The Silver-Faced Envoy's voice filled with hatred and killing intent still echoed at the basin's edge, while the remaining Shadow Snake Pavilion demon cultivators had already fled into the forest shadows like scattered crows, vanishing without a trace. They had arrived abruptly and retreated ignominiously, leaving only a battlefield in disarray and a strange scent of intermingled demonic qi and purification power that hadn't completely dissipated.
Confirming the demon cultivators had truly withdrawn and their auras were rapidly distancing themselves, the Qingxu Temple disciples' taut nerves finally relaxed. The relief of surviving a disaster and intense exhaustion simultaneously surged into their hearts. Apart from Eldest Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng and Third Senior Sister Liu Yun who still held their swords in alert, the other several disciples nearly collapsed to the ground in weakness, breathing heavily, their faces a mixture of lingering fear, relief, and disbelief.
A brief silence fell over the basin, broken only by the subtle sounds of wind passing over scorched earth and broken vegetation.
Mu Qingfeng slowly sheathed his sword. His face was also somewhat pale; forcefully maintaining the sword-intent pure land to resist the domain prototype and then fully striking to force back the Silver-Faced Envoy had been extremely draining. He quickly walked to Xiao Qi's side, reaching out to support him. Xiao Qi still had his Crimson Flame Sword planted in the ground, his figure swaying slightly. "Xiao Qi, how are your injuries?" he asked with concern.
Xiao Qi raised his head. His face was unusually pale from excessive consumption of spiritual power and mental energy, but those eyes were brighter and more determined than ever before. He shook his head, his voice somewhat hoarse: "Eldest Senior Brother, I'm fine, just a bit drained. The wound on my left shoulder... seems to have been mostly healed by that white light." He moved his left shoulder; though still faintly aching, his meridians were unobstructed, and movement was unhindered. That sinister demonic qi had been thoroughly dispersed.
Liu Yun also walked over. Looking at Xiao Qi, her expression was complex—there was relief, shock, and intense curiosity. After a moment of silence, she simply forcefully patted Xiao Qi's uninjured right shoulder, saying concisely: "Well done!" A thousand words were contained in these three. If not for Xiao Qi's two turnarounds today, the fate of their team would have been unthinkable.
Several other fellow disciples also gathered around, their gazes toward Xiao Qi filled with gratitude and admiration.
"Junior Brother Xiao Qi, that was truly dangerous just now! Thanks to you!"
"That white light... and that final sword strike... simply divine!"
"Junior Brother Xiao Qi, you hid yourself quite deeply!"
Everyone spoke simultaneously, their tones filled with the excitement of surviving a disaster and endless curiosity about Xiao Qi's earlier performance. They were all tactful enough not to deeply inquire about the specific origins of the white light and sword intent. In the cultivation world, who doesn't have some secrets? The more extraordinary Xiao Qi showed himself to be, the more confident they were in the sect's future.
Xiao Qi was somewhat embarrassed by everyone's praise. A slight blush appeared on his pale face, and he hurriedly waved his hands: "Just luck, all luck... it was the jade pendant..." He habitually wanted to attribute it to the jade pendant.
Mu Qingfeng raised his hand to stop his words, looking seriously at everyone: "Today's events concern Xiao Qi's safety and may involve significant matters. Before leaving the secret realm, no one is to mention externally Xiao Qi's special abilities displayed in battle, especially the purification light and final sword intent. You may only say that we joined forces to repel the Shadow Snake Pavilion's interception. Is that clear?"
Everyone's expressions became grave upon hearing this, immediately understanding Eldest Senior Brother's intention. The principle that holding a treasure invites crime was understood by all. The abilities Xiao Qi displayed today were too extraordinary, especially his extreme counter-effect against demon cultivators. Once spread, it would certainly attract countless covetous gazes and might even provoke even crazier retaliation from the Shadow Snake Pavilion.
"Rest assured, Eldest Senior Brother, we will keep our mouths shut!" everyone responded in unison, their eyes determined.
Mu Qingfeng nodded, then looked at Xiao Qi: "Xiao Qi, you must also remember. Unless absolutely necessary, do not easily use that power. Today was out of necessity; in the future, you must be even more careful."
"Yes, Eldest Senior Brother, I understand." Xiao Qi nodded solemnly. He also knew his power seemed to have aroused the Silver-Faced Envoy's great greed, and the journey ahead required even greater caution.
"This place is not suitable for a long stay," Mu Qingfeng said, vigilantly sweeping his gaze around. "The earlier commotion was too great; it will likely attract other cultivators or demon beasts. We need to leave quickly and find a safe place to rest and reorganize."
Liu Yun agreed. She glanced in the direction the Shadow Snake Pavilion had retreated, saying gravely: "The Shadow Snake Pavilion will not let this rest. You all heard the Silver-Faced Envoy's words when he withdrew. They are certainly watching in secret, waiting for the next opportunity. Our future actions must be even more careful; we should try to join up with other righteous path teams."
Everyone immediately began to act, simply dealing with the battlefield, helping up two heavily injured fellow disciples, and carefully collecting several undamaged black shadow shuttles left by the White-Faced Demon Cultivator (these could serve as evidence and research materials), then quickly left this basin that had just experienced a bloody battle.
While searching for a temporary stopping point, Xiao Qi circulated his cultivation technique to recover spiritual power while silently reflecting on that final sword strike. The feeling of fusing the purification intent, protective will, and the Crimson Flame Sword's inherent characteristics was mysterious and profound, as if opening a new door for him. He felt that he had touched upon a sword path direction different from Eldest Senior Brother's steady sword intent and Third Senior Sister's sharp sword intent—a sword intent unique to himself, with purification and protection at its core and crimson flame as its carrier. However, this sword intent was still extremely weak, like a candle in the wind, requiring him to constantly comprehend and forge it in the future.
At the same time, he also introspected the jade pendant at his chest. After that earlier eruption, the luster on the jade pendant's surface seemed to have dimmed slightly, and the cool breath it transmitted had become much weaker. Clearly, that degree of purification light consumed greatly and could not be used frequently. This gave him a clearer understanding of his greatest reliance.
About half an hour later, the team found a temporary shelter in a hidden crevice in a mountain wall covered by vines. Mu Qingfeng set up several simple warning and concealment formations at the entrance, and only then did everyone truly relax, beginning to meditate and regulate their breath, treating their injuries.
Xiao Qi sat cross-legged and took out the jade slip recording the "Yimu Ningxin Art" that Eldest Senior Brother had given him. Previously, he had only glanced at it, feeling this auxiliary cultivation technique helped calm the mind and recover spiritual power. Now, calmly comprehending it, he discovered its concepts had some similarities with the cool breath brought by the jade pendant, both emphasizing nourishment and purification. He tried circulating spiritual power according to the method described in the jade slip and indeed felt his spiritual power recovery speed increase slightly, and his mind became more peaceful.
"Perhaps... this 'Yimu Ningxin Art' can help me better control and recover the power of the Purification Source?" Xiao Qi had a vague understanding in his heart.
Just as the Qingxu Temple disciples were seizing the time to rest and reorganize, dozens of li away in a dark valley, the Silver-Faced Envoy tore off the mask on his face, revealing a pale, sinister middle-aged face. He violently punched the rock wall beside him, instantly pulverizing the hard rock.
"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!" he roared, his voice filled with suppressed rage. This interception not only failed to capture the target but also lost the White-Faced operative, a capable subordinate, while the Crimson-Faced one was heavily injured and near death, and elite subordinates were killed or wounded by half—a heavy loss indeed.
A trusted demon cultivator carefully approached to report: "Envoy, that Qingxu Temple boy's power... seems to greatly counter our holy way, especially that final sword intent..."
The Silver-Faced Envoy's eyes were cold: "That wasn't ordinary counter-action... that power... very ancient, very pure, carrying a 'purification' aura that disgusts me. And that sword intent... though only an embryo, it already has the shadow of 'dao'. That boy... absolutely cannot be allowed to live! The thing on him must also be obtained!"
He pondered for a moment, then ordered: "Send word to the other several groups nearby, have them converge on us. At the same time, secretly spread the news that 'Qingxu Temple's Tang Xiao Qi possesses a strange treasure, suspected to have ancient purification heritage,' without leaving traces."
That trusted demon cultivator was stunned: "Envoy, why? If the news spreads, won't it..."
The Silver-Faced Envoy gave a cold smile: "Only in murky waters can one fish. With more people watching him, Qingxu Temple won't be able to protect him. Then we'll have the opportunity... Moreover, the Pavilion Master needs a more sufficient reason to mobilize greater forces. This secret realm will be his burial ground!"
"Yes!" The trusted demon cultivator acknowledged and quickly withdrew to make arrangements.
The Silver-Faced Envoy gazed in the direction of the Qingxu Temple disciples' rest area, cold light flashing in his eyes: "Tang Xiao Qi... let's see how long you can remain smug!"