True Martial Peak, Qu He's residence.
Outside the window, the sea of clouds unfurled and rolled, reflecting the warm afternoon sun.
Qu He sat cross-legged in the Quiet Room, regulating his breath as true essence circulated around his body.
Suddenly, a light knock sounded on the Quiet Room's door.
"Come in."
Qu He slowly finished his cultivation and opened his eyes, clear and tranquil.
An Inner Sect disciple dressed in the robes of the True Martial lineage pushed open the door. A trace of urgency showed on his face. After respectfully bowing, he reported, "Senior Brother Qu, news has just arrived. Senior Brother Chen Qing has made a wagered duel agreement with Han Xiong of Xuan Yang Peak. They will decide the victor on the Seven Stars Platform in three days. The stakes... the stakes are one Pure Yang Gang Pill and thirty thousand Contribution Points."
At this, Qu He's brows creased slightly before quickly smoothing out again.
He waved a hand. Understanding his meaning, the disciple immediately bowed and withdrew, carefully closing the Quiet Room door behind him.
Silence returned to the room, with only sandalwood incense curling upward.
"Han Xiong... Luo Chengxuan..." Qu He murmured.
The entire chain of events flashed through his mind like lightning and flint.
On Danxia Peak, he had resisted Luo Chengxuan's attempt to squeeze them out and won a Pure Yang Gang Pill for the True Martial lineage—and for Chen Qing.
How long had it been?
Han Xiong had already gone straight to Chen Qing, his target unmistakable: that pill.
The timing was too coincidental, the purpose too precise. If Luo Chengxuan had not directed matters from behind the scenes or fanned the flames, Qu He would never believe it.
"Having lost face on Danxia Peak, you want to win it back from