Starting at the Nascent Soul stage, a rogue cultivator is incredibly poor.

Qingyouzi flew out of the valley, hovered in mid-air, and stared intently at the direction of the Heavenly Immortal Cave like a hawk.

In the distance, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was chaotic and boiling, and powerful auras rose into the sky, causing the clouds to churn and the mountains to tremble.

"The Spirit-Severing Earth Vein..." he muttered to himself, a flash of realization crossing his eyes. "No wonder Xie Changyuan turned back so hastily halfway through our pursuit. It turns out that the Yin Xuan Sect's true aim this time wasn't the Celestial Immortal Fruit, but the very foundation of the entire Celestial Immortal Cave!"

He frowned slightly.

Celestial Grass grows in spiritually barren ley lines; this is common knowledge. However, spiritually barren ley lines are formed by heaven and earth and are extremely difficult to move, let alone control.

With only two mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators guarding the Yin Xuan Sect, how dare they covet a secret realm like the Heavenly Immortal Cave? And the four late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators of Heavenly Immortal City, are they merely for show?

"Unless..." Qingyouzi's eyes narrowed slightly, "they already have something to rely on."

But this matter has nothing to do with him.

The only immediate concern is how to leave the Celestial Immortal Cave safely. The teleportation array is located in the core area of ​​the Celestial Immortal Cave, which has now become a battlefield; going there now would likely only cause more trouble.

"Wait," he decided. "Wait until they've finished their battle, then we'll look for another opportunity."

He landed and found a giant rock above the valley. A flash of black hair from his sleeve, and the top of the rock was as if sliced ​​open by a sharp blade, the cut surface as smooth as a mirror. Qingyouzi sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.

Just now.

Fellow Daoists!

Jiang Taiyuan's voice boomed like a great bell, penetrating for miles, each word carrying boundless fury:

"Xie Changyuan has stolen from the spiritual veins of my Heavenly Immortal Cave, damaging its very foundation! Whoever helps me slay this wicked villain will be richly rewarded by Heavenly Immortal City—magical treasures, elixirs, and cultivation techniques are all at your disposal!"

The sound waves rolled and echoed through the valley.

Qingyouzi slowly opened her eyes.

To go or not to go?

This matter requires careful consideration. If many people respond and go to help, perhaps we can get some benefits; if no one responds... it would be too dangerous for me and Jiang Taiyuan to face Xie Changyuan and even the entire Yin Xuan Sect's scheme alone.

"However," he stood up, looking towards the direction of the Celestial Cave, "we can go closer and observe first. They are in the midst of a fierce battle and have no time to spare. Even if someone wants to attack me..."

The countless threads in his sleeves moved silently.

"You can always escape."

Qingyouzi concealed his aura, transforming into a wisp of faint green smoke, and silently swept towards the Heavenly Immortal Cave.

The closer you get, the more terrifying the fluctuations in spiritual energy become.

The air was filled with turbulent magical energy, sometimes icy cold, sometimes scorching hot. In the distance, various magical treasures exploded with light, the clanging of metal against metal echoing through the sky, occasionally punctuated by angry shouts or screams that sent chills down one's spine.

Qingyouzi suppressed his divine sense to the lowest level and moved like a cat in the shadows of the mountain ridge, finally lying dormant behind a cliff.

From here, the entire core area of ​​Tianxian Cave can be seen.

The scene was shocking.

Of the eight platforms that were originally suspended, three have now collapsed, with debris raining down into the deep pit. The remaining platforms are also badly damaged, their surfaces covered with cracks. Above the pit, two figures are engaged in a fierce battle.

Jiang Taiyuan's gray robe billowed, surrounded by thirty-six golden talismans. Each talisman transformed into a ten-foot-long light lock, weaving and strangling like a living thing, distorting space wherever it passed, its power terrifying.

Opposite him, Xie Changyuan, his white robes stained with blood, showed no fear. As he formed hand seals, the white skeletal dragon reappeared, though its body was now broken in several places, and its roar was filled with sorrow. The dragon coiled to protect its master, colliding violently with the golden talisman lock. Each impact exploded with blinding light, shaking the entire world.

"Xie Changyuan!" Jiang Taiyuan's beard and hair stood on end, his eyes wide with rage. "You have dug up my earth's veins and destroyed my secret realm. Today, I will surely kill you here!"

"You old scoundrel, stop your nonsense!" Xie Changyuan sneered, a trickle of blood spilling from his mouth. "The Spirit-Severing Earth Veins are created by heaven and earth; when did they become the private property of your Heavenly Immortal City?!"

The two engaged in battle once again.

Just as Qingyouzi was intently watching the battle, a sudden change occurred.

At the edge of the deep pit of Tianxian Cave, a faint light quietly appeared.

The light was initially no bigger than a candle flame, but it expanded rapidly, transforming into a pillar of light that shot straight into the sky!

Within the beam of light, a figure could be vaguely seen, dressed in tattered clothes, covered in blood, with nothing hanging from his left shoulder.

It was Lu Zhou!

"He's still alive?!"

Qingyouzi's pupils suddenly contracted.

Within the pillar of light, Lu Zhou slightly turned his head, facing the direction of the Celestial Cave, and gave a very faint, almost mocking smile.

The beam of light suddenly contracted!

Lu Zhou's figure vanished without a trace, leaving only wisps of spiritual light scattered.

"A teleportation array..." Qing Youzi's heart trembled violently. "A teleportation array is hidden deep within the Desolate Spirit Land?!"

He suddenly recalled Lu Zhou's unpredictable body cultivation techniques, his unwavering willpower far surpassing others of his level, and his numerous near-death experiences...

"Unpredictable methods, an iron will, and blessed with good fortune..." Qingyouzi murmured, "Could this kid really be the protagonist?"

Before the thought could even settle, another unexpected event occurred on the battlefield!

"The Celestial Herb is here; I shall take my leave!"

A long laugh erupted from the edge of the battle!

Jiang Huai'an transformed into a streak of gray light, clutching something tightly in his arms—the blood-stained Celestial Herb! Beside him, a black leopard leaped like lightning, deflecting two incoming spells for him, and the man and beast raced towards a certain spot above the Celestial Cave!

There, a ring of light was slowly rotating, which was the exit of the secret realm!

"Jiang Huai'an, you're asking for it!"

Wen Daoran roared, his jade scroll flying, countless rune chains coiling like venomous snakes toward Jiang Huai'an's back! Ye He also attacked at the same time, an invisible cursed blade slashing through the air toward the black panther's throat!

Jiang Huai'an didn't even turn his head, and instead tossed out a crimson jade talisman.

The jade talisman exploded in mid-air, transforming into a sea of ​​fire that temporarily halted the pursuers. He flashed and disappeared into the portal of light!

"Chase!" Wen Daoran and Ye He did not hesitate and transformed into two streaks of light to give chase.

In just a few breaths, the three of them rushed out of the secret realm one after another.

The battle between Jiang Taiyuan and Xie Changyuan on the core battlefield has reached a fever pitch.

Jiang Taiyuan, being at the peak of the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm, held a clear advantage in cultivation. At this moment, he exerted his full power, thirty-six talisman locks intertwining into a golden net, tightly trapping the skeletal dragon. The dragon howled and struggled, its body breaking apart inch by inch!

"Xie Changyuan, submit to execution!" Jiang Taiyuan pointed with his fingers, and the talisman lock tightened suddenly!

"Snap—!"

The white bone dragon shattered with a roar, turning into countless bone fragments!

Xie Changyuan spat out a mouthful of blood, his face turned ashen, and he staggered backward.

Just then, in the other battle, Hong Kaishan groaned. He had already been injured from his previous clashes with Dao He, and now he was struck in the ribs by a stray sword aura, his robes stained with blood.

"I'm not playing along!"

Hong Kaishan roared and turned around without hesitation, rushing towards the exit of the secret realm and disappearing into the light gate in the blink of an eye.

In the arena, only Daohe still had energy left.

His eyes flickered as he looked at Jiang Taiyuan, then glanced at the heavily injured Xie Changyuan, and suddenly gritted his teeth:

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, I'm here to help you!"

The flowing clouds swept across the sky, and thousands of white strands of hair cascaded down towards Xie Changyuan like a waterfall!

Jiang Taiyuan's spirits lifted, and the talisman lock condensed again, transforming into a giant golden sword that slashed down from the sky!

Xie Changyuan was attacked from both sides and was about to be strangled on the spot.

"A great opportunity!"

Qingyouzi, who was hiding in the shadows, suddenly brightened up.

At this moment, launching a sneak attack on Xie Changyuan would not only earn him a favor from Jiang Taiyuan, but also perhaps allow him to share some of the spoils. Furthermore, it would eliminate Xie Changyuan, a major threat to his life. He subtly shifted his body, and countless threads were already gathering power within his sleeves, ready to be unleashed.

In the blink of an eye.

"Hahaha... Hahahaha! My mission is complete! With this rare and powerful ley line, our Northern Pavilion Continent can also create a 'Celestial Immortal Cave,' benefiting countless Northern Pavilion cultivators. I have no regrets!"

Xie Changyuan, on the verge of death, suddenly looked up at the sky and laughed wildly!

The laughter was maniacal, filled with endless mockery and ridicule.

"Jiang Taiyuan! Daohe! And Qingyouzi, who's been hiding his true intentions, do you really think that the Yinxuan Sect's—no, it should be said that the Xueyin Sect's—scheme ends here?!"

He suddenly raised his hand and pulled out a palm-sized bronze token from his pocket.

The token's surface was covered with twisted runes and was currently emitting strange spatial fluctuations.

"A Minor Teleportation Token?!" Jiang Taiyuan's expression changed drastically. "How do you have such a thing?!"

"Such a treasure is beyond your comprehension!" Xie Changyuan's smile was sinister. "Today, the earth's veins have been extracted, our journey is complete. Farewell, everyone!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he crushed the token in his hand!

"Buzz—!!"

A blinding silver-white light burst forth, completely engulfing Xie Changyuan.

The light vanished the next second.

The place was empty, with only a faint ripple in the space slowly subsiding.

Jiang Taiyuan stood there stunned, his face ashen, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

Daohe stood there, stunned, his whisk hanging limply.

In the distance, Qingyouzi slowly retracted the myriad threads, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes before turning into calm.

"That's enough."

He turned around and rushed towards the exit of the secret realm without hesitation.

Jiang Taiyuan seemed to sense something and looked up, only to see a streak of blue light disappear into the gate of light and vanish.

Inside the Celestial Cave, the smoke and dust gradually dissipated.

The pit remains, and the platform is dilapidated.

Only a scene of utter devastation remained, along with Jiang Taiyuan's suppressed rage, silently permeating the air.

Beyond the gate of light lay a vast sea of ​​clouds.

As Qingyouzi stepped out of the secret realm, he took a deep breath, feeling the abundant spiritual energy of heaven and earth outside, and his mind relaxed slightly.

Looking back, the ring-shaped light gate was slowly closing, eventually disappearing completely into the void, as if it had never existed.

It looks like it'll probably be a random teleportation again.

Qingyouzi stood on the cloud, silent for a long time.

On this trip, he obtained the Millennium Spirit Milk, the Ancient Azure Demon Flame, the Crimson Fire Demon Insect Larva, and unexpectedly obtained the Celestial Fruit.

This also created two major enemies: the Yin Xuan Sect and the Blood Shadow Sect.

As for Lu Zhou... if that kid survives, he'll definitely be someone important in the future.

"Yin Xuan Sect, Blood Yin Sect? Isn't that the number one demonic sect on the Northern Pavilion Continent? No wonder, it turns out that the Yin Xuan Sect has the Blood Yin Sect backing it up. Heh heh."

He frowned slightly, muttered to himself, and with a flick of his sleeve, transformed into a blue rainbow, speeding southward.

The sea of ​​clouds stretches endlessly, and the road ahead is long.

A storm is brewing in the cultivation world, and he needs to improve his strength as soon as possible in order to hold his own life in the midst of chaos.

The blue rainbow faded into the distance and disappeared into the horizon.