Celestial Refining Divine Scripture

Gu He hurriedly gave Feng Qingxiao a meaningful look.

Feng Qingxiao took a deep breath; at this moment, he couldn’t afford to think too much. Gu He’s reaction made him profoundly realize that the "Blood Marsh" was even more terrifying than he had imagined.

After all, just a casual introduction from Gu He was enough to send chills down his spine.

Unless absolutely necessary, such an enemy must never be offended.

Otherwise, there would be no peace for a lifetime.

At that very moment, Feng Qingxiao noticed a pair of sinister eyes beneath the mask land heavily upon him.

He immediately ceased to hesitate.

He presented a Storage Ring.

It held tens of millions of second-tier Immortal Crystals, nearly ten million tribulation-tier Immortal Crystals, along with numerous rare treasures.

No matter how painful it felt, he dared not show the slightest trace of it.

Yuan Mie and Xu Ruoruo were already dumbstruck.

"Not bad, you two truly understand the way of things."

Xu Yang played casually with the two Storage Rings, making no effort to conceal his satisfaction: "This trip turned out to be quite the unexpected windfall."

"Perhaps, in the future we could find reason to cooperate."

Upon hearing the word "cooperate," Feng Qingxiao and Gu He exchanged swift glances, their hearts stirred; then Gu He cautiously said, "Might Your Excellency leave us a way to contact you?"

"Heh, that’s not within my responsibilities. After I return, I’ll report you both. Someone specifically assigned to such matters will come find you."

"For the sake of these valuables, I’ll put in a good word for you both—you should be able to get a discount on the first transaction."

Gu He broke into a joyful smile: "Thank you, Your Excellency."

Feng Qingxiao also cupped his fists in a respectful salute.

This was the deterrent power of the assassin organization Blood Marsh.

Xu Yang sighed inwardly.

The fact that Gu He knew of the Blood Marsh had saved him a great deal of trouble.

Just a mere rumor could make a Golden Immortal react so—truly unfathomable.

Liou Xueyan’s words from before were likely only a glimpse of its secrets.

"Farewell."

Xu Yang lifted Xu Ruoruo and turned to leave.

"Wait."

Halfway gone, Xu Yang suddenly thought of something. Under the astonished gazes of the others, he swept his sleeve and flung out a figure.

It was none other than Feng Wuji.

"Wuji!"

Feng Qingxiao cried out in alarm, rushing over. He found that Feng Wuji was merely unconscious and at once breathed a sigh of relief.

Watching Xu Yang’s distant departing figure, Feng Qingxiao took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Thank you, Your Excellency, for sparing his life."

Beside him, Yuan Mie was dazed for a moment, then, with a shudder, straightened up, disregarding his wounds. He shot a cold look at Feng Qingxiao and Gu He, then hurried after Xu Yang.

The two made no attempt to stop him.

Watching Xu Yang and Yuan Mie depart, Feng Qingxiao frowned and asked, "Is the Blood Marsh truly so terrifying?"

Gu He, with lingering terror in his look, replied, "Beyond imagination—ghostly elusive, with immense backing. They dare even to assassinate members of the Eastern Continent’s top factions and still remain unscathed. Would you want such an organization targeting you?"

Hiss!

Feng Qingxiao shivered—no way.

He suddenly asked, "Since Yuan Mie has passed the organization’s test, won’t there be trouble for him in the future?"

On this point, Gu He was unconcerned.

"Blood Marsh is indeed fearsome, but it values reputation and credibility even more. Since he has joined them, he must abide by their rules; otherwise, the consequences are his alone to bear. Besides, we’ve given sufficient rewards—there should be nothing to worry about."

"Furthermore, as a Blood Marsh member, if he hides in the Eastern Continent, who knows when he may be sent to assassinate certain targets. Heh heh."

Feng Qingxiao instantly felt relieved.

Meanwhile—

The three had traveled nearly ten thousand miles before finally stopping.

Not until then did Xu Ruoruo and Yuan Mie feel an immense sense of relief.

"Master."

Xu Ruoruo, moved to tears, threw herself into Yuan Mie’s embrace.

Perhaps she touched his wounds, for Yuan Mie grimaced in pain, but showed none of it. He gently patted Xu Ruoruo on her back, spoiling her with his gaze: "It’s all right, it’s all right now."

Xu Ruoruo sobbed for a while, then finally let go of Yuan Mie.

Yuan Mie took Xu Ruoruo’s hand and bowed respectfully to Xu Yang: "Thank you, Mister Xu, for saving us."

"From now on, this old life of mine belongs to you, Mister Xu."

With this, he surrendered fully.

If not for Xu Yang, this day he would most certainly have died. Even if alive, he would become a dog tethered by the Feng Family.

Which would be even more unbearable.

Mister?

Xu Ruoruo widened her eyes, looking at Xu Yang with curiosity and a hint of fear.

Xu Yang took off the mask and gave a faint smile: "Senior, there’s no need for such words. To tell the truth, it was a spur-of-the-moment idea for me to try; if it hadn’t worked, I’d have had no choice but to leave you behind and escape with Miss Xu."

"Um, Mister, that whole Blood Marsh and mask—were they fake?" Xu Ruoruo asked cautiously.

"Of course they were fake."

Yuan Mie laughed, "How could Mister Xu be part of an assassin organization?"

Xu Ruoruo covered her mouth, her mischievous eyes rolling. She suddenly exclaimed, "Those two Golden Immortals were so silly."

Xu Yang and Yuan Mie were momentarily stunned, then exchanged wry smiles.

Silly?

They were far from silly.

It was simply a matter of timing—he had the Blood Marsh token, plus the name’s fearsome reputation.

After all, if the Blood Marsh really targeted you, even top-tier sects wouldn’t be able to guarantee your safety at all times.

"Who would have thought the Feng Family’s schemes were so deep—a total trap."

"If not for Mister Xu, we’d truly have been ruined this time."

Yuan Mie sighed, still shaken.

"Enough of this—for now, at least we’ve survived the ordeal."

"Let’s get Miss Xu home first."

"Alright."

Xu Ruoruo stared at Xu Yang and Yuan Mie in amazement: "Master, where are you sending me? Master, are you leaving?"

Yuan Mie rubbed Xu Ruoruo’s head and said, "I must train with Mister Xu in the Eastern Continent."

"I want to go too."

Xu Ruoruo pouted.

Yuan Mie’s expression hardened: "You’re not allowed to go!"

"I’m not listening."

Xu Ruoruo was even more stubborn than Yuan Mie.

Xu Yang’s mouth twitched, and he said slowly, "Miss Xu, with the power that Senior Yuan Mie and I wield, even a small mistake in the Eastern Continent could be fatal. Besides, I’ve already offended that terrifying Blood Marsh group."

"If you come along, you’d only be a burden."

"If we faced another crisis like this, and our foes were even more formidable than Feng Qingxiao, how could Senior Yuan Mie save you? Even if you submitted and became their lapdog, do you think they’d really let you off?"

Xu Ruoruo was instantly crestfallen.

"That’s enough, Ruoruo. I’ll be careful with Mister Xu—nothing will happen. If you stay in the Northern Continent, Mister Xu will arrange for you to join Black Fire Immortal Mountain; when your strength improves, you can seek me out in the Eastern Continent," Yuan Mie comforted her.

"Black Fire Immortal Mountain?"

Xu Ruoruo cried out in astonishment, "Mister Xu is a disciple of Black Fire Immortal Mountain?"

Yuan Mie chuckled, "Of course—the top Core Disciple of Black Fire Immortal Mountain, apprentice to their number one Alchemy Master."

Hiss!

Xu Ruoruo drew a sharp breath, staring at Xu Yang in disbelief.

"Let’s go."

Xu Yang waved his hand lightly.

The three set out once more.

They made a huge detour back into Black Fire Immortal Mountain’s territory, and soon arrived at a place called "Xuanji City," where the sect maintained a stronghold.

After making his arrangements, Xu Yang left Xu Ruoruo a keepsake. With this token, upon arrival at Black Fire Immortal Mountain, she would be properly received.

Given her age and cultivation, there was little doubt she would become a Core Disciple.

With her master and senior brother to look after her, none would dare provoke her.

Yuan Mie was more than satisfied with this outcome.

This was a far better fate than following him around.

After parting ways with Xu Ruoruo—

Xu Yang and Yuan Mie traveled along the edge of East Gorge, heading straight east.

Seven days later—

A vast, endless stretch of gorge came into view, extending for an unknowable distance north and south.

"This is the hundred-thousand-mile Celestial Sword Gorge!"

"It’s one of the routes to the Eastern Continent. Supposedly, it was carved by an ancient mighty figure from the Black-White Star who became a Saint Immortal with a single sword strike. After tens of thousands of years, the Sword Intent and Sword Qi still linger in the air."