Chapter 115: Stay or Leave, Refinement

These past few days the Lin family sisters have sold all their assets, and the valuable items in Cave Residence Jia Yi have been fully packed and cleared; now it is convenient to make a swift departure with no ties.

Xiao Zhangqing, leading the Lin sisters and Ruan Qingzhu, flies at a speed that still surpasses all Foundation Establishment cultivators present.

The magical power of the Golden Core realm is a qualitative, crushing force compared to Foundation Establishment cultivators, utterly incomparable.

Perhaps Gong Wansheng could overdraw his vital blood to use Sword Flight, pushing his speed to the limit, maybe barely keeping up with Xiao Zhangqing.

But he clearly would not do that.

Moreover, there is no real hatred between him and Xiao Zhangqing; the only issue is that today Xiao Zhangqing seized his master's eleven pendant swords, yet it does not warrant a life‑or‑death duel.

The main point is, even if he barely matches Xiao Zhangqing's speed and catches up, could he still defeat the opponent? Xiao Zhangqing's Soul Transformation has already reached the true Golden Core level; his spiritual perception secret technique can suppress two Fake Core True Persons at once, instantly stripping them of combat ability. What could a late Foundation Establishment cultivator use to resist? Even after Xiao Zhangqing employs such a powerful spiritual perception secret art, his Soul Transformation may temporarily weaken, preventing further use.

Yet when Xiao Zhangqing finally subdued Liang's life‑bound Magic Treasure Jiao Long Silver Whip, he already displayed Golden Core realm power!

Gong Wansheng chased after him, but could not block him and would only die in vain.

Similarly, Sun Fengyi, originally clad in green, petite yet unusually curvy, was about to begin upgrading Nanshan Fang's Mountain‑guard array to the third tier when she received a distress signal from Su Rongrong.

The disciples of Baihua Valley, especially elites and senior members, as long as they are within a certain range and not too far apart, can send each other simple distress signals.

Sun Fengyi was a bit stunned when she received the signal.

Su Rongrong had gone with Elder Five to seek revenge on Symbol Master Xiao Zhangqing; why then send her a distress signal?

Could it be that Elder Five, a Fake Core True Person, is actually not Xiao Zhangqing's opponent?

Feeling inexplicably shocked and not knowing what had happened, Sun Fengyi had to hurriedly cease her work and rush toward Cave Residence Jia Yi.

Then, as soon as she arrived, she saw Xiao Zhangqing flying away quickly with the three women.

Feeling Xiao Zhangqing's solid magical power that only a Golden Core True Person possesses, she was startled—indeed a Golden Core True Person? Yet hearing the harsh words Xiao Zhangqing uttered, it seemed he had taken a loss, fleeing in disgrace today, planning to reclaim the field later.

Thus, after weighing the pros and cons in her mind, Sun Fengyi chose to give way without obstruction.

Of course, the main reason is that although her strength surpasses that of ordinary late Foundation Establishment cultivators, she has no certainty of stopping a Golden Core True Person.

Unless, after some time, she completes the upgrade of Nanshan Fang's Mountain‑guard array to the third tier, then she could engage a Golden Core True Person using the array formation.

However, upgrading to a third‑tier array requires a long period, at least half a month, so it is still far too early.

Only that.

When Sun Fengyi arrived at the duel site, she saw Su Rongrong's complexion turned pale, and Elder Five Liang Yuehua spitting fresh blood and falling into a coma.

She was stunned.

What is happening?

Wasn't Xiao Zhangqing supposed to be 'fleeing in disgrace'?

…

…

Half a day later.

They were already several hundred li from Nanshan Fang; even if Liang Yuehua and Zhou Songbai fully recovered, it would be hard to catch up.

Only then did Xiao Zhangqing retrieve the Longevity Stone, which had consumed most of his stored magical power, take out a flying boat, have Lin Ziyu pilot it, and head toward Character: Liyang Immortal City.

He, meanwhile, prepared to ingest a Pill that nurtures spiritual perception, to restore his exhausted Soul Transformation.

The side effects after using Dragon Roar Technique have begun to show; his whole body is weary, sinking into weakness.

He must adjust quickly; even if he cannot reach his peak shortly, he must recover to at least eighty percent.

Besides guarding against pursuers catching up, he must also worry about encountering accidents in this desolate wilderness.

Such as a cultivation calamity, for example.

The Da Yu Cultivation World is vast; cultivators traveling outside, under normal circumstances, unless their wealth is exposed at some point or they are targeted, the chance of encountering a cultivation calamity is actually quite low.

Nevertheless, one must remain cautious.

However, before treating injuries, Ruan Qingzhu must be settled first.

"Manager Ruan, what are your plans next?"

Xiao Zhangqing looked at the once mature and charming yet now blank face, and recalled the matter that Pill Master Zhu Youlong had once begged him about.

At that time he had agreed to Zhu Youlong, saying that if Ruan Qingzhu ever faced danger, he would help as much as possible.

Today, in this situation, since Xiao Zhangqing has not completely offended Liang Yuehua to death, Liang Yuehua has already become a 'prisoner beneath the steps'.

If Xiao Zhangqing does not take her away along the way, she will almost certainly die left behind.

"I haven't decided yet…"

Ruan Qingzhu shook her head; at this moment her mind was tangled, a mixture of five flavors.

There was anger, confusion, resentment, and even more, bewilderment.

The past ten‑plus years.

Although her situation in Baihua Valley was also awkward—her talent and aptitude were decent, yet she was not given important positions and was exiled to a lower branch.

Yet from beginning to end, she held little grievance toward Baihua Valley and identified strongly with the status of a Baihua Valley disciple.

From now on, she can no longer consider herself a Baihua Valley disciple; she may even become a 'traitor' of Baihua Valley, landing on the wanted list.

Her identity will undergo an earth‑shaking change.

The funny thing is, she did nothing wrong! Even if in her youth she erred, broke sect rules, privately pledged to a man and bore a child, she had already paid the price for her mistake.

Since then, she has been extremely cautious, trembling, daring not to engage in any romantic relations again.

Even though Zhu Youlong pursued her relentlessly, she never developed feelings…

Yet because Zhu Youlong, after his death, bequeathed most of his inheritance to her, she became a suspect, even a target for elimination…

"So the mistake wasn't me; the sect was at fault…"

Ruan Qingzhu did not wallow in self‑pity for long, nor did she fall into despondency.

After a moment of silence, she quickly regained her composure and mustered the spirit to rally herself.

Since Baihua Valley abandoned her and intends to doom her, she no longer needs to cling to anything.

These years she has diligently run Baibao Lou, and the profit she created for the sect has already repaid the sect's former kindness to her tenfold, even a hundredfold.

So from now on, she will live for herself!

She will live for her son!

Leaving Nanshan Fang, free from Baihua Valley's constraints, she can now take a gamble and try to break through the Foundation Establishment Realm!

…Xiao Zhangqing watches Ruan Qingzhu's subdued demeanor, pondering how to settle her, or whether to invite her to go to Character: Liyang Immortal City together.

Soon he sees Ruan Qingzhu's eyes and face regain their luster, once again becoming the Ruan the Shopkeeper, the Ruan Immortal admired by countless cultivators of Nanshan Fang.

"I haven't figured out the exact plan yet. But I intend to go to Giant Wood City first," Ruan Qingzhu said. "When the Evil Cultivator left Nanshan Fang, I sent my son to Giant Wood City, so I must find him first. As for what comes next, I'll try to break through the Foundation Establishment Realm. Conveniently, I still have three years."

"Giant Wood City?" Xiao Zhangqing's mind conjured the geography of the major powers and cultivation cities in the Da Yu Cultivation World, and he said, "That works; we share part of the route. When we reach the Seven Star Market, we can part ways."

Giant Wood City is also an immortal city in the western part of the Da Yu Cultivation World.

Although it lacks the fame of Character: Liyang Immortal City, it is called the Da Yu Cultivation World's premier Scattered Cultivator city, with many Golden Core cultivators.

Yet Giant Wood City is not weak; it is under the jurisdiction of the Golden Core sect 'Giant Wood Sect' and is constantly guarded by Golden Core cultivators.

Character: Liyang Immortal City lies in the central region of the Da Yu Cultivation World, deep inland, so traveling from Nanshan Fang to Character: Liyang Immortal City essentially passes by Giant Wood City.

"Thank you, Symbol Master Xiao!"

Ruan Qingzhu stood up and gave Xiao Zhangqing a sincere bow.

Xiao Zhangqing's willingness to accompany her for a stretch was, of course, a tremendous boon for her.

As a Qi Refining Realm cultivator, her travel speed is slow, and more importantly, it is unsafe.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhangqing, as a Foundation Establishment… no, more like a Golden Core Real Person.

With him alongside, there will be no danger along the way.

Beyond that, Ruan Qingzhu is also deeply grateful for Xiao Zhangqing's life‑saving favor.

If Xiao Zhangqing does not take her along when he departs today, she would be left in Nanshan Fang, and she can hardly imagine what fate would await her.

When the severely injured Elder Liang, who has lost his most precious life‑defining Magic Treasure, awakens, his raging fury will have nowhere to vent—how will he treat her? Recall that years ago, when her son Ruan Bufan was plagued by evil spirits, Xiao Zhangqing stayed up all night to draw a Demon‑breaking Talisman and a Stabilizing Talisman, saving her son's life.

Now, Xiao Zhangqing has saved her life again.

Xiao Zhangqing has rendered life‑saving favors to both mother and son.

She has no way to repay…

Ruan Qingzhu does not know how to repay Xiao Zhangqing; even if she offered all her possessions, it likely would not move Xiao Zhangqing or earn his respect.

So her gratitude must remain in her heart.

Perhaps in the future.

If she happens to succeed in establishing the Foundation in Giant Wood City, perhaps she will later have a chance to assist Xiao Zhangqing and repay the debt.

If she fails to establish the Foundation…

All that would be left unsaid; this favor can only be repaid in the next life.

…

Lin Zixi assists her sister Lin Ziyu in piloting the Flying Boat, but her mind isn't on the vessel; instead, her ears perk up to listen to the Lord and Ruan the Shopkeeper's conversation.

She is now very obedient and will not voice any opposition to Xiao Zhangqing's decisions.

If Xiao Zhangqing intends to give them sisters, to seek new 'sisters,' she will obediently accept.

For example, if the Lord is interested in Ruan Qingzhu and wishes to keep her by his side, taking her to Character: Liyang Immortal City, Lin Zixi would say nothing and would even get along well with Ruan Qingzhu.

At least on the surface, that is so.

Yet inside, she can't help feeling a twinge of jealousy.

Fortunately…

It seems Ruan Qingzhu has no intention of going with them to Character: Liyang Immortal City; after losing everything and becoming a traitor of the Baihua Sect, she does not seek to cling to their Lord like a big tree.

And the Lord, regarding Ruan Qingzhu, appears to have no other plans.

Now Lin Zixi feels relieved, and her mood brightens.

…

…

"Ruan the Shopkeeper, no need to be formal. It's just on the way."

Xiao Zhangqing said lightly.

He naturally placed no hope on Ruan Qingzhu's repayment, nor the kind of thoughts Lin Zixi imagined.

Whether rescuing Ruan Qingzhu when leaving Nanshan Fang or sharing the road now, both were done as a matter of course; he incurred no cost, so he expects nothing.

Having resolved Ruan Qingzhu's matter, Xiao Zhangqing will now retreat to a sealed cultivation to heal his injuries.

However.

Before sealing, he must first refine Zhou Songbai's eleven commonly used Flying Swords and Liang Yuehua's life‑defining Magic Treasure, then let the inventory 'appraise' them! It takes little effort and could bring Xiao Zhangqing a huge surprise and power boost! First, the eleven second‑tier premium set Flying Swords.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh! The moment he pulls the eleven Flying Swords from his storage bag and breaks the seal, they all tremble as if trying to break free and fly away.

Because he left Nanshan Fang in a hurry before, Xiao Zhangqing only crudely suppressed and sealed them, lacking time to refine.

At this moment they still belong to Zhou Songbai's artifacts.

Having been taken by outsiders, the divine consciousness and magical imprint Zhou Songbai left on them can instinctively cause resistance.

So, if it were the Lin sisters or Ruan Qingzhu, the eleven Flying Swords being unsealed now might not only be unrefinable but could even bury them beneath the swords! Yet Xiao Zhangqing has no such concern.

Even with his waning divine consciousness and declining condition, he still possesses solid Golden Core magical power; a slight exertion immobilizes the eleven Flying Swords, obediently lining them up before him.

Buzz! Then Xiao Zhangqing channels his magical power into the blades, forcefully erasing all of Zhou Songbai's imprints and planting his own seal.

In less than the time it takes a incense stick to burn, the eleven Flying Swords are fully washed and refined.

Xiao Zhangqing has linked with these Flying Swords; sensing them is like sensing his own arms, allowing him to maneuver them at will.

At a mere thought, the eleven Flying Swords swirl around Xiao Zhangqing like children, flying in circles.

Xiao Zhangqing could clearly sense how powerful and different these eleven flying swords were. Compared to them, his previous six flying swords were nothing but scrap copper and rotten iron! Only these could truly unleash his real strength as a magical artifact!

With these flying swords, he could easily sweep aside any Foundation Establishment cultivator even without using his divine sense secret technique!

It's a pity that his Six Yuan Sword Technique is only suitable for controlling six flying swords.

He couldn't perfectly arrange these eleven flying swords into a sword formation like Zhou Songbai did, which would have elevated their quality to a higher level.

However, this is enough.

Moreover, the crucial point is, what kind of skill can the system extract from these flying swords? "Next is the time to witness a miracle!"

After a brief attempt, Xiao Zhangqing slowly placed his hand on the sword's body.

(End of Chapter)