King of Assassins-Chapter 569 - 446 Refining God Lamp

Shui Qianjue died a heroic death in battle, Zhou Huang's physical body was destroyed on the spot, and a trace of his Divine Soul fled far away with the treasured Vermilion Bird Ring,
Zhou Ye was beheaded and displayed, his Divine Soul thrown into the Refining God Lamp where it was tormented for several days before being completely annihilated.
All these events left a deep-seated hatred in the hearts of the Five Elements Sect disciples.
But being under someone else's roof, they had no choice but to bow their heads.
During this time, the disciples of the Five Elements Sect were like servants, at the beck and call of the Xuanzhen Sect disciples. If there was the slightest dissatisfaction, it was either a beating or a scolding.
The people of the Xuanzhen Sect were also aware that these disciples from the Five Elements Sect were forcibly gathered, and could never truly align with them.
Leading them, Yang Yunjun advocated harsh and oppressive methods, and his disciples followed suit, further deepening the conflict between the disciples of the two sects.
Shui Qingbo was exceptionally talented and nearing Foundation Establishment, so Yang Yunjun looked favorably upon her.
However, Shui Qingbo was well aware that Yang Yunjun was just waiting for her Foundation Establishment to make her serve as a Furnace. Hence, he took care of her.
Even so, Shui Qingbo was just living one day at a time, with no intention of risking her life. At most, she looked for an opportunity to escape.
However, every disciple of the Five Elements Sect bore the mark left by the Xuanzhen Sect, making escape not so easy.
Only by fleeing Penglai Province could they escape the clutches of the Xuanzhen Sect.
At this time, Gao Xuan appeared, suddenly asking her to fight for her life, leaving Shui Qingbo truly hesitating.
She harbored hatred in her heart, but lacked the decisive courage to risk her life.
Gao Xuan understood that whether it was ordinary people or cultivators, most were afraid of death. Truly fearless individuals were rare.
Shui Qingbo hesitated for a while before saying, "Yang Yunjun is a Golden Core; even if we join forces, we might not beat him. Plus, Jin Wufeng, I don't even know how he managed to form a Core."
"It doesn't matter, I am a Golden Core too, Yang Yunjun and Jin Wufeng are not my match."
Gao Xuan did not hide from Shui Qingbo; he just wanted to see what she would choose.
Giving the opponent a sure-losing option is not a test, but a setup.
Gao Xuan originally had no interest in all this; he just focused on killing and revenge and didn't care about the lives of these Five Elements Sect disciples.
However, after Zhou Huang left behind his legacy at the cost of his life, he had to consider the Five Elements Sect's inheritance issues.
Yuanbao had good innate talent but was just at the first-rate level. Still far from being the best. At most, his future achievement would be Nascent Soul.
The Five Elements Sect needed more talented individuals to continue its legacy.
Shui Qingbo and Yuanbao had similar aptitude, but she was less resolute, yet meticulous and thorough in thinking. She was also a talent.
In this critical moment, one's true nature could be truly seen.
If Shui Qingbo didn't want to help, Gao Xuan wouldn't blame her, nor do anything to her. However, a person with no loyalty to the sect could not be entrusted with significant responsibility.
Now, it depended on what Shui Qingbo would choose.
Hearing Gao Xuan claiming to have formed a Golden Core, Shui Qingbo was shocked. But watching Gao Xuan's demeanor, she immediately believed it.
As a True Disciple, she knew a lot about Golden Cores. Gao Xuan becoming so handsome should be due to the altered physical state after Core Formation, naturally transforming him into such an appearance.
But how did Gao Xuan, who just advanced to Golden Core, have the confidence to single-handedly take on two Golden Cores?
Moreover, even if Gao Xuan could defeat Yang Yunjun and Jin Wufeng, the Xuanzhen Sect still had two Nascent Soul True Monarchs. What should they do then?
Shui Qingbo pondered and asked, "Even if we kill Yang Yunjun and Jin Wufeng, what should we do if Li Buyi retaliates?"
Almost all the disciples of the Five Elements Sect were on Flame Mountain, numbering nearly ten thousand, even though most were just Qi Cultivation novices.
But with so many people, they could not be ignored.
Gao Xuan said calmly, "The Five Elements Sect raised so many disciples; it's only human nature that they do not risk their lives for the sect. However, in my quest for revenge for the Five Elements Sect, they should not become obstacles. Life or death, let it be as the Celestial Mandate dictates."
His words were resolute and unfeeling, making it hard for Shui Qingbo to accept, but she also knew Gao Xuan was right.
The Five Elements Sect raised many disciples, but at a critical moment, none wanted to risk their lives and serve the sect. Gao Xuan's not treating them as traitors was already generous. It was even more impossible for him to have any scruples for them.
Thinking of this, Shui Qingbo finally made up her mind, "I'll help you."
Gao Xuan didn't need to ask any more; that one sentence was enough.
"Let's go, we'll find Yang Yunjun."
"Huh?"
Shui Qingbo was a bit confused, were they going straight to confront someone?
She hesitated and asked, "Aren't we going to think of some strategy?"
Gao Xuan said, "No need, just go and find Yang Yunjun. Once in the room, we'll work together to kill this guy."
Given Gao Xuan's firm stance, Shui Qingbo could only agree through gritted teeth.
Since she had decided to do so, she didn't have so many concerns. Instead of becoming a Furnace plaything after Foundation Establishment, she'd rather fight to the death. Even if she died, it would be a heroic death, not failing her master's teachings.
Shui Qingbo prepared briefly and was ready to set off.
Gao Xuan waved his hand, "Establish your Foundation first, then we go. It won't make much difference."
Shui Qingbo was taken aback, how could Gao Xuan talk about Foundation Establishment as if it were as simple as eating?
"Just listen to me."
Gao Xuan did not explain more; he pointed a finger at Shui Qingbo's chest.
Shui Qingbo felt a tremor in her chest's acupoints, followed by a tightening between her brows, as if some invisible channel was opened, gathering the Primordial Qi in her Sea of Consciousness, and then turning it like a bead, flowing through her body.
In just a few breaths, she completed Foundation Establishment.
The process was extremely brief, so brief that Shui Qingbo didn't even have time to think before it was over.
Shui Qingbo, sensing the dense Primordial Qi within her body, looked at Gao Xuan with eyes full of confusion.
"Your Cultivation was already there; it just needed a slight breakthrough. I helped you pierce through it to make it smooth."
Gao Xuan was not interested in explaining further; such trivial matters were not worth discussing. "Let's go kill Old Dog Yang."
Shui Qingbo, however, felt invigorated by the sudden boost in her Foundation Establishment Cultivation, greatly increasing her confidence in Gao Xuan.
The two of them exited the room, with Gao Xuan following behind Shui Qingbo like a wisp of floating mist, barely noticeable.
Shui Qingbo twisted left and right through the passageway until they arrived at a spacious hall.
The hall had four passageway exits, with two Xuanzhen Sect disciples guarding one of them.
The two sat lazily chatting, their eyes brightening at the sight of Shui Qingbo approaching.
Despite the size of the Xuanzhen Sect, there were few female Cultivators as beautiful as Shui Qingbo. Every female Cultivator was a treasure of the Sect and not theirs to covet.
Shui Qingbo was a disciple of the Five Elements Sect, and they could look down on her from above.
Of course, they also understood that Shui Qingbo was reserved as a furnace by Master Yang, so they couldn't take advantage of her. However, given her low status, they didn't need to be polite.
The two scrutinized Shui Qingbo from head to toe, finding her eyes as clear and vivid as autumn waters, her form graceful and elegant, exuding a gentleness like water from within.
For some reason, Shui Qingbo seemed exceptionally beautiful today.
Just as Shui Qingbo was about to speak to the two Xuanzhen Sect disciples, two points of icy light silently flashed out, striking the disciples' foreheads.
The two disciples' Divine Souls were instantly frozen, killing them on the spot.
Gao Xuan's Profound Nether Ice Needle could even incapacitate a Golden Core, let alone these mere Qi Cultivation disciples.
"There's no need for words, just go find Master Yang." Gao Xuan reminded Shui Qingbo.
Shui Qingbo steadied herself and quickly walked towards the interior of the passageway.
She walked all the way to the end of the passageway, arriving at the door of Master Yang's room.
This quiet chamber was originally the place where Zhou Huang secluded himself for cultivation, with abundant Spiritual Qi and protective arrays surrounding the exterior.
The room's door was made from Fire Cloud Stone, extremely sturdy and capable of automatically absorbing and releasing Fire Element Primordial Qi. Ordinary Cultivators would deem even a small piece a treasure, yet here it was used as a door.
This showed just how wealthy the Flame Sect was.
As Shui Qingbo approached the doorway, the light on the Spirit Light Stone fluctuated, catching Master Yang's attention inside.
"Shui Qingbo, what brings you here?"
Master Yang was puzzled, as Shui Qingbo was normally extremely cautious and fearful of him. Why would she come to his room alone?
"Master Yang, I have important matters."
Shui Qingbo didn't elaborate, as she couldn't come up with a reasonable excuse in haste.
Master Yang grew suspicious because Li Buyi had sent him a message saying there was a survivor from the Five Elements Sect causing trouble for Xuanzhen Sect disciples.
Not only was Li Buyi's disciple Li Xingyu killed, but even the couple Lv Butong and Lv Jinlian were killed by someone named Gao Xuan.
Imagine how ruthless Gao Xuan must be. Though confident, Master Yang wouldn't dare claim victory over the Lv Butong couple, let alone kill them.
Master Yang had been keeping a low profile these days to avoid being ambushed by Gao Xuan.
Shui Qingbo's sudden appearance raised his suspicions.
However, relying on his Golden Core intuition, Master Yang did not sense any danger.
He was skilled in Soul Refining, and held a Spiritual Artifact, the Refining God Lamp, most profound and mysterious.
The Refining God Lamp could not only refine Divine Souls for personal use but also sense fortune and misfortune.
Having cultivated for many years, Master Yang had avoided danger each time thanks to the early warnings from the Refining God Lamp.
The Sect stationed him at Blazing Fire Peak because of his ability to predict fortune and misfortune.
Master Yang glanced at the Refining God Lamp, where the flame burned like a star, pure in color, without any warning signs.
He couldn't help but let out a cold laugh; since there was no outsider, what tricks could Shui Qingbo possibly play?
Moreover, at her core, Shui Qingbo was fundamentally weak. Though she had pride and self-respect, she was still under his control.
Master Yang flicked his fingers, a bit of Spiritual Light fell, and the Fire Cloud Stone door silently opened, revealing Shui Qingbo outside the door.
The Foundation-established Shui Qingbo exuded a clear and elegant aura, with a transformative change in her demeanor.
Given Master Yang's stature, he immediately noticed the change in Shui Qingbo. He couldn't help rejoicing; Shui Qingbo's top-tier aptitude meant having her as a furnace would make a Nascent Soul achievable.
In the midst of Master Yang's delight, he suddenly noticed the indistinct mist floating behind Shui Qingbo.
"This is—not right!"
Master Yang sensed something amiss, and the flame in front of him on the Refining God Lamp suddenly flared up.
A Golden Core True Master's reactions were swift and sharp, especially since the Refining God Lamp was his life-bound Spiritual Artifact.
Master Yang's mind turned, and the Refining God Lamp reacted, triggering the Refining God Flame.
The pure cyan flame surged like clouds and waves, on the verge of bursting forth.
Shui Qingbo's eyes, illuminated by the flames, were full of dread; the Refining God Flame specifically burned Divine Souls, fiercely overpowering. With her level of Cultivation, she'd be obliterated if the flames swept over her...