The fire at Black Wind Stronghold burned for an entire night.
The flames that shot into the sky dyed the night red, naturally drawing the attention of many people nearby.
Some bolder souls even quietly went to investigate.
They discovered the truth.
Before long, news of Black Wind Stronghold's destruction spread without wings, circulating through the surrounding cities.
"Have you heard?"
"Black Wind Stronghold was wiped out last night?"
"Is that true?"
"Of course it's true. The stronghold was burned to ashes, and every bandit inside was dead!"
"Hahaha! Wonderful! Heaven finally opened its eyes!"
"Those beasts finally got what was coming to them!"
"Who was so formidable? They actually wiped out Black Wind Stronghold?"
"Black Wind Stronghold's creditor, Dai Xiongfeng, was a Core Formation cultivator!"
"..."
The next day.
At the inn where Chen Changqing and Qing Yang were staying, the diners were discussing the matter with great excitement.
Besides that, cheers from the townsfolk could occasionally be heard outside the inn.
Black Wind Stronghold had occupied this region for many years, murdering, burning, plundering, and committing every evil imaginable.
The common people had long been furious but dared not speak out.
Now that Black Wind Stronghold had been destroyed overnight, it was naturally a tremendous joy to them.
Qing Yang and Chen Changqing were drinking inside the inn.
"Hm?"
Upon hearing the discussions around them, Qing Yang suddenly frowned and instinctively looked toward Chen Changqing.
"Junior Brother, was this your doing?"
Qing Yang wore a suspicious expression.
Yesterday, the Young Master of Black Wind Stronghold had gotten into a conflict with them.
Chen Changqing had even beaten him up in public.
Who would have thought that, upon waking up this morning, they would hear that Black Wind Stronghold had been wiped out?
It was easy for Qing Yang to suspect Chen Changqing.
After hearing Qing Yang's question, Chen Changqing smiled calmly.
"Senior Brother."
"How could it have been me?"
"I'm an honest man."
Seeing that Chen Changqing refused to admit it, Qing Yang smiled faintly, though doubts began stirring in his heart.
In his view, the timing of Black Wind Stronghold's destruction was far too coincidental.
Yesterday, Chen Changqing had just clashed with the Young Master of Black Wind Stronghold.
Today, Black Wind Stronghold had been destroyed, and even the entire stronghold had been burned clean by a single blaze.
Moreover, although Chen Changqing was only at Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
Qing Yang knew his true strength.
Back when he had just entered Foundation Establishment, he had been able to defeat Shi Tian, a Body Cultivator at Foundation Establishment Late Stage, who also possessed the Special Physique known as the Stone Spirit Physique.
Now that Chen Changqing's cultivation had risen to Foundation Establishment Late Stage, his strength had become even more unfathomable.
It was not impossible for him to kill a Core Formation cultivator.
Although Qing Yang had guessed that Chen Changqing was connected to Black Wind Stronghold's destruction.
Since Chen Changqing would not admit that he had done it, Qing Yang could not very well keep digging to the root of the matter.
Besides, Black Wind Stronghold had committed countless evils in the first place.
Its destruction could be considered a good thing.
After thinking for a moment, Qing Yang came back to himself and smiled at Chen Changqing.
"Junior Brother, we've rested enough."
"Let's go!"
With that, Qing Yang rose first and headed out of the inn.
Chen Changqing's expression remained unchanged as he followed after him.
Time slipped away.
Before they knew it, three days had passed.
At this time, Chen Changqing followed Qing Yang to the foot of a towering, enormous mountain.
Looking closely, the mountain pierced the clouds, shrouded in mist.
Faint flashes of spiritual light could be seen within it, clearly marking it as a treasured land rich in spiritual energy.
"Junior Brother, once we pass this mountain ahead, we'll reach Hundred Herbs Valley!"
Qing Yang looked toward the enormous peak ahead as he spoke.
Chen Changqing nodded, not paying it much mind.
At this moment, Qing Yang added.
"Hundred Herbs Valley is under the jurisdiction of Medicine God Valley."
"If we wish to enter Hundred Herbs Valley, we must obtain Medicine God Valley's approval."
"We need to register and receive permission."
Chen Changqing was slightly surprised by Qing Yang's explanation.
"Medicine God Valley?"
"I thought Hundred Herbs Valley was unclaimed land."
Qing Yang gave a bitter smile.
"How could it be unclaimed land?"
"Hundred Herbs Valley contains all kinds of heavenly treasures and earthly riches. Such a blessed grotto-heaven is generally controlled by major powers."
"And Medicine God Valley, like our Mount Shu Sect, is one of the Ten Great Sacred Lands."
"Medicine God Valley specializes in the art of alchemy and has many alchemists within its sect."
"A force like that naturally attracts many powerful cultivators to serve them."
"After all, pills are indispensable to cultivators!"
After Qing Yang's explanation, Chen Changqing nodded in understanding.
He also knew that when many cultivators sought to break through a realm, having pills such as a Breakthrough Pill to assist them could greatly increase their chances of success.
"Come, let's go to the registration point!"
Qing Yang called out to Chen Changqing and took the lead in dashing away.
Before long, the two arrived outside the entrance to Hundred Herbs Valley.
Looking up, they saw that those entering the valley had already formed a long queue.
"So many people?"
Chen Changqing was rather surprised. He had not expected so many cultivators to be seeking entry into Hundred Herbs Valley.
Qing Yang explained with a smile.
"Hundred Herbs Valley has always been famous."
"Now that Medicine God Valley has opened it to the public, it will naturally attract many people who come by reputation."
"After all, anything obtained inside can be taken away."
Chen Changqing nodded without giving it much thought.
He then joined the queue with Qing Yang.
After waiting for a while, it was finally their turn to register.
Chen Changqing was somewhat surprised. It seemed Hundred Herbs Valley's reputation truly was no small matter.
"Shushan Disciples, entering the valley to seek herbs."
As he spoke, Qing Yang quickly signaled Chen Changqing with his eyes and took out his Identity Token as a Shushan Inner Disciple.
The reception staff from Medicine God Valley inspected their Identity Tokens before beginning to register them.
"Two Shushan Disciples."
"Six thousand Spirit Stones per person. You may remain in the valley for three days."
Upon hearing the Medicine God Valley receptionist's words, Chen Changqing's eyelid could not help twitching.
"Six thousand Spirit Stones per person?"
He was secretly startled.
The price was simply far too high.
Medicine God Valley dared to open Hundred Herbs Valley to outsiders.
Surely, before doing so, they must have already thoroughly swept through the valley.
If there had truly been any good treasures in Hundred Herbs Valley, they should have long since fallen into Medicine God Valley's hands.
People from other sects could only pick up whatever scraps had slipped through the net.
Even so, they charged six thousand Spirit Stones per person. That was rather outrageous.
"What daylight robbery!"
Chen Changqing silently sighed.
Medicine God Valley truly knew how to do business—and the kind with enormous profits.
While Chen Changqing was lost in thought, Qing Yang did not seem surprised at all.
Clearly, before coming to Hundred Herbs Valley, he had already done his research and knew Medicine God Valley's rules.
Then, with a thought, Qing Yang directly took out Spirit Stones and handed them over.
Seeing this, Chen Changqing muttered quietly.
"Earlier, Senior Brother Qing Yang came to find me and said he was willing to offer one hundred Spirit Stones as payment for this trip."
"Yet now, entering Hundred Herbs Valley requires each person to pay six thousand Spirit Stones."
"His Spirit Stones must all have gone toward this entrance fee!"
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