"Alas, that was a Foundation Establishment senior! We Qi Refining disciples are nothing more than lambs awaiting the slaughter! What choice could we possibly have?" Cao Ming failed to recognize the preciousness of the medicinal pill in his hand. The Hundred Herbs Sect lacked nothing less than pills, so he casually tucked it into his robes. Looking at the several disciples who were likewise still shaken, he waved a hand. "Let's go. Gather Fan Zhe's remains, return to Huanghua Ridge, and await the sect master's instructions!"
"Senior Brother Cao... what... what exactly happened here?" Those close to Cao Ming naturally had to ask.
"How would I know what happened?" Cao Ming shook his head slightly. "In the eyes of Foundation Establishment seniors, we are merely children. They can toy with us however they please! But judging from Fan Zhe's case alone, no matter what circumstances we face, we must firmly hold to our true hearts. Whatever we say or do, we must ask our own consciences first!"
At this point, Cao Ming was suddenly struck by a thought and turned to look in the direction Xiao Hua and Zhang Qingxiao had vanished.
"What is it, Senior Brother Cao?" Everyone turned pale, thinking Cao Ming had discovered that the two had returned.
"No... nothing!" Cao Ming said in a low voice. "What I just said seems to have... made me understand a principle of cultivation!"
"Senior Brother Cao's own words made Senior Brother Cao understand?" The others were somewhat baffled.
"Alas, yes!" Cao Ming sighed. "To have a clear conscience!!! That is the true essence of cultivation! Only then can our state of mind remain without blemish, and only then can our Dao hearts become clear and exquisite..."
The group of disciples around the seventh layer of Qi Cultivation nodded as