Within the Palace of the Heavenly Apex, these sworn brothers advanced and retreated together. Through their connections, they helped several family members join the Palace in succession.

  Later, during a sect mission, the two stumbled upon a treasured site. Inside a storage pouch, they discovered a Foundation Establishment Pill, along with the method for refining a magic artifact—the "Blood-Melting Gourd"—and a large quantity of refining materials.

  There was only one Foundation Establishment Pill, which presented a dilemma for the sworn brothers. Neither wanted to give up the chance at Foundation Establishment.

  In the end, Mist volunteered. He proposed that as long as Hann helped him refine a Blood-Melting Gourd, he would yield the Foundation Establishment Pill to Hann.

  Grateful for this offer, Hann agreed and set to work refining the gourd. Hann had always possessed considerable talent in artifact forging. Following the refining method, he initially intended to produce a quasi-magic artifact, essentially a top-grade spirit artifact. But Hann experienced an unexpected surge of inspiration, exceeding his normal limits, and successfully refined a true magic artifact. He immediately handed this Blood-Melting Gourd over to Mist.

  Hann thought the matter was concluded, with both having obtained what they desired. He never expected that Mist, now armed with the magic artifact, would suddenly turn on him. Caught off guard, Hann was severely wounded by Mist's attack.

  "According to your story, you were only a Great Perfection Qi Refining cultivator at the time. How did you escape an ambush with a magic artifact?" Leo frowned. He had never witnessed the power of a magic artifact firsthand, but even a spirit artifact used by a Qi Refining cultivator could be lethal if the target was unprepared.

  "You have sharp eyes, young hero."

  "Call me Leo from now on." Leo shook his head.

  "Yes, Master Leo." Hann would never dare address him so informally.

  "I personally forged the Blood-Melting Gourd. That beast Mist had just acquired it and believed it was perfectly refined. He didn't know that I had made a slight oversight during the process—the gourd had a minor flaw. At the time, my mind was completely consumed by thoughts of that Foundation Establishment Pill, and I also harbored some selfish intentions. I didn't mention it. Mist, newly in possession of the magic artifact, couldn't unleash its full power either. Additionally, that treasured site seemed to resist Foundation Establishment-grade magic artifacts. When Mist used the Blood-Melting Gourd, he apparently triggered some restriction within the site and was trapped. That's how I narrowly escaped with my life."

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  A look of regret filled Hann's face. "It was because of that severe injury, combined with the corrosive effect of the Blood-Melting Gourd's power, that my cultivation steadily declined, eventually falling all the way to the fifth layer of Qi Refining."

  "I fled back to the Palace in panic. But I realized that Mist, now vastly stronger and in possession of the Foundation Establishment Pill, would never let me go. The restriction at the treasured site wouldn't hold him for long either."

  "I was wounded and had no time to flee elsewhere with my son and two nephews. After much thought, I decided to enter the Black Water Stockade Mine. The mine's complex terrain would make it difficult for even a Foundation Establishment cultivator to find us. I planned to hide here for a year or two, hoping Mist would forget about us. I never expected to lose that gamble. When I sent my son out to trade for food, Mist had already become a Foundation Establishment cultivator and used his authority to have us all struck from the Palace's disciple rolls. My son was killed by the guards as soon as he left. From that day on, my nephews and I have been trapped in this mine, never seeing the light of day again."

  As he spoke, Hann's face twisted with regret, and tears streamed down his aged face.

  "That damned old villain Mist! If I ever get out of here alive, I'll make him pay!" the young Kolin spat, his face contorted with hatred.

  "That old fiend is a Foundation Establishment cultivator now. Even if we could escape, we'd have to flee far away to avoid him. But that's impossible now. The three of us will likely be trapped in this mine forever, growing old and dying here." Hann sighed deeply, casting a hopeful sidelong glance at Leo.

  Leo remained expressionless, unmoved by Hann's tale. Mist merely suspected him of possessing some treasure and had sent Fin to watch him. He wasn't trying to kill Leo. If Leo helped Hann escape and Mist found out, he would surely bring disaster upon himself. Hann seemed to harbor that hope, but Leo wouldn't play the Good Samaritan out of pity.

  "I've seen Mist use a blue treasure gourd that can change size at will. Is that the Blood-Melting Gourd you mentioned? What is its weakness?" Leo asked.

  "Yes, that's the one. The Blood-Melting Gourd's power comes from the seven drops of Baleful Blood within it. Each drop contains a miniature Blood-Devouring Formation. The seven drops can combine to form the Seven Baleful Blood-Devouring Formation. It can absorb the essence blood of both humans and demon beasts. Moreover, it can draw in a portion of the power of cultivators of the same rank, using it for itself. The more people it kills, and the longer its owner nurtures it, the more powerful it becomes. That old fiend Mist has been nurturing the Blood-Melting Gourd for over a decade now. Given his ruthless nature, the gourd's power must have grown immensely. But what he doesn't know is that when I forged it, my understanding of the Seven Baleful Blood-Devouring Formation was incomplete. When I inscribed the formation onto the drops of Baleful Blood, I made a mistake on the last drop's formation. Someone unfamiliar with this formation would never notice. But someone who knows its secrets can exploit this flaw to break free. That's how I managed to escape with my life back then."

  Hann spoke with lingering fear. Though Leo hadn't offered to help them escape the Black Water Stockade Mine, he had to offer something in return. Otherwise, he would lose Leo's powerful protection and once again fall prey to mine bosses like Viper, living in constant fear.

  "Tell me the secret of the Seven Baleful Blood-Devouring Formation. This bottle of Qi Gathering Pills is yours." Leo flicked a small bottle towards Hann. He could have forced Hann to comply, but coercion alone wasn't the best approach. To secure the trio's sincere cooperation over the next few years, he needed to offer incentives as well.

  Hann caught the bottle and examined its contents. Joy flooded his face. It even contained a mid-grade Qi Gathering Pill, perfect for helping Kolin break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining. Trembling with gratitude, Hann nodded and thanked him profusely. "Thank you for your generosity, Master Leo. I will tell you everything I know without reservation."

  Clatter, clatter. The sound of numerous footsteps echoed from deep within the mine tunnel. In the long, narrow passage, even the slightest sound carried far.

  The expressions of Hann and his nephews shifted. They instinctively retreated behind Leo. Having witnessed his capabilities, they knew they could be of little help. This trial, Leo would have to face alone. Against the fierce mine bosses, their strength was utterly insignificant.

  "One-Handed Zane!"

  "Wen the Monk!"

  "Daoist Jax!"