Feng Zikang stopped short, his steps arrested in astonishment, and glanced back to see Luo Lianxin sitting cross-legged on a large stone, idly poking at a red ant with a twig. Seeing him turn, Luo Lianxin quickly dropped the twig, her expression instantly becoming grave.

A secret caution arose in Feng Zikang’s heart. This senior sister was always appearing and disappearing unpredictably.

While this might be nothing to others, to him—a man full of secrets—it represented an invisible threat. His mind raced like lightning, cycling through several plans for dealing with this woman.

If one day she accidentally saw something she shouldn't have, then there would only be one recourse... “That, ah, Junior Brother…” Luo Lianxin cleared her throat, still unable to recall this junior brother’s surname.

“My surname is Feng!” Feng Zikang’s face remained impassive; he was not offended, stating his name again. “Ah, yes!

Junior Brother Feng. I haven’t seen you in the Earth Element Grotto these last few days…” After assassinating Xiao Gao, Feng Zikang had refined the body into murderous True Essence using a secret Demonic Art, so he hadn't visited the Earth Element Grotto to cultivate recently.

But why was this woman seeking him out after only a few days? Feng Zikang was deeply curious.

Could it be that a day apart felt like three years, and she had developed feelings? Such a thought was utterly absurd.

Feng Zikang nodded. “I have been busy with other matters these past few days and haven’t had the time to cultivate in the Grotto.

I am ashamed!” Compared to this cultivation fanatic who spent every day slaughtering training dummies in the Earth Element Grotto, Feng Zikang admitted he was lacking. This woman’s exceptional talent, coupled with her diligence, truly deserved admiration.

“That explains it. I assumed that although your cultivation is lamentably low, your observation skills are sharp enough to have noticed the strange occurrences in the Grotto these past few days…” “Strange occurrences?” It turned out that for several days, the normally pure Earth Element Force within the Grotto seemed to have suffered some contamination.

Though the change was subtle, the exquisitely perceptive Luo Lianxin had immediately detected the difference. “Previously, I could slay three thousand seven hundred training dummies within an hour.

These last few days, it has dropped to just over three thousand four hundred. After calculating, there must be something amiss in the Grotto!” Feng Zikang felt a flush of shame.

Having grasped General Lu’s insights, his efficiency in slaying the earth dummies was already quite high—he could manage barely a hundred within an hour. Yet, Luo Lianxin could dispatch so many figures with casual ease.

Spending all her time in the Grotto, who knew how many tens of thousands of earth dummies she had already annihilated! Fortunately, those dummies were merely unconscious aggregations of elemental force; otherwise, they would have suffered a mental breakdown and fled at the sight of this woman.

But what did the change in the Earth Element Grotto have to do with him? “I suspect some other demonic entity has taken refuge inside!” “Some other entity?” The Earth Element Grotto was rich in Earth Element Force, a habitat where ordinary demons could not possibly survive.

Luo Lianxin seeking him out so persistently—could it be... “The Ghost General?!” “Clever!” Luo Lianxin gave a thumbs-up, then quickly seemed to realize the gesture was inappropriate and tucked her hand back into her sleeve.

The Ghost General was adept at Earth Evasion techniques; the vast Earth Element Force in the Grotto had no effect on it. Moreover, it was not a living creature but an aggregation of ghostly Qi, much like the earth dummies, meaning it would not be harmed by conventional attacks.

Luo Lianxin had discovered a demon but wasn't taking care of it herself, instead seeking help from her low-level junior disciple. Feng Zikang considered it, concluding the only possibility was something like the Ghost General.

That day, the Ghost General had been severely wounded while being beaten by Liang Si’an and the others before escaping. He must have hidden in the Five Element Grotto to recuperate.

“The Ghost General itself wouldn’t be hard to deal with, but it’s hiding deep within the Five Element Grotto, which is troublesome…” Luo Lianxin frowned slightly, a hint of impatience in her expression. “I absolutely need someone to lure away those annoying Earth Element Giants so I can make my move!” Deeper in the Grotto, the Earth Element Force was even more abundant, capable of coalescing into Earth Element Giants thirty to fifty feet tall.

Luo Lianxin wouldn't fear one in a direct fight, but barging into the lair of this horde of monsters while also dealing with a ferocious Ghost General was beyond her current capability. “Earth Element Giants…” Feng Zikang offered a wry smile.

This senior sister overestimated him a bit too much. Even disciples in the late stages of Qi Introduction, unless they possessed perfectly suited divine abilities, would not dare easily provoke the mighty Earth Element Giants—and he only presented the facade of being at the third level of Qi Introduction.

“Junior Brother’s cultivation is too low; you might not be up to the task. Why not ask one of the higher-ranking senior brothers?” Luo Lianxin showed a flicker of surprise on her face.

“Among the Military Family disciples of Longhu Mountain, I’ve only ever spoken to two people: Master, and you. Am I expected to ask Master for help with such a small matter?” Feng Zikang fell silent.

He hadn't expected that her aloof demeanor had been so effective that, within the entire Military Family sect of Longhu Mountain, he was the only one besides her master she had ever conversed with. This was, in fact, an honor of sorts.

“As for your cultivation, don’t worry. I have a magic treasure that guarantees you can lure away the Earth Element Giants without sustaining a scratch…” It seemed this woman had come prepared, completely unconcerned about his cultivation level—she simply needed someone to draw away the obstructing Earth Element Giants.

If there was truly no danger and a significant reward, this favor could be worth helping with. Luo Lianxin possessed extraordinary talent and would undoubtedly become a pivotal figure in the Military Family of Longhu Mountain in the future; fostering a good relationship with her might prove beneficial.

Feng Zikang gritted his teeth and agreed. “However… slaying the Ghost General will yield considerable gains.

Does Junior Brother expect some benefit?” “Benefit?” Luo Lianxin blinked, as if she hadn't understood what he was asking. After a moment, she seemed to grasp it and let out a slight, contemptuous sound.

“What good items could the Ghost General possibly have? I only need the Soul Fire Origin Heart.

As for the rest, like the Soul Bone Sword or the Spirit Witch Bone, you can take them all. They are just broken trinkets; taking them would merely dirty my hands…” What are trinkets to you are precious treasures to me.

The Ghost General, being an aggregation of ghostly Qi that had achieved physical form, would yield the Soul Fire Origin Heart upon its destruction, along with a second-grade Yellow Rank Soul Bone Sword and the Spirit Witch Bone. The Soul Bone Sword did not align well with the Military Family techniques, so most disciples would turn it in to the Hundred Weapons Workshop for spirit stones or other magical weaponry.

However, Feng Zikang valued a divine ability it possessed, which, when driven by the Formless Heavenly Demon Heart Method, proved remarkably effective. Furthermore, having now reached the third level of Qi Introduction and needing an artifact to channel his power, the Soul Bone Sword would serve as an excellent temporary weapon.

As for the Spirit Witch Bone, its effects resembled those of the Cloud-Crowning Helmet he currently wore, further sharpening concentration and quickening thought. Though its effects seemed minor, it possessed special utility in certain situations.

Seeing Luo Lianxin agree so readily, Feng Zikang's mind shifted. He realized she must be close to breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, making the Soul Fire Origin Heart extremely useful to her.

Since that was the case, he naturally had to press his advantage. “That magic treasure Senior Sister Luo is lending me…” An irritating smile spread across Feng Zikang’s face.