Qin Chu also didn't speak. He had done some things, but it was better not to publicize them. Among those people, perhaps one of them was connected to an important figure of the Azure Cloud Sect. If the matter became clear, it might lead to unnecessary trouble.
Lei Yin didn't say anything more, but she was very shocked. She knew very well that Liu Nan and the others were previously Core Disciples, and they had lowered their Cultivation to the Peak of the third stage by damaging their own Cultivation. Their Cultivation was a bit lower, but their battle skill comprehension was all at the fourth stage, meaning they possessed fourth-stage battle power. Yet, they were still killed by Qin Chu.
Upon returning to the Azure Cloud Sect, the group split up. Lei Yin took Liu Xue back to Qianluo Peak; Luo Zhen took Zheng Qiu, Han Yu, and Qiu Zhan to the main hall of Qingzhu Peak, while Qin Chu and Bai Yu returned to the Utility Courtyard.
After returning to the Utility Courtyard, Er Pang prepared a table of food and wine to celebrate Qin Chu and Bai Yu's return.
"I got something good. In the Baisheng Building, I obtained a sword technique classic called 'Heaven Mountain Swordsman'. Head, take it and study it!" Bai Yu took out a classic and pushed it towards Qin Chu. He hadn't told Zheng Qiu, Han Yu, and Qiu Zhan about this because their friendship wasn't at that level.
Qin Chu pushed the classic back to Bai Yu, "Brother, I'm very grateful that you have this thought. During this trip to the Azure King's Ancient Ruins, I comprehended the true meaning of the Sword Dao. This is a great harvest, and I will slowly study it. Besides, there are some other gains..."
"That's right, the true meaning of the Sword Dao is enough for you to study for a while. Let's drink!" Bai Yu interrupted Qin Chu.
Qin Chu thought for a moment and said nothing more. Telling Bai Yu some things might not be a good thing; it might even be trouble.
Lei Yin took Liu Xue back to Qianluo Peak, "Tell me the detailed process."
After a moment of hesitation, Liu Xue recounted the process of Qin Chu killing Liu Nan and others, and also mentioned Qin Chu's Cultivation of the true meaning of the Sword Dao.
"This guy is too Heaven-Defying! Liu Nan and the others deserved their bad luck for encountering him! As for Shang Shu Yu, don't worry too much about her; she won't get involved in these matters of the Azure Cloud Sect. The true meaning of the Sword Dao... I never thought Qin Chu could comprehend the true meaning of the Sword Dao. In such a short time, the Azure Cloud Sect has two Disciples who have comprehended the true meaning of the Sword Dao, but one's Heart-Nature isn't with the Azure Cloud Sect, and the other is a Utility Disciple. What kind of situation is this!" Lei Yin pinched the bridge of her nose, unable to understand some things.
"Peak Master, this Disciple owes Qin Chu a great favor. Please, Peak Master, keep these secrets for him," Liu Xue said, feeling that Qin Chu was a very good friend and she didn't want to betray him.
Lei Yin nodded, "People have things they do and things they don't do. In this regard, you've done very well. I won't spread these matters, but they can't be hidden for long. Some conflicts will still erupt. Qian Qing has some influence on the main Peak, and his tentacles even extend to various Peaks. He won't let Qin Chu go."
On Qingzhu Peak's side, Luo Zhen brought Zheng Qiu, Han Yu, and Qiu Zhan into the main hall.
"Zheng Qiu, tell us about the situation of this training," Luo Zhen said after sitting in the main seat.
After a moment of hesitation, Zheng Qiu said, "Peak Master, Qin Chu was the captain of this training, so it's more appropriate for him to report to you."
"I'm very happy that you can say that. I will only protect Qin Chu; I won't harm him! Besides, if I ask him, he might not say anything, and I wouldn't know what arrangements to make. So, your detailed account will help him, not harm him," Luo Zhen said to Zheng Qiu.
After a moment of hesitation, Zheng Qiu recounted the details of this training. However, they truly didn't know about Qin Chu's gains, as those were obtained after Qin Chu separated from them.
"The true meaning of the Sword Dao... Can this be confirmed?" Hearing Zheng Qiu say that Qin Chu had comprehended the true meaning of the Sword Dao, Luo Zhen became restless and stood up from his seat.
"This was personally said by Shang Shu Yu, and besides, this Disciple saw that Junior Brother Qin's sword technique power indeed changed, so it should be correct," Zheng Qiu nodded.
"Good, very good! I understand now. Furthermore, you don't have to worry that your friendship with Qin Chu will be ruined. I will explain for the three of you. He is a friend worth making, and the three of you are the same. Seeing that you can stand together through thick and thin, I am very pleased," Luo Zhen said. He decided to focus on cultivating Zheng Qiu, Han Yu, and Qiu Zhan because the three of them had perseverance, which is an extremely rare quality.
After sending Zheng Qiu and the other two away, Luo Zhen went to the Utility Courtyard and directly arrived at the edge of the cliff.
At the edge of the cliff, Qin Chu was Cultivating the true meaning of the Sword Dao. Noticing Luo Zhen's arrival, Qin Chu sheathed his sword and then invited Luo Zhen to sit down.
"The Sword Spirit Realm is the condensation of spirituality. The true meaning of the Sword Dao is the embodiment of Comprehension Ability and Heart-Nature. You now have both," Luo Zhen said after sitting down.
"Is Peak Master here to ask Qin Chu something? I suppose Peak Master has already asked the three Senior Brothers," Qin Chu said, looking at Luo Zhen.
Luo Zhen smiled, "I'm here to congratulate you. You've gained three good friends. When I asked them, they were unwilling to speak. It was only after I promised not to harm you and explained that I could better protect you only by understanding the specific situation that they told me some things."
"Those three are indeed very good. No matter how difficult the situation, they never gave up the idea of their companions, not even a tiny bit!" Qin Chu nodded, still quite approving of Zheng Qiu and the other two.
"I didn't come for anything specific, just to confirm whether your true meaning of the Sword Dao was watered down. What makes me very pleased is that what you have mastered is indeed the true meaning of the Sword Dao," Luo Zhen said, then turned and left. Confirming that Qin Chu had mastered the true meaning of the Sword Dao was enough for him. Qin Chu was worth Qingzhu Peak protecting with everything it had. Let alone if Su Shanhe was the Deputy Sect Master, even if the Sect Master targeted Qin Chu, he would not back down a single step.
Luo Zhen only said a few simple words and then left, which left Qin Chu feeling bewildered. He had planned to chat a bit more, learn more about Luo Zhen's character, and then figure out how to handle the Azure King Token.
Luo Zhen left, and Qin Chu fell into deep thought, pondering the handling of the Azure King Token. In fact, he was very conflicted. If he looked at the problem from the perspective of being a member of Qingzhu Peak, the Azure King Token should be given to Luo Zhen. But he also needed Mo Daozi to do something for him, and giving the Azure King Token to Mo Daozi was most in line with his interests. It was just that doing so would make him somewhat indebted to Luo Zhen.
After thinking for a while, Qin Chu came up with a comprehensive idea: to give the Azure King Token to Mo Daozi and ask Mo Daozi to support Luo Zhen. This would be killing two birds with one stone.
Feeling that this idea was good, Qin Chu went to Mo Daozi's residence behind the library. As for interception, no one was intercepting him now.
"What are you doing standing outside? If you didn't die in the Azure King's Ancient Ruins, then get in here!" Mo Daozi's voice reached Qin Chu's ears.