Volume One, Chapter 12: The Protector’s Mentor

Xu Que did not waste time arguing with these people. His priority now was to urgently treat his clansmen. Ordinary elixirs were insufficient to heal their current injuries.

Previously, Xu Que had used the Heavenly Refining Gourd to refine a large quantity of elixirs and rare items. Although the intense cultivation technique for refining the Black Dragon Soul consumed vast amounts of energy, he still had a considerable reserve of pure energy liquid left.

He took out a jade-clear vial and directly administered it to Xu Wuji and Xu Qiange. Upon drinking it, their eyes widened instantly. The powerful energy penetrated their limbs and bones, rapidly healing their torn muscles and shattered bones, and the pain vanished immediately.

Those around the medical pavilion were stunned. What was this substance? How could it heal so efficiently?

Even the elder of the medical pavilion stepped forward, rubbing his eyes in disbelief. He could not fathom what kind of pill or divine nectar could produce such potent healing effects. The powerful energy, unrefined, had nowhere to dissipate yet caused no harm to the body. Instead, it continuously enhanced their physical quality. Suddenly, their pierced dantian healed on its own, and their spiritual energy naturally surged.

“Impossible, absolutely impossible,” the elder exclaimed again, astonished. “I’ve been practicing medicine all my life and have seen countless miraculous elixirs. Xu Que, what are you using? Let me see.”

Xu Que withdrew the jade-clear vial back into his Sumeru ring and glared coldly. The elder only then realized the situation clearly: he was now standing with the Duanmu family, not in a pure relationship of sanctum elders and disciples.

Boom!

Suddenly, after Xu Wuji’s dantian was restored, his aura surged dramatically. Originally only in the first stage of Martial Sect, Xu Que had worried his injuries might not heal and thus poured an excess of pure energy into him. Now, absorbing the surplus energy, his realm rose uncontrollably.

Martial Sect Second Stage. Third Stage. Fourth Stage. Fifth Stage!

The disciples of the sanctum nearby were utterly shocked. How could this be possible?

Ordinary warriors take three months to a year to cultivate to the first stage of Martial Sect. Yet in just a short moment, Xu Wuji not only healed but broke through multiple levels in succession.

Xu Qiange likewise soared four sub-stages. Originally at the second stage of Martial Sect, she now reached the sixth stage, nearly matching Duanmu Ya, eighth in the sanctum’s ranking and the only one just slightly ahead of Xu Que himself.

“Thank you, Young Master,” the two said joyfully as they stood and tested their punches and kicks, feeling the surge of tremendous strength within their bodies. They expressed their gratitude to Xu Que.

Xu Que felt a twinge of guilt. For them, this was a completely unforeseen calamity, entirely due to his lack of foresight. Now healed and strengthened, at least their suffering was not in vain.

He turned back to the stunned elder and said, “Quack doctor, what else do you have to say? With skills like that, you still dare call yourself the elder of the Xuanti Sanctum’s medical pavilion? A disgrace.”

The elder’s face flushed with shame, fully outmatched. He could not even concoct such a powerful medicine.

Xu Que then called out loudly, “Duanmu Ya, if you’re not dead, come out now.”

Boom!

Suddenly, the medical pavilion exploded. Duanmu Ya flung out a long sword aimed directly at Xu Que’s heart.

“Xu Que, how dare you hit me! You actually dare to hit me!” she roared furiously.

Ding.

Xu Qiange intercepted the attack before Xu Que could react, blocking the rebounding sword which Duanmu Ya then gripped firmly.

Her hair disheveled, nose broken, face bloodied, she rushed out looking utterly disheveled—once beautiful, now a pitiful sight after Xu Que’s single punch.

“Xu Que! You dare slap my face? I’ll kill you!”

But Xu Qiange stood firmly before her, wielding a Fire-Controlling Sword to block her. They fought fiercely for dozens of rounds, still evenly matched.

Duanmu Ya was dumbfounded. As far as she knew, Xu Qiange was ranked outside the top 100 in the sanctum and severely injured. How was she now healed and so powerful?

Behind them, Xu Wuji said, “Young Master, now that the Xuanti Sanctum is trying to kill us, we should leave here quickly.”

Xu Que shook his head. He had a master within the sanctum; he believed she would protect him. Killing Duanmu Xiong was a matter outside the sanctum; if the sanctum was just, they would not interfere. Inside, there had also been deadly fights before.

“Stop!”

Suddenly, a sharp command broke the deadlock between Duanmu Ya and Xu Qiange.

The Law Enforcement Hall elder Duanmu Ao, along with other elders from the main peak, arrived one after another. With them came four corpses—the very He, Wang, Li, and others whom Xu Que had just killed.

“Xu Que, you’re lawless, daring to commit murder in the sanctum. Seize him! If he resists, cripple him immediately!”

“Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, on what grounds do you say this? Everything requires evidence. Do you have proof? Without proof, you’re slandering. Slandering my Lin Qingni, your disciple, I will not forgive.”

Before Xu Que could reply, a graceful woman descended riding an ice bird and came to his side.

“Master!” Xu Que’s heart leapt with joy. His master was indeed on his side.

After all these years in the sanctum, Xu Que knew his master’s temperament well. Although she was a drunkard and gambler with great innate talent but little interest in cultivation, she was fiercely protective of her own.

Lin Qingni was beautiful and graceful, like a lotus emerging from the water, enchanting and delightful. Though her words were sharp and stern, her voice was exceptionally pleasant.

She said, “Disciple, have you killed any innocents?”

“No, Master. I only saw Duanmu Ya, the medical pavilion’s senior apprentice, leave my clansmen exposed to the sun without treatment, so I angrily struck her once. She then tried to kill me.”

“Listen to that. Clearly, Duanmu Ya was at fault first. Xu Que merely punched her to vent anger, and she tried to kill him. Tsk tsk, your Duanmu family’s upbringing is truly wicked.”

The two exchanged words in harmony, seizing the upper hand. Rather than allow others to frame him and be forced on the defensive, it was better to strike first.

As expected, Duanmu Ya grew agitated. This was the Xuanti Sanctum, watched by many. No matter what she thought, she had to maintain a righteous facade. After all, her recent behavior deviated greatly from her previous image, risking losing face.

The Duanmu family, one of the sanctum’s three great clans, had long cultivated its reputation and would not allow Duanmu Ya to ruin everything.

“Elder Lin, how can you say that? I never intended to kill Xu Que. He hit me first; am I not allowed to defend myself?”

Lin Qingni snorted, “Then tell me, what kind of treatment can heal severely injured Xu Qiange and Xu Wuji while they are exposed to the sun?”

Duanmu Ya frowned. Her earlier taunts aimed to discomfort Xu Que had now backfired, becoming a boomerang.

The Law Enforcement Elder roared, “Enough! Stop with the chatter. He Wu and the other three were killed by Xu Que. My disciples carry portable recording pearls that captured the entire killing process clearly.”

Lin Qingni frowned, tiptoed to Xu Que’s ear, and whispered, “Disciple, I just returned to the sanctum and don’t know what happened. Are you sure you’re in the right?”

Xu Que was momentarily stunned. Where had his master been?

He patted his chest and assured, “Master, rest assured. Our Xu family is the victim in this matter.”

Satisfied, Lin Qingni stood tall and stretched out her hand to shield Xu Que. “Good, bring out the evidence.”

A thumb-sized pearl-shaped artifact was produced—an expensive magical device capable of recording a whole day’s surroundings, and could be re-refined and reused.

The Law Enforcement Elder Duanmu Ao released spiritual power, projecting a massive image.

However, the footage had been edited.

The part showing the Law Enforcement disciple colluding with He, Wang, and Li was cut out, starting directly from when Xu Que killed the three.

Then the disciple was shown being stabbed through the back.

After watching, Lin Qingni sneered, “Ridiculous. My disciple never made a move. How could he have killed anyone?”

Duanmu Ao accused, “Though he did not strike, he must possess some extraordinary treasure capable of releasing a mysterious Dragon Soul. Yet he still assassinated my disciple in the end—this is a provocation against sanctum law. Now the evidence is clear.”

“Seize him!”