Volume 1 Volume 6 Chapter 35

Volume 6 Chapter 35: Return to the Southern Wasteland (Part 3)

After leaving his courtyard, Xu Qingfan did not go to Jin Qinghan’s first. Xu Qingfan guessed that Jin Qinghan, being such a strong-willed person, had not come to greet him when he returned because the feeling of helplessness from the Southern Wasteland had motivated him, especially believing Xu Qingfan was dead. He was likely focusing intensely on training to seek revenge for Xu Qingfan.

The first place Xu Qingfan went to was the home of the Old Beggar. The Old Beggar was obsessed with crafting magic weapons. Among the people Xu Qingfan was familiar with, besides Jin Qinghan and Dongfang Qingling, the Old Beggar was the only one who had not come to see Xu Qingfan. However, Xu Qingfan guessed that the Old Beggar wasn’t so heartless. After all, Xu Qingfan had given him many precious materials for him to test his crafting skills before. It seemed that the Old Beggar was so focused on his work that he didn’t even know the Righteous Alliance had announced Xu Qingfan’s death. After the battle between the Righteous Alliance and the Southern Wasteland demon beasts, the Old Beggar had received an overwhelming amount of materials, and many cultivators continuously came to him with precious materials, asking him to craft weapons.

However, even with so many precious materials he had never dared to dream of having, the Old Beggar was still not satisfied. According to what he knew, during the fight with the Southern Wasteland demon beasts, the Righteous Alliance had killed three heavenly level demon beasts. The bodies were taken by fourteen masters, but those masters had no intention of asking the Old Beggar to help craft anything from those materials. The Old Beggar knew that the masters wanted to make magical treasures, not weapons, but he had no idea how to create magical treasures. Still, that didn’t stop him from secretly wishing for the masters’ failures in crafting, especially since he was so envious of them.

Just as Xu Qingfan expected, when he entered the Old Beggar’s home, the Old Beggar showed no surprise upon seeing him, clearly unaware of Xu Qingfan’s death.

"Are you going to ask me to help you craft a weapon again?"

After seeing Xu Qingfan, the Old Beggar asked in a calm voice. He had seen so many precious materials recently. Although they weren’t as valuable as the essence he received from the North Iceland Seven Beasts, the Old Beggar’s standards had risen greatly. His tone was not as eager as it used to be when he spoke to Xu Qingfan.

At that moment, several fangs were placed in front of the Old Beggar. He seemed deep in thought about how to craft them.

"Yes, I received some materials this time and I would like your help to craft a magical treasure."

Xu Qingfan said with a faint smile as he walked up to the Old Beggar.

The Old Beggar frowned and said, "I have to make it clear first, unless it’s the essence from an Earth level advanced demon beast, I won’t help you. You should find someone else. Besides, the materials you gave me before are not as precious as those from the heavenly level demon beasts. The treasures made from the materials of lower level demon beasts won’t be of any use to you."

After a pause, the Old Beggar seemed to remember something and grunted, "People have gone completely crazy lately, sending all kinds of junk materials to me, asking for my help to refine them. What do they think I am? A master of making trash? Hmph! The spine of the Nine-headed Beast, the inner core of the Sunfire Beast—can any magical tool made from these useless demon beast parts be of any use? They’re still trash. Even if I refine them, they will just be slightly less trashy."

The Nine-headed Beast is an earth-level middle-class demon beast, a close-combat type, with an incredibly hard body and immense strength. Its bones are especially tough, and the spine, connected to its nine skulls and the sharp points on them, is the most solid part of the Nine-headed Beast’s entire body.

The Sunfire Beast is also an earth-level middle-class demon beast, skilled at controlling fire from heaven and earth. It is said that wherever it goes, within a hundred feet, there is the Nanming Li Fire, keeping everything away. Its inner core is a gathering place for its fiery energy. If a Condensed Core Stage cultivator who practices fire magic obtains it and refines it into a magical tool, their power could increase by at least half.

In the Old Beggar’s eyes, these two items are still considered junk, showing how high his standards are and how arrogant his attitude has become. He is a far cry from the downcast figure Xu Qingfan first met, who was overjoyed by just a few Blue-eyed Cloud-hoofed Beast parts.

However, over the years, the Old Beggar has helped the Righteous Alliance refine magical tools and has seen many precious materials. He has also created many wonderful magical tools that have earned admiration, making him almost a master of refining. Being a bit arrogant and having high standards is not too surprising.

Meanwhile, after witnessing the Old Beggar’s arrogance, Xu Qingfan remained unfazed, smiling as he waved his sleeve. Suddenly, a misty yellow light appeared at his and the Old Beggar’s feet, spreading throughout the courtyard. At the same time, a mysterious energy began to slowly radiate from this yellow light.

The Old Beggar was slightly startled by the strange appearance of these materials. He focused his gaze and found a large pile of yellow bird feathers right at his feet. Most of the feathers were the size of an adult’s palm, but two feathers were astonishingly four to five meters long, covering half the courtyard.

After examining them for a while, the Old Beggar suddenly remembered something and asked in surprise, "Are these feathers from the yellow bird?"

Xu Qingfan nodded and said, "Exactly. Those two large feathers are from an adult yellow bird, and the others are from young yellow birds. I would like your help to refine a magical tool that will enhance flying speed. Can you do it?"

The two feathers from the adult yellow bird were something Xu Qingfan had found by chance when he left the Black Giant Mountain. They were probably left behind after the Nine-Tails killed the yellow bird.

The Old Beggar nodded, and it was unclear if he heard Xu Qingfan’s words. His eyes were full of deep thoughts. After a moment, he seemed to have made up his mind. He ignored Xu Qingfan, who was still standing aside, and the materials laid out on the ground—he was supposed to refine them—he put away the feathers and walked towards the refining furnace in the backyard.

Xu Qingfan realized that the Old Beggar had probably already forgotten about him. He gave a bitter smile, shook his head, and decided not to stay any longer. He turned and flew towards Jin Qinghan’s courtyard.

"Junior Brother Jin is here, I have returned."

About a stick of incense later, Xu Qingfan arrived at Jin Qinghan’s courtyard and called out loudly.

After a while, the courtyard remained as quiet as before, showing no sign of wanting to answer Xu Qingfan.

Unable to help himself, Xu Qingfan called out again, but there was still no response from the courtyard.

Could it be that Junior Brother Jin is in a crucial moment of meditation, so he cannot respond?

Xu Qingfan guessed quietly to himself.

To show respect, unless they are rivals, cultivators do not use their spiritual sense to detect each other’s location or condition. Therefore, Xu Qingfan did not know what was happening in Jin Qinghan’s courtyard, but he suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart.

After waiting for a moment longer without hearing from Jin Qinghan, Xu Qingfan helplessly returned to his own courtyard.

When Xu Qingfan arrived in front of his courtyard, he was surprised to find Li Yuhan, Lv Qingshang, Wang Zegang, and four other skilled cultivators from small sects and rogue cultivators. All nine who had gone to the Southern Wasteland action were there waiting for Xu Qingfan, except for Jin Qinghan and Dongfang Qingling.

Seeing them, Xu Qingfan was astonished, but he did not rush to ask questions. After greeting each other, he welcomed them into the house, settled them down, and started to chat casually while waiting for them to explain their purpose.

As Xu Qingfan’s status rose, he encountered more social niceties. This kind of casual talk to buy time was a familiar tactic for him, waiting for the others to reveal their intentions and gain the upper hand in future conversations. Originally, the eight had a good relationship with Xu Qingfan, so he didn’t intend to use any tricks. But with Li Yuhan’s presence, Xu Qingfan felt he had to use some strategies.

"After returning, I haven’t seen Junior Brother Jin and Junior Martial Sister Dongfang. I wonder what they are busy with. They didn’t have time to meet me. Just now, I even went to Junior Brother Jin’s courtyard to check on him. I thought he was at a crucial moment in his training, which is why he didn’t have time for me, but he just came back."

It was clear that Li Yuhan and the others seemed a bit distracted. Xu Qingfan speculated about what the eight had come for while discussing various trivial matters. Unknowingly, the topic shifted to Jin Qinghan and Dongfang Qingling.

When Xu Qingfan mentioned this, Lv Qingshang could no longer hold back. He stood up, bowed to Xu Qingfan as if to apologize, and said sadly, "Junior Brother Xu, I am sorry."

Then, Li Yuhan, Wang Zegang, and others also stood up, bowing to Xu Qingfan to express their apologies.

Originally wanting to continue talking, Xu Qingfan was startled by the scene before him. He quickly helped them to their feet and asked, "What happened?"

"Martial Uncle Xu, Martial Uncle Jin and Martial Uncle Dongfang have vanished."

Li Yuhan said with a bitter smile. Although he was always unhappy with the two standing by Xu Qingfan, he understood what their support meant for Jiuhua’s future.

"What?" Upon hearing Li Yuhan’s words, Xu Qingfan exclaimed, "What happened? When did this occur? Please tell me everything in detail."

Seeing Xu Qingfan’s anxious expression made Li Yuhan feel even guiltier. Jin Qinghan might not have been his responsibility, but Dongfang Qingling’s disappearance was something he could not escape from, especially since Xu Qingfan had entrusted him to lead the remaining nine.

Then, after being urged repeatedly by Xu Qingfan, Li Yuhan finally explained the situation of Jin Qinghan’s disappearance.

It turned out that after everyone used the "Sky Escaping Talisman" and left, they all gathered at the agreed place. At that time, Dongfang Qingling was still there, but she looked a bit strange. Li Yuhan had been worried about Jin Qinghan and Xu Qingfan and did not pay attention.

Next, everyone waited for ten whole days, yet Jin Qinghan still did not arrive. With no other choice, they all decided to return to "Ronghua Mountain." However, on the way back, Dongfang Qingling, who had been trailing behind, suddenly disappeared without a word, leaving only these seven people to return to "Ronghua Mountain."

"Are you saying that Junior Brother Jin and Junior Martial Sister Dongfang went to look for me?"

Xu Qingfan asked.

"I’m afraid that’s the case. At that time, the master in black was stopped by you, Martial Uncle, and the Southern Wasteland demon beast had not returned yet. There was almost no danger in the entire Southern Wasteland, so Martial Uncle Jin couldn’t have faced any accidents."

Xu Qingfan nodded with a bitter smile, which was also the reason he was not worried about Jin Qinghan even though he hadn’t seen him.

After a pause, Li Yuhan continued, "So since we didn’t see Martial Uncle Jin at that time, we guessed that he must have gone back to look for you. As for Junior Martial Sister Dongfang, she definitely went to find you, otherwise, she wouldn’t have left on her own."

As Li Yuhan analyzed the situation, Xu Qingfan slowly closed his eyes, his lips barely touching, as if he was calculating something.

Xu Qingfan was figuring out the time since Jin Qinghan and Dongfang Qingling went missing.

Nearly half a year has passed.

What has happened in the Southern Wasteland during these six months?

The not-yet-dead Zhuyin was running around the Southern Wasteland searching for Xu Qingfan and Little Gold; the nine-tailed demon fox returned with many remaining high-level demon beasts; and now, it seems that two kylins are probably in the midst of a battle with the nine tails, right?

In this situation, Jin Qinghan and Dongfang Qingling basically had no strength to protect themselves.

If they returned to look for Xu Qingfan, then after half a year, even if they couldn’t find him, they should have come back.

Now that the two haven’t returned, it can only mean something unexpected has happened.

Analyzing this, the conclusion seems very clear, but Xu Qingfan is unwilling to think about it and is too afraid to think about it.

Dongfang Qingling, Xu Qingfan is not a wooden figure; she has feelings for him. Although Xu Qingfan doesn’t dare to respond, he understands very well. And everything Dongfang Qingling has quietly done for Xu Qingfan over the years, he knows that too. To say he isn’t moved would be a lie.

As for Jin Qinghan, he is Xu Qingfan’s only brother. There’s no need to say much more; the word "brother" already represents everything, especially when you add "only."

If something were to happen to these two, it is easy to imagine how big of a blow it would be to Xu Qingfan.

In the worried gaze of Li Yuhan and others, Xu Qingfan sat in the chair behind him, feeling utterly hopeless. He muttered, "This isn’t your fault; you couldn’t have stopped it. It’s only my fault; I shouldn’t have involved the two of them."

Wang Zegang’s lips moved, about to say "take care of yourself," but suddenly remembered that although Dongfang Qingling and Jin Qinghan’s deaths were almost certain, there was still no evidence. Saying that might upset Xu Qingfan too much, so he kept silent, full of worry.

After a moment, Xu Qingfan finally opened his eyes, waved to the seven people, and said apologetically, "I need some quiet time, so I won’t see you all off."

Hearing Xu Qingfan say this, Li Yuhan and the others got the hint and stood up to leave.

"Wait."

Just as the seven were about to leave, Xu Qingfan’s voice suddenly echoed again.

Everyone turned around and heard Xu Qingfan say, "You each should still have one ‘Sky Escaping Talisman,’ right? Please give them to me first; I have a use for them."

After seeing Li Yuhan and the others off, Xu Qingfan returned to his seat and carefully stored away each piece of the "Sky Escaping Talisman," as it was vital for his survival later.

At the same time, Xu Qingfan murmured, "Since you are willing to take risks to return to the Southern Wasteland just to recover my bones, why can’t I do the same? Moreover, I believe you are not dead, just trapped, and I will rescue you."

In the second half of the sentence, Xu Qingfan was reassuring himself.