Secret Help

*****

Old man Xiang quickly noticed someone watching him. When he turned around, he saw Qi Yuan, a cultivator at the thirteenth level of Qi training, offering him a faint smile. Xiang Zhili's wrinkled face twisted into a flattering grin.

**Old bastard, so it's you—the hidden master at the Spiritual Transformation Stage.**

Qi Yuan's cultivation level made it nearly impossible for a typical cultivator at the eleventh level of Qi training to detect his surveillance. Yet, among the crowd, this seemingly unremarkable old man had managed to do so.

**The result is obvious.**

For someone hailed as Tiannan's number one master at the God Transformation Stage, shouldn't he be searching for a spatial node? Why lower himself to blend in among low-level cultivators, mingling with commoners, and playing the role of an affable elder? Was it truly that entertaining?

Since he had already been discovered, Qi Yuan acknowledged him with a brief nod but didn't attempt to befriend him. Xiang Zhili was singularly obsessed with ascension—nothing else in the world could move him. There was no point in forcing a connection.

*Speaking of which, a few disciples at the eleventh level of Qi training here have the potential for ascension… Han Li, for example, the ultimate parkour master.*

Looking at it from a different perspective, Huangfeng Valley truly had an abundance of talent. The only question was whether these individuals would stay in the valley long enough to make an impact.

---

At that moment, Headmaster Zhong Lingdao finished his speech, and two deacon disciples entered carrying trays. One contained a golden-threaded storage bag filled with high-quality magic artifacts, while the other held numerous mid-tier spirit stones infused with the five elements.

**Pre-war encouragement.**

Entering the Bloody Forbidden Land was a perilous endeavor, and to ease the disciples' fears, Huangfeng Valley had made a generous investment. Benefits were a tried-and-true way to dilute the fear of death.

The disciples stepped forward one by one to receive their rewards.

Qi Yuan drew an earth-attribute mid-tier spirit stone and a high-grade defensive magic artifact—the *Dark Light Armor*. It was just what he needed to compensate for his defensive shortcomings.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out.

**"Master Li is here!"**

The senior leaders of Huangfeng Valley, led by Zhong Lingdao, hurriedly stepped forward, bowing with extreme deference. Their normally aloof expressions transformed into fawning smiles.

The sight made the gathered disciples murmur among themselves.

**Even the high-ranking elders had their moments of obsequiousness. Rare, truly rare.**

Qi Yuan looked at the figure of Grandmaster Li and was struck by a sudden realization. **Wasn't this the very Grandmaster who had secretly purchased aphrodisiac pills from him?**

It really was Li Huayuan!

Zhong Lingdao, reveling in the envious glances from the disciples, took the opportunity to introduce Li Huayuan, detailing his immense power.

Upon hearing this, the disciples enthusiastically shouted in unison: **"Greetings, Master Li!"**

While Li Huayuan remained stern toward the elders, he adopted a much kinder demeanor toward the disciples, smiling at them as if they were his own children.

Qi Yuan found himself under Li Huayuan's scrutinizing gaze, prompting the latter to display a flicker of surprise.

**Wait, why was he joining the expedition to the Bloody Forbidden Land? Hadn't Senior Sister reserved a Foundation Establishment Pill for him?**

Li Huayuan couldn't help but recall the effects of the pill Qi Yuan had provided last time. It had been nothing short of miraculous—his usually temperamental wife had become utterly submissive, gentle, and affectionate.

He had nearly neglected his cultivation because of it.

Qi Yuan, sensing Li Huayuan's gaze, subtly nodded. In public, discretion was key. That kind of transaction was best left unspoken.

---

As the designated leader of the expedition, Li Huayuan raised his hand and commanded, **"Let's move out."**

With that, he took the lead, striding out of the hall.

A deacon followed with a sharp tone: **"What are you all standing around for? Move it!"**

The disciples immediately rushed to follow.

**"Hiss… what a monster!"** someone gasped in awe.

Outside the hall, a massive silver-armored horned python, over twenty feet long, hovered in the air. Its phosphorescent scales gleamed, and the sheer size of its body exuded an oppressive aura, making many feel suffocated.

Qi Yuan recognized it at a glance. **This was Li Huayuan's personal mount, the Silver-Armored Horned Python!**

Standing atop the serpent's head, Li Huayuan's robes fluttered in the wind. From this vantage point, he looked nothing short of divine.

Seeing the hesitant disciples below, he declared, **"Board now. With my Silver-Armored Horned Python, we'll reach the Bloody Forbidden Land in just two days."**

Only after hearing his order did the disciples muster the courage to leap onto the python's back. With one person leading, the others soon followed suit.

As Qi Yuan steadied himself, a voice sounded in his ears.

**"Qi Yuan, come up here."**

It was Li Huayuan.

Qi Yuan hesitated briefly before complying. His movement did not go unnoticed—many disciples started whispering among themselves.

**"Who is that senior brother? How does he have the honor of standing next to Master Li?"**

Someone quickly explained, **"You don't know? He has a special relationship with Grandmaster Hong Fu. Be respectful when you see him next time."**

Han Li, standing not far away, listened intently, his expression shifting between gloom and relief. **So, this senior brother's surname was Qi… and he had an extraordinary background.**

**No wonder he was able to kill Senior Brother Lu and his backer.**

Judging from Li Huayuan's familiar tone, they had definitely met before. This was a person not to be trifled with.

Meanwhile, Old Man Xiang, overhearing the conversation, cast a thoughtful glance at Qi Yuan, his cloudy eyes unreadable.

A middle-aged scholar muttered to himself, **"Is this Qi Yuan, the one my younger sister mentioned? Not bad, not bad. He's worthy of my Chen family's legitimate daughter."**

Qi Yuan stepped onto the python's head, bowed respectfully, and greeted, **"Disciple greets Grandmaster Li."**

Li Huayuan nodded slightly. **"Why are you here? Didn't Senior Sister prepare a Foundation Establishment Pill for you?"**

Qi Yuan quickly explained.

After hearing the explanation, Li Huayuan sighed but said no more. Instead, he discreetly handed over a jade slip and whispered, **"This contains detailed information about the Bloody Forbidden Land. Gather as many herbs as you can, then find a safe place to hide. I won't hold it against you later."**

Qi Yuan's continued survival was crucial—his supply of miraculous pills could not be interrupted.

Qi Yuan naturally accepted the jade slip, pleased at the opportunity for a backdoor advantage.

Quietly, he took out several bottles of aphrodisiac pills and murmured, **"Master, a small token of my respect…"**

Li Huayuan swiftly took the pills, tucking them into his sleeve with a neutral expression. **"Rest and conserve your energy."**

Qi Yuan bowed and sat down, gazing at the sea of clouds below, marveling at the view from the python's head.

---

Two days later, the expedition arrived at the nameless barren mountain—the entrance to the forbidden area.

This region was located in Jianzhou, making Huangfeng Valley one of the host factions. They had arrived a day early to welcome other sects.

As Qi Yuan disembarked, he observed the gathered disciples. Some were anxious, others excited, while a few groups conversed as if on a leisurely outing.

**Do they truly dismiss the dangers of the Bloody Forbidden Land?**

*****