Chapter 2444

His swift movement technique was still the "Yan Return" he had first exchanged for with military merit in Panlong City, later upgraded to "Falcon Strike," which he had continued to use to this day. The reason was simple: agile and light, its greatest feature was speed!

When He Lingchuan infused this technique with elemental power, he could move faster than Liu Qingdao's sword control, truly coming and going without a trace—even the wind couldn't keep up.

The greatest truth is the simplest; He Lingchuan was very satisfied with its speed.

Zhu Xiuer stepped on the stone anglerfish twice: "Is that it?"

Other creatures struck in a vital spot would lose mobility on the spot—that was perfectly normal. But should a stone doppelgänger even have a weak point?

No, this stone anglerfish seemed to be flesh and blood as well.

Zhu Xiuer twitched her claw, moving the stone anglerfish's corpse aside to reveal the true fissure entrance below.

Mingke Xianren had endured and endured, but still couldn't hold back, turning to ask He Lingchuan: "How did you see through the stone anglerfish's disguise?"

The stone anglerfish's disguise was flawless to the point of being heavenly seamless—it had even deceived this immortal's fiery golden eyes, fitting the status of the Secret Realm's master.

So how did this human general see through it?

He Lingchuan smiled: "Qianhuan True Person taught me some divine abilities that can pierce illusory disguises."

Zhu Xiuer pretended not to hear; this guy was just spouting nonsense again—he was clearly using elemental power!

With the elemental power of the Nine Nether Great Emperor and the Tiger-Wing General of the Great Wind Army backing him, could he still not see through the disguise of a mere stone anglerfish?

Others acting alone couldn't bring elemental power into Yujing City, but He Lingchuan was an exception.

He had clearly seen through the stone anglerfish lying on the ground with its mouth wide open at first glance, yet he still pretended to toss hazelnut dolls into its belly, all to numb the Secret Realm master's vigilance by explaining things to Mingke Xianren.

Though Mingke Xianren didn't know the full truth, she also silently thought in her heart that this person was deeply scheming.

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Senior Brother Xu returned to the cellar.

Shangguan Biao immediately sprang up from the ground, holding his breath in anticipation.

"The person smuggling spiritual herbs has been dragged out and confessed on the spot. Elder Wu judged you innocent, so he sent me to release you." This was also the first time Senior Brother Xu had given such a definite reply, and he personally unlocked the shackles on Shangguan Biao's hands and feet: "Come on, you don't need to sleep in the cellar tonight."

He was a close aide to Li Yun, and being able to act this way showed that Li Yun cared deeply about the terms offered to Shangguan Biao.

Shangguan Biao immediately bowed deeply, his hands touching the floor:

"Senior Brother Xu, your righteous aid—this great kindness and virtue, Shangguan will never forget it in a lifetime!"

The gratitude in his words left Senior Brother Xu momentarily unaccustomed.

Was this still the same Shangguan Biao who used to hold his neck stiff?

But he only dazed for a moment before recovering, reaching out to help Shangguan Biao up with a smile: "We are fellow disciples of the same sect—why speak of such things? I brought you new clothes; tidy up, then follow me back to the Huai House. Li Shushu is already waiting for you there."

"Li Shushu has arrived!" Shangguan Biao was moved.

Li Yun had saved him from this sudden disaster, and naturally afterward demanded equal repayment.

Cause and effect, human feelings, taking sides—this was the law of Changfeng Valley, which everyone must follow.

But Li Yun had actually come in person, which greatly exceeded Shangguan Biao's expectations.

"Li Shushu values this greatly."

Shangguan Biao replied unusually loudly: "Yes!"

Senior Brother Xu specially cast a cleansing spell on him, so he wouldn't be seen covered in blood and filth. Shangguan Biao changed clothes, bound his hair, tidied his appearance in the cellar, then followed Senior Brother Xu out.

The three rows of houses beside Gui'zhu Huai were brightly lit.

Senior Brother Xu led Shangguan Biao straight into the largest room.

Coincidentally, Elder Wu had previously interrogated Shangguan Biao here, obtaining both person and evidence, leaving him speechless;

Now, Li Yun was also summoning Shangguan Biao at the same location, yet with a kind and pleasant expression.

How many eyes are there in Duzhishan? Li Yun's personal arrival is a signal worth interpreting.

Seeing him, Shangguan Biao bowed his head and bowed: "Li Shushu's life-saving grace—how can Shangguan Biao repay it?"

He also knew why Li Yun had saved him, so he bluntly stated it upfront:

I am here to complete the transaction and also deliver the pledge of allegiance.

Li Yun, however, smiled warmly and personally helped him up:

"You have suffered, alas, clearly innocent yet framed—this time I will surely make them pay the price!"

These two words seemed to strike Shangguan Biao's heart, his chest rising and falling a few times:

"Thank you, Shushu, for upholding justice for me!"

"Is it only for you?" Li Yun flicked his sleeve: "If we turn a blind eye, the sect's atmosphere will be ruined by them!"

Having said that, he looked toward Senior Brother Xu, who understood immediately and bowed:

"Disciple will attend to this now."

After Senior Brother Xu left, Li Yun gestured to the chair beside him, indicating Shangguan Biao should sit.

"You said earlier you had a way to heal the Earth Mother's injury?"

The matter has arrived. Shangguan Biao sat only halfway on the chair, leaning slightly forward: "I have about a sixty to seventy percent chance."

"The Earth Mother is the guardian spirit beast of my Changfeng Valley, having repelled invaders several times—she is a vital treasure of the sect. Healing her is a great deed, a good deed, and a fortune for our sect. As a disciple of Changfeng Valley, if you possess this ability, you bear this duty!"

"Yes." Shangguan Biao pondered before saying: "Some days ago, I inadvertently discovered that the dew of the Wind-Dew Golden Lotus can soothe the Earth Mother, easing her pain during sleep. Previously, I only knew this dew worked on humans and demons, never imagining it had healing effects on the Earth Mother."

No intention? What was Li Yuan thinking, hearing these two words and just chuckling? This brat probably dared to boast so big only because he repeatedly fed Wind-Dew to the Earth Mother. But this is no longer the point: "Well, most medicines are ineffective on the Earth Mother—what humans take, she cannot use. The Sect Leader originally judged her soul injury heals slowly, requiring three or four hundred years to recover."

"But after trying to feed her for several months, I found the Wind-Dew only had a calming and soothing effect on the Earth Mother, letting her suffer less during dormancy, yet it could not truly speed up her recovery. Later, I recalled that in the family treasure book I read as a child, it mentioned the golden lotus can actually produce a potent 'Blood Dew,' and refining it into 'Blood Dew Golden Pill' can directly transmute stubborn stone into an immortal!"

"Exaggerated." Li Yuan stroked his beard: "This legend—could it not be the source of your confidence in treating the Earth Mother?"

If the answer is yes, this brat is truly stubborn—deserving to end up as a menial worker in Duzhishan!

"If it were only this legend, I would not dare waste Shushu's time." Shangguan Biao said seriously: "Do you know, the First-Ann Immortal three hundred years ago, in his final battle against his arch-enemy, although he ultimately won, he suffered severe wounds? Especially the enemy's soul poison, which was extremely potent."

"The First-Ann of the Great Return Sect? Yes, he slew the Wu Mountain demon horde back then, earning that divine sword and thus the right to use 'First-Ann' as his title in the sect, though he then retreated into seclusion for over a hundred years."