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Li Feiyu waved his hand, indicating there was no need to be polite, "It was nothing, no need to mention it."

Then he changed the subject: "However, I heard you had some friction with Senior Brother Mo Qiuxian in the General Affairs Hall. What happened?"

Qing Chen sighed softly and recounted in detail how he had been deliberately harassed and had his contribution points deducted in the General Affairs Hall that day, stating the facts without embellishment.

Upon listening, Li Feiyu frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes: "Mo Qiuxian... I've never liked him.

A close friend of mine, limited by his spiritual root, turned to cultivating the *Brahma Demon Refining Technique* in order to break through.

Who knew that not long after switching, he was assigned by Mo Qiuxian to carry out an extremely dangerous mission, and ultimately... he died."

His dissatisfaction with Mo Qiuxian was evident in his words.

Qingchen's mind raced, and he quickly replied, "To be honest, Senior Brother, I also think this person is quite problematic. He might have deliberately released that *Brahma's Demon-Refining Technique*; there must be something sinister about it.

I'm already deeply entangled in it, and it's too late for regrets. My cultivation is already quite advanced; if I rashly switch to another method, I'm afraid... my path to immortality will be hopeless."

His voice carried a perfectly measured weight and helplessness.

Li Feiyu remained silent for a moment before finally speaking slowly, "Now that we're in this situation, how do you plan to break free, Junior Brother?"

Qingchen looked up, his gaze resolute, "Junior Brother is willing to follow Senior Brother Li's lead! I'm willing to use myself as bait to find out Mo Qiuxian's evil deeds, not only for myself but also for your old friend, Senior Brother, to seek justice!"

Li Feiyu nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, "You're teachable. I'll find a way to get Mo Qiuxian to return your contribution points. Junior Brother, you need to focus on your cultivation, secretly investigate, and be extremely careful."

Qingchen looked grateful and bowed deeply, "If it can truly be done, Senior Brother's great kindness will be unforgettable for me!

Having wandered half my life, enduring countless hardships, to have met such a kind Senior Brother who so readily helps me is truly my greatest fortune!"

Li Feiyu was in a good mood and patted him on the shoulder, "We're all fellow disciples; we should support each other."

...

Cultivation knows no time.

Since returning from Li Feiyu's cave, Qingchen had secluded himself for intensive cultivation.

He was already on the verge of a breakthrough.

With the few remaining [Little Xuan Pills] he had obtained from Chen Zhuer's storage bag, and the remaining demon beast flesh, he refined them day and night.

His internal magical power flowed like a stream, constantly growing stronger and more solid.

On this day, the spiritual energy in the quiet room suddenly fluctuated, and Qingchen's aura surged, breaking through the barrier and firmly stepping into the sixth level of Qi Refining!

His divine sense range had reached twenty-eight zhang, approaching the ninth level of Qi Refining!

The stone door of his cave remained tightly closed for three years.

Qingchen's magical power accumulated significantly, reaching the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refining.

Just as he was stabilizing his divine sense and immersing himself in the mysteries of the *Demon Seed Golden Lotus*, a transmission talisman pierced through the restrictions and landed in his hand.

It was Su Zixuan.

The talisman carried her joyful message—after nearly nine years of tireless research and experimentation, she had finally succeeded in setting up a first-tier, low-grade basic formation, the "Minor Spirit Gathering Array"!

Although it was only the most basic formation, Qingchen was still overjoyed upon seeing this news.

The ability to independently set up arrays meant that Su Zixuan had truly entered the realm of array formations!

For him, this meant a huge return on his investment!

However, the second transmission talisman that followed instantly darkened his expression.

The talisman contained Su Zixuan's anxious report that the array plates she had crafted, intended for exchange for cultivation resources, had been discovered by Yu Cheng's spies planted in the market.

For nearly a month, Yu Cheng's men had been constantly harassing her.

Although they dared not forcibly enter the cave dwelling due to market rules, Yu Cheng seemed to have persuaded the broker renting the cave dwelling to cancel the rental to Su Zixuan, offering to return her spirit stones and force her to leave.

"Yu Cheng..." A cold glint flashed in Qing Chen's eyes, his heart burning with anger.

This was clearly aimed at him, the one behind Su Zixuan!

He wanted to force Su Zixuan away, forcing him to take action.

"I wanted to let you live a few more days, but since you've chosen to die, don't blame me!" Qing Chen sneered inwardly.

It seems Mo Qiuxian behind the scenes is becoming increasingly impatient.

Over the past three years, numerous cultivators have openly and secretly invited him to go out "treasure hunting" and "exploration."

Even Ding Buxing, a former disciple from the Seven Kingdoms who entered the sect at the same time, has participated.

Unfortunately, Ding Buxing failed to break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining and has been sent to Xuan Yue Island to handle sect talisman-making affairs, serving as a menial disciple.

Xue Yubing, with her superior spiritual root, broke through to the sixth level of Qi Refining two years ago and was even noticed by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, who exceptionally accepted her as a disciple, promoting her to inner disciple.

However, the fates of Xie Yu and Yue Ting, master and disciple, are drastically different.

Xie Yu, having failed to break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining for eight years, was demoted to a menial disciple and, three years ago, further exiled to the second-tier island of Xuanli Island to participate in weapon forging.

Yue Ting, possessing a mid-grade spiritual root, diligently cultivated and broke through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining, retaining his status as an outer disciple.

Even more remarkable was his loyalty and righteousness; he accepted a long-term alchemy mission from Xuanli Island, accompanying his master.

It should be noted that the cultivation conditions on the second-tier island of Xuanli Island are far inferior to those of a sect.

Honestly, Qing Chen knew he couldn't do that.

Thinking of this, Qing Chen no longer hesitated, rising and heading straight for the mountain peak where the Battle Hall was located.

......

"You want to challenge Yu Cheng?"

Upon hearing this, the disciple on duty in the battle hall looked at Qingchen with surprise, frowning as he said,

"Junior brother, judging from your aura, you seem to have only recently entered the fifth level of Qi Refining, right? Yu Cheng's cultivation is already close to the peak of the fifth level of Qi Refining. You should think carefully."

Qingchen's expression remained calm, but his tone was resolute:

"Yu Cheng has repeatedly made things difficult for me. I have truly reached my limit and wish to use this opportunity to settle things on the dueling platform, both in terms of life and death, and to determine who is superior! I hope senior brother will grant my request."

“Since Junior Brother has made up his mind, I will naturally send a message to Yu Cheng.” The disciple on duty nodded and solemnly said,

“According to sect rules, talismans and formations are forbidden on the dueling platform. The victor may unconditionally take one of the loser's magic weapons, and all spirit stone consumption on the platform will be borne by the loser. The platform will open three days after Yu Cheng accepts the challenge.”

Qing Chen bowed respectfully, “Junior Brother understands, then thank you, Senior Brother.”

He knew perfectly well that this challenge to Yu Cheng was not only to trample him underfoot, but also, if he could seriously injure or even kill him, to establish his authority.

In this world where strength reigns supreme, constant retreat only earns contempt.

Qing Chen understood perfectly well that when facing an enemy far stronger than himself, temporarily avoiding direct confrontation was wisdom, a matter of conscience, and a means of survival.

He admired those who knowingly charged forward to their deaths despite the vast difference in strength, but he would never do it.

However, if the opponent was of equal or even weaker strength, retreating would be self-destructive, a complete loss of spirit!

Would he rather become a cowardly turtle?

Now, with Senior Brother Li Feiyu as his backer,

as long as his actions conformed to the sect's rules, and no one could find fault with him, not even the Heavenly King himself could stop him—he would fight to the bitter end.

Only by winning through strength could he demonstrate his value and gain the respect of others!

"Cultivating immortality, cultivating immortality, all you do is cower like a turtle every day, what kind of immortality is that!"

A fierce glint flashed in Qing Chen's eyes as he strode away.