Change

If it were the Chen Fan of before who said this, not only would Chen Jingjing be brought to tears, but Zhang Rumeng would also be left speechless.

But when the current Chen Fan spoke these words, the two of them believed him without hesitation and felt an overwhelming sense of disbelief.

The Marrow Cleansing Pill was a precious spiritual medicine not worth mentioning, but the Qi Gathering Array Chen Fan mentioned was something only major sects could possess. Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng were naturally too shocked to speak.

In truth, the formation of the Qi Gathering Array was not complicated, but the materials required to set it up were astonishing—ten spirit stones were needed as the array's eyes, arranged in an inner five directions and outer five directions pattern. This would gather the spiritual energy of heaven and earth from the surrounding area, allowing cultivators to absorb spiritual energy at a multiplied rate, even denser than the spiritual power within spirit stones. Cultivating within the Qi Gathering Array would cause one's cultivation to skyrocket at a frenzied pace.

But ordinary cultivators might not even be able to produce a single Low-Grade Spirit Stone. Even if they had one, they would choose to directly refine and absorb the spirit stone's energy into their bodies, just like Chen Jingjing's father, Chen Nan, who had advanced using a single spirit stone back in the day.

However, Chen Fan used all ten spirit stones to set up the array, and the spiritual power generated would ultimately be equivalent to twenty spirit stones.

Moreover, besides helping Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng improve their realms, he himself needed to break through to Qi Refining Ninth Layer and consolidate the True Qi within his body. One Qi Gathering Array might not even be enough for him.

"Chen Fan, where did you get so many spirit stones?" Seeing Chen Fan produce ten spirit stones, Zhang Rumeng widened her eyes and asked.

"A fortunate encounter." Chen Fan replied calmly as before, handing the Marrow Cleansing Pills to the two of them.

"I'll teach you the method to refine the Marrow Cleansing Pill first. You must memorize it thoroughly and completely dissolve the pill, or its medicinal properties will rupture your meridians."

"Mm, we understand, big brother." Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng nodded, took the Marrow Cleansing Pills, and did not press Chen Fan further. They guessed among themselves that Chen Fan had experienced a great fortune in Demon King Valley, otherwise he wouldn't have clashed with the Immortal Sect.

The next day, Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng wore solemn expressions. Under Chen Fan's watchful gaze, they swallowed the Marrow Cleansing Pills and circulated the mental method Chen Fan had taught them. Instantly, they controlled the pill's immense medicinal power, directing it to surge into their meridians and bones, thoroughly cleansing their marrow and refining their tendons.

Chen Fan sat to the side observing. While refining the Marrow Cleansing Pill wasn't difficult, Chen Jingjing and the others had only memorized the method for one night. He worried something might go wrong. Fortunately, both had excellent aptitudes and maintained a stable state, causing Chen Fan to nod slightly.

Meanwhile, 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 a nearby stone statue with his palm, shattering it to pieces, as if venting the rage in his heart.

"The Chen Clan, Chen Fan... I underestimated you." The black-robed man was none other than Sect Master Su of the Heaven Ghost Sect. Standing alone in the underground palace, he spoke coldly to himself, knowing that Lin Shang and Elder Li were already dead.

His face was dark and gloomy, his eyes filled with a chilling gleam. After a moment, he suddenly moved, his figure flickering like a ghost, appearing outside the underground palace and heading toward the main hall of the Heaven Ghost Sect.

In the main hall, two Heaven Ghost Sect disciples were already waiting. Seeing Sect Master Su approach, they both knelt and lowered their heads, speaking in unison: "Greetings, Sect Master Su."

"Contact the disciples hidden on Heavy Sword Peak. Have them spread the news that Elder Li of Heavy Sword Peak was killed by Chen Fan of the Chen Clan on the outskirts of Heavy Sword City." After saying this, a cold smile curled at the corner of Sect Master Su's mouth, and he added, "Find someone clever to pose as a witness."

"Yes!"

The two disciples quickly withdrew.

At that moment, a dark shadow clung to the eaves, taking in everything that was said. Then, a puff of white smoke rose, and the shadow silently vanished.

Just a few breaths after it disappeared, Sect Master Su suddenly leaped to the eaves. Staring at the empty rooftop, his brows furrowed deeply, and his expression turned icy.

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

"Reporting to Peak Master Yang and elders, the corpse has been confirmed as Elder Li's. There are two sword wounds—one on the right hand, one on the neck. The right hand was severed cleanly, and the neck wound was fatal." A disciple reported respectfully.

"This little beast." Elder Lin roared upon hearing this, the flesh on his face trembling.

"Killing one's master and betraying one's sect—this child's methods are vicious." Another elder frowned and spoke in a deep voice.

"He must hold a grudge because we didn't help him in front of the Immortal Sect, so he struck at Elder Li. Next, it will probably be me." Elder Lin's face twisted with fury as he ground his teeth.

Yang Feng furrowed his brow, swept his gaze over the many disciples, and asked, "Which disciple witnessed this?"

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

"What is your name? Repeat what you saw that night, one more time." Yang Feng said in a deep voice.

"Disciple Tang Wan, greetings to Peak Master Yang and all elders." The disciple bowed to Yang Feng and the others before speaking. "That night, this disciple was meditating at home when a dark shadow flashed past the window. Driven by curiosity, this disciple followed and saw Chen Fan and Elder Li. Elder Li seemed to be advising Chen Fan not to stray onto the wrong path, but Chen Fan was arrogant and insolent. Not only did he call Elder Li useless, but he also tore into Heavy Sword Peak without mercy."

Tang Wan paused here, cautiously glancing at Yang Feng and the others.

"Continue." Yang Feng and the others' expressions grew darker.

"Seeing Chen Fan insult Heavy Sword Peak so harshly, Elder Li drew his sword in anger. Unexpectedly, Chen Fan was cunning and had an accomplice. The accomplice was wrapped in black robes, and this disciple couldn't see his face. I only saw that while Chen Fan fought Elder Li, the accomplice struck and severed Elder Li's wrist. Elder Li saw the situation was dire and fled into the depths of the forest. Chen Fan gave chase with his sword, while the black-robed man noticed this disciple and pursued me. This disciple was terrified and ran up the mountain, so I don't know what happened after that," Tang Wan said.

"If the black-robed man could sever Elder Li's hand, his cultivation must be considerable. If he pursued you, how did you escape?" Yang Feng stared at Tang Wan with tiger-like eyes.

Tang Wan's acting was superb; a slight ripple crossed his face, and he put on a aggrieved expression. "This disciple has mastered the Flowing Cloud Steps, and the mountain was thick with trees. I used the terrain to outmaneuver him and escaped disaster. However..."

Tang Wan hesitated.

"However, what?" Elder Lin said in a low voice.

"However, this disciple felt that the black-robed man's methods resembled those of the Demon Sect."

Bang!

A sharp sound rang out as Elder Lin struck a large tree with his palm, the trunk bursting open from the impact of True Qi.

"Colluding with the Demon Sect, killing one's master and betraying one's sect—deserving of death ten thousand times over. No wonder, no wonder that brat was so confident and even withdrew from Heavy Sword Peak on his own. So he was a spy planted by the Demon Sect." Elder Lin laughed bitterly.

"Peak Master Yang, you must seek justice for Elder Li." The other elders also spoke with fury, turning to Yang Feng.

A flicker of doubt passed through Yang Feng's eyes. After staring at Tang Wan for several moments, he nodded. "As far as I know, Chen Fan grew up in Heavy Sword City. This matter seems full of doubts. Elder Lin, bring Chen Fan to Heavy Sword Peak. I want to hear his explanation."

"Peak Master Yang, this matter is clearly the work of that little beast Chen Fan," Elder Lin said excitedly.

"Elder Lin, let's take him up the mountain first before discussing further," Yang Feng said, his tone slightly heavy.

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

Yang Feng nodded slightly, then looked at the other Heavy Sword Peak disciples and said, "All disciples, hear my order: carry Elder Li's remains back to Heavy Sword Peak."

With that, he turned, summoned a long sword, and it flew beneath his feet, lifting him into the air before transforming into a streak of light speeding toward Heavy Sword Peak.

"Sword Flight." Elder Lin and the others showed a trace of envy in their eyes. Sword cultivators, upon reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, could fly with their swords, while Dao Cultivators could rely on Spirit Tools to fly. Unfortunately, they had been stuck at Qi Refining Ninth Layer for years, never finding the opportunity to break into Foundation Establishment.

Two hours later.

On Heavy Sword Peak.

"Peak Master Yang, the evidence is conclusive. Chen Fan colluded with the Demon Sect, killed his master, and betrayed his clan. Now he has fled far away with Chen Jingjing," Elder Lin said, his face filled with anger after coming up empty at the Chen Clan.

"Someone saw the two siblings, along with the young lady of the Zhang family, enter Demon King Valley together," another elder reported.

Yang Feng frowned deeply upon hearing this and said, "There's something suspicious about this."

"Peak Master Yang, I think Elder Lin is right. Chen Fan is clearly fleeing out of guilt," a voice came from outside the door, drawing everyone's attention.

"Young Sect Master." A glimmer of joy flashed in Elder Lin's eyes.

The Young Sect Master slowly walked into the meeting hall, and behind him, only one of the two Foundation Establishment experts had followed.

"Peak Master Yang, I think we should station people at the entrance of 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. After all, this man has already offended the Immortal Sect and won't live long. As for Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng, I want them taken alive," the Young Sect Master said with narrowed eyes.

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

"Peak Master Yang, this is my father's token. Now, I am taking over Heavy Sword Peak," the Young Sect Master said loudly, pulling a black iron token from his chest.

Seeing the token, Yang Feng and the others' expressions changed drastically, and they all bowed in salute.

"Young Sect Master, I will handle this matter, but the Zhang family side might be a bit troublesome," Yang Feng said seriously after raising his head. A mere disciple wasn't worth offending the Young Sect Master over.

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

"The head of the Zhang family is a Foundation Establishment Realm expert. Taking Zhang Rumeng away might cause some trouble."

"Trouble? Trouble is the last thing I'm afraid of." The Young Sect Master thought of Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng's faces, and a lecherous glint appeared in his eyes. "Peak Master Yang, I hope you can get this done."

With that, the Young Sect Master turned and walked out of the meeting hall, the silent old woman following behind him.

Only after they had distanced themselves from the meeting hall did the old woman speak: "Young Sect Master, sending Elder Yang alone to investigate the Sect Master of the Heaven Ghost Sect—if he's discovered, it could be disastrous."

"You two, Yin and Yang Elders, have followed me for years. How could I send you to your deaths? Rest assured, 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, the old woman's face lit up with joy, and she clasped her fists and said, "Thank you, Young Sect Master."

Inside Demon King Valley.

Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng had fully refined the Marrow Cleansing Pill. Faced with the pungent smell on their bodies, the two blushed and ran to the river behind the mountain to wash. Chen Fan stayed calmly in place, extending his Divine Sense outward. The moment any other living creature approached Chen Jingjing and the others, he would rush over instantly.

After a while, Chen Jingjing and the other girl returned, having changed into green robes. Zhang Rumeng's face was still flushed, and her gaze toward Chen Fan was shy and evasive.

Chen Fan, however, paid it no mind. He placed ten Spirit Stones on the open ground, forming a barrier of light that enveloped the three of them.

A moment later, a flash of light passed through the formation. Above their heads, an invisible vortex seemed to appear, slowly spinning. The spiritual energy for miles around was forcibly drawn in, converging into a vast, ocean-like torrent of power that instantly filled the entire Qi Gathering Array.