Then, Mao Qing also informed Ling Shaoqing that his mother was actually a member of his own clan who had come to this place to retrieve the necklace he now wore. Mao Qing had managed to send a message to his clan before his body failed him, telling them that he was still alive and that his soul was embedded within the artifact—so that one day, they might rescue him.
Since that fateful day, Mao Qing had dedicated himself to a single purpose: to escape the Graveyard of the Gods. And now, he had the chance to do so. That was why Ling Shaoqing needed Grandmaster Chu Feng's help—not for his benefit, but to craft a soul-strengthening pill for Mao Qing, a crucial component in their plan to leave this accursed place safely.
Ling Shaoqing remained absorbed in thought, barely noticing that the carriage had already arrived at the Long Clan Manor.
Unlike Yan Yi, oblivious to any hidden dangers, Ling Shaoqing had been advised by Mao Qing to be cautious around Long Wei. According to the old spirit, Long Wei concealed far greater strength than he publicly displayed.
This caution was among the reasons Ling Shaoqing often accompanied Yan Yi outdoors, away from prying eyes and ears.
Upon arrival, the pair was led into a lavishly adorned hall, where a sumptuous banquet awaited them. Grandmaster Chu Feng was already seated, his expression grave.
"I cannot believe someone would dare commit such an outrage," exclaimed Long Wei, his voice brimming with indignation.
Grandmaster Chu Feng replied bitterly, "If I knew their identities, their entire clan would already be bathed in blood. Though my strength may be limited, my influence is not. I could offer such rewards that half the kingdom's experts would eagerly avenge me. Unfortunately, I have no leads."
At this moment, Yan Yi entered alongside Ling Shaoqing.
"Master!" Yan Yi cried out in surprise.
"Yi, you brat, where have you been? Your master was nearly assassinated, and yet you were off drinking with your friend?"
"What?" Yan Yi and Ling Shaoqing exclaimed simultaneously, startled by this revelation.
Grandmaster Chu Feng then briefly summarized the incident. Ling Shaoqing's face darkened with shock. An attack on a renowned three-star alchemist like Chu Feng was no trivial matter.
"Your Highness, perhaps it would be wise to inform your royal broher of this immediately," Long Wei interjected respectfully.
"Indeed, I shall," Ling Shaoqing replied solemnly.
Grandmaster Chu Feng briefly considered fleeing with Yan Yi, but the allure of the True Flame was irresistible, especially since the Blood Moon Guildmaster assured him that no further attempts on his life would be made. Ultimately, Ling Shaoqing opted to remain, though he had already dispatched a message to the sect, requesting reinforcements.
"For now, please leave us," Grandmaster Chu Feng instructed, eyeing Long Wei with a guarded expression. "I wish to hear what urgent matter brings the Third Prince to pursue me all the way here."
After Long Wei departed, Ling Shaoqing explained his request. Chu Feng's brows knitted together thoughtfully. "A soul-strengthening pill is notoriously difficult to concoct. Soul injuries are extraordinarily challenging to treat, and the ingredients required are exceedingly rare."
"Regarding that," Ling Shaoqing interrupted quickly, "I've already gathered the necessary ingredients and even possess a relatively straightforward recipe."
"Your Highness, please refrain from making absurd claims," Chu Feng retorted skeptically. "No pill that treats soul injuries can be simple to concoct."
Yet, even as he rebuked the prince, Chu Feng accepted the recipe and began examining it. Silence filled the room for nearly ten minutes before he spoke again, astonishment in his voice. "This recipe is astonishing! Such elegance in its simplicity—yet the profound craftsmanship it demands is utterly remarkable."
Mao Qing scoffed privately within Ling Shaoqing's mind. "At least he's not completely hopeless."
"Be quiet, old man," Ling Shaoqing retorted silently.
"It will take me at least four days," Chu Feng muttered, more to himself than anyone else, "considering the time needed to master the intricacies of this pill."
Ling Shaoqing felt a surge of relief and excitement. This was better than he had dared to hope; he had anticipated having to beg Chu Feng, notorious for his temperamental disposition.
"What did you expect?" Mao Qing mocked privately. "If you weren't royalty, he probably would've killed you outright for this formula. Alchemists here are mere amateurs compared to the outside world. This one doesn't even have basic elemental control."
Ling Shaoqing, who had learned much since Mao Qing's soul had awakened, understood this well—the alchemists of the Graveyard of the Gods indeed paled in comparison to their counterparts beyond its confines.
"So, Grandmaster, will you assist me?" Ling Shaoqing asked, already confident in the answer.
"Of course!" Chu Feng exclaimed with genuine enthusiasm. "We can begin immediately. I might even complete it before the others from the Soaring Sword Sect arrive."
Elsewhere, within Dragon Fort City, Xue San breathed a sigh of relief as he departed. The city's turmoil had left a lasting impression, reminding him vividly of the thin line separating his talent from madness. The haunting memories from Sakura Palace lingered uncomfortably.
"Who knows what fate awaits me," he murmured quietly, taking one final glance at the receding cityscape before returning to his solitary journey.
As Xue San vanished into the horizon, cultivators continued to pour into Dragon Fort City, drawn by rumors of the True Flame's discovery. Yet amid the swelling chaos, one faction remained oddly indifferent: the Royal Family.
Two days later, whispers filled every tavern and inn:
"Is it true? The three sects are already gathered at the flame's location?" one cultivator asked eagerly.
"Indeed," a woman replied knowingly.
"But who would dare leak such sensitive information?"
"Perhaps some reckless fool aiming to fish in troubled waters."
"Hmph," sneered her companion. "We all know only the three major sects truly stand a chance. Yet... perhaps we small fries might snatch some treasures amid the chaos?"
Such conversations buzzed throughout the city, fueling the simmering excitement.
Meanwhile, at the Long Clan Manor, Long Wei received a report from an elder.
"Did you find who leaked the information?" Long Wei asked, his tone deceptively calm.
"No," the elder replied succinctly.
"Very well. Stand down. I will personally go there, accompanied only by sealed elders."
"But—"
"Enough! Look at the bigger picture. Leave me."
"Yes, Clan Leader."
As the elder departed, Long Wei murmured darkly to himself, "Blood Moon Guild... One day, I'll paint the moon red with your blood."
In the moutain, at the entrance to the cavern housing the True Flame, hundreds of cultivators gathered in tense silence, their attention focused on the distinguished group at the forefront—representatives of the three major sects. Each sect had arrived with precisely six representatives: three seasoned elders and three promising juniors.
"I wasn't expecting a rotting corpse like you to still be breathing, Dan Si Sheng," Grandmaster Chu Feng scoffed bitterly at the group from the Spirit Cauldron Sect, his voice dripping with disdain.
From among the Spirit Cauldron contingent, a frail, elderly figure burst into gentle laughter. Dan Si Sheng was an ancient relic, his face a tapestry of deep wrinkles, his back bent painfully forward, eyes perpetually half-closed in seeming exhaustion, his mouth toothless and sunken. Only the faint rise and fall of his chest hinted at life remaining within him. Yet no one dared underestimate him—this feeble shell once held the mantle of Sect Master, and his power had once been fearsome.
"Ho-ho-ho," Dan Si Sheng chuckled softly, a sound that deceptively conveyed warmth and kindness. "If it isn't the illustrious Grandmaster Chu Feng. Tell me, how have you been? And how fares your dear wife and daughter?"
Instantly, the air around the cave entrance turned thick with palpable hostility. Killing intent surged through the atmosphere, heavy and suffocating.
"You…" Chu Feng's features contorted into a mask of fury. His fists tightened, ready to strike. Only the swift intervention of his fellow sect members restrained him.
"Ah, the impetuousness of youth," Dan Si Sheng taunted gently, as if admonishing an unruly child. "Younger generations these days seem utterly incapable of controlling their tempers."
"Hmph! Quiet yourself, you old bag of bones," thundered another voice, deep and commanding. It belonged to Liang Junjie, the formidable Law Enforcement Elder from the War God Sect. His immense physique and bronze skin gave him the appearance of a living colossus. He swept an arm toward the audience of gathered cultivators. "Are you intent on causing a spectacle in front of everyone here?"
"Oh? Liang Junjie," Dan Si Sheng shifted his focus smoothly, eyes glittering with amusement. "I didn't anticipate seeing the War God Sect's famed law enforcer here. Why would brutish warriors like yourselves be interested in something delicate like the True Flame?"
Liang Junjie remained impassive, unprovoked by such obvious baiting. "That's none of your concern."
Realizing his provocation had failed, Dan Si Sheng returned his gaze to the Soaring Sword Sect. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he pointed toward a masked individual standing quietly among them. "Tell me, who is this person wearing a mask? Didn't we all agree upon bringing only six individuals, half of whom must be juniors? Could it be you're attempting to sneak in another powerful cultivator unnoticed?"
"Enough of your petty tricks, Grandmaster Sheng," a commanding voice interjected sharply. Feng Zhao, one of the great elders of the sect and the clan head of the Feng clan, who bore a striking resemblance to the corpulent Feng Ma, stepped forward confidently. "Surely you can sense clearly that this person's cultivation is merely at the Foundation Establishment realm."
Once Grandmaster Chu Feng finished crafting the pill, Ling Shaoqing could scarcely contain his exhilaration. Without hesitation, he swiftly refined the pill, eager to aid Mao Qing in recovering his strength. His urgency stemmed not merely from gratitude or compassion, but also from practical necessity—he required Mao Qing's guidance to successfully break through into the Foundation Establishment realm. Ling Shaoqing was no ordinary cultivator stuck at the peak of Qi Condensation; he had astonishingly attained the mythical tenth stage, a feat exceedingly rare and celebrated, even beyond this cursed land.
Dan Si Sheng's thin lips curled into a skeptical smile. "And why should I simply take your word for it, Feng Zhao? Allow us to see his face clearly."
"Who do you think you are, dictating terms to our sect?" Grandmaster Chu Feng spat back, his patience worn thin.
Dan Si Sheng remained unfazed, smiling slyly. "How else can we trust you aren't trying to deceive us?"
"Don't project your deceitful nature onto others!"
"Oh? Truly?" Dan Si Sheng's smile widened knowingly, his voice gentel. "Then how about this: let's all swear an oath that no cultivator above Foundation Establishment will compete for the True Flame—only our juniors. After all, we all know the danger of a True Flame lies solely in refining it. Simply retrieving it poses no significant risk."
Feng Zhao's eyes narrowed warily. A faint suspicion had nagged at him since their arrival—this proposal seemed precisely what Dan Si Sheng desired. "And why exactly should we agree to such terms?"
Sensing hesitation, Dan Si Sheng leaned forward subtly, his voice dripping with allure. "Because, my friend, the flame is merely one prize. This place once belonged to an alchemist, and within this cave abode undoubtedly lies knowledge far more precious than the flame itself. Which, then, would you deem more valuable—the flame or the eternal wisdom hidden within? What do you say, we can even let the little fellows behind us get some scraps."
As Dan Si Sheng's words echoed through the crowd, a stunned silence descended. Members of the Soaring Sword Sect, the War God Sect, and the gathered cultivators alike exchanged astonished glances, eyes widening with a hunger born from newfound possibilities.
"Wouldn't it be wiser to explore the alchemist's abode rather than wasting our time chasing after a "mere" True Flame?" Dan Si Sheng pressed, his voice rich with calculated allure.
"I agree," came the decisive voice of Liang Junjie, even before Feng Zhao could gather his thoughts.
Feng Zhao understood immediately why Liang Junjie had been so swift in his assent. The War God Sect excelled in martial prowess, yet alchemy remained their critical weakness. Compared to the alchemical knowledge of the Soaring Sword Sect, the Spirit Cauldron Sect, and the Royal Family, their deficiency was glaring. It was only logical, then, that Liang Junjie would prioritize ancient alchemical knowledge over the immediate prize of a True Flame—particularly since the juniors he brought with him were among the finest of their generation, he was confident that they would be capable of claiming both objectives.
At that moment, a voice transmission reverberated privately in Feng Zhao's mind: "Elder Feng Zhao, please agree to his condition. I promise I'll secure the True Flame for Grandmaster Xue Feng."
"Your Highness…" Feng Zhao hesitated only briefly. "Very well."
Still cautious, Feng Zhao addressed Dan Si Sheng directly, suspicion tinting his voice, "How exactly do you know this cave belonged to an alchemist in the first place?"
Dan Si Sheng's wrinkled face broke into a knowing smile, sensing Feng Zhao's acquiescence. He raised a frail, bony finger toward the cave entrance. "Observe closely. Do you not recognize the crown and seven-star emblem engraved at the entrance? In ancient times, that symbol signified a King Alchemist."
Feng Zhao frowned, disappointed at the simplicity of this evidence. "That's it?"
"Of course not," Dan Si Sheng continued smoothly, enjoying the suspense he was creating. "Surely you know of our sect's famed technique for detecting rare medicinal ingredients. Using it, I sensed hundreds—no, thousands—of extraordinary medicinal herbs within, each at least a thousand years old. Surely you understand the significance?"
At these words, excitement rippled through the gathered cultivators. Their hearts quickened, minds racing with visions of unparalleled treasures.
Across history, the discovery of ancient caves belonging to master alchemists always came hand-in-hand with magnificent medicinal gardens, legendary troves coveted by cultivators of every rank. Dan Si Sheng's claim virtually guaranteed the presence of treasures of incalculable value.
Witnessing their eager expressions, Dan Si Sheng smiled inwardly, satisfied. He had indeed spoken the truth—partially. While his sect did possess such a detection technique, it certainly wasn't powerful enough to bypass the ancient wards surrounding the cave. The truth was far simpler: a mysterious, overwhelmingly powerful figure had approached him just the previous day, providing precise intelligence about the cave's contents and layout, including the countless medicinal treasures within.
Initially suspicious, Dan Si Sheng had tried to refuse, only to find himself easily subdued by the stranger. Convinced this was no ordinary figure—perhaps someone from the royal lineage or even an outsider—he'd listened attentively, quickly realizing the enormous advantage presented to him. In return for this priceless information, the stranger imposed only one condition: ensure the annihilation of the Soaring Sword Sect members.
"I don't know who your sect provoked, Chu Feng," Dan Si Sheng thought smugly, "but they're certainly willing to pay handsomely to see your downfall."
Among the gathered cultivators weren't merely lone wanderers; representatives of various middle-tier powers from across the kingdom had gathered as well, suggesting someone had deliberately spread the news widely to ensure maximum chaos. Among them stood the Long Clan from Dragon Fort City.
"Clan Leader," a Long Clan elder anxiously sent through voice transmition, "was it truly wise to entrust Dan Si Sheng with such critical information? What if he betrays us?"
Long Wei's expression remained calm, his voice measured yet icy. "Worry not. Knowing his treacherous nature, Dan Si Sheng will certainly scheme against both the Soaring Sword Sect and the War God Sect. Let them bleed each other dry."
Another elder sighed regretfully, "If only we knew how to dismantle the formation binding the True Flame to the cave's treasures. We've wasted so much time waiting for it to mature."
Long Wei shook his head thoughtfully. "This ancient alchemist was not merely skilled in his craft but a master of formations. The complex array linking the flame's maturity to the integrity of the entire cave is ingenious. Any premature attempt to extract the flame will annihilate everything within. Likewise, attempting to access the gardens before the flame matures would destroy the flame itself."
Long Wei's eyes glittered coldly as he continued, "But we won't leave empty-handed. At the very least, we shall witness the fall of several Soaring Sword Sect experts."
Throughout the assembled cultivators, secret voice transmissions buzzed, reshaping strategies and forging fragile alliances. Dan Si Sheng's revelation had dramatically shifted their focus; no longer was this merely a contest for the True Flame—it was now an open field for treasures of untold worth.
Liang Junjie broke the tense silence, "How do you propose we proceed, then?"
"Simple," Dan Si Sheng replied confidently. "Let our juniors at Foundation Establishment level or below enter first, competing freely to retrieve the True Flame. Those gathered here," he gestured grandly to the eager cultivators behind him, "may also try their luck at the flame, provided they haven't reached mid stage Core Formation."
The crowd erupted in whispers, excitement building palpably.
"As for the rest of us," Dan Si Sheng continued with a sly, toothless grin, "we'll delve into the rest of the cave. Whatever treasures we uncover belong to whoever finds them first."
Feng Zhao deliberated internally. Although suspicion tugged at his instincts, the irresistible lure of ancient knowledge and unparalleled treasures eventually swayed him. With a reluctant nod, he finally conceded, setting in motion events whose outcome none present could fully foresee.