“Iron Prison Elder’s birth was great, and his death glorious.”
The bleak wind swept through the fallen leaves, and amidst the roaring flames, Iron Prison Elder’s body was shoved into the cremation furnace.
That very night, on the same day Blue Shadow accepted the commission, Dai Tian, the leader of the Hall of the Wild Dragon, personally presided over Iron Prison Elder’s funeral.
Though he despised the thought of Iron Prison never being reincarnated, since the man was already dead, the formalities still had to be observed.
By the way, how did this guy die?
According to the autopsy results, it was poisoning.
But what kind of terrifying poison could kill an Eight Trigram Realm respected figure on the spot? What kind of dreadful toxic mastery did the poisoner possess?
Moreover, the tests confirmed that the poison that killed Iron Prison Elder was completely unrelated to the poisoning incident involving the Taiming Sect that day.
This meant someone else had assassinated Iron Prison Elder.
This realization sent chills down the spines of the other revered elders in the Hall of the Wild Dragon.
What was even more infuriating was the audacity of the poisoner who, after killing Iron Prison Elder, left behind a note!
[What are you dreaming about?]
Qiao Xiaoxian approached the entrance of the Taiming Sect, holding a letter of introduction in her hand.
After hesitating for a moment, she swiftly slipped into a small grove.
When she emerged again, she wore a flowing, water-blue wide-sleeved robe, the magical light in her eyes completely extinguished, replaced only by a gentle warmth like flowing water.
Now, she was no longer the Dragon Clan Saintess Qiao Xiaoxian, nor was she the infamous number one assassin of the Divine Continent, Blue Shadow…
“Junior disciple Qian Yue, recommended to join Starfall Peak. May I ask the way to Starfall Peak?”
Jiang Ke’er, since you don’t like Qiao Xiaoxian,
how about Qian Yue?
Jiang Ke’er quickly calmed her emotions and pushed that truly beautiful, utterly perfect figure—so perfect she could want to marry her—out of her mind.
She was no longer the young girl who dreamed romantically about love.
So even if junior sister Qian Yue happened to be that kind of petite, gentle, virtuous, and stunning beauty who aroused one’s protective instincts, completely matching her ideal image of a perfect partner, she absolutely would not entertain the idea of dating her!
Yes, focus on studying—study brings me happiness.
Jiang Ke’er cheerfully settled her mind and continued learning under Master Yiqin.
“Qing Yi, your heart is unsettled, your fingers unsteady. Is something troubling you?” Yiqin frowned and asked.
“…Master, please wait a moment. I will go calm myself.”
Jiang Ke’er went to the edge of the Magic Crystal Stone, quickly scooped a bucket of water, and splashed her face several times, finally calming her thoughts completely.
Alright, ready now.
Master Yiqin thought Jiang Ke’er was just tired, so she paused the lesson, put down her xiao flute, and smiled gently.
“Qing Yi, a large Secret Realm, one that appears once every ten years, has surfaced in the north. The seven peaks of the Taiming Sect are all selecting disciples to explore it… You should prepare well over the next few days.”
The implication was clear: Jiang Ke’er was already on the roster for the upcoming expedition, and when the time came, she would join the team.
Yiqin had been hesitant about this, considering Jiang Ke’er’s growing fame. No one knew how many sects wished to kill such an outstanding new disciple of the Taiming Sect.
Fortunately, before this exploration, all sects had sworn an alliance—competition was allowed, but no sect could harm any Medical Cultivator.
Only then could Yiqin breathe a little easier.
“I will protect myself,” Jiang Ke’er smiled shyly, sensing Yiqin’s worry, “and I will do my best to protect my senior brothers and sisters accompanying me. I will fulfill my duty as a Medical Cultivator!”
“You must prioritize protecting yourself. A living Medical Cultivator can save lives. You absolutely cannot put yourself in danger!” Yiqin warned seriously.
Don’t worry, Master. I’ll just paddle along gently, Jiang Ke’er thought to herself.
“Rested enough? Let’s continue the lesson.”
“Yes~”
Jiang Ke’er loved this feeling—being cared for by her seniors, leisurely and worry-free learning new knowledge every day, striving to improve herself.
She loved the Taiming Sect. She loved Lingyin Valley.
Qiao Xiaoxian defeated a fellow disciple from Starfall Peak and smiled gracefully.
“Senior brother, thank you for your kindness.”
“Junior sister Qian Yue, you’re incredible!” Applause and praise rang out around her.
“I practiced my family’s spells before coming, so I’m somewhat familiar with spell dueling,” Qiao Xiaoxian replied with a courteous smile.
“Qian Yue, you will also join the upcoming Secret Realm expedition in a few days,” said the master of Starfall Peak.
“Yes, Master.”
Qiao Xiaoxian replied as such, though a hint of hesitation flickered in her heart.
She could still feel the lingering blockages in her meridians, the faint pain in her chest.
In a previous assassination mission, she suffered a heavy injury that hadn’t fully healed yet. Now, she probably couldn’t even defeat Jiang Ke’er.
This path was uncertain—dangerous, even.
But if Jiang Ke’er was going, she would definitely go too.
Otherwise, what if that guy got lost again?
The Great Sima Nation buzzed with excitement.
All Four Symbols Phase and Five Elements Stage cultivators across the Divine Continent surged northward toward the Great Sima Nation.
This was a once-in-a-decade Great Secret Realm, with entry restricted to those at the Four Symbols or Five Elements stages.
“And such Secret Realms that limit entrants by cultivation often contain ancient cultivation legacies or rare treasures that can greatly enhance current cultivation levels…”
Dai Tian, leader of the Hall of the Wild Dragon, stood on a high platform, addressing the elite disciples below.
He listened with satisfaction to the sound of swallowing from below, admiring the near-maniacal desire and frenzy in the eyes of the disciples.
Yes, this was the attitude he wanted!
Desire is the fundamental driving force forward.
The Hall of the Wild Dragon achieved today’s success because of this demonic-like intense desire!
Even cultivators should not go against the instinct of desire. As long as desire leads them forward, the Hall of the Wild Dragon can tear apart any enemy before them!
“All Hall of the Wild Dragon disciples listen up! Kill one Taiming Sect disciple, reward of five hundred Magic Crystals! Kill one Taiming Sect Medical Cultivator, reward of two thousand Magic Crystals! Kill that monster named Qing Yi from Lingyin Valley, reward of thirty thousand Magic Crystals!”
“Kill—”
A roar that shook heaven and earth erupted from the crowd below. The disciples’ eyes were bloodshot, their fanaticism bringing great satisfaction to Dai Tian.
This was only the beginning.
Do you think you’ve won?
No.
The Taiming Sect will soon be wiped off the Divine Continent!
Dai Tian was confident. Because this time, he was not relying on the Hall of the Wild Dragon’s own strength!
Today, Jiang Ke’er continued to diligently study Pill Refinement.
The Secret Realm would open in about half a month. Although Master told her to prepare early, there was no need to rush.
Jiang Ke’er entered the Alchemy Room specially approved by Master Yiqin and gazed in awe at the massive Alchemy Furnace.
Mushuang was beside her, watching Jiang Ke’er seriously inspecting the nearby alchemy equipment and asked suspiciously, “You’re not actually planning to refine pills, are you?”
“Could it be otherwise?” Jiang Ke’er said matter-of-factly.
Mushuang was stunned. “So that idea you mentioned to Master the other day… you were serious?”
“Of course!” Jiang Ke’er replied naturally.