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"Junior brother, wait for me."
Qi Yuan heard Dong Xuan'er's voice behind him. He turned around and smiled.
"Senior sister, shouldn't you be serving Master? Did you come all this way because you missed me?"
"Who misses you? If anyone does, it should be Sister Chen. I certainly don't..."
Dong Xuan'er tilted her head slightly, her eyes holding a playful charm. Her delicate face wore an indifferent expression, but her bright emerald dress swayed in the wind, and her white boots tapped restlessly against the ground.
Qi Yuan glanced around, confirming no one was nearby. With a quick step, he moved closer and pulled Dong Xuan'er gently into his arms. The beauty in his embrace scoffed softly and whispered in his ear.
"Sister may not miss me," Qi Yuan said with a teasing smile, "but I'm different. I think about you day and night, to the point that I can't even focus on my cultivation."
Dong Xuan'er bit her lip. "Why should I care if you slack off on your training?"
"Master's too busy to keep an eye on me, so naturally that task falls to you. You must teach me to cultivate diligently, or I'll fall behind and risk Master's scolding."
Qi Yuan inhaled the faint scent lingering on her, still holding her close.
"You're shameless," Dong Xuan'er muttered, her face flushed.
Before Qi Yuan could respond, he received a voice transmission in his soul. His expression shifted, and he whispered to Dong Xuan'er.
"Go wait for me in my tent. I'll be back soon."
He pressed a quick kiss to her cheek and disappeared before she could react.
Dong Xuan'er stomped her foot in frustration, her face warm with embarrassment. She muttered something under her breath before heading to Qi Yuan's tent.
Elsewhere, Qi Yuan appeared in a secluded area. After ensuring no one had followed him, he entered a nearby tent. A faint glow flickered from the protective barrier.
Inside, Li Huayuan turned to face him.
"No one saw you, right?"
Qi Yuan sighed inwardly. All this trouble just to buy a few bottles of aphrodisiac pills. He cupped his hands respectfully.
"Uncle Li, rest assured. I understand your concerns."
"It's been a while since I last saw you, Junior Brother Qi. You've already reached the middle stage of foundation building. Impressive — I wouldn't be surprised if you achieve the core stage soon."
Qi Yuan forced a smile. "Thank you, Uncle Li. But forming the core feels far away. It may take years before I can even attempt it."
Li Huayuan seemed to reflect on his own cultivation path, sighing softly before speaking again.
"You have five elements spiritual roots, don't you?"
Qi Yuan nodded. "Yes, Uncle Li. Do you have some advice for me?"
"Building a foundation with five elements spiritual roots is difficult enough, but forming a core is even harder. Without an extraordinary opportunity, you may never succeed."
Qi Yuan's expression shifted. He suspected Li Huayuan had something in mind — likely an opportunity he wanted to trade for.
"Uncle Li, please enlighten me. I'm willing to offer a steady supply of aphrodisiac pills in exchange for your guidance."
Li Huayuan's eyes brightened.
"There's a medicinal garden near the Hehuan Sect. They cultivate a Five Elements True Spirit Tree that produces rare fruits with powerful elemental properties. Consuming one during core formation greatly enhances your chances of success."
He paused, then set a map on the table.
"This map details the territories of the Six Demonic Sects. Study the routes carefully — they'll be useful if you decide to pursue the fruit. As for obtaining it... that's up to your skill."
With that, Li Huayuan vanished like a gust of wind.
Qi Yuan examined the map, excitement rising in his chest. The aphrodisiac pills were nothing — easily produced using yin and yang energy gathered from the base camp. In contrast, the map and its information were invaluable.
Still, infiltrating the Hehuan Sect would be no small feat. To succeed, he would need to master the Daluo Thousand Illusions Technique from the Qianhuan Sect — a powerful disguise technique capable of deceiving even early-stage core cultivators.
Qi Yuan spent the following days practicing the technique and cultivating with the Chaos Cauldron, refining powerful elixirs for future use. His cultivation soon reached the late stage of foundation building.
During this time, Hong Fu heard that her disciple Qi Yuan had been bullied by Jia Huan of the Yanyue Sect. Outraged, she stormed into their territory and delivered a ruthless punishment, leaving Jia Huan humiliated.
Meanwhile, news spread that Lian Feihua, pursued by over twenty disciples from the Six Demonic Sects, had retaliated in desperation and wiped them out in one fierce counterattack.
Qi Yuan shook his head upon hearing the news. The daughter of the Demon Flame Sect had a Nascent Soul stage backer — challenging her had been foolish.
A year passed with Qi Yuan stationed at the front lines, refining pills and steadily advancing his cultivation. The Chaos Cauldron operated endlessly, producing Sky Fire Liquid, Snow Spirit Water, and elixirs that filled several storage bags.
In the Black Fire Sect's ruined marketplace, Qi Yuan lurked in the shadows, twelve Poisonous Dragon Swords floating silently around him. His cultivation had reached a level where few late-stage foundation cultivators could withstand him.
A group of demonic cultivators soon appeared, chasing a woman in distress — Duobao from the Yanyue Sect.
The demonic cultivators surrounded her, attempting to trap her within a Wind Demon Formation. Desperate, Duobao used her Qing Ning Mirror and a pink crystal orb to resist, but her defenses began to falter.
Just as defeat seemed certain, the formation collapsed — its casters falling one by one.
Qi Yuan emerged from the shadows, stepping forward with a smile.
"We haven't seen each other since the Blood Forbidden Land. Do you still recognize me as your master?"
Duobao's expression softened, memories resurfacing. After a brief pause, she lowered her head.
"Master..."
(End of this chapter)