The soft and stable white beam was like the dawn breaking; wherever it passed, the cold and filthy Spirit-Eroding Demon Vines melted like ice and snow, rapidly withering and breaking. Those disciples who had been in despair were freed, while the entire gravel beach fell into a strange silence.
Countless gazes, mixed with shock, greed, wariness, and disbelief, all focused on Tang Xiaoqi. Fifth layer of Qi Refining, mastering the power to purify demon vines? If this news spread, it would be enough to cause considerable waves in the cultivation world.
Mu Qingfeng and Liu Yun reacted extremely quickly, positioning themselves like door gods on Xiaoqi's left and right. Shi Jian and Chen Feng also immediately closed in. The five formed a tight formation, ignoring those complex gazes from the surroundings, rushing at maximum speed toward the exit gate of light that was within reach.
This time, no one dared to make a move to stop them. The miraculous scene of purifying the demon vines just now, along with the strength and determination displayed by the Qingxu Temple squad, formed an invisible barrier. The crowd unconsciously parted to create a passage, watching them transform into five streams of light, one by one throwing themselves into that massive gate of light that rotated stably, emitting spatial fluctuations.
The familiar dizziness and tearing sensation transmitted again, but this time the duration seemed shorter. Light and shadow flowed before their eyes, scenery shifted. When their feet stepped onto solid ground again, feeling the familiar (though relatively thin) spiritual energy of heaven and earth outside, the taut strings in everyone's hearts finally relaxed completely.
They had made it out! They had returned to the back mountain of Qingxu Temple, before that familiar valley enveloped by formations.
At the valley entrance, led by Temple Master Xuanxuan Daoist, several elders had long been waiting there, each with deep auras and solemn expressions. Their gazes were like lightning as they scanned the disciples continuously teleporting out from the gate of light. Seeing casualties, their expressions became grave; seeing those with abundant harvests, they nodded slightly.
When Mu Qingfeng's group of five appeared, several elders' gazes simultaneously landed on Xiaoqi, who was being protected in the middle and still somewhat pale. The commotion at the secret realm exit before the gate closed, as well as fragments of information about "purifying demon vines," had already been transmitted to them through special means.
Temple Master Xuanxuan's gaze was gentle yet probing, while standing at his side, Elder Xuanlin Daoist in charge of the Discipline Hall—Xiaoqi's master—had a trace of imperceptible worry and inquiry in his eyes.
Before the five could formally step forward to pay their respects, an elder wearing a bright red Daoist robe with an ancient face and sharp, eagle-like eyes stepped forward from the group. This was Elder Xuanshu in charge of the Transmission Hall. His temperament was most inclined toward justice, and he was also extremely obsessed with various lost techniques and secret arts.
"Mu Qingfeng, Liu Yun, and you—Tang Xiaoqi!" Elder Xuanshu's voice was resonant, carrying unquestionable authority as his gaze burned into Xiaoqi. "Earlier at the secret realm exit, was it you who employed some technique to purify those Spirit-Eroding Demon Vines?"
At these words, the surrounding disciples who had just emerged as well as those who hadn't yet entered all pricked up their ears, curiously looking over. The events at the secret realm exit had obviously already spread rapidly.
Mu Qingfeng stepped forward, respectfully bowing, preparing to answer on his behalf, but Elder Xuanshu waved his hand, his gaze still locked on Xiaoqi: "Let him speak for himself!"
Xiaoqi had long been prepared. From the moment he decided to employ the purification technique, he knew it would inevitably attract attention. He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and neither humbly nor arrogantly bowed: "Reporting to Elder Xuanshu, in that urgent situation, this disciple did indeed attempt to employ a technique."
"What technique? Where did you learn it?" Elder Xuanshu pressed, his tone urgent. "That white light was pure, containing life force, with extremely strong counter-effects against demonic energy—it is absolutely not part of our Qingxu Temple's existing inheritance! Did you obtain it in the secret realm?"
Everyone's gazes were focused on Xiaoqi, awaiting his answer. Even Temple Master Xuanxuan and Xuanlin Daoist listened attentively.
Xiaoqi raised his head, appropriately revealing a trace of "luck" and "lingering fear" on his face. Following the explanation he had long thought out, he said clearly: "Reporting to the Elder, in the secret realm, this disciple accidentally discovered an abandoned cave. The cave was empty save for a broken jade slip placed on a stone platform. After this disciple touched the jade slip, information automatically poured into his mind—it was precisely an incomplete auxiliary technique named 'Basic Purification Technique'."
He paused, continuing: "This disciple felt this technique seemed to somewhat match his own spiritual power, so he attempted to cultivate it. Earlier, seeing fellow disciples in danger and sensing that demonic aura from those vines was yin and evil, this disciple tried circulating this technique with the thought of giving it a try, not expecting... it actually worked. As for the specific origin of this technique, the jade slip did not mention it, so this disciple does not know its source."
He simplified the process of obtaining the jade slip, omitting the key information about the illusion array and demonic energy residue, emphasizing only "accidental discovery" and "incomplete technique," attributing the effect to "matching his own spiritual power" and "trying his luck," perfectly explaining the source while downplaying his own specialness in this matter.
"'Basic Purification Technique'?" Elder Xuanshu's brows tightly furrowed as he muttered to himself, seemingly searching through his memories for relevant records. "Purification... countering demonic energy... could it be left behind by some sect from ancient times that specialized in dealing with demonic beings?"
He looked at Xiaoqi, his gaze still sharp but with less scrutiny and more of the excitement of discovering a treasure: "Where is that jade slip now?"
Xiaoqi showed "regret" on his face, saying: "After transmitting the information, the jade slip lost its spirituality, turned into ordinary jade, and shattered." This was also a common characteristic of inheritance jade slips—dead men tell no tales.
Elder Xuanshu, hearing this, showed a trace of disappointment on his face, but then his eyes burned as he fixed his gaze on Xiaoqi: "Can you transcribe the contents of this technique? This art concerns dealing with demonic beings—its significance is profound. If you can add this inheritance to our sect, it would be a great merit!"
Xiaoqi's heart moved slightly, knowing this was the key point. He had long thought of a countermeasure, revealing a troubled look on his face: "The Elder sees clearly, when the jade slip's information poured in, it was quite chaotic, and the technique itself is severely incomplete. Many key points are vague, and the circulation routes are quite peculiar and obscure. This disciple... though able to imitate and barely employ it by following the pattern, if asked to transcribe it completely and accurately, I'm afraid I lack the ability and would need a long time to calmly sort through and ponder. Moreover, this technique seems to have special requirements for the cultivator's spiritual power attribute—not everyone can practice it."
His words were half-true, half-false. The technique was indeed incomplete, and the circulation routes were indeed peculiar. His own rapid mastery was also indeed due to the resonance of the jade pendant. Attributing the difficulty of transcription to the technique's own incompleteness and obscurity, as well as his own shallow understanding, was reasonable—both preserving the value and avoiding the risk of being immediately asked to surrender the technique and expose more secrets.
Elder Xuanshu, hearing this, fell into contemplation. He knew well the complexity of profound technique inheritance, especially this kind of incomplete method suspected to be from ancient times—it couldn't be forced. He looked at Temple Master Xuanxuan and Xuanlin Daoist.
Temple Master Xuanxuan nodded slightly, speaking: "Since this is Xiaoqi's opportunity and benefits the sect, it cannot be forced. Xiaoqi, since you have obtained this technique, cultivate and study it well. When your understanding deepens, if you are willing to contribute this technique to the sect, the sect will certainly not be stingy with rewards."
Xuanlin Daoist also spoke: "A disciple's opportunity—the sect naturally should protect it. Xiaoqi, go back and rest well first, consolidating what you have gained."
With these two great figures speaking, the tone was set. Though Elder Xuanshu was unwilling in his heart, he could only nod: "In that case, go back and contemplate it well. If you have any confusion or progress, you may come to the Transmission Hall to find me at any time."
"Yes! This disciple obeys!" Xiaoqi respectfully agreed, letting out a breath in his heart. This hurdle had finally been passed with more fright than danger.
Under the gaze of many eyes—some envious, some curious, some deep in thought—Xiaoqi followed his senior martial brother and sister away from the valley entrance. He knew the storm regarding the "Purification Technique" might have temporarily subsided, but the attention it brought had probably only just begun. And that Vermilion Fruit in his bosom, as well as the family secrets possibly hidden behind the jade pendant and purification technique, required him to handle with even more caution.