229: Chapter 229 Master Han's Departure

Zhang Yuxi nodded gently and finally spoke, "Three kinds of poison: one corrodes spiritual energy, one corrodes the mind, and one corrodes the body. It seems you have targeted the three most vital aspects of a Cultivator."

"Mistress has a keen Wisdom Eye," Liu Yangfeng replied respectfully.

Zhang Yuxi pondered for a moment, then asked, "What would be the effect on a Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivator?"

Liu Yangfeng thought seriously for a moment and said, "Based on the strength of the Tier Two Spirit Beasts on the island, I have made some deductions. If the Essence-Dissolving Spirit-Corroding Powder is used on a Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivator, it would require several times the dosage to take effect. Furthermore, if the target's spiritual energy is extremely pure, they might detect it in time and force it out of their body."

"The Thousand Illusions Soul-Devouring Incense is also effective against Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivators, though the duration and depth of the hallucinations might be slightly reduced."

"As for the Scarlet Blood Purple Scorpion Liquid, as long as it enters the body through a wound, I believe that with the fierce toxicity of the Flying Purple Nether Scorpion, even a Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivator would find it extremely difficult to resist."

Zhang Yuxi nodded, "Continue to refine these three poisons to increase their toxicity, and do not reveal this to anyone."

"Yes, your subordinate understands." Liu Yangfeng placed the three items back into the medicine chest, carefully closed the lid, and re-examined the sealing runes before sliding it into his sleeve.

...

In a street-facing loft in Wangshan Town, amidst the dense aroma of tea, the couple Li Changan and Liu Yuanting were hosting an unexpected guest.

Since Li Xuance's Breakthrough to the Golden Core stage, the area of Wangshan Town had been jointly guarded by Li Changan and his wife.

The loft faced the street, and outside the window was the most bustling long street in Wangshan Town. During the day, carriages and pedestrians passed by in an endless stream, but at this moment, isolated by the aroma of tea and the Restriction, only a sense of tranquility remained.

"Fellow Daoist Han, are you truly leaving Wangshan Town?" Li Changan frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of confusion. "Could it be that my Li Family has fallen short somewhere, making you wish to depart?"

Li Changan was filled with doubt. This Master Han had stayed in Wangshan Town for over a hundred years, always keeping a low profile and living in harmony with the Li Family. Why would he suddenly choose to leave?

"Fellow Daoist, you worry too much. I merely wish to leave Huangfeng Prefecture; it is not because the Li Family has neglected me in the slightest."

Master Han shook his head slightly, his tone indifferent. "Thank you for the Li Family's care over all these years. This Storage Pouch contains a small token of my appreciation. It is nothing much. The mountains are high and the rivers are long; if fate permits, we shall meet again."

As Master Han finished speaking, he raised his hand and gently pushed a palm-sized, dark-patterned Storage Pouch to the front of the table.

The Storage Pouch was completely black, its surface embroidered with dark patterns, and its spiritual energy was restrained. His expression was indifferent, and his gaze was calm and rippleless, as if he had long made up his mind.

Since opening the Hundred Refinements Pavilion in Wangshan Town over a hundred years ago, he had never aligned himself with any factions. On ordinary days, apart from Artifact Refining, he rarely interacted with others and had never been involved in any disputes.

His decision to leave this time was precisely because his cultivation had reached Peak Foundation Establishment. If he continued to stay in one place, it would not benefit the tempering of his state of mind. It was time to find another place to seek an Opportunity for a Breakthrough.

Li Changan frowned slightly, his gaze falling on the Storage Pouch, but he did not reach out to touch it immediately.

Beside him, Liu Yuanting also had a gentle expression, with a hint of careful scrutiny in the depths of her eyes.

She raised her hand and gently pressed the edge of the table with an elegant yet restrained motion. Her tone was gentle and calm, carrying just the right amount of propriety as she said softly:

"Fellow Daoist Han has resided here for over a hundred years and has long been an old friend of our Li Family. The care we provided over this century was merely our duty, not some great favor deserving of a gift."

"Now that the Demonic Path has invaded, the outside world is in turmoil. Yet Huangfeng Prefecture is located at the southeastern border of Tianxuan Prefecture, bordered by the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range to the east and the sea to the south."

"Although the Demonic Path expanded their victories after breaching prefectures like Bailu and Cangwu on the southern front, they chose to break through vertically into the heart of Tianxuan Prefecture rather than attacking horizontally. Right now, Huangfeng Prefecture is a rare place of peace. Why are you in such a hurry to leave at this of all times?"

Master Han gently stroked the patterns on his sleeve with his fingertips. Hearing this, he fell silent for a moment before slowly replying, "I have other important matters to attend to. As for the specific reasons, it is inconvenient for me to elaborate."

Li Changan fell silent for a moment, ultimately choosing not to press further. He only nodded slowly, "Since Fellow Daoist Han has put it this way, it would be ungracious of us to insist on keeping you."

He looked up at Liu Yuanting. Understanding his meaning, she said softly, "Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist Han. I will go fetch some items that might be useful on your journey."

However, Master Han waved his hand. Though his tone was calm, it carried an unyielding determination, "There is no need. I have already prepared everything for this trip." As he spoke, he pushed the dark-patterned Storage Pouch half an inch closer to the two of them.

Seeing that he insisted, Li Changan no longer declined. He cupped his hands and said, "Then I wish Fellow Daoist Han a smooth journey and a safe trip. If you happen to pass by Anping County in the future, the Li Family will always welcome you with open arms."

Li Changan and his wife escorted Master Han all the way to the city gates.

People bustled to and fro on the long street. The green-robed figure flickered a few times in the crowd, like a drop of water entering the ocean, instantly vanishing into the vast sea of people, with no trace left to be found.

Li Changan and Liu Yuanting stood side by side outside the city gates, watching the green-robed figure completely disappear at the end of the long street. Only when even the last corner of his robe was no longer visible did Liu Yuanting sigh softly and withdraw her gaze.

After Master Han left, the two conversed in low voices all the way back to the loft.

Li Changan picked up the Storage Pouch and swept his Divine Sense inside, his expression suddenly shifting slightly.

Seeing this, Liu Yuanting asked, "What is inside?"

"Two High Grade Spiritual Artifact longswords of excellent quality." Li Changan handed the Storage Pouch to her, his voice carrying a hint of complexity. "This gift is not light. Master Han's action seems like an attempt to sever Karma."

Liu Yuanting took the Storage Pouch and swept her Divine Sense across it, her expression also freezing slightly.

"Husband, when should we send word of this to the Family?" She looked up, her eyes clear and inquiring.

Li Changan pondered for a moment and said, "Report it immediately. Have someone compile today's events and send the message back to the clan grounds."

"Mhm," Liu Yuanting replied, turning to make the arrangements.

...

Time flowed silently like water.

Since Master Xuanyue's departure, Hongshi County seemed to have completely transformed from the front line to the rear.

The defense levels were lowered again and again. By the ninth year of the Demonic Path's invasion, most of the few remaining key defense areas in the county relied primarily on Formations, supplemented by Cultivators.

In the spring of the ninth year, Liu Jiang also received transfer orders, leading several Foundation Establishment Disciples of the Tianxuan Sect to depart for the southern front to fight alongside Master Xuanyue.

With this, all the defense duties of Hongshi County fell entirely on the shoulders of Wang Daoyuan alone.

Wang Daoyuan was a calm and patient man. He said to Li Changqing, "Since Senior Brother Liu has gone to the southern front, I am the only Tianxuan Sect Disciple left in Hongshi County. Fortunately, there are no battles in Hongshi County, so staying behind is actually safer."

His words carried a hint of self-deprecation, but his tone was relatively light.

Having known him for several years, Li Changqing had long since understood his temperament.

Wang Daoyuan was upright and diligent in his work, but by no means rigid, earning an excellent reputation among the various forces in Hongshi County.

In addition to being a Tier Two High Grade Formation Master, he was also a Tier Two Medium Grade Talisman Maker.