After this event, Elian's father, Chen Qingming, became deeply disappointed in Qingyang Sect's inaction and decided to leave the sect with his son.
The journey back to the Chen family with Chen Qingming was fraught with challenges. At the time, his grandfather, who was at the ninth level of the Foundation Establishment stage and nearing the end of his life, leveraged his connections in Qingyang Sect to negotiate their safe passage.
Even then, by the time they reached the foot of Qingyuan Mountain, Chen Qingming was severely wounded, drenched in blood, and barely alive. He managed to deliver Elian into the hands of Chen Changqing before taking his final breath.
"Tianlu Continent, a Qin-named cultivator…"
Elian closed his eyes and buried the memories deep in his heart.
After settling this karmic matter, Elian cleaned up the battlefield and took to the skies on his sword, flying toward Dawn Valley.
When he arrived, he found that the Patriarch and the others had already reached Dawn Valley and were attacking the valley's defensive formation.
Upon seeing Elian, the Patriarch couldn't help but ask, "How did it go?"
"It's done," Elian replied with a nod.
Hearing this, the Patriarch, moved to tears, grasped Elian's hands tightly. "The enmity of Uncle and the others has lingered for a century. Today, our Chen family has finally put an end to that century-old grudge."
The Chen family members present were visibly emotional. Once the mood settled, Elian turned his attention to the defensive formation of Dawn Valley.
The valley was worthy of its status as a high-grade third-tier spiritual vein. Even with several late-stage Purple Mansion cultivators joining forces, it had taken three days to make any headway against the formation.
When Elder Qian saw Elian's arrival, he excitedly approached. "Brother Elian, now that you're here, we're sure to break through this formation in no time."
"Mm."
Elian glanced at Elder Qian, his expression calm as he asked, "Elder Qian, are you aware of what happened at Origin Mountain?"
Elder Qian hesitated momentarily, quickly assessing Elian's expression. Seeing no visible anger, he felt a twinge of unease but nodded promptly.
"Rest assured, I'm already aware of what Xingming did, and I promise to give everyone an explanation." (Xingming is the one who let Wei Chongyang escape)
"I hope so."
Elian's tone was indifferent, devoid of anger or joy, but it weighed heavily on Elder Qian.
Setting the matter aside for now, the group prepared for another assault on Dawn Valley. The attacking force included Elder Qian and Elder Fang, two late-stage Purple Mansion cultivators, along with four mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivators.
Now joined by Xu Qianyang, Elian, and the Patriarch, three more Purple Mansion experts, along with the mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivators from Bianzhou, their strength was formidable.
This lineup was enough to make even Golden Core cultivators wary, and with their combined might, they could hold their own against early-stage Golden Core enemies.
For a swift victory, both Elian and Elder Qian contributed high-grade third-tier talismans designed to weaken formations.
These talismans each suppressed the defensive formation's power by 30%. Using two simultaneously resulted in overlapping effects, reducing the formation's effectiveness by over 50%.
Even so, supported by the power of a high-grade third-tier spiritual vein, the formation resisted for half a day before finally breaking.
"Where's Lin Mohou?"
After breaking through the spiritual vein, they found no sign of Lin Mohou.
Elian frowned and joined the others in flying toward the underground fire vein.
At the entrance to the underground fire vein, Lin Mohou stood alone, gazing calmly at the approaching group.
Surrounded by his enemies, Elder Qian Xingming sneered and stepped forward to claim the credit.
"Lin Mohou, you have no way out."
"Indeed, with a dozen Purple Mansion ancestors arrayed against me, what chance do I have of escape?"
Lin Mohou's demeanor remained tranquil. Despite being only at the third stage of the Purple Mansion, he displayed a serene acceptance of his impending death.
Standing quietly, he produced a purple orb, his expression unwavering.
"If I can take a few of you down with me before I die, I won't have betrayed the sect's years of nurturing."
"Not good, it's a Thunder Calamity Orb!"
Elian's expression changed drastically as he immediately pulled the Patriarch back.
At that moment, the others recognized the purple orb's origin. During a Golden Core cultivator's tribulation, the power of heavenly lightning could be absorbed into a treasure, refining it into a fourth-tier Thunder Calamity Orb.
This orb contained the might of heavenly lightning, equivalent to a Golden Core cultivator's full-strength attack.
But the real danger lay in Lin Mohou's position—standing at the entrance to the underground fire vein.
If he hurled the Thunder Calamity Orb at them, the combined efforts of a dozen Purple Mansion cultivators could potentially block it.
However, if he threw it into the underground fire vein, the resulting eruption would devastate the area for a thousand miles, reducing everything to scorched earth.
Lin Mohou, prepared for this moment, leaped into the underground fire vein with the Thunder Calamity Orb in hand.
"Boom—"
A deafening explosion shook the heavens and earth, followed by the crackling roar of a thunderous detonation.
Elian activated the Purple Blood Tower, while the Patriarch unleashed the Whiteblade Star Orbs. One by one, Purple Mansion and Foundation Establishment cultivators erected barriers of light to withstand the terrifying shockwaves.
The sky seemed to ignite with a blazing red light as an overwhelming wave of fiery energy swept across the region. Mountains surrounding Dawn Valley were instantly obliterated.
The erupting underground fire vein spewed endless waves of scorching energy, turning the air into a furnace.
The unfortunate Elder Qian Xingming, despite his late-stage Purple Mansion cultivation, lacked strong protective treasures. His slower reaction left him grievously injured, with half his body obliterated.
The other Purple Mansion cultivators fared slightly better, retreating thousands of feet in time to avoid the fire vein's most devastating power. Though injured, they avoided fatal harm.
Many Foundation Establishment cultivators scavenging treasures in the mountains were not so lucky. Those closest to the blast were reduced to ashes, while those farther away had their defenses breached and bodies invaded by the venomous fire energy.
The fire energy's toxicity was extreme. Even Purple Mansion cultivators would require months to purge it from their bodies, while Foundation Establishment cultivators could only suppress it temporarily with their spiritual energy and hope for alchemical remedies later.
"Xingming…"
Elder Qian, cradling the remains of Qian Xingming's body, wept bitterly.
Elian observed the scene impassively. To him, Qian Xingming's fate was expected.
A man who avoided danger when facing Wei Chongyang yet charged recklessly for merit against Lin Mohou had merely reaped what he sowed.
Elian and the Patriarch, having retreated promptly, were well-protected by high-grade defensive artifacts and sustained only minor injuries.
...
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