I gain ten years' worth of cultivation every day, and even geniuses will only see my doorstep!

Zhao Zheng pointed downwards and said to Qin Yuan, "Captain Qin, this is Black Wind Ravine. According to the sect's mission, the spiritual energy fluctuations within the ravine have been unusually frequent recently, and there are rumors of low-level disciples going missing on the outskirts. We need to go in to investigate the source and assess the risks."

His tone was respectful, but a barely perceptible chill lurked deep within his eyes. He had been to Black Wind Ravine more than once, and knew its dangers far greater than they appeared. Besides the Yin energy corroding meridians, the ravine also harbored mutated demonic beasts, cunning and ferocious, mutated by the Yin energy. Furthermore, some naturally formed, labyrinthine terrain easily led to disorientation. He had originally planned to lead the team around some known danger points, exploring slowly and safely, while also buying time. Now, this new captain was eager to prove himself, which was perfect…

Qin Yuan scanned downwards with his divine sense. The gray mist somewhat hindered his divine sense, but he could still perceive the chaotic spiritual energy and the pervasive chilling aura below. He nodded: "Go down, maintain formation. Sun Ying, scout ahead. Li Zhen, watch for fluctuations in the surrounding formations. Wang Shan and Su Wan, provide support. Zhao Zheng and I will cover the rear."

The order was clear and concise. Zhao Zheng felt a slight chill; there was nothing wrong with the arrangement, and he replied, "Yes."

The team slowly descended into the ravine. The light suddenly dimmed, the gray fog thickened, and a bone-chilling cold emanated from it, making even those with spiritual energy protectively feel uncomfortable. Underfoot were slippery rocks and unknown, dark moss, while towering cliffs on either side, their strange rocks resembling menacing ghosts.

Sun Ying moved like a ghost, stealthily probing dozens of feet ahead, occasionally sending back safety signals. Li Zhen, holding a compass, vigilantly sensed the earth's veins and remnants of the formation. Wang Shan, wielding a giant shield, exuded a steady aura. Su Wan followed not far beside Qin Yuan, responsible for communication and guarding the rear.

After traveling for about half an hour, they did not encounter any real danger. However, the Yin energy became increasingly intense, and the Nascent Soul team members needed to constantly circulate their cultivation techniques to resist it, which consumed a lot of spiritual energy.

"Captain, at the fork in the road ahead on the left, the concentration of malevolent energy has increased sharply, and there is a faint energy reaction. It may be a monster's nest or an anomaly." Sun Ying transmitted back.

Qin Yuan looked at Zhao Zheng. Zhao Zheng immediately said, "Captain, based on past experience, such anomalies may contain Yin Sha crystals or mutated demonic beasts, but they may also harbor greater dangers. I suggest that Sun Ying conduct further investigations first, while we set up a perimeter defense array and then proceed cautiously." His words sounded prudent, but in reality, he was trying to stall for time.

"No need," Qin Yuan said calmly. "Let's go straight there."

Zhao Zheng's lips curled into a barely perceptible smirk. He said no more, thinking to himself: "A brute."

The team turned to the left fork in the road. They hadn't gone more than a hundred paces when the fog ahead suddenly churned violently, a sharp screech rang out, and seven or eight dark figures leaped out like lightning from the cracks in the rock walls and the shadows on the ground! They were more than a dozen pitch-black, lizard-like beasts with bony wings and glowing red eyes—the Yin Sha Lizards. Each one possessed an aura approaching the Nascent Soul stage, moved with incredible speed, and their claws and teeth carried a dense, malevolent aura!

"Enemy attack! Form a defensive formation!" Zhao Zheng shouted, seemingly prepared in advance. He and several other team members quickly moved closer together, forming a simple defensive formation. Their spiritual energy was linked, barely managing to block the first few Yin Sha Lizards that pounced on them.

However, these demonic beasts were extremely cunning. Instead of charging head-on, they used their speed and numbers to weave through the surrounding gray mist and attack, spewing corrosive Yin energy to disrupt the flow of everyone's spiritual power.

"Captain, watch out!" Su Wan exclaimed. Three Yin Sha Lizards, which were significantly larger and had an aura close to the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, had silently circled around to the side and rear, rushing straight at Qin Yuan, who seemed to be alone!

A glint of satisfaction flashed in Zhao Zheng's eyes. He had long known that this area was home to a troublesome nest of Yin Sha Lizards, whose leader was quite cunning. In the past, he had always avoided them beforehand or dealt with them slowly. Now that Qin Yuan had arrogantly barged in, it would be perfect to teach this new captain a lesson! He even deliberately delayed, not immediately offering any warnings or support.

The three Yin Sha Lizard leaders tore through the mist, bringing with them a foul stench, their sharp forepaws and barbed tongues aimed straight for Qin Yuan's vitals! Yin Sha poison gas erupted forth!

Qin Yuan's expression remained unchanged, and he didn't even dodge. Just as the attack was about to hit him, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and his aura suddenly became violent!

"The Heavenly Demon Disintegrates!"

With a low shout, a surge of dark red blood energy erupted from his body! His aura surged wildly in an instant, far exceeding the realm of the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, reaching a terrifying level that made Zhao Zheng and the others tremble in fear! He pointed his fingers like swords, the dark red blood energy coiling around his fingertips, transforming into three extremely refined sword beams, striking first despite being the last to strike!

"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!"

With three soft sounds, the three ferocious Yin Sha Lizard leaders had their hard heads easily pierced by the sword light as if they were tofu. Red and white substances splattered, their massive bodies stiffened, and then they collapsed to the ground with a thud, twitching a few times before falling silent.

At the same time, Qin Yuan's face paled at a visible speed, the violent blood energy around him receded like a tide, his aura plummeted instantly, even more listless than when he was at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, his body swayed slightly, and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

"Captain!" Su Wan and the others exclaimed in surprise, not expecting their captain to unleash a self-destructive secret technique.

Zhao Zheng was initially startled, then overwhelmed with a mixture of elation and disdain! The Heavenly Demon Disintegration? Burning his blood and cultivation for a brief burst of power? As expected of someone from a lower sect, his methods were so crude and ruthless, with endless consequences! Judging from his weakened state, he had clearly damaged his foundation! Using such a costly trump card for just the first minor problem—utterly foolish! It seems he won't be able to hold onto his captaincy for long!

His face showed "anxiety," as he swung his sword to repel the attacking ordinary Yin Sha Lizards while calling out with "concern," "Captain! How are you? Quickly step back and recover! Leave this to us!"

However, Qin Yuan seemed oblivious to the bloodstains at the corner of his mouth and his listless demeanor. He straightened up and focused his mind on the system.

[Retrieve stored cultivation points and restore status?]

"Ten days for extraction."

[Extraction successful. 1600 years of stored cultivation points consumed.]

A vast spiritual force, far more powerful and purer than the previous "Heavenly Demon Disintegration" eruption, surged forth from the deepest part of Qin Yuan's dantian without warning! This spiritual force was incomparably pure, instantly flowing through his limbs and bones, not only instantly replenishing and repairing all the deficiencies and damage caused by burning his blood and qi, but also like rain after a long drought, nourishing and strengthening his meridians, nascent soul, and even his newly cultivated "Undying Body of the Universe and Stars"!

His pale complexion regained its rosy hue at an astonishing speed, and his listless aura soared like a rocket. Not only did he return to the peak of the Nascent Soul stage in the blink of an eye, but he even seemed to have solidified and improved slightly, as if he could touch the next threshold at any moment! His spiritual power surged, and it seemed to be even stronger than before he used the Heavenly Demon Disintegration!

The entire process took less than a breath.

Qin Yuan slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, which faintly carried the sound of wind and thunder. He raised his eyes and calmly swept his gaze over Zhao Zheng and the others, who were completely frozen in place due to the sudden change, their expressions changing from disdain and schadenfreude to extreme shock and bewilderment, especially Zhao Zheng's almost distorted face.

"Clear out the remaining demonic beasts." Qin Yuan's voice remained calm, as if the astonishing moment just now was utterly insignificant.

He raised his hand and casually struck out with his palm. His powerful and refined spiritual energy at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage transformed into a giant phantom hand, which directly pulverized the remaining seven or eight Yin Sha Lizards along with their poisonous gas, turning them into dust and annihilating them.

Inside the ravine, besides the howling wind, there were only the heavy, chaotic breathing of a few team members, Zhao Zheng's heart pounding so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of his chest, and his hands and feet completely icy cold.

What...what did he just see?

Burning one's vital energy, causing one's aura to weaken, and then... instantly recovering to its original state, or even becoming stronger?

How...how is this possible?!

Zhao Zheng felt that his understanding and plans, like those Yin Sha Lizards, had been shattered by Qin Yuan's casual smash. A chill ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.