Alshan

Amid the high mountain peaks, the wind howled. Ancient pines and emerald cypresses grew thick as a forest, making for magnificent scenery and breathtaking views.

Xiang Yang sat cross-legged atop a scrubbed stone slab. As he circulated his power, his blood and qi surged without cease. The mountain wind struck his face, only to be blocked by a wave of heat, while a dark-red bulge stirred at his brow.

Before him, the Que Xie Blade stood embedded in stone. An invisible ripple connected Xiang Yang and the Que Xie Blade.

Suddenly, Xiang Yang tilted back his head and closed his eyes, spreading his hands to either side. With each breath, a dark-red droplet of blood seeped from the tip of each middle finger.

The two drops of blood floated in midair, slowly flowing along that invisible ripple into the Que Xie Blade. After being refined, they became clumps of blackened blood that fell away, boring through stone and corroding the earth.

This was Xiang Yang's routine refinement practice. Its importance lay in perseverance; while refining the blade, he was also deepening his connection with Que Xie.

That day, Xiang Yang had used Que Xie to break Kuang Du's Spirit Turtle Body Tempering. The divine weapon's sharpness had greatly shocked both Kuang Du and Wumian, further stirring their desire to befriend him. The three had spoken most congenially.

Yet only three days had passed before the two left Mangniu Ridge one after the other. Liu Yin had likely settled on a plan to deal with the Divine Constable Gate and was now preparing to make a move.

Because he was under suspicion, Liu Yin had specifically confined him to this mountain and assigned Zheng Chuan to watch him, lest he go report to the Divine Constable Gate. Still, that suited Xiang