Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Pine Cloud Dynasty, Capital City.
A hazy curtain of rain shrouded the entire Capital City, and the ruined palace city lent the whole place an added air of desolation.
Within a secluded, somewhat dilapidated little courtyard.
Water seeped through the roof, dripping incessantly and gathering into a small puddle.
A dank, chilly wind blew in through the broken window, freezing one to the core.
On a bed made of straw, Xiao Fan removed his bloodstained, tattered clothes.
Across his chest ran a ferocious wound from his right shoulder down to the lower left side of his abdomen. Flesh and skin had split open, a horrifying sight.
A strand of Purple Qi coiled over it, shifting endlessly and preventing the wound from healing.
He took two jade bottles from his storage ring. After uncorking one of them, he poured its contents directly over the wound.
White powder scattered down, and the instant it touched the wound—
Sizzle~!
A puff of white smoke rose. Intense pain shot from the wound, while the Purple Qi faded somewhat.
Apparently dissatisfied with the result, Xiao Fan frowned. Still, he took out some gauze and wrapped the wound, then changed into a clean set of new clothes.
After finishing all this, he opened the other jade bottle and poured out a translucent pale-green pill, swallowing it.
Then he sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and began regulating his breath.
These injuries were connected to what had happened before.
After killing the old emperor that day, he had immediately fought Zi Yan, who called himself Purple Purity Temple's Mortal Realm guide.
Yet he had ultimately not reached Creation Foundation Establishment, while Purple Purity Temple was one of the Three Heavens Realm's greatest sects.
Facing Zi Yan, a mid-Golden Core cultivator, with Foundation Establishment