The Heavenly Demon Sect's Saintess!

This was the primary ingredient for refining various Tier 3 pills. Consuming it directly could greatly increase one's cultivation and strengthen the body. For cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm, it was a treasure that was hard to come by, and even Golden Core cultivators would be tempted.

Judging by its appearance, it was fully ripe!

He immediately acted, carefully uprooting the three Vermilion Fruits along with some soil and roots. He then placed them into a specially made jade box and sealed it.

However, the moment he collected the Vermilion Fruits, a greedy and ferocious voice rang out from behind him:

"Kid! Hand it over! How can a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage covet such a heavenly treasure?!"

Li Qingshan's heart tightened, and he slowly turned around.

He saw a tall, muscular cultivator in Kui Ba Sect attire, who was in the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. The cultivator was staring at the jade box in his hand with burning eyes, his face filled with undisguised killing intent and greed.

Clearly, the fluctuations from the broken restriction and the brief aroma of the fruit had attracted a lurker.

"Fellow Daoist of the Kui Ba Sect, I discovered this item first," Li Qingshan said in a deep voice, attempting to avoid conflict.

"Stop the nonsense! If I see it, it's mine! If you know what's good for you, hand it over obediently and cripple one of your arms. Then, I might consider sparing your dog life!"

The Kui Ba Sect cultivator approached with a sinister grin, his blood and qi surging. He had clearly cultivated some body-refining technique, and his strength was not to be underestimated.

Li Qingshan's eyes instantly turned cold.

He knew this situation could not be resolved peacefully.

The moment the Kui Ba Sect cultivator prepared to forcibly snatch it, Li Qingshan moved!

Without the slightest hesitation, his Ice Sword suddenly erupted with a dazzling ice-blue sword light. It moved at extreme speed, piercing directly towards the opponent's heart!

At the same time, his left hand flicked almost imperceptibly!

The Kui Ba Sect cultivator hadn't expected a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage to attack first, let alone with such speed!

He hastily threw up a punch to block, his fist covered in a thick layer of earth-yellow light.

Boom!

Sword and fist collided, and the Ice Sword Qi fiercely clashed with the earth-elemental protective Qi!

The cultivator felt an unimaginable force and extreme coldness emanating from the sword tip, numbing his arm and causing his blood and qi to churn. His protective Qi fluctuated violently!

"How can someone in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage be this strong? A top-grade spirit artifact... and you hid your cultivation?! Fellow Daoist, you've misunderstood. I'll leave now. How about we let this go?"

He shouted in horror, his eyes filled with panic. He realized he had provoked someone formidable and immediately wanted to turn and flee.

But before he could finish speaking, an invisible sharp spike had silently entered his glabella!

Soul-Extinguishing Needle!

"Ugh..."

The Kui Ba Sect cultivator's body stiffened abruptly. The horror and greed in his eyes froze instantly, his consciousness rapidly dissipated, and his massive body crashed to the ground, his aura completely extinguished.

Li Qingshan's expression was blank. He waved his hand, retracting his Ice Sword and Soul-Extinguishing Needle. He quickly seized the opponent's storage bag and flicked a fireball, turning the corpse into ashes.

The entire process was clean and efficient, taking a very short amount of time.

He dared not linger and immediately turned to leave this place of trouble.

However, the moment he turned, his peripheral vision caught sight of a cold figure standing by the broken wall at the entrance of the medicinal garden in the distance.

Clad in a green robe, with a graceful figure and a beautiful face, it was Ye Lingshuang!

Ye Lingshuang, why is she here? Forget it, I should minimize contact to avoid exposing my identity!

Li Qingshan thought to himself.

Ye Lingshuang seemed to have just arrived at this location after searching, and she happened to witness Li Qingshan instantly kill the Kui Ba Sect cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage and collect the remains.

Her gaze fell upon Li Qingshan's back and profile. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a faint trace of doubt flashed in her eyes.

This person... his build and decisiveness in action seem somewhat familiar?

But the thought only flashed by. She shook her head, "Impossible... that person was only in the Qi Refining stage, and much older. There's no way he could have such strength and such a young face... it must be an illusion."

She did not speak. After giving Li Qingshan a deep look, she turned and transformed into a green rainbow, soaring towards the deeper parts of the medicinal garden.

Li Qingshan's heart tightened. He knew Ye Lingshuang had probably seen something just now. Although she didn't seem to recognize him, he couldn't stay here any longer.

He immediately controlled his escape light and quickly left the abandoned medicinal garden.

Not long after flying out, just as he was preparing to find a secluded spot to digest his gains, a black figure appeared silently in front of him like a ghost.

The person wore a black dress, and her face was covered by a thin black veil. Although her full appearance couldn't be seen, the eyes revealed were like cold autumn stars, deep and icy. Her figure was graceful, and her aura was transcendent and ethereal, carrying a mysterious and dangerous presence.

What shocked Li Qingshan even more was that the spiritual pressure emanating from this woman was actually at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment!

"May I ask what guidance you have for me?"

Li Qingshan stopped his escape light, looking at the other party warily, his internal magic power secretly circulating.

Judging by her attire, this woman should be from the Heavenly Demon Sect.

The black-veiled woman did not answer immediately. Instead, she scrutinized Li Qingshan with her eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through people's hearts. Her voice was clear and pleasant, yet carried an undeniable tone: "In the medicinal garden just now, you were the one who killed the Kui Ba Sect disciple and took the Vermilion Fruit."

She stated it as a fact, not a question.

Li Qingshan's heart sank, yet his expression remained composed. "What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist? This Humble One does not understand."

"There is no need to deny it."

The woman in the black veil gave a light laugh; even through the veil, one could sense her elegance. "I happened to be passing by and saw the entire process. To kill a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage body cultivator in an instant with only Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivation—your methods were decisive and ruthless, and your concealment skills are truly remarkable. You are certainly no ordinary rogue cultivator."

She paused, her tone carrying a hint of temptation. "I have no interest in the Vermilion Fruit. I am looking for you because I wish to cooperate."

"Cooperate?"

Li Qingshan frowned.

"Correct."

The black-veiled woman pointed toward a pitch-black ancient hall in the center of the distant ruins, which remained relatively intact but was shrouded in a powerful restriction.

"That 'Heritage Ancient Hall' is believed to be the place where core disciples of the Mysterious Sky Sect received their inheritance. It likely contains the sect's cultivation manuals, jade slips of divine abilities, and perhaps even ancient treasures."

"However, the outer restriction is formidable and requires a special method to open. I cannot succeed on my own."

"I have observed you for a long time. You are meticulous, possess extraordinary means, and seem to have some understanding of restrictions. If you cooperate with me, we can break the restriction together, and I will give you thirty percent of whatever we find inside."

Although her tone was calm, the spiritual pressure of a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection stage cultivator hovered around Li Qingshan, carrying a faint hint of a threat.

Li Qingshan weighed his options rapidly.

Refuse?

The opponent's cultivation was far higher than his own; she was undoubtedly at the level of a true disciple of the Heavenly Demon Sect, and her methods would surely be bizarre and unpredictable. A flat refusal might lead to immediate death.

Agree?

Dealing with a tiger for its skin carries immense risk. This woman was deep-scheming, and her talk of cooperation and splitting the spoils was likely a facade; she would probably kill him once he had served his purpose.

But the current situation left him no choice...

Li Qingshan allowed a look of "struggle" and "temptation" to cross his face. Finally, appearing to have made up his mind, he cupped his hands and said, "I am honored by your regard, Fellow Daoist. This Humble One is willing to lend a hand. I only hope you will keep your promise."

A look of satisfaction flashed in the black-veiled woman's eyes, and she nodded slightly. "Very good. Those who understand the times are wise. Follow me."

With that, she turned and flew toward the pitch-black ancient hall.

Li Qingshan followed behind, his eyes deep and thoughtful. So be it. I shall play along for now and see what mysteries this ancient hall holds. The moment things go wrong, I will use the Earth Escape Technique and all my trump cards to flee!