I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

For the next month, Lu Zhao settled completely at Baicaotang, living a secluded life and focusing on recuperating. Su Qingqian played soothing and healing tunes daily on her Azure Sea Tide Flute. The flute's clear, melodious sound, like a babbling brook, cleansed his meridians, dispelling the lingering effects of Yin and evil toxins—more effective than any elixir. Elder Chen used acupuncture to treat Lu Zhao's acupoints, supplemented with Baicaotang's treasured, highly potent medicinal herbs such as "Jade Marrow Pill," "Pulse-Continuing Powder," and "Hundred Herbs Rejuvenating Soup," to repair his broken and atrophied meridians and nourish his damaged organs. In addition, Lu Zhao himself circulated the [Hibernating Dragon] technique, using the [Refining Spirit Technique] to guide the medicinal power and nourish his soul, resulting in extremely rapid recovery.

Half a month later, the meridians had been basically reconnected, the internal injuries had mostly healed, and the life points had recovered to over 60%. The negative statuses such as [Severe Injury] and [Yin Sha Invasion] had been eliminated, leaving only [Meridian Damage (Medium)] and [Qi and Blood Deficiency (Mild)], which required time to recuperate. Su Qingqian's flute playing and Elder Chen's medicinal cuisine made the recovery speed far exceed expectations.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Lu Zhao devoted all his spare time between recovering from his injuries to cultivation. He used the various pills, spirit stones, and rare treasures he had seized from the Blood Wolves, the Evil Gu Masters, the Bitter Monk, and Huai Mountain Village without hesitation. Su Qingqian also gifted him many pills from the Hundred Herbs Hall's collection, suitable for strengthening the foundation and nourishing the vital energy of early-stage Qi Refining cultivators. With the assistance of the [Pure Heart Jade Pendant], his cultivation speed greatly increased.

[Hibernating Dragon] has reached the Lv3 bottleneck, just one step away from breaking through to Lv4. This technique focuses on health preservation, body tempering, and recovery, and has remarkable effects on repairing meridians and nourishing qi and blood, especially suitable for his current state of damaged meridians and deficient qi and blood. Lu Zhao circulates it daily, constantly impacting those tiny, broken meridian ends, like spring rain nourishing all things, silently repairing the hidden injuries in his body. He can feel that the qi and blood in his body are becoming more abundant, and after the meridians are repaired, they seem to be more resilient and spacious, able to accommodate more true qi, and the speed of absorbing and refining spiritual energy is also nearly 30% faster than before.

The progress of cultivating the [Refining Spirit Technique] Lv3 has also greatly accelerated. This technique does not consume true energy, only tempers the spirit, and the recovery speed is also fast. Every day, Lu Zhao uses the [Purifying Heart Jade Pendant] to assist him in meditation, using the [Refining Spirit Technique] for visualization and meditation, making his spiritual power increasingly refined and sharp. Now, he can clearly "see" the subtle dust and spiritual energy flow within ten feet, and can even vaguely perceive the emotional and mental fluctuations of others, and his premonition of danger is also much stronger. He even tried to combine the perception of the [Refining Spirit Technique] with the blood circulation and breathing of the [Sleeping Dragon], making his spirit and body more in harmony, and his control over his body reached a new level. On the panel, the divine attribute quietly increased to 4.5, and it seems that breaking through to 5.0 is not far away.

As for talisman drawing, he devoted a great deal of energy to it over the past month. With the assistance of high-quality [Talisman Paper (Medium Grade)], [Vermilion (Superior Grade)], and [Wolf Hair Talisman Brush (Medium Grade)] provided by Baicaotang, his talisman drawing skills improved rapidly. He drew [Exorcising Talisman], [Soothing Talisman], [Swiftness Talisman], [Fireball Talisman], and [Diamond Talisman] daily, increasing his success rate from 50% to 80%, and improving the quality from ordinary and good to consistently good, occasionally even producing superior talismans. His talisman level naturally broke through to Lv4 (0/600), increasing the types of talismans he could draw, allowing him to attempt drawing higher-level [Thunderfire Talisman (Fragment)], [Qi-Gathering Talisman (Superior Grade)], etc. Drawing talismans not only deepened his understanding of runes but also greatly benefited his precise control over his spiritual power and the subtle application of true qi and spiritual energy. He even used the extra talisman paper to successfully draw the [Invisibility Talisman (Good)] and [Lightness Talisman (Medium)], both of which are extremely useful for stealth, tracking, and escape.

He practiced the [Turtle Breath Stealth Technique] repeatedly during this month. This technique focuses on concealment, stealth, and aura concealment. Combined with the powerful perception of the [Refining Spirit Technique], it allowed him to make a qualitative leap in his abilities of infiltration, tracking, and counter-tracking. He even attempted to sneak into the perception range of Su Qingqian and Elder Chen multiple times in the back garden of the Hundred Herbs Hall without being detected. Now, as long as he fully activates this technique, cultivators below the sixth level of Qi Refining will find it difficult to detect his presence within ten feet unless they deliberately and intently search for him. With the level increased to Lv3 (50/300), the effects of concealment, stealth, and aura concealment are greatly enhanced, and the duration is also longer.

Besides cultivation, Lu Zhao also frequently exchanged ideas with Su Qingqian and Elder Chen, learning about the basics of the cultivation world and inquiring about the Qingyun Dao Sect and Yunmeng Marsh. Su Qingqian, having inherited the Su family's teachings from a young age, possessed a deep family tradition of learning and had some knowledge of cultivation sects, elixirs, talismans, weapon crafting, and formations. While not an expert, she was well-informed. Elder Chen, having practiced medicine for many years and traveled extensively, was knowledgeable about local customs, strange tales, and cultivation schools. From them, Lu Zhao gained a clearer understanding of the world inhabited by "Zhongzhou," "Qingyun Dao Sect," "Luoxia County," and even "Yunmeng Marsh."

This world is vast and boundless, divided into nine provinces. The Central Province is the center of these provinces, a land of outstanding people and abundant resources, where cultivation flourishes. The Qingyun Dao Sect is one of the few major righteous sects in the Central Province, established for thousands of years with profound foundations. Its disciples are found throughout the world, renowned for its swordsmanship, magic, alchemy, and formations. With a Nascent Soul cultivator presiding over it, it is a sacred place coveted by countless cultivators. Yunmengze is a branch of the Qingyun Dao Sect located in Luoxia County. It is primarily responsible for recruiting and training lower- and mid-level disciples, gathering intelligence, and managing some of the sect's businesses in the secular world. Its status is equivalent to the Qingyun Dao Sect's external affairs hall. Entering Yunmengze is equivalent to having one foot in the Qingyun Dao Sect, a coveted opportunity for countless independent cultivators and children of small families.

Furthermore, Lu Zhao also learned that although the Black Fiend Sect was causing trouble in this area, its true power extended far beyond Luoxia County. Its tentacles reached across several states, and its leader, "Black Fiend Master," was a powerful figure with unfathomable cultivation. His four hall masters—"Blood Fiend," "Poison Fiend," "Corpse Fiend," and "Soul Fiend"—were all infamous demons. The Blood Fiend Hall Master was merely the weakest among them. The Black Fiend Sect acted mysteriously and cruelly, primarily through crafting evil objects, sacrificing living beings, and cultivating evil arts. It was intolerable to the righteous path and was a key target for eradication by major righteous sects such as the Qingyun Dao Sect, the Xuankong Temple, and the Haoran Academy. This blood sacrifice at Broken Soul Cliff was likely part of a larger scheme by the Black Fiend Sect, perhaps not merely to summon an evil god's avatar, but also harbored deeper ambitions. However, the trail went cold, the Blood Fiend Hall Master escaped with serious injuries, and Wang Hu and the Poison Fiend Hall Master were executed. In a short period of time, the Black Fiend Sect's power in Luoxia County was completely eradicated, and they should be able to have some peace for a while.

But Lu Zhao knew that this "peace" was only temporary. The Blood Fiend Hall Master was not dead, the Black Fiend Sect was not destroyed, and the hatred was already formed, destined to last until death. He had to improve his strength as soon as possible to have the ability to protect himself before the enemy made a comeback.

A month later, Lu Zhao's injuries were basically healed. His meridians had returned to normal, even stronger than before. His blood and qi were abundant, his spirit was high, and his condition was better than ever before. His health points had recovered to 100%, and all negative status effects had disappeared. The bottleneck of [Dragon's Hibernation] Lv3 had loosened, and he only needed an opportunity to break through. [Refining Spirit Technique] reached Lv3 (220/300), with a divine attribute of 4.7. [Turtle Breath Stealth Technique] Lv3 (150/300). [Talisman Drawing] Lv4 (120/600). He had also perfected the third level of Qi Refining, and only needed an opportunity to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining.

It's time to leave.

On this day, Su Qingqian, Elder Chen, and several managers of Baicaotang held a farewell banquet for Lu Zhao in the main hall. The banquet was not extravagant, but it was very thoughtful, consisting of medicinal dishes that nourished blood and qi and warmed the meridians. The wine was also a spiritual wine treasured by the Su family, full of spiritual energy.

"Young Brother Lu, this parting is our last. I don't know when we'll meet again. This cup is to thank you for saving my life, and also to the bond we formed through thick and thin. If you have time in the future, please come to Baicaotang again for a chat. The Su family will always be your friends." Su Qingqian raised her wine cup, her eyes filled with sincere gratitude and reluctance. After this experience, she had matured considerably. Her brows had lost some of their naivety and gained more strength, and her eyes had become brighter and clearer—a result of the enlightenment gained from weathering storms and seeing through life and death. The Azure Sea Tide Flute had also been initially refined by her; her aura had become much more stable, and her cultivation seemed to have improved as well.

"Miss Su, you flatter me. I only did what I should do. It is my honor to befriend Miss Su and Elder Chen. If you need anything in the future, just send me a message, and I will do my best." Lu Zhao stood up, raised his glass in return, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Young Brother Lu, the journey to Yunmeng Marsh is long and fraught with danger. This is a 'token' from my Hundred Herbs Hall; please keep it safe. With this token, you can purchase medicinal herbs and pills at any Hundred Herbs Hall branch and enjoy a 20% discount. If you encounter any difficulties, you can also seek help from the branch manager, who will do their best to assist you. In addition, my colleagues and I have gathered some small gifts as a token of our appreciation; please accept them, young brother." Old Chen handed over a brocade box containing a jade token engraved with the words "Hundred Herbs," several small jade bottles, and several silver notes. The jade bottles contained pills such as "Jade Marrow Pill," "Minor Rejuvenation Pill," and "Return to Origin Powder," and the silver notes totaled three thousand taels. Combined with the [Pure Heart Jade Pendant] that Su Qingqian had previously given him, this gift was quite substantial.

"This..." Lu Zhao declined, not because he wanted payment.

"Young man, please don't refuse. This is what you deserve. You saved my young lady, which means you saved Baicaotang. These pills and silver are nothing to Baicaotang, but they may be helpful for you when you travel. Please accept them; consider it a small token of our appreciation," Elder Chen insisted.

"In that case, it would be impolite of me to refuse." Lu Zhao no longer declined and solemnly accepted it. He knew that this was the sincerity of the Su family and Baicaotang, and also a token of friendship for the future.

During the meal, Su Qingqian handed Lu Zhao a book wrapped in silk and whispered, "Young Master Lu, this is a copy of the 'Illustrated Compendium of Herbs' passed down in my Su family. Although it is not a cultivation manual, it records the methods for identifying, collecting, processing, and using many rare medicinal herbs. Some of these methods are beneficial to cultivation and may help you identify spiritual herbs and travel the world. Your journey to Yunmeng Marsh is long and you will inevitably have to wade through mountains and rivers. This book may be useful."

Lu Zhao accepted the book; it felt heavy in his hand. The pages were yellowed, the ink ancient, clearly indicating its age—a genuine family heirloom. His heart warmed; Su Qingqian's sentiment was worth more than gold or silver. He said solemnly, "Thank you for the book, Miss Su. I will certainly keep it safe and study it carefully."

After the banquet, Lu Zhao returned to his residence and checked his belongings. He wore the [Pure Heart Jade Pendant] close to his body, carefully categorized and placed the Jade Marrow Pill, Lesser Rejuvenation Pill, and Rejuvenation Powder, and carefully stored away the Hundred Herbs Token, the Qingyun Dao Sect Assessment Token, and the Su Family's "Hundred Herbs Record". He also sorted and organized the talismans he had drawn and accumulated over the past month, placing them close to his body. He checked each item, including short knives, short crossbows, poison needles, plague powder, human skin pouches, and storage bags. Finally, he took out the [Evil Buddha Blood Bead (Inferior)], the [Sealing Evil Stone (Secondary)], and the two [Map Fragments (Fragments)] that he had seized from the monk Ku Wu and the plague mother of Huai Shan Village, as well as the [Evil God Emblem (Fragment)] that was constantly pulsating and found in the secret room of the prefectural governor's mansion.

These items all exuded a strong ominous aura, especially the fragment of the evil god's emblem. Even though it was sealed, the sinister, chaotic, and tyrannical will it contained still sent chills down one's spine. Lu Zhao guessed that these items were probably related to the Black Fiend Sect's fundamental lineage and the "evil god" they worshipped. Was that "evil god" real? Or was it a spiritual symbol or a cultivation method? Were the "Plague Mother" of Huai Mountain Village, the "Bone Demon" of Beiling Village, the "Blood Pool" and "Blood Sacrifice" of Broken Soul Cliff, and the locations marked on the map fragment and crossed out with cinnabar, all nodes used by the Black Fiend Sect for sacrifices, offerings, summoning, or communication with the "evil god"? What earth-shattering conspiracy lay hidden behind all this?

"No matter what they are, these evil things must not be kept, but they cannot be destroyed easily either. Perhaps, when we arrive at the Qingyun Dao Sect, we can consult the elders there; they might have a way to deal with them." Lu Zhao pondered for a moment, then took out a small box from his treasure pouch—a gift from Elder Chen, made of lightning-struck wood, capable of isolating evil energy. He carefully sealed the evil items inside, then wrapped them in layers of talisman paper, and hid them close to his body. Lightning-struck wood is an extremely yang substance, capable of suppressing evil. Using it to seal them can prevent the evil energy from leaking out and bringing disaster.

After tidying up, night had fallen. Lu Zhao sat cross-legged, regulated his breathing for a moment to adjust his state to its best, and then took out the Qingyun Dao Sect's assessment token, infusing it with a wisp of spiritual energy. The token warmed slightly, and the two characters "Qingyun" on it emitted a faint blue light. A line of small characters appeared in Lu Zhao's mind: "Three months later, on the autumnal equinox, take this token to 'Qingyun Ferry' in Yunmeng Marsh to participate in the entrance assessment. Latecomers will not be accepted."

"On the day of the Autumn Equinox, at Yunmeng Marsh, Qingyun Ferry..." Lu Zhao murmured. Three months. From Luoxia County to Yunmeng Marsh, the journey was not short, requiring him to traverse several counties and covering thousands of miles. He needed to reach Yunmeng Marsh within three months. Time was still ample, but he needed to set off as soon as possible.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Lu Zhao quietly rose, changed into ordinary clothes, packed his bags, and carefully concealed his treasure pouch and human skin bag. Without disturbing Su Qingqian and Elder Chen, he left a farewell letter on the table. In the letter, he thanked the Su family and Baicaotang for saving his life and for taking him in, explained his determination to go to Yunmengze, and promised to return to visit if he had the opportunity in the future.

After doing all this, he pushed open the door, took one last look at the courtyard where he had lived for a month, which had given him safety, helped him heal, and improved his strength, took a deep breath, turned around, and disappeared into the twilight.

Instead of leaving through the main gate, he scaled the back wall and slipped into a secluded alley. After winding his way through several turns and confirming he was unattended, he changed into a drab gray outfit in an abandoned house. He then smeared disguise mud on his face, altering his skin tone and appearance to transform him into an ordinary young man with a sallow complexion and thin build. He suppressed his aura to the first level of Qi Refining and blended into the morning flow of people leaving the city, heading towards the west gate. He knew that his actions in Luoxia County had offended the remnants of the Black Fiend Cult. Although Wang Hu was dead, his followers might not be content and might have spies in the shadows. Leaving discreetly was the safest option.

Sure enough, the soldiers at the city gate were much stricter than usual, seemingly still searching for Wang Hu's remaining followers, and questioning those leaving the city in great detail. But Lu Zhao's appearance, demeanor, and luggage were all extremely ordinary, and he presented the flawless travel pass prepared for him by the Su family, so he passed the checkpoint smoothly.

Stepping out of the city gate, Lu Zhao glanced back at the tall, majestic city, a place that had weathered bloodshed and now superficially prosperous. The three large characters "Luoxia County" on the city gate gleamed in the morning sun. Within the city lay his enemies, his benefactors, the battlefield where he had fought to the death, and the place where he had rested and recuperated. Now, all of that was temporarily gone.

"From here, the sky is high and the sea is wide, and the great path lies ahead. Qingyun Dao Sect, here I come."

Without a trace of hesitation, he turned and, facing the rising sun, embarked on his unknown journey to Yunmengze. The road ahead might hold hardships and dangers, and the pursuit of the Black Fiend Sect, but it also held more opportunities, challenges, and a wider world to explore.

After walking several miles, they came to a fork in the road. One was a smooth, wide official road leading to other towns within the prefecture, bustling with travelers. The other was a rugged, desolate mountain path leading deep into the Luoxia Mountains, but it was a shortcut to Yunmeng Marsh. Without hesitation, Lu Zhao stepped onto the mountain path. He needed more experience, to fight demonic beasts, find spiritual herbs, improve his strength, and also to evade potential pursuers.

The mountain path wound its way through ancient trees and thickets of thorns. Lu Zhao activated the [Hibernating Dragon Technique], his movements agile as he traversed the forest as if walking on flat ground. Sometimes he climbed high cliffs to orient himself; sometimes he dived into valleys to replenish his water supply; sometimes he hunted demonic beasts, roasting the meat to replenish his strength. He treated this journey as a long-distance cultivation trip.

After walking for half a day, deep into the mountains, where few people ventured, Lu Zhao stopped to rest by a clear stream. He drank some sweet spring water, ate some dry rations, and sat cross-legged to meditate for a while. Suddenly, his ears twitched. Through the perception of his [Refining Spirit Technique], he caught the sounds of fighting, shouts, and... a faint, familiar, cold, and bloody aura in the distance!

"Are they from the Black Fiend Cult?!" Lu Zhao's heart skipped a beat. He immediately concealed his aura and activated the [Turtle Breath Stealth Technique]. Like a monkey, he silently climbed a large tree and hid in the tall canopy, looking towards the source of the sound.

About a hundred feet away, in a valley, several figures were engaged in fierce combat! On one side were three men dressed in black, their chests embroidered with crimson flame symbols. Their moves were ruthless, their aura chilling—they were members of the Black Fiend Cult! The leader possessed the aura of the fourth level of Qi Refining, wielding a black curved blade that left a trail of blood as it flashed. The other two were also at the third level of Qi Refining. On the other side were a young man wielding a long staff, dressed in tattered clothes, but with a stubborn look in his eyes; and a young Taoist priest dressed in a moon-white robe, carrying a long sword, with an otherworldly air, but now pale-faced and bleeding from the corner of his mouth, clearly seriously injured. The young man in the Taoist robe, about twenty years old, had a handsome face and a scholarly air about him, but now his expression was solemn, his long sword flashing, his sword energy surging—he possessed the aura of the fifth level of Qi Refining! The young man wielding the staff was slightly weaker, at the second level of Qi Refining, but he was fearless and his staff techniques were fierce, protecting the Taoist priest fiercely.

At this moment, three members of the Black Fiend Cult had surrounded the two, their swords flashing and the situation fraught with danger. The young man in the Taoist robe, though highly skilled, seemed to have suffered a serious internal injury; his swordsmanship, though exquisite, was somewhat sluggish, and he was tightly bound by the black-robed man at the fourth level of Qi Refining. The young man wielding the staff was even more overwhelmed, his body already bearing several wounds, dripping with blood, and he was on the verge of collapse.

"Hehehe, you little Taoist priest of Qingyun Dao Sect, and you blind rogue cultivator, obediently hand over that 'Crimson Blood Ginseng,' and then cripple your cultivation, and I might spare your lives!" The black-robed man at the fourth level of Qi Refining grinned maliciously, his curved blade transforming into countless black shadows, forcing the Taoist-robed youth to retreat step by step.

"Bah! You evil heretic, don't even think about it!" The young man wielding the staff cursed angrily, smashing his staff at a man in black robes, but the man easily dodged it. The young man then slashed the man's arm with a knife, and blood splattered everywhere.

"Senior brother, run! Don't worry about me!" the young man wielding the stick roared.

"Shut up! We'll leave together!" The young man in the Taoist robe gritted his teeth, his sword flashed, forcing his opponent back, but his face turned even paler, clearly aggravating his injuries.

Qingyun Dao Sect? Lu Zhao's eyes narrowed. This injured young man in Daoist robes was actually a disciple of the Qingyun Dao Sect? Judging from his attire and demeanor, he was undoubtedly an inner disciple. Why was he here, fighting with the Black Fiend Sect? And what kind of treasure was that "Crimson Blood Ginseng"?

Lu Zhao's mind raced. The Qingyun Dao Sect was his target for this trip. Now that he had encountered a fellow disciple in danger, it was only right and proper for him to help. Moreover, the Black Fiend Sect was his mortal enemy; how could he let them go after encountering them? Besides, the "Crimson Blood Ginseng" sounded like a spiritual medicine, and it might have miraculous effects on his healing and breakthrough.

"Three cultivators are at the third or fourth level of Qi Refining. The Taoist is at the fifth level, but he's seriously injured and might not be a match for me. If I intervene, using the Fireball Talisman and the Evil-Slaying Talisman for a sneak attack, combined with the Taoist and the young man wielding the staff, we might have a chance. Even if we're outmatched, with my current Turtle Breath Stealth Technique and Swift Movement Talisman, escaping shouldn't be difficult. But once I act, my identity will be exposed, and the remnants of the Black Fiend Cult will likely pursue me relentlessly. To save him, or not to save him?"

Lu Zhao's eyes flickered as he looked at the two people below who were in grave danger, then at the three Black Fiend Cult members with their chilling auras, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

"The Black Fiend Cult deserves to be destroyed by everyone! The Azure Cloud Dao Sect is our future sect. Now that we've encountered them, how can we stand idly by? Consider this a pledge of allegiance!"

Without further hesitation, he silently slid down from the treetops, like a ghost, using the trees and rocks as cover to stealthily approach the battlefield. With a flick of his wrist, three [Fireball Talismans (Good)] and three poison needles coated with [Plague Crystallization (Medium)] powder were already at his fingertips. At the same time, the [Swiftness Talisman (Superior)] was ready to be activated at any moment.

Just as the black-robed man at the fourth level of Qi Refining grinned and slashed at the chest of the Taoist-robed youth, while another black-robed man slashed at the neck of the staff-wielding youth—

Lu Zhao has moved!