Once I create a method for achieving immortality, I will spread it among the cultivators of this world, leaving behind the seeds of longevity. Then I can complete my mission for this world. (Weizun Academy)
That said, during this time, in addition to completing the "Incense Jade Scroll," Li Ling had also fully refined the array diagram of the Eight Fiends Profound Fire Array.
However, setting up the Eight Fiends Profound Fire Formation according to the array diagram was not something that could be done in a short time. So after thinking it over, he decided to find another place to set up the Eight Fiends Profound Fire Formation with the help of the array diagram, and then refine it together with the Profound Fire Mirror. At that time, he would have an extra trump card that was no less powerful than the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation.
After leaving the cave where he had been in seclusion for several months, Li Ling arrived at the nearest town. He first found an inn and ordered a table of food and wine to treat his tongue, which hadn't had a proper meal in three months. However, he didn't expect to run into an acquaintance, Bi Yao, the daughter of the Ghost King Sect's leader.
Since the failed siege of Qingyun Sect, the Demonic Sect has suffered a great loss of strength. However, Ghost King has always been cautious, so his strength was not greatly damaged at the time. Afterwards, he forcibly integrated these demonic forces, which greatly increased the strength of Ghost King Sect, making it faintly surpass any of the three major righteous sects.
To avoid being besieged by the combined forces of the three major righteous sects, the Ghost King Sect kept a low profile. Li Ling did not expect to encounter Bi Yao here.
"What are you doing here!" When Biyao saw Li Ling, a look of surprise flashed in her eyes, but then she questioned him fiercely.
"Hehe, what, does this inn belong to your Ghost King Sect? Do I need your permission to come here?" Li Ling chuckled as he took a bite of food.
"I have to say, you're pretty bold. You're all alone right now, aren't you afraid I'll arrest you!"
"The disciples of Qingyun Sect are highly skilled; I, a mere demoness from a demonic sect, am naturally no match for them. I will submit to their fate!" Biyao seemed not to have heard Li Ling's previous words and sat down in the seat next to him.
"I heard that your senior brother Qi Hao has now taken over the position of head of Dragon Head Peak, and his relationship with you is not good. So, have you considered joining our Ghost King Sect?"
"Hehe, since you know all this, how could you not know that I'm currently living on Xiaozhu Peak, and Qi Hao has no say in my affairs!" Li Ling laughed. "That's why I told you not to waste your time; there's no way I'm leaving Qingyun Sect!"
Hearing Li Ling's direct refusal, Bi Yao was not discouraged, as if she had expected it. She didn't mention having Li Ling join the Ghost King Sect again, but instead asked:
"What are you doing here? I've heard that a major incident happened in Incense Valley three months ago. A volcanic eruption nearly destroyed their sect's headquarters. Do you know who did it?"
"Even the young lady of your Ghost King Sect doesn't know about this, so how could a disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect like me know?" Li Ling's heart stirred, but he remained calm on the surface as he spoke.
Biyao continued, "Aren't you curious? When Father first heard the news, he said that the volcano in Fenxiang Valley was suppressed by the Eight Fiends Profound Fire Formation, which had been in place for thousands of years. The only reason for its sudden eruption now is that the Eight Fiends Profound Fire Formation has malfunctioned."
"Furthermore, I heard that Shangguan Ce, the second-in-command of Fenxiang Valley, was responsible for guarding the Eight Fiends Profound Fire Formation. He also died suddenly afterward. So Father guesses that a top expert must have infiltrated Fenxiang Valley, killed Shangguan Ce, and shaken the Eight Fiends Profound Fire Formation, which caused this incident."
"The person capable of doing this is undoubtedly one of the world's top experts, but why they would do it and what their true identity is are difficult to guess. Do you think it's possible that your Qingyun Sect leader did this?"
"Nonsense!" Li Ling couldn't help but glare at the little girl, then said calmly, "How could the sect leader possibly come to the Southern Frontier to do such a thing? If it wasn't your father who did it, then it must have been some reclusive master. But there aren't many people who can do that!"
"Hmph, who can say for sure about such things!" Biyao said indignantly, then changed the subject and asked, "When do you plan to return to Qingyun Sect after coming down the mountain this time?"
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Chapter 370: Treasure Hunt in Dawang Village
Upon hearing Biyao's words, Li Ling immediately said, "I'm heading back to Qingyun now, so let's call it a day. See you next time!"
"Hey~, why are you leaving after just a few words? Wait!" Biyao said, grabbing Li Ling's arm and pulling him back.
With a soft sigh, Li Ling turned to look at Bi Yao and said with some helplessness, "My dear lady, you are the daughter of the Ghost King Sect, while I am a disciple of the Qingyun Sect. Do you think it's appropriate for us to be so close?"
"I don't care about anything that's inappropriate, so why do you care?" Biyao said, seemingly unconcerned.
"I happen to be looking around and I'm short of someone to help me out. I think you're alright looking and your cultivation is so-so. You can be my follower for the next few days..."
Halfway through her speech, Biyao noticed that Li Ling's gaze was fixed on her eyes, and his voice grew softer and softer until finally he lowered his head, no longer daring to look at Li Ling, and his voice became barely audible.
Looking at the shy Biyao, Li Ling felt both happy and helpless. How could he not see why Biyao was being so unreasonable?
Li Ling was naturally happy to win the favor of this woman he had grown quite fond of after watching the original story. However, if he accepted this relationship, where would he place Lu Xueqi?
Li Ling would never be so sentimental as to be loyal to only one relationship. It's just that the difference in their positions is too great; they are fundamentally opposed, which is the most difficult problem to solve.
In his previous reincarnations, Li Ling had married Ling Xueyan and Zhao Yuer. However, at that time, he was not only the most skilled martial artist in the world, but also the young master of the Famous Sword Manor, wielding considerable power. Moreover, living in ancient society, he naturally didn't have many objections.
However, in the cultivation world, worldly power is a joke; only strength can support him.
Thinking of this, Li Ling began to analyze the gains and losses again, but then stopped. Looking at Bi Yao, who was secretly watching him, Li Ling suddenly smiled and said, "That's fine too. I still have a few days. Bi Yao, where would you like to go?"
...
Next, Li Ling and Bi Yao stayed in this small town for half a month. Before leaving, Li Ling gave Bi Yao the Hehuan Bell and the first volume of the "Heavenly Book".
Now that he had made his decision, Li Ling naturally wouldn't care about treating Bi Yao better. Lu Xueqi's cultivation had improved extremely quickly over the past eight years, and the "Heavenly Book" that Li Ling had given her was also a significant factor in this.
Afterwards, Li Ling returned to Qingyun Sect. The trip to Fenxiang Valley went so smoothly thanks to Shangguan Ce cultivating alone. However, if he were to try to get his hands on the "Heavenly Book" in Tianyin Temple, it wouldn't be so easy.
Li Ling felt it was still somewhat risky to wait until his cultivation level was higher before making any moves, and nearly two years passed as a result.
...
Dawang Village is a remote village located near the Dead Swamp, with a population even smaller than that of Caomiao Village at the foot of Qingyun Mountain back then.
This place is remote and the Dead Swamp is extremely dangerous, with poisonous swamp insects everywhere, and one could lose one's life if one is not careful.
But for some reason, those villagers, who clearly had the ability to move to a safer place to live a comfortable life, still stubbornly clung to their small plot of land and refused to move.
However, the situation has greatly improved recently. In the past month or so, more and more cultivators have appeared here, constantly wandering around the vicinity of Dawang Village. Occasionally, they will return with injuries after encountering those strange insects and poisonous plants.
The villagers of Dawang Village were surprisingly shrewd business-minded, providing medicine, food, clothing, and other necessities at opportune times—of course, at extremely high prices. However, the cultivators didn't care about that, and the villagers all made a small fortune.
At first, these cultivators were all fine, living in harmony. However, as the signs of the extraordinary treasure's emergence grew stronger, more and more members of the demonic sect began to appear here.
The Demonic Sect had been showing signs of rising in power for several years, but it never dared to confront the righteous path head-on. However, now, outside Dawang Village, several extremely fierce battles have broken out, and the Demonic Sect has gained the upper hand.
At this time, Dao Xuan Zhenren contacted the three major righteous sects and went to Dawang Village to exterminate the demonic sect. Li Ling also came here at this time after finishing his "travels" outside.
When all the righteous people had arrived, the previously rampant demonic cultivators suddenly vanished without a trace. After failing to find any of the demonic cultivators, everyone focused their attention on the extraordinary treasure that was about to be unveiled.
Meanwhile, deep within the Dead Swamp, countless black-clad figures embroidered with skulls knelt respectfully. Before them all, a girl in green leisurely played with a cute little bell in her hand, making a crisp "ding-a-ling" sound.