Refining the Heavenly Flames, Yun Shan Guards the Way

When the poisonous blood entered Protector Liu's mouth.

His expression changed for an instant.

Then he dropped to one knee and said to Ji Changqing in a deep voice:

"Liu Li is willing to pledge loyalty to Your Excellency."

As he spoke, he voluntarily dispersed the black mist surrounding his body, revealing his true appearance.

He looked to be in his thirties.

The kind of face that would vanish into a crowd and never be found again.

Only a red mole the size of a pinky fingernail on his chin gave him a distinguishing feature that set him apart from ordinary people.

"Mm."

Ji Changqing nodded and said hoarsely:

"The blood I gave you is poisonous blood from an Innate Calamity Poison Body."

"On the Dou Qi Continent, only an Innate Calamity Poison Body can cure your poison."

"I will give you a fixed dose of antidote at regular intervals. As long as you cooperate obediently, I will ensure your safety."

When he heard the words "Calamity Poison Body," a trace of terror appeared on Protector Liu's somewhat pale face.

"C-Calamity Poison Body?!"

He had heard of the terrifying nature of the Calamity Poison Body.

It could be called the most sinister constitution in the world today.

The poison of a Calamity Poison Body was even known as King of Hell's Poison.

It meant that once one was afflicted by the Calamity Poison Body, it was no different from meeting the King of Hell.

Protector Liu instantly became dejected.

Fine.

Whatever.

Wasn't it just being an undercover agent?

As long as he lived, that was all that mattered.

"This subordinate understands. I will certainly serve you with utmost devotion!"

Protector Liu felt that wording was a little strange.

So he cautiously asked:

"Um... brother... no... uncle? That doesn't seem right either..."

"How should I address you?"

Ji Changqing certainly was not going to reveal his real name.

He said indifferently:

"You may address me as my lord."

"In the future, I will contact you using Protector Wu's token."

"Yes, my lord."

He had successfully killed Protector Yuan and even turned a Soul Hall envoy to his side.

The mission had been completed perfectly.

Ji Changqing turned to leave.

"Farewell, my lord!"

Protector Liu bowed respectfully, inwardly letting out a sigh of relief.

But just then, Ji Changqing, who had already taken several steps away, abruptly turned back.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—

A string of Seven-Colored Poison Blood shot toward Protector Liu at incredible speed, like candied hawthorn skewers.

Protector Liu backed away in terror and shouted:

"My lord, I've already surrendered!"

"Y-You... why must you go this far?!"

How could Protector Liu's speed possibly compare to Ji Changqing's?

In his panic, he condensed layer after layer of dou qi barriers in front of himself, but when the Seven-Colored Poison Blood touched them, it corroded through them with ease.

"What domineering Poisonous Blood of Calamity! It can even corrode dou qi!"

At that moment, he no longer doubted that this poisonous blood came from a Calamity Poison Body.

He could only watch helplessly as the poisonous blood landed on his body and seeped into him.

Protector Liu gritted his teeth and asked in confusion:

"I, Liu Li, have already surrendered!"

"Why are you doing this, my lord?!"

Ji Changqing replied:

"I gave you a full thirty-two drops of poisonous blood. Now I'm sure that no one besides me can cure your poison."

Ji Changqing let out a long breath.

Now he had Protector Liu completely under his control.

Otherwise, he would never feel at ease.

Protector Liu stared blankly at the black-robed man before him.

"Fucking hell...!"

He cursed viciously in his heart.

What did this man take him for?!

Since he had said he would surrender, he would certainly fulfill his duty as an undercover agent!

He was a man who kept his word!

Since he could not win, he did not dare curse aloud.

Protector Liu forced a smile onto his pale face.

"My lord... you did the right thing. This subordinate bids you farewell."

Ji Changqing nodded coldly, then vanished into the forest.

After lingering where he stood for a while, Protector Liu also left with repeated sighs.

About a quarter of an hour after Protector Liu left.

Ji Changqing emerged from the tree canopy.

He had not left at all. He had merely wanted to see what Protector Liu would say and do once he was alone.

If Ji Changqing discovered that Protector Liu showed any disloyalty toward him.

Then he could conveniently kill him.

"Time to head back!"

Having dealt with the threat posed by Protector Yuan, Ji Changqing felt exceptionally relaxed.

He transformed into a streak of light and left the forest.

But he did not immediately return to the Misty Cloud Sect.

After all, he had come out this time under the pretext of training.

After casually killing several second-tier monster beasts and finding several monster cores, Ji Changqing set off for the Misty Cloud Sect.

Just as when he had returned to the sect after training in the Monster Beast Mountain Range last time.

Ji Changqing stopped outside the territory under the Misty Cloud Sect's jurisdiction. He then slipped into a small forest nearby, and when he emerged again, he looked like a refugee.

Since Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran did not know when he would return.

Ji Changqing limped back to the courtyard.

When he saw Yun Yun watering the flowers and Nalan Yanran practicing her swordsmanship, Ji Changqing wiped his soot-black face and said in a trembling voice:

"Master, Junior Sister, I'm back."

Clang.

The watering can fell from Yun Yun's hand.

Nalan Yanran threw down the longsword in her hand.

"Changqing/Senior Brother..."

At the dinner table.

Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran constantly placed food into Ji Changqing's bowl.

Holding his bowl, Ji Changqing practically buried his face in the food as he said indistinctly:

"Mmm, Master's cooking is still the best!"

He said it with complete sincerity.

Although Yun Yun was the leader of a sect, she truly was an excellent cook.

It was just that only Ji Changqing and Nalan Yanran had the privilege of tasting her cooking.

"If you like it, eat more."

Yun Yun looked at Ji Changqing fondly and placed another chopstickful of food into his bowl.

"Master, can't we just stop sending Senior Brother out to train?"

Nalan Yanran looked sympathetically at Ji Changqing as he stuffed himself with food and said:

"Every time, Senior Brother comes back looking so miserable. It's obvious he suffered greatly outside."

"If Master insists on sending Senior Brother out to train, then let me go with him."

A trace of guilt and heartache flashed through Yun Yun's beautiful eyes when she heard Nalan Yanran's words.

But those emotions were quickly concealed, replaced by unquestionable resolve.

"Training outside is necessary."

"Otherwise, you will forever be flowers raised in a greenhouse."

"However, next time, I can consider letting you two train together."

Delight flashed across Nalan Yanran's pretty face.

"Hehe, thank you, Master!"

Yun Yun nodded with a smile, then turned her gaze toward Ji Changqing again.

"Changqing, I have good news for you."

Ji Changqing raised his head, with a grain of spirit rice still stuck at the corner of his mouth.

"What good news?"

Yun Yun said with a smile:

"The heavenly treasures needed to absorb the Heavenly Flames have all been gathered."

"Spend the next couple of days adjusting yourself to peak condition, then you can begin refining the Heavenly Flames."

"Oh, and when your grandmaster Yun Shan learned that you were going to refine the Heavenly Flames, he specifically ended his seclusion to guard the way for you."

"Guard the way?"

Ji Changqing blinked.

Did that mean Yun Shan would watch over him while he refined the Heavenly Flames?