Second-Ranked Alchemist! Preparing for the Assessment!

Just as Li Bufan was about to use Dragon Roaming Steps to descend the mountain, a voice suddenly rang out in his mind. "You need not come again."

His body halted, and understanding dawned on him. This voice belonged to that old man from the Hall of Inquiry.

It seemed that every move he had made had been watched from the moment he set foot on Blade Peak. He gave a deep bow toward the foot of the mountain without saying more, then turned and headed for the thatched cottage.

Upon returning to the cottage, Li Bufan removed his tattered clothes and casually tossed them aside.

The garment was covered in bloodstains and blade marks, long since ruined beyond recognition.

It was the transition of spring and summer, yet the mountains remained cool. The stream murmured on, while spring's splendor had begun to fade.

He stepped directly into the river without using true qi, allowing the cool stream water to wash over his body.

The blood dispersed through the water in pale red swirls and was swiftly carried away by the current.

The wounds torn open by blade intent had already healed beneath the nourishment of Wood True Meaning, leaving behind only faint marks.

Fortunately, no one was around. After Li Bufan came ashore, true qi circulated through him and dried every drop of water from his body. He changed into a clean set of clothes and felt refreshed from head to toe.

He entered the thatched cottage, lay down upon the Stone Bed, and quietly stared at the roof.

What he had gained from today's battle went far beyond a breakthrough in blade intent. His Understanding Realm divine sense had become increasingly condensed beneath the pressure of that blade-intent storm, like refined iron hammered again and again, with dross