Chapter 52: Stationed at White Jade Island

Facing Ling Jie's inquiry.

Li Qing suppressed his slightly fluctuating emotions and nodded with a "sorrowful" expression.

"Senior Brother Jiao died due to a sneak attack by mysterious figures in black!"

"I was also quite heavily injured because of it."

Ling Jie nodded. Regarding this situation, Meng Kan and the others had also relayed the news immediately.

"Very well, let this matter rest for now. If there is an internal investigation by the sect later, simply report the facts truthfully."

However, he also understood that this matter was effectively over.

If the sect didn't intend to conduct a thorough investigation into a top-tier genius like Junior Brother Jue Hen, they certainly wouldn't for an ordinary outer disciple.

After a few simple words of comfort, Ling Jie signaled that Li Qing could leave.

"There is one more thing I would like to entrust to you, Senior Brother!"

Li Qing bowed and continued.

"I heard that sect disciples can proactively apply for duty at the spirit mines, so I would like to apply for the sect mission to guard White Jade Island!"

Ling Jie glanced at Li Qing and nodded quite casually.

"It just so happens that this recent upheaval has caused a temporary shortage of manpower within the sect. Since Junior Brother has chosen to guard White Jade Island, then you shall take over the duty of guarding it."

"Thank you for your help, Senior Brother."

After speaking, Li Qing rose and left the rear hall.

Outside the main hall.

Several people who had finished their task handovers stood quietly waiting.

As he walked out of the hall, he happened to see Mu Qing standing by the entrance.

"Fellow Daoist Li, why didn't I see Fellow Daoist Jiao this time?"

Mu Qing appeared to have returned to her usual self, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion.

"Fellow Daoist Mu, to tell you the truth, White Jade Island was attacked by unknown persons, and Senior Brother Jiao has fallen in battle!"

Li Qing kept his composure, speaking with a bitter smile.

He understood that compared to others, Mu Qing knew more about the matters between him and Jiao Yujian.

However, with the outbreak of this upheaval, Jiao Yujian's death had already drawn a full stop.

On the other side.

A flash of surprise crossed Mu Qing's eyes.

When she saw this junior brother appear earlier, she had thought White Jade Island was fortunate enough to avoid the attack.

She hadn't expected that Jiao Yujian was already dead, and only this man had survived.

Mu Qing shook her head inwardly.

Her own companions had also died unexpectedly, and she had only managed to save her life thanks to the great formation within the spirit mine.

Such things were, quite frankly, all too common.

"I wonder if Fellow Daoist Mu knows the truth behind this attack?"

Seeing Mu Qing present, Li Qing did not want to waste this opportunity to probe for the truth.

This would also serve as a way to divert the topic.

Furthermore, Mu Qing, regardless of the circumstances, had a great clan backing her and would surely know some information.

"This?"

Hearing Li Qing's inquiry, Mu Qing hesitated for a moment before slowly walking toward a deserted corner.

This matter was no longer a secret; it wouldn't be long before the sect made it public.

At the same time.

A hint of pleasant surprise appeared in Li Qing's eyes as he quickly followed her.

As a descendant of a great clan, Mu Qing indeed knew some inside information.

"Actually, this matter isn't much of a secret."

Mu Qing spoke slowly.

"The group that launched the sneak attack on Yellow Jade Island comes from an entity whose strength is in no way inferior to the Qianshui Spirit Control Sect—the Beast Spirit Sect..."

"As for the specific reason, it is still unknown!"

Li Qing froze in place after hearing this.

He hadn't expected the enemy's origins to be so terrifying.

To think it was the Beast Spirit Sect, one of the five great powers of the Haoyuan Sea Region.

But upon deeper reflection, it was quite logical. To dare to launch a frontal siege on Yellow Jade Island without fearing retaliation from the Qianshui Spirit Control Sect, they had to be a terrifying force comparable to it.

The five great powers of the Haoyuan Sea Region had jointly ruled the entire sea for countless ages, standing at the pinnacle of this world.

Although there had been friction due to interests in the past, a frontal war of this scale had never occurred.

"Fellow Daoist Li should see clearly that once a frontal war breaks out, cultivators without a background will likely find themselves in a difficult position in such a conflict!"

Mu Qing continued, seemingly implying something.

She was also taking the opportunity to remind him that he could use the Foundation Establishment Pill to build a connection with her family.

Li Qing naturally understood her underlying meaning.

However, instead, a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

"I haven't had the chance to tell Fellow Daoist Mu, but I have already applied to Senior Brother Ling to guard White Jade Island. I likely won't be returning to the sect for a short while."

Hearing this, a look of surprise appeared on Mu Qing's face.

She hadn't expected this person to make such a decisive choice just to avoid the pressure from within the sect.

"In that case, then congratulations to you, Fellow Daoist Li!"

A forced smile appeared on Mu Qing's face.

"Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Mu!"

Li Qing returned the courtesy and took his leave.

He did not want to fall out with this lady from a great clan just yet.

Watching Li Qing's departing figure, Mu Qing fell into thought.

Since the other party did not intend to hand over the Foundation Establishment Pill, she could only tell her elder brother in the clan the truth.

For some reason.

She always felt that this Junior Brother Li's various behaviors differed greatly from the information she had gathered.

She had previously heard that this man was arrogant and had an extreme temperament, but looking at him now, he seemed more like a person of deep calculation.

Low-profile, silent, unperturbed, and every choice made was part of his own plan.

At this moment, Mu Qing felt a greater sense of importance toward this outer disciple.

Then, she couldn't help but think again of Jiao Yujian, who had died in the attack.

An eighth-level Qi Refinement cultivator died in a sneak attack, yet the other party survived with only a fifth-level Qi Refinement cultivation.

As if thinking of something, Mu Qing shook her head inwardly.

Regardless, the man only possessed middle-grade spiritual root aptitude.

Even for someone like her, with middle-grade spiritual roots and a great clan background, the path of cultivation was fraught with difficulties, let alone him.

With no background and ordinary spiritual roots, his path was almost predestined.

On the other side.

Accompanied by the gentle sea breeze, Li Qing slowly walked out of the Yellow Jade Island spirit mine tunnels.

He had no intention of entering the cities near the spirit mine.

Although he carried some of Jiao Yujian's belongings that needed to be dealt with, he certainly couldn't handle them here.

At this moment, Li Qing's state of mind became extremely calm.

The sea is wide for the fish to leap, and the sky is high for the birds to fly.

As long as he continued to stay at White Jade Island, nothing would be able to affect his cultivation.

His only remaining task was to obtain the Golden Scale Fruit at the auction.

Once he obtained the Golden Scale Fruit, his physical injuries could recover rapidly.

The two-year assignment at White Jade Island would be enough for him to push his cultivation forward by a significant step.

He did not lack resources now; he only lacked the time to quickly convert his current accumulations into strength.