Zuo Wentian asked, bewildered, "Experts from every faction went to that... what was it... the Ancient Soul Forest, and then they all vanished. How could this possibly involve the Celestial Purity Sect? If even I’ve been reduced to this state, the other experts must be in a similar condition. What does that have to do with me? Why would they take their anger out on the Celestial Purity Sect? And what happened to the Sect in the end?"

Shen Lang pondered for a moment before replying, "Because you were the one who initiated the expedition to the Ancient Soul Forest. If it weren’t for you, the major sects wouldn’t have suffered such disastrous losses. As for the Celestial Purity Sect, although they lost several experts, they managed to survive thanks to the War God Hall’s intervention. However, their numbers have dwindled. They are a shadow of their former selves and have been reduced to a Dark Gold Level Influence."

"Th-that... my head hurts. I can’t remember what happened at all. But every venture like this has an organizer. Why would those sects put all the blame on me?"

Zuo Wentian said, his voice laced with resentment.

Shen Lang murmured, "As for what happened, you’re the only one who would know. I’m afraid no one else does. We’re talking about powers that could make the entire Star Continent tremble with a single stomp of their foot. This includes the Four Directions Great Emperors from the Eastern Desolate, Western Wilderness, Southern Desolate, and Northern Wilderness."

"And yet, they all vanished during that incident. Some people say it was your conspiracy, that you were the one who doomed them all."

"But what’s strange is that among these vanished experts, many were your close friends. Many of the sects were also on good terms with the Celestial Purity Sect, not enemies."

"The Four Directions Great Emperors? It really got that big? A conspiracy..." Zuo Wentian said bitterly. "What kind of conspiracy would leave my own soul on the verge of scattering?"

Shen Lang shook his head and said, "These things can only be answered once your memory returns. Otherwise, it may remain a mystery forever."

"This is why I’m being so cautious and why I can’t let you appear before anyone. No matter how you look at it, you’re the world’s public enemy right now. With our current strength, we can’t afford to attract that kind of trouble."

Zuo Wentian fell silent for a long moment before speaking. "I understand. Thank you for telling me all this, Master... By the way, since you’ve begun to gather your own forces, and I was the one who founded the Celestial Purity Sect... shouldn’t we find some time to pay them a visit?"

Shen Lang chuckled in amusement. "You’re being too naive. What would we say when we get to the Celestial Purity Sect? That I’m the master of your founding Elder Ancestor? They’d chop me into pieces and throw me out. As for you, forget the fact that your memory hasn’t returned. Even if it had, do you think you could just show up and tell them you’re back?"

"Although the Celestial Purity Sect still exists, it is definitely under the surveillance of powerful experts from all sides. Let’s not even mention that you’re just a Soul Body right now. Even at your peak, appearing at the Celestial Purity Sect would only bring disaster upon it."

"We will definitely go to the Celestial Purity Sect, but not now. We’ll have to wait until my cultivation is strong enough to deal with their experts."

"The reason I’m telling you this is because I feel the time is about right. You and I, master and disciple, must be of one mind to face the various crises that may come."

Zuo Wentian said, a little embarrassed, "I understand."

"Good. Go back to sleep for now. I’ll call you if anything comes up." With that, Shen Lang took out a pile of bottles and jars.

There were more than forty of these bottles and jars, containing at least forty different types of materials.

’I have everything, but the quantities are too small. I won’t be able to make very much in the time I have...’

These were the materials used along with the Ice Soul Water Jade to concoct the Medicinal Liquid.

For the Treasure Pavilion to have gathered so many things in less than two months was already quite remarkable.

But now, Shen Lang not only needed it for himself, he also wanted to use it for War Wolf, letting all its members use the Medicinal Liquid for Body Forging. It felt like there wasn’t nearly enough to go around.

’Resources must be used where they’re most effective. I’ll keep some for myself, but the rest should go to the strongest members of War Wolf first.’

After a moment of silence, Shen Lang took out his Medicine Furnace and got busy.

Two hours later, a small vial of Medicinal Liquid had been concocted.

This Medicinal Liquid was crystal clear. At a glance, one could even see ice-crystal-like substances drifting about inside it, which was quite strange.

Suddenly, Shen Lang seemed to sense something. He left the Heaven-Sealing Cauldron and walked out of the room.

"You Yue, Commander of the Flower God Guard..."

"Black Death, Commander of the Purple-clothed Guard..."

"Greetings, My Lord!"

Standing at the door were none other than Black Death and You Yue.

One of them was burly, clad in black armor, and wore a ferocious mask, resembling an Angry-eyed Vajra.

The other also had her face hidden by a mask, but her graceful figure and regal bearing were unmistakable. Beneath that nobility, however, was a hint of a sovereign’s authority, marking her as an extremely dangerous woman.

"Is the Grand Array ready?" Shen Lang asked coolly.

At this moment, Shen Lang was not wearing the Evil Ghost Mask. You Yue looked at his somewhat youthful face, still feeling as if she were in a dream.

She nodded slightly and said, "Yes. The Elder Ancestors of the Five Sects acted together, with the other Elders assisting. The Life and Death Reincarnation Array has been properly set up and is waiting for your arrangements, My Lord."

"Good. Let’s go then." As Shen Lang spoke, the black wings on his back pulsed, and he shot into the sky.

You Yue and Black Death immediately followed, flying toward the forbidden grounds in the rear mountains of the Profound Dao Sect.

At this time, the forbidden grounds in the rear mountains were bustling with activity.

More than a thousand members of War Wolf were sitting cross-legged on the ground, diligently focused on their cultivation.

On the other side of these people, the six hundred-plus disciples selected from the Five Sects’ internal competitions were gathered together, looking somewhat disorderly.

It was just that the old-timers from each sect were gathered on another side and had no time to manage these youngsters.

The female disciples of the Xiu Hua Sect were all stunning beauties who naturally attracted a swarm of admirers, making them the undisputed center of attention.

Among them, their Senior Sister, Jun Qiluo, captured the gazes of the male disciples from every sect with her every move.

Finally, encouraged by the crowd, a disciple from the White Rainbow Sect boldly walked up to Jun Qiluo.

"Qiluo, I... I like you!"

The disciples from the various sects on site immediately let out shrieks, their whistles and cheers thundering through the air.

"But I already like someone..."

Jun Qiluo’s every expression was captivating, possessing a bewitching quality that could make one lose themselves in a single glance.

"Oh, okay, I get it." The White Rainbow Sect disciple’s face turned ashen, and he retreated after just one exchange.

"You silly boy, why didn’t you ask if the person I like is you?" Jun Qiluo gave him a reproachful glance.

The White Rainbow Sect disciple’s spirits instantly lifted. "Ah? Could it be... could the person you like be me?"

"No." Jun Qiluo’s reply was utterly blunt.

The crowd immediately burst into uproarious laughter, with many doubling over in hysterics.

Jun Qiluo’s gaze swept casually toward a distant spot before she retracted it.

Over there, under a large tree, Mo Ge and Su Rong were sitting side-by-side, chatting about something.

"It seems everyone is a bit tired after cultivating all night. How about I give you all a riddle to solve? If you can guess it, there might be a special reward for you!"

Jun Qiluo’s bewitching demeanor instantly drew the gazes of most of the men there.

On the Profound Dao Sect’s side, Yan Qi was pushed forward by Tian Hao.

Tian Hao had a famous saying: "I’m like a jade artifact; I’d never risk clashing with mere porcelain. If someone has to do the clashing, I’ll let a piece of porcelain like Yan Qi handle it."

Yan Qi said nonchalantly, "Go on, ask your question. Let me give it a try!"

Seeing that she had drawn out this simpleton, Jun Qiluo couldn’t help but sigh.

Then she said leisurely, "Three people rent a room together. The price is thirty Spirit Stones, so they each pay ten. The owner says there’s a discount today, so it’s only twenty-five Spirit Stones. He gives five Spirit Stones to his clerk to return to them."

"But the clerk secretly pockets two Spirit Stones for himself. He gives the remaining three back to the men, one Spirit Stone each. That means each man effectively paid nine Spirit Stones. Nine stones each makes a total of twenty-seven. If you add the two Spirit Stones the clerk stole, that’s twenty-nine. So, where did the last Spirit Stone go? Do you know, Yan Qi?"

Yan Qi felt like his head was about to explode; his brain was a tangled mess.

He pretended to be deep in thought for a long while before exclaiming as if he’d had an epiphany, "Haha... your riddle has a fatal flaw!"

Everyone was stunned. If this guy could solve the riddle, pigs could fly!

From the looks of it, not only could he answer it, but he had also found a flaw in the riddle?

Everyone looked at Yan Qi with curiosity as he declared, "Where can you find a room for thirty Spirit Stones? Who can afford something that expensive! Your riddle is clearly invalid!"

Everyone nearly fell over. They exchanged glances and silently dispersed.

Tian Hao shook his head repeatedly. "Truly a hopeless case. You just can’t teach some people."

"If you think I’m stupid, just say it. Stop using all these fancy words I don’t understand..." Yan Qi protested.

On the other side, by a small waterfall, Tang Yiyi stood facing the mountain, staring blankly at the cascade.

Shen Jianfeng stood a short distance behind her, striking a pose and shaking his head as he recited, "The left eye has never seen the right. It knows not how to comfort, only how to weep with it..."

From the woods, Chu Qingcheng popped his head out. "Ever looked in a mirror, genius?"

"Chu Qingcheng, you... you... you..."

Before Shen Jianfeng could finish his curse, Chu Qingcheng’s head disappeared back into the woods.

Shen Jianfeng looked at Tang Yiyi’s heart-wrenching back, took a deep breath, and recited again:

"Why be so sentimental, why be so infatuated? If flowers had feelings, they would have long since withered."

"If people have feelings, they grow gaunt, so gaunt..."

"When one is far from home, what harm is there in growing gaunt? With wine in a golden cup, what harm is there in getting drunk?"

"To watch others in their happy pairs with drunken eyes,"

"Is better than shedding tears of longing in secret where no one can see..."

Chu Qingcheng popped his head out from the woods again.

"Even if flowers and trees are heartless, they too will wither one day. A heartless person will also grow gaunt in time. If a person has no feelings, what flavor is there in life? Even if one sheds tears of longing in secret, it’s far better than having no tears to cry at all."

Shen Jianfeng flew into a rage. "Are you deliberately trying to pick a fight with me?!"

"Er, I just saw you were suddenly struck with poetic inspiration, so I thought I’d play along... Fine, I’ll go back to searching for my ideals." Chu Qingcheng stood up and sauntered away.

Not trusting him, Shen Jianfeng stared at his back until Chu Qingcheng disappeared from view. Only then did he look away.

However, when he looked away and turned back, Tang Yiyi was gone from the waterfall’s edge. This angered Shen Jianfeng so much that he wailed and stamped his feet, beating his chest.

...

In the distance, the Artifact Refiners gathered from the Five Sects were hard at work on a cliff’s edge.

One Artifact Refiner spent several days and finally finished forging a long saber, collapsing from exhaustion.

He watched the Spiritual Artifact slowly take form, let out a cheer, and then lay down and fell asleep.

Chu Qingcheng happened to walk by. Seeing the Spiritual Artifact solidifying, he couldn’t resist writing two lines of text on both sides of the blade.

"You’re the one who wanted to leave, so fine, we’re through."

"My love’s not a thing you can buy, then sell when you want to."

The Artifact Refiner groggily got up to take a look and immediately jumped three feet in the air. "Chu Qingcheng, you get back here! I promise I won’t beat you to death!"