I'm in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have one equipment slot!

Zhou Yuan's gaze was deep as he stared at the ancient scroll floating in the air, rippling with subtle spatial ripples. He slowly nodded and said, "Indeed, this is no ordinary object; it contains a universe within."

He spoke calmly, gazing at the painting, his voice echoing clearly in the quiet room: "What, do I have to 'invite' you out?"

The words had barely left his mouth—

"Buzz—!!"

On the scroll, the originally restrained silver light suddenly burst forth, as if a small silver moon had been ignited on the surface of the scroll!

The light was not dazzling, but it had a strange penetrating power, as if it could see through illusion.

Immediately afterward, under the divine gaze of Zhou Yuan and the Great Evolution Divine Lord, the scholar in the blue robe standing with his back to the cliff and his hands behind his back in the painting slowly turned around, just like a real person turning around, changing from being back to side, and finally facing completely out of the painting, revealing his true appearance.

This was the face of a handsome middle-aged man, around forty years old, with striking eyebrows, bright eyes, a straight nose, and three meticulously groomed long black beards, which added to his refined and dignified air.

His eyes were deep, as if they contained endless years and vicissitudes. At this moment, he was looking at Zhou Yuan outside the painting with a calm, scrutinizing and questioning gaze through the scroll.

Even more surprisingly, the person in this painting can actually speak!

The voice did not emanate from the painting, but rather resounded directly within Zhou Yuan's consciousness, clear, steady, and carrying a faint air of authority befitting someone long accustomed to a superior position.

"Who...who are you? Why did you forcibly awaken me?"

"Huh? It's actually a wisp of a cultivator's remnant soul attached to this scroll's space, existing until now thanks to the painting?" The Great Evolution Divine Lord's divine sense, tinged with surprise, rang out. "Judging from the fact that this scroll originated from the Cangkun Ruins, and the fact that this person calls himself 'This Seat,' and acts in such a manner... Could it be that he is a wisp of remnant soul left behind by the Cangkun Venerable who perished ten thousand years ago?"

"Indeed, I am Cang Kun."

The scholar in the painting "heard" the words of the Great Evolution God, and a trace of reminiscence and emotion appeared on his face. He nodded slightly and acknowledged his identity.

"I never imagined that after thousands of years, someone would still find this place and awaken this wisp of my fading spirit. How... how did you find my former residence?"

His tone was flat, as if he were merely recounting a past event that had nothing to do with him.

But that air of pride and vicissitude.

Yet it naturally reveals itself.

The Great Evolution God-Lord felt nothing at all. In terms of longevity, he had lived for over ten thousand years, and the era he lived in was even more ancient...

"You...are you really Cang Kun?"

At this moment, Zhou Yuan revealed a half-smile on his face, staring directly into the eyes of the Confucian scholar in the painting, his tone playful.

That look, that tone, made the scholar in the painting feel a slight unease.

A sense of foreboding arose.

According to his pre-set script, when the visitors discovered his remnant soul as "Master Cangkun," they should first be shocked and overjoyed, and then eagerly try to extract ancient secrets, cultivation techniques, and clues to treasures from him.

But the young man in black robes before me had eyes that were unusually clear and calm, and that half-smile seemed to... make it seem as if he had already seen through everything?

"Hmph! If it were back then, you would be a corpse by now if you spoke to me with such an attitude!" A hint of anger appeared perfectly on the scholar's face in the painting.

He attempted to regain control and maintain the aloof persona of "Master Cangkun".

"hehe……"

Zhou Yuan chuckled lightly, shook his head, and said with an undisguised indifference and sense of control, "I don't care who you are, whether you're Cang Kun or some other nobody. Right now, you're nothing more than a wisp of a soul dwelling in a painting, barely clinging to life."

"I could crush you as easily as crushing an insect. So, stop with your tricks and talk properly."

He was familiar with the original plot, so how could he not know that the real Cangkun Shangren had been possessed by a fragment of the soul of the ancient demon "Blood Flame" when he broke into the Fallen Demon Valley back then?

The remnant soul in this painting is the ancient demon's fragmented soul, which, over the long years, became extremely weak for some reason and had to slumber in this special spatial scroll in the form of a "painting spirit" or "remnant spirit".

Waiting for the "destined one".

This ancient demon's divided soul is currently disguised as Cang Kun, simply to use the prestigious title of "Cang Kun's Legacy" to lure the person who awakened him to follow his guidance to the Fallen Demon Valley and attempt to break the seal that imprisoned his true form.

In the original story, they used the Ghost Spirit Sect members, and also used Wei Wuyai!

However, Zhou Yuan did not immediately expose him. Since the other party wanted to put on an act, he would play along and turn the tables on them.

This ancient demon's fragmented soul has lived for countless millennia, even though it is now extremely weak.

However, the knowledge he possesses about ancient secrets, demonic techniques, the interior of the Fallen Demon Valley, and even the knowledge of repairing and controlling the "Ghost Banner" may be of great value.

Keeping a living "guide" and "knowledge base" who needs his help is very useful.

"you!"

The anger in the eyes of the scholar in the painting is even more intense.

However, he seemed to realize that the person in front of him was not easily fooled and that his strength was unfathomable, and that he was indeed powerless to resist in his current state.

He suppressed his anger, his expression shifting several times before finally settling into a long, helpless sigh. His tone softened, carrying a hint of seduction:

"Very well... Since you know my current predicament, I need not conceal it. Indeed, I am now a remnant soul, relying on your strength. But within my mind lie secrets from thousands of years ago, and even further back, as well as supreme cultivation techniques that point directly to the Great Dao, and... the location of an astonishing opportunity!"

He paused, observing Zhou Yuan's reaction. Seeing that the other remained calm, he felt even more troubled and had no choice but to offer an even bigger bait: "If you agree to help me fulfill a wish, I will regain my freedom afterward. I am willing to impart all my knowledge to you and even guide you to the secret place where the entrance to the 'Ancient Spirit Garden' is hidden!"

"The Ancient Spirit Garden?"

Zhou Yuan raised an eyebrow, revealing a hint of "interest".

This isn't entirely a fabrication; the Lingmiao Garden is rumored to have been created by an ancient powerful being, independent of the outside world, and so rich in spiritual energy that it's practically liquid.

Countless rare and precious medicinal herbs, long extinct in the outside world, grow there, holding a fatal attraction for any cultivator.

This ancient demon certainly knows how to please people.

"Exactly!"

Seeing that Zhou Yuan seemed interested, the ancient demon's divided soul perked up, its tone becoming even more sincere. "The clue to the entrance to the Spirit Garden is hidden in a top-secret place deep within the Fallen Demon Valley. Years ago, I ventured into the Fallen Demon Valley, barely escaping with my life, and only managed to find some traces. However, due to the dangers within the valley, I was unable to explore further. As long as you, young friend, are strong enough, follow the 'safe' route I indicate to enter the Fallen Demon Valley, reach that secret place, and obtain the clue to the Spirit Garden, as well as the heaven-defying spiritual herbs hidden within—it's no exaggeration! At that time, let alone the late Nascent Soul stage, even breaking through to the Divine Transformation stage will have a significantly increased chance of success!"

He began to describe in detail the various dangers inside the Fallen Valley, as well as the relatively safe path he had "figured out," in a vivid and persuasive manner.

The core objective, of course, was to lure Zhou Yuan to the area where the "Blood Flame Body" was located.

"That sounds quite interesting." Zhou Yuan nodded after listening, a smile appearing on his face. "Alright, I agree to this deal. I'll help you fulfill your wish; in return, you tell me the clues to Lingmiao Garden and I'll grant you your freedom."

"Fellow Daoist, you're so generous!" The ancient demon's divided soul was overjoyed, secretly sneering to himself, "As expected, no one can resist the allure of the Spirit Garden."

"but,"

Zhou Yuan changed the subject, speaking slowly and deliberately, "The Fallen Demon Valley has a notorious reputation, known as the most dangerous place in the south. Even Nascent Soul cultivators face a nine-out-of-ten chance of death if they enter. Even if there is a 'safe' route as you mentioned, we still need to be fully prepared. This matter cannot be rushed. We must wait several decades until the fluctuations of the spatial rifts around the Fallen Demon Valley enter a relatively stable period before heading there. That would be the safest course of action."

"Decades?"

The ancient demon's divided soul frowned slightly. He naturally hoped it would be as soon as possible, but what Zhou Yuan said made sense. The spatial rift in the Fallen Demon Valley did indeed have periodic changes.

Decades may be a long time for his lingering soul, but it's not something he can't wait for, as long as the other party agrees to go.

"Very well, fellow Daoist, your consideration is thorough. Then I will await good news within this painting. I hope you will not forget our appointment today."

"Don't worry, I, Zhou Yuan, always keep my word." Zhou Yuan smiled, raised his hand and cast a series of sealing spells, rolling up the scroll whose silver light was gradually fading. He then wrapped it with several kinds of restrictive talismans to ensure that it could not open on its own or transmit information to the outside world before putting it into a specially made jade box.

After doing all this, Zhou Yuan's consciousness sank into the bamboo tube behind him.

"Senior Da Yan, you sensed it just now as well. In your opinion, are you confident you can use the Soul Searching Technique on the remnant soul in this painting to directly obtain its memories?"

Zhou Yuan asked for guidance. "If we could directly search the soul, it would naturally save a lot of trouble and risks."

"This soul's spiritual strength is not weak, although it is extremely weak now. However, its essence seems quite special, containing a trace of ancient and sinister aura," the Great Evolution Divine Lord pondered. "Forcibly searching its soul carries great risks. It may trigger the self-destruction restrictions or backup plans within its soul, leading to significant memory loss, and may even alert some unseen beings. It would be a losing proposition."

"In that case, let's keep him for now," Zhou Yuan readily agreed.

The Great Evolution God is experienced and his judgment is trustworthy.

This ancient demon's fragmented soul is still useful; let's nurture it for now and slowly extract its value.

As for going to the Fallen Demon Valley, it is indeed necessary to wait for the right opportunity. In the original work, the Marquis of Nanlong and the Wang family only entered in a specific year.

……

For the next period of time, Zhou Yuan did not leave the cave, but began to devote himself to studying the information about "spiritual arts" that he had obtained from searching the souls of several Mulan mages.

He was already highly skilled in magic and supernatural powers. In his early years, he relied on the comprehension bonus from the equipment slots to cultivate many supernatural powers to an extremely high level. Later, he also explored some secret arts.

He can be considered quite knowledgeable.

The saying goes, "If you understand one method, you understand all methods."

After understanding the core ideas of Mulan Spirit Arts: "simplified structure, extreme proficiency, lower threshold, and pursuit of instant or fast casting".

He combined his profound understanding of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and the Daoist principles of runes, and began to try to optimize and improve some of the powerful spells he had mastered.

The focus then shifted to the "Ten Thousand Swords Technique," a divine power that he had relied on as one of his trump cards in his early years.

The original "Ten Thousand Swords Technique" required immense magical power and pure sword intent to condense thousands of sword energies, resulting in great power and a wide coverage area.

Even with Zhou Yuan's skill, it would take several breaths to gather strength and condense the sword before he could execute it.

In the ever-changing battles between opponents of the same level, this is a minor flaw.

Drawing on the ideas from Mulan's spiritual arts regarding the simplification of runes, optimization of spiritual energy circulation routes, and the "pre-storing" of some energy accumulation processes in meridians and acupoints, Zhou Yuan began to make sweeping modifications to the method of casting "Ten Thousand Swords Technique".

This is a meticulous and mentally taxing process.

Fortunately, with the comprehension bonus from the equipment slot, Zhou Yuan's thinking was lightning fast, and his deduction speed was extremely fast.

He continuously simulated and experimented in the quiet room, adjusting the spiritual energy nodes, simplifying redundant runes, and optimizing the flow path of sword intent...

Time flies, and half a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, in the quiet room, Zhou Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them. He pointed his right hand, fingers together like a sword, at the testing stone wall in front of the quiet room, and made a virtual point in the air.

There were no lengthy incantations, no complicated hand seals, and not even any obvious violent fluctuations in spiritual energy.

A golden light suddenly appeared at Zhou Yuan's fingertip, and then countless fine, condensed, and incomparably sharp golden sword energies, like golden lotuses blooming out of thin air, instantly appeared around him! The number of sword energies was more than ten thousand!

The swords were densely packed, almost filling the entire quiet room. The tips of the swords hummed, emitting a chillingly sharp aura!

From the start of the attack to the appearance of ten thousand swords, the entire process took... less than a breath!

Almost instantaneous!

"go!"

With a slight thought, Zhou Yuan unleashed thousands of sword energies, like an army receiving a command, instantly shooting towards the testing stone wall!

"Hiss hiss hiss hiss—!"

A series of sharp, piercing cutting sounds, like raindrops pattering on banana leaves, rang out.

The testing stone wall, which was strong enough to withstand a full-force attack from a Nascent Soul cultivator, was instantly engulfed by countless sword energies.

Stone chips flew everywhere, and flashes of light appeared randomly.

A moment later, the sword energy dissipated.

On the stone wall that was protected by the restriction, countless sword marks of varying depths appeared.

The overall destructive power is only about 10% weaker than the original full version of "Ten Thousand Swords Technique" which required several breaths to charge up!

Its power is reduced by 10%, and its casting speed is shortened from a few breaths to almost instantaneous!

This improvement is undoubtedly a huge success!

This means that in actual combat, Zhou Yuan can more freely unleash such wide-range destructive supernatural powers.

Tactical options are more flexible and varied.

Zhou Yuan's face showed a satisfied expression. His hard work over the past six months had not been in vain.

Just as he was preparing to continue testing other changes to the improved "Ten Thousand Swords Technique", a slight fluctuation came from the barrier outside the meditation room.

It was Zi Ling's telepathic message:

"Brother Zhou, a guest has come to visit outside the cave. He claims to be... Liu Jing."

Liu Jing?

Zhou Yuan was slightly taken aback, then suddenly realized.

It was my third senior brother from back in Yellow Maple Valley, the one who valued loyalty and friendship. I never expected him to come.

Zhou Yuan waved his hand to dispel the restrictions, stepped out of the cultivation area, and activated the outer array of the cave.

Outside the cave, a middle-aged man dressed in a blue Taoist robe, with a dignified face and features that still hinted at his former appearance but now exuded a more composed and capable air, stood with his hands clasped. Upon seeing Zhou Yuan, he immediately bowed respectfully.

"Junior Liu Jing from Huangfeng Valley pays respects to Senior Zhou!"

Although he was mentally prepared, seeing his junior brother from back then, who had now become a Nascent Soul Ancestor whom he had to look up to, still filled Liu Jing with a mix of emotions, and he kept a very humble posture.

"Senior Brother Liu, it's been so long, why be so formal?" Zhou Yuan smiled slightly, raised his hand in a gesture of support, and said, "Come in and let's talk."

"I dare not address you as senior brother in front of you," Liu Jing said hastily, and followed Zhou Yuan into the front hall of the cave and took his seat.

After exchanging pleasantries and reminiscing, Liu Jing explained his purpose: "Senior Zhou, I have come here on the orders of our sect's Patriarch Linghu. The Patriarch was very pleased to hear that you had recently returned to Tiannan and that your cultivation had reached the Profound Realm. He specially sent me to sincerely invite you to visit the new site of Huangfeng Valley in Beiliang Kingdom when you have some free time. The Patriarch said that the sect is always your root, and although things have changed, the bond of kinship remains."

"Fellow Daoist Linghu, you are very kind."

Zhou Yuan picked up the spirit tea, took a sip, and said calmly, "However, the Yellow Maple Valley in my memory is located in the Taiyue Mountains of Yue Kingdom, a place of outstanding natural beauty, not in Beiliang Kingdom..."

Time has passed, and things have changed dramatically.

He phrased it euphemistically, but his meaning was clear: I acknowledge the Yellow Maple Valley of the former Yue Kingdom, my master Li Huayuan, and my fellow disciples. Now, Yellow Maple Valley has moved to Northern Liang, and everything has changed. His connection with Zhou Yuan is actually quite distant now.

Going back to take a look is fine, but "return" or "effectiveness" is out of the question.

Liu Jing was incredibly clever, and naturally he understood the implied meaning. He sighed inwardly, but remained calm.

He had already anticipated that it wouldn't be that easy, and Elder Linghu had also instructed him not to force it, but simply to express goodwill and establish contact.

He had already anticipated that it wouldn't be that easy, and Elder Linghu had also instructed him not to force it, but simply to express goodwill and establish contact.

"What you say is very true, senior. However, although the sect has moved, the lineage still exists, and many old stories often make the patriarch and the younger generation sigh with nostalgia."

Following up on the topic, Liu Jing changed the subject to another matter, "It's quite a coincidence that recently, in the cultivation world of Tiannan, besides your rising fame, there is another person who has also caused quite a stir."

"Oh? Who is it?" Zhou Yuan asked cooperatively.

"It is indeed Han Li, Junior Brother Han!"

Liu Jing changed the subject: "Senior Han has now also condensed his Nascent Soul and has killed a Mulan Master on the border, a remarkable achievement! Now the outside world calls you two the 'Yellow Maple Twin Heroes,' saying that our sect... cough, it's said that the Yellow Maple Valley of Yue Kingdom had the foresight to recognize your talents back then, but they were also blind to them, allowing these two true dragons to wander outside."

"Junior Brother Han is indeed surprising."

Zhou Yuan nodded, his tone carrying a perfectly appropriate touch of emotion.

As the two were talking, Zhou Yuan's divine sense suddenly stirred, sensing an aura belonging to a Nascent Soul cultivator, rushing towards Ling Shu Mountain from four hundred miles away, with a clear target.

Before long, that aura arrived outside the cave.

Zhou Yuan released the restriction, and a pale-faced cultivator dressed in the Nine Kingdoms Alliance attire, whose cultivation was at the early Nascent Soul stage, appeared in front of the cave entrance.

"Zhao Kun, Inspector of the Nine Kingdoms Alliance, has come to pay his respects to Fellow Daoist Zhou Yuan on behalf of the Alliance's Elders Council!"

The pale-faced cultivator bowed respectfully, his tone polite but carrying a hint of official business.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, please come in." Zhou Yuan also invited this person into the front hall.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, let me get straight to the point." After taking his seat, Zhao Kun stated his purpose directly. "The Mulan people are currently launching a large-scale invasion, and the front lines are under immense pressure. Furthermore, unidentified black-robed demonic cultivators are aiding and abetting the enemy, using soul-binding techniques to refine treasures, posing a great threat. The Alliance Elders have decided to organize an elite force to patrol the border, hunting down high-ranking Mulan mages and those black-robed demonic cultivators to stabilize morale and curb the enemy's advance. Fellow Daoist Zhou possesses extraordinary abilities, having slain numerous powerful enemies, and his fame has spread far and wide. The Alliance Elders have specifically sent me to sincerely invite Fellow Daoist Zhou to join this hunting team!"

"Of course, the alliance will reward you handsomely and will never let you work for nothing."

So that's what it was about.

Zhou Yuan understood.

"Mr. Zhou will be going there in a while!"

Zhou Yuan nodded in agreement.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist!"

Zhao Kun was overjoyed upon hearing this.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, I await your arrival in Tian City..."

Zhao Kun left behind a few jade slips and a token, exchanged a few more polite words, and then hurriedly took his leave, clearly to contact other people.

After seeing Zhao Kun off, Zhou Yuan looked at Liu Jing and smiled, "As you can see, Senior Brother Liu is preoccupied with border affairs. However, since I have already agreed to the trip to Huangfeng Valley, I will certainly go."

"After I finish dealing with some trivial matters, I will set off for the Northern Liang Kingdom and pay a visit along the way."

With this clear promise, Liu Jing felt reassured and quickly stood up to express his gratitude:

"Our ancestor and we juniors will certainly prepare our beds and wait respectfully for your arrival!"

After seeing off the satisfied Liu Jing, Zhou Yuan stayed in the cave for another month or two.

First, to further familiarize oneself with the improved "Ten Thousand Swords Technique" and several other optimized spells.

Secondly, he handled some miscellaneous tasks and settled the cave dwelling and the women in place.

They also explained some important points.

After everything is ready.

Zhou Yuan then set off again, riding his escape light towards the Tiancheng City of Yu Kingdom.

Nearly a year later, I arrived at this core megacity of the Nine Nations Alliance once again.

Unlike the last time when entry into the city required verification and even Lu Weiying's guarantee, this time it was different.

This time, Zhou Yuan's figure was recognized by the patrolling cultivators as soon as he appeared dozens of miles outside the city.

"It's Senior Zhou!"

"Quickly, welcome Senior Zhou into the city!"

Before Zhou Yuan could even approach the city gate, a flash of spiritual light appeared at the side gate, and the restriction quietly opened a crack. Several Core Formation cultivators were already waiting respectfully to the side, bowing in greeting from afar.

"We juniors respectfully welcome Senior Zhou! The elders of the alliance are already waiting at the 'Tian Ce Hall,' and have specially ordered us juniors to be here to greet your esteemed arrival!"

The treatment is completely different. Competence is always the strongest passport.

Zhou Yuan remained calm and nodded slightly. Guided by the generals, he entered the city without hindrance, without being questioned or stopped, and flew straight towards the palace complex in the city center, which was shrouded in even stricter restrictions.

Soon, he was led into a magnificent stone hall called "Tian Ce Hall".

The main hall is over ten zhang high and is built of obsidian. It is solemn and majestic, and the interior is spacious, supported only by a few huge stone pillars with coiled dragons.

At this moment, there were no high-level cultivators gathered in the hall as one might expect. There was only one figure standing in the center of the hall with his hands behind his back, facing away from the entrance.

This person was not particularly tall, and wore an inconspicuous dark green robe with his hair casually draped over his shoulders.

However, as he slowly turned around, a powerful aura emanated from him.

Late Nascent Soul stage!

This was the first time I had ever felt the power of a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator so closely.

After all, when he encountered Master Mulan before, Zhou Yuan only sensed her from afar before fleeing.

"Hehe, I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Zhou to have such a high level of cultivation at such a young age!"

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