As Li Chi approached, he examined Nan Yan more closely, his heart racing. Despite his vast collection of beauties, he had never seen another woman so similar to Nan Fang Zhu. To him, this must be fate.
Li Chi came prepared. A purple-blue mist materialized behind him, composed of countless hair-thin needles—at least ten thousand. These tiny law artifacts, each radiating mid-grade spiritual treasure energy, collectively rivaled a top-grade spiritual treasure. This was the Si State prince’s life-bound treasure, instantly surrounding Qi Yang and Nan Yan.
Qi Yang glanced up at Li Chi. “Zhen Cloud Needles?”
“You’re knowledgeable. Then you should know that even a slight prick from one of these ten thousand needles will rot your flesh and bones!” Li Chi, among the top-tier upper State princes, owed much of his power to this life-bound treasure. However, Qi Yang’s calm demeanor irked him, reminding him of a despised acquaintance.
“Hmph, after the Mountain-Sea Prohibition, when I ascend the throne at the Hall of Righteous Law, I’ll burn down that lofty person’s library and turn it into a den of debauchery,” Li Chi thought.
Qi Yang rose unhurriedly, surveying the encircling needles. “Before you attack, have you considered how to leave this place?”
“Hmph, I have my ways. As for you, this will be your grave!”
Li Chi’s eyes flashed with murderous intent. With a finger point, the myriad needles engulfed Qi Yang. The horned python eagerly approached, long craving the remnants of cultivator flesh.
“Daring to challenge the prince was your greatest folly!” Li Chi sneered, certain of Qi Yang’s imminent demise. Without bothering to check with his spiritual sense, he vanished from the python’s back, reaching for the still-unconscious Nan Yan.
Having formed his golden core, Li Chi knew Nan Yan was defenseless. He possessed a secret technique to brand lower-level cultivators with a slave mark, giving him control over their life and death.
…Especially this Buddhist beauty, pure in body and mind, would be most delectable.
Lost in his fantasies, Li Chi was three zhang away from Nan Yan when a sudden sense of danger made him dodge aside. The next moment, his former position was littered with Zhen Cloud Needles.
From within the purple mist came a calm voice: “Observe propriety.”
…How could he be unharmed?
As Li Chi stood dumbfounded, his spirit was jolted. His Zhen Cloud Needles scattered under immense pressure.
Shocked, he leaped up, wielding a trident for defense and attempting to regroup his needles to surround Qi Yang again.
However, Qi Yang remained motionless, merely raising his hand towards Li Chi.
“Restrain improper actions.”
His tone was instructive. As he spoke, the seafloor lava began to churn. Li Chi watched in disbelief as a massive lava hand emerged, reaching for him.
“This… Five Elements in Hand!”
Though not as profound as Dao Sheng Tian’s direct teachings, this renowned Zi State technique could harness natural forces like wind, thunder, rain, and lightning for attacks. It was one of the rare abilities that could mimic the power of Nascent Soul cultivators.
“You’re a disciple of Dao Sheng Tian?!” Li Chi’s expression changed dramatically as he retreated rapidly. His python, unable to escape in time, was dragged into the lava by the giant hand, its skin charring as it sank, screeching.
Li Chi teleported three times, escaping a hundred zhang away, his expression fluctuating. Despite his confidence in his abilities, he feared an accidental death in this cavern more than being killed outright.
…If only that mysterious black-robed cultivator were still here. Together, they could surely defeat this opponent.
As the standoff continued, the entire cavern suddenly trembled. Countless chains hanging above swayed violently. Amidst the rumbling, an inconspicuous area in the center of the cavern slowly parted, revealing suspended seawater. Soon, a giant ape with scaled arms was dragged into the cavern by spirit-binding locks, roaring in fury. Its thrashing splashed seawater onto other locks, activating them to entangle the beast tightly. Simultaneously, some spirit-binding locks were left through the newly opened sea entrance.
The seemingly inert Spirit-Locking Chains sprang to life upon contact with water. Lich hesitated briefly before making a decision. At that moment, a figure in black emerged from behind some stalactites.
“You’ve arrived,” Lich said.
The newcomer’s aura felt colder than before, and their voice was hoarse as they asked, “I heard fighting. Who were those two?”
Now far from Qi Yang and his companion, Lich cast a reluctant glance in their direction. “Let’s escape first. After we rescue Master, we’ll return to capture them.”
Without a word, the black-clad figure followed Lich through the closing passage. Once in the sea, Lich immediately unfurled a shimmering gauze. The ten-foot-long fabric enveloped them, creating a thin blue barrier. The Spirit-Locking Chains, initially drawn to their spiritual energy, scattered upon touching the light.
“Silver Shark Gauze?” the figure inquired.
Pleased with its effectiveness, Lich explained, “This gauze, from our Si State treasure hall, was meant for retrieving the Destruction Iron. It’s finally proving useful.”
They swiftly ascended through the water, the chains ignoring them. Upon breaching the surface, Lich felt a wave of scorching heat.
“Is the Great Sun Essence Fire already dying out?” he wondered aloud.
Flying higher, Lich saw a hundred-yard whirlpool nearby, spewing intense flames that vaporized the sea surface.
“Perfect timing for the Destruction Iron’s emergence!” he exclaimed.
Simultaneously, several demonic cultivators rushed towards them from afar.
“Young Lord!” Seven cultivators, bearing Li Mian’s blood talismans, had been searching the area. Relieved to find Lich, they asked, “What happened? How did we lose contact?”
“Xiao Mu from Chen State betrayed us,” Lich growled, teeth grinding at the thought of Mu Zhanting. “They likely used our release orders to free other Nascent Soul cultivators. I must release Master immediately. As for the Destruction Iron… Didn’t my sister come?”
The cultivators bowed, explaining, “The Young Lady is managing the situation outside, dealing with Yin State’s patrol cultivators. She sent us in her stead.”
Dissatisfied but unable to argue, Lich turned to the black-clad figure. “I didn’t catch your name.”
“I’m an orphan,” they replied. “My master named me ‘Yin’.”
“As Master’s disciple, you’re part of our Heavenly Evil Path. Would you accept a task from me?”
“I only wish to see Master soon. Please, tell me what you need.”
“Good.” Lich produced a purple bead containing ice from his spatial pouch. “I must free Master from his confinement. Wait here for the Destruction Iron to emerge. When it does, use this ‘Frost Dust’ to seal it. Retrieving the Destruction Iron is a great achievement. As a late Foundation Establishment cultivator, if you prove your strength, I can ask Father to grant you a spot in the Sea and Mountain Forbidden Decree.”
His words sparked outrage among the other cultivators. “Young Lord, each heir can only bring four people to the Decree. Those spots were promised to Si State sects. How can you offer one to an outsider?”
Lich retorted, “You incompetent fools couldn’t even handle Mu Zhanting, a mere early Foundation Establishment cultivator. Do you still dare to claim spots in the Decree? If not for Brother Yin’s rescue, how would you explain this failure to Father?”
Despite his words, Lich left three late Foundation Establishment cultivators to watch Yin. He then departed with the rest towards the inner sea.
As they left, a hint of amusement glinted in Yin’s inscrutable eyes beneath his dark hood.
The Destruction Iron couldn’t be touched directly, but the Frost Dust could shield against its fiery essence. It was a rare treasure capable of temporarily suppressing the Great Sun Fire Essence.
Mu Zhanting had likely been drawn into the underwater vortex by the fire essence. If the young lord’s life were truly in danger, Chen State’s Dragon Lord would have sensed it. This situation suggested that Mu Zhanting was fated to encounter the Great Sun Fire Essence. The Frost Dust, conveniently provided, could assist him.
The three remaining Si State cultivators eyed the Frost Dust enviously.
“You won’t even show your face. You claim to be the Vice Sect Leader’s disciple, but do you have any proof?” one challenged.
Qi Yang, disguised as Yin, calmly replied, “I need not prove anything. All will become clear when I meet my master.”
Another cultivator snorted, extending his hand. “Since you can’t prove your identity, hand over the Frost Dust. It’s a-Si State treasure; we’ll keep it safe.”
Qi Yang replied, “I could, but the Great Sun Fire Essence might extinguish at any moment. Without the Frost Dust to capture it promptly, the Destruction Iron could sink into the deep sea. Which of you would risk braving the fire’s remnants to retrieve it then?”
The Great Sun Fire Essence was an immensely powerful flame. Even with thorough preparation, no one knew what might happen upon entering it.
The Si State cultivators, primarily here to free Huo Wuji, had no intention of risking their lives. One deliberately challenged, “Fine words, but do you dare explore it yourself?”
The others chimed in, “Our Heavenly Evil Path doesn’t accept just anyone. If you’re taking the young lord’s task, this Destruction Iron is your initiation. If you’re too scared, leave and forget about the Sea and Mountain Forbidden Decree spot. It’s not for cowards.”
Just then, a massive pillar of fire erupted from the underwater vortex, its flames threatening to incinerate everything.
The three cultivators hastily retreated half a mile, exclaiming, “The Great Sun Fire Essence is unleashing its final burst of power before extinguishing!”
Qi Yang remained still, tossing the Frost Dust in his hand. He left them with parting words: “Tell your State’s young lord to keep that Decree spot ready.”
With that, a ghostly gray mist enveloped him as he vanished into the fire pillar.
…
When Nan Yan opened her eyes, the world around her seemed crystal clear.
She exhaled softly, noticing a golden core the size of a broad bean floating in her dantian, wrapped in white core fire flickering with seed imprints.
After thirteen years of cultivation, she had finally formed her core!
Feeling the vast difference between Foundation Establishment and Core Formation, Nan Yan couldn’t help but smile with joy.
“Shaocang, look at me—” She froze mid-sentence, realizing she was alone. Her spiritual sense spread out for half a mile and detected no one except some howling beasts hanging from the cave ceiling.
Where is he?
Looking down, Nan Yan spotted a letter addressed to her. “Who still writes letters these days when we have jade slips?” she muttered, recognizing the handwriting without needing to check the signature.
The letter explained that during her core formation, Qi Yang had explored the cave system and drawn her a rough map. He mentioned encountering Si State cultivators and luring them away, suspecting the exit might change. He promised to return for her if he found the way out.
Confused by his actions, Nan Yan retrieved three thumb-sized jade tablets from her storage pouch. Before entering the Beast Sealing Array, they had each left a drop of essence blood on the tablets to indicate their life force. Seeing all three tablets glowing strongly, she felt oddly annoyed and tucked them away before exploring the cave.
As she walked, Nan Yan realized this cave was a treasure trove. Countless beasts had been executed here over millennia, leaving behind bones and blood crystals—valuable materials for refining tools and elixirs.
A Buddhist shouldn’t harm nature, but picking up bones was fair game. Cultivators needed spirit stones, and with cultivation, one could save more people.
Master Zhenyuan, with a devout heart, collected bones along the way. Soon, she felt a wave of pressure ahead. Casting a Buddhist restraining spell on herself, she swept away some sand, revealing the skeleton of a hook snake at the late Nascent Soul stage.
The thirty-zhang-long skeleton, though fleshless, had jade-like bones that clinked like metal when tapped. It was worth at least a million spirit stones.
Nan Yan clasped her hands and bowed, but realized she had no storage pouch large enough for such a massive skeleton. As she pondered, a muffled thunder-like sound came from above.
Looking up, she saw it wasn’t thunder but a giant ape dripping with seawater, howling at her.
Snakes, foxes, and apes were highly intelligent beasts with a good chance of becoming demon cultivators. Listening closely, Nan Yan could make out a few human words from the ape’s cries.
“You… free me… I… help you… get out…”