Secrets of the Demonic Path, a Second Nascent Soul; Under Every Eye, the Might of a Single Sword
-Saving face could only come last!
For Daoist Qingping, if his dignity could keep him alive, or was worth even a few scraps of silver, he would surrender it without hesitation.
This was the path to longevity he enshrined as his guiding principle.
Never fight over a moment's wounded pride.
Once I break through to the Core Formation Middle Stage, hmph, I'll crush everyone who forced me to bend and scrape and lose face!
Clearly, he had his own internally consistent logic supporting the way he understood the world and acted within it.
With their business concluded, they chatted a little longer before Daoist Qingping rose to take his leave. "I still have some implements to refine. They may prove useful in the coming duel, so I'll take my leave now."
"Please, go ahead."
"Take care, Brother Qingping."
Lin Changheng and True Person Dong watched him leave.
The moment Daoist Qingping departed, Lin Changheng's divine sense surged outward, carefully sweeping several miles around them. True Person Dong was just about to-
Say something, but Lin Changheng raised a hand to stop him.
True Person Dong was puzzled, only to hear Lin Changheng suddenly speak, his voice echoing with an eerie calm. "Fellow Daoist Qingping, you've returned after leaving. Did you forget to tell us something, or leave something behind? Just say the word. Fellow Daoist Dong and I certainly wouldn't mind lending a hand-"
"What?"
True Person Dong started, his pupils contracting.
He had just swept the area with his divine sense too, and had clearly seen Daoist Qingping fly away without looking back. Even his aura had receded into the distance.
When-had he come back?
On the one hand, he was astonished that the man had returned. What was his purpose? He had been utterly unaware of it!
On