Chapter Twenty-Seven: A Final Entrustment

Boom—where Long Yun had stood moments before, Zhu Xuan's ferocious palm strike blasted a massive pit into the earth, the crater stretching all the way to where Long Yun and Xu Qing were positioned.

Long Yun secretly clicked his tongue in awe. So this is the might of a master at the Innate Realm—not something he could hope to resist. That single palm could have crushed ten of him into bloody pulp. And that was with the caveat that Zhu Xuan had to devote most of his true energy to suppressing the poison spreading within him.

“Just a little shrimp from the Gathering Yuan Realm, and you dare fish in troubled waters? Die!” Zhu Xuan sneered, his remaining left arm flipping over in a palm strike, continuing his assault toward Long Yun and his companion.

Before the force of the palm arrived, an immense spiritual sense locked onto both of them, overwhelming and inescapable. Long Yun shuddered violently, feeling as if a towering mountain pressed down upon him, no matter how desperately he struggled, he could not break free.

In the next instant, the gigantic hand of true energy materialized overhead, and in a blink, it was less than ten feet above their heads.

“Sword Intent! Shatter the void—” Long Yun, seasoned by countless brushes with death, was not one to surrender so easily. His sea of consciousness surged, sword intent billowing forth like a storm. The power was so tangible, even the space around them twisted and warped.

Without time to check on Xu Qing, Long Yun took advantage of the brief relaxation in Zhu Xuan’s spiritual lock, scrambling out of the area covered by the palm’s force.

“Hm?” Zhu Xuan watched as Long Yun slipped away, his brow furrowing slightly. He did not continue attacking Xu Qing, but instead flashed forward, lunging at Long Yun.

“You bastard, still won’t let up?” Though Long Yun had narrowly escaped Zhu Xuan’s deadly strike, the collision between sword intent and spiritual sense had shaken him deeply. He spat a mouthful of blood, then clenched his teeth, channeling all his true energy into his arm, fingers forming a sword, sword energy raging forth.

There was nowhere left to run; he could only fight desperately, hoping for a sliver of survival.

Hovering midair, Zhu Xuan's lips curled in disdain. To him, practitioners of the Gathering Yuan Realm were mere ants, utterly insignificant.

He extended his right hand, true energy roaring within, poised to finish Long Yun with a single strike.

But just as his arm lifted, the contemptuous smile vanished from his face. His lips abruptly turned a dark purple, a terrifying sight, and his body froze midair.

Boom—moments ago, Zhu Xuan had been invincible, but now he plummeted heavily to the ground. He didn’t even have time to groan; blood as black as ink sprayed from all seven orifices, and he died instantly.

“You bastard, Xu Qing! You brought such a deadly poison to use against me!” For a long moment, Long Yun was stunned by Zhu Xuan’s sudden death. When he finally came to his senses, he roared in anger.

If even an Innate Realm powerhouse could die so miserably, if he’d been hit by that poison needle himself, he would have perished instantly. Amid his fury, Long Yun’s resentment toward Xu Qing deepened.

Just as he was about to vent his rage on Xu Qing, he realized the man was already gone. Zhu Xuan’s earlier palm strike had unexpectedly broken all the seals placed on Xu Qing, and Xu Qing had seized the opportunity, fleeing while Zhu Xuan pursued Long Yun.

“Damn!” Long Yun’s heart jolted—without a doubt, Xu Qing and his group must be connected to the sects, and seemed to be plotting some enormous conspiracy. Since Long Yun had shown suspicion of their actions, he would surely be the first target for elimination by the mastermind behind the bandits. Not only himself, but Dai Mo and his wife, and the woman in white, would all be in danger. Realizing this, cold sweat broke out across Long Yun’s back.

“No, I must hurry back!” Long Yun dared not linger. He turned, ready to depart.

Just then, a weak voice called out, “Young hero... young hero...”

Long Yun halted. In his haste, he had forgotten that Xu Lie, whose fate was still uncertain, lay nearby.

He rushed over and helped the blood-soaked Xu Lie to sit up, supporting him against his chest.

“Elder, your injuries are grave; this long sword has destroyed your vitality. My cultivation is shallow—I truly cannot help you,” Long Yun examined Xu Lie’s wounds and sighed.

Xu Lie managed a faint, difficult smile, shaking his head slowly. “Young hero, that poison needle was your doing, wasn’t it?”

Long Yun nodded in tacit admission.

“Regardless, you prevented Zhu Xuan from obtaining the treasure in my possession. That alone is a great favor to me,” Xu Lie’s face grew paler, his arm beginning to tremble.

“Elder, don’t speak. Let me carry you to my sect—perhaps my seniors can find a way,” Long Yun was about to lift Xu Lie.

But Xu Lie waved him off, then took a deep breath. “Young hero, there’s no need. All my sect’s disciples are renowned physicians—I know my own condition. Without the suppression of true energy, I would have died already. My death is no regret, but there is one thing I hope you can help me accomplish.”

A hint of hesitation crossed Long Yun’s face. “Elder, the 'Heaven’s Seizing Pill' you spoke of is a priceless treasure. I am but a minor figure—I truly cannot carry out such a task.”

Xu Lie smiled gently. “Little brother Long Yun, it is not so difficult. You heard just now—the 'Heaven’s Seizing Pill' is the supreme treasure of my sect. It not only brings flesh and blood back to life, but can instantly elevate the user’s physique to a peerless level. I wish you to deliver this pill to the Master of the Great Pill Sect. He will surely reward you generously.”

“Elder, do you trust that I won’t keep it for myself?” Long Yun suddenly asked.

Xu Lie shook his head. “I do not. But I have no other choice—I must gamble just once. Little brother, please fulfill my dying wish.”

“Very well, I promise you—because of your honesty,” Long Yun replied. “But I cannot guarantee I’ll deliver the pill immediately. Once I’ve settled my current affairs, I will help you complete this task.”

“In that case, thank you.” At last, Xu Lie managed a smile of relief. He reached into his robes and handed Long Yun a white jade vial. “Inside are three 'Jade Life Pills,' sacred healing medicine crafted by my sect. Their effects are superb—please accept them as my thanks. They are all I have left.”

Long Yun took it, then asked, “Why didn’t you use this medicine yourself?”

Xu Lie’s mouth twisted in a bitter smile. “Zhu Xuan never gave me the chance. He knew I would have a backup plan, so his attacks never allowed me a moment to breathe.”

Hearing Xu Lie’s helplessness, Long Yun felt a pang of pity. If Xu Lie had prepared the Jade Life Pills earlier, perhaps things would not have turned out so tragically.

Long Yun hailed from Divine Dragon Island and had heard of Jade Life Pills—the sacred healing medicine of the Pill Sects, coveted by all. With them, the woman in white’s injuries would soon heal.

“Little brother, thank you for fulfilling my last wish. My heart is at peace, with no more regrets.” Xu Lie’s face grew ever paler, his strength running out, sustained only by a sliver of true energy.

Now that all matters were settled, his conviction faded. As his true energy left him, his breath ebbed away, but a faint smile lingered on his face.

Long Yun sighed deeply. Treasures bring disaster—now, aside from himself, only Xu Qing likely knew that the Heaven’s Seizing Pill had ended up in his hands. He hoped Xu Qing would not spread the word; otherwise, he would be the next Xu Lie.

With that, he gathered branches and leaves to cover Xu Lie’s corpse, then departed without hesitation, racing toward the mountain village.

At Dai Mo’s home, the couple had already tidied up the broken furniture left by the bandit attack. The woman in white sat as usual in her room, focusing on restoring her true energy.

“Brother Dai Mo, I’ve returned! Gather your things quickly and leave with me!” Long Yun rushed in and called loudly, startling Dai Mo and his wife.