It has been three months since Qin Xin disappeared in the Chiling Peak Mountains.

The Tianxuan Sect already believed him to be dead and even sent sect elders to investigate, but they were unable to find any trace of him and the matter was eventually dropped.

At the same time, a major event also occurred in the Tianxuan Sect.

The Second Elder of the Xuantian Sword Sect, under the pretext of his grandson's disappearance, stormed into the territory of the Tianxuan Sect. Many elders of the Tianxuan Sect intervened to stop him, which triggered a fierce battle. Although the Second Elder was eventually defeated, this incident deepened the conflict between the Tianxuan Sect and the Xuantian Sword Sect.

The ongoing conflict between the two major sects has also caused turmoil among the territorial families.

"It's such a pity. With such a good talent for alchemy, and in just over two years he went from a bedridden cripple to a Yuanfu Realm martial artist. It can be said that his talent is already amazing."

"You should know that a twenty-year-old Yuanfu Realm martial artist is considered to have very good talent, even in Zhongzhou. If he can have a smooth journey, it is not impossible for him to become a Dharma Aspect Realm expert."

Ling Hanyan stood on the mountainside of Tianxuan Mountain, her eyes filled with regret.

Ling Hanyan had a very good impression of Qin Xin, not only because Qin Xin helped her when she almost ran into trouble while refining pills, but also because she appreciated his talent.

It's regrettable, but that's always been the way of martial arts cultivation, because you never know when you might perish.

After letting out a long sigh, Ling Hanyan did not return to the Tuocang Mountain Pill Academy to refine pills. Knowing that Qin Xin's trip to the Chiling Peak Mountains was to help Yun Li find the Chiling Cloud Leaf, she felt some resentment towards Yun Li.

After all, Qin Xin had only recently joined the Tianxuan Sect and was not very familiar with many dangerous places in the Central Plains. If his senior brothers and sisters from the Tianxuan Sect were with him, he would likely not encounter any danger.

"Sigh! I wonder how Elder Sanbao's investigation went. It's said that Qin Xin is because of that Bone Clan King..."

Ling Hanyan murmured softly. Although she knew that the probability of Qin Xin being alive was zero, she still hoped that Elder Sanbao could bring him back.

~~~~~~

On the Tianxuan Continent, there is a place several times larger than the Yunxi Domain.

A young girl in a white dress held a colorful lotus flower that slowly bloomed in her hand. As the breeze blew, the white veil on her face fluttered, revealing her unparalleled beauty that drew everyone's attention.

"Miss, according to news from Yunxi Domain, Qin Xin went to a tomb in the Crimson Ridge Mountains and unexpectedly encountered a Bone Clan king, who has presumably perished."

An elderly man in black robes stood respectfully behind the girl and conveyed the message.

"Fallen?"

A strange expression flickered across the girl's lips.

After slowly closing her eyes, the girl shook her head and said with a smile, "I suppose I'm trapped somewhere. It seems I'll have to trouble Elder Ying to make a trip there."

This girl is none other than Luo Lingyan, who left from the Eastern Wilderness, and is clearly not in the Cloud Tide Domain now.

After hearing what Luo Lingyan said, Elder Ying didn't know why she was so convinced that Qin Xin hadn't perished. Elder Ying also knew something about the terror of that Bone Clan King, so he didn't believe that Qin Xin could survive from him.

However, since Luo Lingyan had already ordered him to go to Yunxi Domain, Elder Ying naturally dared not disobey. After his figure slowly dissipated, he left only a residual image in the air, which was extremely fast.

After Elder Ying left, Luo Lingyan's brows furrowed with worry. A lotus mark on her forehead flickered incessantly. She murmured helplessly, "Alas! It seems I won't be able to stay here for much longer."

As soon as she finished speaking, Luo Lingyan forcefully suppressed the lotus mark, and the entire palace returned to silence once again.

~~~~~~

Having escaped the miasma's range, Qin Xin headed directly towards Chiling City.

Having been trapped inside that tomb for so long, Qin Xin didn't know how much time had passed, but judging from his hunger, he figured it had been quite a while.

Although it is said that most martial artists do not need to eat after reaching the Yuanfu Realm, Qin Xin felt listless and lacked energy if he did not eat.

Of course, Qin Xin would not eat ordinary food, because if such food remained in his body, it would make his body impure and require a period of cultivation.

However, if one consumes the flesh and blood of powerful demonic beasts, there are fewer concerns. The flesh and blood of powerful demonic beasts are also full of spiritual power, which, after being swallowed by a martial artist, will transform into vigorous blood energy, helping the martial artist improve their physical fitness.

Upon arriving in Chiling City, Qin Xin immediately sensed that something was amiss.

Compared to before, Chiling City was much quieter. The guards at the gate were all from the Murong clan, and there was not a single Zhou or Li family disciple in sight.

While Qin Xin was curious, he also overheard a group of martial artists whispering among themselves.

News spread that Murong Fu, the young patriarch of the Murong clan, had perished after entering the tomb of the Old Man of the Fire, while Li Yuan and Zhou Lu emerged safely from there.

The patriarch of the Murong clan believed that this group of people had conspired to harm his only son, and used this as a pretext to declare war on the Zhou and Li clans. Although the Zhou and Li clans sought help from the Tianxuan Sect to mediate, the sect did not interfere in the affairs of secular families.

Without the intervention of the Tianxuan Sect, the Murong clan became even more unscrupulous, gradually swallowing up most of the Zhou and Li clans' businesses in Chiling City, making the Murong clan even more powerful.

In Chiling City today, the Murong clan can be said to have become a local overlord.

After hearing this news, Qin Xin didn't want to ask any more questions. In any case, Murong Fu and the others had died in the tomb of the Old Man of Si Huo, and asking more questions would only bring unnecessary trouble to himself.

Upon arriving at a restaurant, Qin Xin immediately ordered a considerable amount of high-grade demon beast meat and a glass of fine wine.

The waiter was reluctant to serve the food because he was worried that Qin Xin would dine and dash. However, after Qin Xin placed a mid-grade spirit stone on the table, the waiter's eyes suddenly lit up with gold.

"This mid-grade spirit stone should be enough!" Qin Xin said.

When the waiter saw Qin Xin casually take out a mid-grade spirit stone, his first thought was that Qin Xin came from a powerful family. He was someone he dared not offend, so he immediately apologized and said, "This mid-grade spirit stone is a bit too much. Young master, you only need to pay with some low-grade spirit stones."

"No need, the extra is for you as a tip. Hurry up and serve the food."

Qin Xin waved his hand casually.