Supreme Emperor of Mist

A week actually passed when one tried to live quietly without caring what's happening in the outside world. To Qin Lan, this one-week period is indeed calming as it allowed him to obtain the serenity he wanted.

But no matter what, he has to return to reality.

Of course, Qin Lan cannot be too irresponsible after receiving charity from the villagers. They might not be an expert in their field of work, but the contribution they gave out still managed to enlightened Qin Lan when he's still in a state of confusion.

For the sake of continuing what he left, Qin Lan trained two villagers with good potential in medicine on how to prepare the pills. Furthermore, a villager is taught his blacksmithing skill to contribute to the villagers after Qin Lan's departure.

"Using the recipes and technique I taught them, this village's status will undoubtedly arise in the future. I can't wait but fantasized about what will be their future..." Qin Lan smiled as he turned around and preparing to leave the village.

"Benefactor! Please wait!" the young child that received Qin Lan's guidance in cultivation came forward as he wanted to share a secret of their village.

"What's wrong, Xiao Dao?" Qin Lan knelt on a knee as he gave him a pat on his head.

"My mother says, at the back of the mountain there, lies a pond that keeps releasing a jade-colored smoke. That place used to be a place the village youngsters go to cultivates." Xiao Dao said.

"But now... It has turned into a nest for the bad Thundercry Lion. Please get rid of the Yao Beast and get the pond back for us!" Xiao Dao continued.

"Hmm... Why not. I'll go there and take a look. If I really managed to get rid of the Thundercry Lion, I'll come back and tell you." Qin Lan replied. Since he's leaving soon, it won't be hurt for him to make a visit to the said place.

After sending the young child back to his mother, Qin Lan changed his direction and decided to pay the Ancestral Dragoncloud Forest a visit. Since it was relatively safe based on the villager's words, Qin Lan didn't bother to prepare too much.

...

...

...

"Please stay calm. The promised Essence Transformation Pill will be on the way out very soon. We're sorry for all the inconvenience." Hu Jia politely apologized to the disciples outside of their spiritual cave.

"Fellow disciple Hu, I know that we shouldn't blame you on the lateness, but please understand that all of us have our responsibility too. Without that pill, it increases our risk when going out to accomplish a mission." a disciple said.

"Ceh... Stupid fatty. Of course, the risk increases if you're taking a mission above your ability. Relying on a pill is not a correct way to earn more contribution points." Qin Chan speaks softly behind Hu Jia.

"Is there still no words about Qin Lan?" Qin Fan asked Lu Yi, Lu Qing Yun, and Huo Zunjie.

"No... It seems something is bothering his mind when we return. Perhaps the reason he left the sect quietly is to clarify this matter. Let's hope he'll come back soon." Lu Qing Yun answered Qin Fan's question based on what they understand so far.

Behind her stands Lu Yi and Huo Zunjie. Both of them had already successfully broken through the Sixth-level of the Flesh Refining Layer a few days ago. Right now, only Hu Jia and Qin Lan still remain at the fifth-level.

"Thank you for your understanding. We'll announce as soon as we can the moment the Essence Transformation Pill is ready for collection. Please do not worry about it." Hu Jia bowed at the disciples as they left one by one.

"Husband... Quickly come home, would you?" Hu Jia looked at the sky where the sun is beginning to set. In her heart, a hint of longing for her partner kept bothering her as she tried to calm her mind.

...

...

"Yelp!" a Yao Beast cried as a sword pierced its heart.

"It seems this place is indeed decent for villagers to strengthen their cultivation." Qin Lan praised the richness of resources around this outer section. It was jumbled with medicinal herbs, Spiritual Plants, and low leveled Yao Beast everywhere.

Even Qin Lan managed to benefit from it.

As there are not many obstacles that managed to halt his progress, Qin Lan reaches his destination in a single afternoon. The mysterious cave with a dull green light caught his curiosity as he approached it carefully.

"Roar..." long growls can be heard from the inside of the cave.

"The outside of this cave is too clean... It shouldn't be as simple as a Thundercry Lion because that Yao Beast is known to be lazy and filthy." Qin Lan kept the Eight Transformation Treasured Brush back into his sleeve's pocket as it was a foolish attempt to fight using a weapon inside a cave.

But he can't enter the cave while protected by Spiritual Energy either as that will alarmed the Yao Beast living within the cave.

"Well... One will have to risk going into Lion's den to capture a lion cub. Let's hope it's worthy of the risk." Qin Lan shook his head as he realized he was being overly cautious once again.

Taking a step at a time, Qin Lan quietly sneaks into the cave.

There were some weapons and equipment that rusted due to oxidation with the air along his way. And since they're recyclable after some effort, Qin Lan decided to pick them up as he stored them inside his Qiankun Pouch.

He finally came into a much wider cave after walking cautiously for twenty or so minutes.

"Roar..." a lioness gave out a light growl as it uses its sharp fang to tear the flesh of her food apart. Lying down not far from her is an adult Thundercry Lion still in its slumber.

"For heaven's sake..." Qin Lan smiled.

Although it was unfortunate for him to stumble across a Thundercry Lion's den without cubs, having a pair of male and female lions for him to hunt is better than nothing. But before that, he'll have to consider how to proceed.

That's because the pair of Yao Beast before him are both sixth-level Flesh Refining demon!

Furthermore, there's another surprise waiting for him behind the Thundercry Lion. It was a pond that's enough to fit between three to five people inside.

Just like what Xiao Dao's mother said to him, the pond is indeed a perfect place to cultivate as it was shrouded by a layer of green mist all the time.

"This was a natural Blessing of Earth just like the one I set in the Qin Family Estate! To think I actually stumble across one here!" Qin Lan had the urge to laugh loudly.