The headquarters of the Jade Lizard Association is set in an open area with high ground outside Yunxi District.
Ever since Luo Heng succeeded in Foundation Establishment, there has been a lot of construction here. What used to be a slightly messy gathering point for Loose Cultivators now has towering high walls and strict guards, bearing a few aspects of an Immortal Sect.
The Lingyin Sect did not stop this.
After all, for the Lingyin Sect, the Jade Lizard Association is just an ant; moreover, it can offer up a large amount of Spirit Stones, so naturally, they are pleased to let the Jade Lizard Association continue to develop.
As soon as the three approached, two guards dressed in uniform stepped forward and vigilantly stopped them: "Who goes there?"
"Lingyin Sect Steward, Chen Ye. Here to see Chairman Luo." Chen Ye showed his steward waist badge, his voice calm.
The two guards examined it thoroughly, not daring to neglect, and promptly welcomed the three inside, while one quickly ran ahead to report.
Before long, a familiar figure came hurriedly out to greet them—it was Gao Ming.
"Chen... Steward Chen has graced us with your presence, I apologize for not receiving you from afar, forgive me!"
Gao Ming’s face was full of a humble smile, keeping a very low posture.
Since Kong Hongxuan’s death and his breakthrough to the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer,
Gao Ming, being an elder of the Listening Wind Hall, naturally took over the power that originally belonged to Kong Hongxuan and has now become a key figure under Luo Heng.
Despite this, he still dared not be careless in front of Chen Ye.
Looking at this former enemy, Chen Ye felt no past resentment, casually exchanged a few pleasantries, and was led into a grand hall.
In the main seat, Luo Heng was sitting in meditation with his eyes closed, his aura deep as the sea, a world apart from his past Qi Cultivation Stage appearance.
"Congratulations to Chairman Luo on your successful Foundation Establishment, the great path is within reach!" Chen Ye saluted and congratulated.
Luo Heng slowly opened his eyes and upon seeing Chen Ye, a genuine smile appeared on his face:
"Steward Chen, you are too kind. Without your help, I fear I would have been delayed for several more years. Please, have a seat."
His gaze swept over Li Qiuyun and Qing Jun behind Chen Ye, and he laughed: "Steward Chen visiting today, I presume it’s not simply to congratulate the old man?"
"I am currently ordered to manage the Lisong Medicine Garden, and I heard from esteemed colleagues about the peculiar Spirit Plants within your East Valley." Chen Ye smoothly said, "I came specifically to learn, perhaps to find some new cultivation methods for the sect."
These words put the reason on the sect, perfectly reasonable.
Upon hearing this, Luo Heng stroked his beard and smiled: "I see. However, the East Valley still has some remaining Demonic Qi, which is rather dangerous. But since Steward Chen has this interest, the old man will certainly accompany you."
He had other calculations in his mind.
Luo Heng, this man, from becoming a Loose Cultivator to leading such a force as the Jade Lizard Association in the chaos of Yunxi District and finally succeeding in Foundation Establishment, his character and vision are definitely not comparable to ordinary cultivators.
In his view, the steward before him, Chen Ye, is absolutely no ordinary person...
Although now Luo Heng has confirmed that Kong Hongxuan was indeed killed by Chen Ye.
It’s just that when Chen Ye was at his lowest, he was willing to help Chen Ye by crippling Kong Hongxuan’s cultivation, let alone now?
Luo Heng’s gaze fell on Qing Jun, the little girl was staring wide-eyed, looking around incessantly, and he immediately clasped his hands and laughed:
"Steward Chen’s disciple is truly adorable... This is a Thousand-Mile Communication Talisman; if both parties are within a thousand miles of each other, this talisman can be used for communication."
Saying this, he took out two exquisite jade talismans from his Storage Bag, handing one to Qing Jun and the other to Chen Ye.
"Oh, giving it to Qing Jun?"
The little girl saw the talisman flashing with Spiritual Light, looking so nice, she immediately received it with delight and sweetly thanked him.
Since it was so, it was hard for Chen Ye to refuse.
Moreover, he indeed wanted, with the talisman, he could always keep in contact with his disciple, he saluted: "Chairman Luo has been thoughtful."
Luo Heng saw him accept it, the smile on his face grew wider.
He immediately ordered Gao Ming to personally lead Chen Ye and the party to East Valley.
...
East Valley is located in a very hidden ravine on the outskirts of the Three Thousand Great Mountains, the valley filled with miasma, light dim, the air filled with the scent of decay and blood.
The flowers, grass, and trees in the valley, are all growing in bizarre shapes.
Appearing vibrant with lush leaves, but the coloration bore a purplish-black tone, with many distorted forms.
"The Demonic Qi here is so sinister!"
Li Qiuyun, upon entering the valley, felt extremely uncomfortable, her delicate brows furrowed as she instinctively activated her Spiritual Power to guard her body and looked around vigilantly.
Chen Ye also had a solemn expression, he could perceive the Demonic Qi here, originating from the same source as those he handled in the past.
However, the little girl beside him was not afraid at all, instead curiously opened her big, shiny phoenix eyes, took a deep breath, a hint of intoxication appearing on her small face, she softly said to Chen Ye:
"Master, it feels so comfortable here!"
Chen Ye’s heart shook, Qing Jun seemed quite adept at adapting to the Demonic Qi?
Could it be, this is exactly why the demon cultivator plundered her?
Gao Ming, meanwhile, guided them ahead, introducing: "Steward Chen, this East Valley, its caves crisscross, connecting in all directions like a spider’s web. Most Demon Path Spirit Plants are cultivated in these dark caves."
He pointed at a grotesque flower at the cave entrance, continuing: "The earth veins here have been altered with evil techniques by that demon cultivator, and these Spirit Plants grow relying on the earth veins. If they leave the East Valley, they will become weak..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Ye suddenly understood, jokingly said:
"I always wondered why the Stone Mirror Association repeatedly came to East Valley to steal Spirit Plants, why don’t you simply move these plants back to your headquarters? Turns out, these Spirit Plants can’t leave East Valley!"