Chapter 222: Storm Approaching

"Inside were the princes of First Peak, though I wasn't sure which ones." Xu Qing walked out of the market and moved through the night, the images of those few people from earlier reappearing in his mind.

Although they tried their best to conceal their auras, Xu Qing could still sense a sword energy similar to that of Wu Jianwu emanating from them. To an outsider, it might be hard to distinguish, but Xu Qing had pursued Wu Jianwu for so long that he was very familiar with the aura of his cultivation technique.

When he had encountered just one of them earlier, the feeling wasn't very strong, but when all of them appeared, there was no mistaking it.

"Given the current war, they can still return..." Xu Qing mused, recalling the captain's previous words and the news from the front lines about the Seven Sects Alliance's interference when he left the sect.

He already had a suspicion in his heart.

"It seems the war is really about to end." Xu Qing's heart warmed. He had been waiting for the war to conclude, as the sect would distribute war merits recorded on identity tokens once it was over.

He felt quite poor at the moment. The spirit stones he had just acquired were spent on soul pills, and although he held equity in Harbor 176, the port still needed construction and wasn't yet distributing dividends.

"Soon I'll have money." Xu Qing took a deep breath and hurried towards the teleportation array. On the way, he sent a voice transmission to the Adamant Sect Ancestor.

"Did you record the transaction just now?"

"Yes, fully recorded. I figured master would need that evidence; the moment you nudged me, I understood," the Adamant Sect Ancestor replied excitedly.

Xu Qing was satisfied. He didn't have any specific plans, but he felt that the princes of First Peak were acting suspiciously, so he recorded it for future reference.

Dismissing these thoughts, Xu Qing continued his journey.

In the dark night, except for certain areas, there were fewer pedestrians on the streets than during the day. Hidden gazes, previously scattered, subtly converged on Xu Qing.

Xu Qing paid them no mind. He walked straight to the teleportation array and saw no robbery attempts, which left him somewhat disappointed.

"Those who come here aren't fools; they usually don't attempt things they're not confident about." Xu Qing shook his head. Arriving at the teleportation array, he didn't see the captain, so he took out his jade slip and sent a message.

"Little Ah Qing, go back first. I've found some interesting characters here, haha! A few of First Peak's princes are secretly selling war resources here. I've decided to record them and then send it to Senior Martial Uncle, to see if I can extort something from him."

Xu Qing shook his head. He thought the captain and the Adamant Sect Ancestor were both too devious, unlike himself, who never personally got involved in such matters, thus maintaining a clearer conscience.

He then walked into the array. As the teleportation array activated, Xu Qing's figure vanished. The night in the Seven Blood Eyes Sect was as usual, with a bright moon in the sky and a cold wind blowing.

The main city at night seemed quiet at first glance, but there were still many cultivators moving about. The struggles between various factions deep within the alleys and the plunder among disciples did not cease because of the war.

However, all of this no longer concerned Xu Qing. He had completely risen from the bottom, climbing step by step to his current position through his own killings.

Walking on the street now, Xu Qing moved swiftly. He noticed the figures of the Demon Hunting Division members patrolling at night and also passed by Banquan Road.

He paused slightly there. The inn there had been closed for a long time. For some reason, Xu Qing thought of the large snake in the inn.

Soon, Xu Qing collected his thoughts, left Banquan Road, and returned to the berth at Harbor 176. He released his magic vessel, and as the waves gently rocked the sea, Xu Qing entered the cabin, sat cross-legged, and took out the soul pills he had purchased.

After inspecting them again and confirming they were safe, he took out one pill. Instantly, his inner evil fire dispersed and merged into it. Soon, the soul power contained within the soul pill gathered in his body.

It surged towards his 80th Dharma Aperture. If one wasn't enough, he'd use four; if two weren't enough, he'd use ten!

Not long after, there was a rumble within Xu Qing's body, and his spiritual power fluctuated intensely. His 80th Dharma Aperture finally opened.

Xu Qing didn't stop, continuing to refine the remaining soul pills. An hour later, after Xu Qing had refined all forty-three soul pills, his Dharma Apertures had opened up to the 83rd one!

Now, only seven Dharma Apertures remained until the final third Life Fire.

"It's a pity that the soul pills from First Peak are so inferior to the ones Old Man Six gave me. After all, the souls used for refinement are of different levels," Xu Qing sighed with a touch of melancholy, but mostly anticipation.

"At this rate, it won't be long before I can ignite my third Life Fire. When that happens..." Xu Qing's heart quickened slightly. He believed that once his third Life Fire formed, his combat power would reach an astonishing level.

"With the Life Lamp, I'll possess the power of four fires. Coupled with the Golden Crow Refining All Spirits, I'll reach a five-fire level, suppressing all Foundation Establishment realm cultivators—provided, of course, they don't have a Life Lamp!"

Xu Qing narrowed his eyes, lowered his head, and took out two wish boxes from his storage bag. After examining them, he continued to pour spiritual power into them for sustained nurturing.

"The wish boxes are also close to opening." Xu Qing's mood brightened instantly, but soon he remembered the Night Pigeons he had seen on his way back, and a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

However, he was merely the director of the Demon Hunting Division for the Seventh Peak. Moreover, he had previously studied the little black worms and taken over the Demon Hunting Divisions of other peaks, making it difficult for them to cooperate with him on this matter. Therefore, Xu Qing took out his voice transmission jade slip and, after some thought, reported the matter of the Night Pigeons he encountered on the road to Old Man Six, awaiting his decision.

Not long after, Old Man Six's reply came.

"Xu Qing, I grant you special authority for the Night Pigeon operation. You will command the Demon Hunting Divisions of all peaks to clear out the Night Pigeons. If you encounter irresistible force, you may come to me!"

Old Man Six held Xu Qing in high regard. To him, Xu Qing's inquiry was like a child asking an elder, so since Xu Qing wanted to undertake it, he naturally offered his support.

"Thank you, Old Man Six," Xu Qing replied gravely, understanding the implications of Old Man Six's words and feeling grateful.

Over the next few days, Xu Qing sent official documents to the Demon Hunting Divisions of all seven peaks of the Seven Blood Eyes Sect, requesting their assistance to the Seventh Peak in thoroughly inspecting all departing vessels. A thorough investigation was also launched on all individuals arriving via teleportation.

There was already animosity between the Night Pigeons and the Demon Hunting Division, so the Demon Hunting Divisions of the other peaks had no reason to refuse, either logically or according to the official directive. Moreover, the Demon Hunting Division knew well that Night Pigeons were a lucrative target.

Thus, throughout the Seven Blood Eyes Sect, as Xu Qing's official documents were disseminated, all members of the Demon Hunting Division mobilized. They conducted inspections across the entire city, especially scrutinizing the ports and teleportation arrays with extreme care.

Gradually, some Night Pigeons who had arrived in the Seven Blood Eyes Sect were discovered by the Demon Hunting Division's operation, forcing them to go into deeper hiding. The Demon Hunting Division's dungeons once again saw an influx of prisoners.

Simultaneously, as this operation unfolded, a major announcement spread throughout the entire sect, causing a stir across the Forbidden Sea: the war between the Seven Blood Eyes Sect and the Sea Corpse Race had ended!

The reason for its conclusion was the forceful intervention of the Seven Sects Alliance, which prevented the Seven Blood Eyes Sect from continuing its offensive after having occupied half of the Sea Corpse Race's homeland.

Although there had been rumors of this beforehand, it still sparked widespread anger within the Seven Blood Eyes Sect. At the current pace, the Sea Corpse Race would likely have completely collapsed within half a year at most. Yet, at this critical juncture, the Seven Sects Alliance intervened with what seemed to be a rather forceful stance. Although Patriarch Blood Refiner was furious, he had no choice but to comply.

After all, on the surface, the Seven Blood Eyes Sect remained a branch of the Seven Sects Alliance. When the main sect issued an order, Patriarch Blood Refiner could not refuse, but the Seven Blood Eyes Sect did not abandon the benefits they were due.

Xu Qing heard rumors circulating within the sect that Patriarch Blood Refiner had presented four ceasefire conditions to the Sea Corpse Race. The first condition was that all conquered territories would belong to the Seven Blood Eyes Sect.

The second condition was for the Sea Corpse Race to pay 100 billion spirit stones as war reparations.

The third condition demanded eight statues of the Sea Corpse Race's Ancestral Corpses, specifically excluding the Seventh Ancestral Corpse, the one without a nose, which the Seven Blood Eyes Sect did not want.

The fourth condition was that all Sea Corpse Race cultivators at or above the Golden Core realm would be confined to their homeland for a century and were forbidden from leaving, while their sequence would be sent as hostages.

Naturally, the Sea Corpse Race disagreed with these terms, so the ceasefire negotiations continued for another half-month. During this period, the Seven Sects Alliance intervened forcefully multiple times, and the results of each mediation were relayed within the sect, becoming known to the disciples.

It was only after the final mediation, half a month later, that an agreement was finally reached.

The Sea Corpse Race ceded two subsidiary islands and 30% of their homeland territory, paid 80 billion out of 100 billion spirit stones, and confined their Golden Core and above cultivators for sixty years.

As for the Ancestral Corpse statues, they were the foundation of the Sea Corpse Race, and they cared deeply about them. They could only concede two statues, which was their absolute limit.

Ultimately, the Seven Blood Eyes Sect agreed to these terms. Thus, the war between the two races, which had lasted over a year, ended abruptly. With the return of the Patriarch and others, the Seven Blood Eyes Sect celebrated universally on the day of their arrival, with an unprecedented level of festivity.

The sect issued a decree that this celebration would last for three months.

During these three months, various allies and foreign envoys would arrive consecutively to offer congratulations. It was foreseeable that their arrival would rapidly restore the economy of the Seven Blood Eyes Sect's harbor, and perhaps even elevate it further. Therefore, the entire main city of the Seven Blood Eyes Sect's mountain gate became exceptionally lively.

However, Xu Qing did not participate in this merriment. Aside from his daily cultivation, nurturing his wish boxes, and researching the little black worms, most of his energy was focused on arranging the Demon Hunting Division's search for Night Pigeons.

Xu Qing detested the Night Pigeons. Since he knew they were coming to the Seven Blood Eyes Sect, he intended to inflict heavy losses upon them there. Moreover, given the large number of Night Pigeons, Xu Qing felt it was an excellent opportunity to cultivate his little black worms and refine souls.

Thus, as Xu Qing cultivated and screened for Night Pigeons, several more days passed until the first batch of foreign congratulatory envoys arrived.

Among this group of outsiders was an old woman in a green robe. Her appearance caused the winds and clouds to change, her aura stretching like a rainbow. The Seven Blood Eyes Sect trembled and welcomed her with great ceremony. Patriarch Blood Refiner himself stepped out, his laughter echoing between heaven and earth. "Welcome, Daoist Friend Dongyou, to my Seven Blood Eyes Sect!"

This old woman was none other than the island master of Dongyou Island, True Sovereign Dongyou, and also the grandmother of the black-clothed girl, Yan Yan.