Chapter 139: Hysen

Sea Forest was the largest expanse of woodland in the West City region. Unlike the forests outside, the trees here were of species never seen before. Because of its proximity to the sea, the trees within Sea Forest were essentially birthed from seawater, their forms resembling marine plants. Accompanied by the Four Young Masters of West City, Long Yun arrived at the edge of the forest on the second day.

"Brother Long Yun, this is Sea Forest. If you divide the forest at its center, everything to the south belongs to the South City region," Xu Yao said softly.

Xu Yao was the young master of the Xu Sect and the youngest of the Four Young Masters of West City. Although he was also at the Marrow Cleansing stage, his internal energy was clearly less profound than that of Bai Changqing or Rong Pian. Long Yun was the last to meet Xu Yao, but the latter proved to be quite talkative—the exact opposite of Leng Wuchang’s personality. He carried himself without airs and hit it off well with Long Yun.

As the five of them entered the forest, Xu Yao explained with a smile, "It’s quite nice here, isn't it? Such strange trees!"

Long Yun smiled in response, though he was inwardly startled. From within the forest, gusts of spiritual energy continuously drifted toward him, providing a refreshing sensation. It lacked the delicate, nuanced quality of the Jade Sword Sect’s energy, yet it was filled with a sense of bold, unrestrained release. Long Yun couldn't help but marvel; the world was vast and full of wonders, and it seemed that even spiritual energy possessed a unique consciousness of its own.

"The Blood Qilin emerges on the night of the full moon to absorb the lunar essence for cultivation. Tonight happens to be the fifteenth. However, the Blood Qilin’s strength is also far greater on the night of the full moon than at any other time," Leng Wuchang noted coolly.

Rong Pian and Bai Changqing remained silent. For them, this venture offered no benefits and, conversely, carried the risk of death. Neither had wanted to come, but restrained by Leng Wuchang’s intimidation, they had no choice but to tag along as support.

Long Yun nodded. Just as he was about to speak, a voice drifted from afar: "How true it is that those closest to the water see the moon first. Leng Wuchang, with your West City’s strength, it’s fine to come and join the fun, but don’t be too greedy! Why not hunt some game to reward us instead? If I obtain the Qilin Jade, I might be able to share some leftovers with you!"

As the voice faded, eight figures appeared before them. The leader, like Leng Wuchang, was at the Melting Power stage. Among the seven behind him, two were also at the Melting Power stage, and the remaining five were all formidable experts at the Marrow Cleansing stage.

Leng Wuchang’s expression shifted slightly. Facing the provocation, he snorted, "Shi Xiuwen, the affairs of West City are none of your concern. You would do well to manage your own people!"

Shi Xiuwen laughed boisterously. "Leng Wuchang, I didn't expect you to remain so stubborn. Your meager group from West City is hardly worth looking at. Do you truly intend to let them become food for the Blood Qilin alongside you?" He cast his gaze over the Four Young Masters of West City one by one, then continued, "You even brought someone at the Innate Soul-Union stage? I ask you, Leng Wuchang, has West City decayed to such an extent?"

Leng Wuchang’s expression gradually returned to normal. "Shi Xiuwen, we are all here for the Blood Qilin today. My West City’s strength is not for you to criticize. If you feel so confident, go and compete with East City! We are leaving!" He then turned as if to walk away.

Stung by Leng Wuchang’s retort, Shi Xiuwen’s face darkened. "Leng Wuchang, do you honestly think I wouldn't dare make a move against you?"

Leng Wuchang stopped in his tracks, staring coldly at Shi Xiuwen. "I do not believe you would dare. While West City may not be as strong as your South City, do you think you could walk away unscathed after killing me? I guarantee that even if we were all wiped out, we would drag at least four of your people down with us."

Anger surged within Shi Xiuwen. Leng Wuchang was right. Although the Shi family was the most prominent in South City, every one of the aristocratic descendants behind him held considerable power. If, due to his own selfishness, several of them were to perish, the Shi family’s standing in South City would inevitably be compromised.

"That fellow is the eldest son of the South City Shi family and their number one genius. They say he is close to undergoing his Tribulation, and he seeks the Qilin Jade to help him withstand the Heavenly Tribulation," Xu Yao whispered into Long Yun’s ear.

Long Yun nodded without speaking, feeling a trace of disdain for Shi Xiuwen. The Profound Heaven Domain had evolved from a scattered mess into an orderly society. He did not know which great master had the power to bring the entire domain under control and tame such arrogant experts, but it was ultimately a superficial solution that failed to address the root cause. Some people were crooked by nature; even when constrained, they would simply divert their twisted schemes into the shadows. Shi Xiuwen was precisely that kind of person—his character was truly lacking.

"As expected, you were the ones to arrive first!" Another hearty voice rang out. Nine figures appeared from the distance, swiftly flying toward the group before descending slowly to the ground.

At the center of the nine stood a burly man with a thick beard, standing two heads taller than Long Yun. He wore a spotted tiger skin draped over his shoulder, and his features were rugged. Upon inspection, he was clearly at the Tribulation stage.

Shi Xiuwen’s expression grew cautious. Among the four outer cities, East City was the strongest, followed by North City, South City, and finally, West City. Because East City was closest to the sea, it bore the brunt of the sea-dwelling demon tribes’ attacks, and naturally, more experts were stationed there. North City also bordered the sea, but its waters were frozen in eternal ice, and the sea tribes there were not as formidable, making North City weaker than East City. Only West City was closest to the Central Province, enjoying long periods of peace with few major conflicts; thus, it was naturally the weakest.

"His name is Xiong Bin, the son of the North City Lord. He is at the Tribulation stage and possesses immense combat power. Among the four outer cities, I suspect only Qu Chong, the top genius from East City, could defeat him," Xu Yao continued.

"Qu Chong?" Long Yun’s brows furrowed. His mind drifted to that bold and forthright young man. If it hadn't been for the vast amount of intelligence Qu Chong had provided back then, he would never have completed his mission so smoothly. A wave of shame washed over Long Yun. After he had finished that mission, his tracks were exposed, and he should have been besieged and killed by the experts of the Profound Heaven Domain. It was Qu Chong who had secretly assisted them, allowing the three of them to escape the domain safely.

In a sense, Long Yun owed Qu Chong a favor. Later, he heard that news of Qu Chong helping them escape had reached the major powers of the Profound Heaven Domain. The Qu family had endured immense pressure as a result, and their assignment to guard East City was likely related to that incident. Otherwise, given the strength of the Qu family, they would never have been relegated to an outer city.

"Long Yun, do you know Qu Chong?" Xu Yao asked, observing Long Yun’s expression.

Long Yun shook his head, but before he could answer, Xiong Bin laughed aloud: "There is only one Blood Qilin, yet it has attracted so many factions. It seems the allure of the Qilin Jade is truly not small!" He swept his gaze over Shi Xiuwen and Leng Wuchang. "I need the Qilin Jade to save someone very important to me. Even if Qu Chong arrives today, I will not yield it. If you help me, I will reward you handsomely afterward!"

Xiong Bin was overbearing, unilaterally deciding the fate of the Qilin Jade. With his superior strength and extraordinary influence, neither Shi Xiuwen nor Leng Wuchang dared to argue.

"Old Xiong, if there weren't a special use for it, who would risk their lives to come and take this Qilin Jade? It seems inappropriate for you to claim it as your own so definitively!" A bright voice rang out.

Simultaneously, fifteen figures appeared in the air, descending like bolts of light before landing gracefully in front of the crowd. Hearing that familiar voice, Long Yun’s heart trembled. He looked in the direction of the sound and caught sight of a resolute, determined face. His heart skipped a beat.

It was indeed him. Qu Chong. We meet again, old friend.