After establishing his might with the "Corrosive Lightning Technique," troubles decreased significantly. Qin Ye understood the hardships of a rogue cultivator and needed to find backing, or at least a temporary shelter. With the Liuyun Sword Sect ruled out, his target shifted to the relatively loose Rogue Cultivator Alliance.
The Rogue Cultivator Alliance was not a rigid organization but a union of various rogue cultivator forces. One of the larger factions within it was called the "Four Seas Pavilion," known for its trade and extensive information network.
Qin Ye traveled to the Four Seas Pavilion's branch in Red Leaf Market to apply for guest elder status. The assessment was simple: alchemy and combat prowess.
As for alchemy, Qin Ye casually refined an improved version of the "Spirit Gathering Pill." Its efficacy exceeded the standard by thirty percent, greatly astonishing the assessing elder.
For the combat assessment, his opponent was a body cultivator in the Late Foundation Establishment stage. Qin Ye once again used only one move and did not employ the Chaos Spirit Devouring Sword. He merely used his newly comprehended palm technique, imbued with devouring power, to break through the opponent's defenses within three moves and repel him.
"Fellow Cultivator You Ye's strength is unfathomable, and his alchemy skills are nothing short of miraculous. The Four Seas Pavilion welcomes you wholeheartedly!" The assessing elder, beaming, presented the guest elder token on the spot and offered excellent treatment.
Upon becoming a guest elder, Qin Ye gained access to some internal missions. He quickly locked onto one: exploring a newly discovered ancient cultivator's cave dwelling in Mangcang Mountain outside the county, suspected to be the resting place of a Golden Core stage cultivator. Requirements: at least Middle Foundation Establishment cultivation, and teamwork.
The mission rewards were generous, including spirit stones and the opportunity to select items from the cave dwelling first. More importantly, the mission description mentioned that the cave dwelling might contain a treasure for "Soul Tempering," which would greatly benefit Jiang Li's damaged soul, harmed by her burning of essential blood.
Qin Ye accepted the mission without hesitation. At the gathering point, he met his four teammates: a pair of taciturn brothers, both Middle Foundation Establishment cultivators, seemingly body cultivators; a nimble-eyed girl carrying a medicine basket, Early Foundation Establishment cultivation, likely an alchemist; and a graceful young man holding a folding fan, who called himself the "know-it-all," Late Foundation Establishment cultivation, and was the temporary leader for this mission.
The five of them ventured deep into Mangcang Mountain. Along the way, they were harassed by demon beasts, but all were easily resolved. The brothers cooperated seamlessly, displaying considerable combat strength; the alchemist girl was knowledgeable about various herbs, providing considerable help; the "know-it-all" leader was well-informed and had researched cave dwelling restriction formations extensively.
However, as they approached the valley where the cave dwelling was located, a sudden change occurred!
Several sharp arrows shot out from the dense forest without warning, tipped with dark blue poison, aiming directly for their vital points!
"Enemy attack!"
The two brothers roared, instantly activating their body protection spirit energy. The alchemist girl nimbly dodged behind a rock. The "know-it-all" leader waved his folding fan, deflecting two arrows.
Qin Ye's movements were ghost-like, easily evading the arrows. His gaze sharply scanned the direction from which they came. There were five attackers in total, all masked and clad in black, with considerable cultivation – two Late Foundation Establishment and three Middle Foundation Establishment.
The melee erupted!
Qin Ye engaged one of the Late Foundation Establishment attackers in black. His opponent's saber technique was fierce and his experience evident. However, Qin Ye did not exert his full strength. While defending, he secretly observed.
He soon noticed something abnormal. The brothers, while seemingly fighting the other Late Foundation Establishment cultivator with all their might, always led the battle's residual energy towards the alchemist girl at critical moments. And the "know-it-all" leader, though engaged in combat, kept glancing at the cave dwelling entrance, as if calculating something.
This ambush was likely not as simple as it seemed. These "teammates" each had their own hidden agendas.