Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

The two looked at each other, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

The sounds of battle I just heard on the arched bridge, could it be from when the Hundred Herbs Sect was attacked?

Lin Zhao remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was seething with excitement, secretly thinking, "No way?!"

My herb-gathering trip in the secret realm was going so well; I was almost there, having gathered five second-tier spiritual herbs, and it was time to make my successful retreat.

How did a drama of sect warfare and mysterious figures suddenly appearing to disrupt things suddenly emerge?

Isn't this the kind of trouble that only protagonists in novels would encounter?

What does this have to do with me, a supporting character who just wants to cultivate peacefully!

Despite his inner turmoil, he maintained a calm demeanor and said to Xu Chuan:

"Brother Xu, it seems there has been some unexpected trouble in this secret realm. We should leave as soon as possible."

Whether it's internal strife between the three major sects or problems arising in the secret realm,

Or perhaps external forces have secretly infiltrated against the rules; Lin Zhao didn't want to concern herself with either.

He was well aware of his own limitations; he was considered quite good among Qi Refining cultivators, but insignificant compared to those powerful forces.

He hadn't forgotten that a powerful force capable of unifying the Yunxia Mountains had silently vanished into history.

Regardless of their hidden schemes, Lin Zhao did not want to get involved.

Xu Chuan also dropped his usual playful demeanor, his face turning serious as he nodded vigorously: "That's right, this water is difficult to wade through, let's hurry!"

The female cultivator surnamed Chen, leaning against a pillar in the hall, seeing that the two were determined to leave, said with a heavy sense of weakness and pleading:

"Fellow Daoists, please take me with you! I... I only ask for a way to live..."

Xu Chuan looked into her eyes, which were filled with despair yet held a last glimmer of hope, beneath the mask. His heart softened, and he finally agreed.

"Don't worry, Miss Chen. Now that we've encountered this, how could I, Xu Chuan, stand idly by? I will ensure your safe departure!"

This promise caused Lin Zhao to furrow her brow almost imperceptibly.

In this perilous and secret realm, carrying a seriously injured burden is not a wise move.

However, Xu Chuan had already agreed, and given that this woman might be Pharmacist Chen's cousin, he couldn't forcefully object.

He gave Xu Chuan a deep look, seeing the other's open and honest expression. Perhaps he was just naturally kind-hearted? Or perhaps... he had something else to rely on?

He could only suppress his doubts and secretly raise his vigilance to the highest level.

"Let's get going!"

Lin Zhao said no more and took the lead. The three of them left the Seventh Palace and headed back the way they came towards the black jade arch bridge.

Once you cross this bridge and return to the Silent Soul Stone Forest, you should be able to withstand them with the mysterious power of the stone forest.

However, just as they stepped onto the arched bridge and were halfway across, a sudden change occurred!

The air in the center of the bridge rippled and twisted like water as three figures appeared without warning, blocking their path.

The leader was none other than the chubby boy from Tiger Roar Market described by the female cultivator surnamed Chen.

He was still wearing that golden robe, and his round face wore a harmless, honest smile.

Behind him stood two cultivators at the tenth level of Qi Refining! Judging from their attire, they were disciples of the Thousand Radiance Sect and the Hundred Herbs Sect, respectively!

"Hehe, fellow Daoists, you seem to be in a hurry. Where are you headed for some leisurely fun?"

Jin Man rubbed his chubby hands together, smiling as he spoke, his voice still carrying a youthful crispness.

But those narrowed eyes gleamed with a cold, greedy light.

His gaze swept over Lin Zhao and Xu Chuan with interest, finally settling on Xu Chuan.

With crisis looming, there is no turning back!

Lin Zhao and Xu Chuan exchanged a glance and instantly reached a consensus—to strike first and tear open a path to survival!

"Let's do it!"

Lin Zhao roared and launched the first attack! Four-colored spiritual light burst forth behind him, and countless profound runes flew and condensed, instantly transforming into a four-element sword dragon several meters long!

The sword dragon let out a roar that tore through the sky, carrying a sharp sword intent that could destroy everything, and pounced directly at a Qi Refining Level 10 cultivator with empty eyes!

At the same time, a purple light flashed from his sleeve, and the ancient Soul-Suppressing Bell quietly appeared, its mouth aligned with the golden bell, ready to unleash its power.

Xu Chuan was equally quick; with a flick of his hand, he summoned a set of nine flying shuttles, each flashing with dazzling lightning! The shuttles lengthened as they faced the wind.

It transformed into nine silver flying serpents, weaving together to form a vast silver net that descended upon another tenth-level cultivator.

Faced with this combined attack, the two Qi Refining Level 10 cultivators remained expressionless, merely stiffly manipulating their magical artifacts in an attempt to block.

"Pfft! Pfft!"

The Four Elements Sword Dragon carries Lin Zhao's determination to kill, and its power is terrifying.

The moment they made contact, the violent sword energy tore apart and shredded the tenth-level cultivator along with the magical artifacts in their hands!

Blood mist mixed with fragments of magical artifacts exploded violently, filling the bridge with the stench of blood.

Xu Chuan's nine flying shuttles also successfully hit their target, and the dazzling silver light completely engulfed another cultivator.

It went too smoothly! So smoothly it sent chills down my spine!

Lin Zhao's heart sank suddenly, and a strong sense of unease gripped his heart.

Two cultivators at the tenth level of Qi Refining should not be so easily defeated, not even putting up a decent resistance!

Just as Lin Zhao's mind momentarily opened up due to this unusually swift action—

The change came from behind!

The female cultivator surnamed Chen, who had been following behind Lin Zhao, had her eyes completely covered by a layer of deathly gray light at some point!

Lin Zhao's divine sense, far surpassing that of his peers, instantly detected the chilling killing intent behind him the moment the gray light appeared!

He forcefully twisted his body, dodging the attack to the side and forward!

"laugh--!"

A short dagger, clearly containing a deadly poison and gleaming with a chilling blue light, grazed past his back!

The attacker was none other than the female cultivator surnamed Chen!

"You!" Xu Chuan was shocked and furious, clearly not expecting this sudden betrayal.

The female cultivator surnamed Chen ignored everything. Missing her attack, she let out a hoarse, inhuman growl.

Like a wild beast that had completely lost its mind, it brandished its poisoned dagger once more and pounced on Lin Zhao like a madman.

Lin Zhao's eyes instantly turned icy cold, like ancient ice, and the last trace of hesitation in his heart caused by Chen Yaoshi completely dissipated.

This woman had already been controlled. Her previous weakness and cries for help were all carefully staged performances, designed to get close to them.

"die!"

His mind raced like lightning as he forcefully controlled the Four Elements Sword Dragon, which had just torn apart the puppet cultivator and was about to attack the little fat boy!

The sword dragon let out a roar, its massive body drawing an arc in the air, carrying with it an incomparably sharp sword aura.

In an instant, it swirled back, completely engulfing the frantically rushing female cultivator surnamed Chen!

Just as Lin Zhao was wielding the sword dragon to kill the cultivator surnamed Chen.