"Besides the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp, we’ve also been to the Soul-Breaking Forest," Shen Xiuyong added.

"The Soul-Breaking Forest?"

Chen Qing’s heart stirred as he recalled reading about it in the Sect’s records.

The lands of the Three Paths and Fifty-One Mansions were vast and boundless. Beyond the ordinary mountains and rivers, there were six great forbidden lands infamous for their peril, far more dangerous than any common treacherous terrain.

Aside from the well-known Ten Thousand Poison Swamp, there were also the Black Wind Gorge, Crimson Flame Lake, Soul-Breaking Forest, Luoxing Slope, and the most mysterious of all, the Sinking Flood Dragon Abyss.

According to the records, the Soul-Breaking Forest was located on the Qiu Long Path. Ancient trees soared into the sky, creating a gloomy canopy that blotted out the sun. It was extremely easy to get lost inside. Moreover, it was home to an incredibly ferocious type of Exotic Beast, the Knife Mantis Beast, which guarded the rare Treasure Medicines within the forest.

As for the most mysterious Sinking Flood Dragon Abyss, legend told of a Black Flood Dragon that had lived there for an unknown number of years. Its might was overwhelming, and it was widely acknowledged as the overlord of all Exotic Beasts. The abyss was said to contain a great treasure, but for hundreds of years, few who ventured deep inside had ever returned alive.

"Yeah, that Soul-Breaking Forest... it’s a wicked place. All the trees look the same, and you get dizzy the moment you step inside..."

Shen Xiuyong seemed unwilling to dwell on these old memories. He waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it. It’s all in the past. No point in bringing it up."

He changed the subject, telling Chen Qing about the finale item of the auction, the Cangming Shuangyao.

Chen Qing was secretly astonished. ’No wonder I saw so many experts in the city on my way here. They’ve all come for this pair of blades, which can only be described as a major treasure.’

’A contest of this level is far beyond my ability to participate in right now.’

His main concern was still the Wood Yang Jade. He asked, "Uncle, regarding the auction tomorrow, how do you plan to help me secure the Wood Yang Jade?"

He knew full well that even if the Wood Yang Jade’s effects weren’t as profound as the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl’s, as a Five Elements Treasure, its starting bid was twelve thousand taels of silver. The competition would surely be fierce, and winning it would be no easy task.

Hearing this, Shen Xiuyong gave a sly laugh. "Simple. When the time comes, just give me the silver notes, and I’ll be the one to call out the bids!"

"So in the end, I’m still the one footing the bill?" Chen Qing asked, stunned.

"What do you know?"

Shen Xiuyong shot him an annoyed glance. "Bidding in my name serves two purposes. First, many people in the room will give me, a newly advanced Astral Force master and an Elder of the Wutai Sect, some face. Unless they’re in desperate need of it, most won’t deliberately fight me to the bitter end. That will save us from a lot of unnecessary bidding."

"Second, even if some petty thieves covet the treasure, they’ll have to consider the price of snatching something from an Astral Force expert. This will save you a lot of trouble later on. If you bid for it yourself, some fool might think you’re an easy target, drive up the price on you, or even get some crooked ideas afterward. Don’t worry, would your uncle really cheat you out of your silver? I guarantee I’ll get it for you at a relatively good price."

Chen Qing gave it some thought and realized he was right.

’Having Shen Xiuyong act on his behalf would leverage his momentum to suppress some competitors and prevent malicious price inflation. It would also deter potential threats. It really is the safest plan.’

.....

「Inside the Earth Element Sect’s stronghold.」

The atmosphere in the hall was oppressive, the candlelight flickering.

Yu He sat at the head of the hall, his expression dark.

The recent surprise attack from the Demon Sect’s Yunlin Sub-Pavilion had cost the Earth Element Sect several Inner Sect Disciples.

Added to that was the previous trip to Yunlin Prefecture where Elder Shi Long had fallen, the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl was missing, and their efforts had been in vain. A number of questioning voices were already stirring Within the Sect, leaving him utterly frustrated.

The sound of footsteps broke the silence as Miao Zhicheng entered cautiously, a respectful smile plastered on his face. He bowed and greeted, "Elder Yu."

Yu He didn’t even raise his eyelids, his voice cold and hard. "Why have you come looking for me this time?"

His tone was filled with obvious impatience.

Miao Zhicheng seemed completely unfazed by his attitude and continued to smile. "I know that you’ve been troubled by many matters recently, Elder, so I’ve come especially to help ease your burdens."

"Ease my burdens?"

Yu He finally raised his eyes. "Go on, then. How are you going to ease my burdens?"

’Let’s see what tricks this brat from Golden Sand Castle can pull.’

Miao Zhicheng took a step forward and lowered his voice. "It’s about the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl. I know who has it."

"Oh?"

Yu He’s eyes narrowed, a sharp glint within them. "Continue!"

"It’s in the hands of that Chen Qing from the Wutai Sect!" Miao Zhicheng declared, his tone firm and decisive.

Yu He stared at him with sharp eyes, not immediately reacting, only motioning for him to continue.

Miao Zhicheng took a deep breath and began his analysis. "Elder Yu, please think about it. During the chaotic battle at the inn by Black Water Pier that day, all sides suffered heavy casualties. The Nether and Ghost Guards mysteriously disappeared, and the Demon Sect still hasn’t found them. Instead, they’ve pinned the blame on you and come for revenge! But from what I know, the only ones who made it out of there alive and whose whereabouts are confirmed are Lu Da from your sect, myself, and Chen Qing of the Wutai Sect!"

He watched Yu He’s expression and continued, "And who are the Nether and Ghost Guards? They’re Blood Rakshasa’s elites! When they work together, they have few rivals below the Astral Force level. If they had seized the Treasure Pearl, why wouldn’t they return to the Demon Sect to report? Since they didn’t go back, it can only mean... they couldn’t. And yet, Chen Qing not only came back alive, but he was completely unharmed! Don’t you find that a little too coincidental?"

"The Nether and Ghost Guards are not so easily killed," Yu He snorted, though his tone lacked its earlier certainty. "Chen Qing might have some talent, but he’s just a junior, after all."

Despite his words, his mind couldn’t help but flash back to the exchange of palm strikes from a distance in the forest that night. ’The speed of that figure’s reaction, the decisiveness of their escape after taking my hit, the solidity of their foundation... it was far beyond that of an ordinary Embrace Pill Realm cultivator.’

Seeing his chance, Miao Zhicheng immediately struck while the iron was hot. "That Chen Qing’s strength cannot be measured by common sense! He recently defeated Chen Lin of the Haisa Sect. Is he someone to be taken lightly? Perhaps he used some special trick in secret, or perhaps... he has been hiding his true strength all along! Elder Yu, think back again to that person who was spying in the forest that night, the one who managed to escape from your palm strike... their figure, their reaction time... isn’t there a striking resemblance to Chen Qing?"

His voice dropped even lower. "They’ve pinned the deaths of the Nether and Ghost Guards—this massive blame—entirely on you, forcing you to needlessly endure the Demon Sect’s crazed retaliation and the pressure from Within the Sect."

"And the real beneficiary, the brat who took the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl and possibly even set a trap to kill the Nether and Ghost Guards, is hiding safely in the Wutai Sect, probably laughing at us right now!"

Yu He remained silent.

Miao Zhicheng’s words were like poisoned barbs, sinking precisely into the doubts in his heart.

’It’s true. When you connect all the dots, Chen Qing is just too suspicious.’

’That Earth Essence Marrow Pearl is crucial for the future of the younger generation in my lineage.’

’It’s better to assume it’s true than to dismiss the possibility!’

But he was an old hand in the Jianghu, after all. He wouldn’t be fully convinced by Miao Zhicheng’s one-sided story.

He waved his hand abruptly, cutting Miao Zhicheng off. "Enough!"

Miao Zhicheng immediately fell silent and lowered his head respectfully.

He knew the seeds of suspicion had been planted, and that was enough.

Yu He stared at the flickering candlelight with deep, mysterious eyes. After a long moment, he said slowly, "This is all just your speculation. There’s no concrete evidence. Chen Qing is the top disciple of the Wutai Sect. This matter concerns the relationship between our two sects. How can we act rashly?"

Miao Zhicheng quickly replied, "I understand. I am merely sharing my thoughts with you, Elder, for your consideration. How to proceed is, of course, entirely up to your wise judgment."

"Mm."

Yu He gave a noncommittal grunt and waved his hand. "I am aware of the matter now. You may leave."

"Yes. I will take my leave." Miao Zhicheng bowed and slowly exited the hall.

The empty hall now held only Yu He.

The candlelight stretched his shadow long across the wall, where it swayed gently.

"Chen Qing... Wutai Sect..."

He muttered these two names, a cold, shifting light glinting in his eyes.

’If the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl really is in this boy’s hands... and if the Nether and Ghost Guards truly fell to him...’

’...then this matter is far from a simple rivalry between disciples.’ 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

....

....