Eye-stinging

Liang Chen, Qian Yu, Niu Shouren, and Chen Jiaojiao stared intently at Wang Jianqiang.

Their eyes were filled with greed, as if they had spotted a walking vein of spirit stones, and they were thrilled.

After leaving the place where the jade emerged, they continued on their journey.

Not long ago, they suddenly sensed the ripples of a fierce battle.

The faint aura emanating from it was incredibly powerful, even causing Liang Chen and Qian Yu to feel a bit apprehensive.

With the thought of preserving their own lives, the four of them didn't want to be drawn into such a high-level battle, so they decided to take a detour.

They deliberately bypassed the battlefield.

But they hadn't expected that after just circling around to the back of the battlefield, they would encounter Wang Jianqiang.

It was truly like finding something effortlessly after searching high and low.

It seemed that even fate was on their side.

"What do you want?"

Seeing the malicious expressions on their faces, Wang Jianqiang frowned and took a step back.

"Wang Jianqiang, you probably don't know yet, do you? Your secret has been exposed."

Niu Shouren sneered.

Secret exposed?

Wang Jianqiang was taken aback.

His first reaction was the system.

Then he quickly realized.

No, that can't be right.

The system was in his mind, and no one else could see it.

Even if he wanted others to see it, they couldn't, so how could it be exposed?

Could it be...

Had something between him and Chen Jiaojiao been discovered?

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but glance at Chen Jiaojiao.

He quickly dismissed the possibility.

If something between him and Chen Jiaojiao had been discovered, how could Niu Shouren remain so calm?

No matter how big-hearted he was, he wouldn't mention it publicly, right?

Although his name was Niu Shouren, it didn't mean he was a bull-headed person.

Seeing Wang Jianqiang's confusion.

Niu Shouren's sneer grew even more pronounced.

"Wang Jianqiang, your acting is quite good."

"But your assistance to Wang Yuyao in her breakthrough has long been known to me, and denying it won't help."

"If you hand over the method that allows people to break through quickly, we might consider sparing your life."

Wang Jianqiang was once again taken aback.

Then his expression turned peculiar.

He looked at Chen Jiaojiao.

It was undoubtedly her who had spread the news about Wang Yuyao.

She and Wang Yuyao often came to him.

Although they hadn't competed together, they had met a few times, and she must have guessed something from it.

Noticing Wang Jianqiang's gaze, a trace of resentment flashed across Chen Jiaojiao's face.

"That's right, I was the one who revealed your secret."

"Wang Jianqiang, you clearly have a method to help people break through, yet you didn't help me, your goddaughter, but instead favored Wang Yuyao, an outsider. You're too much!"

Me, too much?

Wang Jianqiang looked at her indifferently, not bothering to refute.

"Alright, let's end the reminiscing here."

At that moment, Liang Chen suddenly spoke up.

He glanced at Chen Jiaojiao and Niu Shouren, "This place is too close to the battle area, it's not safe to linger, let's focus on the main task."

Saying this, he turned to Wang Jianqiang, "You know our purpose now, hand over the breakthrough method."

"If I hand over the breakthrough method, will you let me leave unharmed?" Wang Jianqiang asked.

Liang Chen chuckled lightly, "Your worthless life isn't worth much in itself. If you can cooperate obediently, sparing you might be possible."

Wang Jianqiang nodded, "The method is simple: alchemy. I am a very talented alchemist."

Upon hearing Wang Jianqiang's words, Liang Chen's expression instantly turned grim, "Are you saying that the reason Wang Yuyao could break through from the sixth level of Qi Refining to the peak of Qi Refining in half a year is because of the pills you concocted?"

"Are you treating me like a fool, old man?"

He felt Wang Jianqiang was playing him.

A notorious waste from the outer sect claiming to be a "very talented alchemist"?

Fooling the ghosts, perhaps?

He'd sooner believe that pigs from the mortal realm could cultivate into immortals than believe such nonsense.

Chen Jiaojiao and Niu Shouren also sneered repeatedly.

They naturally knew Wang Jianqiang could concoct pills, but his level of alchemy was utterly insignificant.

It couldn't possibly have such astonishing effects.

Not to mention the pills he concocted, even the world's top-tier first-level pills definitely wouldn't have such effects!

"This old guy seems to be somewhat dishonest."

Qian Yu chuckled lightly.

A wave of spiritual pressure instantly enveloped Wang Jianqiang.

Under normal circumstances, the spiritual pressure at the peak of Qi Refining wouldn't affect him at all.

But now, his spiritual power was nearly depleted, making it difficult to resist.

His face turned pale, and his waist bent down.

This scene matched perfectly with the impression of the sect's waste in the eyes of the four.

Qian Yu looked at Wang Jianqiang indifferently, "I'll give you one more chance to reorganize your words."

"I'm telling the truth."

Wang Jianqiang struggled to straighten his waist and smiled.

These days, no one believes the truth anymore.

The fact that he could concoct perfect first-level pills wasn't a secret.

However, it wasn't something that was specifically publicized, and only a few people like Dong Yue, Wang Yuyao, and Su Yutong knew about it.

Qian Yu shook his head and smiled at Liang Chen, "This old guy is really stubborn."

Liang Chen sneered, "Stubborn? Then I want to see which is harder, his bones or his mouth!"

As he spoke, he slowly raised his palm, "Old man, since you're seeking death, I can only kill you and personally refine your soul."

As he spoke, a ball of spiritual light quickly gathered between his fingers.

"Brother Liang Chen, don't!"

Seeing this, Chen Jiaojiao's face showed a struggle, she bit her silver teeth and stood in front of Liang Chen.

"Brother Liang Chen, you promised me to spare his life."

Liang Chen glanced at her indifferently, "Get out of the way."

Chen Jiaojiao's face turned pale, "Brother Liang Chen..."

"Move!"

Liang Chen snorted coldly, his voice mixed with spiritual power, like a heavy hammer striking Chen Jiaojiao.

Chen Jiaojiao's face turned white, and she flew out.

"Jiaojiao!"

Niu Shouren's expression changed, and he hurriedly went forward to support her, "What are you doing? If the old guy dies, he dies. What does it have to do with you?"

"Go to hell!"

Meanwhile, with Chen Jiaojiao no longer blocking him, Liang Chen's palm directly reached out.

A palm imprint, formed by concentrated spiritual energy, shot through the air.

Seeing this, Chen Jiaojiao's expression was complex.

She merely wanted to seize the method for breaking through, so how did things escalate to this point?

Thinking of Wang Jianqiang about to perish under this strike, she couldn't help but close her eyes, unwilling to watch.

On the other side, the spiritual energy palm imprint swiftly cut through the air, appearing before Wang Jianqiang.

Wang Jianqiang's expression was grave, and a flash of spiritual light enveloped him.

A beautifully crafted long dress was already draped over his body.

On the dress, water ripples undulated, and a shadow of the moon emerged.

The bright moonlight reflected from within the dress, enveloping his body.

The moonlight was bright, and his figure was hazy.

The scene was beautiful, though the sight of an old man in a dress was somewhat jarring.

A perfect mid-level artifact not only had power comparable to a high-level artifact but also had another advantage—low consumption.

Its consumption was merely equivalent to that of an ordinary mid-level artifact.

Wang Jianqiang had little spiritual energy left within him, insufficient to wield a perfect high-level artifact, but he could barely manage a perfect mid-level artifact.

But ultimately, it was just barely manageable, and its power couldn't be fully displayed.

Bang!

After the palm imprint and moonlight made contact.

The moonlight shattered inch by inch, and blood trickled from Wang Jianqiang's mouth as he was flung backward.

"It's Wang Mengyao's high-level artifact!"

"She actually lent you her high-level artifact!"

Seeing the exquisite long dress on Wang Jianqiang, Liang Chen and Qian Yu were not amused by the jarring sight but instead showed expressions of shock.

How precious are high-level artifacts?

Like them, each only owned one.

Yet Wang Yuyao was willing to lend hers!

"So what if it's a high-level artifact? No matter how strong an artifact is, it still relies on the user's strength. You're so weak, how much of its power can you truly display?"

"Today, you still can't escape death!"

Liang Chen sneered and struck out with his palm again.

An even more concentrated spiritual energy palm imprint rushed towards Wang Jianqiang.

Wang Jianqiang remained silent, waving his hand.

A pair of shoes.

One flew to the left, the other to the right, towards Liang Chen and Qian Yu.

The next moment, with a thought, he detonated both shoes simultaneously.