Chapter 231 - 228: Crimson Spring

Chapter 231: Chapter 228: Crimson Spring

Chen Qingyang immediately thought, ’Could there be a Fire Element Essence down there? If I could obtain it, that would be a pleasant surprise.’

After Zhao He spoke, he noticed that Chen Qingyang remained silent for a long while. With his Divine Soul bound by the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl, he certainly didn’t have the ability to escape.

"Immortal... Immortal..." he called out quietly, testing the waters.

Chen Qingyang snapped out of his reverie and nodded. "You truly haven’t deceived me. I saw everything you described with perfect clarity, especially the scene of barren land and jagged, grotesque rocks. It is truly a peculiar sight!"

These words shocked Zhao He into silence. He had once heard that the Divine Soul of a Golden Core True Monarch was immensely powerful, on the verge of gestating a Primordial Spirit. Such a being could extend their consciousness hundreds of miles away, perceiving every detail within that range with perfect clarity.

’Could the man before me have been there? Otherwise, how could he describe it so accurately?’

"...Im-Immortal... you truly have great abilities!"

Chen Qingyang deliberately projected an intimidating aura. "Without such means, who would dare to tread within the Demon Sect’s territory?"

Before Zhao He could reply, a gust of wind swept him up, depositing him outside the Red Spiritual Spring in an instant. The sheer speed made Zhao He wonder to himself, ’What is this man’s true cultivation level?’

"A small path has been built to this place. Was this Red Spiritual Spring discovered long ago?"

Zhao He quickly replied, "The Immortal has guessed correctly. This area is right next to True Demon Mountain and was originally an Immortal Treasure Land. It’s said that many years ago, it even gave birth to Five Elements Essence, but much of it was taken, leaving it in its current state."

Chen Qingyang carefully sensed the Red Spiritual Spring again. "The Qi Mechanism below feels sealed. Even if there is any Five Elements Essence left, whatever was accessible has already been taken. You want me to use my abilities to draw out the remainder? From what I can tell, that would take at least three to five years!"

As if terrified Chen Qingyang would suspect him of stalling for time, Zhao He said, "Immortal, please don’t be anxious! Since this path is a dead end, how about I think of another way?"

Chen Qingyang sneered, his expression turning sharp. "Oh? Then tell me."

But Zhao He just seemed to freeze. "Immortal, please wait. Let me think it over carefully..."

’As I thought. He’s still trying to stall for time. As long as he can keep me here, his chances of escaping with his life will increase dramatically.’

’This was the best plan he could come up with after his life fell into my hands: first feign weakness to earn my trust, then find an opportunity to stall for time, and finally, make a run for it.’

Fortunately, Chen Qingyang saw through it all. He waved his hand. "No need. I have my own way of handling this."

"And what method might that be, Immortal?"

Chen Qingyang took out the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl and tossed it into the Red Spiritual Spring. He immediately activated the Nine Yang Separation Fire Technique, causing Li Yang Earth Fire to pour out and making the fiery glow within the spring burn even brighter.

"If fire is all it takes to lure him out, then this fire should do the trick!"

Zhao He looked surprised, then his Divine Soul began to applaud. ’Wonderful! What a brilliant idea! I never would have thought this was no ordinary Magical Treasure. If only this True Fire would overflow even more... the people in the small building below would surely be alerted!’

Just as he’d thought, the Fire Dragon Pearl erupted with a towering pillar of fiery light. A powerful Qi Mechanism radiated outwards, traveling far and wide in the darkness of the night.

Just as Zhao He was about to cheer again, Chen Qingyang silenced him with a single gesture. Without his clamoring, Chen Qingyang held his breath, focused his senses, and hid in the shadows to wait.

’These three have lost their ability to think. They’re driven solely by instinct and only obey their Master. How strange!’

Through his Conscious Fish, Chen Qingyang watched the events unfold in the small building. He perceived a Qi Refining Disciple arrive in response to the disturbance. This disciple then rushed down the mountain without even informing the fellow disciples beside him, heading straight for the three Temple Masters’ training room.

’Zhao He was right, the man’s a sycophant.’

After hearing the disciple’s report, the young man was the first to speak. "Brother, did you hear that?"

The old man responded, "I heard it. Did you hear it?"

The young man snapped, "I’m asking you because I heard it first! Why are you asking me back? Are you muddled?"

The old man thought for a moment. "I... don’t think I’m muddled. Why don’t you tell us what to do?"

After going in circles, the problem was finally tossed to the middle-aged man. "It’s not complicated," he said. "First, this matter is very important for my cultivation, so I must investigate. Second, it might take several days, so you two must manage the temple’s affairs. Third, it would be inconvenient for you to accompany me, as it would interfere with my cultivation."

The young man immediately shot him down. "No. Master said we have to train together and do everything together. What do you think?"

The old man nodded. "I agree. We should all listen to Master."

He had already made a decision, but after their objections, the middle-aged man went silent. The sight made Chen Qingyang’s temper flare. ’Is this going to be just like last time? Are they going to drop the matter entirely?’

’Opportunities to witness something this absurd in one’s life are few and far between.’

"Master also said that all three of us need to properly advance our cultivation," the middle-aged man declared. "That place will be a great boon to my progress. If my cultivation improves, you two will benefit from me as well. But during the process, we must be separate. That’s my decision!"

’His reasoning was sound. It proved Zhao He was right—this one was the most capable of independent thought among the three.’

The young man was the first to speak up. "Master did say that. I think it’s acceptable. What do you think?"

As always, the old man only ever agreed with the young man, never contradicting him. "I think it’s acceptable too."

...

The three brothers reached an agreement and finally parted ways. The middle-aged man left the room and, guided by the Qi Refining Disciple, started up the small mountain path.

When they reached the small building halfway up the mountain, the Qi Refining Disciple went no further. This was another stroke of luck.

During the wait, Chen Qingyang quietly spoke to Zhao He’s Divine Soul. "You didn’t lie to me. The Second Temple Master is on his way. You’ve done well. I will keep my promise!"

True or not, the words were a comfort to Zhao He. "Immortal, you are my superior. How would I dare deceive you!"

Chen Qingyang ignored him and focused his entire attention on the approaching middle-aged man.

The man approached the Red Spiritual Spring alone. He first glanced at it from a distance, then drew closer to peer inside. He frowned, as if finding something strange.

At that very moment, a powerful Qi Mechanism erupted, surging into his mind with overwhelming force. It felt as if his Spiritual Sea and Meridians were set ablaze.

"How can this be?"

The man’s first reaction was utter confusion as he voiced the question.

Before he could even begin to resist the Qi Mechanism, a sword thrust out from his flank.

Chen Qingyang gripped the Five Elements Sword tightly. As he closed in on the middle-aged man, the True Essence in his Dantian erupted once more.

He unleashed nearly all the power he could muster. As the immense Sword Qi condensed into the Five Elements Sword, his meridians screamed under the immense pressure, and a stabbing pain like a thousand needles shot through his body.

Yet he didn’t hold back in the slightest; the Sword Qi only intensified!

His opponent was also at the Essence Condensation Fifth Realm. Chen Qingyang had only one chance to strike; he had to make it a killing blow.

But he was a Fifth Realm master, after all. His reaction was lightning-fast. A burst of fire and metal aura erupted from his body, expanding outward in all directions.

’Such powerful Xuanji Gang Qi!’

But by then, it was too late. The power of the Danxia Nurturing Truth Sword Manual, amplified by the Cyan Nether Sword Embryo, pierced through in an instant. The Gang Qi shattered, and the man’s body went limp.

"What is this... what in the world is happening..."

Even at the moment of his death, he couldn’t comprehend what had happened.

For a dignified Fifth Realm Cultivator to end up in such a muddled state... even Chen Qingyang felt a pang of sorrow.