After hearing Qiu Yuan's words, Xin Chenzi remained seemingly unperturbed, while Mei Luzi exchanged glances with the others.

They were undecided, as it was clear that the others had no intention of returning the treasure furnace, leaving them only two choices: to turn hostile and snatch it by force or to turn around and leave.

Turning hostile and forcibly taking it was certainly not feasible, as Tang Shi had taken many Immortal Pills that had filtered down from the Mingyu Immortal Market over the years, greatly enhancing his mana.

He felt that his mana now was not much less than that of the Green Robe Ancestor from back then, but the Magical Treasures he had refined couldn't compare, making it absolutely impossible for him to defeat Shi Feiyang.

But if they just turned around and left without making a move, they would undoubtedly be punished by the Red-haired Ancestor. Although he was not as cruel as the Green Robe Ancestor, known for casually biting off people's arms and voraciously eating them, when enraged, the Red-haired Ancestor was extremely ruthless in his retribution. After all, they were not direct disciples like Hong Changbao and would receive no mercy from the Red-haired Ancestor.

Knowing that Xin Chenzi was silent and was close to Hong Changbao, Tang Shi realized that only he and his two companions would bear the brunt of the anger if someone interceded, leaving Xin Chenzi off the hook.

So he spoke to Qiu Yuan, "Please pass on a message for us, we wish to see Master Shi on an urgent matter."

"You are here this time to take back the Five Elements Divine Fire Furnace, aren't you?" Qiu Yuan flipped his left hand palm-up, revealing a small five-sided furnace in his palm, "Your people captured me for no reason and even pierced my scapula with a hooked blade. If it weren't for my master's rescue, I would be either dead or crippled by now. Consider this small furnace as compensation; it will not be returned to you."

When Qiao Shou saw that he refused to pass on the message, he raised his voice, projecting his words into the valley from the side, "Master Shi, we were sent by the Red-haired Ancestor to demand the Five Elements Divine Fire Furnace. If we cannot obtain it and must return to Red Wood Ridge Heavenly Dog Cliff like this, we will surely suffer his poisonous wrath.

If you appreciate that furnace and must keep it, that's fine, but we have one thing to ask of you. We practice the Six Yin God-Slaying Great Technique, and we are all secretly controlled by his Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation God Sword. Even if we flee to the ends of the earth, our lives and deaths are still at his whim. With your powerful mana, please show us a way to survive."

Shi Feiyang's voice came from within, "The Five Elements Divine Fire Furnace is in the hands of my disciple. If you refuse to accept this, just try to take it by force. If not, get lost! Your life or death is none of my concern."

Hearing these words, the four of them felt extremely stifled, wishing they could immediately unleash their Flying Sword Magical Treasures and launch an attack into the valley... but they did not dare.

As they were caught in a dilemma, hesitating and undecided, two streaks of golden light flew from the other side of Baiyang Mountain, one very thin, like a needle's edge, very fast; the other was a winding, serpentine sword light.

As the golden light approached, it transformed into a woman and a man, who were none other than Shi Longgu and Mr. Xia.

Shi Longgu introduced herself, having come to the Southern Border several times over the years and having made enemies with the Silkworm Fairy Immortal Mother, resulting in numerous duels and gaining a reputation.

"So it's the Thousand Hands Lady, I wonder what brings you here?"

Shi Longgu extended her pale hand and pointed towards the mountain, "Over there lies an ancient tomb from Ancient Times, which originally contained three demon corpses. Later on, the Blood God Son and the Buddhist forces fought each other there, totally wrecking the place, and the demon corpses were also killed. However, those demon corpses once had three large cauldrons, underneath which were deep bronze pipes that reached to the earth's fiery core. Over the years, these pipes have continuously drawn in the black evil energy of Earth Evil, turning the place thoroughly into an ominous house. In these past few days, I've received guidance from Master Shi, and I need to refine Gu and needles there; I wonder if you'd be willing to help?"

The four of them exchanged looks, even Xin Chenzi found this baffling, thinking to himself what does this have to do with us? Are we that familiar with you, that you request our help like this?

Shi Longgu continued, "Apart from the three Dan-carrying big cauldrons in the ancient tomb, there's also the blood of the Blood God Son and the Golden Arhat. Using it, I've set up a Three Corpses Formation that isolates the inside from the outside; once inside, the external world would absolutely not be able to perceive it. Even if someone's Lifebound Primordial Spirit has been restricted by their Lifebound God Card, it will be blocked.

I've heard everything you just said. You dare not enter the valley to duel with Master Shi, nor dare go back to face the Red-haired Ancestor, and your Primordial Spirits are still controlled by his Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation God Sword; this is a perfect opportunity to help me refine needles and Gu. You would be doing me a favor and at the same time, avoiding a disaster. It's beneficial to all parties, why not do it?"

All of a sudden, inspiration struck Tang Shi, and he realized that Shi Longgu, famous in the Mingyu Immortal Market for her sharp Flying Needles and certainly not an ordinary acquaintance of Shi Feiyang, was orchestrating such a scene at this critical juncture. It was likely under Shi Feiyang's direction. Contemplating this, Tang Shi looked back into the valley, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He was very loyal to the Green Robe Ancestor, and after escaping from Bai Man Mountain at first, he always aimed to find the Green Robe Ancestor and avenge his sect.

Later, realizing that revenge was hopeless, and that the Green Robe Ancestor had fled, he still planned to rush to West Pole Mountain and continue to seek allegiance, only to meet an elder at the seaside who was collecting Geng Metal Essence from the West Sea, the Granny of Mysteries, Xuan Tian.

When Tang Shi was young, before he entered the Dao, he almost became a disciple of the Granny of Mysteries, Xuan Tian.

She warned him that the Green Robe Ancestor had suffered repeated defeats and was now deranged, having joined the Western Sect and cultivated an Undying Demon Body, becoming even more cruel and ferocious, with an increasingly insatiable appetite for eating humans. If Tang Shi went there, he would also be eaten, so she advised him to turn back as soon as possible.

Tang Shi knew the Green Robe Ancestor had the habit of cannibalism; in a rage, he would even eat his disciples, with the lightest punishment being to bite off an arm, crunching bone and flesh raw.

So he knelt down and asked the Granny of Mysteries about his future.

The Granny of Mysteries said, "I know you are the most loyal and filial, but you must still discern between right and wrong, and avoid foolish loyalty. How could you not know what kind of person the Green Robe Ancestor is? Your fate would also have been most miserable, enduring all kinds of cruel torture, ultimately being reduced to Tribulation Ash. The only thing that could save you and help you escape from disaster would be to eliminate the one from your Bai Man Mountain."

Tang Shi was astonished and found it hard to believe, yet Xuantian Granny possessed immense mana and was proficient in the Seven Birds Divine Skill, so while he harbored doubts about the outcome, he did not think she would have miscalculated.

After that, he started to pay attention. Today, upon learning that Shi Feiyang was in the valley, he wanted to meet with Shi Feiyang and recount the prophecy once made by Xuantian Granny.

Unfortunately, Shi Feiyang refused to meet them. Tang Shi thought it might not be the right time, or perhaps his fortune was too thin, and he couldn't escape the tragic end that was bound to come. But he never expected Shi Longgu to invite them to help refine needles at this juncture.

Once he guessed that Shi Feiyang had intentionally offered protection, Tang Shi did not consult his companions and agreed to help outright.

Xin Chenzi, however, disagreed and still wanted to return to Red Wood Ridge: "We're meeting Daoist Shi for the first time; with superficial knowledge and weak power, we can't be of much help, so we shall take our leave."

Mei Luzi and Qiao Shou also followed their senior brother's lead, looking to Tang Shi for guidance.

Tang Shi was in a difficult position. Normally, he ought to return with his companions, but he had a very strong premonition that Shi Longgu was directed by Shi Feiyang to do this, and that this would be his last chance to change his fate!

"I've long been in awe of the reputation of the Golden Needle Saint Mother and always wanted to pay a visit to Gupo Ridge..." Tang Shi made a deliberate effort to ingratiate himself with Shi Longgu, "After we have helped Daoist friend complete her task, would you be willing to teach us a set of Needle Formulas? We also frequently practice Gu Refining, and with a set of Flying Needles and the Needle Formulas, catching and refining Gu would be much more efficient."

"No problem!" Shi Longgu agreed readily. She knew many sets of Needle Formulas and teaching them one wouldn't matter. Shi Feiyang had just helped her obtain the "White Yang Needle Skill," which was even more sophisticated than what her mother used to practice. With her intent on keeping at least one person here, she obviously wouldn't be stingy with a Needle Formula.

She even prepared eighty-one Mysterious Lady Needles, ready to be unleashed; if these four individuals didn't take the hint and none was willing to stay, she wouldn't hesitate to use force and capture at least one.

Tang Shi asked for the Needle Formulas to get Mei Luzi and Qiao Shou to stay as well.

However, these two didn't value Shi Longgu's Needle Formulas highly and decided to return to meet the Red-haired Ancestor.

Tang Shi had no choice and ultimately decided to stay by himself, accompanying Shi Longgu to the Wuhua Family ancient tomb.

Xin Chenzi and the other two were quite irritated by Tang Shi leaving with a girl they had never met before. Qiao Shou even speculated, "Brother Tang has always steered clear of women's charms. Could it be that he's fallen under that woman's magic trick?"

Mei Luzi shook his head, "Impossible, Brother Tang's mana is strong and he's no less adept than Shi Longgu; he's also very experienced. How could he fall prey to her magic?"

Then the two began to worry about the punishment they would receive from the Red-haired Ancestor upon their return and asked their senior brother Xin Chenzi.

Xin Chenzi smiled faintly, "Just push everything onto Tang Shi."

"Ah? How can we do that? If we do, Brother Tang will probably never dare to return to Red Wood Ridge, right?"

"What if he never planned to return?" Xin Chenzi had long been annoyed with Tang Shi. Years ago, he had been bitten and had an arm eaten by the Green Robe Ancestor, harboring resentment ever since. He wanted to borrow the Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Divine Saber from Hong Changbao to ambush and slay the Green Robe Ancestor. The biggest obstacle at the time was Tang Shi, with his high mana and loyalty to the Green Robe Ancestor.

Now that they were under the Red-haired Ancestor, Tang Shi was still always talking about the Green Robe Ancestor, holding grudges in his heart. Even without today's events, he and Hong Changbao had secretly conspired to deal with Tang Shi.

The three returned to Red Wood Ridge Heavenly Dog Cliff and repeated the story they fabricated to the Red-haired Ancestor, claiming they intended to fight, but did not expect Tang Shi to secretly defect to Shi Feiyang. If it hadn't been for their quick escape upon seeing something wrong, they'd now be dead on Baiyang Mountain.

To put on a full show, Qiao Shou even had a bloody gash on his leg, claiming it was from a slash of Sword Qi.

The Red-haired Ancestor was furious, immediately casting magic and unleashing a sea of red light to envelop all three: "You dare deceive me!"

Baiyang Mountain had prohibitions set up by Shi Feiyang, with everyone else's magic causing chaos in Yin Yang, Inverting Five Elements, changing calculations, and making many things unpredictable. However, the Red-haired Ancestor still possessed his Lifebound Primordial Spirit, which allowed him to sense deception instantly, and through the Gua Xiang, he could see that all these disciples of the Green Robe Ancestor had secretly defected to Shi Feiyang, inciting his immense rage.

At this moment, Hong Changbao stepped forward to plead, not only him but also the Red-haired Ancestor's most favored great-grand-disciple Yao Kaijiang, along with other disciples like Lei Zhuazi and Lan Tiangou, all vouched for Xin Chenzi.

The Red-haired Ancestor was easily swayed, and he released Xin Chenzi, only capturing Mei Luzi and Qiao Shou. Along with Sui Yin who had previously been a messenger for Shi Feiyang — the Red-haired Ancestor had long been irritated — they were all captured, hung from the cliff, each lashed five hundred times, beaten until they were bloodied and bruised all over.

Mei Luzi and Qiao Shou protested their innocence, but the Red-haired Ancestor wouldn't listen and released many peach blossom poison needles, piercing them from head to toe, continuously burning them until their skin was charred and their flesh rotted without reprieve.

He then took out a Magical Treasure, named the Ten Thousand Silk Golden Bowl, filled with all manner of poisonous insects, and released them to eat the three men starting from their feet and ending at their heads, demanding to know what dealings they had with Shi Feiyang and what he had asked them to do.

Elder Kuzhu had been coldly observing from the side, and he glanced at Xin Chenzi, his voice echoing in Xin Chenzi's mind: "These youngsters are worthless. You need to send the Red-haired Ancestor to Baiyang Mountain!"

Xin Chenzi looked downcast, feigning distress at his brothers' pain, focusing his mind to respond to Elder Kuzhu within his head: "Don't worry, elder. The Red-haired Ancestor is obstinate and proud. I will get him to Baiyang Mountain shortly, acting in accordance with your wishes."

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