Starting with warding off evil and disaster, one can ascend to immortality after countless tribulati

Upon returning to Furnace Peak, Jiang Ming knocked on the door to pay his respects to Zhou Yi.

Squeak!

As the wooden door opened, a refreshing and delicate fragrance wafted out.

Madam Zhou led Jiang Ming in. Her rounded hips moved lightly with each step, and under her light purple silk skirt, her honey-like buttocks swayed slightly like ripe fruit, languid yet charming.

"Zhou Yi has gone into seclusion and will probably not emerge for some time."

I really like the herb seeds my brother gave me. By the way, I haven't had a chance to ask you yet, how are my family members?

Why aren't you saying anything? Did you ask or not?

With her beautiful eyes shimmering like waves, Madam Zhou's usually calm gaze revealed a rare hint of eager anticipation, prompting her to urge him on repeatedly.

Seeing this, Jiang Ming felt somewhat reluctant.

All they could do was blurt out the lies they had prepared in advance.

"They are all doing well and miss you very much. They told my sister to come home and visit when she has time."

"That's good." With tears glistening in her almond-shaped eyes, Madam Zhou gave Jiang Ming a deep look. She didn't ask any further questions, and after a few moments of sobbing, she unusually took the initiative to see the guest out.

"Sister is a little tired. You should go back and cultivate. Be careful during this time."

Jiang Ming solemnly agreed and returned to his cave. Recalling Madam Zhou's somber expression, he felt increasingly uneasy.

When entrusted with a task, one should faithfully fulfill it.

Madam Zhou had been kind to him, but unfortunately, due to his limited power, he couldn't even do the smallest things for her.

Those who don't reach the late stage of the Qi Absorption Realm are ultimately nothing more than ants...

With a soft sigh, Jiang Ming fed both of the wood-related treasures to the willow wood evil spirit, then his gaze became unprecedentedly firm.

With nearly three hundred spirit stones on hand, and having not yet consumed the five Eight Treasures Pills from last time, plus the seven this time, his resources are quite plentiful.

With these abilities, Jiang Ming was confident he could advance to the next level, but whether he could cultivate to the fifth level of perfection was still unknown.

He took the Eight Treasures Pills one after another and swallowed them. The sweet medicine dissolved in his stomach, and in an instant, his mind became as clear and unobstructed as if he were sitting on a lotus throne.

At the same time, the spiritual energy within his body surged like a river.

The effects of this elixir are ten times greater than those of the Qi-replenishing pill!

It's a pity I couldn't get the recipe; otherwise, with such a wonderful medicine, my cultivation would surely have skyrocketed!

As vortexes of energy continuously emanated from his surroundings, his spiritual power steadily increased in a visible manner.

After a busy half-month, Jiang Ming refined all twelve Eight Treasures Pills.

At this moment, the spiritual energy within his body was as vast as the sea, and his cultivation level had also risen to the fifth level of perfection as he had wished!

Furthermore, with the help of the evil spirit of Yang Liumu, he successfully mastered the "True Explanation of the Lesser Vehicle Flying Sword".

Right now, wielding the White Bone Sword is effortless; with a simple flick of the wrist, it can unleash the power to split rocks and shatter stone!

The unprecedented power made Jiang Ming feel somewhat smug.

He even felt that if he used all his methods, he might be able to compete with a sixth-level cultivator.

Just as he was pondering this, a soft, seductive voice drifted from outside the cave, sounding weary, "Junior Brother Jiang, are you there? I have something important to discuss with you."

Xu Youwei's sudden visit made Jiang Ming even more vigilant.

After a moment's thought, he steeled himself and went out to greet them.

He was still wondering if he had offended her at the last gathering, which had led to her seeking revenge.

"Greetings, Senior Sister Xu. What brings you here so suddenly?"

Jiang Ming kindly invited Xu Youwei in and handed her a glass of water.

Shaking her head, Xu Youwei had no interest in small talk. Her watery eyes were fixed on Jiang Ming as she spoke frankly.

"Help me kill Liu Xin."

"?"

Jiang Ming waved his hand, looking at her serious eyes with a wary expression.

"What nonsense are you talking about, Senior Sister? Although Liu Xin and I have conflicts, it's not to the point of fighting to the death."

Xu Youwei rolled her eyes at Jiang Ming, clearly not believing his nonsense. "He's already made plans to kill you."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ming's expression suddenly changed. He pointed to Xu Youwei's round neckline, which was about to pop out, and looked suspicious.

"You didn't hide any recording symbols, did you? Don't think you can threaten me later."

"What do you take me for! Besides, this kind of trick only works in the capital."

Once you're out there, nobody cares if you have evidence or not. If you're not caught in the act, you didn't do it!

Her lips twitched with anger, and she symbolically lifted her collar to prove herself. Seeing that Jiang Ming was somewhat moved, Xu Youwei's bright eyes were covered with a thin layer of ice as she calmly added.

"You take charge of the operation, and after it's done, we'll split his fortune equally."

This is extra compensation; don't worry, you won't have made a wasted trip.

Taking the bottles of pills from Xu Youwei, Jiang Ming was slightly surprised and filled with doubt, seeing that she was truly intent on killing him and did not seem to be pretending.

"Why is Senior Sister going to such lengths? Liu Xin seems to have no grudge against you."

Rubbing her temples, Xu Youwei sneered, her pretty face flushed with anger. She took out a letter from home and casually tossed it to Jiang Ming.

"That idiot, I don't know what's wrong with him. Last time he said he wanted to go to the Xu family to propose marriage, I immediately refused him, thinking that the matter was over."

Unexpectedly, this shameless fellow actually followed the Xu family with betrothal gifts.

The Liu family is quite powerful, and I am not valued in the clan. After much pleading and cajoling, the clan elder actually agreed!

If we don't act soon, we're getting married at the end of the year.

With a slight upturn of his lips, Jiang Ming couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Seeing Xu Youwei glare at him fiercely, he became serious and said solemnly.

"Tell me the plan, when do we start?"

Stepping out of the cave, Xu Youwei smiled venomously and said as she walked, "After the marriage was finalized, he became obsessed with the Xu family's Wanbao Medicine Pool."

This item is remarkably effective in enhancing physical strength. He knew he might not be able to defeat you in a magical duel, so he focused all his efforts on improving his physical body.

Significant progress has been made in the past two weeks; you must be careful.

"In that case, it adds a bit of uncertainty." Jiang Ming chuckled inwardly, but feigned seriousness, trying to swindle more benefits.

"Don't even think about asking me to pay more. We all know Liu Xin's skill level."

"If I weren't entangled in family matters, I would have taken action myself long ago!" He snorted coldly, seeing through Jiang Ming's thoughts.

Xu Youwei took out a map, her eyes decisive and ruthless. "Luanhun Mountain is the only way for Liu Xin to return home. Raiders often appear in this place."

"You should act decisively. Afterwards, I'll mediate and frame Jie Xiu directly."

After all, the matter was of great importance. After hesitating for a moment, Xu Youwei handed over a copper pill and patiently instructed, "Never mind, to be on the safe side, I'll lend you another Thunderbolt!"

Even if Liu Xin had a trump card to save his life, he would still die if he threw this thing away.

"Let me make this clear beforehand: this item is extremely expensive. Don't use it unless absolutely necessary, or you'll have to compensate me with three hundred spirit stones."

"He has a chance to retaliate by bombing the order." Leaving these words behind, Jiang Ming took Tian Leizi and a map and immediately set off to stake out the area.

The night was dark and the wind was high.

Leaving Furnace Peak, Jiang Ming summoned the White Bone Sword, leaped lightly, and stood firmly on the longsword as he sped through the wind.

In just half an hour, they arrived at Chaotic Soul Mountain, a place shrouded in gloom.

The mountains are layered and towering, with only a narrow, winding path for passage.

In the early days, a Foundation Establishment cultivator attempted to move away from this mountain to benefit the people, but accidentally damaged a ley line.

He has incurred a lot of bad karma, and his cultivation has not progressed at all.

From then on, no one of the higher cultivations ever visited this place again.

Over time, Chaotic Soul Mountain became a paradise for treacherous cultivators. Even though the major families of Tongzhou repeatedly besieged and suppressed them, treacherous cultivators continued to emerge in droves.

Sitting alone atop the peak, Jiang Ming took out the Hidden Mystic Leaf to conceal his aura and silently awaited Liu Xin.