“Is the Chen Cangqiong mentioned by Senior Yuweng the same as…” Yuan Ming asked in confusion.

“He is the current Grand Elder of the Birolo Cave,” Yuweng said.

“If he doesn’t trouble you, why do you choose to hide here? Wouldn’t it be better to leave?” Yuan Ming asked.

“I have considered leaving, especially after learning about the dirty things that happened in the Birolo Cave later on…” Yuweng paused here.

After a moment, he took a sip of wine before continuing, “But my old subordinates must stay in the Birolo Cave. Most of them are skilled in refining, but their cultivation and combat power are not very high. Chen Cangqiong’s cultivation, on the other hand, has been increasing, and he has been cultivating more power. I don’t want my old subordinates to leave and attract Chen Cangqiong’s murderous intent, so I had to give up. After that, I gradually lost the desire to leave.”

Yuan Ming listened and did not speak, understanding Yuweng’s decision.

“This Chen Cangqiong is indeed capable. Originally, the Southern and Northern Regions were the Four Great Sects, but after he took over, he turned the previously unknown Sanxing Mountain into one of the Five Great Sects of the Southern and Northern Regions. His methods are impressive. I deeply admire him,” Yuweng said again.

“Chen Cangqiong is so powerful, don’t the other four sects suppress him? How strong is he?” Yuan Ming asked.

“In terms of strength, none of the members of the other sects can match him in a one-on-one fight. No one can do anything to him,” Yuweng answered.

After hearing this, Yuan Ming couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration for the Grand Elder whom he had never met before.

“Do you know why I am so lenient towards Huo Chan’er?” Yuweng fell silent for a moment before speaking again.

“Could it be that the Third Elder is your acquaintance?” Yuan Ming quickly thought of the answer.

“The elders of the Fire Refining Hall are almost all my former subordinates. Over the years, some of them have reached the end of their lifespan, while others have died unexpectedly. Ling Songhua has become the Third Elder of the Birolo Cave. In the past, I had a good friend named Heimu, who was a master at refining and often came to Sanxing Mountain to exchange refining techniques with Songhua,” Yuweng nodded.

“The Third Elder is called Ling Songhua! He often exchanges refining techniques with Heimu on Sanxing Mountain! Could it be that Master Heimu and the Third Elder have a special relationship?” Yuan Ming almost couldn’t help but exclaim.

Seeing his shocked expression, Yuweng asked, “Are you surprised?”

“I have only seen the Third Elder come over here to see you, so I find it hard to believe,” Yuan Ming concealed his surprise and said.

“Songhua blames me for Heimu’s disappearance and thinks I should take responsibility,” Yuweng sighed and said slowly.

“Do you like the Third Elder?” Yuan Ming suddenly had a wild idea and couldn’t help but say it. For a moment, he wanted to tell him that Master Heimu didn’t disappear, but had already passed away, but he dared not say it at this moment.

“You’re being disrespectful. You can write a story at home. It’s rare for me to share some old stories with you. Don’t make fun of this old man,” Yuweng looked at Yuan Ming and laughed.

“I was wrong, I was wrong,” Yuan Ming quickly said.

“Drink three cups of wine as punishment!” Yuweng pretended to be angry.

When the sky darkened, the wine was finished, and the fish was eaten, Yuan Ming bid farewell and left.

After leaving the valley, Yuan Ming activated his mana, took a sip of wine, and dissipated the smell of alcohol before using the Wind Swift Technique to quickly return to his residence in the Fire Refining Hall.

Back in his residence, Yuan Ming couldn’t hide his excitement.

He never expected that there would be such a connection between Yuweng, the Third Elder, and Heimu. No wonder Yuweng was so tolerant towards him when they first met.

But why didn’t the Third Elder and Yuweng know about Heimu’s cave, to the point that they still didn’t know even after so long?

After a short rest, Yuan Ming sat quietly by the window and began to cultivate the “Nine Elements Formula” with his eyes closed.

In the middle of the night, there was a slight movement outside the window. Yuan Ming slowly opened his eyes and saw the silver cat walking towards him with light steps.

“Xiying, you’re here?” Yuan Ming stopped cultivating and greeted.

The silver cat simply walked into his room and sat on the table, asking, “Tell me, what interesting things happened during your trip? I need something to pass the time.”

Yuan Ming immediately recounted his experiences in the Snake King Valley, embellishing the story with great enthusiasm. He described how he fell into danger, how he was plotted against, how he tangled with the Snake King, and how he barely won.

Although Xiying had seen many grand scenes before, under Yuan Ming’s vivid storytelling, her emotions fluctuated. When she heard the tense parts, her different-colored pupils couldn’t help but contract, and her small paws almost crushed the table.

After finishing the story, Yuan Ming secretly marveled at his talent for storytelling.

“It sounds really fun. It’s a pity I didn’t go this time. You must bring me along next time,” Xiying said with regret after listening attentively, finally calming down from her fluctuating emotions.

Seeing her disappointed expression, Yuan Ming couldn’t help but laugh and told Xiying the old news he heard from Yuweng about the Birolo Cave, only to find that Xiying seemed to have known it already.

When Xiying didn’t leave for a long time, Yuan Ming said, “Aren’t you going to practice? You’ve been here for a while.”

Xiying spoke up, “Are you rushing me? Where are my things? Give them back.”

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming realized that the time to face the consequences had come. He thought that his brilliant storytelling would be able to deceive Xiying and secretly repair the damaged item before returning it to her. However, he didn’t expect Xiying to see through his plan and still remember the golden silk.

“Well, Xiying, can I borrow the golden silk for a little longer? It’s really useful. I want to go to the market in a few days and see if there’s anything interesting to do,” Yuan Ming said somewhat awkwardly.

“We’ll talk about it later. Where’s the golden silk? Give it back to me,” Xiying extended a cat paw and lightly grasped it with its five furry fingers.

“I accidentally broke the golden silk,” Yuan Ming helplessly admitted and told the truth.

“Give it to me, let me see,” Xiying said.

Yuan Ming sighed and reluctantly took out the golden silk, handing it over.

Xiying caught it, carefully examined the damaged part, and said, “It seems like you’ve been through a tough battle…”

With a wave of her paw, she took it away and then said, “A magic tool is nothing compared to preserving your life. Seeing how nervous you were, I won’t blame you.”Instead, it was Yuan Ming who stood there, feeling a bit guilty and somewhat at a loss. He was about to explain to Xiying about the materials used for the gilded gauze, but Xiying had already hopped away.

The next day.

Yuan Ming once again went to the small courtyard in the back mountain, and this time he finally met the Third Cave Master.

After learning about the situation of the Third Cave Master from Master Yu, Yuan Ming had a different feeling when he saw her again.

However, at the moment, he could not tell her about Master Heimu’s matter.

The Third Cave Master was somewhat surprised at Yuan Ming’s arrival, as the frequency of this disciple’s appearances on her side had been unusually high lately.

“What brings you here?” In the courtyard, the Third Cave Master looked at Yuan Ming and asked.

Yuan Ming took off the fire glutton that was hanging around his neck and said, “The other day when I was out, I encountered someone in the market who was urgently selling something. It seemed a bit like the White Flame Fine Gold you wanted, so I bought it.”

Upon hearing this, the Third Cave Master’s expression slightly changed, but soon returned to calm.

“White Flame Fine Gold is not something that would appear in the market casually. Even if it does, it would be immediately snatched up. How could a Qi refining disciple like you afford it?” She laughed and shook her head. The implication was that Yuan Ming was likely to have been deceived and bought a fake.

“I don’t know if it’s real or fake, but I bought it anyway. Please take a look, Third Cave Master.” Yuan Ming said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the Third Cave Master hesitated for a moment, but still said, “Then bring it over and let me have a look.”

She thought that regardless of whether it was real or fake, she should compensate Yuan Ming for the spirit stones he had spent. It was not easy for a Qi refining disciple to have such a heart, and she could not let him suffer a loss for nothing.

Yuan Ming immediately slapped his storage bag around his waist and took out the egg-sized White Flame Fine Gold.

Before returning, he had deliberately found a volcano and threw the White Flame Fine Gold into the edge area, allowing the sulfur and other substances in the magma to permeate it and make it smell pungent.

Sure enough, the Third Cave Master took it for a volcanic ore at first glance.

But when she casually took it in her hand, her wrist sank slightly, and she knew something was wrong.

Most volcanic ores contain a lot of bubbles, so they feel light and floaty when held, not so heavy.

The Third Cave Master’s expression slightly condensed, and she held up the White Flame Fine Gold and looked at it carefully for a moment. Her expression began to change dramatically, and her eyes were filled with joy that could not be concealed.

“This… is really White Flame Fine Gold.” The Third Cave Master couldn’t help but say.

“I just felt like it was White Flame Fine Gold. The people around me at the time couldn’t tell, and they told me not to buy it, but I insisted on buying it.

“Indeed, I’m lucky.” Yuan Ming slapped his thigh, looking even happier than the Third Cave Master.

“How much did you pay for it?” The Third Cave Master asked.

“It didn’t cost much, as long as it’s the right thing.” Yuan Ming waved his hand and said.

The Third Cave Master didn’t speak, but looked straight at Yuan Ming, obviously wanting him to say it.

“I spent three spirit stones.” Yuan Ming said with a helpless look.

“Really?” The Third Cave Master frowned. This price was not just a bargain, it was practically a steal.

“Really. At that time, everyone around me said it was fake, and the seller himself was panicked. When he saw that I was willing to take it, he gave me this price. Besides, even if he asked for more, I didn’t have any more.” Yuan Ming nodded heavily.

“In that case, it’s really your good fortune. I do need this White Flame Fine Gold. Tell me, what do you want me to exchange for it?” The Third Cave Master said, believing him.

“No need, no need, this is originally a gift from me to you. I have always remembered your kindness in taking me in.” Yuan Ming waved his hand repeatedly.

He really didn’t plan to exchange anything. Firstly, this White Flame Fine Gold was indeed useless to him at the moment. Secondly, the Third Cave Master was really good to him as a registered disciple. Thirdly, it was also a kind of gratitude to Master Heimu.

“What kind of magical tool do you lack? I can give you one.” The Third Cave Master thought for a moment and said.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming thought carefully for a moment and found that he didn’t seem to lack anything at the moment.

Suddenly, he thought of something and asked, “Third Cave Master, do you know about flying magical tools?”

“You want a flying magical tool?” The Third Cave Master was slightly stunned and frowned.

It wasn’t that she thought Yuan Ming’s request was excessive, but that she really didn’t have such a thing.

“I just read about it in a book and was a bit curious.” Yuan Ming laughed.

“Flying magical tools are just one type of many magical tools. They can fly in the air with the help of the characteristics of spiritual materials and the blessing of formations, as long as spiritual power is continuously input.” The Third Cave Master said.

“Why have I never seen the elders driving them?” Yuan Ming asked in confusion.