Zhi Xuan channeled more Pure Lightning essence into the Seven-Star Boat. Their speed increased, the jagged stone hills and bamboo forests around them blurring into unidentifiable abstract lines.

  "I stabbed it into the ground so they would think I had truly surrendered, an act of total resignation. When the sword was planted, they relaxed their spiritual veins for a moment, a gap sufficient for that newly forged Heavenly Slash," Zhi Xuan explained, his eyes radiating sharp calculation. "The sword, under the pressure of the Heavenly Calamity, has a pulsing Immortal Will. That slash was merely an introduction, a jade plaque that will make them think twice before chasing me."

  Ao Sheng nodded slowly, absorbing this brutal lesson. He saw a Devil's genius mixed with manufactured foolishness. It was an art of fighting that transcended cultivation techniques.

  "So, we are now heading to the Heavenly Lotus Sect," Ao Sheng murmured, changing the subject. "After this commotion, will they welcome us well, or will they eye your Heavenly Sword?"

  "They will welcome me well," Zhi Xuan cut in, certain. "Senior Nian Qin and Yan Xu have pride far higher than the Shi Clan. They know I took risks for them. And I have a promise to return the Fire Heart Fruit. Debts must be paid; that is the Law of Heaven and Earth that cannot be violated even by a Devil."

  Zhi Xuan shifted his focus from combat strategy to the spiritual map he had recently obtained from the Ancient Heaven Memory Legacy. The map was far more detailed and accurate than any mortal map, showing hidden spiritual paths and formation locations he could exploit.

  "The path to the Heavenly Lotus Sect crosses the mist-shrouded Azure Mountains," Zhi Xuan muttered. "The Seven-Star Boat is too conspicuous. We will hide within the mist. News of the Heavenly Sword forged in the Devil Fire Abyss will spread like uncontrollable devil fire. The Shi Clan is only the first."

  Zhi Xuan immediately changed the direction of the Seven-Star Boat. The artifact no longer sped over open plains but dived, gliding low among hidden valleys. He channeled the Law of Four Seasons into the boat, using the essence of Spring to mask the artifact's spiritual fluctuations.

  The journey took two full days. Zhi Xuan relied on the ancient knowledge he had just acquired to avoid major trade routes and guarded spiritual nodes. During those two days, he did not rest. Besides steering the boat, he focused on his Sea of Consciousness, filtering the Ancient Heaven Memory Legacy.

  He could not fully digest those memories, but some understandings began to seep in. He now understood more about the essence of high-level artifact refinement, complex Spatial Laws, and how to use the Eclipse Rune—though still fragmentarily. This knowledge was a foundation far sturdier than any mortal technique.

  On the night of the second day, the Seven-Star Boat arrived at the edge of the Azure Mountains. The mountain range towered high into the sky, its peaks shrouded in thick mist that radiated a dense and cold spiritual essence.

  "This is where we hide," Zhi Xuan said. He stored the Seven-Star Boat. He and Ao Sheng jumped to the ground, and he immediately enveloped them with the Four-Directional Blood Shield.

  "This mist is no ordinary mist, Senior," Ao Sheng whispered, his golden eyes shining alertly. He could feel a Pure Dragon aura in the Azure Mountains—an aura that felt protective and old, far stronger than mortal spiritual energy.

  "This is a natural formation activated by the ancient Azure Dragon Bloodline," Zhi Xuan explained, nodding in agreement. He remembered faint visions from the Ancient Heaven memories regarding the Dragon Clan. "This mist will filter out alien spiritual essences and slow down pursuers. It is a perfect shield."

  However, as they stepped into the mist, Zhi Xuan's Divine Sense suddenly felt three extremely fast spiritual fluctuations approaching from behind.

  "So fast," Zhi Xuan hissed, his face tightening. The Shi Clan was far more efficient in their pursuit than he had expected, or they had deployed resources beyond an ordinary Auction Caravan.

  "Ao Sheng, enter the Cauldron. I will slow them down. They will think I am merely fleeing, but I will give them a deeper lesson about the dangers of greed," Zhi Xuan commanded.

  Ao Sheng did not argue. He immediately shrank into pure dragon essence and re-entered the Cauldron. Zhi Xuan waited at the threshold of the mist. He did not hide. He stood on open ground, the Heavenly Sword floating beside him, emitting flashes of Pure Lightning that cut through the darkness of the night.

  He wanted his pursuers to see him clearly, to give them a false hope that their prey was easy to catch. In the blink of an eye, three silhouettes landed before him. They were no longer the arrogant Auction Caravan cultivators.

  They were three Shi Clan Elders wearing crestless black robes—the Shi Clan Death Hunter Squad. They were led by a Soul Transformation Elder whose body radiated an extremely dense essence of Earth and Fire.

  "We found you, little Devil!" the Elder roared, his voice filled with pure killing intent. "You thought you could escape after shaming the Shi Clan before the entire Cultivation Realm! Hand over the Immortal Sword and you will die without too much pain!"

  "Immortal Sword," Zhi Xuan repeated, his crisp and cold laughter echoing in the silence of the night. He tilted his head slightly, revealing an annoying, mischievous smile. "I thought you didn't believe in Divine Statues?"

  Zhi Xuan waved his hand, and immediately a perfect spiritual map emerged, the one given by Yan Xu and Nian Qin. This map could be used by Zhi Xuan to bring help from the Heavenly Lotus Sect, used to suppress the Shi Clan by countering three Soul Transformation experts with other Soul Transformation masters.

  DRIP! DRIP! DRIP!

  Zhi Xuan's spiritual blood immediately dripped, and from the sky, a formation light appeared. In an instant, a luxurious horse carriage emerged, accompanied by the melodious jingling of heavenly horses, adorned with exquisite Lotus embroidery that felt grand and majestic. Inside, Yan Xu, a man in blue robes, sat with a cold face. Beside him, Nian Qin, a woman with ancient golden eyes, sat gracefully.

  Their aura pressed down on the three Soul Transformation experts from the Shi Clan, showing the solid and oppressive position of Heavenly Lotus Sect Elders over other Soul Transformation practitioners. Nian Qin glanced down and saw Zhi Xuan, faintly sensing the fluctuation of the Fire Heart Fruit, which made her eyes sparkle slightly.

  Zhi Xuan looked toward the sky. In the middle of the dark night, illuminated by faint starlight, the luxurious horse carriage descended with unmatched majesty. The jingling of the heavenly horses and the grand Lotus embroidery proclaimed their identity without a need for words: the Heavenly Lotus Sect, the dominant power in the Zhao Kingdom.

  The three Shi Clan Death Hunter Elders who were just filled with killing intent instantly froze. Their dense spiritual auras rippled and instinctively retreated under the pressure of Yan Xu and Nian Qin's presence. Peak Soul Transformation experts of a Great Sect, and more importantly, representatives of the Heavenly Lotus Sect known to be neutral and extremely powerful, were an intervention impossible to ignore.

  Yan Xu, in sky-blue robes, stood at the front of the carriage. His cold and handsome face radiated the authority of a Great Sect Elder. His sharp eyes stared at the three Shi Clan Elders with a very clear tone of condescension.

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  "Shi Clan," Yan Xu's voice sounded calm, yet every word felt like a spiritual hammer hitting their Sea of Consciousness. "What are you doing at the border of the Azure Mountains? Is your Clan now hunting Devils, or are you violating the spiritual borders set by the Sect Alliance?"

  Elder Shi Tian—one of the three pursuers—staggered. He immediately withdrew his killing intent and bowed with forced respect, trying to cover the greed he had just shown.

  "Elder Yan Xu! Please forgive us for this disrespect!" Elder Shi Tian exclaimed. "We are pursuing a Devil who stole an Immortal treasure recently forged in the Devil Fire Abyss. That Devil—standing below—not only stole it but also greatly insulted our Clan!"

  Zhi Xuan, whose Heavenly Sword floated calmly beside him, smiled slightly. His mischievous act returned; he bowed toward Yan Xu and Nian Qin with exaggerated formality.

  "Elder Yan Xu, Elder Nian Qin," Zhi Xuan greeted, his voice filled with manufactured innocence. "I am Zhang Shui. I have just returned from the Devil Fire Abyss after completing the task given by Elder Nian Qin. I saw your Horse Carriage and felt a sense of longing, so I used the Spiritual Map to welcome your arrival. I did not expect these Shi Clan Elders to act so aggressively."

  Nian Qin, with her ancient golden eyes, stepped down from the carriage. Every step felt like treading on spiritual lotus flowers. She ignored the three Shi Clan Elders completely. Her gentle and calm gaze shifted to Zhi Xuan.

  "Daoist Zhang Shui," Nian Qin said in a soft and melodious voice, yet her authority did not diminish. "Is your task complete?"

  Zhi Xuan did not answer with words. He waved his hand, and the Fire Heart Fruit, enveloped by the gentle aura of the Spring Law, floated out from the Heavenly Trifold Reincarnation Cauldron. The fruit glowed blood-red, radiating a pure Yang essence and soothing vitality.

  Nian Qin's eyes shone with joy. Although she was a Peak Soul Transformation cultivator, the Fire Heart Fruit was a rare treasure crucial for saving their Sect's Supreme Elder. She received the fruit with caution, sealing it into a specially prepared jade box.

  "Good. You have kept your promise," Nian Qin replied, nodding with appreciation. On the other side, Elder Shi Tian and his two followers stared at the scene with wide eyes. They were double-shocked. The Devil they were hunting had a relationship with the Heavenly Lotus Sect, and that Devil had just returned from the Devil Fire Abyss with an Immortal Artifact and the Fire Heart Fruit.

  "Elder Nian Qin!" Elder Shi Tian exclaimed, emboldening himself. "This Devil, he triggered an Immortal Heavenly Calamity in the abyss! He must have stolen an Ancient Clan treasure that should not belong to him! We must take him back for interrogation!"

  Nian Qin finally glanced toward the Shi Clan. Her golden eyes radiated a cold gaze capable of piercing the Primary Soul.

  "Interrogation?" Nian Qin asked, her voice now piercing. "Daoist Zhang Shui is our guest, and he has just completed a life-saving mission for our Sect's Supreme Elder. Do you dare to accuse a Daoist who has rendered service to the Heavenly Lotus Sect as a thief, Elder Shi?"

  Yan Xu stepped forward, his Spiritual Sword only half-unsheathed, its blade radiating a sharp Wind essence aura. "Shi Clan, we will ignore your violation of the spiritual border in the Azure Mountains. But if you dare mention the words Devil, thief, or interrogation again in the presence of our Sect's honored guest, then we will consider this a declaration of war against the Sect Alliance!"

  The threat was absolute. The Shi Clan, though powerful, would not dare to provoke the Heavenly Lotus Sect to the point of triggering an open war. Moreover, they knew that the Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Lotus Sect, who would recover thanks to that Fire Heart Fruit, would become a much greater suppression in the Zhao Kingdom.

  Elder Shi Tian gnashed his teeth, an expression of anger and greed mixing with desperation. They had been stopped, not by combat power, but by the authority and politics of a Great Sect. They nodded faintly before speeding away and leaving the Azure Mountain area.

  Zhi Xuan, watching this display of dominance, smirked in his heart. He knew the Heavenly Lotus Sect would protect him for two reasons: the Fire Heart Fruit, a promise fulfilled, and Sect Pride, as they would not let another Clan accuse or take treasures from someone who had just served them.

  "Elder Nian Qin, Elder Yan Xu, I am very grateful for your protection and understanding," Zhi Xuan said, bowing again politely, this time with a veiled sincerity. He knew when to be a cruel Devil and when to be a polite cultivator.

  Nian Qin merely smiled thinly. She immediately burned the Heaven and Earth agreement scroll that bound the deal for Zhi Xuan and the Heavenly Lotus Sect, witnessed by Zhi Xuan himself, just as the promise was first made with Zhi Xuan's spiritual blood.

  "Daoist Zhang," Nian Qin said calmly, waving her hand and offering a new sandalwood box, which drifted down toward Zhi Xuan. "The agreement is complete; that is an addition from the Heavenly Lotus Sect for your successful mission."

  Zhi Xuan held out his hand and caught the sandalwood box. He already possessed the sandalwood box containing a drop of Azure Dragon Blood, Spiritual Stones, and now thousands more Spiritual Stones were added, ensuring his resources and cultivation needs.

  "We will not pry into anything regarding you, Daoist Zhang," Yan Xu continued, his tone calm as he nodded faintly. "You have brought the God Herb that saved the Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Lotus Sect; this will not be forgotten. If one day you require assistance, the gates of the Heavenly Lotus Sect will be wide open for Daoist Zhang."

  Zhi Xuan nodded in silence, accepting Yan Xu's words. He knew this offer was worth far more than tens of thousands of spiritual stones. Having a debt of gratitude from the Heavenly Lotus Sect was a priceless guarantee of safety in the Zhao Kingdom. The gates of the Heavenly Lotus Sect were now open, a strategic anchor he could pull at any time.

  "I understand, Elder Yan Xu," Zhi Xuan replied, gripping the sandalwood box tightly. He immediately stored the box in his storage bag. He was now free from the shackles of the promise he had made, and his cultivation resources had surged.

  Nian Qin returned to the Horse Carriage, and Yan Xu followed her. The majestic aura of the carriage enveloped them again, and the heavenly horses pranced, indicating they would depart without betraying the promise they had made.

  "We are returning to the Sect. We hope your journey goes smoothly, Daoist Zhang," Nian Qin said before the Horse Carriage sped into the air, disappearing behind the mountains.

  Zhi Xuan looked up, watching the departure of the carriage carrying the Heavenly Lotus Sect Elders. He stood for a moment in the remaining silence, letting Yan Xu and Nian Qin's spiritual aura fade completely. The mist from the Azure Mountains slowly began to creep forward, enveloping the place where they stood.

  He waved his hand and the Heavenly Trifold Reincarnation Cauldron shrank, returning to the size of a bronze cup in his palm. He opened the Cauldron, and Ao Sheng returned to his human form, jumping out with a lingering expression of shock on his face.

  "The Heavenly Lotus Sect... they are truly grand," Ao Sheng whispered, taking a long breath. "They ignored your Devil aura and your Immortal Sword. They only cared about honor and promises."

  "They ignored it because the promise was paid in full, and their honor is more important than wealth," Zhi Xuan explained, his tone flat. "Power and wealth are things that can be obtained. Honor and a debt of gratitude from a Great Sect—those are the foundations of immortality. Now, they have no reason to hunt me, and the Shi Clan has a reason not to accuse me."

  Zhi Xuan turned north, toward the Azure Mountains shrouded in thick mist. The next destination was the Northern Continent, a region far from the Zhao Kingdom and the dirty politics surrounding the Heavenly Lotus Sect. He wanted to find a quiet place to digest all the Ancient Heaven memories, refine the Heavenly Sword, and of course, understand the Law of Fire as the second Element after Lightning, which served as his first foundation.

  Zhi Xuan had now settled his debt and secured his power. He and Ao Sheng stepped deeper into the mist of the Azure Mountains. The mist was thick and cold, filtering their spirituality, making their aura disappear as if they were the mist itself. Zhi Xuan waved his hand and the sandalwood box appeared in his hand.

  "A drop of Azure Dragon Blood," Zhi Xuan said, his voice returning to being cold and efficient. "Absorb it if you dare; if you are lucky, you will leap from Sprouting Fang to Azure King with this. I staked my life for this drop of blood; do not disappoint me."

  Ao Sheng was stunned. He stared at the sandalwood box in Zhi Xuan's hand. The spiritual essence from the box felt ancient and majestic, a Pure Dragon aura that made his own bloodline vibrate in wild anticipation. A drop of Azure Dragon Blood. A treasure sought by the entire Dragon Clan, the essence of the strongest Ancient Race, and Zhi Xuan had actually obtained it thanks to the Heavenly Lotus Sect agreement.

  "A drop of Azure Dragon Blood," Ao Sheng whispered, his golden eyes radiating an ecstasy he could not hide. "This is... even if it is only a drop of blood, it is extremely useful for Golden Dragon blood. This Senior..."

  "Yes, it is Azure Dragon Blood," Zhi Xuan interrupted, nodding faintly. His expression showed a manufactured reluctance, as if giving away this treasure was a great loss for him. Of course, Zhi Xuan understood its value perfectly. The item agreed upon from the initial deal was now paid.

  "I did not obtain this easily, Golden Dragon. Remember the price," Zhi Xuan said. He tossed the sandalwood box to Ao Sheng. "Now, we must be quick. I will find a hidden place in these Azure Mountains. A perfect place for you to digest that blood and for me to refine the Heavenly Sword."

  Ao Sheng caught the sandalwood box with both hands, his movement full of caution, as if the box were a fragile jade mountain. He looked at Zhi Xuan, a deep and sincere gratitude shining in his golden eyes. He knew that although Zhi Xuan was a cruel and cunning Devil, this Devil always kept his promises, even if that promise was to a dragon he had only recently met.