A Sudden Turn

If Chen Fan had said this in the past, not only would Chen Jingjing have been so angry she cried, but Zhang Rumeng would have been speechless too.

But now, when Chen Fan said these words, the two of them believed him in unison and found it unbelievable.

There was no need to mention a precious spiritual pill like the Marrow Cleansing Pill. The Qi Gathering Array Chen Fan had mentioned was something only major sects might possess. Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng were naturally so shocked that they couldn't speak.

In truth, the array formation itself wasn't complicated, but the materials needed to set it up were astonishing. It required ten Spirit Stones as the array's core, arranged in five directions inside and five outside. The array then gathered the spiritual energy of heaven and earth from the surrounding area, allowing cultivators to absorb it at several times the usual rate. This energy was even denser than the spiritual power in a Spirit Stone. Cultivating inside the Qi Gathering Array made one's cultivation grow at a frenzied pace.

Ordinary cultivators might not even be able to produce a single Low-Grade Spirit Stone. Even if they had one, they would choose to refine it directly and absorb it into their bodies, just as Chen Jingjing's father, Chen Nan, had done back then to advance his cultivation.

But by using all ten Spirit Stones to set up the array, Chen Fan would produce spiritual power equivalent to twenty Spirit Stones.

Besides helping Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng improve their cultivation, he also needed to push for the Qi Refining Ninth Layer and stabilize the True Qi within his body. One Qi Gathering Array probably wouldn't be enough for him.

"Chen Fan, where did you get so many Spirit Stones?" Zhang Rumeng asked, eyes wide as she watched Chen Fan take out ten of them.

"An unexpected opportunity," Chen Fan replied, still indifferent. He handed the Marrow Cleansing Pills to the two of them.

"I'll teach you how to refine the Marrow Cleansing Pill first. You must memorize the method. Refine the pill completely, or its medicinal power will rupture your meridians."

"Mm, we understand, brother." Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng nodded and accepted the pills. They didn't press Chen Fan about it any further. They guessed that he must have had a great stroke of fortune in Demon King Valley; otherwise, he wouldn't have clashed with the Immortal Sect.

The next day, Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng wore grave expressions. Under Chen Fan's watchful gaze, they swallowed the Marrow Cleansing Pills and circulated the cultivation method he had taught them. In an instant, they brought the pills' immense medicinal power under control and directed it into their meridians and bones, thoroughly cleansing and renewing their bodies.

Chen Fan sat to one side and watched. Refining the Marrow Cleansing Pill wasn't difficult, but Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng had only spent one night memorizing the method, and he worried something might go wrong. Fortunately, both of them were highly talented, and their condition remained stable throughout. Chen Fan gave a slight nod.

At that moment, a storm was about to break outside Demon King Valley.

Heaven Ghost Sect.

A black-robed man stood inside an Underground Palace. With a bang, he suddenly struck the stone statue beside him with his palm, smashing it to pieces as if venting his anger.

"Chen Clan, Chen Fan... I underestimated you." The black-robed man was Sect Master Su of the Heaven Ghost Sect. Standing alone in the Underground Palace, he muttered coldly to himself. He knew that Lin Shang and Elder Li were already dead.

His face was dark, his eyes filled with icy menace. A moment later, he suddenly moved, his figure flashing like a ghost as he appeared outside the Underground Palace. He headed toward the Heaven Ghost Sect's main hall.

Two Heaven Ghost Sect disciples were already waiting in the hall. When they saw Sect Master Su approach, they knelt and bowed their heads in unison. "Greetings, Sect Master Su."

"Contact the disciples hidden on Heavy Sword Peak and have them spread the news that Elder Li of Heavy Sword Peak was killed by Chen Fan of the Chen Clan outside Heavy Sword City," Sect Master Su said. A hint of coldness curled his lips as he added, "Find a clever man to pose as an eyewitness."

"Yes!"

The two disciples hurriedly withdrew.

At that moment, a shadow lay crouched on the roof, hearing every word. A puff of white smoke rose, and the shadow disappeared without a sound.

Seconds after he vanished, Sect Master Su suddenly leaped onto the roof. He looked at the empty rooftop, his brows drawn tightly together and his expression cold.

The next day, outside Heavy Sword City, Yang Feng, Elder Lin, and the others stood before a corpse, their faces dark.

"Reporting to Peak Master Yang and the Elders: the corpse has been confirmed to be Elder Li's. There are two sword wounds on his body, one on his right hand and one on his neck. His right hand was cleanly severed, while the wound to his neck was fatal," a disciple reported respectfully.

"That little bastard!" Elder Lin roared, his face quivering with rage.

"He murdered his master and betrayed his ancestors. His methods are ruthless," one Elder said in a low voice, frowning slightly.

"He must resent us for not helping him in front of the Immortal Sect, so he murdered Elder Li. I fear I'll be next," Elder Lin said through gritted teeth, his face twisted with fury.

Yang Feng frowned and swept his gaze over the disciples. "Which disciple witnessed this?"

A stir ran through the crowd, and a thin, ordinary-looking disciple stepped forward.

"What's your name? Tell us everything you saw that night," Yang Feng said gravely.

"This disciple is Tang Wan. Greetings, Peak Master Yang and all the Elders." The disciple bowed to Yang Feng and the others before continuing, "That night, I was meditating and cultivating at home when a shadow flashed past my window. Curious, I followed it outside and saw Chen Fan and Elder Li. Elder Li seemed to be urging Chen Fan not to stray onto the wrong path, but Chen Fan was arrogant and looked down on everyone. He not only called Elder Li useless, but also tore Heavy Sword Peak to pieces with his words."

As Tang Wan spoke, he cautiously glanced at Yang Feng and the others.

"Continue." Yang Feng and the others' faces had grown even darker.

"When Elder Li saw Chen Fan insulting Heavy Sword Peak like that, he drew his sword in a fit of rage. But Chen Fan was treacherous and had an accomplice. The man was wrapped in black clothes, so I couldn't see his face. I only saw him seize the moment while Chen Fan and Elder Li were fighting and slash through Elder Li's wrist. When Elder Li realized things had gone wrong, he fled deep into the forest. Chen Fan chased after him with his sword, while the black-clothed man spotted me and came after me. I was terrified and ran up the mountain, so I don't know what happened after that," Tang Wan said.

"The black-clothed man was strong enough to sever Elder Li's hand. If he was trying to kill you, how did you get away?" Yang Feng asked, staring at Tang Wan with fierce, tiger-like eyes.

Tang Wan was a skilled actor. His expression shifted slightly, taking on a hint of grievance. "This disciple learned the Flowing Cloud Steps, and the mountain was covered in trees. I used the terrain to keep him at bay and narrowly escaped, but..."

Tang Wan trailed off.

"But what?" Elder Lin asked gravely.

"But judging by the black-clothed man's manner, he seemed to be from the Demon Sect."

"Bang!"

A sharp crack rang out as Elder Lin struck a tree with his palm. True Qi blasted a hole through its trunk.

"He colluded with the Demon Sect and murdered his master. He deserves a thousand deaths. No wonder—no wonder that boy was so brazen and even quit Heavy Sword Peak on his own. It turns out he was a spy planted by the Demon Sect." Elder Lin laughed angrily.

"Peak Master Yang, please see that justice is done for Elder Li," the other Elders said, all glaring angrily at Yang Feng.

A trace of suspicion flickered in Yang Feng's eyes. After glancing at Tang Wan several times, he nodded. "As far as I know, Chen Fan grew up in Heavy Sword City. There are many unanswered questions here. Elder Lin, take Chen Fan to Heavy Sword Peak. I want to hear his explanation."

"Peak Master Yang, it's obvious that little bastard Chen Fan did this!" Elder Lin said heatedly.

"Elder Lin, bring him up the mountain first. We'll discuss it after that." Yang Feng's voice grew slightly stern.

"Yes!" Elder Lin had no choice but to agree.

Yang Feng nodded slightly, then turned to the Heavy Sword Peak disciples. "All disciples, heed my order. Carry Elder Li's body back to Heavy Sword Peak."

With that, he summoned a long sword and stepped onto it. The sword carried him into the sky, then transformed into a shooting star and flew toward Heavy Sword Peak.

"Flying on a sword." A trace of envy appeared in Elder Lin and the others' eyes. Once sword cultivators reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, they could fly on their swords, while Dao Cultivators could fly with the help of Spirit Tools. Unfortunately, they had been stuck at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer for years and still hadn't found the chance to enter the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Two hours later.

On Heavy Sword Peak.

"Peak Master Yang, the evidence is conclusive. Chen Fan colluded with the Demon Sect and murdered his master. He has now fled with Chen Jingjing," Elder Lin said, his face full of anger. He had gone to the Chen Clan's home but found no one there.

"Someone saw him enter Demon King Valley with his sister and the Zhang Family's young lady," another Elder said.

Yang Feng frowned. "Something doesn't add up."

"Peak Master Yang, I think Elder Lin is right. Chen Fan has clearly fled because he's guilty." A voice came from outside the hall, drawing everyone's attention.

"Young Sect Master." A flash of delight crossed Elder Lin's eyes.

The Young Sect Master slowly entered the council hall. Of the two Foundation Establishment experts who had followed him, only one had come.

"Peak Master Yang, I think we should station people at the entrance to Demon King Valley. When Chen Fan and Chen Jingjing come out, we'll capture them in one fell swoop. If Chen Fan resists, kill him on the spot. He's offended the Immortal Sect too, so he won't live long anyway. As for Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng, I want them captured alive." The Young Sect Master narrowed his eyes.

"Young Sect Master, about this..." Yang Feng hesitated.

"Peak Master Yang, this is my father's token. From now on, I'm taking over Heavy Sword Peak." The Young Sect Master pulled a Black Iron Token from his robe and announced it loudly.

When Yang Feng and the others saw the token, their expressions changed. They bowed in greeting one after another.

"Young Sect Master, I'll carry this out. But the Zhang Family may cause some trouble." Yang Feng looked up and spoke earnestly. He was only a disciple; there was no reason to offend the Young Sect Master over him.

"The Zhang Family?" The Young Sect Master frowned.

"The head of the Zhang Family is a Foundation Establishment expert. Taking Zhang Rumeng may cause some trouble."

"Trouble? The one thing I fear least is trouble." Thinking of Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng's beauty, the Young Sect Master's eyes turned lecherous. "Peak Master Yang, I expect you to handle this properly."

After speaking, the Young Sect Master turned and headed out of the council hall. The old woman behind him had remained silent the entire time, following close at his heels.

Only after the two had gone some distance from the council hall did the old woman speak. "Young Sect Master, you sent Elder Yang to investigate the Heaven Ghost Sect's Sect Master alone. If he's discovered, I fear he'll be in grave danger."

"You and Elder Yin have followed me for many years. How could I send you to your deaths? Don't worry, Elder Yin. I gave Elder Yang a Smoke Escape Talisman. He'll be back soon," the Young Sect Master said with a faint smile.

Hearing this, delight spread across the old woman's face. She clasped her hands and said, "Thank you, Young Sect Master."

Inside Demon King Valley.

Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng had completely refined the Marrow Cleansing Pills. Embarrassed by the pungent stench clinging to their bodies, the two blushed and ran to wash in the stream behind the mountain. Chen Fan calmly stayed where he was, extending his Divine Sense. The moment any other creature approached the two women, he would rush over at once.

A short while later, Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng returned in fresh green robes. Zhang Rumeng's face was still flushed, and she glanced at Chen Fan with shy, evasive eyes.

Chen Fan paid no attention to it. He arranged ten Spirit Stones on the open ground, forming an array that raised a curtain of light and enveloped the three of them.

Moments later, the array flashed with light. An invisible vortex seemed to appear above their heads, turning slowly. The spiritual energy within several miles was forcibly drawn in, gathering into a vast, abyssal sea of power that instantly filled the entire Qi Gathering Array.