Starting from the pharmacy, he grew into a martial saint among men.

Chu Hong had just rested for a moment when he saw several smiling insects fly out of the darkness again.

He felt a chill run down his spine instantly, stood up and took several steps back, held his breath, and concealed his inner strength in his hands.

Despite having already switched to a different ointment, he was still being targeted by the smiling bug, which made him feel like he was facing a formidable enemy.

But this time, the smiling bug still didn't intend to harm him.

They circled and rose in front of Chu Hong, making "squeaking" sounds, before turning around and flying into the darkness.

After flying a certain distance, it stops and looks back.

Seeing that Chu Hong did not move, she turned back and continued to dance lightly around him.

After repeating this several times, Chu Hong slowly narrowed his eyes.

"You want me to go with you?"

His voice was low and tinged with uncertainty.

Several smiling insects seemed to understand his words, and immediately began to flutter their wings and make 'squeak' sounds, as if responding to Chu Hong.

Chu Hong was puzzled.

Generally speaking, these venomous insects mostly act on instinct, and only the higher-level ones have some intelligence.

How come these poisonous insects in front of me seem to have some kind of intelligence?

It's really puzzling.

But then he thought again, the world is full of wonders, why should he care so much?

Since these smiling scoundrels sincerely invited him, they must have something to ask of him; they would never harm him.

If we don't go, these smiling worms might not give up.

It will inevitably revolve around oneself and influence one's actions.

After a moment's thought, Chu Hong simply nodded and picked up the wooden box.

"Come on, you lead the way!"

The laughing worm immediately flapped its wings and flew nimbly, leading the way three feet ahead.

Chu Hong followed closely behind, the road winding and turning.

Before long, the view suddenly opened up.

A huge cavern stretched out before us, and above it, a stone emitted a pale yellow light.

The most eye-catching thing below is a medicinal herb that is entirely purple and has a faint fragrance.

"Purple Cloud Grass?!"

Chu Hong's heart trembled slightly, and he let out a soft cry.

But the next instant, his pupils suddenly contracted, and he involuntarily took several steps back.

The few ferocious insects beside the purple cloud grass seemed to hear his call.

Suddenly, they all woke up, their compound eyes staring intently at Chu Hong, full of ferocity.

What shocked Chu Hong even more was the figure sitting cross-legged not far away.

Several smiling insects flew to the figure, chirping and squeaking as if they were telling a story.

Chu Hong could see clearly that the person's black robe was tattered, and his skin was clinging to his bones; he was obviously not a normal person.

Chu Hong couldn't sense the other party's strength, but he did sense a terrifying aura emanating from them that sent chills down his spine.

He took another step back, his body already at the edge of the cave entrance, and was about to turn around and escape.

But at that moment, the gaunt figure slowly spoke.

"Why are you running? If I wanted to kill you, why would I need to go through all this trouble?"

The voice was hoarse and dry, like fingernails scratching a blackboard, making one's teeth ache.

Chu Hong's muscles tensed, but he did not move again.

He quietly observed the other person for a while, and seeing that the other person indeed had no malicious intent, he felt somewhat relieved.

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Chu Hong quietly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:

"May I ask why you brought this junior here, senior?"

"Senior, why are you in...this place?"

"Why are you here?" The figure suddenly erupted with anger. "It's all because your master forced me to!"

Chu Hong shuddered, a cold sweat instantly breaking out on his back, his heart pounding rapidly.

The only person he could think of was his nominal master—Xiang Wuchen.

This person not only knows the master, but also seems to have a grudge against the master.

So, does this mean I've walked into the lion's den?

He remained expressionless, but his feet quietly moved backward once again.

But at this moment, the figure raised a withered finger and pointed at the purple herb.

"Boy, I will not impose my grudge against your master on you."

"But if you retreat again, I will destroy this herb with a single finger, so you will never be able to save your woman again!"

Chu Hong paused.

Gu Jin, Purple Cloud Grass, Salvation...

In front of this person, he seemed completely transparent, with no secrets whatsoever.

But it must be said that the other party's words did indeed hit his 'weakness'.

Considering the opponent's strength, Chu Hong decided to stop retreating. He lowered his guard, straightened his back, and remained neither humble nor arrogant.

"Since you know my purpose and my identity, senior, why don't you just say what you want?"

Upon hearing this, the gaunt figure nodded slightly in approval, his cloudy eyes falling on Chu Hong.

Those eyes were like a bone-scraping knife.

"It's very simple. I can give you the Purple Cloud Grass, but after you enter Qingming Mountain, you must retrieve something for me."

He didn't say anything more.

After saying that, she just stared at Chu Hong, waiting for his reply.

Chu Hong's mind raced, and several possibilities flashed through his head in an instant.

"Senior, if I may be frank, even with your formidable strength, you are still unable to obtain what you need from Qingming Mountain."

"Why do you think I can fetch it for you?"

He knew that now that the old man had spoken, if he didn't agree today, he wouldn't be able to leave this place.

His words just now were both a test and an expression of his resentment.

They wanted to find an answer from the other party.

A gaunt figure grinned, a hideous smile spreading across his lips. He stared at Chu Hong, sending chills down one's spine.

After a short while, the gaunt figure slowly spoke:

"Naive fellow, do you really think I only need your help? Heh heh heh, don't think so highly of yourself."

"Hmph, if you weren't Xiang Wuchen's disciple, you would have died the moment you stepped into the Black Dragon Abyss."

Chu Hong's heart sank; they were indeed after his master.

However, the other party was unable to answer the questions in his mind.

"But senior, you should know my strength; there is absolutely no way I can fulfill your request."

"Besides, aren't you afraid that if I go to Qingming Mountain, I'll expose your whereabouts? That would be much more worthwhile than helping you."

"You've exposed my whereabouts?" The gaunt figure smirked. "You've mastered the Void Palm, haven't you? Now you have a palm print on your chest. If you want to die sooner, you can go to Qingming Mountain anytime."

Chu Hong's body stiffened instantly.

Although he inquired about this matter from various sources, he did not tell anyone.

How did the other party find out?

Seemingly noticing Chu Hong's confusion, the gaunt figure showed more interest and spoke up, saying that he was originally from Qingming Mountain.

However, now he's just a 'traitor'.

Therefore, he could tell about Chu Hong's condition at a glance.

"That's not a phenomenon caused by mastering advanced martial arts; it's the dirty tricks that those old guys have ingrained in their bones."

"That thing is the Void Seal of Qingming Mountain, a mark of the 'container'. Anyone who has practiced Qingming Mountain's unique skills such as the Void Palm will have this seal implanted in them."

"Qingming Mountain uses this to control its disciples, and when needed, it also uses this to refine its disciples for its own use."

"When you arrive at Qingming Mountain, you will be like a ripe fruit presented to everyone. I don't need to say more about the consequences."

"With this mark on you, even if you want to run, you can't escape; death is the only outcome!"

Seeing the flicker in Chu Hong's eyes, he continued:

"Hey, don't take any chances. Even if you don't go to Qingming Mountain, if any of the core disciples of Qingming Mountain discover you, you will still die."

Chu Hong felt a chill rush into his head, instantly engulfing his entire body.

No wonder he felt uneasy before; it turns out that the cultivation of the Void Palm has such a great hidden danger.

But Chu Hong still had doubts. If that was the case, why would his master give him something to protect his life after accepting him as a disciple?

And the requirements for accepting disciples are so complicated and numerous.

Of course, he also knew that since the other party had raised such a question, they must have a solution in mind.

Chu Hong didn't mince words, raising his questions and requests in one go, hoping the gaunt figure would provide answers.

But the gaunt figure shook his head and sneered:

"I have the solution, but why should I give it to you?"