The three spirit beasts present were already used to blood donation.
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Xiao Hei and Xiao Qing both went through this process, previously having their essence blood drawn once a month.
The [Molten Core Flood Dragon] had also undergone blood extraction for more than two years. In the first few times, the old dragon was a little uncomfortable, after all, the feeling of having blood drawn was not pleasant. But Lin Changheng would give it pills to nourish its body each time, and over time, it got used to it. It
even turned over, revealing the soft carapace on its abdomen, where the carapace was thinner, making it easier for Lin Changheng to get his hands on it and making blood extraction smoother.
"Whoosh—
"
A needle-shaped magic weapon suddenly appeared from the air and entered its body.
When it reappeared, the syringe was filled with concentrated essence blood.
The deep red essence blood, thick as paste, was extracted and locked within, with fine flames flowing inside, radiating scorching spiritual energy fluctuations.
Exactly two drops.
This was the optimal dosage Lin Changheng had discovered: two drops each time, once a month, ensuring neither harm to the old turtle's health nor exceeding his needs.
The next instant, the needle-shaped magical artifact flashed and disappeared from the [Blessed Land of the Pot] again.
But the space rippled once more, and two potent pills appeared out of thin air, flying towards the [Melting Core Flood Dragon].
These were blood-replenishing pills specially crafted by Lin Changheng for the old turtle, made with various spiritual herbs, capable of quickly replenishing essence blood and restoring vitality.
The turtle swallowed them whole, beginning to digest and replenish its blood.
This scene came suddenly and ended swiftly.
Lin Changheng's divine sense did not linger long, having already withdrawn from the [Blessed Land of the Pot] and returned to the outside world.
In the Immortal Inn guest room.
Lin Chang sat cross-legged on the bed, manipulating the needle-shaped magic weapon in his hand to expel all his essence blood.
It condensed into two perfectly round drops in mid-air, hovering above his palm like two miniature red pearls, with fine flames flowing across their surfaces, radiating scorching spiritual energy fluctuations.
"Seize the spirit!"
Without hesitation, he directly seized the spirit without saying a word.
"Buzz"
—within
his sea of consciousness, the Yuan Cauldron trembled.
The two drops of essence blood disappeared from his palm and were absorbed into the cauldron.
Under Lin Changheng's "gaze," the azure light at the cauldron's mouth surged and rippled like ocean waves.
[Molten Core Flood Dragon Treasure Seed - Spirit-Stealing Transformation in Progress]
[Spirit-Stealing: 100/100]
[Molten Core Flood Dragon Treasure Seed - Level 1]
[Can choose one to refine into the demon race's innate talent: Flame Breath, Mountain Suppression, Longevity]
Lin Changheng had long considered and researched this.
The [Flame Breath] talent benefited from the Molten Core Flood Dragon's constant absorption of fire and devouring of magma, making its exhaled turbid air extremely hot, and also possessing a special effect.
It has a self-purifying power that can burn away miasma, poisonous fog, corrupt demonic power, etc., clearing away a corner of filth and protecting a pure land.
For example, the [Endless Wilderness] and [Malus Shadow Ancient Forest] are special places where the [Flame Breath] talent can be used.
It can quickly and thoroughly create suitable places for human cultivators to live and cultivate.
For forces that want to develop wild resources, this talent is invaluable. The
[Mountain Guardian] talent is even more profound.
Giant turtles possess the nature of guarding mountains and protecting lakes, imprinting the earth with their own molten fire, solidifying the landscape of a region, and forming layers of rock-fire barriers to protect their territory and defend their domain.
This is the fundamental function of the Molten Core Flood Dragon as a guardian beast of sects and clans.
However, it is still insufficient against overwhelming power.
While the [Longevity] talent is something Lin Changheng has never seen before, it should be similar to the [Extended Life] talent he has seen four or five times before, the latter being one of the common talents of turtles, tortoises, and other similar beasts.
However, given the one-word difference between [Longevity] and [Extended Life], Lin Changheng guesses that the effect of [Longevity] might be stronger than [Extended Life].
For example, this [Molten Core Flood Dragon] has already lived for over five hundred years. Although it suffered internal injuries that prevented it from advancing further in cultivation, living for another two or three hundred years is not a problem. Its vitality is extremely tenacious; even when injured or old, it can still live for a long time.
If properly cared for, it could probably extend its lifespan by another hundred years. In other words, the old dragon's lifespan could reach eight or nine hundred years, or even over a thousand years.
Ordinary Core Formation cultivators have a lifespan of only about five hundred years. This is nearly twice that of other Core Formation cultivators of the same level, comparable to a Nascent Soul True Monarch—how astonishing!
This is a unique talent that human cultivators envy but cannot obtain.
Lin Changheng was naturally tempted. With such a talent, his lifespan would be further enhanced. Even if his cultivation progressed only slightly each year, he could reach the Nascent Soul stage with his eyes closed.
In addition, Lin Changheng was currently frequently using the [Glory Life Divine Power] to revive medicinal herbs across levels and helping the three women cleanse and repair their bodies and consolidate their foundations, all of which consumed his lifespan.
Although his lifespan far exceeded that of others of the same level, even small amounts added up to a considerable burden.
He could consider this [Longevity] talent.
However, compared to the other two, [Longevity] was more practical, as it provided a tangible boost to his own lifespan.
[Flame Breath] and [Mountain Suppression] were also useful, but not urgently needed by him. In fact, even if Lin Changheng did not seize the Spirit, he could have the [Melting Core Flood Dragon] perform these two talents for him one day.
Why waste a precious seed slot?
Therefore, he decided: "Refine into [Longevity]!"
With a thought, the crimson precious seed floated out of the cauldron and fell into his soul.
"Boom!"
A warm current surged from his soul, instantly permeating his entire body. The current was like a mountain hot spring, gentle and not scorching, flowing through his meridians, seeping into his flesh and blood, and soaking into his bones.
[Longevity] talent refined!
Lin Changheng could feel his body undergoing a subtle change. It wasn't an increase in strength, nor an improvement in defense, but a deeper level—the extension of life force.
Like a river, its original length was expanded; like a tree, its withering and flourishing were slowed.
His body seemed to be "protected" by an invisible force, slowing the erosion of time.
When everything was complete, Lin Changheng could feel his lifespan had increased again.
Twenty years?!
Using the true meaning of the [Life-Giving Divine Power] to examine it closely, Lin Changheng was first surprised, then overjoyed.
His lifespan, previously reduced to 646 years, has increased again to 666 years!
One level of the treasure seed added 20 years of lifespan!
And it should be noted that the [Longevity Extension] talent Lin Changheng obtained from the [Azure Wave Spirit Turtle Treasure Seed] he refined into the Xuanling bloodline only granted eight years of lifespan extension per level.
Eight years versus twenty years—a difference of two and a half times.
Truly worthy of the name [Longevity].
This means that, not counting the transformation, just the spirit-grabbing alone adds a hundred years of lifespan.
Perhaps, before breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, he will possess a lifespan comparable to a Nascent Soul cultivator.
At this moment, Lin Changheng's Fire Spirit Root also quietly gained another wisp of spiritual energy, reaching 79 wisps!
Only 12 wisps away from the 91-wisp threshold of the Heavenly Spirit Root.
Lin Changheng took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement.
The [Heavenly Spirit Root] is truly close!
For the next two months, Lin Changheng patiently lingered outside the gates of the [Blissful Immortal City] and the [Joyful Union Sect]'s headquarters.
Possessing a powerful divine sense surpassing even the late-stage Core Formation realm, and a six-colored divine light centered on the true meaning of the [Candlelight Divine Power], Lin Changheng's
investigative abilities were already astonishing.
His divine sense silently spread out, covering an area of nearly thirty-nine miles in radius. The six-colored divine light penetrated formations, restrictions, and darkness, obtaining a wealth of additional information.
It was not only precise but also highly secretive.
It was almost a one-way spying, impossible for others to detect or counter.
As a result, Lin Changheng did not encounter any Core Formation cultivators from the Joyful Union Sect.
He staked out the area for two months, monitoring the Joyful Union Sect's movements daily. Many cultivators entered and exited, but all were Foundation Establishment or Qi Refining disciples; not a single high-ranking member, whether a True Core or False Core cultivator, appeared.
Left with no other option, he captured several arrogant and domineering Foundation Establishment disciples of the Joyful Union Sect who bullied rogue cultivators, and searched their souls to investigate.
He obtained no useful information either, as their status was too lowly to know the movements of the higher-ups.
Lin Changheng frowned, having no choice but to send them to the afterlife and bury them in the [Blessed Land of the Pot] to prevent them from causing further evil.
Just as he had given up and escaped from the [Immortal City of Bliss], deciding to explore the [Nascent Soul Cave Ruins], things suddenly changed.
"Whoosh!"
Suddenly, he sensed a streak of light flying from afar, heading towards the Immortal City.
The light was fast, indicating the traveler was in a hurry. Lin Changheng subconsciously scanned the light and discovered a pseudo-Core Formation cultivator inside, wearing robes bearing the insignia of the Hehuan Sect.
This person appeared to be in his forties or fifties, with a handsome face and refined features. Although middle-aged, he still possessed an elegant demeanor.
He wore a purple Daoist robe, a jade belt around his waist, and a golden crown. A strand of white hair fell from his temples to his ears, which, far from diminishing his charm, added a touch of world-weariness.
If this person hadn't been so close to the city, attracting the attention of many cultivators entering and leaving the city, Lin Changheng would have already subdued him.
Making a move at the city gate was too conspicuous.
Moreover, the Blissful Immortal City was the territory of the Joyful Union Sect, with numerous cultivators within. Making a move would inevitably draw the sect's siege.
Although he wasn't afraid, he didn't want trouble, much less alert the enemy!
Seeing this, Lin Changheng's thoughts shifted slightly. He changed direction and returned to the city.
He followed the fake Core Formation cultivator from a distance, his divine sense spreading out, subtly locking onto the cultivator while maintaining a safe distance to avoid detection.
The fake Core Formation cultivator's destination was the core area of the Blissful Immortal City, similar to the "Extreme Mountain" of the Extreme Mountain Immortal City, the residence and meeting place of the Joyful Union Sect's high-ranking officials.
After the cultivator entered, Lin Changheng stopped following.
Half a day later.
The cultivator reappeared, carrying another Core Formation female cultivator, flying out of the immortal city with incredible speed and without any concealment.
The female cultivator was at the mid-stage of Core Formation, her aura profound, clearly indicating years of immersion in this realm. Her appearance seemed familiar to Lin Changheng. She
was strikingly beautiful, with delicate features, skin like jade, and eyebrows like a painting. She wore a pink palace dress, her hair styled in a high bun, adorned with jewels, her figure exquisite and graceful, drawing all attention.
It was none other than the [Yu Jie Zhenren], one of the four cultivators of the [Hehuan Sect] whom he had encountered at the Eastern Fortress!
"It's this woman? Where is that fake Core Formation cultivator taking her?"
Lin Changheng wondered to himself, but this didn't prevent him from using the [Mirage Illusionary Concealment Technique] and [Concealing Breath Demonic Technique], which he had already perfected, moving like a ghost, silently following behind the two.
The [Mirage Concealment Technique] allowed him to blend seamlessly into his surroundings, while the [Concealing Breath Demon Technique] suppressed his aura to a minimum. Even a late-stage Core Formation cultivator would have difficulty detecting him, let alone them.
Moreover, these two weren't heading towards the [Joyful Union Sect]'s base, but rather in the direction the fake Core Formation cultivator had come from.
They had likely encountered some situation and needed [True Person Yu Jie] to intervene, handle the matter, or provide support.
But all of this was irrelevant to Lin Chang.
He only needed to wait.
Wait for the right opportunity, the right place, the right moment to strike.
Soon, three streaks of light, one after the other, flew over two hundred miles.
They passed through a remote, sparsely populated mountain range, whistling through the sky.
Clearly, this place was far from the Immortal City, sparsely populated, making it an ideal location to act.
The next instant, a chilling yet incredibly powerful divine sense suddenly descended, enveloping the two [Joyful Union Sect] cultivators and also covering a large surrounding area.
The pressure on the two [Joyful Union Sect] cultivators increased dramatically.
Yu Jie Zhenren's expression changed slightly, but she quickly suppressed it. After all, she was a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator who had experienced many trials and tribulations; she wouldn't be intimidated by a mere divine sense.
The purple-robed pseudo-Core Formation cultivator, however, was already sweating profusely.
"May I ask which fellow Daoist happened to be passing by?"
—
Yu Jie Zhenren didn't fly away to escape, leaving the newcomer behind. She knew very well that running away in this situation was the most foolish choice.
Instead, she opened her almond-shaped mouth and immediately spat out a white, silk-like natal magic weapon, pure white with fine runes flowing across its surface, radiating a cool light. It
coiled and spun rapidly like a dragon or snake, protecting the newcomer and forming an impenetrable defensive line.
Then, she warily turned around, looking back at the source of the divine sense.
Her words were light and soft, her voice so gentle it could melt one's bones.
This woman was quite skilled at speaking; she didn't directly label the newcomer as a stalker or someone with malicious intent, leaving a sliver of opportunity to avoid direct confrontation.
Even if that opportunity was quite small.
On the other hand, it was also because the newcomer had put considerable pressure on her; otherwise, she would have already turned hostile and used her magic weapon to suppress him.
Like this woman, the pseudo-core cultivator from the Hehuan Sect also summoned his natal magic weapon, hovering it above his head, to look at the scene.
His natal magic weapon was a purple flying sword, its blade slender and thin as a cicada's wing, with golden patterns flowing across its edge.
But whether this pseudo-core cultivator intended to play good cop/bad cop or had some other plan, he loudly proclaimed, "I am an elder of the Hehuan Upper Sect, and this person beside me is the Supreme True Person of Desire Purity. This place is also under the jurisdiction of my Hehuan Upper Sect. Fellow Daoist, is your presence here offensive—"
"Hmph!"
Before they could finish speaking, a cold snort rang out from the unseen distance they were staring at, interrupting them as no figure appeared!
Simultaneously, a powerful divine sense, like an invisible hammer, slammed heavily onto the heads of the two Hehuan Sect members.
The next instant, both felt a sharp pain in their souls.
"Ah!" the pseudo-core cultivator screamed, clutching his head and staggering, almost falling from the sky. His face was deathly pale, his vision blurred, and his consciousness began to fade!
"Ugh—"
Yu Jie Zhenren groaned, her delicate body trembling slightly, but she almost immediately regained consciousness. It was unclear whether she was protected by some secret treasure or had a strong soul that enhanced her resistance.
A hint of lingering fear flashed in her beautiful eyes, but she sensed something unusual beside her.
She dared not turn her head, but her divine sense had already been projected—
and saw a bright light flashing like a rainbow piercing the sun.
It was a crimson-gold flying sword, its sword light dazzling, like a small sun. It shot out from the void at an astonishing speed, carrying the will to cut through everything, and slashed straight at the pseudo-core cultivator.
The pseudo-core cultivator was still immersed in the pain of his severely injured soul and had no time to react, or rather, even if he could react—it
would be useless!
"Pfft!"
A huge head, along with two severed arms holding it, flew into the air, spurting out three streams of blood—one thick and two thin.
Blood stained the sky!
The pseudo-core cultivator's head rolled several times in the air, his face still frozen in terror, eyes wide open, mouth agape, as if he couldn't believe what had happened even in death.
Then, the headless body fell limply from mid-air, crashing into the mountains with a dull thud.
"What?"
Yu Jie Zhenren's expression changed drastically.
Her pupils contracted sharply, and like a cat reacting to an attack, she hastily created four or five layers of protection for herself.
Mana shields, magical artifact light screens, talisman light shields, and spell auras—layer upon layer, completely enveloping her.
Her natal magic artifact hummed and trembled wildly, reflecting her inner tension! After all, a fellow disciple who had just achieved the rank of Pseudo-Core Formation was so easily and without any resistance killed right beside her, and neither of them had even reacted—
this showed that the newcomer's strength was extremely terrifying.
Moreover, his actions were utterly reckless; he killed Elder Yu without a word, and dared to directly slaughter a high-ranking member of the Hehuan Sect within its sphere of influence— this
also showed that he was either insane or extremely confident in his own strength! Only then would he dare to disregard the Hehuan Sect.
"Fellow Daoist—"
Swallowing hard, Yu Jie Zhenren finally tried to speak.
Her voice trembled slightly, all her previous gentleness and composure gone.
"What? Is Elder Yu Jie seeking revenge for your sect's Elder Yu?"
Unexpectedly, she was interrupted, and she finally saw a black-robed figure reveal his true form several miles away.
The figure stood with his hands behind his back, his black robe fluttering, his face unremarkable, the kind of ordinary face that would be easily lost in a crowd.
But a pair of indifferent eyes that regarded human life as worthless made her heart tremble.
There was no killing intent, no anger in his eyes, only an extreme indifference, as if killing a pseudo-Core Formation cultivator was merely a trivial matter, not worth mentioning.
The crimson-gold flying sword hovering beside him was still stained with blood. The bloodstains on the sword hadn't dried, shimmering with an eerie red light in the sunlight.
She couldn't remember the last time she felt this way.
Since breaking through to the Core Formation stage, she had always been a high and mighty figure; others feared her, but she never feared anyone. But today, she seemed to feel a long-lost tremor in her heart.
"No, no—"
Master Yu Jie, appearing fragile and on the verge of a broken heart, shook her head repeatedly. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with tears, her lips trembled slightly, and she resembled a white lotus swaying in a storm.
Yet, her hands were subtly forming hand seals.
The advanced secret technique of the Hehuan Sect—no, it should be called a near-top-tier secret technique—[Bewitching Spell].
This technique was a closely guarded secret of the Hehuan Sect, only qualified to cultivate by cultivators at the True Core stage. It could
subtly influence the mind of an opponent through sound, gaze, aura, and appearance, causing them to fall into a state of confusion, disorientation, or even control.
Master Yu Jie had cultivated this technique for a hundred years, reaching a state of perfection. She had used it to control a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator, several early-stage Core Formation cultivators, and even caused a late-stage Core Formation cultivator to momentarily lose focus during battle.
She feigned weakness, but in reality, she was subtly using the advanced secret technique of the Hehuan Sect to try to bewitch and control Lin Changheng.
Immediately, the woman's voice became even softer, her eyes even more alluring, and her figure even more seductive. Every word, every glance, every movement of hers carried an invisible power of seduction, attempting to erode Lin Changheng's mind.
Lin Changheng's mind trembled.
A strange feeling rose from the depths of his heart, as if an invisible hand was plucking at his heartstrings, causing his mind to sway slightly. His eyes were momentarily glazed, and his consciousness momentarily blurred.
Even his powerful and stable soul was shaken, but fortunately, Lin Changheng's will was resilient, and the existence of the five-fold primordial treasure seed [Heavenly Gift of Purity] allowed him to maintain a sliver of clarity in his mind.
That sliver of clarity was like a bright lamp, flickering in the chaotic darkness, but never extinguished.
"Interesting!"
A hint of amusement flashed in Lin Changheng's eyes.
He had seen many seductive techniques, but this was the first time one had shaken his mind. The secret techniques of the Joyous Union Sect were indeed unique.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Three sharp sounds rang out, and three more flying swords flew out from within her body.
Hovering in the air, their blades trembled slightly, emitting a low hum. They stood side by side with the previous crimson-gold flying sword, their aura imposing.
Without a word, all four flying swords shot out simultaneously.
During the process, the four flying swords continued to tremble, transforming into
countless flying swords. The sword shadows were numerous and densely packed, a total of sixteen swords intertwining, rotating, and converging in the air, finally transforming into a giant sword over ten feet long. The sword's blade shimmered with five-colored light, radiating a suffocating pressure.
Aimed at True Person Yu Jie, it slashed down with a will to cut through everything.
"My [Perfect Level] secret technique is ineffective?"
True Person Yu Jie was shocked.
Her [Bewitching Spell] had never failed before, even against cultivators in the late Core Formation stage, it could make them lose their focus. But this black-robed man hadn't even wavered.
At this moment, a crack appeared in her Dao heart.
But there was no time to think; the giant sword was already upon her.
She hurriedly manipulated her natal white silk ribbon to meet the attack.
"Whoosh!"
The white ribbon unfurled in the air, transforming into a white curtain that blocked the giant sword. Runes flowed across the surface of the ribbon, their spiritual light flashing and twisting, attempting to deflect the sharpness and force.
"Boom! Boom! Boom—!"
The giant sword repeatedly struck the white ribbon, producing deafening roars.
The white ribbon trembled violently, its spiritual light flashing wildly, the runes flickering erratically. Under the impact of the giant sword, it was forced back continuously, fine tears appearing on its surface.
Master Yu Jie's expression changed drastically; she could feel that her natal white ribbon was under immense pressure. The power of the giant sword far exceeded her expectations; the white ribbon probably wouldn't last long.
She gritted her teeth, frantically channeling her magic power into the white ribbon, trying to stabilize the defense.
The cracks on the white ribbon began to heal, the spiritual light stabilized again, and the speed of its retreat slowed down.
But the giant sword's onslaught didn't diminish, slashing down again and again, each strike carrying the power of five-colored light. Although the white silk could block it, it consumed a great deal of energy, and Master Yu Jie's magical power was rapidly depleting.
She steeled her resolve, gritted her teeth, and took out three talisman plates, activating them simultaneously to block the giant sword.
The three talisman plates activated at the same time, three defensive light screens overlapping to form thick barriers.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The giant sword struck the talisman plates, its power raging.
The talisman on the first plate ignited and turned to ashes. The light screen shattered, the talisman plate exploded, and fragments scattered.
The second talisman plate was also clearly about to succumb, unable to hold on any longer. Fine cracks appeared on the light screen, the talisman plate hummed, and its spiritual light dimmed.
"Not good!"
Master Yu Jie knew something was wrong; the giant sword's power was too great, and the talisman plates couldn't hold out for long.
She decisively abandoned passive defense and switched to active offense.
"To catch the thief, first catch the king!"
She formed hand seals, and a powerful spell erupted from her palms.
"Mystic Ice Break!"
A beam of icy blue light shot out from her palm, carrying an extremely cold aura, striking directly at Lin Changheng.
The beam was as thick as an arm; wherever it passed, the air froze, even the grass and trees on the ground were frozen, and a thick layer of frost formed on the rocks.
This was one of Yu Jie Zhenren's strongest attack spells, also a high-level spell! She had cultivated it to the pinnacle! She had once killed a mid-stage third-tier demonic beast.
Its power was astonishing.
Just then, Lin Changheng's mind stirred, and the space around him rippled slightly.
A strange humanoid creature with long arms and legs and an unusually large body appeared.
Its body was covered in dark gray, as if it had been soaked in ink, with dark red patterns flowing beneath the fur.
It was none other than the [Hundred Resentment Blood Corpse]!
This blood corpse was obtained by Lin Changheng from a demonic cultivator of the Yue Kingdom. It was crafted from the resentful blood of a hundred living beings and possessed strange and unique abilities. After acquiring it, he had been nurturing it in the Blessed Land of Pot Heaven, never using it in actual combat.
Upon appearing, the blood corpse opened its mouth.
Its mouth stretched to its ears, revealing two rows of sharp teeth. Deep within its throat, a grayish-white light surged, cold and eerie
, carrying a strange and inexplicable aura.
"Whoosh—
"
The light spewed from its mouth, revealing its contents—a cluster of grayish-white threads!
These threads were as thin as hair, yet even finer and denser, shooting past like a rain of arrows at an astonishing speed.
As a result, the two collided, producing a series of hissing sounds as the grayish-white threads pierced through the spell.
The ferocious, icy-blue pillar of light, like a balloon punctured by a needle, leaked its spiritual energy wildly, and its light quickly dimmed.
In the blink of an eye, the once formidable spell vanished in a few flashes.
"What?"
Yu Jie Zhenren's face turned grim.
The grayish-white threads seemed capable of absorbing spiritual energy and dissolving spells, rendering all attacks ineffective.
Instantly, she knew that the person before her was no match.
His divine sense was stronger than hers, his magical treasures were stronger, and he even had a strange object assisting him; she was no match for him.
Immediately, blood light surged around her, and she was about to unleash a secret technique to instantly increase her escape speed to the extreme and flee!
Although this technique consumed a great deal of energy, it was extremely effective for escaping.
"Fellow Daoist Yu Jie, after such a barrage of attacks, you want to flee immediately? Isn't that a bit impolite?
"
Lin Changheng's voice rang out, directly reaching Yu Jie Zhenren's ears.
His voice was calm as water, yet it carried an undeniable chilling authority.
"Impoliteness?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Jie Zhenren immediately felt extremely annoyed, her pretty face twitching. The other party had followed her, killed her without a word, and now even accused her of murder first—how could this be reasonable?
But this didn't deter her from her resolute escape.
She bit her tongue, spitting out blood, her secret technique nearing completion.
"Buzz—"
The next instant, accompanied by the spread of a dark blue wave, a heavy, overwhelming pressure descended upon Yu Jie Zhenren.
This pressure didn't affect her physical body, but directly suppressed her magical power. It was as if an invisible ocean had "frozen" the entire space!
Yu Jie Zhenren felt her magical power suddenly halt; her almost completed escape technique moved as slowly as a snail, almost completely stagnant!
She was shocked; her soul and body trembled unconsciously.
Her consciousness returned, and she saw a palm-sized, dark blue bead with a faint shimmering surface, suspended above the black-robed figure's head.
It was constantly trembling, emitting dark blue waves.
What is this thing? It's suppressing my escape technique?
For the first time, despair welled up in her heart.
Just then, a line of fire shot through her at lightning speed.
The figure in the distance vanished abruptly, flashing closer and leaving a trail of afterimages. It was the [Fire Escape Demon Art], moving through flames with astonishing speed.
"Bang—!"
In a flash, a flesh-colored fist slammed heavily into the woman's abdomen.
The fist was like an iron hammer, its force astonishing, instantly piercing through her defenses!
Yu Jie Zhenren felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, her internal organs churning, and she was sent flying, tumbling several times in the air.
At the same time, the [Divine Blood Curse Demon Art] seeped out from the fist and entered Yu Jie Zhenren's body.
But Lin Changheng still didn't stop.
He flashed over and threw another punch.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
He kept attacking, determined to beat her into submission!
Yu Jie Zhenren's protective aura shattered layer by layer under the blows of his fist, and her natal white silk ribbon was entangled by the giant sword, unable to defend herself.
She could only passively endure the beating, punch after punch, until she coughed up blood and her delicate body trembled.
"Stop! Brother, stop! I was wrong! I know I was wrong!"
She finally gave up resisting, curling up and begging for mercy repeatedly.
Only when she begged for mercy and had no desire or evil thoughts left did he use the [Divine Life Spring Technique - Triple]
to control her.
Lin Changheng extracted a wisp of her divine soul from her body and placed it into the Life Spring. That wisp of divine soul floated in the emerald green spring water, coexisting with the other two wisps of divine soul.
At this point, both of the newly acquired [Divine Life Spring Technique] slots were used up.
Lin Changheng withdrew his fist, stood with his hands behind his back, and looked down at the Yu Jie Zhenren curled up in mid-air.
"Get up,"
he said calmly.
Yu Jie Zhenren struggled to stand up, her head lowered, not daring to look at him.
Her pretty face was covered with tears, her palace dress was torn, her hair was disheveled, and she looked utterly wretched, as if she had been humiliated!
Soon, Lin Changheng received some surprising news from Yu Jie Zhenren:
this woman was actually Yu Guang Zhenren's Daoist partner!
. From the mouth of [True Man of Desire Purity], Lin Changheng learned that within the [Joyful Union Sect], the path is also subdivided.
There is both the [Method of Indulging in Joyful Union] and the [Path of Controlling Desire and Restraining Emotions].
This was the first time Lin Changheng had heard of this.
In his previous understanding, the [Joyful Union Sect] was a sect founded on dual cultivation, where disciples indulged in sensual pleasures and lived dissolute lives. Unexpectedly, the [Joyful Union Sect] actually had two completely different cultivation paths.
The Method of Indulging in Joyful Union is the one known to the world. Cultivators indulge in lust, using dual cultivation to absorb the essence, energy, and spirit of the opposite sex, transforming it into their own magical power. This path leads to rapid progress and great power, but it is easy to lose oneself in desire and have an unstable mind.
The Path of Controlling Desire and Restraining Emotions is another cultivation method. Cultivators restrain their lust, purify their minds and reduce desires, focusing on solitary cultivation. This path leads to slower progress, but a stable mind and is less prone to demonic possession.
In short, the former pursues the ultimate sensory experience, seeking the true meaning of the Dao in pleasure; the latter pursues the ultimate self-control, comprehending the essence of the Dao through restraint.
However, before forming the Nascent Soul stage, both must break free from fixed patterns and fill the void in their hearts, otherwise, they will leave behind weaknesses caused by inner demons.
That is to say, the "Method of Indulging in Joyful Passion" requires attempting to restrain desires before forming the Nascent Soul stage; the "Way of Controlling Desires and Restraining Emotions" requires opening one's heart, such as through union with a Daoist partner, or allowing the seven emotions and six desires to arise.
This is like a string that is too taut, needing to be loosened; a string that is too loose, needing to be tightened. Only by finding balance can the most beautiful music be played.
Actually, the "Joyful Union Sect" was not like this before; it had followed a single, unwavering path.
However, several of the "Joyful Union Sect's" peak late-stage Core Formation predecessors perished in the tribulation of inner demons when attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, causing the sect to reflect deeply and change. The
tribulation of inner demons is the most dangerous hurdle on the path to forming the Nascent Soul stage. It amplifies a cultivator's inner desires and fears, causing them to lose themselves in the illusions of inner demons, be consumed by desire, and ultimately fail to achieve Nascent Soul formation. This has hindered countless cultivators.
The Joyful Union Sect, after summarizing this, concluded that pursuing a single path leads to an extremely repressed state of mind, and thus devised a "remedy."
However, the accuracy and effectiveness of this method have not yet been verified, resulting in a bittersweet feeling of constantly feeling one's way across a river by touching the stones. They can only eliminate problems one by one in practice, causing countless efforts to be wasted—
this is another major hurdle for Song and Jin dynasty cultivators who struggle to achieve Nascent Soul formation, due to the lack of proper guidance.
This is similar to the concepts of "Foundation Building Insights" and "Core Formation Experiences."
Without the valuable experience left by predecessors, later generations can only grope in the dark, resulting in an extremely low success rate.
Yu Jie Zhenren, after reaching the mid-Core Formation stage, emerged from the "Path of Controlling Desire and Restraining Emotions" and quickly united with Yu Guang Zhenren, who was attempting to escape the "Path of Indulging in Joy and Fulfillment."
Yu Jie Zhenren had cultivated the Path of Controlling Desire and Restraining Emotions for over a hundred years, possessing a stable mind but lacking emotional experience; Yu Guang Zhenren, on the other hand, had consistently cultivated the Method of Indulging in Joy and Fulfillment, possessing rich emotions but an unstable mind. Their union perfectly complemented each other's shortcomings.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Lin Changheng's lips subtly curled into a smile.
He had never expected that after staking out both the Blissful Immortal City and the Joyful Union Sect's headquarters for so long without any results, he would instead catch such a big fish just when he was about to give up.
And the fact that Yu Guang Zhenren, who had schemed against him, was so intimately connected with him!
At the Eastern Fortress Trade Fair last time, Lin Changheng truly hadn't noticed anything unusual about the relationship between this woman and True Person Yu Guang, assuming they were simply fellow disciples—
if True Person Yu Jie hadn't mentioned it herself, Lin Changheng would never have guessed they were Daoist partners.
They really hid it well!
Now that he had this woman in his hands, she could not only serve as his spy within the [Hehuan Sect], a spy gathering intelligence, but also as a tool to lure out [True Person Yu Guang]. He
could even lure out and kill [True Person Yu Kong], who held the [Shards of the Primordial Tree], completing his second [Cloud Sea Piercing the Sun Sword Formation], allowing him to leap forward in strength!
At this moment, True Person Yu Jie's palace attire was tattered, her hair disheveled, and her head bowed.
Tears streamed down her face, blood stained her lips, and she was utterly wretched.
Because of the life-or-death situation, her mind was far from calm, filled with chaotic thoughts, and she didn't notice the change in Lin Changheng's gaze.
She was wondering, who exactly was this man in black robes? Why was he attacking the Hehuan Sect? Would he kill him? Would he even be able to get back alive?
"Raise your head!"
After thinking this, Lin Chang prepared to tell the other person some things that needed to be done for him. Seeing that Yu Jie Zhenren was still in this state, he frowned, reached out and pinched the other person's snow-white chin, making her look up and look directly at him.
The chin was pointed, and the skin was as white as snow and as smooth as cream. Because of the slight pressure he applied, the smooth and delicate skin where he touched blushed slightly.
"Brother Dao—"
Yu Jie Zhenren looked like a pitiful little wife. Her beautiful eyes were brimming with tears, her eyelashes trembled, and her lips quivered slightly. Although her chin ached, she dared not struggle or beg for release.
"Listen, I need you for me—"
Lin Changheng coldly snorted, stating his demands in a chilling tone.
"Yes!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Jie Zhenren felt a sense of relief. The other party had conditions and requirements, which meant she wouldn't die.
Some cultivators, the higher their cultivation level and the higher their status, the more they cherished their lives and feared death! Because they possessed too much, and the price of losing it was too great. Spirit stones, spiritual materials, magic treasures, status, power—each of these was something they had earned through hundreds of years of arduous cultivation, and they were unwilling to give them up.
Of course, there were also many with strong bones who would rather die than submit.
But clearly, Yu Jie Zhenren was not among them. She had lived a life of luxury in the Hehuan Sect for many years and had long been accustomed to a comfortable life.
She was afraid of death, afraid of losing everything.
Just as she was about to bow in greeting, Lin Changheng's large hand, still gripping her chin, prevented her from moving. Her body leaned slightly forward, causing her already tattered palace dress to flare out further, revealing large expanses of snow-white skin.
Only her pair of white jade breasts, half-free from the constraints of her dress and revealing a semi-circular, snow-white shape, trembled slightly.
Lin Changheng's perception and attention were exceptionally keen.
Under his six-colored divine light, everything within a fifty-mile radius was clearly visible. The movement of those white jade breasts naturally did not escape his eyes.
Immediately, his eyes twitched slightly, and he released his grip.
Instantly, two red, swollen finger marks appeared on Yu Jie Zhenren's face, clearly visible, particularly glaring on her fair complexion.
The woman, however, paid no heed, quickly pulling up her dress to cover herself again.
Lin Changheng coughed lightly, his face remaining impassive, suppressing the slight Meng De-like ripples, and regaining his composure.
He then asked three questions in a deep voice.
Firstly, the questions concerned specific information about the [Nascent Soul Cave Ruins], or rather, what the [Joyful Union Sect] knew.
Secondly, it concerned which Core Formation cultivators from the [Joyful Union Sect] wanted to go to the [Large Secret Realm] in the Yan Kingdom, and who they were.
Thirdly, it concerned the present situation, and how True Person Yu Jie planned to handle the death of the purple-robed fake Core Formation cultivator. The
questions were all very pointed, causing True Person Yu Jie's expression to change several times. Finally, under Lin Chang's focused gaze, she quickly responded. She dared not hesitate, fearing that the person before her would think she was fabricating. Lin Chang also knew that the [Fragment of the Ancient Jade Talisman] he had obtained last time was the key to entering the [Nascent Soul Cave Ruins]. Moreover, it was a complete [Ancient Jade Talisman], split into six fragments. Logically, all six fragments should be combined to open the ruins, but in reality, only the three fragments possessed by the [Joyful Union Sect] were used to open a crack, which was then forcibly opened by the two Core Formation cultivators, Song and Jin. Only then were the cultivators able to enter. Lin Changheng, also curious, asked what was inside. Master Yu Jie thought for a moment and said, "The ruins contain a large quantity of spiritual herbs, materials, magic treasures, and pills. The most precious are three main and auxiliary medicinal materials for Nascent Soul formation." "Three?" Lin Changheng's eyes lit up. "That's right." Master Yu Jie nodded. "Although no Nascent Soul pills were found openly, the value of the three main and auxiliary Nascent Soul medicinal materials is astonishing, causing fierce and bloody competition." Lin Changheng's heart stirred slightly. "Of course, this is only what's publicly known. It's possible that some cultivators found more medicinal materials and hid them in time, avoiding the competition, hence the lack of knowledge among the other cultivators," Master Yu Jie added. "Do you know who has gotten hold of these things?" Lin Changheng's eyes shone brightly, like a shark smelling blood. This time, his investment had yielded such an unexpected surprise; he hadn't expected it at all, and immediately pressed for an answer. "Understood." Yu Jie Zhenren nodded obediently. "Sword Horn Zhenren of the [Tian Gang Sword Sect], Rift Stele Zhenren of the [Iron Bone Sect], and Ling Feng Zhenren of the [Southern Palace] in Song. It's also suspected that a Zhenren from the [Cloud Sect] snatched a small piece from Ling Feng Zhenren, but it's unclear whether it's a small piece from the upper or lower part." Hearing this, Lin Changheng nodded thoughtfully. He hadn't met the first two Core Formation Zhenren, but he had a clear impression of Ling Feng Zhenren from the [Southern Palace] in Song, having "met" him twice. Both times were outside the [Jiazi Secret Realm]. Lin Changheng was mingling in the crowd, while the other party stood high above, imposing and awe-inspiring. At that time, he was just a Foundation Establishment cultivator, only able to stand in the crowd and look up at those high-ranking Core Formation Zhenren. And this Ling Feng Zhenren was the leader of the [Southern Palace] team participating in the secret realm both times, and seemed to have a good impression of Xuanji Zhenren from the [Purple Extreme Sect], calling her Junior Sister Luo very sweetly back then. "I seem to remember that back then, the cultivation levels of the Core Formation cultivators who entered the [Nascent Soul Cave Ruins] were all limited to the mid-Core Formation stage, right?" Lin Changheng suddenly asked, confirming. "Indeed, Young Master has a good memory." Yu Jie Zhenren nodded, addressing Lin Changheng as "Young Master" while discreetly observing his expression. Seeing that he showed no abnormality, she felt relieved. However, Lin Changheng also knew that over the years, these cultivators might have remained stagnant, or they might have broken through to the late-Core Formation stage. Lin Changheng himself wasn't worried about this. With his current strength, he wouldn't fear even if a late-Core Formation cultivator came. The only thing he needed to figure out was whether he could still hold onto the Core Formation main and auxiliary medicinal materials they obtained. If he could, the target was clear: Jianjiao Zhenren, Liebei Zhenren, and Lingfeng Zhenren—three people and three medicinal materials. But if he couldn't hold onto them due to pressure or other reasons, and they were handed over to the senior late-Core Formation cultivators within the sect, or even those at the peak of the late-Core Formation stage, then many more complications would arise. At the very least, reassigning the holder would be quite troublesome. Lin Changheng's thoughts raced, and he made a mental note to plan for the future. "Furthermore, there's news that within the [Nascent Soul Cultivator Ruins], there's also a [Spiritual Eye Spring] and a [Complete Ancient Treasure]—" True Person Yu Jie continued. Lin Changheng's eyes immediately sharpened, grasping the key words. Spiritual Eye Spring, Complete Ancient Treasure! The Spiritual Eye Spring is a type of spiritual eye object, a physical entity formed from the convergence of spiritual vein essence, even more precious than a spiritual vein itself. A Complete Ancient Treasure, on the other hand, is crafted by ancient cultivators, undamaged by time, and its power far surpasses ordinary magic weapons. A single Complete Ancient Treasure is enough to elevate a Core Formation cultivator's combat power by a level. Currently, Lin Changheng possesses two ancient treasures—one incomplete, the other a replica—neither as powerful as a Complete Ancient Treasure. He sighed inwardly, realizing that the treasures of Nascent Soul cultivators were indeed extraordinary.
Lin Changheng also inquired about who had acquired the two items, but received no definite answer. Even Yu Jie Zhenren didn't know, and the rumors circulating were unfounded and unreliable, so Lin Changheng didn't press further. He had
already gathered quite a bit of useful information.
As for the second question, several Core Formation cultivators from the Hehuan Sect were going to the large-scale secret realm in Yan Kingdom.
Because Yu Jie Zhenren's guard had been broken, she quickly named two people:
Yu Zhen Zhenren and Yu Kong Zhenren.
Their cultivation levels were late-stage Core Formation and mid-stage Core Formation, respectively.
"Yu Guang Zhenren didn't go?"
Lin Changheng nodded, still surprised.
"That's right, he's guarding the front-line fortress."
Yu Jie Zhenren nodded, her expression slightly unnatural when she mentioned Yu Guang Zhenren.
Lin Changheng didn't think much of it.
As for the third question, how to handle the death of the purple-robed fake Core Formation cultivator,
this was a question Lin Changheng deliberately posed to see how she would resolve it.
Without hesitation, Master Yu Jie directly offered a plan to shift the blame.
Her voice was calm and clear, indicating she had already thought it through.
Lin Changheng's eyes flickered, listening thoughtfully.
"Truly, the most poisonous heart is a woman's!"
He also thought his earlier decision to beat the woman half to death and then control her was correct.
Otherwise, he might have been ambushed or tricked by her. This woman was meticulous, ruthless, and not someone to be trifled with.
This plan was also simple.
It was also connected to the purpose of the purple-robed fake cultivator seeking her out and the two of them setting off together.
They were going to find a rogue cultivator.
According to the purple-robed fake cultivator, this rogue cultivator was in the late stage of Core Formation but wanted to affiliate with the [Hehuan Sect] to become a Supreme Guest Elder.
He was tired of fighting alone and wanted to find someone to "rely on."
However, Master Yu Jie believed that this person probably wanted to obtain some secret information that only major sects possessed, or use the power of the [Hehuan Sect] to protect his clan, etc.
He had a special purpose.
However, it could enhance the strength of the [Hehuan Sect], which was a win-win situation and not unreasonable.
So, he followed the fake Core Formation cultivator in purple robes to the agreed-upon place to meet and discuss the matter.
This was also a way for the [Hehuan Sect] to demonstrate its respect for talent and facilitate cooperation.
But Lin Changheng's sudden appearance, killing the fake Core Formation cultivator in purple robes and taking control of Yu Jie Zhenren, drastically changed the course of events.
Therefore, Yu Jie Zhenren directly planned to pin the blame on that late-stage Core Formation cultivator.
On one hand, this would clear the young master's name and absolve himself of responsibility.
On the other hand, that late-stage Core Formation cultivator had indeed been in contact with the fake Core Formation cultivator in purple robes, so the chain of facts matched up, and the other party was powerful. The [Hehuan Sect] might not dare to cause trouble for him, and the other party would most likely not dare to come forward to clear his name, making the subsequent developments controllable.
"Young master, what do you think?"
"Not bad, we can give it a try.
"
Lin Changheng smiled.
Anyway, it was enough to clear his name, and it had to be an "insider" who did it. With Yu Jie Zhenren operating within the Hehuan Sect, this matter should be able to be resolved smoothly.
But Lin Changheng was unaware that True Person Yu Jie actually had a backup plan:
to shift the blame to True Person Wanshou in Song territory.
After all, the Hehuan Sect had already participated in his schemes, and it was logical for the other party to retaliate after discovering the plot.
However, there was a problem: it could potentially destabilize or even split the Song-Jin alliance. After all, it was said that the Wanshou alchemist was not only incredibly skilled but also had extensive influence and connections throughout Song territory.
She couldn't arbitrarily frame or target him.
Her choice to shift the blame instead of Wanshou was a well-thought-out one. Wanshou's background was too complex; taking action against him could trigger a chain reaction, and she didn't want to take the risk.
But she didn't know that the person opposite her was none other than the Wanshou alchemist.
This correct choice allowed her to avoid angering the person before her and escape a terrible ordeal!
Suddenly
, a gust of wind rose from the ground, lifting up the mangled corpse of the fake alchemist in purple robes. The corpse was a bloody mess, with the head and severed arms swept up as well, leaving nothing behind.
The previous struggle and interrogation, though described slowly, actually didn't take long.
So, taking advantage of the fact that the purple-robed fake Core Formation cultivator's soul hadn't yet dissipated, Lin Changheng ruthlessly began searching the corpse's soul right in front of Yu Jie Zhenren.
His divine sense, like a sharp blade, pierced into the soul within the corpse.
This scene made Yu Jie Zhenren's heart race, filled with lingering fear.
Fortunately, she hadn't fabricated lies or harbored any ulterior motives; otherwise, she would have been exposed, and the consequences would have been unimaginable. After all, she had already witnessed the other party's decisive and ruthless nature
—
Lin Changheng quickly searched the other party's memories.
Finding that the other party's memories and what Yu Jie Zhenren had said were basically consistent, he nodded inwardly. But then, the appearance of a face made Lin Changheng pause in surprise.
It was that late-stage Core Formation cultivator.
And judging from his appearance and features, he was clearly a familiar face!
Why is this world so small?!
Lin Changheng couldn't help but sigh.
He observed closely and saw that the man was dressed in a loose-fitting hempen short shirt, with a straw rope haphazardly tied
around his waist, from which hung a large, glossy, vermilion gourd. His hair was gray and disheveled, his wrinkles deep, yet his complexion was ruddy, and his eyes shone brightly with extraordinary intelligence. He appeared unkempt, yet possessed a free and unrestrained air.
This was the same True Core cultivator from Jin who had encountered Lin Changheng when he first arrived in Jin and was tricked by some ignorant Song cultivators into going to a dilapidated mountain god temple.
At that time, Lin Changheng was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, and he had used his divine sense, which surpassed that of a Pseudo Core cultivator, to bluff his way out. Coupled with the fact that the other party seemed somewhat wary, he was able to leave safely. In reality, his back was drenched in cold sweat, and he felt like he had escaped from a tiger's mouth.
That time, he truly felt the terror of a True Core cultivator. The other party's pressure was as heavy as a mountain, making it almost impossible for him to breathe. He could only force himself to remain calm, pretending to be nonchalant as he dealt with the other party.
However, he hadn't expected that when he received news of Ge Buzhendan again, the other party had already reached the late stage of Core Formation.
Of course, he himself had also successfully formed his own Core and advanced to the mid-stage for many years, his strength undergoing a dramatic transformation.
But for a rogue cultivator like the other party to improve so rapidly was rather strange. This was because it contained the late-stage Core Formation bottleneck that many sect-level Core Formation cultivators struggled to overcome, a bottleneck they were firmly stuck in.
Even someone as powerful as Zheng Wang Tongzi was forced to venture into the Yan Kingdom's [Large-Scale Secret Realm] due to the bottleneck of the late-stage Core Formation realm, demonstrating its difficulty.
"Could there be some kind of fortuitous encounter?"
Lin Changheng immediately thought of this.
Furthermore, as the soul-searching continued, Lin Changheng discovered that the relationship between this Ge Bu rogue cultivator and the purple-robed true man was not ordinary.
They were actually cultivators of the same clan.
Ge Bu rogue cultivator was his great-uncle.
This Ge Bu rogue cultivator had returned hastily shortly after breaking through to the late-stage Core Formation realm in another country. He had offended some powerful enemies abroad and needed to lay low.
However, the cultivation resources needed by late-stage Core Formation cultivators were extremely precious and rare. While rogue cultivators could obtain them, it was difficult to acquire them in large quantities.
The best way was to obtain them through the power of the Jin Di One Emperor Six Sects.
And the way to make "obtaining" easier was to join them. Becoming a guest elder of a major sect allowed one to enjoy the resources provided by the sect and purchase various spiritual materials and pills at prices far below market value.
The purple-robed true man naturally recommended his great-uncle to the sect he belonged to, a sect he knew well.
Taking advantage of the fact that most of the Supreme Elders of the [Hehuan Sect] were away, leaving the sect relatively empty, he planned to make the introduction.
This would involve less scrutiny, increasing the chances of a successful and smooth entry, and he could also casually mention reasonable conditions.
The purple-robed fake Core Formation cultivator knew perfectly well the bottom line of this "reasonable range," and could use it to secure more benefits for his grand-uncle.
However, he hadn't expected to encounter "Li Feiyu" halfway through, turning a joyous occasion into a tragedy.
For Ge Bu, the rogue cultivator, joining the [Hehuan Sect] was still unresolved, and he was now being unfairly blamed by True Person Yu Jie.
"But now it seems this blame might not hold, and could even cause a significant backlash,"
Lin Changheng quickly realized.
Once their relationship was revealed, the previously planned blame would become inconsistent. Why would the grand-uncle kill his grand-nephew?
There was absolutely no motive. On the contrary, the grand-uncle was too busy taking care of his grand-nephew who had worked so hard to introduce him; how could he possibly kill him? Moreover,
this late-stage Core Formation rogue cultivator, grieving the loss of a junior, might not be able to swallow his anger and might take drastic actions.
The coexistence of these two factors would cause the [Hehuan Sect] to reconsider their assessment of Yu Jie Zhenren's words.
Undoubtedly, this would create even greater trouble!
Just as Lin Changheng was putting away the remains of the corpse and burying it in the [Gourd Heaven Blessed Land], explaining the newly obtained information from the soul search to Yu Jie Zhenren—a moment that left the latter astonished and ready to reconsider—Lin Changheng suddenly spoke, "No need to think about it anymore."
"Young Master, what's wrong?"
Yu Jie Zhenren, puzzled, looked at Lin Changheng with confusion.
A bitter feeling welled up inside her; she thought to herself, "You can kill someone and walk away, but this huge mess is ultimately mine to handle. How can I not think about it?!"
Then, she saw Lin Changheng turn his head and look in a certain direction. His gaze was deep and calm, as if it could pierce through the void and see things in the far distance.
—Yu
Jie Zhenren followed his gaze.
In the distance, mountains stretched endlessly, shrouded in mist. The setting sun dyed the sky golden-red. There were only mountains and clouds, nothing else.
She saw nothing.
But instinctively, she felt Lin Changheng wouldn't make things up, so she immediately used her divine sense to probe again. She spread her divine sense to its fullest extent, covering more than twenty-five or twenty-six miles.
Still nothing. Wherever her divine sense reached, there were only continuous mountain ranges, dense forests, and winding rivers. Occasionally, a few birds would fly by, and a few demonic beasts would appear.
Apart from a few Foundation Establishment cultivators flying by in their magic boats, there was nothing unusual.
She immediately wondered what Lin Changheng's purpose was in creating this mystery.
But two breaths later!
Her divine sense sensed an astonishing streak of light approaching from afar.
The light was incredibly fast, like a shooting star streaking across the sky. Where it passed, the air was torn apart, emitting a sharp, explosive sound. The clouds were parted by the light, forming a long trail, and the vegetation on the ground was flattened by the strong winds generated by the light, sending sand and stones flying.
An astonishing display of power, terrifying strength!
Yu Jie Zhenren's first reaction was that the young master's divine sense could cover such a great distance, detecting it in advance. Didn't this mean his divine sense strength far surpassed that of a late-stage Core Formation cultivator?!
She had spread her divine sense with all her might, but it only covered twenty-five or twenty-six li. The young master had sensed that escape light two breaths ago, meaning his divine sense covered at least thirty-five li, or even more.
"However—that rapidly approaching aura was also that of a late-stage Core Formation cultivator?"
Yu Jie Zhenren was then greatly alarmed. The aura emanating from that escape light was thick and sharp, carrying a oppressive pressure—it was a late-stage Core Formation cultivator!
Her mind raced, and she immediately realized something, hurriedly saying, "Young master, our affair—it's been exposed! The other party's uncle must have sensed it through some secret technique or artifact, hence his aggressive attack!"
"Moreover, my condition isn't good; I was injured just now and can't offer you much help. So, do you think we should—"
The implication was that they should retreat first.
It was obvious that Lin Changheng was strong, but after all, there was a difference in cultivation level between him and a late-stage Core Formation cultivator. Moreover, his opponent was in a state of "desperate army"—having lost loved ones, burning with rage, their combat power would often be exceptionally high, and they would stop at nothing.
Yu Jie Zhenren was not optimistic about this battle, lacking confidence.
Hearing the phrase "our affairs" in her words, Lin Changheng couldn't help but glance at the anxious woman.
After listening to her quickly finish speaking, he said, "Since they have come from afar, it would be impolite for us to avoid them. Let's meet them."
With that, he stood with his hands behind his back, his black robes fluttering, composed and confident, his gaze deep and calm.
The escape light grew closer and brighter.
"Boom—!"
The escape light suddenly stopped several miles in front of the two, transitioning from extreme motion to extreme stillness without the slightest strain.
The spiritual light receded, revealing a figure.
A short hempen shirt, a straw rope around the waist, and a vermilion gourd.
His hair was gray and disheveled, his wrinkles deep, his complexion ruddy, and his once sharp eyes now filled with rage.
It was Elder Gebu.
He hovered in mid-air, his gaze first falling on Lady Yu Jie, sweeping over her tattered palace dress, disheveled hair, and the finger marks on her face—his brow furrowing slightly.
Then, his gaze shifted to Lin Changheng.
Black robes, unremarkable face, hands behind his back, composed and confident.
Elder Gebu was startled; a hint of doubt flashed in his sharp eyes, as if he were trying to identify something.
Then, he recognized him.
"It was you?"
His voice was full of surprise, and a hint of barely concealed anger.
"It was me. Fellow Daoist has a good memory."
Lin Changheng smiled, completely composed. His smile was gentle, as if he were seeing an old friend.
The old man Ge Bu's face darkened, and he asked through gritted teeth, "Did you kill Jun'er?"
"Jun'er" was clearly the nickname of the fake cultivator in purple robes.
Faced with the question, Lin Changheng suddenly stopped speaking. He simply looked at the old man Ge Bu calmly, neither admitting nor denying.
True Person Yu Jie understood Lin Changheng's meaning; he was asking her to answer on his behalf.
Feeling a chill run down her spine, she quickly said, "Don't misunderstand, Elder Yu was not killed by this person, but by a wicked cultivator from Song who ambushed and killed Elder Yu. We are currently pursuing the culprit—"
Her voice was urgent and her tone sincere, as if she were telling the truth.
Lin Changheng remained expressionless, but that didn't stop him from thinking to himself, "Indeed, the more beautiful a woman is, the more likely she is to deceive." Fortunately, he hadn't given her a chance to speak and had violently subdued and controlled her, otherwise who knows what might have happened.
Elder Gebu listened to True Person Yu Jie's words, his expression shifting between light and shadow.
His gaze swept back and forth between the two, seemingly judging whether their words were true or false! Whether they were lying!
After a moment, he actually nodded, his tone softening slightly: "I see. Thank you for informing me, fellow Daoist. I wonder where the enemy has gone."
"Fellow Daoist, you're too kind. We cannot tolerate Song Xiu's evil deeds. We must capture him, grind him to dust, and avenge Elder Yu!"
True Person Yu Jie secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her face still full of solemnity and hatred.
But the next instant—
Elder Gebu suddenly attacked!
"Roar!"
The large vermilion gourd at his waist suddenly flew up, its mouth aimed at the two. A burst of crimson flames erupted from the gourd, transforming into a fire dragon, baring its fangs and claws as it lunged at them!
The flames were extremely hot; wherever they passed, the air ignited, the ground scorched, and even the rocks melted.
He didn't believe Yu Jie Zhenren's words at all.
His nephew's death was inextricably linked to these two.
Regardless of whether they were the killers, they must know the truth.
Since they wouldn't speak, he'd kill them, search their souls one by one, and then he'd know
whether everything—was true or false!
However, Lin Chang was prepared.
The instant the old man Ge Bu made his move, he was already in motion.
"Well done! Only just entered the late stage of Core Formation; I'll use you to test my method!"