Chapter 41: The Alchemist King's Cave and Returning to Qingshan City

Shen Mo had just left Qingxuan Sect when a disciple quickly reported the news to Liu Yuanfeng.

Liu Yuanfeng was resting with his eyes closed. Upon hearing the news, he slowly opened his eyes, a strange glint flickering in them.

"Leave," he waved his hand. The disciple respectfully left.

Not far away, Liu Yunxuan hurried over, "Father, this is a great opportunity."

"Shen Mo's cultivation speed is too fast. His strength is already above mine. If we don't take this chance to eliminate him while he's alone, when will we?"

Liu Yunxuan's expression was somewhat anxious.

Ever since his chest injury had healed, he harbored a deep hatred for Shen Mo, always thinking about destroying him.

However, even when Shen Mo left the sect, he never went too far. Such a distance was still within the range for the Core Formation realm elders like Murong Yue to arrive in just a few breaths.

It was not an ideal place to make a move. Now, he finally saw an opportunity.

Liu Yuanfeng smiled faintly, "Yunxuan, you're still too impatient. Here's what you should do: tell this news to Song Chaofeng and see what he does."

Liu Yunxuan was stunned but still nodded patiently, "Alright." He quickly left Cloud Mist Peak and headed to Sword Cliff.

Sword Cliff was a smooth rock wall, towering a hundred feet high. It was said that it was cleaved by the founder of Qingxuan Sect with a single sword strike.

Disciples often came here to gain insights and improve their swordsmanship.

After the Qingxuan Cave incident, Song Chaofeng had voluntarily stepped down from his position as Great Elder and had been reflecting on his actions here.

When Liu Yunxuan arrived, he saw Song Chaofeng sitting at a low table, eating meat and drinking wine, not looking at all like he was reflecting.

"Hmm?" Song Chaofeng raised an eyebrow, "What did your father send you here for?"

Liu Yunxuan told him about Shen Mo leaving the sect.

Song Chaofeng immediately understood, "I see."

"Boy, you're indeed impatient."

Liu Yunxuan was puzzled, "Elder Song, we are steadfast allies in wanting to kill Shen Mo. Have you forgotten how much he made Junjie suffer?"

Song Chaofeng replied indifferently, "Of course I remember."

"Then why..." Liu Yunxuan was even more puzzled.

Song Chaofeng continued, "Do you know that Elder Li personally went to see Shen Mo when he was leaving the sect?"

Liu Yunxuan was taken aback.

Song Chaofeng added, "As Murong Yue's disciple, do you think she wouldn't give him life-saving items?"

Liu Yunxuan fell silent.

Song Chaofeng pressed on, "With so many life-saving cards on him, ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators are no match for him. Who do you suggest we send? A Core Formation realm elder?"

Liu Yunxuan had nothing to say.

Song Chaofeng snorted, "Think things through more carefully."

"Shen Mo must die, but not now."

"Acting against him now would be time-consuming and laborious, and we would also have to face Murong Yue's wrath."

"We aren't ready, and neither are they." Song Chaofeng pointed upward.

Liu Yunxuan nodded, understanding that he was referring to the Divine Sword Sect and the Verdant Vine Sect.

"Go back. The time isn't ripe yet."

"When the time comes, Shen Mo will die faster than anyone else." Song Chaofeng waved his hand dismissively.

Liu Yunxuan nodded respectfully, "I understand, Elder Song."

He quickly returned to Cloud Mist Peak to meet Liu Yuanfeng again.

Liu Yuanfeng smiled faintly, "It seems you understand now."

"Yes, I was indeed too impatient," Liu Yunxuan sighed.

Liu Yuanfeng pondered for a moment, "Start working on the Alchemist King's cave. The exact location is almost found; we only need the key, which is the pills he personally refined."

"As far as I know, the Alchemist King gave his pills to three people."

"One is Shen Jiuding, Shen Mo's father, but with Murong Yue's people watching, we can't make a move there."

"The second is the head of the Zhao family in Gufeng City, but the Zhao family has allied with the Luo family, making it difficult to infiltrate."

"The last one is a woman from Qingyi Pavilion in Xishan City. Years ago, the Alchemist King, Gu Sanqiu, spent days and nights with her and left her a Youth Retaining Pill."

"My men have already tracked her down. You must go retrieve the pill yourself; I don't trust anyone else with this task."

Liu Yunxuan was thrilled, "Yes! I'll handle it right away!"

He couldn't help but ask, "Father, is it true that the Alchemist King's cave is filled with mountains of pills?"

Liu Yuanfeng nodded slightly, "It's true."

"If we can open it, I will certainly reach the peak of the Core Formation realm and surpass Murong Yue."

"Then, Song Chaofeng will be wary of me, and all actions will be led by me. The wavering Core Formation realm elders will know who to side with."

"Good! I look forward to that day!" Liu Yunxuan said excitedly and quickly left.

...

Qingshan City. Returning to this old city full of memories, Shen Mo felt a wave of nostalgia.

Although he had never actually lived here, coming back touched on those distant memories, making him feel a sense of connection.

Shen Mo, wearing the gold-trimmed true disciple robes of Qingxuan Sect, immediately attracted the attention of passersby.

It didn't take long for soldiers to bring an elderly man and a middle-aged man to him.

The elderly man bowed to Shen Mo, "Greetings, Senior Shen. I am Gao Yuan, the city lord of Qingshan City."

The middle-aged man also bowed, "Greetings, Senior Shen. I am Song You, the chief deacon stationed in Qingshan City by the sect."

There were only four true disciples in Qingxuan Sect. With a little inquiry, they easily identified Shen Mo's identity.

Shen Mo nodded slightly and returned their bows.

As a true disciple of Qingxuan Sect, he automatically received the position of Senior when traveling.

Given his special status, even the chief deacon of a city had to treat him with utmost respect.

The city lord, being a manager elected by a few families in the city, held a position lower than the chief deacon but higher than an ordinary deacon.

"Senior Shen, have you come to conduct an inspection on behalf of the sect?" Song You asked nervously, moving closer.

Shen Mo smiled and shook his head, "No need to worry, Senior Brother Song. I'm just here to visit my family. The sect's inspection is someone else's task."

Song You sighed in relief.

Qingxuan Sect sent special deacons annually to inspect the three cities. Deacons who failed to properly manage city trade and recruit disciples would be reprimanded. Those who were corrupt or lazy would receive severe penalties.

After several reprimands, a deacon could lose their position. Therefore, the deacons of the three cities were most concerned about inspections.

Gao Yuan quickly added, "Senior Shen, your father is at the clinic now. Shall I take you there?"

"Thank you, City Lord," Shen Mo smiled.

"Pharmacist Shen is a miraculous doctor in Qingshan City. I'll join you in visiting him," Song You added eagerly.

Thus, accompanied by the chief deacon of Qingshan City, the city lord, and a group of soldiers, Shen Mo was escorted to the clinic in the center of a crowd, like a star surrounded by admirers.

Along the way, the townspeople discussed excitedly.

"What's going on? The chief deacon and the city lord are escorting a young man?"

"That young man is Shen Mo, Pharmacist Shen's son!"

"But why are the chief deacon and city lord escorting him?"

"Didn't you see his robe with gold trim? That's the robe of a true disciple of Qingxuan Sect!"

"What? A true disciple? My goodness, I remember he joined Qingxuan Sect just a few years ago. How did he achieve this so quickly?"

Amidst the enthusiastic discussions, Shen Mo arrived at the Shen Clinic and met his father, Shen Jiuding, whom he hadn't seen in many years.