: A Chance Encounter Again

Lu Jianghe suddenly looked out the window.

Several muffled explosions suddenly came from afar.

Immediately following was a cry of shock and anger.

"I have no grudge against either of you, why must you be so ruthless?!"

At the end of the street, light and shadow flickered, accompanied by hurried footsteps and fluctuations of spiritual energy, as a figure staggered and fled in this direction.

The man had clearly spotted the still-lit shop and, as if grasping at a straw, smashed open the door, shouting hoarsely, "Senior! Help!"

Behind him, two men in black flew through the air, their clothes fluttering.

Seeing their target burst into the shop, the two men stared at each other, their eyes cold, and raised their hands without hesitation.

call out!call out!

A pale red talisman flew through the air.

Two fireballs exploded with a deafening roar, blasting the shop door and its frame away, sending wood chips and gravel flying everywhere.

The person who was trying to escape was thrown away by the blast wave and crashed heavily in front of Lu Jianghe.

He put down the book in his hand and glanced at the doorway.

Two men in black descended from the sky and entered the shop. Both wore straw hats and had their faces covered with black cloths.

One of them glanced at Lu Jianghe and said in a light tone, "Don't be alarmed, sir. I'll leave after I've dealt with this fellow."

In his conversation, he made no mention of the damage to the lintel, showing no concern whatsoever.

The man on the ground coughed up blood, clutched his chest, and said in a muffled voice, "I am Qi Yunxiao, the array master of this city. If you can save me from this predicament, I am willing to sell my 'Inverted Five Elements Array'. The price will surely satisfy you."

Lu Jianghe's gaze fell on Qi Yunxiao.

The Inverted Five Elements Formation?

He had heard a little about this situation.

It is referred to by many cultivators as the "Minor Forbidden Array".

Although it lacks the ability to launch attacks, its ability to transform and conceal itself is said to be comparable to the protective restrictions of major sects.

If such a top-tier magic array were to enter the market or be auctioned, its value would likely be well over three or four thousand spirit stones.

Lu Jianghe naturally recognized Qi Yunxiao in front of him.

However, this child's words are rather naive and childish.

Selling at a low price?

Their lives hung by a thread, their fate hanging in the balance.

It is still being sold at a low price, not given away.

How can anyone protect your life if you talk like that?

However, Lu Jianghe immediately understood.

Qi Yunxiao was still thinking about using the formation, even if he couldn't get the thousand-year-old medicinal herbs, he wanted to get some spirit stones to prolong Xin Ruyin's life.

He's quite the romantic.

At this moment, Qi Yunxiao, who was lying paralyzed on the ground, was also recalling the events.

Why did I bring this undeserved calamity upon myself?

After much thought, the most likely explanation is that he attempted to exchange the "Inverted Five Elements Formation" for the thousand-year-old spiritual herb in the market today.

This must have attracted their covetousness. Seeing that he was merely a Qi Refining cultivator, they harbored the evil intention of killing him and robbing him.

Qi Yunxiao was forced into this situation.

There was nothing she could do; Ruyin's body grew increasingly weak, and her spirits deteriorated day by day.

He knew all too well that openly using a top-tier formation to exchange for a thousand-year-old spiritual herb was tantamount to taking a risky gamble.

But there was really no other way.

Even so, in the border towns and markets, there wasn't a single person who could casually produce a thousand-year-old spiritual herb.

The mission failed, and it actually brought about his death.

Lu Jianghe withdrew his gaze.

He ignored Qi Yunxiao and did not look at the two men in black.

Instead, they turned their gaze to a certain spot, where someone was hiding in the shadows, concealing their presence and spying on the area.

That makes some sense.

Seeing that Lu Jianghe remained silent.

The two men in black acted decisively and without hesitation.

One person targeted Qi Yunxiao, while the other kept a close watch on Lu Jianghe.

Their coordinated actions clearly indicated they were not ordinary rogue cultivators.

Seeing this, Qi Yunxiao became extremely anxious. He struggled to his feet and retreated to a corner. "This top-tier magic array, I am willing to give it to you for one thousand... no! Five hundred spirit stones, just five hundred spirit stones!"

Lu Jianghe slowly stood up from the recliner.

The sudden action caused the two to pause abruptly, their spiritual energy coursing through their bodies.

"Actually, you shouldn't be promising me the formation now; you should be asking these two why they want to take your life."

"Besides, is this how you beg for help? At this critical moment of life and death, you're still thinking about those spirit stones. If you were to give them to me, I might consider it."

Upon hearing Lu Jianghe's words, Qi Yunxiao hesitated.

Are you really going to give it to me?

They couldn't get a single spirit stone, and if they couldn't exchange them for spirit medicine, Ruyin's life would be in danger.

What difference does it make whether he is alive or dead?

Upon hearing this, the two men in black's eyes flashed with a fierce light.

"Judging from your words, are you preparing to intervene in this matter?"

Lu Jianghe didn't even glance at the two of them. How could they, mere Qi Refining Level 12, possibly catch his eye?

"I want this formation."

Then another person stepped in, his voice icy cold.

He also concealed his face, wearing a metal mask.

The man's gaze swept casually across the room, but when he saw Lu Jianghe, his eyes widened in surprise.

He quickly concealed his unusual behavior and pretended nothing was wrong.

On the surface, he appeared calm, but inside, a raging storm was brewing.

This person was none other than Han Li.

After opening up an independent cave in Huangfeng Valley, they discovered a spiritual spring inside.

Ordinary concealment formations are of little use, so when they heard that the Tianxing Sect of Yuanwu Kingdom was skilled in formations, they set off to find them.

Today, he happened to run into Qi Yunxiao selling the "Inverted Five Elements Array" in the market, and he was immediately tempted by the thousand-year-old spiritual herb in exchange.

However, with so many people watching, it was inconvenient to make a transaction, so they had no choice but to follow along.

Seeing Qi Yunxiao being chased, he originally intended to find an opportunity to help him and use this opportunity to build a relationship.

Unexpectedly, the other party panicked and rushed into the shop that was still lit.

Han Li was already a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and his divine sense was beginning to take shape.

However, he remained cautiously a short distance outside the store, sensing the movement and eavesdropping on their conversation, not daring to approach rashly lest he be noticed.

Upon hearing the shop owner's request to take a top-tier formation for free...

I couldn't help myself anymore.

You should know that a thousand-year-old spiritual plant is worth about one or two thousand spirit stones.

Top-tier magic arrays, however, often fetch outrageous prices at auction.

Moreover, Han Li has no shortage of talent; he can cultivate many plants whenever he has time.

After much deliberation, he decided to take action, since the Spirit Eye Spring was crucial to his future cultivation speed, and this was a matter of great importance.

Now that he has broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, he has some strength.

I feel it's okay to take a little risk.

Unexpectedly, he saw a familiar face that he would never forget.

Although many years had passed, he recognized him at a glance. Wasn't this Lu Jianghe, whom he used to call "Brother Lu" in the Seven Mysteries Sect?

Having survived the perilous possession of Doctor Mo's body, witnessed Zhang Tie being turned into a puppet, had his fellow disciples steal his Foundation Establishment Pill, and participated in the Blood Forbidden Land.

Han Li had a thorough understanding of the treacherous and dog-eat-dog world of cultivation.

Whenever I think of the strange things Lu Jianghe did at the Seven Mysteries Sect back then, and his extraordinary composure, I feel absolutely certain.

Lu Jianghe is no ordinary teenager; he is most likely an old monster who has possessed other people's bodies!

Their cultivation level is at least at the Foundation Establishment stage, and they might even be at the Golden Core stage!

I thought we would never cross paths again in this life, but fate played a trick on me, and we suddenly met again under such circumstances.