Chu Xingchen and Ning Qianqian were traveling at breakneck speed using Earth Evasion.
At this moment, he wasn’t concerned about conserving his spiritual energy; his only thought was to return to the dilapidated temple as quickly as possible.
However, traveling with an ordinary mortal who had no cultivation base inevitably slowed them down.
Ning Qianqian, in particular, had little resistance to the Earth Evasion technique at the Golden Core level, so they had to stop and rest periodically.
Her physical condition wasn’t great either—malnourished and skin-and-bones.
After a day of travel, they were only one Earth Evasion away from the temple.
At this moment, Ning Qianqian was leaning against a large tree, nibbling on a flatbread.
Chu Xingchen sat nearby with his eyes closed, his senses alert and his spiritual awareness extended outward.
After finishing her flatbread, Ning Qianqian took a few sips of water.
During their previous breaks, she had asked many questions.
She wanted to know where Chu Xingchen was going, what he planned to do, and who he was looking for.
Chu Xingchen had answered patiently, hiding nothing.
He explained that he was going to meet his disciple to discuss their plans.
Along the way, Ning Qianqian often asked about the world of cultivation. Though she only half-understood, she tried to imagine it based on her own interpretation.
Ning Qianqian looked at Chu Xingchen, who still had his eyes closed, and after brushing the crumbs from her lips, she asked in a tone of disbelief:
“Immortal, is the Qingfeng Sect really a righteous and reputable sect in your world?”
“Based on their reputation among nearby sects, yes,” Chu Xingchen replied without opening his eyes. “They take on government commissions to slay demons and monsters. They also hide any misdeeds very well—at least, I hadn’t heard of any before.”
Ning Qianqian understood this reasoning. She might have limited experience, but she wasn’t foolish.
However, hearing this answer reminded her of the sight of her father walking away.
She still felt a bit downcast and raised her eyes to ask, “What about your sect, Immortal? Do they do such things too?”
Hearing this, Chu Xingchen couldn’t help but open his eyes and retort, “If we did such things, I wouldn’t have been soft-hearted enough to bring you along.”
Throughout the journey, Chu Xingchen had been remarkably patient with Ning Qianqian’s endless questions.
After all, once he rescued her father, he probably wouldn’t see her again.
Ning Qianqian nodded in agreement, as the facts spoke for themselves.
However, she couldn’t shake a lingering sense of unease.
In truth, Ning Qianqian wasn’t usually talkative. She was just trying to ease her anxiety through conversation.
Chu Xingchen could sense her unease. Judging by her appearance and height, she was still quite young.
Facing situations beyond her understanding and capabilities, it was natural for her to feel uneasy. In her world, immortals belonged to an entirely different realm.
Chu Xingchen decided to steer the conversation: “My sect, above all else, is known for its integrity. We don’t engage in actions that provoke public outrage.”
“The cultivation world regards us as the leaders of the righteous path.”
There was no harm in boasting, especially to someone like Ning Qianqian, who couldn’t tell truth from exaggeration.
Whether she believed it or not, her expression was one of admiration and longing.
“Then, Immortal, your disciples must also be good people, right?”
Without hesitation, Chu Xingchen nodded proudly. “My eldest disciple is a cultivation prodigy, kind-hearted, caring toward his fellow disciples, and deeply respectful of his master.”
“As for my second disciple, he’s even more remarkable. Despite experiencing the trials of the mortal world, he has remained true to himself—a man of loyalty and honor who always keeps his word. He, too, is deeply respectful of his master.”
“Moreover, they both cultivate the righteous path, practicing orthodox techniques. Our sect is the very embodiment of righteousness and integrity.”
Ning Qianqian once again responded with appropriate admiration, and after a bit more small talk and rest, they resumed their journey.
After another half-hour of Earth Evasion, they were close to the temple. However, Chu Xingchen didn’t head straight there. Instead, he brought Ning Qianqian back to the surface nearby.
A strong scent of blood wafted from the direction of the temple.
Chu Xingchen’s expression darkened. Had something happened to them?
But the teleportation talisman hadn’t activated. Given the intensity of the blood scent, it must have been a fierce battle, not an instant defeat. The talisman should have triggered.
Ning Qianqian, having no cultivation base, couldn’t sense the blood, but she cautiously glanced at Chu Xingchen. Though she didn’t know what was happening, she knew to stay quiet.
Chu Xingchen extended his spiritual awareness toward the temple and quickly detected two familiar auras—both alive and well.
So, where was the blood coming from?
Had his two disciples caused trouble again? Li Xingtian had been reborn, so why would he join Li Yingling in such mischief?
Chu Xingchen reassured Ning Qianqian, “It’s nothing. My two disciples are just being mischievous.”
Ning Qianqian nodded in response.
The remaining distance was short, so Chu Xingchen didn’t use Earth Evasion. Instead, he used his spiritual energy to carry Ning Qianqian as they flew.
Experiencing flight for the first time, Ning Qianqian couldn’t help but gasp in surprise.
She quickly adapted to the sensation of soaring freely, her movements becoming more natural.
For the first time, a faint smile appeared on her usually expressionless face.
This was the innate human desire for freedom. The act of flying unwittingly relieved much of the pressure in her heart.
However, when the temple came into view and Chu Xingchen flew straight toward it, Ning Qianqian’s smile vanished.
The temple looked old and dilapidated, exuding an eerie aura.
But the eerie atmosphere wasn’t what frightened her.
What truly terrified her was the sight of numerous bloodied bones scattered around the temple entrance, almost covering the ground.
Rows of skeletal remains, some still clinging to strips of crimson flesh, lay strewn about. The heads of various animals—bears, tigers, wolves, rabbits, and pheasants—were piled haphazardly to the side, forming a gruesome mound.
The heavy stench of blood carried by the wind assaulted Ning Qianqian’s nostrils, making her stomach churn and nearly causing her to vomit.
Even more horrifying was the occasional flash of dark red energy emanating from within the temple.
It looked utterly sinister, as if some demonic beast had taken up residence there to feast on humans and cultivate its power.
Ning Qianqian swallowed hard and asked timidly, “Immortal… are you planning to slay demons?”
At this moment, that seemed like the only explanation for why Chu Xingchen was flying straight toward such a dangerous place.
But his response nearly made her faint:
“Huh? Slay demons? No, we’ve arrived.”