Chapter 778 Dark Setup

After ambushing and killing Zhou Qianjun, Chen Qing didn’t linger.

He wove through the thick fog and reefs, relying on the unique perception of the Star Vortex Dragon-Attracting Technique to evade auras of varying strengths. He finally reached a secluded islet encircled by a dense reed marsh.

The islet was silent, with only the rustling of the reeds in the wind and the faint sound of rippling water in the distance.

After confirming his surroundings were safe, Chen Qing sat down cross-legged and began to take stock of the spoils he had taken from Zhou Qianjun.

He first took out two Jade Bottles of extraordinary quality.

He uncorked the first Jade Bottle, and a scorching, violent medicinal power instantly filled the air. A single crimson Elixir lay quietly at the bottom.

"A Red Soul Burning Essence Pill!" A sharp glint flashed in Chen Qing’s eyes.

He had personally witnessed the scene where Zhou Qianjun and Li Muyun’s strength surged after taking this pill. Although he knew the consequences were dire—it would shorten one’s lifespan—at a critical moment, it was undoubtedly a Sharp Weapon for turning the tide of battle and fighting for survival.

He carefully put the Elixir back and stored it away properly.

Next, Chen Qing opened the second Jade Bottle.

A cool and refreshing medicinal fragrance, rich with life Essence Qi, washed over him. Inside were three perfectly round, emerald-green Elixirs. Faint cloud-like patterns swirled on their surfaces, shrouded in a halo of Spiritual Light.

’Is this... the Cloud Water Sect’s Green Cloud Breathing Pill?’ Chen Qing identified it carefully, recalling a description he had seen in the Sect’s records.

This Pill was a secret healing Holy Medicine of the Cloud Water Upper Sect. It contained immense life force and was miraculously effective for healing severe internal injuries and repairing hidden damage to meridians. It could also rapidly replenish spent True Essence. Although its value wasn’t as domineering as the Red Soul Burning Essence Pill, it was far more practical. At a critical moment, it was like having an extra life.

Afterward, Chen Qing’s gaze fell upon the Water Blue Long Sword.

The blade was like a pool of autumn water, emanating a bone-chilling cold. The Spiritual Power fluctuations it gave off far surpassed the black short-ruler he had previously obtained.

He infused a trace of True Essence into it, and the blade immediately let out a clear hum, faintly accompanied by the sound of tides.

’A Medium-Grade Spiritual Treasure!’ Chen Qing’s heart filled with joy as he caressed the cold blade.

With each increase in grade, the power and value of a Spiritual Treasure were worlds apart.

The difference in value between a Low-Grade Spiritual Treasure and a Medium-Grade Spiritual Treasure was more than tenfold!

As a True Disciple of the Cloud Water Sect, it was reasonable for Zhou Qianjun to possess such a Weapon.

However, the sword’s features were distinctive. It wasn’t suitable for use right now. He would have to find an opportunity to dispose of it in Black Water Giant City.

Finally, Chen Qing picked up the Jade Pendant, which felt warm and smooth to the touch.

The Jade Pendant was pale green, carved with cloud-and-water patterns. In its center was a small, inlaid piece of strange jade, so deep in color it seemed to contain a galaxy.

Wisps of cool, serene energy flowed from the Jade Pendant into his palm, gradually calming his mind. Even the circulation of True Essence in his body seemed to become a little smoother.

’A Calm Heart Jade?’

Chen Qing recalled reading in a miscellaneous record that certain small kingdoms in the Western Desert produced a rare type of strange stone. Pendants carved from it had the effect of calming the heart and mind, regulating True Essence, aiding Cultivation, and preventing cultivation deviation. They were extremely rare.

’As expected of a True Disciple from the Cloud Water Upper Sect. His wealth is truly substantial!’

Chen Qing finished taking inventory of all his gains, feeling deeply impressed.

He placed the Red Soul Burning Essence Pill, the Green Cloud Breathing Pills, the Calm Heart Jade, and the Water Blue Long Sword all into the Sumeru Space of his All Heaven Myriad Phenomena Map, ensuring they were perfectly safe.

After doing all this, Chen Qing took out a prepared letter. He concisely wrote down the detailed information he had just gathered about Qi Yu, the Profound Nether Black Ox, and the Seven-leaf Golden Lotus, as well as the situation regarding the Cloud Water Upper Sect disciples possibly calling for aid and the various factions converging.

He summoned the Golden Feathered Eagle, which had been circling on guard high in the sky, tied the letter to its leg, and gently patted its head.

The Golden Feathered Eagle gave an intelligent cry, transformed into a streak of gold, and sped off in the direction of Gong Nansong and Ruan Lingxiu.

’That Demoness Qi Yu’s strength is unfathomable, and she even has an expert like Lei Hong protecting her. Although the Profound Nether Black Ox is trapped, its final counterattack will surely be terrifying. The Seven-leaf Golden Lotus is a great treasure, but now is definitely not the time to seize it by force.’

Chen Qing’s mind was perfectly clear; he had not been blinded by the immense treasure before him.

He knew full well that with his current strength, rushing into the core conflict would be no different from an egg throwing itself at a stone.

’For now, the best course of action is to remain in Concealment, wait for the Sect’s experts to arrive, and then look for an opportunity to make a move.’

Having made up his mind, Chen Qing retracted his aura completely. Using the reed marsh for cover, he lay in wait, as still as a Pan Stone. He regulated his breathing while silently perceiving the movements in the surrounding waters with his Star Vortex Dragon-Attracting Technique.

Time passed quietly. Two hours later, Chen Qing’s brow furrowed slightly.

Through his Water Rhythm Sensing, he detected that the number of auras at the True Essence Realm within a radius of several dozen li had significantly increased. Moreover, the auras were mixed, clearly originating from different factions.

Among them, however, the auras of the Cloud Water Upper Sect experts were the densest, faintly forming several points of convergence.

’The Cloud Water Upper Sect is the closest to Longze Lake, so it’s only natural that their reinforcements would arrive so quickly.’

Chen Qing mused to himself, ’The Demon Sect may have also sent experts to provide support. I’d better be more careful.’

Just then, two auras shot over from the distance. Both individuals wore the attire of the Cloud Water Upper Sect. One of them was none other than the Cloud Water Upper Sect’s Elder, Sun Jingyi.

The other was a man with a composed and profound temperament, dressed in the robes of a True Disciple. His aura was deep and vast, and a clear, hazy radiance faintly circulated around his body, actually dispelling the dense surrounding fog to reveal a clear area around him.

An expert!

A chill ran through Chen Qing’s heart as he saw the man.

This person was definitely one of the most outstanding among the current generation of the Cloud Water Upper Sect’s True Disciples. His Cultivation was unfathomable.