Three days later, the Heavenly Sword Sect's mountain gate was bustling with activity, filled with a mix of spiritual energy and a chilling atmosphere.
On the spacious mountain gate plaza, cultivators dressed in various attire stood in neat rows, some Foundation Establishment cultivators, others outer disciples.
Qin Changsheng was also among the ranks.
However, Qin Changsheng had already used a golden-level concealment technique to control his cultivation at the fourth level of Qi Refining.
Qin Changsheng's group consisted entirely of outer disciples recruited this time, their cultivation levels varying, mostly at the fourth or fifth level of Qi Refining. Each face held a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
After joining the group, Qin Changsheng used his divine sense to survey everyone.
At the very front of the mountain gate stood two groups of Foundation Establishment cultivators.
One group was the Azure Cloud Lake group led by Lin Zhentian, and the other was the Misty Forest group led by Elder Qingxuan and Fairy Qingling.
Li Hu and Lin Hao were both present in Lin Zhentian's group.
Hu Nan, Jiang Lijuan, and others appeared in Qingling Fairy's group.
Qin Changsheng also spotted a familiar figure among the outer disciples of Qingyun Lake.
That person was Zhang Han, Qin Changsheng's fellow townsman.
Qin Changsheng wasn't particularly surprised to see Zhang Han in the group.
Recently, Zhang Han had accumulated a considerable debt of spirit stones in his pursuit of Lin Yao.
Therefore, Zhang Han would accept any major sect mission.
Shortly after Qin Changsheng noticed Zhang Han, Zhang Han also noticed Qin Changsheng.
However, Zhang Han didn't give Qin Changsheng a second glance.
After all, Zhang Han always considered him the most talented genius in Beihai County.
A low-ranking disciple like Qin Changsheng had no right to stand with him.
A short while later, Lin Zhentian, dressed in brocade robes, accompanied by Elder Qingxuan and Qingling Fairy, slowly walked onto the high platform of the mountain gate. His expression was serious as he surveyed all the cultivators in the square. His deep voice slowly rang out, issuing the order to depart.
Qin Changsheng set off with the Qi Refining team, following behind the Foundation Establishment team, heading towards Qingyun Lake.
Hu Nan, on the other hand, followed Fairy Qingling, Elder Qingxuan, and others towards the Misty Forest.
After more than two hours, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a vast lake before them.
Qin Changsheng was very familiar with this lake.
This was Qingyun Lake near the Heavenly Sword Sect.
After reaching Foundation Establishment, Qin Changsheng frequently sent Hu Nan to scout this area.
"Halt!" Lin Zhentian was the first to stop, his deep and authoritative voice resounding throughout the area, instantly silencing the commotion.
Everyone stopped abruptly, all looking up at Lin Zhentian.
Lin Zhentian's gaze swept across the lake, then slowly turned to the cultivators behind him, issuing his orders: "Foundation Establishment cultivators, listen up! Immediately disperse and proceed to the area surrounding and within Qingyun Lake to exterminate the demonic beasts!"
He paused, then looked at the outer sect Qi Refining disciples beside him, his tone becoming increasingly stern: "Qi Refining disciples, listen up! You are not to participate in the killing of demonic beasts without authorization. Follow the Foundation Establishment cultivators throughout the entire process, assisting in collecting the demonic beast corpses, organizing their inner cores and hides, and guarding the team's supplies. Anyone who acts without authorization will be punished according to the sect's laws, without exception!"
"We obey Elder Lin's orders!" all the cultivators responded in unison, their voices perfectly synchronized.
As the words fell, the Foundation Establishment cultivators activated their spiritual power, their figures flashing as they scattered towards the shores of Qingyun Lake, each wielding a magical weapon. Streaks of spiritual light streaked across the sky, landing on the lakeshore and instantly engaging the lurking demonic beasts in fierce combat. The sounds of clashing weapons, roars of demonic beasts, and bursts of spiritual power mingled together, echoing across the lake.
Qin Changsheng mingled among the outer sect Qi Refining disciples, walking with them to the edge of the lake. He took a simple knife distributed by the steward, feigning clumsiness, and joined the other outer sect disciples in gathering the corpses of the low-level demonic beasts slain by the Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Clad in outer sect robes, his figure inconspicuous, his movements seemingly slow, were actually extremely composed.
But no one knew that Qin Changsheng's divine sense had already quietly spread out, passing over the fighting Foundation Establishment cultivators, and over the churning lake surface, locking onto a figure—Li Hu.
While casually clearing debris from the demon beast's corpse with his knife, he kept a close watch on Li Hu's every move through his divine sense, not daring to relax for a moment.
He had initially thought Li Hu would take advantage of the chaos to secretly find an opportunity to approach the location of the lake's hidden treasure, but after observing for a long time, he found that Li Hu showed no abnormalities.
Through his divine sense, Li Hu held a sharp longsword, his spiritual energy condensed and not released, focused intently on killing the Foundation Establishment demon beast in the lake.
His movements were swift and decisive; with each swing of the longsword, spiritual light flashed, and each strike precisely targeted the demon beast's vital points. His expression was serious and focused, his eyes sharp, and he never wavered for a moment, nor did he glance towards the center of the lake, as if he were truly only concentrating on carrying out the sect's beast-hunting mission, with no thought of seizing the hidden treasure.
A knowing glint flashed in Qin Changsheng's eyes.
Li Hu was indeed meticulous and extremely patient. He knew that with everyone watching and Lin Zhentian secretly patrolling, any rash action would arouse suspicion. Therefore, he deliberately pretended to be focused on hunting beasts, lying in wait for the best opportunity to strike.
Qin Changsheng also pretended to be focused on cleaning up the beast corpses, but his divine sense never left Li Hu's side. At the same time, he secretly monitored the movements in the lake area, sensing the powerful aura of the Golden Core beast, silently deducing the subsequent treasure-hunting plan to ensure everything went smoothly.
Just then, Zhang Han suddenly rushed out from the Qi Refining disciples' group, ignoring the steward's reprimands, and ran towards Li Hu.
His face wore a fawning smile, his expression urgent, completely lacking the arrogance he had shown when he looked down on Qin Changsheng, instead revealing a hint of humility.
Just then, Li Hu had slain a demonic beast and was wiping the blood from his sword when he sensed the movement behind him. He turned slightly and saw Zhang Han rushing towards him. A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, and his brow furrowed slightly. His tone was calm: "What is it?"
Zhang Han quickly ran to Li Hu and bowed deeply, his posture extremely humble: "Uncle-Master Li, I am Zhang Han, from the same hometown as you, Beihai County!"
"It is a great honor to be on a mission with you today, Uncle-Master! Please allow me to follow behind you!"
Li Hu glanced at Zhang Han, then nodded and said, "We are from the same hometown, no need for such formality!"
"Just follow behind me and deal with the demonic beasts!"
"Thank you so much, Uncle-Master Li! Thank you so much, Uncle-Master Li!" Zhang Han's face was beaming with joy.
Zhang Han had observed for a long time and discovered that among these Foundation Establishment cultivators, Li Hu was the strongest.
While the others had just slain one demonic beast, Li Hu had already killed three.
Following behind Li Hu, he was certain to receive many rewards from the sect.
Moreover, Li Hu was also a fellow townsman from Beihai County; they had joined the Heavenly Sword Sect together back then.
After completing the mission, Li Hu would definitely reward him handsomely.
As the sun set, its afterglow spilled onto the lake, dyeing the clear yet dark water a golden-red. The roars of the demonic beasts gradually subsided, replaced by the slightly weary conversations of the cultivators and the soft hum of magical artifacts being sheathed.
After a day of fierce fighting, the Foundation Establishment cultivators had slain a large number of low-level demonic beasts. The scattered carcasses around the lake shore had been cleaned up by the outer sect disciples, and while the stench in the air hadn't completely dissipated, it had lessened considerably.
"It's getting late, cease the hunt!" Lin Zhentian's deep voice rang out again.
"Everyone, immediately proceed to the camp to rest, inventory supplies, heal your wounds, and recuperate. We'll continue the hunt tomorrow morning! Foundation Establishment cultivators will take turns on guard duty, vigilant against nighttime attacks by demonic beasts!"
The crowd responded in unison, withdrawing their spiritual energy and heading towards the camp on the eastern side of the lake shore.
The camp had already been prepared in advance by the sect's deacons and the outer sect cultivators. Dozens of cyan tents were neatly arranged, with an open space in the center piled with healing pills, dry rations, and drinking water.
Qin Changsheng mingled among the outer disciples, arriving at the camp with the others. He received his distributed rations and water, found an inconspicuous spot in a corner of a tent, and sat down. He seemed to casually eat his rations, but his divine sense was still subtly spreading, firmly locking onto Li Hu's figure.
He could clearly see Li Hu, along with the other Foundation Establishment cultivators, walk to the open space in the center of the camp, find a blue stone to sit on, and make no unusual move.
A Foundation Establishment cultivator took out a wine jar he carried, poured out some fragrant spiritual wine, and handed a cup to Li Hu.
Li Hu didn't refuse, taking the cup with a gentle smile. He chatted casually with the Foundation Establishment cultivator beside him, his tone natural, occasionally discussing the techniques of hunting demonic beasts during the day. His expression was relaxed and content, as if he were truly just a cheerful Foundation Establishment cultivator focused on carrying out sect missions.
Qin Changsheng observed silently, his expression calm and composed, slowly chewing his dry rations, but a knowing glint flashed in his eyes.
He knew that Li Hu's seemingly well-behaved demeanor was merely a facade. His daytime focus on hunting demonic beasts and his nighttime drinking and chatting with his fellow disciples were all a ploy to lull everyone into a false sense of security, allowing Lin Zhentian and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators to lower their guard and pave the way for their subsequent treasure-hunting plan.