Talisman Treasure Samadhi Ring, Dispute

Xu Yang and his companion fled toward the edge of the valley, one after the other. Two Corrosive Poison Death Strikes shot toward them at high speed. Fortunately, Xu Yang had been prepared and had already retrieved a Talisman Treasure, holding it before him. As Xu Yang channeled his energy into the Talisman Treasure, it transformed into a fiery red ring.

This ring was exactly as depicted on the Talisman Treasure, known as the Samadhi Ring, capable of releasing powerful Samadhi True Fire for both attack and defense. Under Xu Yang's guidance, the Samadhi Ring flew into the air and unleashed a barrage of fire arrows, firing them toward the two Corrosive Poison Death Strikes.

A faint hissing sound immediately filled the air. The fire arrows formed by the Samadhi True Fire struck the Corrosive Poison Death Strikes, instantly burning away the majority of them, leaving only about a third to continue toward Xu Yang and his companion.

Seeing this, Xu Yang had no time to rejoice. He hurriedly manipulated the Samadhi Ring to release a wall of fire, blocking their path. The remnants of the Corrosive Poison Death Strikes slammed into the fire wall, causing it to tremble violently. Fortunately, the wall did not shatter, and it ultimately blocked the attack.

Xu Yang was overjoyed and immediately beckoned to retrieve the Samadhi Ring. It reverted into the Talisman Treasure and flew back into his hand. After a brief inspection, his heart ached; the power of the Talisman Treasure had been depleted by a third, meaning it could not be used many more times. The power of the Corrosive Poison Death Strike was truly formidable, requiring such a massive expenditure of energy from the Talisman Treasure just to block it.

Xu Yang dared not linger and quickly joined Lin Heng, fleeing rapidly toward the outside of the valley. The Jade Blood Toad, seeing that Xu Yang had blocked its attack, flew into a rage. Just as it was about to strike again, it realized that Xu Yang and his companion had already escaped the valley and were out of reach.

It croaked angrily, opening its massive mouth to spray clouds of toxic mist in all directions, corroding the surrounding vegetation into a mess. Then, it leaped over to the side of the severely injured Jade Blood Toad that had fallen to the ground. It opened its mouth, inhaling and exhaling to absorb the power of the moonlight, as a thin silver thread descended from the sky toward the wounded toad.

A moment later, the Jade Blood Toad on the ground opened its eyes, croaked twice at the other toad, and struggled to stand up. The two Jade Blood Toads then slowly entered the water pool and vanished from sight.

Xu Yang and Lin Heng escaped the valley in a disheveled state, flying at full speed for fear that the Jade Blood Toads might pursue them. Once they were far from the valley and certain that they were not being followed, they finally breathed a sigh of relief and landed in a secluded patch of forest.

Lin Heng, still looking shaken, said to Xu Yang, "I never expected there to be two Jade Blood Toads in that valley, and both with such monstrous strength. It is truly fortunate that we were able to escape with our lives."

At this point, Lin Heng bowed gratefully to Xu Yang and said, "I must thank Senior Brother Xu for covering our retreat and blocking the Jade Blood Toad's attack. Otherwise, I would surely have been killed by one of those Corrosive Poison Death Strikes."

Xu Yang waved his hand and said with a serious expression, "I brought you on this mission, so I naturally had to ensure your safety. Fortunately, I had obtained a Talisman Treasure by chance; otherwise, both of us would have been left behind in that valley."

Lin Heng said with lingering fear, "This mission was indeed far too dangerous. If not for Senior Brother Xu's Talisman Treasure, the consequences would have been unthinkable." Saying this, Lin Heng took out the scroll and gritted his teeth, "This mission scroll is completely deceptive. It didn't even mention that there were two Jade Blood Toads in the valley, nearly causing us to lose our lives."

Xu Yang took the scroll and examined it carefully. He said to Lin Heng with a grave expression, "This mission is highly suspicious. With our current strength, it would be impossible to complete it. Yet, that senior gave it to us anyway. This is a scheme to kill with a borrowed knife."

Lin Heng asked in confusion, "We have never even met that senior, so how could we have offended him? I truly cannot fathom it!" "I cannot understand it either, but it is certain that he intended for the Jade Blood Toads to kill us. Now that the mission has failed, we must consider how to deal with him!"

Lin Heng nodded and said to Xu Yang with a bitter face, "He is a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm, with strength far above ours. He is also one of the people in charge of the border battlefield for the sect. How could we possibly fight him?"

Xu Yang lowered his head and pondered for a moment before saying, "I have some ideas about this. Let me tell you, Junior Brother, and see if it might work." After speaking, Xu Yang leaned into Lin Heng's ear and whispered a plan. Upon hearing it, Lin Heng's brow gradually smoothed out, and he nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Afterward, the two sat cross-legged to regulate their breathing, restoring the Gang Qi within their bodies, before taking flight on their swords toward the border camp. Three days later, Xu Yang and his companion arrived at the center of the camp to meet Han Xing and report the failure of their mission.

The two entered the room, bowed to Han Xing, and recounted the story of their failed mission and their narrow escape from death. Of course, this account was not the truth, but rather a fabricated story concocted by Xu Yang and his companion.

Han Xing listened to them with an expressionless face. Once they finished, his expression darkened instantly. He unleashed a powerful aura, pressing down on the two, and said, "Useless trash. You have the nerve to return after failing the mission? I shall punish you both on behalf of the sect right now." As he spoke, Han Xing raised his right hand with murderous intent, preparing to strike them down.

Seeing this, Xu Yang and his companion's expressions shifted slightly. Just as they were about to react, a cold laugh echoed from outside the room: "Han, you certainly have a grand display of authority. There is no need for you to trouble yourself with the disciples of Xu Xianzhong."

Upon hearing this, Han Xing's expression changed, and he looked toward the door. Xu Xianzhong walked slowly into the room, looking at Han Xing with a cold sneer. Han Xing's heart skipped a beat; he knew the golden opportunity was lost, and he could no longer strike at Xu Yang and his companion.

Thinking of this, Han Xing's expression shifted, and he stood up with a laugh, saying to Xu Xianzhong, "Fellow Daoist Xu, do not misunderstand. I was merely testing their resolve to see what kind of temperament they possess."

Xu Xianzhong replied with a forced smile, "So that is how it is. Fellow Daoist Han, you have certainly gone to great lengths. Now, I have matters to discuss with these two, so I shall not disturb your cultivation any further." With that, Xu Xianzhong beckoned to Xu Yang and his companion, signaling them to leave with him.

Han Xing's face darkened, and he said to Xu Xianzhong in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Xu, please wait. Xu Yang and his companion failed their mission, and according to the regulations, I must punish them. I am the person in charge of this camp; you cannot make things difficult for me."

Xu Xianzhong's face sank as he turned back to Han Xing and said, "Fellow Daoist Han, I am fully aware of the details of this mission. This was never a task for disciples in the Qi Refining Realm. For you to force them to complete it is truly unreasonable! To punish them now would be going too far!"

Han Xing said with a grim face, "Without rules, there is no order. I have no choice. They failed their mission, so they must be punished. Otherwise, what becomes of the sect's rules?"

Xu Xianzhong snorted coldly, "This mission did not comply with the regulations in the first place, so they will not be punished. I suspect you are simply trying to abuse your power for personal gain!"

Han Xing was enraged by this. He flicked his sleeve and said, "Fellow Daoist Xu, those words are too much. I am merely upholding the sect's rules. You cannot take them away today." As he spoke, he moved to grab Xu Yang and his companion, but Xu Xianzhong quickly raised his right hand to block him. For a moment, the two stood in a stalemate, neither willing to yield.

At this moment, a low laugh came from outside the room. Liu Yuan quickly leaped between Xu Xianzhong and Han Xing, raising his hand to separate them. He then smiled and said, "Fellow Daoists, do not let this damage your harmony. I have been listening for a while, and I believe Fellow Daoist Han is correct. The sect's rules cannot be broken; otherwise, how can we maintain the dignity of the sect?"

At this point, Liu Yuan turned to look at Xu Yang and said, "Junior Brother Xu, you should just accept the punishment! It will save others from saying that Master is too protective and ignores the sect's rules, losing face for his elder self." Seeing Liu Yuan appear, Xu Yang suddenly realized the truth: it was Liu Yuan who had been plotting against him, which explained why Han Xing wanted him dead.

Thinking of this, Xu Yang glanced at Lin Heng, using his eyes to convey an apology. Lin Heng caught Xu Yang's gaze and shrugged, indicating he did not mind. Xu Yang felt a warmth in his heart and his favor for Lin Heng increased significantly.

Seeing Liu Yuan appear to assist Han Xing, Xu Xianzhong's heart sank, and he felt a desire to retreat. After all, facing two Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators alone was beyond his capabilities.

Xu Yang opened his mouth, just about to reply to Liu Yuan, when he was interrupted by a loud laugh. A burly cultivator walked into the room. When Liu Yuan saw this person, his face instantly darkened and became extremely ugly. Xu Yang, however, was overjoyed and let out a massive sigh of relief.

The newcomer was none other than Huo Lian, who was always elusive and whom Xu Yang had not seen for a long time. His sudden appearance made Xu Yang incredibly happy. Huo Lian walked into the room, glanced at Han Xing, and said, "I heard that Fellow Daoist Han intends to punish my junior brother. May I ask what grave mistake he has committed? Could you inform me so that I may report it to Master and have him severely disciplined?"

Upon hearing this, Han Xing's face turned awkward. He knew that the situation was beyond saving. Huo Lian was a cultivator in the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm with astonishing strength; he was certainly no match for him. Furthermore, Huo Lian had invoked the name of Elder Qing Yuanzi. He had no choice but to let the matter rest and wait for another opportunity to kill Xu Yang later.

Thinking of this, Han Xing said with a fake smile, "Xu Yang and his companion failed the assigned mission, and according to the rules, they should be punished. However, this was also my oversight; I took the wrong mission scroll, which led to their failure. I am also at fault. Since you are all here, you can serve as witnesses: I am rescinding the mission. Let us consider this matter as if it never happened!"

Liu Yuan's expression was gloomy upon hearing this. He forced a smile and said to Xu Yang, "That is for the best. Junior Brother has avoided punishment; I should congratulate you." Xu Yang looked at Liu Yuan's fake smile and thought bitterly, Liu Yuan, just you wait. I will surely repay this debt. While harboring this resentment, Xu Yang bowed to Liu Yuan to express his "gratitude."

Seeing that the matter was resolved, Huo Lian smiled at Liu Yuan and said, "Junior Brother Liu, why have you come here? I happen to be stationed here; why didn't you come to see me?"

Liu Yuan pretended to be surprised and said, "Oh? Senior Brother is stationed at the camp? I was unaware. I came here to visit Fellow Daoist Han and just happened to run into this matter."

"I see. If you have time, come visit me. I have other matters to attend to, so I will not linger here!" After speaking, Huo Lian beckoned to Xu Yang and the others, leading the way out of the room. Xu Yang and his group quickly followed and left the area, leaving behind only the gloomy and frustrated figures of Liu Yuan and Han Xing.