He did not return to the Vice Minister's Mansion to see Li Yun.
With the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion destroyed, the capital was bound to fall into chaos. The Spring Autumn Sect would certainly send experts to investigate.
Any contact with Li Yun now could bring disaster down upon him.
Once clear of the capital, Li Qingshan raced south without stopping.
He knew this matter ran deep. A former cultivator at the peak of Foundation Establishment had died by his hand, and old grudges involving the Corpse Refining Sect or even the Pill Cauldron Sect might lie behind it. This was no small affair.
For now, returning to the Spring Autumn Sect was out of the question.
He flew several thousand li without pause, until he reached the border between the Spring Autumn Sect's and Pill Cauldron Sect's territories. Mountain ranges stretched on and on, few people lived there, and the sects' control was relatively weak.
He chose a Desolate Mountain with thin spiritual energy, carved out a simple cave dwelling, and immediately brought out the Mystic Yellow Formation Platform to set up the Mystic Yellow Earth Vein Spirit-Locking Formation.
This was a supreme-grade second-tier formation. Not only could it conceal his aura, it could draw on the earth veins and create a space of its own. With offense and defense in one, it would not be easy for even a Golden Core True Person to break through.
As he placed the formation flags, the entrance and its surroundings were enveloped. Light and shadow warped faintly, his aura was completely sealed away, and from outside, the place looked no different from the surrounding rock face.
"Phew... I'm safe for now, at least."
Only then did Li Qingshan truly relax.
He sat cross-legged, his gaze settling first on the storage ring he