Keep the Secret!

Li Qingshan scooped up Ye Lingshuang and activated the Flying Rainbow Technique, his figure weaving through the mountain forests. Within moments, he had sprinted over a hundred miles, coming to a halt in a secluded spot.

Ye Lingshuang was unconscious.

Her injuries were grave, her breath as faint as a candle flickering in the wind; she required immediate treatment.

My Longevity Technique mana seems capable of saving lives, but the Longevity Technique is of monumental importance—it cannot be exposed!

Li Qingshan thought to himself.

The mana of the Longevity Technique was unique and brimming with vitality; once channeled into another, its characteristics would be far too distinct, easily inviting suspicion.

Li Qingshan's gaze swept over the medicine bottles he had just scavenged from Chen Feng's storage bag, then he quickly recalled the "illicit" top-grade spirit pills inside his Wish-Fulfilling Gourd, his thoughts racing like lightning.

Am I just going to watch her die?

Li Qingshan hesitated.

It would seem best if Ye Lingshuang died, as that would be the only way to keep his secrets buried.

No! Setting aside the fact that she brought me into the Immortal Sect and has shown me kindness, or that she once shielded me from Zhang Hongxiu, more importantly, she has a Nascent Soul monster behind her. Who knows what kind of divine abilities a Nascent Soul cultivator might possess? I cannot take the risk; Ye Lingshuang must be saved!

Li Qingshan looked at Ye Lingshuang lying before him, his mind churning with thoughts.

However, even if I save her, the Longevity mana must never be exposed. I can only use pills; perhaps the Azure Flower Pill will suffice...

He made his decision in an instant.

He pretended to fumble in his robes, but in reality, he retrieved an Azure Flower Pill from the Wish-Fulfilling Gourd.

The mid-grade Tier 1 Azure Flower Pill had transformed into a top-grade Tier 1 pill after he placed it inside the Wish-Fulfilling Gourd.

Even if it was only Tier 1, a top-grade spirit pill was extremely precious and rare, possessing potent healing effects even for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

He carefully placed the pill into Ye Lingshuang's mouth and used a gentle, ordinary wood-attribute spiritual energy to help her dissolve the medicinal power—this energy originated from the sixth level of Qi Refining he had simulated using the Evergreen Technique; while it appeared pure, it lacked the infinite vitality contained within his Longevity mana.

As the pill entered her stomach, the vast yet mild medicinal power quickly dispersed, nourishing her damaged meridians and internal organs.

A flush of unnatural red quickly appeared on Ye Lingshuang's pale face, and her breathing soon became steady and strong at a rate visible to the naked eye.

Her long eyelashes fluttered a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she felt was the terrifyingly effective healing power within her body, far more potent than any pill of the same grade she had ever taken!

She looked sharply at Li Qingshan, her beautiful eyes filled with shock and disbelief, her voice trembling slightly from weakness and surprise: "Junior Brother Li, this... what kind of pill is this? The medicinal effect is so... so powerful?! Where... where did you get it?"

She clearly remembered that Li Qingshan was merely an outer sect disciple who guarded the Hall of Discarded Treasures and lacked resources; how could he possibly possess such a miraculous elixir?

Seeing her wake up and ask directly, Li Qingshan wore a perfectly timed expression of "panic" and the embarrassment of having his secret exposed. His eyes darted away, and it was only after a fierce internal struggle that he sighed dejectedly and lowered his voice:

"Senior Sister Ye... are... are you feeling better? This pill... sigh, it's a long story, and it was truly just this disciple's good fortune."

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

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

As he spoke, he manifested the Crimson Dragon Sword. The spiritual light of the top-grade magical tool shimmered in the cave, its sharp aura causing Ye Lingshuang's eyes to narrow once more.

"It was only by relying on the legacy left by that senior that this disciple was... was lucky enough to break through to the sixth level of Qi Refining." He stabilized his own cultivation fluctuations at the sixth level of Qi Refining, his face showing the unease and trepidation of someone who had suddenly struck it rich.

"The pill I gave you just now was one of the best healing pills among them... This disciple is shallow in knowledge and didn't know its specific name, only that its power was extraordinary. In my desperation, I used it on you... I hope Senior Sister will not blame me."

His words were half-truth and half-lie, his tone sincere, perfectly portraying the psychology of a small, insignificant person who had stumbled upon a fortune and was both overjoyed and terrified.

Ye Lingshuang listened quietly, her gaze moving from the Crimson Dragon Sword back to Li Qingshan's wrinkled face, which was now filled with "unease."

Her divine sense was damaged, making it impossible to accurately probe Li Qingshan's background, and even if she could, the presence of the Turtle Breath Technique meant she would never discover his true cultivation level.

But the aura of the sixth level of Qi Refining could not be faked, that top-grade flying sword could not be faked, and that pill with its astonishing effects certainly could not be faked.

The legacy of a deceased Foundation Establishment cultivator's cave dwelling... this explanation, while shocking, was not entirely impossible.

Although such coincidences were rare in the cultivation world, they were not unheard of.

The shock and doubt in her heart subsided slightly, replaced by a complex emotion.

She looked at Li Qingshan and said softly: "So that is how it is. This is your immortal destiny; why would I blame you? If not for this pill of yours, I fear I would have..."

She paused, then said solemnly: "Thank you, Li Qingshan. You have saved me once again."

Li Qingshan waved his hands hurriedly, his attitude remaining respectful: "Senior Sister, you are too kind! If not for you bringing me into the sect and helping me many times over the years, this disciple would have long since turned to dust. Being able to help you today is merely my duty."

He changed the subject, his face showing an earnest, almost pleading expression, his body leaning forward slightly: "It is just... Senior Sister, this disciple is advanced in years and dull in aptitude. Having obtained this opportunity, I am filled with trepidation, fearing that possessing such a treasure will invite disaster. Regarding this cave legacy and my meager cultivation, could... could I please ask you to keep it a secret? This disciple has no other requests; I only wish to live a few more years in peace, and I would never dare to cause you any trouble!"

His words were earnest, perfectly capturing an old man's longing for a peaceful twilight and his fear of potential danger.

Watching the plea on his aged face and remembering how he had wasted a hundred years before finally encountering this opportunity, Ye Lingshuang could not help but feel a sense of pity and understanding. Furthermore, he had shown her kindness twice, and his character seemed reliable.

She pondered for a moment, then nodded slowly, her tone serious: "Rest assured. I swear upon my Dao heart: what leaves your mouth and enters my ears shall never be mentioned to a third person."

"You have shown me kindness, and I, Ye Lingshuang, am not someone who cannot distinguish right from wrong or forgets favors. Since you seek peace, I shall ensure it for you."

Hearing Ye Lingshuang swear upon her Dao heart, the heavy stone in Li Qingshan's heart finally fell. He wore an expression of relief and gratitude, bowing repeatedly: "Thank you, Senior Sister! Thank you for your grace!"

Two days later, powerful spiritual fluctuations and the wails of demonic beasts echoed from the outside world.

The second wave of reinforcements from the Spring Autumn Sect had finally arrived, clearing the demonic beasts around the market with thunderous momentum, and the controlled Moon-Howling Wolf King was personally slain by a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator.