Chapter 384

Chapter 384: A Storm of Events

What astonished the old man most was that, back then to protect his direct disciple, he had left soul threads upon him.

These soul threads could silently attach themselves to anyone who killed the disciple, allowing the old man to track them down.

Yet now, he found no trace of the soul threads whatsoever.

This could only mean his disciple had been killed in an unconscious state, unable to even activate the soul threads.

It suggested the assailant was likely of a higher cultivation realm, explaining this overwhelming outcome.

Unaware of Little White’s existence, he could only deduce from the scene, unable to discern specific details.

As his investigation deepened, he discovered numerous traces of battle lingering in the air.

This led to a new realization.

Had the opponent been a fake golden core master, such traces wouldn’t have remained.

Therefore, Qi Chuan was killed by a Foundation Establishment cultivator—and probably more than one.

At this thought, his gaze turned piercing, his aged face darkening with murderous intent.

Since the killer was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the identity could be deduced by determining who had entered the area.

His face hardened into a scowl.

Regardless of who was responsible, Qi Chuan was his direct disciple and an important figure stationed in the Longfeng Mountain range by the Chimagong Sect.

His death could not be left unresolved.

An explanation was absolutely necessary.

Decision made, he strode out of the cave.

Just then, a figure approached slowly from the opposite side.

It was another elder, draped in white robes with kind features, advancing unfazed by the palpable pressure radiating before him.

Clearly, he too was a Golden Core master.

"Unknown what brings Friend Ma suddenly to my Qinyuan Domain?" the elder inquired lightly as he faced him.

"My direct disciple died here," the other replied coldly.

"Casualties are inevitable during trials outside sect grounds. You of all people ought to know this, Friend Ma." The elder gave a faint smile.

"But he was the steward of Zhen Yuan Tower."

The first elder fixed his burning eyes upon the calm ones before him, anger flickering in his stare.

Hearing "Zhen Yuan Tower," the other elder’s smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression.

Before he could respond, the Golden Core master surnamed Ma continued, "Qinyuan Sect owes us an explanation for this."

"An explanation? Chimagong Sect speaks rather boldly! He was the steward of Zhen Yuan Tower—instead of staying safely in the market, he ventured into these ruins and met his end here. How is that Qinyuan Sect’s problem?"

This retort sent a wave of cold fury over the old man’s face. A colossal pressure exploded outward, enveloping the space.

This was the Qinyuan Domain, not the Chimagong Domain.

Though Zhen Yuan Tower was established through mutual agreement between both sects’ leadership, and its steward Qi Chuan was protected under the covenant.

But since the other party left the Longfeng Marketplace, they were no longer protected by the agreement.

They were making such a fuss to show off their power without showing any respect for the Qinyuan Sect.

Hearing these words, the other party’s face turned frosty. They let out a cold snort, flicked their sleeve, and left.

After they departed, their voice slowly drifted down from the horizon: "This matter is not yet over."

…

In the Immortal City, Zhou Luo and Long Yunshuang returned smoothly.

After their return, Long Yunshuang departed directly, and Zhou Luo returned to his residence, Zhou Fu.

Upon arriving at the manor, Yao Wu looked at him with a delighted expression.

“Husband, you’re back.”

“Mm, is everything well at home?” Zhou Luo reached out and gently pulled her into his arms, his voice soft.

Yao Wu nodded gently. "Everything is fine at home. However, Wang Lang visited a while back. He asked me to inform him once you returned."

“What happened?” Zhou Luo inquired.

He had been away for some time and wondered what changes might have occurred in the Immortal City.

Yao Wu shook her head. "He didn’t say."

“I see. It doesn’t seem urgent then. I’m weary; I need to rest for a while.”

Since Wang Lang hadn’t delivered the message himself, the matter likely wasn’t crucial.

“Yes, Husband. I’ll arrange for the servants to prepare hot water.” Yao Wu beamed with a radiant smile.

…

Early the next morning, upon hearing of Zhou Luo’s return, Wang Lang rushed non-stop to Zhou Fu without delay.

After arriving, he was promptly shown to the main hall to meet Zhou Luo.

“Master Manager, the expedition must have yielded considerable gains?”

Wang Lang greeted him with a jovial smile.

Though their cultivation levels differed, Zhou Luo’s indifference to formalities allowed Wang Lang to speak more casually.

“Merely an ordinary trial. Why have you sought me so urgently?”

Zhou Luo showed little interest in discussing the events at the ruins.

Hearing this, Wang Lang adopted a serious expression. "Master Manager, the matter is not insignificant. It concerns the Golden Core master, Master Xuanlong. He is hosting a banquet six months from now and has extended an invitation to you."

The news had emerged not long ago, and while perhaps not momentous, a banquet hosted by a Golden Core master naturally drew the attention of many cultivators.

“Oh? What banquet?” Zhou Luo expressed genuine surprise.

As the overseer of the Immortal City, this Master Xuanlong had practically never made an appearance. Even his disciples remained unseen, shrouded in mystery.

That he would host a banquet was unexpected.

Wang Lang himself was uncertain. "I heard it’s to celebrate Master Xuanlong’s four hundredth birthday half a year from now."

An ordinary Golden Core master typically lived for over six hundred years.

It seemed Master Xuanlong was still relatively young.

“I understand,” Zhou Luo acknowledged with a nod.

After a brief discussion concerning the Immortal City’s various ventures, Wang Lang departed.

In the following days, Zhou Luo remained within the confines of Zhou Fu.

Long Yunshuang, too, vanished without a trace after her return.

However, news of the incident involving Qi Chuan soon reached the Immortal City.

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator specifically assigned by the Chimagong Sect to the Longfeng Marketplace, and especially as a direct disciple of a Golden Core master, Qi Chuan’s status and position were substantial.

Most crucially, he was under the protection of the agreement between the two sects at the time.

In this context, his death within the Longfeng Mountain Range raised grave concerns.

Delving deeper into the matter, one couldn’t rule out the possibility — or even the suspicion — that the Qinyuan Sect was involved.

This was particularly fueled by reports of numerous Qinyuan Sect disciples having entered the mountains around that time.

Thus, the incident carried far heavier implications than the mere, tragic death of a disciple during a trial.

The Chimagong Sect reacted vehemently, accusing it outright as a conspiracy by the Qinyuan Sect.

Despite the Qinyuan Sect clearly stating their non-involvement, the accusations flew back and forth.

The sects held deep-seated, long-standing grudges against each other. An event like this, occurring against that backdrop, was bound to be anything but easily resolved.

Upon hearing these developments, Zhou Luo’s heart lurched with panic.

The situation at the time had been desperate; he hadn’t foreseen that killing Qi Chuan would trigger such significant consequences.

However, even if replayed, faced with the same stark choice — life or death — he knew he would have acted without hesitation.

What made him panic was this: Shangguan Qianxue had witnessed him killing Qi Chuan with her own eyes.

If she chose to reveal this fact, he would inevitably face retaliation from a Golden Core master.

Yet, several days passed with no murmur, no news implicating him. Only then did the knot of anxiety in his chest loosen.

It appeared Shangguan Qianxue had kept the incident to herself.