Keep the Secret!

Li Qingshan scooped Ye Lingshuang into his arms and cast the Flying Rainbow Technique. His figure darted through the mountain forest, and soon he had raced over a hundred li before stopping in a secluded spot.

Ye Lingshuang had already fainted.

Her injuries were severe, and her breath was as faint as a candle flickering in the wind. She needed immediate treatment.

My Longevity Technique mana seems capable of saving people, but the Longevity Technique is far too important to expose!

Li Qingshan thought to himself.

The Longevity Technique mana was special, brimming with vitality. Once he transferred it into her, its distinctive properties would be far too obvious and easily arouse suspicion.

Li Qingshan glanced at the several medicine bottles he had just searched from Chen Feng's storage pouch, then quickly recalled the top-grade Spirit Pills in his Wish-Fulfilling Gourd that he couldn't let anyone see. His thoughts raced.

Am I really going to just watch her die?

Li Qingshan hesitated.

It seemed best if Ye Lingshuang died. That was the only way he could keep his secret hidden.

No! Putting aside the fact that she brought me into the Immortal Realm and owes me no small kindness, and that she once protected me against Zhang Hongxiu, more importantly, there's a Nascent Soul monster behind her. Who knows what divine powers a Nascent Soul monster might possess? I can't take the risk. Ye Lingshuang has to be saved!

Li Qingshan watched Ye Lingshuang lying before him, his thoughts turning.

But even if I save her, I absolutely can't expose my Longevity Mana. I can only use a pill. Perhaps I can use an Azure Flower Pill...

He made up his mind in an instant.

He pretended to search inside his robes, but in truth took an Azure Flower Pill from his Wish-Fulfilling Gourd.

After he had placed the mid-grade first-tier Azure Flower Pill into the Wish-Fulfilling Gourd, it had become a top-grade first-tier Azure Flower Pill.

Though it was only a first-tier pill, top-grade Spirit Pills were exceedingly precious and rare, and had a powerful healing effect even for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

He carefully placed the pill in Ye Lingshuang's mouth, then used a gentle stream of ordinary Wood-attribute spiritual power to help dissolve its medicinal properties. This power came from the sixth level of Qi Refining cultivation he had simulated with the Evergreen Technique. It seemed pure, but was nowhere near as full of limitless vitality as Longevity Mana.

Once the pill entered her stomach, its immense yet gentle medicinal power quickly dissolved, nourishing her damaged meridians and internal organs.

A flush of abnormal color quickly appeared on Ye Lingshuang's pale face. Then, her breathing visibly steadied and strengthened.

Her long eyelashes fluttered a few times before she slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she felt was the pill's almost terrifying healing effect, far stronger than any other pill of the same tier she had ever taken!

She abruptly turned to Li Qingshan. Her beautiful eyes filled with shock and disbelief, and her voice trembled slightly with weakness and astonishment. "Junior Brother Li, what... what kind of pill is this? Its effects are unbelievably powerful! Where... where did you get it?"

She remembered clearly that Li Qingshan was merely an outer sect disciple who guarded the Hall of Discarded Treasures, with scarce resources. How could he possibly have such a miraculous pill?

Seeing her wake up and question him outright, Li Qingshan let just the right touch of "panic" and "embarrassment at having his secret exposed" show on his face. His gaze flickered aside. It seemed he struggled fiercely with himself before finally sighing in defeat and lowering his voice.

"Senior Sister Ye... are... are you feeling any better? This pill... well, it's a long story. I was simply lucky."

He paused deliberately, looking hesitant and uneasy, then continued, "About half a year ago, while I was cleaning out the deepest part of the Hall of Discarded Treasures, I accidentally triggered a hidden mechanism and discovered an abandoned cave dwelling.

"Inside... there were the remains of a Foundation Establishment senior. Beside them were a few bottles of pills, some Spirit Stones, this flying sword, and a jade slip containing an incomplete technique."

As he spoke, he summoned the Crimson Dragon Sword. The spiritual light of the top-grade magical artifact shimmered through the cave, and its razor-sharp aura made Ye Lingshuang's eyes narrow again.

"It was thanks to the legacy that senior left behind that my cultivation... that I managed to break through to the sixth level of Qi Refining." He kept his cultivation aura steady at the sixth level of Qi Refining, his face showing a newly wealthy man's unease and apprehension.

"The pill I gave you just now was one of the best healing pills among them... My knowledge is limited, so I don't know its exact name. I only knew it had extraordinary medicinal power, and in my panic, I gave it to you... I hope you won't blame me, Senior Sister."

His story was half true and half false, delivered with sincerity. He portrayed a small-time nobody who had come into unexpected wealth, both delighted and terrified, to perfection.

Ye Lingshuang listened quietly. Her gaze moved from the Crimson Dragon Sword back to Li Qingshan's wrinkled face, now covered in "unease."

Her divine sense was damaged, so she couldn't accurately probe Li Qingshan's background. Even if she could, the Turtle Breath Technique would keep her from discovering his true cultivation.

But his sixth-level Qi Refining aura was unmistakable, as was that top-grade flying sword. And there was no denying the pill's astonishing effects.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator's cave-dwelling legacy... It was a startling explanation, but not entirely impossible.

In the cultivation world, such fortuitous encounters were rare, but they were occasionally heard of.

The shock and doubts in her heart eased somewhat, replaced by complicated emotions.

She looked at Li Qingshan and spoke softly. "I see. This is your immortal opportunity. There's nothing to blame you for. If not for that pill, I fear I would have..."

She paused, then said solemnly, "Thank you, Li Qingshan. You've saved me again."

Li Qingshan hastily waved his hands, his manner still respectful. "You flatter me, Senior Sister! If you hadn't brought me into the sect back then and helped me time and again, I'd have been little more than a mound of dirt by now. Being able to help you today was simply my duty."

Then he changed tack. His expression turned earnest, almost pleading, and he leaned forward slightly. "It's just... Senior Sister, I'm old, and my aptitude is poor. I've already been left trembling with unease by this opportunity, afraid that carrying a jade would bring disaster and cost me my life.

"Could I ask you to keep the cave-dwelling legacy and my meager cultivation a secret? I ask nothing else. I only hope to live a few more years in peace. I'd never dare cause you any trouble!"

His words were heartfelt, perfectly conveying an old man's longing for a quiet twilight and his fear of the dangers that might come.

Looking at the plea on his aged face, Ye Lingshuang thought of how he had struggled for a century before finally gaining this opportunity. It truly hadn't been easy. She couldn't help but feel pity and understanding for him. Moreover, he had helped her again and again, and seemed to be a man of reliable character.

She pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded, her tone serious. "Rest assured. I swear upon my Dao Heart: what leaves your mouth will enter my ears, and I will never mention it to a third person.

"You've done me a kindness. I, Ye Lingshuang, am no one to forget a debt or confuse right and wrong. Since you wish to live in peace, I'll do what I can to protect you."

When he heard Ye Lingshuang swear upon her Dao Heart, the heavy stone in Li Qingshan's heart finally dropped. His face showed relieved gratitude, and he bowed repeatedly. "Thank you, Senior Sister! Thank you for granting my request!"

Two days later, powerful waves of spiritual energy and the anguished howls of demonic beasts came from outside.

The Spring Autumn Sect's second wave of reinforcements had finally arrived. With overwhelming force, they cleared the demonic beasts from around the market town, and a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator personally slew the controlled Moon-Howling Wolf King.