Demonic Cultivator(471-480) (Patreon)

Chapter 471: Plunder

It must be said that the Divine Sword Sect's reputation as a righteous and upright sect was deeply ingrained in the hearts of many.

As soon as Lu Rong finished speaking, four Nascent Soul cultivators immediately responded. They flew out from their respective caves and gathered around him.

One of them laughed heartily, "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Lu, our businesses are all on Neon Garment Island. If we let these demonic forces in, we would surely be robbed."

Another spoke with conviction, "How can we trust the promises of the demonic path? We stand firmly with the Divine Sword Sect!"

Their voices, imbued with Spiritual Qi, spread across the island, reaching the ears of other cultivators.

More and more began to hesitate, wondering whether they should step forward and help the Divine Sword Sect resist the assault of the Blood Cloud Cave.

Lu Rong's normally stern face showed a rare trace of joy. He waved his hand, activating the formation disk.

A layer of shimmering light appeared at the center of Neon Garment Island, rapidly descending like a giant inverted bowl. The surface of the light shimmered like water, rippling and sparkling.

This was the low-grade Deity Transformation formation, the "Heavenly River Heavy Water Formation". It could draw upon the power of weak water to neutralize external forces.

To the enemy, it seemed as if they were attacking the formation itself, but in reality, they were striking at the surrounding weak waters. Unless the formation's energy was exhausted, it was nearly indestructible.

As the defensive formation activated, the cultivators on Neon Garment Island let out a collective sigh of relief. For many, the best outcome was to simply maintain the status quo. As long as the formation held strong, the Blood Cloud Cave could never break through.

Lu Rong turned his gaze toward the two leading Blood Cloud Cave cultivators outside the formation, his voice cold.

"Yan Kun, Lai Shun, you two still refuse to leave? If you persist in this futile struggle, the Divine Sword Sect's Deity Transformation cultivators will soon arrive!"

The two leaders of the Blood Cloud Cave, Yan Kun and Lai Shun, gave sinister laughs but said nothing more.

In the next moment, an intense explosion rang out from one corner of the island.

Black smoke shot into the sky! Buildings were shattered into pieces!

A large number of cultivators in that area were instantly obliterated, leaving only a few lucky Golden Core cultivators to escape.

The Heavenly River Heavy Water Formation covering the entire island flickered several times before rapidly disappearing at a visible rate!

The cultivators on the island were stunned, their faces filled with disbelief. And then, a shrill and terrified scream echoed across the island.

"The formation is broken!"

Formation arrays have always been the foundation of using weakness to overcome strength. A Nascent Soul cultivator with deep knowledge of formations could even rely on Deity Transformation-grade formations to resist or delay a Deity Transformation grandmaster.

Over time, various methods to break formations have emerged. The simplest method is brute force—directly breaking through the formation. Another approach is to infiltrate the formation's interior and destroy it before it activates, or to damage it in the early stages of its operation. There are also strategies that focus on continual harassment, depleting the formation's energy over time, such as exhausting the formation's spiritual stones.

In such cases, the formation would naturally collapse on its own. Beyond these methods, there is a unique technique—Great Destruction Banning Talismans!

A Great Destruction Banning Talisman can destroy Deity Transformation-grade formations! However, crafting such a talisman is extremely complex, and very few sects have mastered the technique, let alone individuals.

Clearly, the sudden explosion that caused the Heavenly River Heavy Water Formation to vanish was the result of a Great Destruction Banning Talisman. Only an internal strike with such a talisman could have created such a powerful effect.

Chu Xuan shook his head. It seemed that during the few days when Lu Rong was absent and Cheng Xin was transferred, the Blood Cloud Cave had secretly infiltrated the island with someone carrying a Great Destruction Banning Talisman.

Without the higher-ups overseeing them, the Divine Sword Sect's cultivators had become a little lax—something that was to be expected. The Blood Cloud Cave had seized the opportunity perfectly.

"Kill only the Divine Sword Sect cultivators! Those who surrender will not be harmed!"

With the simultaneous, sharp command of Yan Kun and Lai Shun, the blood-red clouds in the sky descended like locusts, swarming toward the island!

Lu Rong was just about to rally the four cultivators around him to fight back. But to his horror, he found that the four had already turned to flee.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, what's the point of fighting without the formation? Run!"

"Fellow Daoist Lu, it's not that we are afraid; we simply do not wish to."

"Fellow Daoist Lu, they are only targeting the Divine Sword Sect..."

Lu Rong gritted his teeth in anger. "Cowards!"

With a furious roar, he charged toward the overwhelming blood clouds. Behind him, only a handful of Divine Sword Sect disciples gritted their teeth and followed.

Boom!

Across Neon Garment Island, explosions rang out from every corner. There were also the sharp sounds of magic treasures clashing.

Clearly, many others were trying to take advantage of the chaos. And there were a significant number of them.

Amidst the explosions and the sounds of battle, maniacal laughter and heart-wrenching screams echoed through the island.

Chu Xuan furrowed his brows. These people were probably also under the influence of the Blood Cloud Cave, infiltrating the island to create further turmoil. He shook his head slightly. In such a situation, it was no longer possible to remain uninvolved. However, if any of these bold cultivators tried to make him their target, he wouldn't mind turning them into corpses.

The battle in mid-air did not last long. In the end, Lu Rong and the other Divine Sword Sect cultivators were no match for the sheer numbers of the Blood Cloud Cave. Before long, Lu Rong was captured alive by Yan Kun and Lai Shun. The rest of the Divine Sword Sect disciples were slaughtered, their blood used to nourish the Blood Cloud.

Yan Kun casually took out a pill, forced it into Lu Rong's mouth, and immediately, the Spiritual Qi in his body dissipated. He then pulled out a dark rope and easily bound Lu Rong, securing him tightly, like a dog on a leash, dragging him along beside himself.

Lu Rong, furious beyond measure, struggled, but it was futile. He had been completely subdued.

After securing Lu Rong, Yan Kun turned to Lai Shun. The two exchanged a tacit nod, and with a low growl, Yan Kun commanded, "This island is free for all to plunder! Attack!"

"Yes!"

The Blood Cloud Cave cultivators around them immediately displayed expressions of excitement. This was the moment they had been waiting for! The looting began!

Unlike the Divine Sword Sect or Serpent Buddha Temple, who diligently worked to establish and maintain their territories, Blood Cloud Cave had a far more chaotic way of operating. Even Blood Cloud Island itself was constantly shifting. What they truly excelled at was looting other islands for cultivation resources and stealing the blood and flesh of cultivators to feed the Blood Cloud.

Moreover, Blood Cloud Cave cultivators were particularly skilled at using their escape techniques. Whether fleeing or chasing, their speed was unparalleled. By the time reinforcements from the Divine Sword Sect or Serpent Buddha Temple arrived, the Blood Cloud Cave cultivators had already completed their plunder and vanished without a trace.

At first, when Yan Kun and Lai Shun had said they would only kill Divine Sword Sect cultivators, some had been disappointed. But now they understood—the earlier statements had only been a feint!

Suddenly, the entire Neon Garment Island was plunged into chaos. Everywhere, there was fighting, shouting, and the sounds of battle. Screams and roars of rage filled the air, especially in the Neon Garment Market.

The shops that were still in operation, with their doors still open, were immediately raided by a large group of cultivators. Some of these raiders were likely not even demonic cultivators, but locals from Neon Garment Island.

Now, with the chaos unleashed, it was their chance to rise above the rest. If they could seize valuable items, they might enter the higher ranks of cultivation. From there, they could enjoy a few hundred years of carefree living.

When killing and robbing treasures, they were just Golden Core cultivators. But once they succeeded, they would become Nascent Soul grandmasters! As long as they kept a low profile, no one would dare provoke a Nascent Soul cultivator.

As for Chu Xuan's studio, it had already closed and activated its formation, ensuring that no one dared approach. Given the time constraints, the Blood Cloud Cave cultivators prioritized easier targets.

Chapter 472: The Blood Cloud Cave Cultivators Must Be Eradicated

However, even Chu Xuan's tea house had attracted some bold demonic cultivators. Naturally, these Golden Core cultivators posed no real threat in his eyes, and he dispatched them with ease.

He also noticed Ning Tai suddenly flying out from his cave dwelling, heading toward Neon Garment Market at full speed. Given his frantic pace, it seemed he was rushing to rescue his grandson.

"This Ning Wangyuan really doesn't make things easy for the old man," Chu Xuan chuckled to himself, shaking his head in amusement.

...

In mid-air, Yan Kun and Lai Shun exchanged a look.

Yan Kun grinned sinisterly. "I've heard that a pill master has recently arrived on Neon Garment Island. In just over a year, he's made a fortune."

"Shall we go after him, or will you?" he asked.

Lai Shun, clearly tempted, shook his head. "I'd rather go after the He family's twin female cultivators. I'll head to the He family."

Yan Kun laughed uproariously. "The word 'woman' is a blade that hangs over your head! What's so great about women? They'll only delay your cultivation progress!"

Lai Shun smirked. "Huh, you wouldn't understand the charm. I'm off now!" With that, he headed straight for the He family.

Yan Kun laughed a few more times, then, accompanied by two Golden Core disciples, made his way to the Tea Appreciation Pavilion.

Though the Blood Cloud Cave didn't typically concern itself with territorial control, it was still highly aware of the happenings in other people's domains. Particularly when it came to their rivals, like the Divine Sword Sect. They kept a very close eye on them.

Yan Kun had long known about the pill master, He Liang, who had arrived on Neon Garment Island over a year ago. This master's skills in alchemy were exceptional. Although he had only recently arrived, he had already suppressed several Nascent Soul alchemists on the island. Every day, cultivators came from all over to request his services, even from White Sand Island, which was under the control of the Divine Sword Sect.

One of Yan Kun's Golden Core disciples laughed sinisterly. "That Black Pill Pavilion has already closed its doors. He must have sensed something was wrong and decided to shut up shop early."

Yan Kun smiled coldly. "He's a clever man, but not clever enough. If he truly sensed something was off, he should've moved directly to White Sand Island instead of staying on Neon Garment Island."

The two Golden Core disciples laughed heartily. "What Master says is true!"

The three of them moved swiftly, and soon they arrived at the entrance of the Tea Appreciation Pavilion.

The cave dwellings around the Tea Appreciation Pavilion were all high-quality residences, and the cultivators living here were all Nascent Soul experts. Even though Neon Garment Island was in chaos, few dared to attack Nascent Soul cultivators, making it a relatively safe haven. As a result, the turmoil had yet to reach this area.

The arrival of Yan Kun and his companions immediately drew the attention of the Nascent Soul cultivators in the surrounding cave dwellings. A wave of unease swept through their hearts. They feared that Yan Kun and his group might target their own residences.

Yan Kun glanced around, then pointed at the entrance of Tea Appreciation Pavilion. "This one," he said.

The other Nascent Soul cultivators instantly relaxed. At least they're not targeting me.

"Where's the array disk?" Yan Kun turned to his disciple behind him.

A Golden Core cultivator quickly presented an array disk, bowing respectfully. "Master, we've acquired it."

Yan Kun smiled faintly and placed his hand on the disk.

Immediately, the protective formation around the Tea Appreciation Pavilion was forcibly deactivated.

This cave dwelling had been leased by the He family to various cultivators, and the formation within had been arranged by the He family's own cultivators. Naturally, they had the means to deactivate it, though they had never mentioned it to outsiders.

However, Yan Kun knew about its existence. Before the Blood Cloud Cave had even invaded Neon Garment Island, he had managed to obtain the array disk.

"You two," Yan Kun commanded, turning to his disciples, "unleash the Blood Cloud and circle the area. I'll deal with He Liang myself. If any outsiders intervene, you will activate the Blood Cloud."

With a malicious grin, Yan Kun intentionally infused his Spiritual Qi into his words, letting them echo clearly so that the cultivators in the surrounding cave dwellings could hear.

"Understood!" the two Golden Core disciples replied, their voices full of enthusiasm.

The Blood Cloud Cave cultivators were known for their terrifying strength, and the vastness and potency of their Blood Clouds made them even more formidable.

As long as the others didn't actively resist, any Blood Cloud cultivator could borrow this power to confront Nascent Soul cultivators in the early stages.

In an instant, a massive expanse of Blood Cloud unfurled, enveloping Tea Appreciation Pavilion and the surrounding area. It spread so thickly that not even a fly could enter or exit.

This Blood Cloud had the ability to block spiritual sense, so no outsider could perceive what was happening inside Tea Appreciation Pavilion. The cultivators in the surrounding cave dwellings had mixed reactions.

Some, who were alchemists themselves, harbored jealousy toward He Liang for taking away their business. Upon seeing this scene, they couldn't help but feel a sense of joy.

Others were anxious, fearing that Yan Kun might seize He Liang, and if they didn't resist, they could be next. There were also some with more dangerous thoughts.

Upon seeing Yan Kun's arrival, they felt a strange thrill. If even the prestigious cave residences here are turned into a chaotic mess, perhaps I can profit from it.

The idea of killing one or two Nascent Soul cultivators of the same level and seizing their treasures made their hearts race. The door to the small courtyard of Xiao Lou Xuan suddenly creaked open.

Ji Canghai strode out with a grim expression, his face full of resolve.

"The Blood Cloud Cave cultivators, all must be eradicated!"

He turned to He Liang, his voice firm, "Fellow Daoist, I come to assist you!"

Then, addressing the other cultivators around him, he called out, "Do not hesitate, Fellow Daoists!"

With that, he reached into his storage bag, and a long blade wrapped in fierce flames flew out, charging toward the thick Blood Cloud.

The two Golden Core cultivators from Blood Cloud Cave sneered.

"Someone dares to act!"

"Stop him, do not let him disturb Master!"

The Blood Cloud surged and twisted into various forms, attacking Ji Canghai with ferocity.

Meanwhile, Yan Kun sneered coldly, paying little attention to Ji Canghai.

His steps were purposeful, heading straight toward Tea Appreciation Pavilion.

With a wave of his hand, the Blood Cloud coalesced into countless ghastly shapes—skeletons, ghosts, and monsters—all barreling toward the courtyard gate.

In the blink of an eye, the gate was shattered into pieces, revealing the tranquil scene inside the Tea Appreciation Pavilion, complete with its small bridge and flowing stream.

"Mm?"

Yan Kun paused, a frown forming on his face.

"Why are there already Blood Clouds in the courtyard?"

The gate had just been destroyed by him, so logically, the Blood Cloud should not have entered yet.

Yet, the dense Blood Cloud was already filling the interior. And something felt off—the color of the Blood Cloud was darker, more profound than his own.

Yan Kun furrowed his brow. Something's wrong. Very wrong!

His instincts screamed at him that something was amiss within Tea Appreciation Pavilion.

Without hesitation, he transformed into a gust of blood wind, retreating at full speed.

Cultivators of the Blood Cloud Cave, often reckless and aggressive, had honed their senses to an extraordinary degree. When they sensed danger, they reacted immediately, without a shred of hesitation.

But Yan Kun's retreat was too late.

From the Blood Cloud, a faint voice echoed, "It's too late."

The next moment, the surrounding Blood Cloud seemed to come alive, morphing into countless tiny, blood-red demons that swarmed toward him, gnashing their teeth and clawing at his body.

Pain shot through his nerves as the Blood Cloud demons began to feast upon his Spiritual Qi.

Yan Kun roared in fury and panic. Hadn't he sensed something wrong and retreated immediately?

Why had he fallen into the trap of the enemy's Blood Cloud?

Chapter 473: I Managed to Inflict a Heavy Blow on Yan Kun

Yan Kun's furious roars echoed through the Blood Cloud as he tried to summon his own cloud to escape. But to his shock, he realized that he was completely separated from his blood cloud.

Just moments ago, in his haste to retreat, he had intended to distance himself from the Tea Appreciation Pavilion. However, he had miscalculated. Instead of fleeing, he had plunged headfirst into the very heart of the pavilion!

Chu Xuan observed Yan Kun thrashing within the blood cloud, a faint smile crossing his face. The Blood Cloud Cave's blood techniques were unknown to him, but it was clear they could not compare to his own Great Transformation Blood Demon True Technique.

Not only was his technique complete, coming from the Blood Alliance, but it was far superior in quality and potency. The blood technique of Blood Cloud Cave was likely just a diluted version, a mere shadow of his own power.

The Blood Cloud that he had cultivated was far more formidable than Yan Kun's. Though it might be smaller in quantity, its quality was unmatched!

Yan Kun's cloud could only obscure the spiritual sense, but Chu Xuan's cloud did far more. In addition to hiding spiritual senses, it could confuse and disorient the mind.

It was this very effect that had trapped Yan Kun. His perception had been distorted, much like a moth flying aimlessly into a spider's web, binding himself more tightly with every movement.

Yan Kun's attempt to manipulate the blood cloud had, ironically, led to his own entrapment. For now, he was no longer the cunning and dangerous cultivator of Blood Cloud Cave, but a prisoner bound by forces far beyond his control.

"You won't escape," Chu Xuan said calmly, his hand gripping the air as if commanding the blood cloud. It surged from all directions, converging into a thick, blood-red coil that tightly bound Yan Kun.

Yan Kun's eyes bulged with rage as he struggled against the constricting cloud. With a snarl, he summoned a magic treasure, a sharp pair of scissors that opened wide, aiming to sever the blood cloud's grasp.

The scissors collided with the blood cloud, and for a moment, it seemed as though the blades might cut through. But the cloud's spiritual essence quickly dissipated with every cut, weakening the scissors' power.

The scissors would eventually lose all their potency, turning into nothing more than a hard, mundane tool.

Yan Kun could tell that while the quality of Chu Xuan's blood cloud was superior, its quantity was still less than his own. If he were willing to sacrifice a few powerful magic treasures, he could break free.

With his eyes locked on the blood cloud, he continued to struggle. If he could merge his cloud with his own, he would escape!

Just as his scissors began to sever the blood cloud's hold on him, a powerful hand suddenly pressed down on the top of his head. The cold touch sent a chill from his scalp to his toes. A calm, almost indifferent voice echoed from behind him.

"I only wanted to peacefully remain here as an alchemist. You were the ones who forced my hand."

Yan Kun's pupils shrank in horror as he screamed, "Fellow Daoist, spare my life! If you kill me, my master Xue Yunzi will surely—"

Before he could finish his sentence, a sharp crack echoed through the air. His head was effortlessly crushed, and his lifeless body was swiftly tossed into the Heavenly Corpse Tower.

Chu Xuan flicked his hand, pulling Yan Kun's scissors magic treasure into his grasp. He sighed lightly, then, without hesitation, thrust the weapon into his own body.

Within moments, blood began to flow from several wounds on his shoulder, chest, and arm. The injuries were gruesome, especially the one on his arm, where the bone was almost visible. However, despite the severity of the damage, the wounds began to heal at a noticeable rate.

This was due to the elixir he had taken, which suppressed his vitality and blood circulation. Without such suppression, the injuries would have healed almost instantaneously, leaving no trace behind.

"The recovery is truly fast," Chu Xuan muttered, his lips twitching. While a strong physical body was generally an advantage, in this case, it brought its own set of complications. If he hadn't made the wounds so severe, the injuries would have healed in no time, making it hard to leave any lasting impression.

"These blood clouds can't go to waste. I'll collect them," he murmured, sweeping his hand through the air. The Blood Demon Flask responded, sending out waves of suction to slowly absorb the blood clouds.

Now that Yan Kun was dead, the blood clouds were leaderless and free-floating. Though the absorption was slow, it was the only option. Some of the clouds would inevitably dissipate in the process, but he wasn't willing to waste them entirely, especially with Ji Canghai and the other cultivators still nearby. He didn't want to completely abandon the identity of the alchemist He Liang just yet, and a little waste would be a small price to pay.

Meanwhile, the two Golden Core cultivators from Blood Cloud Cave, who had been using the blood clouds to fight with Ji Canghai, suddenly sensed a strange change. The blood clouds had grown lethargic, their vitality dropping sharply. This was a bad sign. It could only mean one of two things: Either Yan Kun had suffered heavy injuries, rendering even his blood clouds uncontrollable, or... Yan Kun was dead. Neither outcome was good news.

The two Golden Core cultivators exchanged a quick glance, their eyes flashing with alarm. Without a word, they turned and fled.

Ji Canghai immediately noticed the shift and prepared to give chase. But just as he moved forward, Chu Xuan stepped out of the dissipating blood clouds, clutching his chest, walking slowly toward them.

Ji Canghai stared at him in disbelief. "He Liang—you're still alive!"

Chu Xuan coughed lightly, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and forced a smile. "Fortunately, I managed to heavily injure Yan Kun."

He paused for a moment, then added, "But I couldn't catch up with him. He escaped through another direction."

Ji Canghai was even more astonished. "He Liang, you actually managed to injure Yan Kun? I remember Yan Kun is a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator!"

Chu Xuan chuckled. "I have a secret technique that allows me to temporarily burst my Spiritual Qi. With that, I could barely match him."

Ji Canghai nodded repeatedly. "I see now."

He glanced around at the nearby caves, contemplating for a moment. "Those two Golden Core demonic cultivators can escape for now. I'll stay here to guard you, Fellow Daoist He."

He took a few steps back, maintaining a respectful distance, his attention mainly focused on the other Nascent Soul cultivators' caves.

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow, watching Ji Canghai's retreating figure.

Does he truly wish to protect me? Or is this just a show of politeness?

He didn't dwell on it for long and quickly took out some healing pills. He couldn't afford to waste time—after all, he was severely injured, and sitting in meditation to heal was his top priority.

After a while, the gates of several surrounding caves suddenly opened.

Several early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators stepped out, awkwardly smiling, and quickly clasped their hands in salute.

"Fellow Daoist He, your strength is truly impressive! You actually forced Blood Cloud Cave's Yan Kun to retreat! We, who are not as powerful, did not dare to intervene earlier. We hope Fellow Daoist He does not hold it against us."

Their words were almost identical.

Chu Xuan gave them a faint smile, returned their salutation with a simple gesture, and said nothing more. It was clear that these cultivators were intimidated by his strength and were now forced to make their appearance.

Just then, a figure streaked through the air and landed at the roadside. It was Ning Tai, holding Ning Wangyuan in one hand.

Seeing Ning Wangyuan in such a state, obviously gravely wounded, Ning Tai's expression tightened. He looked at the shattered door of Tea Appreciation Pavilion and then at the injured Chu Xuan, his eyes widened in shock.

He quickly rushed over, exclaiming, "Fellow Daoist He! Were you attacked by the Blood Cloud Cave's demonic cultivators? How serious are your injuries?"

Before Chu Xuan could respond, Ning Tai swiftly retrieved a jade bottle from his storage ring and tossed it over from a distance.

"These are healing elixirs I made, using the blood of Gu insects as the primary ingredient. Their effectiveness surpasses many Nascent Soul-grade healing pills."

Chapter 474: Flying Sword True Master

Chu Xuan cupped his hands in gratitude. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ning. Fellow Daoist Ning, please attend to your grandson's injuries first. I have Fellow Daoist Ji here to assist me."

Ning Tai nodded repeatedly, quickly carrying Ning Wangyuan back to his cave.

Ji Canghai, observing the close relationship between Chu Xuan and Ning Tai, was slightly surprised but said nothing further. While the Gu Dao wasn't a righteous way, many people secretly kept one or two Gu insects. Ning Tai, a peculiar old Gu master, wasn't a demon cultivator who killed at will, so Ji Canghai felt no need to comment.

The atmosphere fell into an awkward silence.

Under Ji Canghai's cold gaze, the group of early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators hesitated, unsure whether to stay or leave.

At this moment, a voice rang out from the sky, breaking the silence.

"Flying Sword is here! All fellow daoists, join me in eradicating the demonic path!"

A tall figure appeared on the horizon. Like a sword unsheathed, the figure exuded a sharp and oppressive aura.

The moment many cultivators saw him, they immediately recognized his identity. It was the Flying Sword True Master from the Divine Sword Sect, Yun Feijian!

Many law-abiding cultivators were greatly encouraged. With a Deity Transformation realm cultivator arriving, Neon Garment Island was surely saved!

In stark contrast to the reaction of the righteous cultivators, the Blood Cloud Cave demonic cultivators' expressions changed drastically, and they began retreating westward. They immediately took out their flying boats, intending to flee.

Lai Shun, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, was the fastest. He only had time to grab Lu Rong. His hurried demeanor clearly indicated that he had failed to capture the twin female cultivators before running away.

From the sky came Yun Feijian's cold laugh. Before his voice had even finished echoing, he had already appeared above Lai Shun.

Lai Shun's eyes filled with terror as Yun Feijian coldly declared, "Blood Cloud Cave's Lai Shun, I know your name. Release my disciple, and you may leave with your life."

Clang!

Sword Qi unsheathed, slashing toward Lai Shun. Terrified out of his wits, Lai Shun immediately threw out a talisman. The talisman absorbed Spiritual Qi and expanded in the wind, quickly taking shape into a dark, ominous hand.

With a loud clang, the sword Qi was firmly blocked by the massive hand.

Lai Shun didn't even bother with his flying boat. He grabbed Lu Rong and quickly activated his blood cloud to escape. His speed was astonishing, and in the blink of an eye, he had almost vanished from sight.

"Deity Transformation talismans, Blood Cloud old demon is truly willing to spare no expense."

Yun Feijian frowned and casually launched another sword qi. The two sword qis collided, combining their forces to shatter the ominous hand into pieces before he continued his pursuit.

Chu Xuan observed the rapidly fleeing figure, his brow furrowed in thought. If Yun Feijian just chased headlong, he would most certainly fall into a trap set by Xue Yunzi.

Surely Yun Feijian wasn't that foolish. As expected, not long after, layers of blood clouds began to rise in the western sky. The blood clouds seemed to possess a life of their own, writhing and shifting.

In an instant, Yun Feijian's figure was engulfed by the clouds.

Chu Xuan, observing from a distance, narrowed his eyes. Though the blood clouds in the sky looked similar at first glance, to a cultivator who practiced the Great Transformation Blood Demon True Art like him, something was clearly amiss. These blood clouds undeniably belonged to two different individuals.

"Could it be that Xue Yunzi and Xue Lingzi have both appeared?"

Chu Xuan was somewhat taken aback. If that were the case, the true target of Xue Yunzi and Xue Lingzi was not Lu Rong, nor was it Neon Garment Island.

Their real target was Yun Feijian himself! Everything they had done so far was simply to lure Yun Feijian into pursuing them, leading him straight into a trap they had carefully set.

At this moment, sword qi continued to shoot out from the blood clouds, but in comparison to the immense blood clouds, they appeared feeble.

From the sky, Yun Feijian's voice rang out, filled with both surprise and rage.

"Xue Lingzi, so you're here too!"

Xue Lingzi's voice followed, "If you, Yun Feijian, can appear, why can't I?"

Xue Yunzi's eerie laugh followed, "Li Qingfeng of the Divine Sword Sect has led people to deal with De Yuan of the Serpent Buddha Temple. Now, it's just you alone. Yun Feijian, today, I will make you pay for the lives of my three disciples who died tragically!"

Yun Feijian sneered, "Your three disciples were not killed by me, but they died well! Today, even if I die, I will drag at least one of you to the grave with me!"

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sounds of spiritual weapons colliding echoed through the sky. The aftermath of a Deity Transformation cultivator's battle was like thunder, a storm so overwhelming that it shook the soul and left people dizzy and disoriented.

The cultivators on Neon Garment Island were astonished. Xue Yunzi and Xue Lingzi, the elusive old demons, had both appeared simultaneously. And they were so close to Neon Garment Island! Could Yun Feijian really face off against the two of them?

Ji Canghai sighed deeply. "I suspected something was off when I heard about the attack on the Divine Sword Sect's White Sand Island by the Serpent Buddha Temple. I never imagined that Blood Cloud Cave and the Serpent Buddha Temple would actually form an alliance to target the Divine Sword Sect!"

Ning Tai stepped into the courtyard, his gaze fixed on the sky, which was nearly obscured by the blood clouds. He too frowned deeply.

"Neon Garment Island might not be able to stay safe much longer."

Chu Xuan also furrowed his brow. Although he knew little about the Serpent Buddha Temple, he had a general understanding of it. The temple was an ambiguous force, neither entirely righteous nor evil. They revered the Serpent Buddha, not a human, but a large Buddha formed from the cultivation of a serpent demon.

Thus, their actions and behavior often carried an indescribable eeriness. Whenever they encountered a cultivator killing demons for treasures, they would unsheathe their swords, slay the cultivators, and protect the demonic beasts.

Aside from such matters, however, the monks of the Serpent Buddha Temple usually maintained a normal and peaceful demeanor. Given this, their alliance with Blood Cloud Cave seemed plausible.

While everyone's hearts were unsettled, a small boat suddenly approached Neon Garment Island.

Immediately after, a figure soared into the sky and charged into the blood clouds.

"Old monk De Yuan, here to lend a hand to Flying Sword fellow daoist."

As soon as De Yuan appeared, he directly broke the encirclement of Xue Yunzi and Xue Lingzi, who were attacking Yun Feijian. With a wave of his hand, several winged serpents flew out from his sleeve.

The serpents darted in and out, causing large holes to form in the blood clouds.

Xue Yunzi and Xue Lingzi were both shocked and furious.

"De Yuan! Shouldn't you be on White Sand Island?!"

"De Yuan, you treacherous old fool. We agreed to divide the Divine Sword Sect's spoils, yet you accepted the rewards and refused to cooperate!"

De Yuan smiled faintly. "Before you two came to ask for my cooperation, Fellow Daoist Li from the Divine Sword Sect had already paid me a visit. It's clear to anyone with eyes that when it comes to choosing sides, it's obvious who I should cooperate with."

His words had just finished when his entire body erupted with surging qi and blood, charging into the blood clouds. He struck Xue Yunzi and Xue Lingzi repeatedly, forcing them to retreat with constant howls of anger.

Yun Feijian laughed heartily, his previous retreating stance vanishing entirely. His flying sword unsheathed, striking with the force of wind and thunder!

Large swathes of blood clouds were obliterated by the spiritual weapon's onslaught, vanishing without a trace.

The blood clouds were the foundation of Xue Yunzi and Xue Lingzi's power. A severe loss of blood clouds not only weakened their combat strength but also affected their cultivation speed.

Exchanging a glance, the two old demons wordlessly retreated.

Chapter 475: Join the Divine Sword Sect?

Ji Canghai gazed at the sky, marveling, "What an unexpected turn of events! The Serpent Buddha Temple did not ally with Blood Cloud Cave after all, but rather joined forces with the Divine Sword Sect to deal with Blood Cloud Cave!"

Ning Tai chuckled, "The Serpent Buddha Temple's actions will surely shock many."

"After all," he continued, "the Divine Sword Sect and the Serpent Buddha Temple have had many conflicts in the past."

Chu Xuan nodded in agreement.

The Three Great Powers of the Eastern Third Ring were in a delicate balance. Whenever one side attacked another, they always needed to either win over or neutralize the third party. Otherwise, even if they were victorious, the third party might swoop in and take the spoils.

From the looks of things, the situation had become clear. Xue Yunzi and Xue Lingzi had been defeated. The Blood Cloud Cave cultivators suffered heavy casualties. Neon Garment Island was safe—for now—and would likely remain so for a long time, free from the threat of Blood Cloud Cave's plundering.

Chu Xuan, Ji Canghai, Ning Tai, and the others each returned to their respective tasks. By midnight, three figures reappeared in the sky above Neon Garment Island.

Yun Feijian's voice rang out, "The old demon Xue Lingzi is dead! Blood Cloud Cave is no more!"

Chu Xuan looked up and saw that the three figures were Yun Feijian, De Yuan, and Li Qingfeng. His brows arched slightly. Li Qingfeng was here too. From this, it was clear that Blood Cloud Cave had been thoroughly set up by the Divine Sword Sect and the Serpent Buddha Temple.

A few days later, the storm finally settled. More and more evidence pointed to the fact that Blood Cloud Cave had indeed been completely wiped out by the combined forces of the Divine Sword Sect and the Serpent Buddha Temple.

Even Xue Lingzi, one of the two Deity Transformation-level cultivators of Blood Cloud Cave, had been personally slain by Yun Feijian. It was a pity that Xue Yunzi had managed to escape, using his Nascent Soul cultivation to flee. It was a regretful outcome.

Chu Xuan learned from Ji Canghai and Ning Tai that Li Qingfeng had been searching for the location of Blood Cloud Cave's main island for a long time. When Xue Yunzi and Xue Lingzi turned their murderous intent towards Yun Feijian, the main island was unable to shift locations.

Li Qingfeng, after an extensive search, finally located the main island, where he annihilated most of the demonic cultivators and destroyed the Blood Pool of Blood Cloud Cave.

The Blood Pool was the true foundation of Blood Cloud Cave. Whenever the blood clouds were depleted from their raids, the Blood Pool replenished them.

Following this, De Yuan appeared, joining forces with Yun Feijian to fight Xue Yunzi and Xue Lingzi. Due to De Yuan's slightly superior strength, Xue Yunzi and Xue Lingzi were forced to retreat. When they tried to escape to Blood Cloud Island, they encountered Li Qingfeng, who had already come to kill them. This set the stage for a three-on-two confrontation.

In the end, Xue Lingzi was killed, and Xue Yunzi barely escaped, fleeing with his Nascent Soul. It was truly a tragic and pathetic outcome. The Blood Cloud Cave, which had wreaked havoc in the Eastern Third Ring for nearly a thousand years, had fallen in this manner.

Whenever Chu Xuan thought back to these events, he couldn't help but feel a sense of strangeness. If he hadn't been transported to the Eastern Third Ring and slain those three Nascent Soul demons from Blood Cloud Cave right after his arrival at Green Leaf Island, Xue Yunzi likely wouldn't have held such a deep grudge against Yun Feijian.

That, in turn, might not have led to the eventual destruction of Blood Cloud Cave.

Chu Xuan chuckled a few times before sending a voice transmission to Tao Zheng, He Zhao, and the others.

Tao Zheng and He Zhao were still alive. However, Kong Zhan and Jiao Yu had both perished during the chaos of that day. As alchemists, they were highly coveted by cultivators of the same level. When the confusion started, they were caught off guard and killed in the midst of the turmoil.

Chu Xuan didn't care much about their deaths. After all, they were just assistants to him. With two gone, it would be easy to recruit new ones next time.

It was Tao Zheng, though, the Golden Core cultivator, who now looked at him with great admiration. Clearly, he believed that if Chu Xuan hadn't closed his shop that day, the Black Pill Pavilion would have met the same fate as the other stores, ransacked and plundered by the chaos.

That day, Yun Feijian and Lu Rong arrived at the entrance of the Tea Appreciation Pavilion, one after the other.

Yun Feijian frowned. "Are you sure that Yan Kun came here that day?"

Lu Rong nodded. "After they captured me, I overheard Yan Kun's conversation with Lai Shun. Lai Shun went to the He family, while Yan Kun headed directly to the Tea Appreciation Pavilion. He had already received intelligence that Master He is skilled in alchemy and quite wealthy. And according to the cultivators in the nearby caves, that day, He Liang walked out of the blood clouds severely wounded. He Liang claimed that he had heavily injured Yan Kun and that Yan Kun fled in another direction."

Yun Feijian nodded slightly. "Yan Kun is a late Nascent Soul cultivator. To heavily injure him, this He Liang is quite remarkable!"

Lu Rong spoke in a deep voice, "Master, when I asked He Liang to refine healing pills for our Divine Sword Sect, he refused. Instead, he closed the Black Pill Pavilion. This person, like most, only knows how to protect himself. There's nothing special about him."

Yun Feijian smiled, "He Liang should be at the Black Pill Pavilion now, right?"

Lu Rong nodded. "Exactly."

"Let's go. We'll find him at the Black Pill Pavilion."

Lu Rong hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "As you command, Master."

A moment later, at the Black Pill Pavilion in the Jin Xiu Block.

Chu Xuan had just finished refining a batch of Soul Refining Pills when he heard Tao Zheng's respectful voice coming from outside.

"Greetings, Flying Sword True Master!"

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow, brushed away the lingering scent of the furnace, and walked out of the alchemy room.

He cupped his hands toward Yun Feijian. "He Liang, alchemist, greets Flying Sword True Master."

Yun Feijian smiled. "Let's talk inside."

Chu Xuan blinked. "Of course."

The three of them entered the guest room.

Chu Xuan and Yun Feijian took their seats, while Lu Rong stood quietly by Yun Feijian's side.

Yun Feijian suddenly smiled. "You even managed to slay Yan Kun. I admire your strength."

Chu Xuan's expression remained unchanged as he shook his head repeatedly. "True Master, you're mistaken. I was no match for Yan Kun."

Yun Feijian gazed deeply into his eyes for a long time, unable to discern anything unusual. He finally chuckled. "Perhaps I was mistaken after all. After the three of us killed the old demon Xue Lingzi, we obtained the nameplate of a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Blood Cloud Cave. This means Yan Kun's nameplate has been shattered. Now that I think about it, perhaps it was you, Fellow Daoist He, who severely wounded him. During his escape, someone must have found and finished him off."

Chu Xuan nodded thoughtfully. "That is very possible."

He then sighed, "I wonder who took such a great advantage of the situation. Truly enviable."

Yun Feijian observed him for a long while, trying to read him, but still found nothing amiss. He eventually gave up.

Suddenly, he spoke again, "Fellow Daoist He, your strength is impressive. Would you be willing to join my Divine Sword Sect?"

Before Chu Xuan could respond, he added, "Don't worry, it's just as an honorary elder. You will be able to run your shop in the Divine Sword Sect's territory, and your tax rates will be reduced to half a percent. In addition, you'll receive a handsome annual salary—twenty spirit stones a year.

"As an honorary elder, you won't be forced to take action. You'll only need to keep an eye on the order of the island. Every five years, you'll need to fulfill one of the Divine Sword Sect's commissions, but they won't be difficult."

Lu Rong listened, stunned.

What? The position of honorary elder was never given lightly. One had to be exceptionally strong and have a clean background. Why would Master offer such a position to someone with an unclear background? He was filled with confusion, but given the current situation, he couldn't voice his doubts and had to swallow them.

Chapter 476: Small Vast Ocean Bowl

Chu Xuan was deep in thought. Yun Feijian had clearly seen something in him and was trying to bring him into the Divine Sword Sect. However, based on the position of an honorary elder, it was clear that Yun Feijian hadn't fully seen through him. If he had, he wouldn't have offered such a position but would have instead treated him with more formality, addressing him as a fellow daoist.

The role of an honorary elder was, truthfully, quite appealing. But Chu Xuan decided that he would first gather more information before making a decision.

After a moment of contemplation, he said, "May I have a few days to think it over?"

Lu Rong stared at him, eyes wide with disbelief.

An honorary elder's position—such a rare opportunity—and he wanted a few days to think it over? It was infuriating. He stepped forward, ready to speak, but Yun Feijian stopped him with a gesture, nodding at Chu Xuan with a smile.

"It's only natural that Fellow Daoist He would want to take time to think," he said. "No problem at all. You are free to ask around and speak to other cultivators. The reputation of the Divine Sword Sect speaks for itself. We would never damage our own reputation. I'll be staying here on Neon Garment Island for the next month. If you decide, simply visit the He family to find me."

With that, he rose and departed.

Lu Rong opened his mouth as if to protest, but seeing his master leaving, he swallowed his words and followed.

Chu Xuan turned casually to Tao Zheng. "Tao Zheng, go to Little Insect Pavilion and bring Daoist Ning here."

"Understood, I'll go at once." Tao Zheng bowed respectfully and left.

Moments later, Chu Xuan and Ning Tai met in the meeting room.

Upon hearing that Yun Feijian himself had personally extended an invitation to Chu Xuan, Ning Tai showed a look of astonishment.

"Honorary Elder? That's an incredible opportunity! Now that the Blood Cloud Cave has been eradicated, only the Divine Sword Sect and the Serpent Buddha Temple remain in the East Third Ring. If you become an honorary elder, you would be above everyone else on Neon Garment Island. Even the Divine Sword Sect's local enforcers would have to treat you with respect.

"As for the five-year commissions, I've heard about them. They usually involve tasks like escorting merchant caravans, which are not particularly difficult. The truly difficult or important tasks, they certainly wouldn't let outsiders handle."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly. "Thank you, Daoist Ning."

In the following days, Chu Xuan consulted Ji Canghai and had He Zhao inquire discreetly. The answers he received were all quite similar. In the end, Chu Xuan decided to accept the position of honorary elder in the Divine Sword Sect. After all, who wouldn't enjoy a deal that required little effort but yielded good rewards?

After the near annihilation of the Blood Cloud Cave, the East Third Ring entered an unusually peaceful period. Islands like Neon Garment Island and White Sand Island flourished even more. Time passed quickly, and three years had already gone by.

During the day, Chu Xuan focused on alchemy in the Black Pill Pavilion. At night, he returned to the Blue Star Waterfall Cave to cultivate his body. His physical cultivation smoothly reached the forty-fourth stage of the Body Refinement realm.

As expected, after reaching the forty-fourth stage, the effects of the Black Demon Whale meat diminished significantly. This meant that Chu Xuan would need to find higher-quality demonic beast meat to continue advancing his body refinement.

Over the past three years, Chu Xuan hadn't neglected his search for Deity Transformation spiritual materials. After killing Yan Kun, he had obtained a vial of Spirit Nourishing Essence from his storage ring. Later, while refining pills for others, he had received another vial as a reward.

"Spirit Nourishing Essence, four vials. Spirit-Concealing Branch, one. Longevity Vine, one."

Chu Xuan glanced over the Deity Transformation materials in his possession and frowned slightly. It seemed he was still lacking a bit. Even if he combined everything, plus the slightly over 90% success rate of the "Three Soul Transformations Technique," it still didn't quite reach the mark. It would be ideal to find one more Deity Transformation material to push the success rate beyond a perfect 100%.

However, Deity Transformation materials were exceedingly rare, and it was almost impossible to find anyone willing to sell them. How could he obtain them?

Chu Xuan sighed lightly. He had been keeping an eye on the auctions held by the Divine Sword Sect. But in recent years, no Deity Transformation materials had appeared. Shaking his head, he returned to the Black Pill Pavilion to continue refining pills.

Through these years of alchemy, his mastery of the craft had reached unparalleled heights. There was no Nascent Soul pill he could not refine, and he had accumulated a vast collection of rare and unusual formulas. While he didn't need them at the moment, there would surely be a time when they would come in handy.

Just then, his communication jade pendant vibrated slightly. He picked it up, and Ji Canghai's voice came through.

"The Frost Sword Sect of the East Second Ring is about to hold the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference. Fellow Daoist He, would you be interested in attending?"

Chu Xuan instinctively began to refuse.

"Oh… It's not a treasure hunt, my mistake."

He clicked his tongue in frustration. He had initially assumed Ji Canghai was inviting him to go on a treasure hunt, something he had no interest in. However, the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference…

He had heard of it before. The Frost Sword Sect in the East Second Ring held this grand event once every fifty years. The last one had been postponed due to an unexpected incident. According to the schedule, there should have been nine more years before the next one. To his surprise, it was being held earlier than expected.

This kind of large-scale auction would certainly surpass the ones held by the Divine Sword Sect. There would likely be Deity Transformation spiritual materials! Moreover, he could also search for better demonic beast meat than the Black Magic Whale's. It seemed like a great opportunity for multiple gains.

Chu Xuan pondered for a moment before replying to Ji Canghai, arranging to meet at the Black Pill Pavilion.

A short while later, the two met in the reception room of the Black Pill Pavilion. As soon as Ji Canghai arrived, he immediately took out a jade slip infused with spiritual sense.

"Fellow Daoist He," Ji Canghai began, "This is the list of auction items I've obtained for the upcoming Ten Thousand Treasure Conference."

He smiled, continuing, "However, this is only a preliminary list—there will definitely be more items at the actual auction."

Ji Canghai then added with a grin, "Fellow Daoist He's alchemy skills are unparalleled. Perhaps you could also bring some of your own pills to auction."

Chu Xuan pressed the jade slip to his forehead. A surge of spiritual sense flowed through, and the details of the auction were immediately laid out before him. Indeed, there were Deity Transformation spiritual materials listed! Not only that, but there was also the mid-stage demonic beast meat he had been thinking about.

"Not bad. This Ten Thousand Treasure Conference is indeed worth attending," Chu Xuan nodded slightly in approval.

Seeing this, Ji Canghai rose from his seat and said earnestly, "Fellow Daoist He, I'd like to request a favor from you. Could you refine a pill for me?"

He paused, then continued, "Once the pill is completed, I will offer a low-grade spiritual artifact—the Small Vast Ocean Bowl—as thanks."

Chu Xuan was taken aback for a moment. He then suddenly asked, "What is your connection to the Ji family of Purple Flame Island?"

Ji Canghai let out a bitter laugh. After a pause, he spoke with a hint of melancholy, "To be honest, my original name was Ji Hai. A hundred years ago, I was expelled from the Ji family of Purple Flame Island, so I changed my name to Ji Canghai."

"The Small Vast Ocean Bowl is an artifact I personally crafted. It's far from comparable to the true Canghai Bowl, but it has already entered the category of low-grade spiritual artifacts."

Chu Xuan was stunned. He examined Ji Canghai more closely, feeling as though he was seeing this blue-robed cultivator in a new light.

The Ji family of Purple Flame Island was one of the most powerful and influential cultivation families in the East First Ring of the Shattered Star Sea. Many of the magic treasures and spiritual artifacts sold by various artifact shops were forged by the Ji family. The entire eastern seas of the Shattered Star Sea could be said to be well aware of the Ji family's renown.

When Chu Xuan had first arrived at Neon Garment Island, he had heard of the Ji family's name. At that time, he hadn't connected Ji Canghai to them. But now, he realized that this man was, in fact, a member of the Ji family!

As for the Canghai Bowl, that was an heirloom treasure of the Ji family! This artifact had the power to gather a special water used to cultivate the "Catching Wind Grass."

The Catching Wind Grass was one of the finest spiritual materials for nurturing a Nascent Soul, a crucial item for Deity Transformation cultivators to cultivate their Nascent Soul.

If Chu Xuan could obtain the Small Vast Ocean Bowl, once he reached the Deity Transformation stage, he wouldn't need to spend vast amounts of spirit stones on acquiring cultivation materials. He could cultivate these precious materials himself!

Chapter 477: Mixed Primordial Water and Fire Pill

Chu Xuan nodded slightly upon hearing Ji Canghai's request.

"What kind of pill would Fellow Daoist Ji like me to refine?" he asked.

Ji Canghai took out a pill recipe, offering it with both hands in a respectful manner. "It is this pill."

Chu Xuan glanced at the recipe, immediately surprised. The pill was called the "Mixed Primordial Water and Fire Pill".

The effect of this pill was to harmonize the conflicting energies of water and fire within the cultivator's body. Generally, this pill would have no effect on most people. However, for those with a body attuned to both water and fire elements, taking this pill could suppress the backlash from the spiritual body during cultivation.

Cultivators with such a dual elemental constitution often experienced rapid progress in their early stages. However, once they reached the Golden Core stage, the incompatible nature of water and fire would cause great turbulence within their bodies, making it extremely difficult to advance to the Nascent Soul stage.

Chu Xuan studied Ji Canghai closely. With his keen insight, he could easily tell that Ji Canghai did not have such a dual-element constitution, as otherwise, he wouldn't have made it to the Nascent Soul stage.

Ji Canghai sighed with a rueful smile. "I know what Fellow Daoist He is thinking. I am not one of those cultivators with a water-fire constitution. This pill is for a... friend of mine."

He shook his head in frustration. "This pill is very difficult to refine. I've searched through the entire East Third Ring, but no one has been able to make it. Last time, I had gathered all the necessary materials, but at that time, Fellow Daoist He had closed his door for seclusion."

He bowed once more. "Now that I've come to you again, I offer the Small Vast Ocean Bowl as a token of my gratitude. I hope you will not refuse."

Ji Canghai remained bent over in a deep bow, not rising from it.

Chu Xuan clicked his tongue. Something felt off about the situation, though he couldn't quite place it. Still, this was a guaranteed win for him.

He helped Ji Canghai up. "I agree," he said. "But I cannot guarantee I will succeed on the first try."

Ji Canghai nodded gratefully. "No problem. I'm lucky this time. I've prepared three sets of materials. As long as we succeed within three attempts, it will be enough."

The two continued to chat casually, mostly discussing the details of the upcoming Ten Thousand Treasure Conference. They agreed to depart a year from now, and Ji Canghai took his leave.

Chu Xuan then turned back to the alchemy room and began the process of refining the Mixed Primordial Water and Fire Pill.

For other alchemists, this might have been a challenging pill to create. However, for someone with Chu Xuan's skill in alchemy—who could refine almost any Nascent Soul pill with ease—it posed little difficulty.

The first attempt was a complete success.

As for the other two sets of materials, they were conveniently added to his own inventory.

The ingredients for the Mixed Primordial Water and Fire Pill included some rare spiritual plants and herbs, many of which Chu Xuan could easily cultivate himself and save for future use.

"It's a shame the Merit Soil has exhausted its energy and can no longer be used," Chu Xuan mused. "I wonder when my merit will allow me to reach the Fifth Golden Wheel."

He clicked his tongue in mild annoyance. Without phenomena like the Cleaning Soul Golden Rain or the Heavenly Dao Dew, the Merit Soil couldn't replenish its energy.

However, every time the Merit Golden Wheel was upgraded, the growth was exponential. The last time, when the third layer of the Merit Golden Wheel advanced to the fourth, it had consumed an immense amount of time and energy. As for the fifth layer...

Chu Xuan shook his head. He feared it would take decades or even centuries to achieve. The merits earned from killing zombies had dwindled to a trickle, now little more than a light drizzle. He didn't know where to find more or better zombies for merit-gaining.

With a soft sigh, Chu Xuan casually glanced at the situation in the cave world once more. The mirror shards were still buried under rubble and debris. All that met his gaze was pitch blackness, occasionally interrupted by strange insects flying about, seemingly clearing the rocky walls within the vast cave.

Chu Xuan often checked, but the scenery remained unchanged every time. However, this time, as he was about to withdraw his gaze, he saw several streaks of white light emerge from the other side of the cavern wall.

That light—he recognized it instantly! It was the same as when Xiao Renjie had ascended, losing his physical body and ascending with just his soul.

"Another ascended being?" Chu Xuan was taken aback. In the past, it had taken many years for Xiao Renjie to be the only ascended Insect Master from the Three Great Nations. How could another ascension happen so soon?

After a moment's reflection, an astonishing thought suddenly surfaced in Chu Xuan's mind.

There's not just one cave world!

The cave world that contained the Myriad Insects Tribe, the Flying Dragon Tribe, and the Heavenly Cave Tribe was only one of many.

Chu Xuan clicked his tongue in amazement. It seemed he had greatly underestimated the extent of the cave worlds.

The ascended Insect Master must have noticed something was wrong and frantically tried to flee. Yet, the swallowing power of the giant insect was not something that could be avoided so easily. In no time, the struggling soul of the Insect Master, along with the souls of the demonic insects, were devoured by the giant insect's maw.

After consuming the souls, the giant insect fell into a deep sleep, as if the energy from those souls had satisfied its hunger. With the strength of an ascended Insect Master's soul, escaping the giant insect's jaws would be no simple task.

Chu Xuan shook his head and withdrew his gaze.

...

One year later. The Shattered Star Sea, East Third Ring.

Ji Canghai visited once again.

Chu Xuan entrusted the management of Black Pill Pavilion to Tao Zheng, instructing him to run it well, and then set out with Ji Canghai to board the ship.

He wasn't worried about Ji Canghai's hidden motives. After all, with his current physical strength—having reached the Forty-Fourth Layer of Body Refining—he could easily handle any cultivator at the Deity Transformation Fourth Layer, as long as they didn't keep him at a distance.

On the deck of the ship, Chu Xuan stood by the railing, gazing out over the unchanging, weak waters of the sea.

A voice came from beside him.

"This ship belongs to the Exquisite Treasures Alliance," Ji Canghai explained. "Its name is the Far Star, an Eagle-class ship. If we were to sail alone, the ship's speed would be slower, and we might encounter cultivators trying to rob us, adding unnecessary complications."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly, acknowledging Ji Canghai's explanation.

The Exquisite Treasures Alliance was indeed a large sect, and they likely had agents working behind the scenes in the Shattered Star Sea. Naturally, very few rogue cultivators would dare target such a prominent sect.

Moreover, traveling with a larger group wasn't necessarily a disadvantage. Even if they were targeted, as long as he could run faster than others, danger would be averted.

Just as the ship was about to leave the harbor, two figures suddenly shot through the air.

Chu Xuan squinted and saw that the figures were none other than two Deity Transformation cultivators: Li Qingfeng of the Divine Sword Sect and Deyuan of the Serpent Buddha Temple.

The appearance of two Deity Transformation cultivators was certainly an extraordinary event.

Cultivators on the deck immediately clasped their hands in greeting, and even the Far Star's captain hurriedly ran out of the cabin to welcome them.

Chu Xuan and Ji Canghai also bowed politely.

Li Qingfeng smiled and nodded, his gaze sweeping the crowd until it landed on Chu Xuan. He seemed somewhat surprised. He walked over to Chu Xuan.

"Fellow Daoist He, it's been a while," Li Qingfeng said with a grin. "Are you also attending the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference?"

Chu Xuan smiled and nodded. "Indeed, I am."

Deyuan followed closely behind, giving Chu Xuan a brief appraisal before clasping his hands together in a gesture of respect and smiling warmly.

"I heard that the Divine Sword Sect now has a new guest elder," he said. "Could it be you, Daoist He?"

Chu Xuan returned the gesture and smiled. "That's right. I am He Liang. It's an honor to meet both of you, esteemed Daoists."

The three exchanged pleasantries for a short while, before Li Qingfeng and Deyuan headed toward the ship's cabin. As Deity Transformation cultivators, they naturally had the best quarters.

Once they had left, Ji Canghai sighed with relief. He spoke with some envy, "When those two are around, I don't even dare to take a deep breath. But you, Fellow Daoist He, seem to be completely at ease, standing so close to them without any fear. Truly, you are a role model for someone like me."

Chapter 478: Black Robe Bandits

Ji Canghai sighed, "With True Master Li and Deyuan Fangzhang aboard, our safety is more assured."

He continued with a tone of envy, "And with you, Fellow Daoist He, as the guest elder of the Divine Sword Sect, if anything were to happen to the Far Star, True Master Li would surely lend you a hand."

Chu Xuan smiled in response. "I've only just become a guest elder of the Divine Sword Sect, so naturally, True Master Li will give me a little more attention."

However, Chu Xuan didn't share Ji Canghai's optimistic outlook. He was merely a guest elder of the Divine Sword Sect, not someone nurtured by the sect. He didn't have the sect's deep bond of loyalty to rely on. If something were to happen to the Far Star, he couldn't place his hopes on others' assistance. It would be up to him to handle the situation.

As for the presence of two Deity Transformation cultivators on board, ensuring their safety—well, that was harder to say. It could very well be that the arrival of Li Qingfeng and Deyuan on the ship had attracted even more powerful rogue cultivators to target the Far Star.

"You still have to remain cautious..." Chu Xuan thought to himself, keeping his eyes sharp on every cultivator who boarded the ship, maintaining an alert posture.

Ji Canghai suddenly seemed to remember something. "By the way, I've heard that recently a group of rogue cultivators have been active around the junction of the third and second rings. They move like the wind, robbing merchant ships, and even the Exquisite Treasures Alliance's fleets haven't been spared. I've even heard that the Divine Sword Sect has had trouble dealing with them."

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. "What are they called?"

Ji Canghai thought for a moment, then answered, "They don't really have a name, but they all wear black clothes. The Divine Sword Sect has taken to calling them the Black Robe Bandits."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly. "If even the Divine Sword Sect can't handle them, the leader of the Black Robe Bandits is likely a Deity Transformation cultivator."

Ji Canghai nodded in agreement. "Let's just hope we don't run into the Black Robe Bandits. Otherwise, things would get tricky."

Chu Xuan didn't respond, just giving a small nod of acknowledgment. He didn't want to encounter any rogue cultivators either.

If even Li Qingfeng and Deyuan were powerless against them, then it might very well fall to him to take action. And that would definitely not be an ideal situation.

In the following days, both Chu Xuan and Ji Canghai remained in their respective cabins, focusing on their cultivation. Occasionally, they would step onto the deck to get some fresh air.

The Ten Thousand Treasure Conference was being held on Golden Thunder Island, one of the four great islands of the second ring. The island was renowned for producing a rare spirit herb, the Golden Thunder Bamboo, hence its name.

The Far Star set sail from Neon Garment Island in the third ring and traveled westward, making several detours along the way. They had to stop at certain islands to purchase resources and sell goods on others.

With passengers boarding and disembarking at different stops, the journey would take a full twenty days to reach Golden Thunder Island.

However, the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference wouldn't be held for another six months, so they weren't in any particular rush. For cultivators, twenty days passed in the blink of an eye.

With a slight shift of the legs, a small sit-down, a closing of the eyes, and then a quick opening, those twenty days were gone in an instant.

To their surprise, the journey went unusually smoothly. They didn't encounter any of the strange winds that had been wreaking havoc recently, nor did they cross paths with the Black Robe Bandits, who had been giving the Divine Sword Sect so much trouble. Even the cultivators working aboard the Far Star felt somewhat surprised by how uneventful the trip had been.

Chu Xuan and Ji Canghai stepped down the gangway onto the deck, and immediately, the vibrant scene of a bustling port filled their vision.

Before them lay a vast, level square, lined with all manner of stalls. Many low-level cultivators made their living from these market stalls, relying on the port for trade.

In the air, Nascent Soul cultivators could be seen flying their magic treasures, weaving between the clouds.

Just the scale of the port itself was enough to show how much more prosperous Golden Thunder Island was compared to Neon Garment Island. After all, this was just one of the three ports on Golden Thunder Island, while Neon Garment Island only had one.

Chu Xuan and Ji Canghai walked side by side down from the Far Star. Ji Canghai chuckled, "The Black Robe Bandits must have learned that two Deity Transformation cultivators were on board the Far Star, so they didn't dare show themselves!"

Chu Xuan nodded, "Let's first find somewhere to stay."

But before they could take a step, a swarm of Foundation Establishment cultivators immediately surrounded them.

"Senior! I'm a native of Golden Thunder Island! I can take you wherever you want to go! Only one medium spiritual stone every three days!"

"Senior, senior! I can do it too! I only need one medium spiritual stone every four days!"

"Senior, I'm cheaper! Five days for one medium spiritual stone!"

"Who do you think you are? Get lost!"

The cultivator who offered five days for one medium spiritual stone was promptly pummeled and sent flying a good distance away.

Ji Canghai couldn't help but laugh, but he seemed somewhat taken aback by the enthusiasm of the Foundation Establishment cultivators. Clearly, he wasn't quite sure how to respond to such eagerness.

Chu Xuan's expression darkened, and in an instant, he released a surging wave of Spiritual Qi. With a flick of his large sleeve, the aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator fully manifested, sending a visible shockwave through the air.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators who had swarmed toward him were immediately blown back. A few who were standing too close were even sent tumbling, their bodies flipping upside down in the air before crashing to the ground.

The remaining cultivators quickly showed expressions of fear, retreating hastily and clearing a path for him.

With a cold, indifferent expression, Chu Xuan strode forward, his pace unhurried and confident.

Ji Canghai, his face full of gratitude, hurriedly followed behind him.

Soon, the two arrived at an inn named "Dragon Tiger Inn" and settled in for the night. However, the prices here were enough to make one's teeth clench.

Chu Xuan and Ji Canghai each booked a room for six months, which required a total of fifty medium spiritual stones. And this was just for a standard room with a spirit gathering array—nothing fancy. The prices were at least ten times higher than usual. It seemed the approaching Ten Thousand Treasure Conference was driving the prices up artificially.

Normally, all it would take for a Nascent Soul cultivator to show their aura was for the innkeeper to recognize them, and they'd be treated accordingly. But now, on Golden Thunder Island, Nascent Soul cultivators were everywhere. The innkeeper had grown accustomed to it and wasn't intimidated.

Chu Xuan didn't want to make a fuss, so he simply paid the price without complaint.

After entering the room, he began his usual routine—setting up various confinement arrays and illusory arrays. He made sure that, in the event of a surprise attack, he would at least have enough time to react.

Later that night, a knock sounded at the door.

"Fellow Daoist He, I heard the night market on Golden Thunder Island is quite lively. Shall we go and take a look?" came Ji Canghai's voice from outside.

Chu Xuan shook his head lightly.

What was there to stroll about? Typically, wandering through a night market meant running into some unruly young masters from powerful sects. Once tangled up with such people, it would bring nothing but trouble.

He only wanted to focus on gathering information and, once the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference began, secure a Deity Transformation spiritual item. That would smoothly pave the way for him to enter the Deity Transformation realm.

There was no need to stir up unnecessary trouble.

Through the door, Chu Xuan calmly replied, "I've had a sudden realization. I won't be going out for now. You can go ahead and explore, Fellow Daoist Ji."

Ji Canghai was a bit surprised at first, "You're having a breakthrough, Fellow Daoist He?"

After a moment of thought, he added, "Well, I won't go alone. It's no fun wandering by myself. I'll stay outside your room and guard you."

With that, he sat down cross-legged right outside Chu Xuan's door, not intending to leave.

Chu Xuan couldn't help but smile.

This Ji Canghai certainly knew how to make himself useful.

Chapter 479: The Three Great Natural Disasters

Meanwhile, on the other side of Golden Thunder Island, a burly cultivator entered an inn and reserved a room.

Upon stepping into his room, he immediately set up a formation to ensure no one could probe his presence from the outside. Only then did he let out a sigh of relief.

His expression was one of deep contemplation. "I never imagined that the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference would feature an item from the Celestial Star Palace." He shook his head with a bitter smile. "The Frost Sword Sect has clearly underestimated its true value, mistaking it for just a rare and high-grade magic treasure."

A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes. "I must acquire it." He clenched his fists. "This is my only chance to return to the Mountain Sword Sect."

His face was resolute, marked by a sense of determination and courage. If Chu Xuan were present, he would immediately recognize this person.

It was Tie Jun. He had once been a cultivator of the Moon Society in the southern Third Ring. During his time in the Eight Extremes Palace, he handed over a treasure in exchange for passage through a random teleportation array. Just like Chu Xuan, he had been sent to the Eastern Third Ring.

Unfortunately, his luck was far from ideal. His landing spot was an unnamed deserted island, which turned out to be a hideout for a group of bandit cultivators. The moment he arrived, he encountered them.

Fortunately, he reacted quickly, pulling out a flying boat from his storage ring and fleeing. After narrowly escaping with the boat's speed, he found himself attacked by a demonic beast, which forced him to crash onto another deserted island.

This island, unlike the others, didn't have any bandit cultivators or demonic beasts—instead, it was home to the ruins of a Celestial Star Palace.

The remains of the palace were only about a fifth of its original size, but within, he found a broken token. This token contained a fragmented legacy of the Celestial Star Technique and could also open a secret vault hidden within the palace.

With the possibility of obtaining the complete Celestial Star Technique within his reach, how could he give up?

He continued to cultivate and search for the key to unlocking its full power.

Upon hearing about the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference being held by the Frost Sword Sect, with an item from the Celestial Star Palace listed among the auctioned treasures, he immediately made his way to Golden Thunder Island by ship.

"I've accumulated quite a few spirit stones, but whether I can successfully bid for that token is still uncertain," he murmured. "I only hope that others cannot discern its true use."

He let out a long sigh, lost in thought.

Two months flew by in the blink of an eye.

Most of the time, Chu Xuan stayed in the inn, rarely going out. However, every time he did, he had a clear purpose. Whether it was to purchase some rare materials or gather information, his outings were always goal-oriented.

Gathering information, in his case, was simple enough. He would sit in teahouses or taverns crowded with people, where cultivators often engaged in animated discussions. Much of the information would naturally flow into his ears in the midst of these conversations. Additionally, from time to time, Ji Canghai would share the news he had gathered.

Through this, Chu Xuan's understanding of the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference, the Frost Sword Sect, and Golden Thunder Island deepened day by day.

The reason for the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference was rooted in a recent seaquake in the Eastern Second Ring, which had caused many treasures to be unearthed from both the land and sea. Many cultivators had been eyeing these treasures, and with the Exquisite Treasures Alliance joining in, the conference was held ahead of schedule.

Inside the Longhu Inn's main hall, Chu Xuan and Ji Canghai sat opposite each other. They had ordered a few spiritual dishes and were leisurely sipping tea while chatting.

Ji Canghai lowered his voice. "Fellow Daoist He, I've recently come across some interesting new information."

Chu Xuan responded, "Do tell."

Ji Canghai whispered, "The Frost Sword Sect and the Exquisite Treasures Alliance share deep ties. That Frost Sword Sect cultivator, Leng Jixin, was once the head of a trading caravan for the Exquisite Treasures Alliance. He later left the Exquisite Treasures Alliance for reasons unknown and came to Shattered Star Sea, where he founded the Frost Sword Sect.

"Over time, the Frost Sword Sect unified the Eastern Second Ring, becoming the dominant power in the region, and the relationship with the Exquisite Treasures Alliance gradually faded."

Chu Xuan pondered, intrigued.

This was quite interesting. It seemed that the Frost Sword Sect had once served as a white glove for the Exquisite Treasures Alliance. After unifying the Eastern Second Ring and growing stronger, they had broken away from the Alliance. But now, for some unknown reason, they had partnered with the Exquisite Treasures Alliance again to host the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference.

Suddenly, Chu Xuan asked, "Fellow Daoist Ji, do you know anything about the seaquake? It seems that many cultivators know little about it."

Ji Canghai nodded. "I come from the Ji Family, so I know a bit about it."

He then turned the question around. "Daoist He, do you know about the strange winds?"

Chu Xuan nodded. "Yes, they occur roughly once every fifty years, and many Deity Transformation cultivators avoid them at all costs."

Ji Canghai continued, "The strange winds, strange fog, and seaquakes are the three great natural disasters of the Shattered Star Sea. The strange winds happen once every fifty years, the strange fog once every hundred years, and the seaquake once every five hundred years.

"The strange winds and strange fog both originate from a particular area in the Shattered Star Sea and blow in one direction. As long as you avoid them in time, very few people are harmed.

"Of course, they don't happen on a fixed schedule. Sometimes they arrive early, sometimes late, but overall, they follow a general pattern. These three natural disasters, the strange winds and strange fog, are purely natural occurrences, and cultivators avoid them as best as they can.

"But the seaquake, while still dangerous, is also a source of great opportunity. Even Deity Transformation cultivators in the late stage might lose their lives in a seaquake, but after every such event, a great number of treasures are revealed."

After hearing this, Chu Xuan nodded.

"I see," he murmured to himself. So it's a natural disaster similar to the strange winds.

The two of them continued their casual conversation. As they chatted, Chu Xuan finally asked Ji Canghai who he was preparing the Primordial Water and Fire Pill for.

Ji Canghai scratched his head, giving an awkward smile. "It's a personal matter, Fellow Daoist, best not to ask."

Chu Xuan gave a knowing smile, his tone teasing. "It's probably for some emotional entanglement."

Ji Canghai's expression grew even more flustered. His cheeks flushed.

Chu Xuan took a sip of his tea, a faint smile curling his lips. It was clear that the man was deeply smitten. Such actions could only be driven by love.

Chu Xuan couldn't help but feel a little curious about who the person was. After all, Ji Canghai was quite handsome, skilled in artifact forging, and had a high cultivation level. More importantly, he came from the prestigious Ji Family of Purple Flame Island. With such qualifications, who wouldn't be interested?

After a brief exchange, Chu Xuan returned to his room, while Ji Canghai continued to wander outside. However, although Ji Canghai always claimed to be going to listen to the music in the brothels, Chu Xuan couldn't shake the feeling that he was actually searching for someone.

Two months passed in the blink of an eye.

The Ten Thousand Treasure Conference was fast approaching, and more cultivators had arrived on Golden Thunder Island. The inns were packed, and those with lower cultivation levels were forced to stay in the outskirts or on their flying ships and vessels docked in the harbor.

At the highest point of Golden Thunder Island, in a stone pavilion, two middle-aged men sat across from each other, deeply focused on a game of chess.

The lean middle-aged man played white, while the short and stout man played black.

After a while, the lean man let out a long breath, a slight smile playing on his lips. "I yield, I yield. In the end, my skills are just a cut above."

The short man stared at the chessboard, where the white pieces had been ruthlessly destroyed by the black dragon, scattered in pieces across the board. His lips twitched.

"Anyone who didn't know would think you won. Leng Jixin, you really have no shame."

He paused for a moment before adding, "Is everything ready? The Grand Elder specifically instructed that we need to secure the exact location of the Celestial Star Hall ruins."

The lean man smiled lightly. "Don't worry, the message has already been sent. The heir of the Eight Extremes Palace will be here soon. As long as we follow him, we'll be able to find the true location of the Celestial Star Hall ruins."

Chapter 480: I Shall No Longer Be bound

The short, stout middle-aged man finally nodded in understanding. "Indeed, that works. I'll leave it to you then."

He stood up immediately, preparing to depart.

Leng Jixin smiled. "Brother Song, please convey my regards to the Lord of the Alliance and the Grand Elder. Though I am here in the Shattered Star Sea, I remain a member of the Exquisite Treasures Alliance. As long as the Lord gives the command, I will march through fire or up the mountain without a second thought."

The short man paid little mind to his words, merely nodding in acknowledgment before quickly walking away.

Once the figure of the short man had completely disappeared, Leng Jixin's smile lingered for a moment before it gradually faded. At that moment, a wisp of smoke suddenly materialized in the pavilion. The smoke dissipated, revealing a Nascent Soul cultivator.

The man was Zhan Peng, Leng Jixin's most trusted Nascent Soul disciple.

Zhan Peng kneeled respectfully. "Master, there's news."

Leng Jixin nodded. "Speak."

Zhan Peng lowered his voice. "Before Song Tingfeng came to our Frost Sword Sect, he secretly met with an elder from the Bone Concealing Hall. We do not know the specifics of their meeting."

Leng Jixin's expression darkened. He said nothing but seemed deep in thought.

The Bone Concealing Hall, Heavenly Martial Pavilion, Three Corpses Hall, and Soul Lock Manor were the four strongest factions in the Shattered Star Sea, each with Deity Transformation cultivators at their peak.

The Bone Concealing Hall, however, had once clashed with the Frost Sword Sect. The Second Hall Master of the Bone Concealing Hall had even fought Leng Jixin personally. Had it not been for some luck, his foundation would have been severely damaged, and he would have never reached the Deity Transformation Mid-stage.

Leng Jixin had repeatedly asked the Exquisite Treasures Alliance to deal with the Bone Concealing Hall and even take their place. But the Alliance had always turned a deaf ear, offering only vague reassurances.

The fact that Song Tingfeng secretly met with a Bone Concealing Hall elder was something even many fellow cultivators in the Exquisite Treasures Alliance did not know about. When combined with the recent struggles of the Ji Family of Purple Flame Island, it was difficult not to become suspicious.

Zhan Peng asked, "Master, should we cooperate with the Exquisite Treasures Alliance in their actions?"

Leng Jixin answered in a cold tone, "Yes, of course. We must cooperate closely, but also keep an eye on them. I don't trust others with this task. Peng'er, you must be vigilant."

"Understood, Master," Zhan Peng replied with a bow.

Leng Jixin then added, "Tomorrow, the Ji Family from Purple Flame Island will arrive. You must personally meet them and ensure their safety. No one is to approach them except for your senior brothers."

Zhan Peng nodded again. "Yes, Master."

With a wave of his hand, Zhan Peng was enveloped in smoke and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Leng Jixin looked at the shattered white pieces on the chessboard, feeling a deep sorrow in his heart. "I abandoned my position in the Exquisite Treasures Alliance, came to the Shattered Star Sea alone, and built my foundation here, all for the sake of the sect. And yet, my sect is slowly drifting further and further from me."

He sighed deeply, his gaze growing colder. "Since the sect has treated me with such indifference, I shall no longer be bound by their principles."

A day later, a massive ship docked at the port.

Its arrival immediately captured the attention of all the cultivators present. Compared to the other ships, this one was far grander, its presence overwhelming.

The ship's dragonback was made from the bones of a flood dragon, unbreakable. The hull and deck were constructed from fine purple wood, each plank carefully joined together. Not only could it ward off demonic beasts from the weak waters, but it could also store water to form a protective barrier.

The black sail was crafted from a single, unbroken piece of black demon whale skin—strong yet flexible. No storm, no matter how powerful, could tear it apart.

Such a ship was of immense value in the Shattered Star Sea, worth several hundred thousand large spirit stones. Only the wealthiest cultivators could afford to ride such a vessel.

"Look! Isn't that Zhan Peng from Frost Sword Sect? He's the most trusted disciple of Frost Master, and his strength is formidable!"

"It's really Zhan Peng! He's come personally to welcome them? I've heard that he's long been capable of breaking through to Deity Transformation, but he's been holding back, afraid he might fail."

"Tch, I'm even more curious now—who could have the honor of having the second-in-command of Frost Sword Sect personally greet them?"

The cultivators at the port couldn't help but stare, eager to see who could receive such an honor.

Among the crowd stood Ji Canghai, quietly watching. His gaze was fixed on the familiar ship, filled with both hope and worry, along with a touch of unease. He couldn't help but straighten his robes once more. Though he knew it was impossible for her to see him with so many people around, he did it nonetheless.

The ship's hatch slowly opened, and four Nascent Soul cultivators swiftly stepped out, positioning themselves on either side. A moment later, a graceful figure appeared, stepping lightly onto the deck.

The woman had long hair that cascaded like a waterfall, delicate features that could rival any painting, and skin as smooth as jade. Her presence exuded a serene, water-like grace. Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with life, captivating all who beheld her.

She seemed as though she had been carved from a ripe peach, so full and perfect that one could almost imagine the juice flowing out if she were touched.

Anyone who saw her could not help but stop and admire her beauty, marveling at the fact that such a woman existed in the world.

The cultivators at the port stood frozen in awe.

As cultivators' levels rose, their appearances often became more refined, and handsome men and beautiful women became a common sight. However, those who were born with a natural beauty that could topple kingdoms only grew more radiant with time and cultivation. This woman was clearly one of those rare people.

Ji Canghai murmured, "Yunjin, you're as beautiful as ever..."

Even Zhan Peng, upon seeing the woman, was momentarily stunned.

However, as the second-in-command of Frost Sword Sect, he quickly regained his composure, his deep thoughts kicking in. He focused his spiritual energy and called out in a clear voice, "This is Zhan Peng of Frost Sword Sect, here to welcome the third young lady of the Ji Family."

The woman appeared to be unfazed by the attention, glancing around briefly before smiling at Zhan Peng and giving a slight nod.

She then turned back to the ship and waved her hand.

"Qianqian, come out."

After a moment, a light, hesitant sound of small footsteps could be heard.

Soon, a little girl, about seven or eight years old, timidly emerged, walking closely behind her mother. Though she had not yet fully matured, it was clear that she would grow into a stunning beauty, one whose appearance would likely rival her mother's when she came of age.

"Ji Family's third young lady?! From Purple Flame Island?!"

"Impossible! A Deity Transformation family from the East Circle has come to Golden Thunder Island!"

"If I'm not mistaken, the third young lady of the Ji Family is called Ji Yunjin, right? And that's her daughter?"

"Yeah, that's her... What's her name... Ji Qianqian, I think."

"What a pity... she's already married to someone else."

"What a pity? That's even better!"

Under the protection of her fellow cultivators from the Ji Family, Ji Yunjin descended from the ship and walked toward Zhan Peng. She greeted him with a respectful bow.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Zhan for personally coming to welcome me. It is an honor."

Zhan Peng smiled and responded, "Young lady, no need to be so humble. The Ji Family's presence at the Ten Thousand Treasures Conference is an honor for our Frost Sword Sect. Please, follow me."

"Very well," Ji Yunjin nodded and took her daughter Ji Qianqian's hand, walking alongside Zhan Peng.

As they moved, Ji Yunjin couldn't shake the feeling that a familiar presence was watching her from behind. Was it just her imagination?