Volume 5 Chapter 84

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Volume 5 Chapter 84: Growth (Part 3)

Just as Xu Qingfan expected, the other eight people from the team were indeed around this valley at that moment. However, upon seeing that there were more than thirty Beast Madness cultivators at the Condensed Core Stage within the valley, they lost all courage to help. They hid around the valley, thinking about how this small team had lost nearly half its members and how they would explain this when they returned to the Righteous Alliance.

But at that moment, something surprising happened to these eight people. Xu Qingfan and the others, whom they thought had no chance of fighting back, had actually killed more than ten Beast Madness cultivators in a short time!

When they saw a group of Beast Madness cultivators being halved by Xu Qingfan and the others, and it was the strongest half, the eight could no longer sit still. Over the years, Xu Qingfan had made a great name for himself in the cultivation world. If he managed to take down all thirty Beast Madness cultivators at the Condensed Core Stage with a half-remnant team, his reputation would only grow, as it was rare to hear of more than thirty Condensed Core Stage Beast Madness cultivators gathering together. The eight of them would only feel more overshadowed by Xu Qingfan.

Furthermore, after Xu Qingfan and the others eliminated the strongest half of the Beast Madness cultivators, the remaining ten or so had only reached the early stage of the Fake Golden Core Stage. If they ambushed them, these eight could easily defeat them, snatching half the credit from Xu Qingfan and even becoming his saviors. How could Xu Qingfan be arrogant in front of his saviors in the future?

They did not notice that after eliminating more than ten Beast Madness cultivators in a short time, Xu Qingfan and the others had not made any more moves.

Holding onto this idea, the eight stealthily approached the Beast Madness cultivators who were attacking Xu Qingfan and the others fiercely, launching a surprise attack. The already few Beast Madness cultivators lost eight in an instant, leaving only four or five with early Fake Golden Core Stage cultivation. Although the eight cultivators were somewhat lacking in character and courage, their strength was good; otherwise, they wouldn’t have survived the years of calamity. Despite being two against one, they quickly resolved the battle.

After the appearance of these eight people, Xu Qingfan instructed Xu Xiurong, Dongfang Qingling, and others to lower their defenses, watching coldly as the eight fought against the Beast Madness cultivators.

Xu Qingfan’s earlier words had expressed all the thoughts of these eight people so well that, although they were saved by them now, there was truly no feeling of gratitude in their hearts. They either looked at the eight coldly like Xu Qingfan or sat quietly to recover by themselves.

Since the eight people launched their surprise attack, the battle no longer seemed uncertain. Seeing the pride and arrogance on the faces of the eight as they confidently approached, Xu Qingfan could not help but furrow his brows slightly.

Among these eight people, the leader was an elderly man who was well-kept, with white hair and a good aura, as if he were a celestial being. If Xu Qingfan didn’t know this man’s character well, he might have mistaken him for an otherworldly sage.

As the saying goes, in a big forest, there are all kinds of birds. For example, Xu Qingfan, in his cultivation journey, has encountered cultivators who are selfish, single-minded, broad-minded, or ruthless. However, no matter what type, they all possess a sense of responsibility and a firm heart, moving steadily towards the goals they have set for themselves along the path they have chosen.

But this old man turned Xu Qingfan’s understanding upside down; he appeared so different.

A petty, timid, selfish, and snobbish person, who always sought attention without wanting to take responsibility, thinking too highly of himself—this is the best way to describe this old man.

In fact, cultivators are ultimately human. Although they practice cultivation, they have not yet become immortals. The different kinds of people exist in the cultivation world, whether they are lecherous or depraved. However, since Xu Qingfan began his cultivation, he only interacted with esteemed sects with thousands of years of lineage. Even if there were conflicts of interest, they faced their enemies with great grace and cultivation. Yet this clearly deceitful person was from a low-tier sect, and Xu Qingfan had never had the opportunity to interact with them.

For example, these eight people are the Sect Masters of eight small sects, regularly taking all the savings and benefits for themselves and treating their disciples like servants. They have lucked into reaching the Condensed Core stage, but due to their nature, they can no longer progress further. Yet they can live in the cultivation world and annoy others for hundreds of years.

As far as Xu Qingfan knew, after the disaster happened, the first thing these eight people did was abandon their disciples and run away by themselves.

Not wanting to deal with such people, Xu Qingfan lightly thanked the eight of them and said he would report their achievements to the leaders and masters of the Righteous Alliance. He let them leave, while thinking in his heart about how to get these eight people away from his team. With such people around, he would always feel uneasy no matter what he did.

Watching the eight of them boasting and feeling proud together, Xu Qingfan thought of Hou Wanjun from Qingxu Gate. Hou Wanjun was still in the late stage of the Lingji Stage, but he was very honest and kind. He trained hard, but with his talent, this level might be his limit.

However, compared to these eight talented people who did not know how to use their abilities, Xu Qingfan suddenly felt sorry for Hou Wanjun.

Thinking of this, Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.

Slightly surprised, he noticed that Jin Qinghan had been watching him the whole time and couldn’t help but ask, "What’s wrong?"

Jin Qinghan remained silent for a moment before finally speaking slowly, "Senior Brother Xu, every time I saw you sigh and frown, I always felt that you were carrying too much and thinking too much. I was worried for you."

As he spoke, Jin Qinghan looked up and met Xu Qingfan’s eyes, saying, "But now, seeing you sigh and frown, I actually feel a sense of relief."

Xu Qingfan smiled slightly and asked, "Are you saying that I have changed a lot in these seven years?"

Jin Qinghan frowned and thought for a moment, then finally said, "I feel things have changed, but it seems they haven’t. However, over the years, there are some things you would never have done before."

Xu Qingfan looked up. This battle seemed to take a short time, but before he knew it, the sky had turned completely dark, filled with countless stars. Xu Qingfan’s eyes seemed to see beyond the night, beyond the sky, reaching another time and space where there were things he knew but felt strange now.

After a moment, the dreamy and vacant look on Xu Qingfan’s face disappeared, and his expression returned to its usual gentle and elegant self. With a faint smile, he said, "You don’t need to worry. Endless fighting may drive some people mad, but that is only for those with weak hearts. I can still handle this."

After a pause, a hint of sadness flashed across Xu Qingfan’s face as he gently said, "I just don’t want that thing to happen again. So, even if some things are not what I wish, they still must be done."

Hearing Xu Qingfan say this, a look of gloom crossed Jin Qinghan’s face, as he seemed to remember that battle, where out of the twenty people from Jiuhua, only five survived…

After a moment, Jin Qinghan softly said, "That incident is not your fault. You did very well."

"But it could have been better," Xu Qingfan replied firmly. "At least, we could have saved more people."

Jin Qinghan sighed softly. What he was really thinking about was not that unforgettable battle, but the sight of Xu Qingfan kneeling before the graves of the fifteen old and new elders of Jiuhua for a whole month after that battle, the madness in his eyes when he took the lives of six so-called "allies," hidden beneath guilt and sorrow, as well as Xu Qingfan’s change afterward…

Shaking his head, Jin Qinghan did not want to dwell on it any longer. It was not a beautiful memory, and besides, that was in the past. He and Xu Qingfan had done well enough now.

And so, under the night sky, he and Xu Qingfan stood there all night long. Only the familiar silhouette remained, still carrying a touch of innocence from the past.

※※※※

The next day, the eight small people finally grew tired of boasting and became quiet among themselves, while the other ten people, after sitting in meditation all night, regained some of their spirit.

Xu Qingfan was the leader of this small team, and at that moment, he quietly stood in front of everyone. Previously, Xu Qingfan was always seen as elegant, gentle, and calm, but now his expression was somewhat serious and somber.

"The situation has passed, but seven teammates have lost their lives under the attack of those Beast Madness cultivators. I only want to know why, after I asked you to spread out and look for the escaped Beast Madness cultivators nearby without engaging in battle, it turned into a chaotic fight with them?"

Xu Qingfan was usually gentle, but now he was serious. Perhaps it was due to the rumors of these years or some of Xu Qingfan’s actions during this time, the other ten people, except for Jin Qinghan, felt a slight tremor in their hearts.

The eight small people looked at Jin Qinghan and his group with glee, seeming delighted by the misfortunes of others.