Chapter 544 - 232: Rumor
Luo Qianjue watched Liao Chuan flee but didn’t give chase. As the saying goes, one shouldn’t pursue a desperate foe. Besides, Liao Chuan was remarkably strong, and they had no deep-seated blood feud.
When he saw that the mysterious man in black robes had also departed, Luo Qianjue felt a pang of regret at not having made his acquaintance, but he quickly pushed the feeling aside.
"Let’s go have a look!"
Luo Qianjue called out and led his three fellow disciples from Xu Wang Mountain, hurrying over to the spot where Zhu He had died.
The scene was a complete wreck. Large bloodstains covered the ground, and the air was thick with the smell of acrid smoke.
Zhu He’s body had been obliterated by that devastating punch and the subsequent blast of Gang Qi, reduced to a bloody mist and unrecognizable fragments. Only a few scraps of flesh remained as a testament to the fall of an Astral Force Perfection master.
Though all of them were seasoned warriors, they couldn’t help but feel a chill run down their spines at the sight.
"This senior brother... he’s really something else..."
One disciple swallowed hard, his voice tinged with terror. "That was Zhu He, a Tributor for the Wang Family... a master at Astral Force Perfection. To think he was just..."
Another chimed in, his voice full of awe, "His methods are so decisive, and his combat power is astounding! That final punch, especially... It was just... terrifying! This man must be an Inner Sect Elite, or maybe even a True Successor Candidate who keeps a low profile!"
Luo Qianjue’s voice was grave. "Clean this up, quickly. We can’t linger here."
His own mind was reeling. He knew now that ’even if I hadn’t intervened, this senior brother definitely had what it takes to handle Liao Chuan and all those experts from the Forging Hall.’
Luo Qianjue was relieved he hadn’t made any rash moves. At the same time, he grew even more certain about the senior brother’s identity. ’This man is definitely no ordinary Inner Sect Disciple.’
’Although I didn’t get to make his acquaintance, by offering my help, I’ve at least forged a bond of goodwill. Perhaps we’ll meet again someday.’
The men immediately set to work, carefully searching the scorched earth. Sure enough, they found four pieces of Meteorite Iron, along with some other valuables, an Identity Token, and other items.
Luo Qianjue quickly took stock of the items. He put away the Meteorite Iron, Elixirs, and silver coins. As for the shattered Inner Armor and the Identity Token, he channeled force into his palm and crushed them to dust, erasing any clues.
’This senior brother is rather magnanimous.’
Luo Qianjue showed the main spoils to his three companions. "We’ll divide this Meteorite Iron and these Elixirs when we get back, based on the effort each of us put in. As for what happened today, you must keep your mouths shut once we leave here. That goes especially for anything concerning that senior brother and the Wang Family’s Tributor. Don’t go looking for trouble."
The three men behind him nodded gravely, and they promptly departed from the contentious area.
...
Chen Qing’s figure flickered through the dense Evil Mist. After completely covering his tracks, he took a circuitous route and slipped silently back into the hidden cave.
The entrance was still hidden by withered vines and scattered rocks, just as he had left it.
He carefully scanned his surroundings with his senses. Once he confirmed that no one was approaching, he swiftly slipped inside.
Inside the cave, the Golden Feathered Eagle heard the movement and raised its head warily. Seeing it was Chen Qing, it let out a low cry.
Chen Qing carefully examined the Golden Feathered Eagle’s injuries. He found the wounds had already healed, leaving only faint scars. Moreover, the hawk was in high spirits with a sharp, piercing gaze. It was clear that between the Evil Qi-rich environment and the steady diet of Bone Strengthening Pills, the incident had been a blessing in disguise; its strength had clearly improved.
He sat down cross-legged and began to take stock of his haul from the trip to Luoxing Slope.
Besides the priceless green Mother of Destruction, he had obtained a total of eleven Meteorite Iron Cores from near the crater and his subsequent hunts.
At three hundred Contribution Points each, that came to a total of 3,300 points.
Adding the 4,200 points from his previous Meteorite Iron Cores and the value of the miscellaneous Treasure Medicines he had gathered, his total Contribution Points now amounted to more than 7,700.
That was a fortune!
Chen Qing’s gaze fell once again on the green Mother of Destruction in his hand.
It was warm and smooth to the touch, and inside, it looked as if liquid starlight was flowing. The Vitality Power it gave off caused the Five Elements True Astral within his body to resonate faintly.
’This Mother of Destruction is incredibly valuable. I’ll hold onto it for now and only consider what to do with it if I find myself short on Contribution Points later.’
Chen Qing mused, ’Right now, my priority is to fulfill my promise to Li Lao Deng and to increase my own strength.’
’After all, Li Lao Deng helped me tremendously, and I’m sure I’ll need his assistance again in the future.’
’When dealing with people, especially an old Jianghu hand like Li Lao Deng, the worst thing you can do is be shortsighted and kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.’
’If I don’t make good on my promise this time, it might look like I’m getting ahead, but I’d really just be cutting off a crucial source of future support with my own two hands.’
’A man like Li Lao Deng keeps a mental ledger. He treats you exactly how you treat him.’
’A bond of friendship should be strengthened through use, not worn thin.’
He carefully put the Mother of Destruction away, deciding not to exchange it for the time being.
For the next two days, Chen Qing wasn’t in a hurry to return to the Sect.
The meteor impact at Luoxing Slope had attracted more masters who’d heard the news. Although the Evil Qi was still dense, the number of Stone Lions in the outer regions had noticeably dwindled.
He managed to hunt two more Stone Lions, adding another six hundred Contribution Points to his total.
During that time, he distantly sensed several powerful auras sweeping through the core region. The pressure they exuded far surpassed the Astral Force level; clearly, masters of the True Essence Realm had arrived on the scene.
Seeing such a powerful assembly of experts, Chen Qing completely abandoned any notion of trying his luck in the core region.
’He’d be in way over his head there; it was no longer a game someone at his level could play.’
The Golden Feathered Eagle’s injuries had completely healed. It even seemed to have grown a bit larger, its plumage fuller and more robust.
From time to time, it would gently peck with its beak at the pouch where Chen Qing kept the Mother of Destruction, expressing its craving for the object within.
"You little rascal, you know the good stuff when you see it,"
Chen Qing chided with a laugh.
He had plenty of Bone Strengthening Pills to go around, but the Mother of Destruction was far too precious. He wasn’t so extravagant that he could afford to use it as bird feed for the Golden Feathered Eagle.