31: Li Ping returns to his sect and issues a warning.

The morning light at the hour of mao pierced through the morning mist of Tianling Academy, casting a faint golden glow on the mountain path paved with blue bricks. Lu Chen stepped on the morning dew, walking quickly towards the Inner Sect Elder Hall. Although his green Inner Sect Disciple robes showed signs of travel, they could not hide the steady aura around him. After being attacked in Black Wind Valley and receiving help from a merchant caravan, he finally returned to the Sect. In his heart, there was both an eagerness to reunite with Yu Lan and Lin Xiaoya, and a solemn awareness of the Zhao Family and Blood Shadow Sect's conspiracy.

Inside the Elder Hall, it was quiet and solemn, with sandalwood incense curling upwards. Elder Li Ping sat in the main seat, dressed in a purple Elder robe, his expression calm yet tinged with seriousness. Seeing Lu Chen enter, a hint of relief flashed in his eyes, then he rose and gestured with a raised hand: "Lu Chen, you've had a difficult journey, come and sit down."

Lu Chen cupped his hands in greeting and sat on a stone stool below. He spoke directly: "Elder, this Disciple's trip to Wuwang City, while successfully finding the first three incomplete volumes of the Myriad Manifestations Art, also encountered many unexpected events. The conspiracy of the Blood Shadow Sect and the Zhao Family is far more dangerous than we imagined."

He detailed his experiences in Wuwang City one by one, from Zhao Kun's deliberate challenge of assigning an S-rank mission, to Wang Hao's betrayal and collusion with Blood Shadow Sect Evil Cultivators, then to the destruction of the blood sacrifice altar and Mo Qianchou's projection appearing. No detail was omitted, even mentioning the map of the Sacred Spirit Forbidden Land's main hall at the bottom of the stone box. When he heard that Mo Qianchou was personally interested in the Myriad Manifestations Art and even threatened to wait at the Zhao Family, Elder Li Ping's face instantly became grave. His fingertips unconsciously tapped the table, his eyes filled with shock and worry.

"Mo Qianchou... I didn't expect him to still be alive, and his influence has already infiltrated Wuwang City." Elder Li Ping murmured in a low, heavy voice, "Twenty years ago, in the case of the Yu Family's destruction, he was one of the masterminds. His cultivation was unfathomable. If it weren't for several Old Ancestors of the Sect joining forces to stop him back then, perhaps the entire Tianling Academy would have suffered. Now that he has reappeared, it is clearly for the Myriad Manifestations Art. If he obtains the complete Cultivation Technique, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Lu Chen nodded in agreement: "This Disciple also sensed that the Blood Shadow Sect not only covets the Myriad Manifestations Art but is also preparing a blood sacrifice ritual to try and open an ancient ruin; their ambition is immense. And the Zhao Family is in close collusion with the Blood Shadow Sect; Elder Zhao Kun even acted as an inside man. This Disciple's return trip was intercepted by Zhao Lei and his men, who intended to seize the incomplete Myriad Manifestations Art."

"Zhao Kun, that traitor!" Elder Li Ping slammed the table in anger, his eyes filled with indignation. "He has been lurking in the Sect for many years, secretly providing resources to the Blood Shadow Sect and harming those who oppose him. This old man suspected it long ago, but lacked evidence, making it difficult to convict him. Now his actions are becoming increasingly rampant, clearly feeling that the time is ripe to completely side with the Blood Shadow Sect."

He calmed his emotions, looked at Lu Chen, and softened his tone slightly: "Your safe return from Wuwang City this time, bringing back the incomplete Myriad Manifestations Art and important intelligence, is a great achievement. But you must also understand that Zhao Kun and Mo Qianchou will never let this go. Your current strength is still weak, so it's not advisable to confront them directly. The urgent task is to focus on Cultivation, improve your strength, and temporarily avoid their sharp edge."

Lu Chen fully agreed, cupping his hands and saying: "This Disciple understands, but the Myriad Manifestations Art lacks the last volume, making it difficult to unleash its full power, and that last volume is in the hands of the Zhao Family. This Disciple doesn't know what to do."

"This cannot be rushed." Elder Li Ping shook his head, "The Zhao Family holds the last volume and will certainly guard it strictly. Furthermore, Elder Zhao Kun is already at the Foundation Establishment Stage. If you go to snatch it now, it would be like throwing an egg against a rock. Wait until your cultivation improves, find a suitable opportunity, and then unite with righteous individuals from the Sect to challenge the Zhao Family together. Only then will you have a chance to reclaim the Cultivation Technique."

He took out a round Formation Plate and a small booklet from his Storage Pouch and handed them to Lu Chen: "This is the spirit gathering array plate and its corresponding usage method. The Formation Plate can gather Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to assist in Cultivation, significantly increasing your Cultivation speed. You are exceptionally talented and possess both the Myriad Manifestations Art and Rune Arts. As long as you focus on Cultivation, given time, you will surely surpass Zhao Lei and even contend with Zhao Kun."

Lu Chen accepted the Formation Plate and booklet, feeling a warmth in his heart, and quickly thanked him: "Thank you for your kindness, Elder. This Disciple will certainly live up to your expectations, Cultivate diligently, and raise my strength as soon as possible."

Elder Li Ping nodded, then lowered his voice and added with a solemn expression: "I have one more thing to tell you. Deep within the Crimson Flame Spirit Mine, there is a Supreme Yang Spirit Vein, containing pure Supreme Yang spiritual power. And the incomplete Blood Shadow Breaking Method you obtained earlier happens to require Supreme Yang spiritual power to be completed into its full version. If you have the opportunity to go to the Crimson Flame Spirit Mine, you can try to use the power of the Supreme Yang Spirit Vein to Cultivate the complete Blood Shadow Breaking Method. This Cultivation Technique counters the Blood Shadow Sect's evil arts and will be of great benefit to you in your future fight against the Blood Shadow Sect."

Lu Chen's heart stirred. He had already learned about the secret of the Crimson Flame Spirit Mine from Qian Tong, but he hadn't expected it to also contain a Supreme Yang Spirit Vein that could complete the Blood Shadow Breaking Method. He quickly committed this to memory and said solemnly: "This Disciple will remember Elder's teaching. If there's an opportunity, I will definitely go to the Crimson Flame Spirit Mine to investigate."

The two discussed for a moment longer. Elder Li Ping instructed Lu Chen to Cultivate diligently after returning to his courtyard, and to avoid going out easily to prevent Zhao Kun from finding an excuse. At the same time, he would secretly gather evidence of Zhao Kun's collusion with the Blood Shadow Sect and unite with other righteous Elders of the Sect to prepare for Zhao Kun's eventual downfall.

As he left the Elder Hall, the morning light had already illuminated the Inner Sect Disciple living area. As Lu Chen approached his courtyard, he saw a familiar figure anxiously pacing at the entrance—it was Lin Xiaoya. She wore a light pink dress, her hair simply tied up, her face full of worry. Seeing Lu Chen approach, tears instantly welled up in her eyes, and she quickly rushed to meet him.

"Senior Brother Lu! You're finally back! It's so great that you're safe!" Lin Xiaoya choked out, tears uncontrollably streaming down her cheeks. Since their separation in Black Wind Valley, she had been worried about Lu Chen's safety, waiting near the courtyard every day. Now, seeing Lu Chen return safely, the weight on her heart finally lifted.

Lu Chen's heart warmed, and he gently comforted her: "I made you worry, but I'm fine. I was just delayed for a few days on the road."

"It's good that you're fine, it's good that you're fine." Lin Xiaoya wiped away her tears, a joyful smile appearing on her face, and quickly pulled Lu Chen into the courtyard. "Miss Yu Lan and Old Feng have also been worried about you. Miss Yu Lan even specially refined many healing Medicinal Pills for you to use when you returned."

Entering the courtyard, Yu Lan and Old Feng were already waiting by the stone table. Yu Lan, dressed in a moon-white long dress, showed a hint of joy in her cool eyes upon seeing Lu Chen return, then quickly regained her composure, though her tone held a touch more sincerity: "Senior Brother Lu, it's good that you've returned safely."

Old Feng also rose and cupped his hands, his eyes full of satisfaction: "Young Friend Lu is indeed blessed by the heavens; his safe return is truly cause for celebration."

The four sat around the stone table, and Lu Chen once again briefly recounted his experiences in Wuwang City and on the return journey. Yu Lan and Lin Xiaoya listened with trepidation, while Old Feng occasionally nodded, sometimes adding a few remarks about the Yu Family and the Blood Shadow Sect's past, making everyone's understanding of the conspiracy clearer.

"Zhao Kun and Mo Qianchou are as ambitious as wolves; we must quickly increase our strength to deal with their subsequent actions." Yu Lan said with a solemn expression. She caressed the myriad manifestations pendant at her neck, her eyes filled with determination. "Although the first three volumes of the Myriad Manifestations Art can increase strength, they are ultimately incomplete. If we have the chance in the future, we must go to the Zhao Family and reclaim the last volume."

"What the Young Lord said is absolutely correct, but the Zhao Family is powerful, and Zhao Kun is even a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator. We must act cautiously." Old Feng agreed, "This old man has been trapped for many years, and my spiritual power has not fully recovered. Once I have rested, I will teach you the Yu Family's ancestral sword technique to help you improve your strength."

Lin Xiaoya also nodded and said: "I will also refine more Medicinal Pills to assist your Cultivation. Although my cultivation is not high, I can still contribute."

Lu Chen looked at the resolute eyes of the three, feeling increasingly confident. He cupped his hands and said: "Thank you all. With your help, no matter how great the difficulties, I am confident I can overcome them. Next, let's first focus on Cultivation and improving our strength, while also keeping an eye on the movements of Zhao Kun and the Blood Shadow Sect, waiting for the right moment."

Everyone reached a consensus, and in the following days, they each immersed themselves in Cultivation. Lu Chen circulated the Myriad Manifestations Art daily, using the spirit gathering array plate to gather Spiritual Qi, and his Cultivation speed greatly increased. Yu Lan, under Old Feng's guidance, practiced the Yu Family's ancestral sword technique while also studying the Myriad Manifestations Art, attempting to comprehend more mysteries from it. Lin Xiaoya focused on Alchemy, refining a large number of healing Medicinal Pills and Qi Gathering Medicinal Pills to ensure their Cultivation.

However, what they didn't know was that the news of Lu Chen's return to the Sect had already reached Zhao Kun. Upon learning that Lu Chen had not only returned safely but also brought back the incomplete Myriad Manifestations Art, Zhao Kun's eyes were filled with malice and unwillingness. He immediately dispatched two trusted Disciples to secretly monitor Lu Chen's movements, attempting to find an opportunity to seize the Cultivation Technique and eliminate him root and branch.

In a secluded courtyard within the Inner Sect, Zhao Kun sat in the main seat, his face ashen. Below him stood two Disciples, the very ones he had sent to monitor Lu Chen.

"Elder, after Lu Chen returned to his courtyard, he has been diligently Cultivating, occasionally communicating with Yu Lan, Old Feng, and Lin Xiaoya, but he has not gone out." One Disciple respectfully reported.

"Hmph, he's become cautious." Zhao Kun snorted coldly, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. "He brought back the incomplete Myriad Manifestations Art, so he will definitely Cultivate it quickly to improve his strength. We cannot give him this opportunity. Closely monitor his movements; once he leaves the courtyard, report it immediately. This old man will personally take action to seize the Cultivation Technique and eliminate him root and branch!"

"Yes, Elder!" The two Disciples responded and withdrew.

Zhao Kun looked at the outdoor sky, his eyes filled with malicious calculations. He knew that Lu Chen was his greatest threat and had to be eliminated as soon as possible, otherwise, he would become a major problem in the future. Meanwhile, Lu Chen, Yu Lan, and the others, though immersed in Cultivation, remained vigilant. They knew that a new storm was quietly brewing, and all they could do was quickly improve their strength and prepare to face anything.