Free Web NovelChapter 376: Chapter 299: Fire Phoenix Returns (Part 2)
Moreover, the most critical issue was that Duoluo Cheng’s body had been annihilated by the battle’s shockwaves, and who knew who had taken his storage bag. Counting all their other expenditures, they had truly suffered a double loss.
But in front of Fang Qingyuan, Han Yunlong certainly wasn’t going to complain. He might have suffered substantial losses, but he had to keep up appearances. The Pill Alliance’s prestige before the Qingyuan Sect and the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect was at stake.
Thus, Han Yunlong exchanged a few pleasantries with Fang Qingyuan, assured him that everything was fine, and then stated his intent to hurry into Awakening Lion Valley to find traces of the Spring and Autumn Cicada.
However, at that moment, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator approached and whispered something in Han Yunlong’s ear, after which Han Yunlong’s expression soured.
Thanks to his powerful Divine Sense, Fang Qingyuan naturally overheard the report. It turned out the Pill Alliance had captured a prisoner and, upon interrogation, had just learned that Duoluo Cheng was carrying an important treasure.
Only then did Han Yunlong grasp the full situation. He discreetly glanced over at Fang Qingyuan a few times before making a decision:
"The purpose of this trip is to find the Spring and Autumn Cicada. Everything else is secondary. We mustn’t lose sight of our main objective for a minor gain. Prepare yourselves. We’re heading into the valley now."
Hearing this, Fang Qingyuan saw Han Yunlong in a new light. ’Not letting profit distract him from his objective, knowing how to prioritize—it seems simple, but how many people can actually do that?’
After giving orders to his men, Han Yunlong approached Fang Qingyuan and asked in a soft, inquiring tone:
"Are you all certain you don’t wish to enter the valley with us? We can be flexible on the payment. If the mission is completed successfully, the Pill Alliance will add another thirty percent to the original reward."
Fang Qingyuan was not the least bit tempted by Han Yunlong’s offer. He and Lechuan knew just how powerful that old lion in Awakening Lion Valley was, and they were certainly not willing to take such a risk.
If not for the fact that the Pill Alliance and the Spirit Wood Alliance were at odds, Fang Qingyuan wouldn’t have even come along on this trip to the Barbaric Wilderness in the first place.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Han. As we agreed previously, we will not be entering Awakening Lion Valley. We will wait here for your triumphant return."
Han Yunlong gave Fang Qingyuan a regretful look. Over the course of their journey, Fang Qingyuan had left a deep impression on him. Even though this Sect Leader of the Qingyuan Sect had only just reached Late-stage Foundation Establishment, Han Yunlong had to admit to himself that he couldn’t figure the man out.
Seeing that Fang Qingyuan was unwilling, Han Yunlong didn’t insist. A moment later, he led his people and plunged into Awakening Lion Valley.
After they departed, a human-shaped pile of ash lay on the ground—the result of the recent interrogation.
"Alright, everyone. The main party has set out. We’ll wait for them here. If the Pill Alliance members haven’t emerged after one month, we won’t wait any longer. We’ll leave directly."
Fang Qingyuan gave the order. He then had a few people set up some arrays and dig out earthen shelters. Once that was all taken care of, Fang Qingyuan entered one of the shelters, sat down cross-legged, and began to wait patiently.
...
Time tends to fly for cultivators, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed. One day, as Fang Qingyuan was lying around daydreaming, he suddenly felt a jolt.
He leaped out of his earthen shelter, moving beyond the perimeter of the Concealing Array. Through his spiritual senses, he could feel the Pill Alliance members slowly approaching.
Nearly twenty Cultivators had entered, but only thirteen were now returning. Fortunately, their leader, Han Yunlong, was not among the dead.
Han Yunlong was in terrible condition, having clearly survived several brutal battles. Awakening Lion Valley was vast, and besides fending off spirit beasts, they had also had to watch out for the White Mountain Tribulation Cultivators.
At that moment, Han Yunlong didn’t want to say a thing. When he saw Fang Qingyuan, his tense mind finally relaxed, and he almost passed out on the spot.
"Please, Sect Leader Fang, honor your promise and escort us out of here. After this is done, the Pill Alliance will absolutely keep its word."
Han Yunlong’s voice was feeble and his face was pale. Seeing this, Fang Qingyuan wasted no words. He turned and instructed Jiang Wanqin to give Han Yunlong and his people some initial treatment so they could recuperate. In their current condition, they wouldn’t even make it past the territory of the Wind Breath Returning Soil Beast up ahead.
Jiang Wanqin acknowledged Fang Qingyuan’s command with a soft "oh." She then sat down cross-legged and began to channel her technique. As she did, a phantom Ice Cup Flower bloomed above her head. Its radiant light, carrying a slight chill, fell upon Han Yunlong and the other Cultivators, healing the wounds on their bodies.
A quarter of an hour later, Jiang Wanqin was drenched in sweat, but the condition of the Cultivators bathed in the Ice Cup Flower’s light had improved dramatically.
Seeing Jiang Wanqin was still pushing herself, Fang Qingyuan coughed loudly from the side, interrupting her technique. ’This girl is too earnest,’ he thought. ’I just told you to put on a show, did you really plan on healing them completely?’
"Sect Leader Fang, I truly envy you for having such a capable subordinate. I have a rather presumptuous request... I have a younger clansman who reached Foundation Establishment at a tender age. He’s also quite a handsome and talented fellow, so I was thinking..."
Han Yunlong was only just feeling better, and he was already getting ideas. Seeing how useful Jiang Wanqin’s Innate Divine Technique was, he wanted to recruit her into his own clan. Fang Qingyuan, annoyed, cut him off directly:
"Brother Han, no need to say more. The Qingyuan Sect has a strict rule: our disciples are forbidden from marrying outside the sect. Any violator will be charged with treason!"
This one sentence left Han Yunlong speechless. He knew it was just an excuse from Fang Qingyuan, but he didn’t dare press the issue, afraid Fang Qingyuan would say something even harsher.
The journey back was largely uneventful. They passed through the territories of three Nascent Soul Ancient Beasts with some thrills but no real danger. Everyone only truly relaxed when they finally exited the Barbaric Wilderness and saw the Pill Alliance members waiting for them.
After flying out of the Yan Gui Sect’s territory, Fang Qingyuan and the Pill Alliance members parted ways. He couldn’t have cared less whether Han Yunlong had completed his mission or brought back enough Spring and Autumn Cicadas.
His part of the mission was complete. Now, it was time to report back to Lechuan and collect his reward.
But when Fang Qingyuan arrived at Lechuan’s residence, he found Lechuan entertaining a special guest. It was someone Fang Qingyuan knew, though they hadn’t met in years. And while Fang Qingyuan looked the same as ever, the other person’s appearance had changed dramatically.
"Situ Jingyu? You’ve gotten so thin!"
Fang Qingyuan cried out in surprise. The Situ Jingyu before him was only around six feet tall. Though still statuesque, she had lost her former burly, thick-waisted build.
The bulky flesh on her face was also gone, replaced by radiant features, pearly white teeth, and a complexion as smooth as cream.
But before Situ Jingyu could open her mouth, Lechuan chided him:
"Is that any way to speak to your Uncle Situ? Where are your manners? From now on, you are to address her as Uncle Situ."
Fang Qingyuan was taken aback. He stared at Situ Jingyu’s now slender figure, finding her almost unrecognizable. ’Can Body Refining Cultivators really reshape their bodies with their thoughts after reaching Core Formation?’
"Long time no see, Junior Brother Qingyuan!"
Situ Jingyu rose from her seat, walked over to Fang Qingyuan’s side, and extended a delicate, slender hand, her smile radiant.
