Hun Changqing coldly stared at the departing figures of Gu Xun'er and Gu Ming until their auras completely disappeared. Only then did Hun Changqing breathe a sigh of relief.
Although Hun Changqing already knew that Gu Xun'er hadn't explained his affairs to the Gu Clan, Gu Xun'er's drastic change in temperament, completely unpredictable, was giving Hun Changqing a headache. He didn't want to have any more contact with her; she was too troublesome.
Hun Changqing stepped into the void and slowly walked to Yao Chen's side, whose soul form was no longer solid and appeared somewhat illusory. After this great battle and multiple attacks, Yao Chen's soul power was severely depleted, and he looked extremely exhausted.
Hun Changqing first dispelled his own Yin True Qi and death aura, knowing that Yao Chen didn't particularly like this evil aura. He then cupped his hands in thanks and said,
"I must thank Elder Yao this time. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would have suffered a great loss."
Yao Chen chuckled and stroked his illusory pale beard, waving his hand at Hun Changqing and saying nonchalantly,
"It's nothing, just a small matter. It's just that I can't fight for long in my current state, and I can't even unleash three or four tenths of my peak strength. I can't completely withstand that powerful opponent. I'm ashamed."
Yao Chen's words revealed a hint of dissatisfaction with his current state.
"Elder Yao, there's no need for this. Your current condition is not good, and to have done this much is already impeccable. If you hadn't shielded me from that attack earlier, I wouldn't have been able to break through to the Dou Zun level.
Now that I've broken through, we're not far from our goal. Once I'm strong enough, I'll find you a half-saint's corpse, which will naturally restore your strength and allow you to take another step forward."
Hun Changqing comforted Yao Chen, then, as if remembering something, he flipped his hand, and the storage ring on his finger emitted a faint light. An ancient-looking container appeared in Hun Changqing's hand.
The container was pitch black, deep like an abyss, making one feel as if their soul would be sucked in at a glance. The container exuded a cold, eerie soul aura, sending chills down one's spine.
This was the Soul Palace's professional tool for storing souls, the "Soul Storage Container," and inside it was the soul of Yao Chen's good disciple, Han Feng.
Hun Changqing handed the Soul-Gathering Device to Yao Chen. "Elder Yao, this is the soul of your disciple, Han Feng. I've captured it, and it's yours to deal with."
As for Han Feng's Sea Heart Flame, Hun Changqing naturally kept it for himself. This Sea Heart Flame was a valuable item, quite precious.
Although Hun Changqing didn't need this special flame, born in an underwater volcano and absorbing water-attribute energy, the Sea Heart Flame's water and fire energies were somewhat incongruous, making it like a useless trinket to him.
But if he took this Sea Heart Flame back to Zhongzhou and auctioned it at the Pill Tower, those old guys without any strange flames would definitely go crazy for it.
Yao Chen already had the Bone Spirit Cold Flame and hadn't cultivated the Burning Technique, so why would Hun Changqing give him the Sea Heart Flame? Naturally, he wanted to make the most of it.
Yao Chen stared at the container in Hun Changqing's hand, his face filled with complex emotions, a hint of sadness involuntarily appearing in his eyes. After a moment of silence, a sigh with an inscrutable meaning escaped his lips. Then, Yao Chen took the container from Hun Changqing and gently stroked it.
"Little Changqing, my soul is a bit weak right now, so I'll go and recuperate."
Yao Chen's thoughts were in turmoil, and having just fought a fierce battle, his soul power was exhausted. Naturally, he had no intention of staying outside any longer. After saying goodbye to Hun Changqing, he transformed into a wisp of white light, carrying the container containing Han Feng, and returned to the black storage ring.
Medusa, standing to the side, watched Hun Changqing solemnly putting away the storage ring, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
"Beast, who is this old man...?"
Hun Changqing glanced at Medusa first, then asked perfunctorily.
"An alchemist, we met by chance. I helped him revive, he helped me refine pills, and occasionally he even acted as my henchman."
Hun Changqing's explanation was concise, without going into too much detail. With Medusa's simple mind, there was no need for a lengthy explanation; a casual remark to satisfy her curiosity was enough.
Hun Changqing then ignored Medusa, who was somewhat sullen from his perfunctory attitude, and slowly descended from the air to the ground, standing before Hai Bodong, who lay prostrate on the ground, already unconscious from Gu Ming's oppressive aura, looking like a dead dog destined to lie there.
Hun Changqing raised an eyebrow, raised a fingertip, and a ball of Taiyin True Water, radiating a dazzling silver light, condensed at his fingertip. Then, with a flick of his finger, the extremely cold Taiyin True Water shot towards Hai Bodong. With a
"plop,"
a ball of water burst open, washing Hai Bodong's face with a chilling spray. The unconscious Hai Bodong instantly felt enveloped by an extremely cold aura, his entire body turning cold, as if his soul was being frozen. He instantly snapped back to reality.
"Ah!"
Startled, Hai Bodong jumped up from the ground, warily looking around. When he saw Hun Changqing standing before him, the excited expression on Hai Bodong's face froze instantly.
He vaguely understood what had just happened, his face turning bitter. He cursed Hun Changqing inwardly for his unique way of waking him up—as inhuman as ever!
"Awake?"
Hun Changqing's voice was cold and hoarse. He stood with his hands at his sides, exuding an evil and chilling aura. A black robe covered his entire body, making Hai Bodong's hair stand on end. A chill rose from the soles of his feet, and he dared not make any more mental accusations against Hun Changqing. He quickly bowed to Hun Changqing and said,
"Thank you for waking me, sir. Otherwise, I don't know how long I would have been unconscious there. I am now fully awake."
Hun Changqing nodded, ignoring the trembling Hai Bodong, and walked straight towards the charred ruins of the pavilion behind Hai Bodong, which Gu Xun'er had burned to a blackened state.
When he arrived at the ruins, Hun Changqing flicked his sleeve, and a powerful burst of Taiyin True Qi was unleashed. The entire ruins were impacted by the Taiyin True Qi and turned into dust, scattering between heaven and earth. As the ruins dissipated, a secret chamber beneath them was revealed.
Hun Changqing stretched out his hand, channeling his Yin True Qi, and tapped several times in the air above the secret chamber. With a heavy, muffled sound, the seal on the chamber was broken. Pushing open the half-closed, heavy iron door made of black iron, Hun Changqing entered.
The chamber was dimly lit, with candlelight flickering on the thick iron walls. The room was tidy, with various objects neatly arranged on ancient shelves, indicating that the chamber hadn't been affected by the recent earth-shattering battle.
After scanning the chamber, Hun Changqing didn't find Zi Yan, whom Hai Bodong had brought here temporarily. His brow furrowed slightly, and he released his soul energy to sense her.
Hun Changqing went to the furnace where Yao Chen had previously refined pills, reached out, and, with a speechless expression, scooped out Zi Yan, who was fast asleep inside, a trace of glistening drool still clinging to her lips.
Startled awake by Hun Changqing's movements, Zi Yan stretched out her small, pink hands to rub her sleepy eyes. Looking up, she saw Hun Changqing and her initial panic subsided. Zi Yan pouted, her voice slightly nasal from just waking up, and murmured softly to Hun Changqing,
"Mmm... Master... don't disturb me... I'll sleep a little longer..."
Then, Zi Yan tugged at Hun Changqing's black robe with her little paws, snuggled her head into his arms, and settled into a comfortable position. She sniffed the subtle fragrance emanating from Hun Changqing's Taiyin True Body before settling down and falling into a deep sleep.
Hun Changqing looked at Zi Yan, curled up comfortably in his arms, a delicate fragrance of medicinal pills mingling with Zi Yan's natural baby scent wafting towards him.
Hun Changqing was momentarily speechless, both amused and exasperated. It seemed the little girl hadn't noticed the commotion outside at all. He guessed that after Zi Yan entered the secret chamber, she'd eaten a few pills out of boredom and then fallen asleep in the fragrant medicine furnace by Yao Chen. Hun Changqing
sighed and rubbed his forehead. Medusa, who had just arrived, saw this and immediately flew into a rage. She yanked Zi Yan, who was curled up in Hun Changqing's arms, off him like a chick, lifting her up and scrutinizing her. Zi
Yan was startled awake by Medusa's rough handling. Unlike her calm demeanor when awakened by Hun Changqing, Zi Yan was now extremely agitated, baring her teeth, glaring angrily at Medusa, and shouting,
"You wretched woman! Why did you disturb my sleep?!" Medusa was instantly enraged and laughed upon hearing Zi Yan's words. An extremely cold aura emanated from her, causing Zi Yan to shiver involuntarily. Medusa coldly addressed the struggling Zi Yan, who was being held in front of her, saying,
"Little thing, I don't care whether you sleep or not, but not just any place is suitable for you to sleep. Are you looking for death by sleeping there?"
As Medusa spoke, her killing intent erupted without any concealment, and she ignored Hun Changqing beside her as she enveloped Zi Yan.
Sensing Medusa's murderous intent, Zi Yan not only refused to yield but struggled even more fiercely, baring her teeth and claws, and shouting loudly at Hun Changqing beside her,
"Master, save me! This vile woman is going to kill me! Your lovely disciple is going to die at this vile woman's hands, her life extinguished!"
Medusa's murderous intent intensified upon hearing Zi Yan's cries. Just as she was about to teach Zi Yan a lesson, showing her what she could and couldn't do, a slender, fair arm, as smooth and translucent as white jade, suddenly reached out and snatched Zi Yan from Medusa's grasp, then placed her on the ground.
Hun Changqing truly didn't want to hold a baby and let her sleep in his arms; he was only interested in holding a curvaceous beauty.
Hun Changqing wasn't particularly interested in holding Zi Yan, this legally-born loli. Even if he were, he'd wait until she transformed. Medusa's capture of Zi Yan did relieve Hun Changqing, but he couldn't just stand by and watch Medusa do whatever she wanted to Zi Yan; after all, Zi Yan was his obedient disciple.
After placing Zi Yan on the ground, ignoring her somewhat resentful gaze as she lingered in Hun Changqing's arms, Hun Changqing wrapped his arms around Medusa's slender waist, gently stroking her smooth back, and soothingly uttering soft words.
"Alright, you're even jealous of a little girl? How old are you? She's really just my sister... ptooey! Disciple, don't overthink it~"
"Really?"
Medusa looked at Zi Yan, who had gotten up from the ground, her beautiful light purple hair cascading down, her delicate face exquisitely sculpted like a budding flower, and one could imagine how stunningly beautiful she would be when she grew up. A hint of doubt crossed her face, and her tone carried a touch of questioning.
"Of course it's true!"
Hun Changqing answered decisively. He truly only regarded the loli version of Zi Yan as his disciple, without any other thoughts. Of course, the future mature version would be another matter.
Zi Yan dusted herself off. Hearing Hun Changqing's words of comfort to Medusa, she felt a strange pang of jealousy. However, Hun Changqing's words were true; she was indeed just Hun Changqing's disciple. She could only huff angrily to vent her dissatisfaction, her face full of displeasure.
Seeing Hun Changqing's certainty, Medusa had no further comment. Although she harbored doubts, she had to let it go, but he secretly resolved to keep a close eye on the two women and prevent anything from happening to them.
Hun Changqing breathed a sigh of relief when the two women, one big and one small, finally quieted down. If Zi Yan hadn't been so weak and easily killed by Medusa, he truly wouldn't have wanted to get involved in this women's fight.
"Let's go, this place is no good, let's find somewhere else."
Hun Changqing lifted Zi Yan up, mirroring Medusa's earlier action, as if lifting a chick, and said to Medusa and Hai Bodong.
Zi Yan glared angrily, her small body trembling with rage. Why did everyone like to lift her up like this? Was it just because she was small? She was furious and trembling! When could she stand up?!
Zi Yan roared inwardly, secretly vowing to grow up quickly, escape her current predicament, and then she could… Hmph! You wretched master, just you wait! Hun
Changqing, unaware of Zi Yan's wild thoughts, ignored her struggling in his hands. He opened his palm, and a powerful suction force pulled Yao Chen's alchemy furnace towards him, placing it into his storage ring. Just as he was about to leave, Zi Yan suddenly quieted down, blinking her large, crystal-clear eyes, and asked Hun Changqing,
"Master, where are we going?" Hun Changqing was slightly taken aback, then replied… "Let's find a place to stay first. We don't have a specific destination. What's wrong?" "Then, Master, can we go to Canaan Academy? We have nowhere to go, so we can stay there for now. Besides, when you took me away before, Old Man Su Qian was quite angry. Let me go back and explain to him to put his mind at ease." Zi Yan made a cute face, tugging at Hun Changqing's black sleeve and pleading. Hun Changqing ignored Zi Yan's cute expression, and after stroking his chin for a moment, nodded. "We can go to Canaan Academy for a while. If I want to build a power, the students there are all quite promising." If Su Qian knew that Zi Yan had actually defected to the enemy and even lured Hun Changqing, this wolf in sheep's clothing, into his home to catch his little lamb, he would be so angry that he would vomit blood. But Zi Yan didn't think so much. She just didn't want Su Qian to worry about her. When she heard Hun Changqing agree, she was overjoyed. Just as Zi Yan was about to snuggle into Hun Changqing's arms again, he quickly pulled her away. Zi Yan, enduring Medusa's murderous glare, crossed her arms resentfully and was lifted up by Hun Changqing, finally quieting down. ... The sky over the Black Corner Region was filled with rolling dark clouds, a somber twilight hanging low. It painted the entire land black, creating an extremely oppressive atmosphere. Suddenly, three streaks of light flashed across the sky, piercing the rolling dark clouds and allowing a ray of light to shine into the dark earth of the Black Corner Region. These three streaks of light belonged to Hun Changqing and his companions, who had just emerged from Maple City and were heading to Canaan Academy. As Hun Changqing flew, pondering matters related to building his power, he suddenly sensed movement in the distance, as if someone was fighting. Hun Changqing became interested; the fluctuations emanating from afar had reached the level of a Dou Huang (Battle Emperor), which gave him some ideas. The Dou Huang level items were no longer of any use to him, but he now planned to build a force to scavenge resources for him, so initial investment was essential. He could never have too many resources, and the wealth of these Dou Huangs could fill the gaps in the early stages of establishing a force. Thinking of this, Hun Changqing began to have an idea. It was just a few Dou Huangs; with a flick of his finger, he could earn a considerable income. Was there a more profitable deal in the world? Hun Changqing quickly stopped, spreading his soul power to carefully sense the source of the fluctuation. This puzzled Medusa and Hai Bodong, whose perception was not as good as Hun Changqing's, who was now a Dou Zun. They hadn't detected anything. However, Hun Changqing, by extending his soul perception, quickly found the source of the fluctuation. The scene that his soul perception transmitted back made Hun Changqing show a strange expression.
High in the distance, a beautiful figure with a pair of shimmering, emerald-like wings flapped through the air, emitting bursts of energy.
This figure was confronting two other figures not far ahead, also wielding wings and exuding terrifying auras. The beautiful figure's aura seemed weakened, her movements disordered, as if she had suffered some injury.
The reason for Hun Changqing's strange expression was the rather ornate silk dress with its interwoven blue and white patterns worn by the beautiful figure, and the badge on her shoulder radiating a blue aura energy.
This outfit and badge were almost identical to those worn by Nalan Yanran, who had broken off her engagement with Xiao Yan, when Hun Changqing first arrived at the Xiao family, with only minor differences.
Yunlan Sect? Female Dou Huang? Yun Yun?
The clues, pieced together, led Hun Changqing to think of someone. Although he didn't know why the sect leader of the Yunlan Sect was in the Black Corner Region, when he clearly saw Yun Yun's beautiful and delicate face, an wicked smile involuntarily appeared on Hun Changqing's face.