DIV Chapter 30: Oil Exhausted, Lamp Extinguished

The physical condition of that Foundation Establishment mid-stage ancestor of the Zheng family was a mystery.

At this moment, the leader of these masked cultivators actually asserted that he wouldn't live much longer.

Zheng Yunting's eyes turned blood red as he shouted hoarsely, "My family's ancestor is in his prime! If you don't believe it, why don't you go try him yourselves?"

"Is that so?" The masked cultivator sneered coldly.

"If he's unharmed, why would the Zheng family send people to Yellow Crane Immortal City to secretly purchase second-tier Life Extension Pills? Yellow Crane Immortal City has many eyes and ears. Do you really think this matter can be kept secret?"

"You..." Zheng Yunting's expression changed.

Beneath that angry face, traces of worry were faintly visible.

The masked cultivator's eyes showed mockery as he continued, "Speaking of which, doesn't the Zheng family have a second-tier alchemist? Why not refine second-tier Life Extension Pills yourselves? Could it be that your second-tier alchemist also has problems?"

This time, Zheng Yunting no longer responded.

His eyes were like cold blades, staring intently at these people, the veins on his sword-gripping arm bulging.

The next instant, his aura suddenly surged.

"Boom!"

Terrifying flames rose from his chest, transforming into a writhing dragon that roared toward the sky, then charged straight at those masked cultivators.

Dao technique, Fire Dragon's Roar!

"Explode!"

Zheng Yunting's eyes widened in fury, spiritual power surging around his body.

That fire dragon exploded with a boom, transforming into deadly flames that swept in all directions.

At the same time, he exerted all his strength to throw the long sword in his hand.

That sword blazed with light, ringing clearly, and after an instant also exploded.

Countless fragments turned into cold gleams, falling like raindrops in all directions.

"Ah—"

Several masked cultivators couldn't dodge in time, their bodies erupting in sprays of blood as they screamed continuously.

Taking this opportunity, Zheng Yunting's form flickered, turning into a shadow as he headed straight for the market.

"Chase quickly, don't let him escape!"

"Why did his aura suddenly surge so much? It's almost approaching late-stage Qi Refining!"

"It's the Zheng family's Spirit Explosion Pill. This pill can only be taken once in a lifetime..."

The leading masked cultivator's eyes were ice-cold as he also turned into a shadow, pursuing relentlessly from behind.

The other masked people also gave chase.

No one noticed that after they left, a figure flashed by and took the storage bags from each corpse.

...

Not far away, Li Chang'an looked at the dozen or so storage bags in his hands and couldn't help but sigh.

"Indeed, staying at home is safe, but going out is where you encounter all kinds of pleasant surprises."

However, he still held firmly to his philosophy of going out as little as possible.

Otherwise, who knows when he might be unlucky enough to encounter big trouble, causing his own storage bag to become someone else's surprise.

"Big Yellow, we're not going to the black market today. Let's return to the market first."

Li Chang'an gave an instruction.

The man and dog immediately headed back.

Along the way, Li Chang'an opened those masked people's bags and examined each one.

"How are they all so poor?" He couldn't help but frown.

This was because the items in each storage bag weren't worth much.

Perhaps due to having just experienced a great battle, the pills, talismans, and such in the bags were nearly depleted.

"Never mind, the storage bags themselves are worth quite a bit. I can't be too greedy."

Li Chang'an maintained a peaceful mindset and continued searching.

Soon, he discovered a token.

On the front of the token were carved the two characters "Black Wind."

"They're actually people from Black Wind Mountain!" Li Chang'an's gaze focused, his expression becoming grave.

Black Wind Mountain was the most powerful robber cultivator force in this region!

According to rumors, Black Wind Mountain's leader had been stuck at the peak of Qi Refining for many years and could break through to Foundation Establishment at any time.

Moreover, this group of robber cultivators had no fixed residence.

Like a gust of wind, they came and went without a trace.

Many righteous cultivators wanted to eliminate them, but couldn't even find their whereabouts.

"Those who attacked the Zheng family today should only be a small portion of Black Wind Mountain's forces." Li Chang'an pondered.

If it were that rumored leader taking action, the battle would have ended long ago.

Zheng Yunting would have had no chance of escaping alive.

"Recently, the Zheng family has killed quite a few robber cultivators, most likely angering Black Wind Mountain."

Based on recent circumstances, Li Chang'an made a rough guess.

Before he knew it, the market was already visible in the distance, and he could hear various noisy sounds from within the market.

Patrolling Zheng family cultivators could also be seen in the surroundings.

Li Chang'an breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's too dangerous outside. The market still gives a sense of security."

He quickened his pace, preparing to return to the market.

Just then, Big Yellow suddenly pawed at Li Chang'an's pants leg.

Then he pointed toward some bushes not far away.

"What's wrong?" Li Chang'an was startled and looked in the direction Big Yellow was pointing.

Those bushes looked quite ordinary.

But Big Yellow's sense of smell was keen, far superior to Li Chang'an's, and he had obviously discovered something.

"Swoosh!"

Big Yellow moved nimbly, leaping into the bushes.

Before long, he emerged from the bushes with a blood-covered person in his mouth.

"Senior Zheng?" Li Chang'an squinted slightly and examined carefully.

This person was indeed Zheng Yunting!

He had already fallen unconscious, his aura weak. If he didn't receive treatment, he probably wouldn't live much longer.

"Just one step away from the market, and he collapsed." Li Chang'an sighed. This senior had most likely reached the end of his rope.

Since he had encountered him, he might as well save him.

He grabbed him and threw him into the spirit beast bag.

...

After returning to the market, Li Chang'an changed back to his original aura.

He went to the central area of the market and knocked on the gate of Zheng Qingqing's residence.

"Knock knock knock..."

Soon, the gate opened.

The one who opened it was Zheng Ling'er.

She wore a white dress, and some surprise appeared on her pretty face.

"Young Master Li, why have you come?"

"I have urgent business to discuss with the young miss. Please inform Miss Zheng."

Li Chang'an's expression was serious as he spoke in a deep voice.

"Please enter, Young Master Li."

Zheng Ling'er sensed that the matter was somewhat serious and hurried to the depths of the courtyard.

Before long, Zheng Qingqing appeared wearing a blue-green long dress.

Her expression was puzzled as she asked, "Fellow Daoist Li, what has happened?"

"Young Miss, I just discovered Senior Zheng Yunting severely injured and unconscious outside the market."

Li Chang'an was brief and to the point.

Having said this, he concentrated his thoughts and moved the unconscious Zheng Yunting out of the spirit beast bag.

Beside them, Zheng Ling'er cried out in alarm.

"Uncle Yunting, how did he get injured so badly?"

"I don't know." Li Chang'an shook his head.

He indicated that when he discovered Zheng Yunting, the other party was already in this condition.

"Could it be that cultivators from the Cao and Wu families did this?"

Zheng Qingqing's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her pale cheeks showed traces of gravity.

She took out several pills, dissolved them with spiritual power, and transferred the medicinal effects into Zheng Yunting's wounds.

Zheng Ling'er's small face turned pale as she asked worriedly, "Sister Qingqing, can Uncle Yunting still be saved?"

"He can be saved, but he took a Spirit Explosion Pill, so his future cultivation path will inevitably be affected."

Zheng Qingqing sighed softly.

The Spirit Explosion Pill was a type of pill that squeezed one's potential. After taking it, it would cause irreversible damage to the body.

Unless facing a life-or-death crisis, it must never be taken.

Afterwards, Zheng Qingqing's eyes moved as she looked toward Li Chang'an.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Li, for saving our Zheng family member. The Zheng family will surely reward you handsomely!"

A handsome reward? How handsome?

Li Chang'an couldn't help but feel some anticipation, but his expression remained unchanged.

"There's no need for such formality. It was merely a small effort."

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