136: Chapter 136 Current Situation

The four slowed their pace, approaching quietly.

Crossing a patch of forest, the scene ahead came into view.

Three massive grey bears were attacking a youth frantically.

The youth was in his early twenties, at Qi Refining Level 8, with fierce swordsmanship, but facing the siege of the three grey bears, he was already struggling to defend himself, finding himself in constant danger.

He had sustained several wounds, blood staining his clothes red, and it looked like he was about to collapse.

"It's a Disciple of the Jinyang Sect."

Li Changsheng recognized the auspicious cloud mark on his clothes.

Shi Tiezhu asked, "Brother Changsheng, shall we save him?"

Li Changsheng did not hesitate and drew his sword immediately!

The moment the green steel sword left its sheath, he had already transformed into a streak of light, charging into the battlefield!

As the sword light flashed, one grey bear shrieked and flew backward!

The other two grey bears were enraged, turning to pounce on Li Changsheng!

Li Changsheng did not dodge or evade, alternating between sword techniques and fist techniques. Within three moves, he took down another one!

The remaining grey bear saw that things were going poorly and turned to run!

Li Changsheng did not pursue, merely sheathing his sword.

The Jinyang Sect Disciple collapsed on the ground, gasping for air, looking at Li Changsheng with eyes full of gratitude.

"Th-thank you for saving my life, brother!"

He struggled to stand up and cupped his fists in salute.

Li Changsheng waved his hand and said, "It was just a small effort. How did you end up here?"

The Disciple gave a bitter smile. "I was ordered to come out to investigate some matters, but I accidentally got lost and then ran into these beasts…"

Li Changsheng's heart stirred. "Investigate what matters?"

The Disciple hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice. "Matters regarding the Blood Fiend Sect. I heard they are assembling at the border, and our Sect has sent many people out to gather information."

"My cultivation is low, so I was just wandering around the periphery, and I didn't expect…"

He didn't finish, but Li Changsheng already understood.

The Jinyang Sect was also investigating the Blood Fiend Sect.

It seemed the situation at the border was more serious than imagined.

He left the Disciple some Medicinal Pill for healing, pointed out the direction, and then continued on his way with the three others.

Li Changqing asked, "Changsheng, what do you think?"

Li Changsheng was silent for a moment and said, "The Blood Fiend Sect's actions this time are likely significant."

By evening, the four finally saw the outline of Qinghe Town.

Li Changsheng looked at the sky above Qinghe Town, where there seemed to be a trace of black mist, flickering in and out of sight.

At this time, the sun was setting.

The golden afterglow spilled over the small town, plating those familiar houses, streets, and trees with a layer of warm light.

The town was larger than it had been five years ago, with some new houses, but overall it was still the same.

A complex emotion surged in Li Changsheng's heart.

Five years.

He took a deep breath and landed his flying shuttle.

At the entrance of the town, several children were playing.

Seeing something descend from the sky, they shrieked in fright and scattered in all directions.

Li Changsheng felt a mix of amusement and frustration.

He put away his flying shuttle and walked into the town.

After taking only a few steps, a familiar figure turned out from a street corner.

Li Zhenshan.

Five years had passed, and he had aged significantly.

His originally black hair had turned grey, and wrinkles had added to his face, but his eyes remained sharp.

He stood there, looking at Li Changsheng, his lips trembling slightly.

"Changsheng…"

Li Changsheng stepped forward quickly and dropped to his knees with a thud.

"Uncle, I have returned."

Li Zhenshan helped him up, tears streaming down his face.

"Good, good, it's good that you're back…"

Li Changqing also walked over, her eyes red as she called out, "Father."

Shi Tiezhu and Li Xiaocao stood behind, their eyes also red.

At this moment, all the Cultivation, all the fighting, and all the grudges became distant.

Only Family affection was real and warm.

That night, the Li Mansion was decorated with lanterns and colored banners, and a grand banquet was held.

The news of Li Changsheng's return spread throughout Qinghe Town.

The elders who had watched him grow up, the companions who had practiced martial arts with him, and the townspeople who had received his kindness all came one after another.

The courtyard was packed with people, and laughter and chatter were constant.

Li Changsheng sat at the main table, beside him were the Grand Elder Li Qingsong, the Family Head Li Zhenshan, and several clan elders.

Li Changqing and Shi Tiezhu were also pulled to sit down by Li Changhu, while Li Xiaocao was surrounded by a group of women, chattering and asking this and that.

The Grand Elder was even older than five years ago, his beard and hair completely white, but his spirit was still good.

He held Li Changsheng's hand, his cloudy old eyes full of gratification.

"Changsheng, we have heard of your affairs in the Sect."

"Qi Refining Level 9 Middle Stage, tied for first place in the Exchange Meeting!"

Li Changsheng shook his head. "Grand Elder, you flatter me."

Li Zhenshan said from the side, "It is not flattery."

"You are the first true cultivator to come out of our Qinghe Town."

"Our Li Family is proud of you."

A warm current surged in Li Changsheng's heart, but he also felt some shame.

All these years, he had focused only on his own Cultivation and had not taken much care of the Family.

Although he occasionally entrusted someone to bring back some Medicinal Pill, it was ultimately just a drop in the bucket.

"Uncle," he asked. "How has the Family been these past few years?"

Li Zhenshan sighed and said, "It's been alright."

"With the Medicinal Pill and Spirit Stone you sent back, several juniors in the clan reached the Qi Refining Stage."

"Although their cultivation is not high, they finally have the strength to protect themselves."

"Furthermore, after the Wang and Zhao families were destroyed, Qinghe Town has been peaceful, and life has been quite stable."

Li Changsheng nodded and asked again, "What about the Spirit Devourer?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere at the table immediately became heavy.

The Grand Elder put down his chopsticks, was silent for a moment, and spoke slowly. "It is not peaceful."

Li Changsheng's heart tightened.

The Grand Elder continued. "In the last year, there have often been unusual movements around the mine."

"Sometimes there are muffled sounds from underground, and sometimes eerie mist emerges from the cave entrance."

"We sent several groups to investigate, but they only dared to stay on the periphery and did not dare to go deep."

"But according to them, the cold, sinister Qi in the cave is much denser than before."

Li Zhenshan chimed in. "Three months ago, a miner found a stone near the cave entrance. The stone was pitch black and emitted a cold, sinister aura."

"After he brought it back, he had a nightmare that night, dreaming that he was entangled by countless vengeful spirits, and he almost went mad."

"We threw that stone away and hired a Daoist to perform a ritual before he slowly recovered."

Li Changsheng's brows furrowed tightly. The Spirit Devourer was indeed recovering.

"There is one more thing." The Grand Elder looked at him with a heavy gaze.

"In the last few days, there have occasionally been outsiders coming to Qinghe Town."

Li Changsheng's heart stirred. "What kind of people?"

The Grand Elder said. "Riding Flying Sword, capable of flying in the sky. They move quickly, and we lost track of them."

The Grand Elder changed the subject. "However, there was one young man, in his early twenties, at Qi Refining Level 9."

"He said his name was Zhou Yuan, a Disciple of the Jinyang Sect, and he even came to our Li Family once."

"He said he wanted to enter the Black Iron Mine to explore, and we couldn't stop him."

Li Changsheng was silent. Zhou Yuan had indeed come.

"Where is he now?" he asked.

Li Zhenshan said. "He entered the mine three days ago and hasn't come out yet."

Li Changsheng stood up. "I'll go take a look."

The night was deep. The moonlight was like water.

Li Changsheng stood at the foot of the Black Iron Mine, looking at that familiar cave entrance.

Back then, the 'Spirit Devourer' emerged and blew a large hole in the mountain range here, yet this entrance remained relatively intact.

Five years had passed, and the entrance was still covered by vines, but those vines had withered, revealing the pitch-black rock behind.

A cold, sinister wind blew from the cave, carrying the scent of decay and blood.

"Changsheng, do you really want to go in now?" Li Changqing stood behind him, her face full of worry.

Li Changsheng nodded. "Zhou Yuan has already been inside for three days. If we wait any longer, I fear he will be in grave danger."

Li Changqing gritted her teeth. "I'll go with you."

"No." Li Changsheng shook his head. "It is too dangerous inside; if you go in, it will only distract me."

"You go back first."

"If I haven't returned in three days, go to the Qinglan Sword Sect and find Liu Qingchen."

Li Changqing wanted to say something, but seeing Li Changsheng's firm gaze, she finally just nodded.

"Be careful."