After traveling for a while, they arrived at the Purple Star Sect.
The group descended from the ice sword at the main gate of the sect.
An atmosphere of intense tension hung over the place, as the sect's guards stood in a state of high alert, their swords held firmly.
The group immediately headed to the Grand Council Hall (the sect's main hall).
The scene inside the hall was impressive. Dozens of elders, both male and female, from various branches of the sect stood respectfully before the Sect Leader's throne.
The elder in charge of the sect's medical branch began speaking in a calm voice, though discontent was clear: "Four of our outer disciples have been killed this week alone, and their bodies were completely drained of blood. The Demonic Spring Sect is clearly declaring war on us."
A heavy silence followed the medical elder's words. In the vast council hall, the blazing lights of the spirit lamps seemed to dim under the weight of the news.
On the leader's platform, the Sect Leader rose from his stone throne, his long white hair flowing like a silver waterfall over his purple robe.
"They have crossed all boundaries." His voice was a low rumble that shook the walls of the hall. "Killing our disciples on our own territory and using them as refinement resources is a clear provocation."
The Sect Leader struck the armrest of his stone throne with his fist, creating a small crack. "Issue my orders: every disciple above the Master level will move to the front lines to conduct patrols. The primary objective is to locate the sect's base."
Then he suddenly turned toward the group arriving from the Heavenly Boundary Realm. "And you... you have returned at the right time." His eyes scrutinized Zhang Yong intently. "Zhang Yong and Su Ming, both of you are fourth-rank alchemists. You will work under the Alchemy Hall during this time."
In the corner of the hall, Zhang Yong exchanged a quick glance with Su Ming before they both bowed. "We obey the Sect Leader's command."
After the meeting ended, the disciples dispersed, and the disciples of Tranquil Peak quietly withdrew to return.
As soon as they entered the disciples' hall, everyone was there.
"Oh, you're back," said Liu Yin in a voice devoid of enthusiasm.
"Oh, come on, it's been so long since I've seen you, and this is how you greet me?" Liu Yan frowned as she pinched Liu Yin's cheek.
Liu Yin let out a small cry when she felt the pain.
Wang Fei chuckled lightly. "You've returned safely. That's all that matters." Then he raised the wine glass in his hand. "A toast to your return."
Qing Feng raised his nose high, rocking back in his chair. "Hehe, of course they'd be safe. They had my artifacts after all."
Liu Yan snorted coldly. "Yes, pieces of garbage. They were certainly very useful." The sarcasm in her voice was clear.
"Hey!" Qing Feng shouted reproachfully. "You can't call my works that! I made them with my own abilities. It's just that I don't have enough materials. I could make a high Mysterious-grade weapon if I had all the components!"
Liu Yan smiled mockingly. "And what's so special about a Mysterious-grade weapon? My family has plenty of them in storage."
Liu Yin, who had been sitting quietly, raised her head slightly. "Don't start fighting the moment you return. Can't you two mature a little?"
"Hmph," the two snorted and turned their faces away from each other.
Wang Fei couldn't help but smile at the return of the atmosphere on the peak, which had been quiet for a while. "So, how was the Heavenly Boundary Realm for you two?"
Su Ming looked away before speaking. "Actually, I was truly surprised. Sword Intent... the world of Sword Intent consists of nine levels, and it greatly affects one's development before advancing to the Sword Heart stage. So my journey was fruitful."
Wang Fei shook his head as the others stared at Su Ming. They were also surprised, for none of them were on the sword path, but the information was both useful and shocking at the same time.
Zhang Yong took a large gulp of wine before beginning his account. "For me, it was different. I... made progress in my laws of poison, death, and fire. That's the most I achieved."
After a moment of silence following Zhang Yong's disclosure of his progress, Qing Feng spoke up: "That's it? Something must have happened?"
Nevertheless, Zhang Yong shook his head. "That's all. We just fought a bunch of scoundrels, nothing more, nothing less."
Su Ming, Zhang Yong, and Liu Yan all let out a long sigh at this memory.
Then Liu Yan continued, "I can't say I'm any different. I only realized the laws of fire and light, but I definitely made a qualitative leap in my ability to create spells."
After the discussion about their journey to the Heavenly Boundary Realm concluded, a brief silence fell over the hall. Qing Feng was the first to break the silence with a long snort. "Well, this just means you've become stronger while we've been here dusting off bookshelves!" He rolled his eyes exaggeratedly toward Wang Fei. "Hey, Wang, is there anything to do? I'm bored."
Wang Fei poured himself a cup of wine on the table and raised his eyes coolly. "If you're bored, why not come with me to my lab? I could test the Five Venom Serpent Pill mixed with Nine Moonshadow Yin Herb on you."
Qing Feng shuddered all over. "No thanks! I'd rather be bored a thousand times than become your lab rat."
Liu Yan laughed out loud, covering her mouth. "Afraid of a little poison? How disappointing."
"Stop it right now!" Qing Feng shouted, trying to hide his flushed cheeks. "I'm not... that's a fifth-rank beast pill! Do you know how toxic that thing is?!"
"Oh," Wang Fei mocked. "Tsk, since you know how toxic it is, I thought I'd gotten a free lab rat."
"Stop joking around!" Qing Feng protested as he stood up. "Don't you all have anything else to do?"
Zhang Yong raised an eyebrow as he remembered something. "Right, Su Ming, let's go to the Alchemy Hall."
Su Ming nodded. "Let's go. What are we waiting for?"
Zhang Yong and Su Ming left the disciples' hall and headed toward the Alchemy Hall building, located on the eastern side of the sect.
"Zhang Yong, what do you think about the Demonic Spring Sect?" Su Ming asked in a low voice as they walked.
Zhang Yong shook his head calmly. "I don't know anything. We just came out of the Heavenly Boundary Realm. I haven't had time to analyze everything."
Su Ming looked at him in surprise. "Last time, you said you encountered them when you fought one of their elders."
Zhang Yong nodded affirmatively. "That's right. Their sect leader intervened then, ripped my arm off on the spot, and said something about analyzing it."
Su Ming looked at Zhang Yong with determination in his eyes as he thought deeply. "Don't you think the reason behind their attack is to get to you?"
Zhang Yong immediately shook his head. "That doesn't make sense. Targeting an entire sect for one individual seems absurd, to the point of being unbelievable. The only thing that could drive a sect to attack another sect is..."
"Qi Spring!" Zhang Yong and Su Ming said in perfect unison.
"There's no need to worry about it. Since it's guarded by a guardian spirit, it won't be easy." Su Ming smiled confidently, though he wasn't entirely sure about this point.
After a while, Zhang Yong and Su Ming entered the vast Alchemy Hall, where the scent of herbs and chemical materials filled the air.
Dozens of stone tables were spread throughout the hall, and disciples were scattered about, enthusiastically refining pills in their cauldrons.
Suddenly, they stopped upon seeing a tall elder with gray hair tied in a single braid—the head of the Alchemy Hall, Elder Zuo.
"Finally! The two alchemists we've been waiting for." Elder Zuo approached with wide strides, his white robe adorned with symbols of the five elements fluttering behind him. "We have a lot of work for you."
Su Ming bowed respectfully. "We are at your command, Elder."
"I apologize for the late assignment, but given the sect's current situation, you must begin work immediately." Elder Zuo took out jade scrolls from his spatial ring and handed them to the two.
Elder Zuo acted respectfully toward the two, for he was a fourth-rank alchemist, but the ones standing before him were much younger yet had already achieved what he had struggled for.
Indeed, there were heavens above heavens and endless talents in the world.
Elder Zuo extended his hand toward the jade scrolls and gave one each to Zhang Yong and Su Ming. "You must memorize the formulas and begin refining immediately. There are two cauldrons designated for you on the other side of the room."
The two bowed to thank the elder before heading to their workstations.
Immediately, they began refining.
Zhang Yong took the first scroll with interest, his crimson eyes scanning the ingredients quickly. "This formula is simple compared to what I've dealt with so far."
These formulas seemed simple to Zhang Yong; after all, his true level in alchemy was at least fifth-rank. All that remained for him was to break through to the next mental realm to officially become fifth-rank.
Zhang Yong simply raised his hand, and a batch of herbs entered the cauldron.
The production continued for several full hours.
Purple smoke rose from Zhang Yong's cauldron. Light burst from within, releasing a refreshing aromatic scent.
"And thus, two hundred Blood Revival Pills are refined." Zhang Yong clapped his hands together to shake off the dust, then placed the pills in a vial and tossed the vial onto a pile of vials beside him.
He then looked outside; it was already late.
Zhang Yong turned to find that Su Ming had also finished his work and was placing the last vial on his own pile.
"You're done? Faster than expected."
"The formula wasn't complicated." Su Ming shrugged. "We've faced more difficult challenges."
At that moment, Elder Zuo entered the hall again and quietly approached the two. "You're already finished? I appreciate your hard work."
Elder Zuo turned to look at the two piles of vials filled with medicinal pills, then nodded slowly, clear admiration in his eyes.
"Excellent. With this amount, we can supply the teams for at least two weeks."
Then he turned his gaze toward them. "You may rest for tonight. You've worked hard, and producing over a hundred pills in a few hours is extremely exhausting."
The two bowed and thanked the elder. Then, after Zhang Yong and Su Ming left the Alchemy Hall, night had spread its warm darkness over the lands of the Purple Star Sect.
The faint lights of the spirit lamps swayed like glowing insects in the gentle wind.
Zhang Yong suddenly stopped, his eyes widening slightly before he looked around. "Do you feel that?"
Su Ming turned to him quickly, understanding immediately that something was wrong. "What?"
"Killing intent appeared for a moment." Then Zhang Yong's eye gleamed with a crimson glint as he activated his Heavenly Eye. "The side mountain!"