Chapter 724: The Final Persuasion

Anti-Bone said, "It's a pain-relief stone. If you hold it in your mouth, it can numb the pain. However, it's only recommended for critical moments, for example, when you're undergoing your heavenly tribulation. This is because the stone's effect diminishes with each use until it's completely ineffective."

Jiang Fan immediately knew it was a valuable item. How many people attempting to reach the Nascent Soul realm gave up because they couldn't endure the pain of the heavenly lightning? With this stone, the chances of breaking through to Nascent Soul would undoubtedly increase! This was definitely something cultivators at the peak of the Ninth Layer Core Formation realm longed for. Its desirability was no less than that of a Bodhi Pill! Satisfied with the valuable item, Jiang Fan finally departed.

Anti-Bone confirmed that Jiang Fan had truly left this time. Only then did it chirp mournfully, feeling a pang of loss: "Vampire, you little vampire! You've plundered another one of my magic treasures!" It munched on the Essence of Water. While eating, it hummed: "I'll tolerate you for now. Once I emerge from seclusion, I'll show you my power! Hmph!"

As for Jiang Fan, after obtaining the True Spirit Blood, he took out a large barrel of spirit liquid. He diluted this trace of True Spirit Blood a hundredfold. Even though he had previously taken it and successfully endured the experience, this time, using it again, he still inevitably felt a lingering psychological fear. He forcibly suppressed the urge to use the pain-relief stone. He took a small bottle and decisively drank it! The familiar, excruciating pain once again spread throughout his body!

Within the hidden space, agonizing roars echoed. The little Qilin covered its ears, its eyes filled with complex emotions. Everyone envied its master's glory. Little did they know, everything its master achieved was obtained by risking his life.

In front of the long icy river, Xu Yining squatted on the ground, covering her face and sobbing, "Master, do I still have the face to stay in the Nine Sects?" After Li Qingfeng's guidance, she no longer sought to end her life. But she refused to go back. She had no face to confront the overwhelming rumors.

Li Qingfeng said earnestly, "When I was young, I also considered my reputation everything. Because of it, I even acted irrationally many times. Looking back now, those things I once thought were humiliating were merely fleeting clouds. A gust of wind, and they gently dissipate, leaving no trace in the heart."

Xu Yining continued to sob. She still couldn't let go, "Master, I can't do it."

Li Qingfeng gazed at her back with affection: "Certain people and certain things, at a specific point in time, can feel like your entire world. Such as unrequited love, betrayed sincerity, or grievances with no one to confide in. But life is truly long, very long. So long that those people and things we can't forget will eventually be forgotten on unintentional days. So long that when you recall them again, you'll realize they are already a distant past, like clouds on the horizon, like birds in the high sky. They passed by, but left no trace."

He patted Xu Yining's shoulder. He softly said, "You must learn to endure. Leave the rest to time. It will help you dilute everything."

Xu Yining perhaps understood something. Or perhaps, she simply didn't want Li Qingfeng to worry. She stopped sobbing. Wiping away her tears, she said, "Thank you, Master. Give me some time to calm down. I... I want to temporarily leave the Nine Sects' territory and travel the world outside."

Li Qingfeng showed a look of relief. He wasn't afraid of Xu Yining going to the wider world; he was only afraid that she would become disheartened and never recover. The Taicang Grand State was full of wonders. Witnessing the prosperity of the world would broaden her mind and horizons considerably. Today's events would pass more quickly.

"Alright, alright, I'll go prepare immediately to help you go to the Taicang Grand State..."

"She's not going anywhere!" A cold, furious roar came from not far away. Kong Yuanba, leading a large group of disciples, arrived in a formidable procession.

Li Qingfeng's expression hardened. He subtly shielded Xu Yining behind him and whispered: "Go quickly! Run towards Jieshan Mountain! Find... Vice Pavilion Master Ye!" He had originally intended to say to find Jiang Fan. But on second thought, the Giant Sect had come specifically to retaliate against Jiang Fan. Going to Jiang Fan now would undoubtedly be inviting trouble. The people from Qingyun Sect hadn't returned yet, so they couldn't protect Jiang Fan at all.

Xu Yining's face turned pale. Hearing this, she quickly bypassed the Giant Sect members, attempting to run towards Jieshan Mountain. But she had barely run two steps when a powerful Supreme Elder, with cold, disdainful eyes, flashed over and intercepted Xu Yining, saying ferociously: "Trying to leave? You're exactly who we're looking for!"

Li Qingfeng, seeing this, became enraged, drawing his sword and thrusting it forward, shouting: "A dignified Supreme Elder, harassing a junior? Have you no shame?" Before he even reached them, a violent and domineering aura surged from within the Giant Sect. It was none other than the imposing Kong Yuanba. His fists, imbued with immense, unparalleled palm force, sent him flying, man and sword together!

Blood instantly gushed from Li Qingfeng's mouth. That single palm strike shattered several of his ribs. He endured the severe pain, propped himself up with his sword, and demanded, "What are you doing?" The Supreme Elder, amidst Xu Yining's cry of alarm, gripped her shoulder and returned to Kong Yuanba's side. Xu Yining struggled incessantly, saying, "Kong Yuanba! How dare you injure my Master? I won't let you off—"

*Slap—* Kong Yuanba, without turning his head, slapped her across the face. Her fair cheeks were slapped raw and bright red, and a thin line of blood seeped from her mouth. "When elders are speaking," he said, "juniors should keep quiet!"

He coldly looked at Li Qingfeng and said, "Go back and tell Jiang Fan to come to my Giant Sect and claim the person within three days. If he's even one hour late, then I'm sorry, the sins Jiang Fan committed will have to be repaid by Xu Yining!"

Li Qingfeng urgently shouted, "Come at me instead! What kind of man bullies a little girl?"

Kong Yuanba gripped Xu Yining's chin. Even so, it couldn't conceal her striking beauty. "My disciples have no interest in an old man like you," Kong Yuanba sneered. "Remember my words! If Jiang Fan is one hour late, there will be countless disciples lining up to have their way with Xu Yining! If he's a day late, I can't guarantee if her life will still be intact."

"What?" Li Qingfeng was furious: "Kong Yuanba! You beast!" He clutched his sword and stumbled towards Kong Yuanba, "Let her go! Otherwise, I'll fight your Giant Sect to the death!!!"

Among all the disciples, Xu Yining was the most pitiable. Xu Youran and Chen Siling had Jiang Fan's favor. Only she, ever since coming to Heaven Sword Peak, rarely smiled. She always ate alone, cultivated alone, and went into silent seclusion alone. Occasionally hearing news of Jiang Fan's rapid progress, she would secretly feel melancholic. When facing Jiang Fan, she feigned haughtiness, bristling with thorns. Once Jiang Fan left, she would become silent and forlorn. As her master, he saw it and felt the pain in his heart. But it seemed as if heaven had taken away all its compassion for her. Today, it was as if with malice: she was publicly humiliated, pointed at by thousands, and mocked by tens of thousands, losing even the courage to live. Just as he had finally managed to console her, the Giant Sect, however, took her hostage and intended to treat her in the most humiliating way, giving her no respite whatsoever. Li Qingfeng's heart ached immensely. He didn't understand why the heavens would treat her this way.

Xu Yining looked at Li Qingfeng, who was covered in blood and stumbling towards them. Her eyes blurred with tears: "Master, don't come over! How could he be a match for these people? It would just be like a moth flying into a flame, inviting destruction."

Li Qingfeng shouted, "Yining, don't be afraid. Your Master will protect you!" Even the heavens had no compassion for her. If he, her Master, also abandoned her, how pitiful would she be?

"Kong Yuanba! Release her!!!" He rushed forward, circulating the spiritual energy within his body, and thrust his sword towards Kong Yuanba.