Still...
Watching Qiu Zheng run wildly, Tian Shen couldn't help but mumble.
"Is this how an alchemist's temperament is supposed to be? So hot-headed..."
Even so, he sped up and quickly caught up.
After all, Qiu Zheng was just in the Qi Refining Realm.
Tian Shen's speed was already on par with a Foundation Establishment Realm.
"Elder Qiu, the Sect Master is at the Sect Hall."
"Got it!"
Qiu Zheng adjusted his direction slightly and sprinted forward again.
Less than five minutes later, they arrived at the sect hall, where Feng Yan sat cross-legged outside, healing.
Upon seeing him, Qiu Zheng's experienced eyes instantly recognized that Feng Yan hadn't been injured by a cultivation mishap—it was clearly a battle wound.
"Who was it?! Who dared to injure the Sect Master?!"
Roaring with anger, Qiu Zheng rushed forward and began checking Feng Yan's condition with practiced hands. Feng Yan opened his eyes, with a helpless look, allowed him to proceed.
"Sect Master, this is a 2-star healing Pill. Quickly take it. Thankfully, your injuries, though severe, didn't touch your vital points. If they had, even I couldn't save you."
He placed the milky-white pill into Feng Yan's mouth.
"Thank you, Elder Qiu."
Feng Yan shut his eyes again, focusing on channeling spiritual energy to absorb the pill and hasten his recovery.
"Tian Shen, what on earth happened? Was it... Su Jin?"
Qiu Zheng turned to Tian Shen and asked, but as he looked to the side, he saw Su Jin's lifeless body lying nearby.
"Him?! Impossible! With his strength, he couldn't possibly harm the Sect Master!"
Qiu Zheng's temper flared again and he began muttering aloud.
"Wait... I get it! That bastard Su Jin must've ambushed the Sect Master! That wolf-hearted traitor! Now that his son's gone for good, he finally made his move!"
Tian Shen, who was standing next to him, looked a little embarrassed.
"Elder Qiu, that's not entirely accurate. While this guy Su Jin was involved, his strength alone couldn't possibly harm the Sect Master. The main reason is..."
Tian Shen quickly explained everything he had witnessed.
"WTF!"
Upon hearing Tian Shen's account, Qiu Zheng exploded in fury, letting out a violent curse as he kicked Su Jin's lifeless body.
"This damn traitor! Bringing outsiders into our Beast Taming Sect and trying to seduce our disciples? You should've called me earlier! If I'd been there, I wouldn't have let this bastard off so easily!"
"Elder Qiu, aren't you afraid of the Demon Sect?"
Tian Shen asked in surprise.
"Afraid Of the Demon Sect? Hah! While they're strong, this is the Northern Territory! This is Beast Taming Sect's turf. They don't get to act like they own the place here!"
Qiu Zheng declared with boldness and a domineering air.
This fearlessness far outshone even Feng Yan, the Sect Master himself. Tian Shen couldn't help but glance at Qiu Zheng in admiration.
But the very next moment, he was dumbfounded.
The once-bold Qiu Zheng suddenly rolled his eyes and gave Tian Shen a wide, fawning grin.
"Of course, it's not just bravado. With you around, Tian Shen, I doubt those Demon Sect mongrels could do a thing to us."
"Umm..."
Tian Shen suddenly didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Where was this elder getting such faith in him from?
If not for the existence of his Attribute System, even Tian Shen himself would have had second thoughts about facing the Demon Sect.
After all, there were Core Formation Realm experts among their ranks.
If they attacked now, he wouldn't stand a chance.
But with the system...
Even after killing the man in the black robe, Tian Shen was confident. He estimated it would take at least a month for the Demon Sect to arrive from the Western Territories.
And within that time, he was confident he could raise his strength to the level of a Core Formation Realm cultivator.
He had no reason to be afraid.
...
It turned out that Qiu Zheng's pill was indeed potent.
Though Feng Yan's injury looked grave, it wasn't as bad as it appeared.
Just over ten minutes later, Feng Yan opened his eyes, his expression visibly lighter and more refreshed.
He looked at Qiu Zheng with deep gratitude.
"Elder Qiu, I truly thank you for this pill. Without it, I don't know how long my recovery would've taken."
"Sect Master, there's no need to be so formal. You're the backbone of our Beast Taming Sect. Healing you is something I'm honored to do."
Qiu Zheng waved it off casually.
"By the way, Sect Master, I heard everything about the Demon Sect from Tian Shen. Should we begin preparations?"
Despite his earlier confidence in front of Tian Shen, Qiu Zheng now wore a faint trace of concern.
Tian Shen noticed and couldn't help but think, Ah, so that bravado was just for show... As expected of an old fox!
"That's exactly my plan."
Feng Yan nodded.
"We'll send Tian Shen and the core disciples away. As for the rest, I'll personally lead them to that place."
"That place? No way! I don't agree."
Qiu Zheng immediately objected, his tone serious.
"That place is too dangerous. One misstep and not just the disciples—even we elders could die."
"But if we don't, we have no way to resist the Demon Sect. We just need to hide temporarily. One year—maybe two. Once the Demon Sect forgets about us, we can return."
Feng Yan sighed.
"Sect Master, do you not believe in Tian Shen?"
Qiu Zheng furrowed his brows.
Feng Yan glanced at Tian Shen and slowly shook his head.
"It's not that I don't believe in him. It's just that he's too young. I won't gamble away the future of such a talented youth. Someone like him, given time—not only Core Formation Realm—he could very well reach the realm of Core Strengthening."
"But..."
"The thing we lack most is time. And the Demon Sect will definitely not give us that."
Qiu Zheng fell silent, seemingly moved by Feng Yan's words.
He understood.
Right now, the survival of the Beast Taming Sect depended on Tian Shen and the core disciples. As long as they lived, there was hope.
Even if the elders, even the rest of the disciples fell, there'd still be someone to avenge them in the future.
But if Tian Shen and the others fell too, then the Beast Taming Sect would be completely erased from the annals of history.
"Alright! I agree! So... we're going to that place immediately?"
Qiu Zheng asked.
"Ahem."
Tian Shen finally couldn't bear it and interrupted, coughing lightly.
"Sect Master, Elder Qiu… you both never actually asked me whether I want to leave."
"What? You're not going?"
Feng Yan stared at him.
Tian Shen shook his head, his tone calm.
"Sect Master, let's be honest. This whole Demon Sect mess started because of me. If you really don't trust me, then go ahead and leave with the others. I won't run."
"You stubborn brat! That's the Demon Sect we're talking about! Core Formation Realm experts! Even if you can handle Foundation Establishment now, can you take on a Core Formation Realm cultivator?!"
Feng Yan grew agitated.
Though he'd said he would send Tian Shen and the core disciples away together, he knew the truth.
Tian Shen was their true hope.
The others, even if they survived and left, who could say what they'd become out in the world?
With new sects, new interests and stronger powers vying for their loyalty, would they even remember the Beast Taming Sect?
Perhaps not.
Except one person.
There was one more he believed in: Feng Yin, his daughter.
But even as her father, Feng Yan knew that Feng Yin wouldn't be able to achieve such strength in a short time.
Even if she did, he didn't want her to risk herself for their sake.
She was just one girl, after all.
No matter how talented, her road to power would always be harder than a man's.