A hundred miles away from Liou Yuan, two red stone mountains rose abruptly.
The stone mountains weren’t large; they would be considered hills in the outside world.
With one arm broken, Liou Tao sat cross-legged at the peak of one of the stone mountains, covered in crimson.
The wounds inflicted by Liou Yuan with the Blood Absorption Skill continued to bleed.
His face had become even paler due to the severity of the injuries.
He must have taken a Healing Elixir, as the fragrance occasionally wafted from his body, and under the treatment of the Spirit Medicine, the blood at the severed arm finally stopped.
Of course, it only stopped the bleeding; the injuries left by Liou Yuan within him weren’t easy to recover from.
Even with various Healing Medicines aiding the treatment, full recovery would be impossible within a year or half.
Especially the severed arm, which would require extremely costly Limb Regeneration Celestial Dew to regenerate.
This time, the injuries caused by Liou Yuan were far more severe than the last.
If Liou Tao hadn’t used the Foundation Establishment Talisman given by a family elder to escape, he might have lost his life.
Thus, after refining the medicinal power to stabilize his injuries, Liou Tao opened his eyes.
In the depths of his gaze lay a hatred and resentment ten times more intense than before.
"Liou Yuan!"
Liou Tao muttered Liou Yuan’s name, wishing he could tear him apart.
As he spoke, Liou Tao used his remaining arm to reach into his bosom and took out a silver Compass Magical Artifact the size of a palm.
The compass needle was spinning frantically before slowly pointing in Liou Yuan’s direction.
"Luckily, I marked the stone bead in Liou Fang’s Storage Bag. Liou Yuan must take his stone bead after killing Liou Fang."
Liou Tao smiled coldly, speaking with gratitude for his foresight.
Saying so, Liou Tao looked towards the direction indicated by the compass needle, his expression becoming tense.
"How does he chase so fast?"
That Foundation Establishment Talisman could instantly send Liou Tao a thousand miles away.
Bear in mind, this Erosion Land is unsafe, full of Star Acupoint, and the thousand-mile distance is not merely about traveling but also facing endless Star Acupoint intrusions.
Yet, Liou Yuan only took two days to catch up, this relentless stance truly stunned Liou Tao.
Seeing Liou Yuan closing in, Liou Tao showed no panic, put away the Compass Magical Artifact, and looked at another mountain peak separated from him by one mountain.
On that mountaintop sat a young figure bathed in Spiritual Power.
His long, narrow phoenix eyes were sharp and shrewd, like a hawk examining the land ahead.
Wearing a simple yet textured black outfit with cuffs and collar embroidered with golden flame patterns.
The Spiritual Power on him was all Magical Artifacts.
The golden flying disc on his shoulder, the bell at his waist, and the gauntlet on his wrist all shimmered with the brilliance of Artifact Spirit.
This person was Zhan Huaping, one of the top three strongest apart from the Six-Star Acupoint Celestial Pride participating in the Outer Sect training.
A celestial talent in the Artifact Refining Pavilion, extremely proficient in Artifact Refining, with countless Magical Artifacts.
As Liou Tao turned his head towards Zhan Huaping, the latter seemed to sense it.
His eagle-like eyes met Liou Tao’s gaze, and he spoke: "Mr. Liou, how long until that person arrives?"
"Soon, according to the compass, less than a hundred miles." Liou Tao, who scorned Liou Fang, showed rare prudence before Zhan Huaping, replying meticulously.
After all, this man before him was favored by the deputy pavilion master of the Artifact Refining Pavilion and, without any surprises, would become the deputy pavilion master’s successor.
In terms of status and position, not below Liou Tao.
"Good, as agreed, I’ll block this person for you." Zhan Huaping’s voice was full of calculation, and his smile seemed opportunistic.
"In return, the promise from senior Liou Le Yao..."
Liou Tao nodded eagerly before Zhan Huaping could finish, assuring, "Rest assured, the Spirit-Melting Shaping Iron promised by aunt will certainly be delivered to Mr. Zhan."
"Good!" Zhan Huaping’s eyes brightened, his voice heightened with excitement.
He wasn’t interested in meddling in the Liou family’s internal strife; his intervention this time was purely for the Spirit-Melting Shaping Iron.
As an Artifact Refiner, nothing was more tempting than Spirit Iron.
However, Zhan Huaping still feared Liou Zhen and, after nodding, reminded Liou Tao: "I’ll only help you stop him; don’t expect me to kill him. I can’t afford to offend Mr. Liou with the Snow Shattering Sword."
Liou Tao was silent, seemingly expected this result.
Before Liou Zhen rose, if Zhan Huaping could kill Liou Yuan, he would have nodded without hesitation.
Now things were different; Liou Zhen’s influence in Five Extremes Mountain was still significant.
Not to mention Zhan Huaping’s little Qi Cultivation, even others at Foundation Establishment would consider whether they could face Liou Zhen’s Cold Moon Sword.
But how could Liou Tao resign to letting Liou Yuan go?
After his eyes flashed with ruthlessness, he looked at Zhan Huaping again: "If Mr. Zhan can help me eliminate this person, I am willing to trade a slot for the Liou family’s Foundation Establishment Elixir for my brother."
Foundation Establishment Elixir can increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment by twenty percent,
In the Five Extremes Mountain Outer Sect, the value of the Foundation Establishment Elixir is enough to make the strongest at Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer in the Outer Sect covet.
Let alone Zhan Huaping.
This isn’t just a lucrative offer but an exchange almost impossible to refuse.
Even Zhan Huaping, after hearing the words "Foundation Establishment Elixir," had his breath turn heavy.
His eyes gleamed, and in a deep voice, he asked: "Is this promise true?"
"With heaven as witness, and earth as evidence, if I, Liou Tao, utter any false words, I will face the calamity of Heart Demon during Foundation Establishment." With two fingers pointing to the sky, Liou Tao made a vow, dispelling all of Zhan Huaping’s concerns.
The heavens had a spirit, and almost no cultivator dared to break a Heart Demon vow, especially during Foundation Establishment.
Cultivators practice by borrowing heaven and earth’s power, and are also bound by these unexplainable forces.
Upon hearing Liou Tao’s vow, Zhan Huaping immediately stood from the mountain peak.
His eyes were full of complexity and conflict, anyone could see his current mindset.
He wanted the Foundation Establishment Elixir but feared retribution from Liou Zhen in the future.
He doubted whether the deputy pavilion master of the Artifact Refining Pavilion could protect him.
Or rather, whether the deputy pavilion master would pay such a high price to protect him.
Zhan Huaping wavered, wondering if it was worthwhile to offend a Foundation Establishment cultivator for a Foundation Establishment Elixir.
At this moment, Liou Tao added more fuel: "Once this is done, Mr. Zhan can stay at the Xiang Mountain of the Liou Family until receiving the Foundation Establishment Elixir to retreat and breakthrough Foundation Establishment."
"That Liou Zhen still can’t break through the gate of Xiangshan the Liou Family."
Zhan Huaping knew very well about the affairs of the two branches of the Liou Family.
The two branches were originally mortal enemies, and his move to Xiangshan was just a nod from the Liou Family. Although Liou Zhen was strong, he wasn’t strong enough to break into Xiangshan alone.
It was evident that after killing Liou Yuan, his safety could be assured.
"With the Foundation Establishment Elixir, my chances of successfully establishing the foundation are at least more than half."
"Once I come out after establishing the foundation, it will be difficult for Liou Zhen to kill me."
Liou Tao’s assurance made Zhan Huaping determined.
His eyes, sharp as an eagle’s, locked with Liou Tao’s, then he nodded heavily.
Twenty miles away from the two stone mountains where Liou Tao and Zhan Huaping were located.
An azure stream of light surged rapidly from the dark horizon.
Liou Yuan, following the trail left by Liou Tao, finally tracked to this place.
Yet as he approached the two stone mountains, Liou Yuan’s previously rapid speed suddenly came to a halt.
Even without using the Evil Eyes, from this position, he could see the outline of the two stone mountains by the sealing light hanging from the sky.
Liou Yuan’s Evil Eyes were constantly active, giving him an even clearer view at this moment.
On the stone mountain, he saw not only the Spiritual Power fluctuations of Liou Tao.
But also saw an unfamiliar Spiritual Power.
"Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer! Is there another person from the Liou Family here in this Erosion Land?" Liou Yuan frowned slightly.
Liou Tao and that Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer cultivator were very close, making Liou Yuan have to wonder if that person was also from the Liou Family.
This Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer person had Spiritual Power fluctuations far more intense than those of the Liou Fang he had killed.
The turbulent Spiritual Power in him was at least twice as strong, and he was not far from the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer.
"Even people like Yan Yingsi and Wang Ze Wen are just so-so, right?"
Liou Yuan paused in his steps, a thoughtful look appearing on his face.
Facing such a ridiculously strong Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer cultivator now if he went up, it would be tantamount to confronting that person head-on.
But now that Liou Tao was seriously injured, if he missed this opportunity to kill him, it would be hard to do so later.
Thinking of Liou Tao’s rapid advancement, a fierce glint flashed in Liou Yuan’s eyes, and he made a decision.
"No matter who you are, even with a Six-Star Star Acupoint, you can’t stop me, Liou Tao, you are destined to die."
Liou Yuan’s mind was quick, what appeared to be a long psychological activity was actually resolved in an instant.
Whoosh! The Treading Flowing Wave Spiritual Light surged once again, and Liou Yuan’s stopped body rushed toward the two mountains at an even faster speed than before.
In about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the streak of light that was Liou Yuan halted before the two bare hills.
As he gazed ahead, he indeed saw on the peak of one of the hills, Liou Tao sitting atop it, covered in blood.
As Liou Yuan looked at Liou Tao, the latter’s resentful eyes met his.
Unlike his previous panicked escape using the Foundation Establishment Talisman,
Liou Yuan saw a mocking fearlessness in Liou Tao’s eyes.
The source of his confidence, of course, was the young man standing not fifty yards away atop another hill.
His body was covered with the Spiritual Light of Magical Artifacts, and his hawk-like eyes were filled with coldness.
At a glance, Liou Yuan recognized the youth, understanding why Liou Tao appeared so fearless.
A realization dawned on Liou Yuan’s face as he called out that young man’s name, "Zhan Huaping, so that’s it."
Yan Yingsi, Wang Ze Wen, Zhan Huaping, the most recognized strongest three in this Outer Sect trial.
With Zhan Huaping’s help, Liou Tao naturally had no fear of him.
"I wonder what heavy profits were promised to make Zhan Huaping a lackey for the Liou Family." Liou Yuan needed no guess to know why Zhan Huaping made a move.
Among the three, Zhan Huaping was known for his greed.
Apart from enticing with benefits, what else could it be?
Fortunately, before entering this Erosion Land, Liou Yuan had set his goal to be in the top three of this Outer Sect trial and was already prepared to face the strongest three.
He had arduously honed his Swordsmanship in this Erosion Land for so long, precisely for this day.
"It’s good to encounter this Zhan Huaping sooner, saves me the trouble of searching."
With this thought, Liou Yuan grinned, flashing his neat white teeth, and locked eyes firmly with Zhan Huaping in composure.
Feigning ignorance, he said, "Mr. Zhan is here too."
His tone was calm, giving no hint of emotional fluctuation.
The bell on Zhan Huaping’s waist had the ability to detect others’ Spiritual Power fluctuations.
As Liou Yuan appeared there, his finger already lightly touched the bell on his waist, which emitted seven agile chimes.
"Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer." Zhan Huaping felt more assured in stopping Liou Yuan.
Seeing Liou Yuan still wearing an expression of ignorance, his face suddenly turned cold.
"Oh, Liou Yuan, harming your fellow sect members within Erosion Land. If I hadn’t encountered Mr. Liou Tao today, you might really have succeeded."
Zhan Huaping’s voice was intense, making one unaware believe that he was from the Disciplinary Hall.
"Killing Liou Fang, a fellow disciple of the Liou Family, is the first crime."
"Attempting to kill Mr. Liou Tao is the second crime."
"Mr. Liou Tao is a Five-Star Star Acupoint disciple of the Five Extremes Mountain, killing him shakes the foundation of the Five Extremes Mountain. That’s the third crime."
Listing each of Liou Yuan’s alleged crimes with a solemn expression, he finally reprimanded, "Liou Yuan, do you admit your guilt?"
Zhan Huaping needed a pretext to make a move.
One that can silence all the gossip.
Liou Yuan had already seen through Zhan Huaping’s intentions from a lifetime of experience.
Bearing with it as he listened to the other’s nonsense, his expression brimming with mockery, his voice was defiant and unrestrained.
"None of your damn business."
"This is a matter between the two branches of the Liou Family; stay out of it. The waters run deep here, even the Deputy Pavilion Master of the Artifact Refining Pavilion avoids it. Why are you seeking a beating?"