Volume 1 Volume 5 Chapter 120

Volume 5 Chapter 120: The Battle Begins, Old Grudges Settled (Part 3)

Just after Jin Qinghan and the others landed not far outside the blood-red valley, he quickly pulled Li Yuhan and Lv Qingshang to the side, ignoring the confusion of the others, and said to them, "Senior Brother Lv, Master Li’s nephew, Junior Brother Xu has a mission for both of you."

Saying this, Jin Qinghan took out the green slip and Soul Bead that Xu Qingfan had given him.

After completing Xu Qingfan’s request and saving Li Yuhan and the others, Jin Qinghan felt anxious thinking about how Xu Qingfan was still trapped in the mountain, surrounded by danger, unsure of his fate. He just wanted to return to the mountain to rescue Xu Qingfan. However, when Xu Qingfan had handed him that mysterious Soul Bead and green slip, he had looked very serious, as if they were extremely important. So Jin Qinghan couldn’t just ignore it, but he couldn’t bring himself to do what Xu Qingfan had arranged and leave right after saving people, without caring about Xu Qingfan’s life or death.

So caught in this conflict, for the first time in his life, Jin Qinghan lied, saying that the task assigned to him by Xu Qingfan was actually for Li Yuhan and Lv Qingshang. Li Yuhan was very capable, even better than Xu Qingfan in terms of planning, and Lv Qingshang was skilled in arranging formations. Although he might not match Jin Qinghan in raw power, if given enough time to set up, he could create a powerful formation. Together, these two could do whatever task Xu Qingfan had assigned even better than Jin Qinghan could. Furthermore, these two had always been friendly with Xu Qingfan over the years, and among the younger elders of Jiuhua, they represented the group next to Xu Qingfan and Jin Qinghan, so Jin Qinghan wasn’t afraid they would go against Xu Qingfan’s arrangements.

Although lying like this went against Jin Qinghan’s proud nature, he couldn’t care less about that if it meant he could return to help Xu Qingfan.

At that moment, Xu Qingfan was infected with "Beast Madness" and could not fight back. In the depths of the mountain, besides many "Beast Madness cultivators," Xu Qingfan guessed that there were also mysterious experts hiding. Being in the mountain, Xu Qingfan was always at risk of being killed. Thinking of this, Jin Qinghan felt more urgent and wished he could immediately turn back into the mountain.

However, Xu Qingfan’s mission must still be completed, and they could not ignore the people here. So, he kept calm and continued, "Senior Brother Xu said that the matters mentioned in this green slip are extremely important. If something happens to him, you should not worry about anything else. Quickly return to ‘Ronghua Mountain’ and follow the steps in the green slip carefully, without any mistakes."

After pausing and frowning in thought for a moment, Jin Qinghan added, "The ‘Beast Madness cultivators’ in the blood-colored valley must have some concerns, as they have not left the valley to chase us. So far, this place is still safe. You can stay here for an hour, but be careful during this time. Try to find Junior Martial Sister Dongfang and the others who left the valley before. If you cannot find them within an hour, and neither I nor Senior Brother Xu appears or something seems wrong, then you do not need to worry about anything and should quickly head back to ‘Ronghua Mountain.’ This mission is not as simple as we think, and with our current strength, we cannot handle it. What Senior Brother Xu has recorded in the green slip is even more important."

However, this was Jin Qinghan’s first time lying, so when he handed the Soul Bead and green slip to Li Yuhan and Lv Qingshang, he looked somewhat strange. Li Yuhan and Lv Qingshang, being perceptive, noticed Jin Qinghan’s thoughts. Knowing Xu Qingfan’s position in Jin Qinghan’s heart, they realized they could not stop him, so they did not expose him.

"Does Junior Brother Jin need to go back to support Junior Brother Xu?" Lv Qingshang asked.

Jin Qinghan nodded slowly, and Lv Qingshang and Li Yuhan immediately looked serious. After hearing Jin Qinghan’s description of the situation in the mountain’s depths, both understood that the gathering of "Beast Madness cultivators" in that blood-colored valley was indeed not simple, with skilled experts hidden as well. Jin Qinghan had not told them that Xu Qingfan was afflicted with "Beast Madness," so they thought Xu Qingfan was just seriously injured.

Yet even so, with many Condensed Core Stage cultivators and unknown powerful experts lurking, Xu Qingfan was now just a burden. Jin Qinghan returning might mean trouble. But because of Xu Qingfan’s importance to everyone, they could not ignore him. Lv Qingshang and Li Yuhan both wanted to support Jin Qinghan, but knowing they were not skilled in battle and that Jin Qinghan had given them Xu Qingfan’s mission, they could only reluctantly nod and advise him to be careful.

"However, the Bo Guangyan from ‘Mercy Cloud Temple’ is still in the mountain, and Xu Xiurong from Qingxu also disappeared with Junior Martial Sister Dongfang. If you do not return in an hour, and if Junior Martial Sister Dongfang and the others are not found, the people from ‘Mercy Cloud Temple’ and ‘Qingxu Gate’ may not want to leave with us."

Li Yuhan was a very rational person, able to analyze situations while almost completely putting aside his emotions, but now he was prepared for the worst.

"Then don’t worry about them. You two should leave alone. What Senior Brother Xu has instructed is the most important. It concerns the future of Jiuhua, and we cannot make a mistake."

Xu Qingfan had already explained this situation, so Jin Qinghan decisively said.

Hearing Jin Qinghan say this, Lv Qingshang and Li Yuhan’s expressions grew more serious. If Xu Qingfan, Jin Qinghan, or Dongfang Qingling encountered any trouble, Jiuhua would suffer a great loss. Although he asked, Li Yuhan truly hoped that such a thing would not happen.

After giving instructions to Li Yuhan and Lv Qingshang, Jin Qinghan didn’t say more and turned to fly back into the blood-red valley.

Seeing Jin Qinghan’s actions, the remaining cultivators in the team were startled. Jin Qinghan’s secret conversation with Li Yuhan and Lv Qingshang had already made them suspicious. Now, seeing Jin Qinghan return, they were even more confused. A monk from "Mercy Cloud Temple" and Lv Ziqing from "Qingxu Gate" stepped forward to block Jin Qinghan.

"Excuse me, Sir Jin, where are my Martial Brothers Bo Guangyan and Bo Hui? Why aren’t they with you? Is something wrong?"

Lv Ziqing then said, "Why hasn’t Senior Brother Xu come out? Martial Sister Xu is missing. Should we start searching right away?"

While the two were asking questions, the others looked at Jin Qinghan eagerly, waiting for his answer. After all, even though Jin Qinghan saved everyone, it was Xu Qingfan and Bo Guangyan who were the main support in everyone’s hearts.

Seeing the two blocking his way, Jin Qinghan frowned in annoyance and was about to say something when an unexpected event arose from the blood-red valley behind them.

Suddenly, in the once-bloody valley, flames erupted. The red earth and stones inside the valley shone even brighter in the firelight, while the furious roars of the "Beast Madness cultivators," which came from the crowd fleeing in panic, turned into cries of despair in the glow of the flames.

However, these "Beast Madness cultivators" seemed trapped in the valley. Even though they were being burned by the fierce fire and facing life and death, they still did not step out of the valley.

Seeing this strange change, Jin Qinghan was startled. He was first more worried about what might happen to Xu Qingfan. But more importantly, when he saw the flames rising in the valley, something deep inside Jin Qinghan trembled suddenly, as if something destined had appeared before him.

Strangely, a sense of eager excitement filled Jin Qinghan’s mind.

Then, ignoring the "Mercy Cloud Temple" monk and Lv Ziqing’s attempts to stop him, Jin Qinghan quickly flew toward the bloody valley. On the way, he took out a vial of healing elixir from his sleeve and swallowed it all in one go, not caring whether he could digest it. Although taking such a large amount of medicine without meditating would greatly harm his body, Jin Qinghan couldn’t worry about that anymore.

Seeing Jin Qinghan suddenly leave recklessly, everyone was taken aback. Some wanted to ask Jin Qinghan what was happening, while others worried for his safety and tried to stop him again, but Lv Qingshang and Li Yuhan held them back.

"Martial Uncle Jin has already told us about what is happening inside the mountain and the plans for the future. We just need to follow the plan now, and Martial Uncle Jin is currently busy with other important matters."

Li Yuhan said.

※※※※

When he left, he moved quickly, but on the way back, he moved even faster. Driven by anxious worry and a strange sense of excitement, Jin Qinghan took less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to return to the blood-red valley.

In the valley, there was a sea of flames. The ground and walls were filled with flames rising several feet high. At high temperatures, the rocks melted, and lava flowed. Combined with the blood-red soil, the valley looked like a legendary hell. Countless "Beast Madness cultivators" turned into human-shaped fireballs, screaming in agony as they rolled and tumbled, adding to the horror and tragedy of this inferno.

When Jin Qinghan left, there were over a thousand "Beast Madness cultivators" in the entire valley, but now they had all been burned away by the sudden flames!

Although the temperature was extremely high, melting iron and gold, when Jin Qinghan flew into the valley, he had already returned to his battle form. He wore golden armor, had six arms and three heads of a golden deity behind him, and wielded a golden spear and a huge golden sword. His presence was mighty, and under the golden light he emitted, the flames around him were suppressed to the lowest level, unable to harm him at all.

Although Jin Qinghan did not know why the flames had appeared or who was responsible, he ignored it. Suppressing the strong and unknown excitement in his heart, he flew towards a secluded cave in the valley, wanting to ensure Xu Qingfan’s safety above all.

But just as he flew halfway, Jin Qinghan suddenly stopped, disbelief appearing in his eyes; he finally understood the excitement and anticipation that had suddenly arisen in his heart.

The fated encounter he had waited for so long was finally here.

In the fiery hell, a cultivator in a purple robe stood quietly in the center of the valley, his indifferent gaze staring at the countless "Beast Madness cultivators" writhing in pain before him. In this sea of red, his purple robe was strikingly noticeable, yet it seemed to blend with the surrounding flames. His demeanor was cold and slightly disdainful, a look that only those powerful enough to easily control life and death could wear. The powerful "Beast Madness cultivators" that had almost pushed Jin Qinghan into despair appeared to him like mere ants. His handsome face looked even more sinister in the firelight, and his indifferent expression felt chilling amidst the flames.

This beautiful face, this indifferent look, was all too familiar to Jin Qinghan. The reason he had been training so desperately over the years was because of this person and the shadow and shame he brought. Whether he hated or admired him, Jin Qinghan despised him for repeatedly defeating him without a second thought, yet also felt a bond over their shared pride and indifference. He hated how he almost killed Xu Qingfan and then defected from Jiuhua, yet admired his talents and strength that were still above his own.

But anyway, after this person betrayed Jiuhua, there was no more friendship between them. All that was left was Feng Qingtian’s hatred for Jiuhua, and Jin Qinghan needed to overcome Feng Qingtian’s awakening. Only Jiuhua’s secret order to kill Feng Qingtian remained, and the desperate fate where only one of them could live.

Or perhaps, this fate was decided when the two first met.

"Feng Qingtian…"

Jin Qinghan stared straight at the person before him, who seemed to fit harmoniously into the surrounding hell, and quietly, softly said. It was less like a greeting and more like talking to himself.

After a moment, under Jin Qinghan’s gaze, Feng Qingtian slowly turned his head to look at Jin Qinghan. Their eyes met in a point amidst the fiery hell. Feng Qingtian’s gaze remained cold, but Jin Qinghan’s eyes were now filled with a bit of heat.

The scenes of previous failures suddenly appeared in Jin Qinghan’s mind. Caught in his obsession, even before the battle, his heart was already confused.

"Be careful, and if you meet Feng Qingtian in the future, you must stay rational and calm."

Suddenly, just before he parted with Xu Qingfan, Xu Qingfan’s reminder appeared in his heart. Jin Qinghan finally managed to resist the urge to rush in and attack.

Thinking of Xu Qingfan’s earlier warning, Jin Qinghan finally calmed down a bit, but he found it strange that Xu Qingfan seemed to already know about Feng Qingtian’s existence.

Breathe in, breathe out, lower your head, lift your head. When their eyes met again, Jin Qinghan was as calm and indifferent as Feng Qingtian.

"You finally showed up."

Jin Qinghan said slowly.

Feng Qingtian nodded slowly and said softly, "I knew you would come back, so I waited for you here."

"How did you end up here? What is your purpose?" Jin Qinghan’s gaze grew even colder.

Feng Qingtian smiled slightly, his smile filled with mockery, colder than his expression.

"Because I want to help someone get revenge. I arranged everything here for him. Although he knows how to control it, gathering so many ‘Beast Madness cultivators’ is not easy."

"What about Senior Brother Xu?"

"Don’t worry. Though it’s unfortunate, that person has to deal with him personally. He should be dead by now."

Feng Qingtian’s face showed a bit of regret; he actually wanted to deal with Xu Qingfan himself.

"Can you control these ‘Beast Madness cultivators’? Then why do you still want to kill them?"

Hearing Feng Qingtian’s words, Jin Qinghan felt disturbed and almost ignored Feng Qingtian to go after Xu Qingfan, but he managed to hold back. He slowly gathered Spirit Qi inside himself and compressed it in his left arm, while softly asking.

Feng Qingtian seemed completely unconcerned about Jin Qinghan’s little actions and continued calmly, "Because they are already useless. You used up about sixty percent of your Spirit Qi in the fight with me, and I didn’t want to take advantage, so I also used sixty percent of my Spirit Qi to deal with them."

All the Spirit Qi was compressed into one point, and Jin Qinghan’s left arm hurt badly. A small golden light, almost solid, slowly appeared at the tip of Jin Qinghan’s left arm.

"Then let’s begin. Although I don’t believe the person you mentioned can easily kill Senior Brother Xu, he is in a different situation now. I must go right away, and I cannot waste time with you here."

Saying this, Jin Qinghan descended from the air and slowly walked towards Feng Qingtian.

"Really? I thought defeating me was what you wanted the most…"

Mid-sentence, Feng Qingtian suddenly stopped speaking, his gaze fixed on the tiny golden light at the tip of Jin Qinghan’s left hand.

The golden light had not fully formed yet, but it already gave him an extremely dangerous feeling. He thought that since he had reached the Golden Core Stage, Jin Qinghan would not be his opponent, but now it seemed that Jin Qinghan was indeed not so easy to defeat.

Jin Qinghan was very special to Feng Qingtian, and Feng Qingtian was very special to Jin Qinghan.

Knowing that Jin Qinghan was filled with fighting spirit and would not speak to him, Feng Qingtian chose not to say more. Instead, he suddenly closed his eyes, and the flames burning throughout the valley suddenly gathered around him.

At that moment, the bit of golden light at Jin Qinghan’s fingertips finally took shape. It was the same powerful technique he used to easily defeat Xu Qingfan by compressing all his Spirit Qi into one point.

The fateful battle was about to begin.

Meanwhile, Xu Qingfan, who was preparing to rescue Jin Qinghan, found himself in an unprecedented danger in his life. Although he faced only one opponent, this person was far more dangerous than all the "Beast Madness cultivators" Jin Qinghan had faced before.