This was the primary ingredient for refining several kinds of third-tier pills. Taking it directly could also greatly boost one's cultivation and strengthen the body. For Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, it was a treasure one could only hope to encounter, never seek out; even Golden Core cultivators would be tempted.
Judging by its appearance, it had fully ripened!
He immediately took action, carefully removing the three Vermilion Fruits along with some of the roots and soil, then sealing them in a specially made jade box.
However, the moment he collected the Vermilion Fruits, a greedy, vicious voice rang out behind him:
"Kid! Hand it over! A treasure of heaven and earth like this isn't something a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator like you can lay your hands on!"
Li Qingshan's heart tightened. He slowly turned around.
A tall, broad-shouldered cultivator with bulging muscles, dressed in the robes of the Kui Ba Sect, was staring feverishly at the jade box in his hands. His face was openly twisted with murderous intent and greed.
Clearly, the disturbance from the broken restriction and the brief waft of fruit fragrance had still drawn someone lurking nearby.
"Fellow Daoist of the Kui Ba Sect, I discovered this first," Li Qingshan said gravely, trying to avoid a conflict.
"Enough nonsense! If I saw it, it's mine! If you know what's good for you, hand it over and sever one of your own arms. Then I might consider sparing your worthless life!"
The Kui Ba Sect cultivator advanced with a savage grin. His blood and qi surged, clearly the result of some sort of body-tempering technique. He was no one to underestimate.
Li Qingshan's eyes turned cold in an instant.
He knew there was no resolving this peacefully.
The very moment the Kui Ba Sect cultivator prepared to snatch the treasure by force, Li Qingshan moved!
Without the slightest hesitation, the Ice Sword erupted in a dazzling beam of icy-blue sword light, thrusting straight toward his opponent's heart at blinding speed!
At the same time, Li Qingshan gave an almost imperceptible flick of his left hand!
The Kui Ba Sect cultivator hadn't expected a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator to dare attack first, let alone move so quickly!
He hurriedly raised his fist to block, a thick, earthen-yellow glow coating it.
Boom!
Sword met fist. Icy sword qi collided violently with earth-elemental astral energy!
The cultivator felt an unimaginable force and a wave of bone-deep cold rush from the tip of the sword. His arm went numb, his blood and qi churned, and even the astral energy protecting his body shuddered violently!
"How can a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator be this strong? A supreme-grade spirit artifact... And you were hiding your cultivation?! Fellow Daoist, it was a misunderstanding. I'll leave now. Let's call it even, all right?"
He cried out in terror. The fear in his eyes made it clear he knew he'd kicked an iron plate. He immediately tried to turn and flee.
But before he'd finished speaking, an invisible spike had already slipped soundlessly into the center of his brow!
The Soul-Extinguishing Needle!
"Gah..."
The Kui Ba Sect cultivator's body stiffened abruptly. The terror and greed in his eyes froze in place as his consciousness rapidly faded. His massive body crashed to the ground, lifeless.
Li Qingshan remained expressionless. With a wave of his hand, he recalled the Ice Sword and the Soul-Extinguishing Needle, swiftly pulled the man's storage pouch toward him, then flicked out a fireball and reduced the corpse to ash.
The whole thing had been quick and clean, over in a flash.
Daring not to linger, he immediately turned to leave the place of trouble.
But just as he turned, the corner of his eye caught sight of a cool, composed figure standing beside the broken wall near the distant entrance to the Medicine Garden. He hadn't noticed her arrive.
Dressed in blue, with a graceful figure and delicate features, she was none other than Ye Lingshuang!
"Ye Lingshuang. What's she doing here? Never mind. Better keep my distance so I don't expose my identity!"
Li Qingshan thought to himself.
Ye Lingshuang seemed to have only just reached the area while searching. As it happened, she had seen Li Qingshan kill the Kui Ba Sect's Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator in an instant—and collect the corpse.
Her gaze rested on Li Qingshan's back and profile. Her brows knitted slightly, a trace of faint puzzlement passing through her eyes.
"This person... His build, and the decisiveness with which he acted, seem a little familiar?"
But the thought vanished as quickly as it had come. She shook her head. "Impossible... That person was only at the Qi Refining stage, and already advanced in years. There's no way he could possess such strength or look so young... It must be my imagination."
She said nothing. After giving Li Qingshan one long look, she turned and transformed into a streak of blue light, darting deeper into the Medicine Garden.
Li Qingshan's heart tightened. Ye Lingshuang had probably seen at least some of what he'd done. Though she didn't seem to recognize him, he certainly couldn't stay here any longer.
He immediately mounted his flying light and left the abandoned Medicine Garden at speed.
He hadn't flown far and was just preparing to find somewhere secluded to take stock of what he'd gained when a black-clad figure silently appeared before him, blocking his way like a ghost.
The newcomer wore a black dress and a thin black veil over her face. Though her features were hidden, her exposed eyes were as cold and deep as autumn water beneath icy stars. Her figure was graceful, her bearing extraordinary, and a mysterious, dangerous aura surrounded her.
What alarmed Li Qingshan even more was the spiritual pressure radiating from her. She was unmistakably at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection!
"What do you want?"
Li Qingshan stopped in midair and watched her warily, secretly circulating his magical power.
From her clothing, she seemed to be from the Heavenly Demon Sect.
The veiled woman didn't answer at once. Instead, those eyes that seemed able to see straight through people studied Li Qingshan from head to toe. Her voice was clear and cool, yet carried an unquestionable edge. "The person who killed the Kui Ba Sect disciple and took the Vermilion Fruits in the Medicine Garden just now was you."
It was a statement, not a question.
Li Qingshan's heart sank, but his expression remained unchanged. "What do you mean, Fellow Daoist? I don't understand."
"There's no need to deny it."
The veiled woman chuckled softly. Though her face was hidden, he could still sense her captivating charm. "I happened to be passing by and saw the whole thing. You killed a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage body cultivator in an instant despite being at Foundation Establishment Early Stage. Your methods were ruthless and decisive, and you're exceptionally good at concealing your strength. You're no ordinary Rogue Cultivator."
She paused, her tone taking on a hint of temptation. "I'm not interested in those Vermilion Fruits. I came to find you because I want to work with you."
"Work together?"
Li Qingshan frowned.
"Exactly."
The veiled woman pointed to a black ancient hall in the center of the distant ruins. It was relatively well preserved, but shrouded in a powerful restriction.
"That is the 'Heritage Ancient Hall.' It's said to be where the core disciples of the Mysterious Sky Sect received their inheritances. It may contain cultivation manuals, jade slips recording divine abilities, or even ancient treasures from the Mysterious Sky Sect.
"But the restriction surrounding it is powerful, and it requires a special method to open. I can't succeed on my own."
"I've been watching you for some time. You're careful and capable, and you seem to know a thing or two about restrictions. Work with me, and we'll break through it together. I'll give you thirty percent of whatever we find inside."
Her voice was calm, but the spiritual pressure of Foundation Establishment Great Perfection faintly enveloped Li Qingshan, carrying an understated threat.
Li Qingshan weighed his options at lightning speed.
Refuse?
Her cultivation was far above his. She had to be a True Disciple of the Heavenly Demon Sect, and her methods were sure to be strange and unfathomable. If he refused outright, she might kill him on the spot.
Agree?
That would be like making a pact with a tiger. The risk was enormous. This woman was calculating, and her offer of cooperation and a share of the spoils was probably just a pretext. She might well kill him after she'd used him.
But right now, she held all the cards...
Li Qingshan let a look of "inner conflict" and "temptation" cross his face. In the end, he seemed to make up his mind and cupped his hands. "I'm honored by your confidence in me, Fellow Daoist. I'm willing to help you. I only ask that you keep your promise."
A look of satisfaction flashed in the veiled woman's eyes. She gave a slight nod. "Good. Those who know what's best for them are wise. Follow me."
With that, she turned and flew toward the black ancient hall.
Li Qingshan followed behind her, his gaze deep and unreadable as he thought, Fine. I'll play along for now and see what secrets this ancient hall holds. If anything seems wrong, I'll use Earth Escape Technique and every trump card I have to get out!
Before you continue