Killing Intent to the North

Sure enough, within days, the Mission Hall posted a notice: due to the tense situation at the Northern Border, a large number of low-ranking alchemists were urgently being recruited to head to the Frontline Camp and assist in refining healing and qi-restoring pills.

The mission rewards were indeed as Elder Jin had said. Both the Contribution Points and Spirit Stone compensation were thirty percent higher than usual, and it was stated that those with high alchemy efficiency and excellent pill quality would receive additional rewards.

As soon as this mission was announced, it immediately caused quite a stir among the Registered Apprentices and even some formal disciples.

High risks often came with high returns. Though heading to the border carried a certain degree of danger, the generous rewards were enough to tempt many disciples lacking in resources.

Li Chengjie did not hesitate. At the first opportunity, he went to the Mission Hall and accepted the northbound mission.

As Li Chengjie registered, he clearly sensed that the Steward handling the registration looked at him somewhat differently, as though there were a faint, barely perceptible scrutiny in his gaze. Yet the procedures went exceptionally smoothly, and he encountered no obstruction whatsoever.

Li Chengjie understood inwardly that this was likely the effect of Elder Jin's words that day. Wang Zhen's influence had been temporarily suppressed in this matter.

The day after Li Chengjie accepted the mission, Wang Zhen also came to Elder Jin's Cave Abode.

"Master,"

Wang Zhen bowed respectfully, his face wearing just the right measure of concern and earnestness. "This disciple has heard that my good friend, Senior Brother Liao Haoxuan, will also be heading north on a sect mission to the Northern Border. Senior Brother Liao and I are as close as sworn friends. This journey is perilous, and this disciple wishes to see him off at the Flying Boat Dock. I have come specifically to request half a day of leave from Master."

Jin Leiwei lifted his eyes and glanced at him. His gaze was deep, as if it could see through Wang Zhen's thoughts, but in the end, he merely nodded faintly. "Fellow Disciple Friendship—it is only proper. Go, and return early."

"Thank you, Master!" Wang Zhen rejoiced inwardly and withdrew respectfully.

The reason Wang Zhen had not chosen to act against Li Chengjie within Falling Cloud City was precisely because he deeply feared his master, Jin Leiwei.

Wang Zhen knew all too well the influence and methods of Foundation Establishment powerhouses, especially a Second Rank Alchemist like his master.

Within Falling Cloud City, especially beneath the very eyes of the Flowing Cloud Pill Pavilion, even the slightest stir would be difficult to completely conceal from a Foundation Establishment cultivator's senses.

If his master learned that he had harmed a fellow disciple over a Personal Grudge, what would he think of him?

A man narrow of heart, one who slaughtered his fellow disciples—if he could kill a fellow disciple today for his own selfish desires, would he one day betray his master and destroy his ancestors?

Wang Zhen considered himself one of his master's most valued disciples, with a future boundless in promise. He absolutely could not leave behind such a fatal stain over a mere Li Chengjie, throwing away the big for the small.

That was also why he had been able to forcibly endure his jealousy and hatred, allowing Li Chengjie to remain in the Pill Pavilion for a full ten months.

Now that Li Chengjie had voluntarily left the "protective circle" of Falling Cloud City, it was a heaven-sent opportunity!

North of Falling Cloud City, at the Flying Boat Dock.

Several enormous, standard-issue Flowing Cloud Sect flying boats were moored at the berths, their runes flickering as spiritual light swirled around them.

Quite a few disciples who had accepted missions were boarding the boats one after another. Voices clamored all around, carrying the tension and grim killing intent that came before an expedition.

With a simple pack on his back, Li Chengjie blended into the crowd and prepared to board his assigned flying boat.

Li Chengjie's gaze swept over the surroundings. He saw many familiar and unfamiliar faces, all cultivators in the middle to late Qi Refining stages.

At that moment, from the corner of his eye, he spotted Wang Zhen on one side of the dock, speaking quietly with a tall, lean young cultivator with a stern face and sharp eyes.

The young cultivator wore the robes of an Inner Disciple. His Cultivation level was impressively at Qi Refining Level 8, his aura condensed, giving off the feeling that he was not someone to provoke.

Li Chengjie recognized him. His name was Liao Haoxuan, and he was somewhat well-known among the Inner Disciples for his ruthless methods.

Wang Zhen saw Li Chengjie as well. Their gazes briefly met in the air, and an exceedingly faint yet bone-chilling curve tugged at the corner of Wang Zhen's mouth. He then casually looked away and continued chatting and laughing with Liao Haoxuan.

Li Chengjie's heart sank, and a bad feeling rose within him. Yet his expression did not change. Pretending he had seen nothing, he boarded the flying boat directly.

The flying boat's interior was quite spacious, divided into several sections.

Li Chengjie found a secluded seat by a window and sat down, closing his eyes to rest, though he remained secretly vigilant.

Before long, the flying boat gave a faint tremor and slowly rose into the air. A formation light screen lit up, and it transformed into a streak of light that raced northward.

After flying for roughly an hour and leaving Falling Cloud City far behind, the atmosphere aboard the flying boat relaxed somewhat.

Some disciples began speaking in low voices, while others silently meditated.

In a corner at the tail of the flying boat, shrouded by a simple Soundproofing Restriction, Wang Zhen and Liao Haoxuan stood facing each other.

"Senior Brother Liao, everything on this northern journey is in your hands!" The usual arrogance was gone from Wang Zhen's face, replaced by a trace of supplication. He pressed a bulging Storage Bag into Liao Haoxuan's hand. "There are five hundred Spirit Stones inside, along with three bottles of Core Condensing Pills beneficial to those at the late Qi Refining stage. Once the matter is done, there will be further rewards!"

Liao Haoxuan swept his spiritual sense over the Storage Bag. A hint of satisfied amusement appeared on his stern face as he put it away, then patted Wang Zhen on the shoulder. "Rest assured, Junior Disciple Wang. You and I have known each other for years. For such a trivial matter, your senior brother will certainly handle it properly. He is merely a Registered Apprentice at Qi Refining Level 6, with neither roots nor backing. Once he reaches that chaotic border, it would be perfectly normal for some 'accident' to happen."

Liao Haoxuan spoke lightly, as though he were discussing something utterly insignificant.

The reason Liao Haoxuan agreed to Wang Zhen's request was certainly partly due to the Spirit Stones and pills, but more importantly, he saw Wang Zhen's potential.

Wang Zhen was Elder Jin's prized disciple and would very likely become a Second Rank Alchemist in the future. Helping him resolve a nuisance now was equivalent to investing in the future. Perhaps when Liao Haoxuan sought a Foundation Establishment Pill someday, this Favor could prove useful.

As for Li Chengjie's life?

In Liao Haoxuan's eyes, a low-ranking apprentice without any background would simply die if he died, no different from an ant.

A vicious glint flashed through Wang Zhen's eyes as he lowered his voice. "Senior Brother Liao, remember—make sure to find somewhere deserted. Do it cleanly and decisively, and leave no loose ends! It would be best to disguise it as him dying in battle against the Blood Fiend Cult, or falling victim to rogue cultivators in the borderlands!"

"Heh heh, understood."

Liao Haoxuan smiled confidently. "In a place like the border, the deaths of a few people are far too common. I will seize the right moment and make that brat disappear without anyone the wiser. Junior Disciple Wang, just wait peacefully in the Pill Pavilion for good news."

"Good! Then I leave it to you, Senior Brother Liao!" Wang Zhen let out a heavy breath, a complicated expression of relief and anticipation appearing on his face.

Wang Zhen watched the clouds streaking past outside the window, as though he could already see Li Chengjie buried in the northern lands.

"Junior Disciple Wang, you are too polite. It is merely the lift of a hand." Liao Haoxuan waved carelessly, as if he had merely agreed to crush an ant beneath his foot. "The flying boat is about to accelerate. You should get off as well."

Wang Zhen nodded and gave one last reminder. "Be careful in all things. It must be done cleanly."

The pleading and ruthlessness on Wang Zhen's face vanished completely, replaced by his usual reserved yet arrogant expression. Only that trace of icy coldness deep in his eyes lingered for a long while.

"Rest assured." Liao Haoxuan was brimming with confidence.

The two removed the Soundproofing Restriction and walked out of the corner one after the other.

Wang Zhen cupped his hands toward Liao Haoxuan, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for several nearby disciples to hear. "Senior Brother Liao, this journey is fraught with danger. You must take care! This junior brother will await your triumphant return at the Pill Pavilion!"

"Rest easy, Junior Disciple Wang." Liao Haoxuan returned the salute in kind, looking every bit like close fellow disciples reluctantly parting ways.

Wang Zhen said no more and turned toward the flying vessel's exit.

Before stepping through the curtain of light, his footsteps paused. His gaze seemed to sweep casually across the front of the flying vessel, lingering for an instant on the blue-robed figure by the window who sat with his eyes closed in quiet repose. The corner of his lips hooked into an almost imperceptible, cold arc. Then his body flashed, turning into a streak of light that landed on the dock receding below. He stood with his hands behind his back and watched the flying vessel depart.

The flying vessel's formation was activated at full force, and its speed abruptly surged. It tore through the clouds, becoming a black dot on the horizon.

Once Wang Zhen was gone, the smile on Liao Haoxuan's face faded as well, and his cold, stern expression returned.

Liao Haoxuan strolled toward the front of the flying vessel. His gaze passed over the disciples meditating or conversing before finally settling on Li Chengjie. His eyes were indifferent, carrying the scrutiny of one looking down from on high.

A Qi Refining Level 6 cultivator truly posed no threat whatsoever in his eyes.

The flying vessel continued northward, passing through layer after layer of clouds and mist.

"Fellow Daoist, is it quiet here? You don't mind if I sit here, do you?"

Li Chengjie opened his eyes to see a handsome young man in black robes standing in the aisle. A faint smile rested on his lips, and though his gaze appeared casual, it concealed a sharp edge.

Li Chengjie's heart stirred, but his face remained calm. He gave a slight nod. "Please, Fellow Daoist. The flying vessel belongs to the sect; naturally, anyone may sit wherever they please."

The man openly took the empty seat opposite Li Chengjie and studied him with interest. "Your aura is deep and steady, Fellow Daoist, and your spiritual power is restrained. You don't seem like an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator—rather, you seem to be someone accomplished in a particular field. I am Xiao Yan—this Xiao Yan is not that Xiao Yan—from the Xiao Family of the Righteous Path Sect. May I know how to address Fellow Daoist?"

Upon hearing the name Xiao Yan, Li Chengjie was startled inwardly.

Battle God?

An old grandpa in a ring? Li Chengjie instinctively looked at Xiao Yan's hands, but there was no ring.

The Xiao Family of the Righteous Path Sect? Hearing that name again, Li Chengjie's doubts remained unresolved. Yet the other party's attitude was friendly, and his strength unfathomable, so it was inconvenient to question him directly. "Flowing Cloud Sect, Li Chengjie."

"Li Chengjie... a fine name." Xiao Yan smiled, seemingly unconcerned by Li Chengjie's brief response, and continued on his own.

"The Flowing Cloud Sect truly deserves its reputation as a great alchemy sect. I can faintly smell medicinal fragrance lingering around you, Fellow Daoist Li, and your Spiritual Sense Power is more condensed than that of cultivators at the same level. You must be an Alchemist, yes? Are you heading north this time to serve at the frontline camp?"

Li Chengjie's gaze narrowed slightly. The other man's powers of observation were remarkably sharp. "Fellow Daoist Xiao has keen eyes. The sect has issued a summons; it is my duty."

Xiao Yan nodded, his tone casual yet meaningful. "The front lines are dangerous. Those lunatics from the Blood Fiend Cult don't reason with anyone. But sometimes, wealth and honor must be sought amid danger."

Li Chengjie fell silent for a moment without responding, then asked instead, "Fellow Daoist Xiao seems quite familiar with the front lines?"

Xiao Yan shrugged. "I wouldn't call it familiarity. I've passed through a few times, that's all. In a place like that, life and death are commonplace, but opportunities exist alongside them. By the way, since Fellow Daoist Li is an Alchemist, you must be thoroughly familiar with the properties of all sorts of medicinal herbs? Some time ago, I happened to acquire a stalk of Crimson Flame Grass, but its fire energy is extraordinarily violent, far beyond the ordinary kind. Do you know why that might be?"

Xiao Yan casually threw out an alchemy-related question, as though it were merely an exchange between fellow practitioners.

Though Li Chengjie remained wary, when it came to his area of expertise, he still answered seriously. "Crimson Flame Grass is naturally fiery. If its fire energy has surged so drastically, it was most likely grown near Earth Lung Fire, or it may have grown alongside some Fire Attribute Demonic Beast or mineral. Its violent energy must be neutralized with yin-natured spirit herbs such as Cold Dew Flower or Ice Heart Lotus before it can be used in medicine. Otherwise, it can easily damage the Alchemical Furnace or even trigger fire toxin."

Understanding and admiration flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes. "So that's how it is! I have learned much. Fellow Daoist Li is indeed exceptionally knowledgeable." He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice, a hint of teasing in his tone. "It seems this journey won't be too dull after all. Having someone knowledgeable to talk to is always better than facing those people who are either jumpy with nerves or so arrogant they see no one else."

Li Chengjie was somewhat helpless before Xiao Yan's overly familiar and slightly unpredictable temperament, but the other party had shown no hostility. Instead, he seemed to be deliberately extending goodwill. "Fellow Daoist Xiao flatters me. We should still exercise caution aboard the flying vessel."

Xiao Yan waved a hand dismissively. "Caution is a good thing, but if you're wound too tight, you'll only make it easier to reveal a flaw. Relax, Fellow Daoist Li. At least aboard this flying vessel, with the sect's formation protecting us, it's relatively safe."