I Have a Compass for Opportunity

Liou Zhen had left, personally escorted back to the Inner Sect by the elder of the Disciplinary Hall, Ya Kuan.

Before leaving, Ya Kuan specially arranged for a Foundation Establishment member of the Disciplinary Hall to escort Liou Yuan back to his own cave mansion.

His elder brother committed violence, but Liou Yuan did not, so naturally, Ya Kuan would not do anything to him.

"Elder brother is asserting authority." Liou Yuan was no fool; he had long understood the purpose behind his elder brother’s actions today.

He was about to break through to the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer, and a year later, the date for the Chaotic Scene life-and-death battle would arrive.

This period was extremely crucial.

Liou Zhen was mindful that he could not always take care of Liou Yuan in the Inner Sect, so he made this move for everyone to see.

He wanted everyone up and down the Five Extremes Mountain to know that Liou Yuan had Liou Zhen standing behind him, and that Liou Zhen would kill for Liou Yuan, even at the risk of facing the Disciplinary Hall’s punishment.

Facing such a fearless Foundation Establishment, especially one who is such a formidable Sword Cultivator.

Let alone those within the Five Extremes Mountain who were in Qi Cultivation, even the Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators would be wary to a certain extent.

Understanding the intricacies, Liou Yuan looked in the direction where Liou Zhen left, pursing his lips slightly and showing determination in his eyes.

"I will not disappoint my elder brother."

Escorted back to his cave mansion by that Foundation Establishment member of the Disciplinary Hall, Liou Yuan closed the cave door, sat on a stone bench, and his mind was filled with the image of Liou Zhen calmly submitting to the situation earlier.

Somewhat worried about the punishment Liou Zhen would face next.

"My elder brother is a standout among the Inner Sect disciples, a genius among geniuses."

"Defeating a Protector of the Five Extremes Mountain as an Inner Sect disciple, this achievement is hard to find among the Inner Sect disciples."

"Moreover, the Treasure Pavilion Shopkeeper was a criminal to begin with. My elder brother’s killing him was merely against the rules, not wanton slaughter, and should not result in severe punishment."

Liou Zhen was not foolish; daring to act must have been based on some backing, so Liou Yuan believed in Liou Zhen.

"Still, it’s wise to consult with Mr. Yu."

After hesitating for a long while, Liou Yuan took out a Thousand Miles Ear Jade Scroll.

It belonged to Liou Zhen; previously, when Liou Zhen went into closed-door cultivation, the Thousand Miles Ear was left with Fang Yu.

Liou Yuan thought it unlikely that his elder brother would come out of seclusion so quickly; he should have only exited upon receiving news of Liou Tao’s slaying, so logically, he hadn’t quickly retrieved the Thousand Miles Ear.

Therefore, Liou Yuan tentatively infused his Spiritual Power into the Thousand Miles Ear, briefly recounting Liou Zhen’s actions today.

After a pause, a voice did indeed come from the other end of the Thousand Miles Ear; it was Fang Yu’s voice.

"Liou Zhen, that guy, is still so reckless. Even after becoming Foundation Establishment, he hasn’t changed that stubborn temperament."

Fang Yu’s voice carried obvious resignation, and it was clear he was not surprised by this matter, as if everything was expected.

Soon enough, he continued: "Understood, I’ll go inquire at the Disciplinary Hall, and inform you with any news."

"Don’t worry, it’s not the first time Liou Zhen has caused trouble; he once even hit an elder of the Disciplinary Hall."

"This time he only killed a criminal; the Hall Master will likely give a minor punishment, locking him up for a few months at most."

"You should focus on cultivating and preparing for the Chaotic Scene life-and-death battle next year. Come find me if needed."

Because of Liou Zhen, Fang Yu has always taken good care of Liou Yuan.

The last time Liou Yuan’s aptitude issue was exposed, this man didn’t disclose Liou Zhen in front of the Sect Leader, earning absolute trust.

"Thank you, Mr. Yu. I will definitely visit to express my gratitude once I come out of seclusion."

Liou Yuan expressed his gratitude in a couple of lines, feeling content and reassured after receiving Fang Yu’s comfort, then put away the Thousand Miles Ear Jade Scroll.

Of course, he wasn’t just saying those words about visiting to express gratitude.

In fact, he planned to bring a gift when visiting Fang Yu.

Once his elder brother was detained, Fang Yu would be the only Foundation Establishment he could rely on within the Five Extremes Mountain.

Furthermore, he owed Fang Yu many favors, which he must repay.

His elder brother was wholly committed to arduous cultivation and had nothing of value, but he himself had some excess, an offering was a must.

"Ordinary objects definitely wouldn’t impress Mr. Yu, so I’ll use that Purifying Nether Stone Marrow as a gift."

"The high-ranking members of the Sect even seize opportunities during Outer Sect training missions to collect the Purifying Nether Stone Marrow, so its value at the Foundation Establishment Level must be high, something Mr. Yu could definitely make use of."

The Purifying Nether Stone Marrow’s yin fire element made it unsuitable for either Liou Yuan or Liou Zhen. For Liou Yuan, it was either used as the core of an Array or cashed in for money, which would be a waste.

It was perfect for expressing gratitude.

Mr. Yu’s attribute was Earth Acupoint, and earth and fire complemented each other, making this gift particularly thoughtful.

Knowing his elder brother likely wouldn’t face major consequences, Liou Yuan relaxed considerably.

Seeing the thick Star Spiritual Qi in his cave mansion, he murmured softly, "Time to enter seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer."

Before entering seclusion, Liou Yuan still had one more thing to address.

He hadn’t forgotten about the greatest prize he found in the Erosion Land.

The Profound Yin Cold Marrow Stone, which the Fixed Star Compass highly valued as a heavenly and earthly Spiritual Object.

It was top quality among Foundation Establishment, with effects of increasing cultivation speed and making a cultivator’s use of Magic more efficient.

Now that he was in his own cave mansion, Liou Yuan had no more inhibitions. After activating the cave’s Array, he immediately took it out from his Storage Bag.

The Profound Yin Cold Marrow Stone was about the size of a human head, with a texture as lustrous as icy jade.

A shimmering blue glow flowed within the stone.

Once exposed in Liou Yuan’s cave mansion, the surrounding air instantly plummeted in temperature.

The cave was already cool; now it became bone-chilling like an ice cellar.

Fortunately, Liou Yuan had already experienced the power of the Profound Yin Cold Marrow Stone, and had long covered his hand holding it with a layer of blood energy gloves to block out the cold.