow Lotus with Fei Zhengyang.

After listening, Fei Zhengyang smacked his lips, landing a punch on Shu Han. He exclaimed enviously, "You really have hit a streak of luck! I insist, tonight you must drink your fill, choose any maiden you wish! Once you've achieved the Foundation Establishment, you must not forget your brother here!"

"Have you no plans to venture into the Immaculate Realm?"

Fei Zhengyang responded, "Are you mocking my lack of prowess? You're well aware of my abilities. I'm a master in tool refining, but when it comes to combat... well, that's a long story. But I've made peace with my life here in the Purple Sun Sect. A few decades from now, I'm sure to receive a portion of the next batch of Foundation Establishment pills."

Shu Han retorted: Just omit 'a master' in tool refining!

Shu Han queried, "By the time you achieve the Foundation Establishment in a few more decades, you'll be well past your prime."

"That's why I say, we should revel in the vigor of our youth. The joy of life must be fully embraced! Now I see that reaching the Foundation Establishment or becoming a top tool refiner is difficult. The right path is to live each day to the fullest!"

"Nowadays, when I have nothing to do, I set up a stall and take orders to earn some spiritual stones. With spiritual stones, I go to the Floating Fragrance Pavilion for flower wine. Without spiritual stones, I go to listen to music for free. I live my days in a free and easy manner."

Shu Han was speechless. Ever since he entered the cultivation world, he saw everyone striving and racking their brains for resources. Yet, this person was decidedly different.

No wonder Xu Zimo never seemed to rise or fall.

Upon their arrival at the Floating Fragrance Pavilion, a unique fragrance wafted toward Shu Han from a distance.

Melodies and laughter resonated from the grand building, interspersed with bell-like laughter.

As expected of a regular, Fei Zhengyang was immediately escorted to a private room upon entering.

He laid leisurely on the lounge, savoring the spiritual fruits served while appreciating the dancers in the middle of the pavilion. Their fluttering skirts occasionally revealed skin as white as creamy jade, along with the sensual music, it stirred the blood of those watching.

"Lie down! Why so formal? Have you hit your head outside?"

Shu Han, reluctantly in character, laid down. Following the rhythmic beats, a troupe of dancers dispersed like blooming petals, and a captivating maiden in red descended gracefully from the sky.

Fei Zhengyang drooled, "Today's the main event of Fairy Xue! We've come on the right day! If I could spend my life with Fairy Xue, to enjoy conjugal bliss night after night, life would be worthwhile!"

In no time, two young girls, with radiant smiles, entered, carrying two pots of wine. They settled themselves on the lounges next to Shu Han and Fei Zhengyang, nestling against them like delicate birds.

Shu Han's mind went blank.

Was this drinking flower wine? Wasn't it just a name for the wine?

After ten years in the Mystical Dragon Sect's valley and one year wandering in the Great Cloud, Shu Han had been single-minded in pursuing his path and had never experienced this. It left him thoroughly flustered.

Holding the warm and soft beauty in his arms, Shu Han's mind began to whirl.

I'm just here for a drink! It's all right! It's all right!

Yet, the next second, the young girl took action that seemed to slap him in the face.

Suddenly, a soft, fragrant, warm lip pressed onto his. Following that, a stream of rich and aromatic wine, carrying the girl's intoxicating scent, was passed over.

The sensation nearly melted Shu Han's soul, and he almost lost himself in this tender intoxication.

Just as Shu Han was enjoying the moment, somehow, the exquisite face of Shangguan Ruolin, as pristine as frost and snow, emerged before his eyes.

Splash!

Shu Han jerked and pulled himself out of the girl's arms, tumbling onto the ground, his face flushed red.

Fei Zhengyang, in the midst of his enjoyment, pushed the girl in his arms aside, looking at him in surprise. "What's wrong? Why did my brother fall to the floor after being served by you? Do you still want your spiritual stones?"

Shu Han stood up and made an excuse, "No, no! My cultivation technique has reached a bottleneck recently, and it's not suitable for me to lose my essence. Let's forget about it this time!"

However, Fei Zhengyang was puzzled, "What nonsense are you talking about? These girls are all trained in the 'Light Cloud and Charming Rain Technique.' How can dual cultivation with them possibly hinder your cultivation?"

"This…"

Shu Han was at a loss for words. However, looking at the seductive woman on the chaise, he didn't dare to lie back down.

Just as the standoff continued, a man suddenly burst into the room.

With a look of disdain on his thin face, he said, "Well, you're indeed here! Come, stop indulging yourself. Elder Brother Kong wants to see you."

Fei Zhengyang's face turned a bit unpleasant. He pushed the girl aside, stood up, and smiled, "Alright, alright!"

Then he turned to the two girls and said, "I'm leaving, but you two shouldn't idle. I've spent spiritual stones to invite you here, so take good care of my brother!"

The man crossed his arms and laughed, "You still have spiritual stones to pay for pleasure."

Fei Zhengyang laughed and said, "He just returned from an external assignment, so I welcomed him back. Let's talk outside if there's anything."

With that, Fei Zhengyang led the man out of the room.

After Fei Zhengyang left, the two young women, each holding a pot of wine, approached Shu Han, winding around him like seductive serpents.

Shu Han swallowed and quickly pushed them away, "You two don't need to busy yourselves tonight, I'm not interested for now."

One of the girls looked pitiful, "Sir if I don't serve you well tonight, I won't earn any spiritual stones and I'll be punished. Please have pity on me."

"Yes, we both lack talent. If we don't earn some spiritual stones while we're young, we won't have any security for our cultivation in the future. Sir, could you please pity us for one night!"

These two beautiful women took turns whispering sweet nothings into his ear. Who could withstand that?

Shu Han slapped eight low-grade spiritual stones onto the table, which instantly brightened the eyes of the two girls.

Seizing the opportunity, Shu Han quickly bolted out of the room.

Drinking flower wine was just too stimulating! He, in his early twenties, nearly succumbed.

Stepping out of the Floating Fragrance Pavilion, Shu Han looked around for Fei Zhengyang. Using his Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, he spotted Fei Zhengyang not far away in a grove, surrounded by a group of people. Fei Zhengyang was smiling and explaining something, but the atmosphere didn't seem good.

Chapter 79. Earthfire House

Shu Han held his breath and approached, his Foundation Establishment stage spiritual sense quietly probing.

Scanning with his spiritual sense, Shu Han discovered that Fei Zhengyang was surrounded by three cultivators who had reached the twelfth level of Qi Refining. One of them was a handsome young man in a purple robe who appeared quite powerful, probably the Elder Brother Kong they mentioned.

Listening to their conversation, Shu Han realized that these people were creditors.

Fei Zhengyang had spent all his spiritual stones and even borrowed money to enjoy himself at the Floating Fragrance Pavilion! And the interest rate was not low! He had borrowed three hundred low-grade spiritual stones a year ago, and now he had to repay six hundred. The debt had doubled in just one year.

Despite owing so many spiritual stones, Fei Zhengyang was still generous enough to invite guests for flower wine tonight.

Shu Han didn't know what to say about this guy.

In the end, these people found out that Fei Zhengyang only had a little over twenty spiritual stones on him. They rewarded him with a beating and ordered him to repay six hundred right now or nine hundred in three months! Otherwise, they would report this matter to the sect's adjudicating elders.

After that, the group left. Fei Zhengyang, beaten to a pulp, struggled up from the ground, swearing a few times. Covering his face, he walked out of the grove. After hesitating in front of the Floating Fragrance Pavilion, he decided to return to the Treasure Peak.

Just as he was leaving, he bumped straight into Shu Han.

Fei Zhengyang, with a swollen face, asked in surprise, "Zimo, weren't you enjoying yourself inside? Finished so soon?"

Uh?

Shu Han didn't understand what he was talking about, so he just nodded.

Then, Fei Zhengyang, his eyes resembling a panda's due to the bruising, looked at Shu Han disdainfully. He said mockingly, "What happened? Did you finish so quickly? You, boy, must have been fooling around with mortal women outside, tsk tsk, you've depleted your energy! If I had known you'd be so quick, I wouldn't have spent so many spiritual stones bringing you here. A total waste."

As they walked, Fei Zhengyang lamented, "Brother, I'm finished this time. In three months, I will be handed over to the adjudicating elder. Those damned loan sharks! I only borrowed three hundred, but they want me to repay nine hundred! It's too much."

Shu Han asked, "Isn't there anyone who can control this?"

"Who dares to? The adjudicating elder is his father!"

Shu Han: ...

Fei Zhengyang raged, "What should I do? If I really can't repay it, that guy will definitely make me pay!"

Shu Han tentatively asked, "Aren't you a tool refiner? Why don't you refine some tools to repay the debt?"

"If only it were that easy!" Fei Zhengyang held his face and said, "You know very well, as a disciple of the Treasure Peak, most of my time is spent assisting Master in refining tools. I only have a little time to take on private jobs in my own Earthfire House. Also, my forging level is at most high-grade. To repay nine hundred spirit stones, it has to be a top-grade magic tool!"

Hearing this, an idea popped into Shu Han's mind. He said, "That's easy. Lend me your Earthfire House, and I'll forge the magic tool for you to repay your debt."

"Huh?" Fei Zhengyang looked at Shu Han as if he were an idiot, "Brother Zimo, I feel like you've become a completely different person since you've returned! Since when do you speak about tool refining? I appreciate your kind, but it's too far-fetched."

Shu Han took out the "300 Solutions to Refining Tools" and said, "When I was on a mission outside, I received guidance from a master and fell in love with tool refining. I've successfully refined several high-grade magic tools. Since your Earthfire House is usually empty anyway, why not lend it to me? Who knows, it might solve your urgent problem."

"You've been able to refine high-grade magic tools in just over two years? Who are you trying to fool?"

Shu Han smiled and said, "If you don't believe me, let's go to your Earthfire House now. I'll show you my tool-refining skills."

"Hmph! I thought you had changed, but you're still the same, all talk and no action. Fine, since I can't touch a girl tonight anyway, I'll accompany you, a big man, to the Earthfire House."

Shu Han laughed, "If I succeed, I won't do it for free."

Fei Zhengyang shivered, playing the fool, "Brother, if you fancy anything on me, just take it."

Shu Han said, "You are a disciple of the Treasure Peak, surely you have access to the high-grade materials there, so why don't you..."

Fei Zhengyang quickly interrupted, "You're not asking me to steal materials for you, are you? That's a capital offense! If I could steal materials, would I still lack nine hundred spiritual stones?"

Shu Han quickly said, "No, no! There's always waste in tool refining. You help me get a little of the offcuts of rare materials, just a bit of each kind will do. No one will notice."

"What do you want the offcuts for?"

Shu Han said, "To study the properties of the materials and improve my tool refining skills!"

Fei Zhengyang scoffed, "I told you, you don't understand tool refining. The offcuts can't be shaped! And yet you pretend to be a tool refining master in front of me."

"You don't need to worry about how I'll use them. Just tell me if it's a deal!"

Fei Zhengyang patted Shu Han on the shoulder and said, "Deal! If you can even refine a mid-grade magic tool, then it's settled!"

Shu Han followed Fei Zhengyang to the waist of the Treasure Peak, where the disciples of the peak had hollowed out the area like a beehive, with Earthfire Houses scattered about. Each Earthfire House was connected to the main vein of Earthfire of the Treasure Peak, providing robust and endless fire power.

With the token of Treasure Peak, Fei Zhengyang led Shu Han into his own Earthfire House. The most eye-catching part of the Earthfire House was the large copper furnace in the center. This copper furnace was comparable to the one that his Master used to have, but it was the standard configuration for all Qi Refining disciples of the Treasure Peak.

Below the copper furnace was a complex formation with a pit in the center.

Fei Zhengyang activated the formation with his token, and a surging white Earthfire gushed out from the pit, instantly raising the temperature of the Earthfire House. Shu Han was skilled in alchemy and tool refining, but he had only ever used Pill Fire for refining and had never seen Earthfire. Now he realized how laborious and time-consuming it was to refine with Pill Fire, which could not be compared to the endless and stable Earthfire.

Fei Zhengyang brought a pile of cheap materials over and said, "Zimo, don't bother refining tools. Just purify these materials. Purifying and refining basic materials is the most fundamental skill."

Testing my basic skills?

Shu Han couldn't help but chuckle in his heart. Back when he was refining tools, thanks to the black jar, he had almost unlimited materials to practice with. His basic skills were incredibly solid.

Shu Han put these materials into the copper furnace. His spiritual sense began to guide the Earthfire along the formation patterns to heat the mixed materials in the furnace.

Fei Zhengyang watched with his arms crossed, "You seem to know what you're doing."

However, he soon nearly popped his eyes out.

Shu Han was actually able to use his spiritual sense to divide the Earthfire into seventeen branches and precisely refine the seventeen different materials in the furnace.

Fei Zhengyang had to admit that he couldn't match such an accurate and skilled operation.

'This guy has actually developed such advanced tool refining skills in just over three years outside?'

Immersed in the process, Shu Han purified all the materials in the furnace of impurities by midnight.

Fei Zhengyang gaped, "Zimo, you should have joined us at the Treasure Peak. With your skills after just three years of training outside, you have the potential to become a top-grade tool refiner!"

Snapping out of his focus, Shu Han asked, "So, is our deal on?"

"On!" Fei Zhengyang shook Shu Han's hand sincerely, "From now on, this Earthfire House is yours! Please help me get through this difficulty! From now on, all flower wine expenses will be on me!"

"What about the materials?"

Fei Zhengyang thumped his chest, "Leave the offcuts to me. Whatever you need, I will get a bit for you. But really, just a little bit. Don't complain about it being too little later!"

Chapter 80. Challenge of the Heaven List

After showcasing his tool refining skills for half the night, Fei Zhengyang was thoroughly impressed and persistently asked Shu Han to share his tool refining insights.

Shu Han figured that the guy wasn't so bad at heart. Despite being in deep debt, he still dared to invite people for drinks - it was just that his personality was a bit carefree.

Since he was living under the identity of Xu Zimo, he decided to help take care of his friend. So, he agreed to Fei Zhengyang's request and would occasionally guide him in tool refining when he had time.

As soon as dawn broke, Shu Han set out for the Purple Sun Platform at Purple Sun Peak. After all, his purpose of coming here was for a place in the Immaculate Realm, and getting a top fifty ranking on the Purple Sun Ranking was crucial.

Fei Zhengyang insisted on tagging along, saying that since Shu Han was so confident, he had to go and see the fun.

Shu Han couldn't help but give him a glance, thinking, if you put half of this enthusiasm for joining in the fun into tool refining, your skills wouldn't be so poor.

The Purple Sun Platform was set halfway up the Purple Sun Peak. It seemed as if a huge sharp blade had horizontally carved a sword mark in the center of the Purple Sun Peak.

When Shu Han and Fei Zhengyang walked onto this large platform, they found that there were many cultivators coming and going, and the place was crowded.

On the Purple Sun Platform, fifty small competition platforms were set up, and there was also a huge competition platform in the center.

Through some chatting with Fei Zhengyang, Shu Han learned that these fifty small platforms represented the top fifty in the Heaven List. Each platform had a master, and if one wanted to challenge, one had to pay a corresponding amount of spirit stones to make an appointment with the master.

The central large platform was the Life-and-Death battle platform of the Purple Sun Sect. If there were irreconcilable conflicts between disciples, they could be resolved on this platform.

Looking out, Shu Han saw that the platforms for ranks below the top twenty were crowded with people, and there were basically cultivators engaged in fierce battles. In contrast, the platforms for the ranks above twenty were less challenged.

Perhaps because the disciples ranked above twenty were all very powerful, and the challenge cost was high, so few people were interested. However, the platforms below rank twenty were fiercely competitive for the spots in the Immaculate Realm.

Shu Han couldn't help but say, "If I get a rank and simply close my door and refuse to fight, wouldn't I secure a spot in the Immaculate Realm?"

Fei Zhengyang said, "The rules were changed two years ago! Because the Immaculate Realm is about to open, they fear people like you who would try to game the system. Now, unless you're severely injured, you must accept all challenges if you're in the top fifty."

Shu Han shrugged, deciding to just casually challenge someone within the top fifty. He went to register for a challenge at the platform of the 42nd rank. However, when he saw the list of registered disciples, his appointment was at 120th!

Shu Han was dumbfounded. When would it be his turn?

Fei Zhengyang patted his shoulder, "Just wait patiently, there should still be a chance, after all, we still have five months."

Should there still be a chance?

Shu Han was speechless. His purpose here was to secure a spot, any delay could bring about change! He looked at the top twenty of the Heaven List and decided not to hold back anymore.

Choosing from ranks below twenty not only required queuing but also the possibility of being challenged daily. He might as well aim for the top twenty on the Heaven List. So, he squeezed through the crowds at the low-ranking platforms and walked toward the high-ranking platforms.

Pushing through the dense crowd, Shu Han saw a slim-waisted woman also passing through the crowd toward the high-ranking platform. He noticed this woman only had the cultivation base of the eighth level of the Qi Refining stage, and yet she was challenging the high-ranking platform?

The woman noticed Shu Han looking at her and walked over with a frown, Her eyes sized Shu Han up and down, and she said displeased, "Xu Zimo, why are you back? How many times have I told you, there's nothing between us anymore, stop following me!"

Ah?

Looking at the girl's haughty demeanor, Shu Han couldn't help but think, You at the eighth level of the Qi Refining stage have the nerve to talk to me in that tone.

Suddenly, he had a thought, Could this woman be the Chu Yun that Xu Zimo couldn't stop mentioning?

From what Xu Zimo had rambled on about, he knew that since Chu Yun entered the sect, Xu Zimo had been caring for her, originally intending to cultivate feelings and become Dao companions. However, as Chu Yun's cultivation base grew and her horizons broadened, she found Xu Zimo to be too useless and flatly rejected his proposal to become Dao companions.

This was something Xu Zimo had been constantly grumbling about.

"Stop bothering me. There's no future with you, don't you understand yourself... Huh, you've reached the twelfth level of Qi Refining?"

Surprise flashed in Chu Yun's eyes.

At this time, Fei Zhengyang squeezed out from the crowd, and after seeing Chu Yun, he slapped Shu Han on the shoulder and said, "Yo, your habits never change even when you've gotten stronger! When you see this broken shoe, you can't walk straight! Hurry up and go back to register, otherwise you really won't be able to make it!"

Shu Han: I can't explain...

Chu Yun angrily said, "You're the broken shoe!"

"Ouch, look at you, with your looks you dare to reject my brother. I can pick a better girl than you in the Floating Fragrance Pavilion!"

Hearing this, Chu Yun choked, she glared angrily at Fei Zhengyang, then turned to Shu Han and said, "Xu Zimo, I advise you to avoid this person in the future! No manners!"

"Oh, now you're upset. My brother took care of you so much before, and this is how you repay him. If you're not a broken shoe, then what are you?"

"Who said she's a broken shoe?"

Suddenly, a voice came from the side, making Fei Zhengyang instinctively shrink his body.

Shu Han turned his head and saw the purple-robed man from last night walking over with a grin, it was Fei Zhengyang's debtor, Kong.

Upon seeing Kong, Chu Yun immediately switched to a smiling face, threw herself into his arms without hesitation, and gloated at Fei Zhengyang.

Fei Zhengyang, hunched over, said, "Senior Brother, with your status, this woman can only be considered a worn-out shoe. She's not good enough for you!"

Kong, rubbing Chu Yun's waist, laughed, "Who cares what kind of shoe she is, as long as she can earn spirit stones in my Floating Fragrance Pavilion, she's a good shoe." Then he pinched Chu Yun's chin and laughed, "But before entering my Floating Fragrance Pavilion, I need to personally examine the quality."

Chu Yun forced out a seductive smile.

And Fei Zhengyang was stunned, "You're going to the Floating Fragrance Pavilion... You've crossed the line!" He turned his worried gaze towards Shu Han, comforting him, "Brother, it's better to forget this kind of woman completely! She's not worth it!"

Chu Yun angrily said, "If I don't go to the Floating Fragrance Pavilion, depending on Xu Zimo's small amount of spirit stones, when will I reach the twelfth level of Qi Refining? If I miss the next batch of Foundation Establishment Pills, my life will be ruined! The two of you are sure to get Foundation Establishment Pills in the next batch, so of course, it's easy for you to talk!"

Shu Han was stunned: indeed, with Xu Zimo's ability, it was hard for him to cultivate to the twelfth level of Qi Refining, let alone bring a Dao companion with even worse talent.

Kong slapped her buttocks, laughing, "See, this is what a girl with awareness looks like."

Fei Zhengyang said maliciously, "Fine, I'll pick you every day at the Floating Fragrance Pavilion, make you sick!"

Kong's face turned dark, "Do you even have the spirit stones to pick a girl at the Floating Fragrance Pavilion?"

Fei Zhengyang immediately admitted defeat, "No! No! If I have spirit stones, I would, of course, pay you back first!"

Chu Yun, lying in Kong's arms, looked at the silent Shu Han and shouted, "Xu Zimo, don't even think about persuading me, I've made up my mind. Go find other women, you will be able to get the Foundation Establishment Pill in the future, and you won't have any trouble finding a better girl to be your Dao companion."

Is it finally my turn to speak?

Shu Han spread his hands and said, "Whatever you decide is your business, I'm not interested in knowing. Besides, I came here to fight, meeting you is just a coincidence, I'm not following you." Then he turned to Kong, "Oh, Senior Brother Kong, I see that you are also a person on the Heaven List. I wonder if you have time to exchange a few moves with me?"

Chapter 81. Nine-Joint Bamboo Cloud Fan

"You want to fight me?"

Kong looked at Shu Han in surprise, as if he was looking at an idiot.

Fei Zhengyang quickly pulled Shu Han, whispering reprimands, "Have you gone mad? He's the ninth on the Heaven List! At the peak of the twelfth level of Qi Refining, his father is a judge elder in the late stage of Foundation Establishment! He has at least three or four top-grade magic tools on him! You don't need to compete with him over a worn-out shoe!"

Hearing these words, Chu Yun turned pale, she quickly scolded, "Xu Zimo, don't be shameless! How could you possibly match Senior Brother Kong? Don't overestimate your abilities!"

'At the peak of the twelfth level of Qi Refining? His father is in the late stage of Foundation Establishment? Is that all? My real body is at the peak of the early stage of Foundation Establishment, with a mid-stage Core Formation follower, am I proud?'

Kong laughed, pushed Chu Yun away, came to Shu Han, and said disdainfully, "Interesting, I have been standing in this ninth position for over a year, and no one dared to challenge me. Finally met an interesting person, today won't be boring anymore. The challenge to the ninth rank of the Heaven List costs two hundred spirit stones, do you have enough, junior brother, do you want me to lend you some?"

Whoosh!

A bag of spirit stones was thrown at Kong, Shu Han smiled, "I can still afford two hundred spirit stones, don't trouble yourself, senior brother."

This scene stunned both Fei Zhengyang and Chu Yun.

Is this guy really that rich?

"Then please!"

Kong gestured for Shu Han to step onto the stage. On the platform, he looked relaxed and said to Shu Han, "Junior brother, you are the first one to pay to get beaten. Seeing that you can shell out two hundred spirit stones at once, I won't hurt you too badly."

Shu Han saluted, "Thank you very much, Senior Brother."

Downstage, Chu Yun couldn't help but lean over to Fei Zhengyang and ask, "Where did he get so many spirit stones?"

Fei Zhengyang looked worriedly at the stage, and couldn't help but say, "Humph! You worn-out shoe, you are blind! My brother returned from an assignment with a great opportunity, What are two hundred spirit stones? His future is limitless. You can sit and cry in the Floating Fragrance Pavilion from now on."

This made Chu Yun speechless, she indeed felt a huge change in Xu Zimo's temperament, and he no longer clung and hesitated as before.

"But he can't beat Senior Brother Kong!"

"That's what I'm saying! It's all your fault, you worn-out shoe!" Fei Zhengyang scolded, "If it wasn't for you, this worn-out shoe, stimulating him, would he make such a reckless move!? You know he's stubborn! If anything happens to my brother, I'll come to the Floating Fragrance Pavilion every day and pick you, this worn-out shoe! I'll torment you to death!"

"You..."

Chu Yun's face turned red with anger, but she couldn't find words to retort. She was somewhat regretful and looked worriedly at Xu Zimo.

Shu Han revealed his Black Gold Folding Dragon Saber, and when Kong saw this high-quality magic tool, the corners of his mouth slightly rose.

With a wave of his hand, a huge hammer with flickering thunder and lightning flew out from his purple sleeve, swinging directly toward Shu Han.

Fei Zhengyang, who was very familiar with magic tools, exclaimed, "Damn! He's starting with the top-grade magic tool, Silver Dragon Thunder Hammer!"

He knew very well that this top-grade magic tool was made by a Foundation Establishment master from Treasure Peak, a treasure among top-grade magic tools. Once it was used, it could form an electric field to paralyze the enemy, then the heavy hammer would fall, determining victory with a single strike.

Shu Han felt a tingling sensation under his feet, caused by the electric field triggered by the giant hammer in the air. With a thought, his Flowing Boots directly shielded this electric field. He held up the Black Gold Folding Dragon Saber and jumped high, the blade manifested a purple dragon shadow that slashed towards the hammer.

"You can't collide head-on! The Black Gold Folding Dragon Saber will get blunted!"

Fei Zhengyang was very familiar with this magic tool of his.

However, Shu Han immediately turned the blade into the back of the saber, struck the hammer, and used the force to flip in the air, breaking through the thunder surrounding the hammer, unaffected by it. Then, his Flowing Boots stepped on the hammer and rushed towards Kong, his body turned into a shadow of a dragon slashing towards his head.

The whole series of movements was as fluid as flowing clouds and water, containing the essence of the Sky-aspiring Sword Technique.

Boom!

The giant hammer hit the ground, attracting everyone.

Shu Han's saber slashed on Kong's head, but the blade was blunted and could not cut down.

Kong looked up, his eyes indifferent as he looked at Shu Han, invisible tortoise shell patterns slowly unfolding on his head.

Shu Han's attack did not succeed, he stepped on the tortoise shell pattern to propel himself away.

At this point, he looked at the blunted Black Gold Folding Dragon Saber and couldn't help but look at Fei Zhengyang down the stage.

Fei Zhengyang laughed awkwardly, "Don't look at me, it's mostly this result when a high-grade magic tool strikes a top-grade defensive magic tool."

Bullshit!

Clang!

Shu Han threw away this piece of junk. Seeing this, Senior Brother Kong's eyes narrowed and said, "Junior Brother, are you giving up directly? I just got excited, I won't allow you to surrender standing."

But the next second, his pupils suddenly constricted.

Shu Han was surrounded by four rays of golden light, and four Heavenly Swords were spinning around him. The dazzling golden light brought a visible sharpness to the naked eye.

Kong's face twitched a bit, his eyes hotly fixed on the four Heavenly Swords, surprised, "A sword array composed of four top-grade law swords! You're really loaded, aren't you!"

Fei Zhengyang and Chu Yun were incredibly shocked.

Were his skills and equipment still the Xu Zimo they remembered?

"Damn, we all knew this guy made a fortune on his trip, but he turned into a tycoon directly! This sword array is amazing, it can be compared with the masterpiece of a late-stage Foundation Establishment elder from Treasure Peak!"

Meanwhile, Chu Yun was so regretful that she was nearly biting her lips.

The person who once stuck to her like a plaster, how did he become so unattainable now?

Kong now had to take it seriously, he recalled his Silver Dragon Thunder Hammer and pushed his Evergreen Profound Turtle Shield to its limit, raising his hammer and attacking Shu Han.

However, Shu Han remained motionless. The four Heavenly Swords formed a sword array and flew directly from his side to fight with Kong.

The Heavenly Quadrant Sword Formation was good for both offense and defense, and its profoundness was infinite.

The unpredictable sword array made Kong exhausted to cope, and his Evergreen Profound Turtle Shield was cut with numerous scars in no time.

On the other hand, Shu Han, like an outsider, was watching the fight and even humming a tune.

Being suppressed like this, Kong was furious. Suddenly, he burst out with a strong green light all over his body, and he was illuminated in green. The green wave directly repelled the surrounding Heavenly Quadrant Sword Formation. A green bamboo fan floated in front of him.

Fei Zhengyang yelled at the edge of the arena, "Damn! Nine-Joint Bamboo Cloud Fan! That's the best of the best! Comparable to the magic treasure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator!"

The enraged Kong held this bamboo fan, all his spiritual power was sucked into the fan, and he said angrily, "Forcing me to use this magic treasure, if you can't block it and die, don't blame me! Go to hell!"

Fei Zhengyang quickly stepped back, yelling, "Zimo! Run!"

After saying that, he was the first to bolt, causing a stir among the surrounding spectators, who hastily evacuated.

Run?

Shu Han pinched a magic trick, and the four Heavenly Swords quickly assembled in the air, and a huge golden sword fell in front of Shu Han.

Whoosh!

Senior Brother Kong waved his fan, a cyan hurricane rushed forward, and the arena along its path was completely destroyed.

Shu Han held this huge sword and a sword light was drawn out.

Chapter 82. One Sword

The golden sword light was like a crescent moon, directly breaking through the howling and terrifying green hurricane and striking on Kong's Turtle Shield.

Immediately, the Turtle Shield shattered, Kong spat out a mouthful of blood and was instantly slashed off the arena.

On the other hand, Shu Han was not flushed or breathless. Standing at the edge of the arena, looking at the seriously injured Kong, he showed a modest smile and said, "Senior Brother, thank you for your concession, I will do my best to secure your ninth position on the Heaven List."

Senior Brother Kong was unwilling, his resentful gaze looking at Shu Han and spat out another mouthful of blood.

Chu Yun quickly ran over, wanting to help him up, but he swung his arm, directly knocking Chu Yun away, shouting, "You're also here to mock me, aren't you?"

Chu Yun sat on the ground in grief, her eyes full of wronged feelings.

After the shock, Fei Zhengyang rushed up to the arena, laughing and patting Shu Han's shoulder, giving him a punch, and excitedly said, "Well done! You didn't go on this mission in vain! You've come back so strong! You've really impressed us! You used to always hang around with me, from now on I'll hang around behind you!"

The other disciples watching were whispering to each other, not knowing who this person who easily defeated Kong Tianrui was.

Kong Tianrui stood up, looked at Shu Han unconvinced, and shouted, "I've never heard of you in the Purple Sun Sect. You suddenly appeared. You must be a demonic cultivator who sneaked in! Elders! I have a situation to report!"

Swoosh!

Just as Kong Tianrui's shout fell, a figure appeared on the platform.

A sleepy old man walked in front of Shu Han with a yawn, and the immense pressure instantly came, making Shu Han shiver.

Core Formation Stage!

Kong Tianrui bowed and said, "Reporting to the Elder, this man was useless for many years, but he became so strong when he came back from outside. There must be a trick. I suspect that he is a demonic cultivator who has infiltrated our Purple Sun Sect."

"Nonsense!" Fei Zhengyang bowed to the Elder of the Sky Platform and said, "Replying to the Elder, my brother just had some adventures outside, and he is not a demonic cultivator in disguise. I can guarantee it!"

But the Elder looked at Shu Han with puzzled eyes and retorted, "You can guarantee it? With your cultivation, how can you tell? Why can you guarantee it?"

"This..."

Fei Zhengyang hesitated because he could faintly feel that Xu Zimo had changed a lot this time.

"Let me see! Kid, extend your hand."

Shu Han respectfully bowed and handed over his hand. The old man's dry palm passed through a clear stream and moved around Shu Han's body.

He stroked his beard and said, "Hmm, there's no hiding of cultivation, indeed it's the Qi Refining Twelve Layer, and indeed it's the cultivation method of our Purple Sun Sect. Alright, child, you performed well, who is your master?"

Shu Han respectfully replied, "Replying to the Elder, my master is Cheng Yuhan."

"Very good, the ninth position on the Heaven List is yours. Your master deserves credit for cultivating a disciple like you. Pass my words to him, let him go to the Treasure Peak and take an Essence Gathering Pill to increase his cultivation."

"Thank you, Elder."

Kong Tianrui was dumbfounded, he couldn't help saying, "Elder, are you sure you've seen..."

"Shut up! Your father really should manage you better. If he doesn't, I wouldn't mind doing it myself."

At this remark from the Elder, Kong Tianrui was immediately silenced.

The Elder then waved his wide sleeve and disappeared in a wisp of white smoke.

Kong Tianrui glared at Shu Han and snorted, "We will meet again!"

Shu Han became puzzled, "Where? When?"

Kong Tianrui was stunned by the abrupt question, "What did you say?"

Shu Han explained, "Didn't you say we'll meet again? I just want to ask where and when, I need to be prepared."

Kong Tianrui was a bit speechless, thinking and answering subconsciously, "I meant in a general sense of meeting again, not a specific time and place... I mean, I'll show you in the future."

"Oh!" Shu Han pretended to realize, "I thought you were inviting me out!"

Kong Tianrui was stunned, "Why would you think I would invite you out?"

Shu Han couldn't help it, he chuckled, "I also want to know..."

Fei Zhengyang, on the other hand, couldn't hold back at all, he covered his mouth and laughed out loud.

Kong Tianrui's face turned pale, he angrily said, "Are you making fun of me?"

Seeing Shu Han and Fei Zhengyang laughing together, Kong Tianrui was furious and left in a huff.

Chu Yun was looking at Shu Han with complex eyes, a bit of resentment, a bit of regret, and then followed Kong Tianrui away.

Fei Zhengyang was excited, pulling Shu Han and saying, "Now that you're so awesome, hurry up and treat me to drinks! We must have the best wine and the most beautiful girls! This is what our status deserves!"

Shu Han was speechless: What status do you have?!

Then, without hesitation, he threw this flower wine lover back to Treasure Peak and returned to the Purple Abyss Peak with the message from the Elder.

Cheng Yuhan was sitting on the cushion, and upon hearing the news brought back by Shu Han, he jumped three feet high from the cushion.

He almost couldn't resist giving Shu Han a bear hug. The first thing he did after his ecstasy was to drag Shu Han to Liu Wanzhang's cave mansion, boasting and bragging, which made Liu Wanzhang's face turn green, almost ready to fight on the spot.

Then he praised Shu Han fiercely, humming a little tune, and happily ran to the Treasure Peak to get the elixir.

This left Shu Han alone on the Purple Abyss Peak in confusion. Now when he looked back, he realized that in this cultivation world, strength is indeed respected, whether it's within the sect or among the loose cultivators.

Xu Zimo's life was full of tragedy. The master didn't love him, the girl despised him, and only Fei Zhengyang was considered a close friend.

However, this close friend seemed to reveal that he had borrowed a lot of spirit stones from Xu Zimo in the past to drink flower wine, and he hadn't paid them back yet! The high-quality magic tool he helped to build was also a third-rate inferior product.

However, Shu Han, taking on his identity, had just arrived at the Purple Sun Sect for less than two days, and his status underwent a tremendous change.

The root cause is the difference in strength.

So, Shu Han left the Purple Abyss Peak, took Fei Zhengyang's token, and prepared to go to the Earthfire House to refine the magic tool.

The smooth feeling of refining tools in the Earthfire House made Shu Han itch, which was much more refreshing than his daily refining with the pill fire.

Since the quota was already secured, Shu Han planned to spend half a year in the Earthfire House to study the way of refining pills and tools and carry forward the skills taught by his master in the past.

At this time, the sun was setting, and Shu Han had just flown away from the Purple Abyss Peak when he saw Chu Yun flying up from the forest between the mountains, blocking Shu Han's way with a look of struggle on her face.

Seeing this woman, Shu Han asked indifferently, "What's the matter?"

Seeing Xu Zimo so indifferent, the smile he used to go after her seemed like a dream. This made Chu Yun's heart sour. She looked at Shu Han and said pitifully, "Brother Xu... Can you do me a favor..."

"First, tell me what it is."

Chu Yun choked and said, "I am about to enter Kong Tianrui's Floating Fragrance Pavilion... I regret it now, I shouldn't have fallen like this... But Kong Tianrui won't let me go, he asked me to meet him in the purple bamboo forest tonight... I dare not go alone... Can you accompany me to make it clear to him... If you are willing to help me, I... I am willing to work for you in the future..."

Looking at the woman's pitiful appearance, Shu Han felt nothing but disgust in his heart and wanted to refuse harshly. What does your business have to do with me? But then he thought, Xu Zimo genuinely liked this woman. Since he was taking his place, let's do her a favor. Even if the woman he loved was not a good thing.

Coincidentally, his own original self would probably arrive near the Purple Sun Sect tonight, and he needed to find time to send out the gold page.

Chapter 83. Ambush

Shu Han followed Chu Yun without a word, gradually moving away from Purple Abyss Peak.

Chu Yun couldn't help but look back at Shu Han from time to time, revealing a pitiful look. However, she noticed that Shu Han's face was always expressionless, which made her feel even more depressed. She couldn't help but recall how Xu Zimo had treated her before.

At that time, as long as Xu Zimo saw her frown, he would always try to coax her with a smile.

The huge gap filled Chu Yun's heart mixed with all sorts of feelings. She couldn't help but ask, "Brother Xu, are you resentful towards me?"

"Not really."

The indifferent response made Chu Yun's heart even more sour.

Chu Yun said softly, "I know you resent me, and I know I was heartless and selfish. When I first entered the sect, I was ignorant. It was you who took care of me, and only then was I able to reach my current level of cultivation..."

Shu Han rubbed his ears, thinking to himself, When is this woman going to stop talking? I am not Xu Zimo.

"But the heart is made of flesh. You've always been so good to me, and I remember it all. It's a lie to say that I have no feelings for you. But I'm more afraid of promising you and then falling into a mundane life..."

"During the Qi Refining period, one's life is only over a hundred years. I have low talent, and if I don't make a bold move, if I just follow the steps and cultivate, I will soon lose my youth and become a handful of yellow soil."

"In my twenty-plus years in the Purple Sun Sect, I have seen too many female cultivators die old. They were humble in life, and after death, they were nothing more than a gravestone. Even though they were cultivators, what difference did they have from mortals?"

As Chu Yun spoke, her tone suddenly became determined, "Only when reaching the Foundation Establishment period can one truly stand tall in this Purple Sun Sect! In order to break through the bottleneck of my cultivation, I can give up my chastity and dignity, and any burden. So please forgive me for rejecting your proposal that day. After your Foundation Establishment, you deserve a better female cultivator."

Shu Han listened quietly, not knowing what to say for a while.

At this time, they had already moved far away from the main area of the Purple Sun Sect and had come to a dark bamboo forest.

Shu Han's divine sense swept over the bamboo forest and noticed something unusual. He couldn't help but look at Chu Yun out of the corner of his eye, laughing to himself, so this conversation was not arranged for you, but specifically for me. Summoning an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator to ambush, what a good method!

Shu Han showed no reaction and continued to follow Chu Yun.

As the two landed in the bamboo forest, Kong Tianrui in purple was waiting among the trees. He wasn't surprised at all to see Shu Han following Chu Yun, instead, a smug smile was on his face.

Chu Yun turned around, her eyes filled with sorrow as she looked at Shu Han. She slowly moved towards Kong Tianrui, apologizing, "You can resent me for what I did tonight, but please understand, I have no other choice..."

Shu Han squinted, watching as Chu Yun moved next to Kong Tianrui. Kong Tianrui, with a wicked grin on his face, held her waist with one hand and touched her white neck with the other. In a murderous tone, he said, "Don't worry, beauty, he won't have a chance to resent you!"

The sudden murderous aura scared Chu Yun, causing her to shudder. She realized something was wrong and hurriedly said, "Senior Brother Kong, this is not what we agreed on. Weren't you just going to teach Xu a lesson?"

"A lesson?" Hate shone in Kong's eyes, "No one has ever dared to insult me like this. How could I let him off with just a lesson?"

Shu Han laughed, "I've suspected something was off from the start. I just wanted to see what you, Kong Tianrui, were capable of. But it's quite pathetic. You and the one hidden in the shadows think you can take my life?"

This comment made Kong Tianrui laugh in anger.

"You're not afraid even when facing death. Do you know who I've brought with me?"

Shu Han turned his head towards the bamboo forest.

"A mere early-stage Foundation Establishment. Not worth mentioning."

This comment scared Chu Yun so much she began to shudder. She struggled desperately in Kong Tianrui's arms and murmured in a daze, "No...don't do this! Just teach him a lesson. Don't kill him!!"

"Damn woman!"

Hisss!

A shadow flashed across Chu Yun's neck, and a large amount of blood spurted out from her white neck in an instant.

Chu Yun's vision darkened, and she quickly covered her neck with her hand. But she couldn't stop the bleeding, only delay the speed at which the blood was spurting out.

Kong Tianrui kicked her away with a foot.

"Damn woman, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have lost face at the Purple Sun Platform. You're going to die tonight too!"

Chu Yun fell to the ground in a daze, one hand clutching her neck and the other grasping at Kong Tianrui's leg. She croaked, "...Don't kill me... I don't want to die..."

Kong Tianrui looked at her struggling at the brink of death and couldn't help but laugh heartily, "To kill you instantly would be too easy on you, damn woman! Hehe, the wound I gave you can't be healed. You'll die slowly and painfully. Watch closely before you die, and see what happens to those who offend me!"

Shu Han watched Kong Tianrui's brutality with cold eyes and shook his head, "You've brought this upon yourself, Kong Tianrui. You're seeking death."

As he spoke, four golden lights flowed out of Shu Han's storage bag. In an instant, his body transformed into a beam of light and sidestepped away.

Boom!

A deep pit was blown out where he had just stood. Looking closely, a blood-red long saber stood in the pit.

A figure in black sprang out from the bamboo forest, the long saber turned into a beam of bloody light and fell back into his hand. The man, wrapped in black, coldly watched Shu Han who seemed to be fearless. He felt that something was not quite right.

Kong Tianrui was also confused and asked, "Hey! How did you miss?"

The man in black apologized, "I'm sorry, young master. Generally speaking, a Qi Refining stage cultivator wouldn't be able to evade my spirit-locked attack. But this boy is different. It seems that he was aware of my position from the start and had anticipated my attack."

"That's impossible! How could a Qi Refining stage's spiritual sense evade a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator's lock!"

Four heavenly Swords formed a giant sword in Shu Han's hand. Back when he fought Master Mystical Dragon, he hid in the cold smoke to avoid the spiritual sense lock of the Foundation Establishment stage's magical treasure.

Now, although his current body was at the Qi refining stage, his spiritual sense had already reached the early peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, firmly suppressing the other man. How could he be locked by his spiritual sense?

Holding the giant sword, he laughed and said, "I remember when I first fought against a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, I used all my techniques and risked my life to barely win. Years have passed, and six early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators have fallen by my hand. Tonight, you'll be the seventh."

The man in black snorted coldly, "A mere Qi Refining stage cultivator, you're full of yourself!"

The man in black attacked Shu Han with his magical treasure. Thanks to his Flowing Boots and Cloud-walking Step, Shu Han's speed in this bamboo forest was comparable to the Foundation Establishment stage black-clothed man.

The occasional Fire God Talisman he threw disrupted the man's attacks, making it difficult for the man in black to gain the upper hand.

The giant heavenly sword and the black-clothed man's long saber had exchanged blows several times. While the power of the heavenly sword was a bit inferior, with his spiritual sense suppression, the man in black couldn't get the upper hand against Shu Han.

For a moment, the battle was at a stalemate.

This dumbfounded both Kong Tianrui and the dying Chu Yun.

A Qi refining stage cultivator was actually able to fight on equal terms with a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator. This level of power was even comparable to the top rank of the Purple Sun Heaven List!

Moreover, Kong Tianrui wanted to assist but didn't even know where to start. Their power levels were not on the same scale.

In the chaos of the battle, Shu Han seized an opportunity. Three Fire God Talisman were thrown out. The man in black hurriedly defended, but he didn't expect that in the aftermath of the explosion, Shu Han had also thrown out a mysterious small medicine bottle.

Puff!

A splash of black liquid spread in the explosion, splashing all over the man in black.