I forge immortality with a pagoda.

Upon hearing this, a complex and unfathomable look flashed in Xiao Yue'an's eyes, before he quickly regained his composure.

"That's it then. Since you are a fellow disciple of Fairy Yueling and are acquainted with her, I, Xiao, will not make things difficult for you. What happened just now was a misunderstanding, so you may leave on your own."

Upon hearing this, the old man holding the pole who was standing to the side hurriedly stepped forward, his lips moving as he transmitted his voice, "Young Master, this boy seems to have a close relationship with Yue Ling. In my opinion, we should capture him now. With him in our hands, why worry that Yue Ling won't obediently submit? This way, it will save you a lot of trouble."

Xiao Yue'an's brows furrowed suddenly. He glanced at Xu Fulin and rebuked, "Old Xu, you've followed me for many years, don't you know my temperament? Such despicable methods of forcing submission are not the way I, Xiao Yue'an, would act!"

"Or do you think my cultivation level is insufficient to win Yue Ling's heart, and that I must resort to such despicable tricks?"

Xu Fulin realized he had spoken out of turn after being swept by his gaze, and quickly lowered his head.

"I misspoke, young master! Your talent is unparalleled among your peers. Even if Fairy Yue Ling has high standards, she would find it impossible to resist your charm. Her current aloofness is mostly due to a woman's reserve or a strategy of playing hard to get. How could she really be heartless? It was my foolishness and lack of foresight that almost tarnished the reputation of the Xiao family."

Xiao Yuean snorted coldly and stopped looking at him.

"My Xiao family is based in Dongmi Prefecture and is a prestigious and renowned clan. We have our own rules and regulations. Such underhanded tricks will not only fail to achieve anything, but will also bring shame upon our family. Elder Xu, I will remember your past hard work for now. If you dare to spread such slander again in the future, you will be held accountable."

Xu Fulin nodded repeatedly, not daring to utter another word.

"Judging from what Fellow Daoist Xiao just said, it seems you know my senior sister Yue Ling?"

Shen Yu asked aloud.

"Indeed," Xiao Yue'an said frankly. "Fairy Yue Ling is kind-hearted and intelligent, with exceptional talent. From the moment we met, I had the desire to befriend her. During our conversation, I learned that you had ventured into dangerous territory for the sake of the Dao Seed, and I intended to help you. However, I was tied up with other matters and could not leave the vicinity of Blackwater Marsh for even a moment, so I had to leave with regret."

Shen Yu's mind raced, and a plan suddenly came to mind. At the right moment, an anxious look appeared on his face.

"To be honest, I rushed here because I recently received a secret distress message from my senior sister. She is trapped in a dangerous place and her spiritual power is about to be exhausted. If we delay any longer, her life may be in danger. Please let me go and rescue her."

"What?! Fairy Yue Ling is in danger?!"

Xiao Yuean's expression changed drastically, and he instinctively wanted to move.

However, he had just taken a step when he suddenly stopped, looking conflicted.

Seeing this, Xu Fulin, who was standing nearby, quickly transmitted his voice again.

"Young Master, the overall situation is of utmost importance! We destroyed two sets of array flags to set up this Spirit-Searching and Vein-Locking Array, but the Black Water Profound Soul's whereabouts are elusive. Who knows when we will be able to pinpoint its exact location again?"

Xiao Yuean closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, his eyes were filled with a resolute expression.

"Mr. Xu, there's no need to say more. I know the pros and cons myself."

He then turned to Shen Yu, his gaze sweeping over the two black-clad cultivators on either side, "Xiao Er, Xiao Wu!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

The two unfathomable black-clad cultivators immediately stepped forward and solemnly clasped their fists.

"You two should quickly follow Fellow Daoist Shen to Ganyu Mountain. Along the way, follow his orders and do your utmost to find Fairy Yueling and help her escape her predicament."

Xiao Yue'an's tone was chilling, "If this succeeds, you two will be credited with the greatest contribution; if it fails, you don't need to come back to see me!"

The two men solemnly clasped their hands in a fist salute and said in unison, "Yes! Young Master! We will not fail you!"

"There's no time to lose, Fellow Daoist Shen, please set off immediately."

Xiao Yuean looked at Shen Yu, seemingly even more anxious than his fellow disciple.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, your kindness is truly admirable. I will express my gratitude again after I have rescued my senior sister. Farewell!"

Without saying another word, he gave a slight nod to Xiao Er and Xiao Wu, and the three of them immediately transformed into streaks of light and sped off toward the Ganyu Mountains, disappearing in the misty waters in the blink of an eye.

Looking in the direction they left, Xiao Yue'an stood with his hands behind his back, remained silent for a moment, and then muttered to himself.

"Yueling, may you be blessed with good fortune."

His eyes narrowed instantly, and he turned to Xu Fulin and the others, saying, "The time is approaching, let's prepare to begin. This time, we must capture that Black Water Profound Soul!"

......

With the help of Xiao Er and Xiao Wu, two Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, Shen Yu's travel speed increased significantly. Although he still encountered several waves of demonic attacks along the way, he managed to get through them without much trouble and did not waste too much time.

After traveling at a rapid pace for several days, the landscape gradually changed. The dampness receded, and the outlines of undulating mountains emerged from the dim light.

The Ganyu Mountains are a vast area deep within the Abyss, containing many Dao Seeds, making it one of the most bustling areas in the Abyss.

It is right next to the Earth Sea, and further east lies the East China Sea, which was flooded in during the great battle of yesteryear.

Shen Yu climbed a mountain peak and looked into the distance. He saw water vapor rising and waves crashing in the distance. The salty smell was carried by the sea breeze and wafted onto his face.

The black water in that sea was pitch black and thick, like ink dots, and its bottom was unfathomable. Just looking at it gave one a sense of unease.

Shen Yu withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the other side of the mountain range. The mountains were layered and the ancient trees were dense, exuding an unusual deathly stillness. No birds flew overhead, and no insects chirped. Only the occasional violent roar of a ferocious beast hidden somewhere could be heard.

Based on the map markings, Shen Yu, along with Xiao Er and Xiao Wu, carefully searched the perilous Ganyu Mountains.

For two days in a row, the three of them traveled through desolate valleys and streams, avoiding several dangerous areas and killing more than a dozen low-level demons that dared to come to them, but they did not find any trace of any living people, and Yue Ling was nowhere to be found.

However, it wasn't entirely without gains.

At the edge of a cave, they discovered a strange, bright red herb shaped like a cicada lying in bed.

This was a low-grade Dao seed, which Shen Yu carefully picked and put into his possession.

Although this item is quite precious, it is not the ideal foundation-building seed he desires. What he needs is a top-grade seed from legend, so that he can go further on the path of cultivation.

Venturing into dangerous territory, rescuing people is the top priority, but Shen Yu also harbors the idea of ​​using this opportunity to seek his own destiny.

After all, the foundation building stage is imminent. Without a sufficiently powerful Dao seed, the foundation will be flawed, with far-reaching consequences.

On the afternoon of the third day after arriving at Ganyu Mountain, Shen Yu was checking the map to determine his location when a sound of something cutting through the air suddenly rang out, growing louder as it approached.

Shen Yu's spirits lifted; this was the first cultivator they had encountered since entering Ganyu Mountain.

Without hesitation, he channeled his true qi and rose into the air. Xiao Er and Xiao Wu followed closely behind, and the aura of the three of them instantly alerted the person in front.

Sensing that someone was chasing him from behind, the cultivator hesitated for a moment, slowed down, and finally released his true qi.

......

......