Su Cheng immediately asked with concern:
"Young Master Qingwu, how are you? Is anything wrong?"
Shi Qingwu rubbed his brow and said:
"I'm fine. I was struck by a divine sense attack when I broke through the barrier just now."
Then, pale-faced, he asked:
"Did you get the treasure?"
Su Cheng nodded.
"Rest assured, Young Master. I immediately collected a large piece of Water-Element Immortal Marrow. When I found you unconscious, I didn't dare linger. I first protected you and left the forbidden ground. I did not take part in the later scramble. My foremost duty was to ensure your safety."
Only then did Shi Qingwu nod in satisfaction. The Divine Soul Stab he had endured had not been in vain.
Meanwhile, the black sphere of light that had entered Shi Qingwu's sea of consciousness had perfectly concealed itself. It had drawn neither Shi Qingwu's notice nor Su Cheng's suspicion, missing its first chance to be expelled from the sea of consciousness.
A month later, Luo Yizhi's team slipped into the forbidden ground within King of Chiyang's palace without alerting anyone and presented all the information they had gathered during this time to their Sixth Elder.
Sixth Elder looked at these junior disciples, who were growing ever more methodical in their actions, with great satisfaction. Yet he retained his usual sternness as he said:
"You have worked hard. Yizhi and Yuejue, stay behind. The rest of you may go rest."
"Yes, Elder."
The ten disciples answered in unison. Other than the two who had been named, the remaining eight all departed.
After reading the jade slip in his hand, Luo Liu had gained a rough understanding of what had happened in the other four countries. A flicker of doubt passed through his heart, but he did not voice it. Instead,