Seeking immortality begins with daily intelligence reports.

Although the tone was humble, the meaning of admission was clear.

Yun Yan smiled gently and stepped forward gracefully. Li Shen immediately stepped back, his fingers behind his back flashing with spiritual light.

That unsettling fragrance, without him even noticing, crept into his nostrils again.

That vixen is at it again!

Li Shen clicked his tongue inwardly, forcibly suppressing the alluring thoughts that had surfaced in his mind, and said coldly:

"If Fellow Daoist Yun wishes to express his gratitude, he can simply stand still. Moreover, now that we have formed an alliance, Fellow Daoist Yun need not resort to such underhanded charm techniques."

Before he finished speaking, he had already taken out a Mind-Concentrating Pill and swallowed it without hesitation.

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.

Just as the female cultivator with the sword was about to say something, she was stopped by another female cultivator with a gun.

Yun Yan's smile remained unchanged, but her words carried an apology:

"I will always remember Fellow Daoist Luo's life-saving grace, but as for the so-called seductive arts, you have truly misunderstood me."

At this point, Yun Yan paused, her eyes flickering with a hint of grievance:

"My body is special. Since birth, I have been surrounded by thousands of butterflies, which often troubles me. After joining my sect, my master taught me a secret technique, which has enabled me to suppress it to some extent. Just now, upon learning that Fellow Daoist Luo had broken the formation, my mind was in turmoil, and my aura inevitably leaked out, which led to your misunderstanding."

Li Shen did not respond. He circulated the effects of the Mind-Concentrating Pill through his meridians for a full cycle, and only after confirming that his mind was stable did he speak calmly:

"In that case, I was overthinking it."

He wouldn't believe a single word of what the other party said.

After a moment of silence, Li Shen changed the subject:

"However, Fellow Daoist Yun, before entering, you said you were quite familiar with the dangers of this secret realm. Then why are you still trapped in the formation?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Yan sighed and said with a wry smile:

"Fellow Daoist Luo, to be honest, the information about the Suspended Mountain Secret Realm was purchased from a senior at a high price. However, this secret realm only opens once every three hundred years, which is a long time. In order to escape, I was careless and fell into the trap."

"Run for your life?"

Li Shen frowned slightly and subconsciously asked a question in return.

Yun Yan gave a soft "hmm," her expression becoming more serious:

"The only way to reach Suspended Mountain is through the Fog Bridge. When the three of us reached the vicinity of the Fog Bridge, we encountered a second-tier Ink Scale Python. That beast was extremely skilled in stealth, and with the omnipresent fog, it only attacked when we were close. We fought and retreated, and in our panic, we accidentally entered this formation. Although we got rid of that beast, we are now trapped here. If it weren't for your help, fellow Daoist, we don't know when we would have been able to break the formation."

After speaking, Yun Yan bowed respectfully, raised her eyes to look at Li Shen, her gaze sincere:

"Now that Mount Xuan is in sight, with Fellow Daoist Luo's abilities, the four of us working together will surely be able to eliminate that beast. I can agree to add another 20%."

"Add another 20%? That makes it 50%, half of it will be distributed."

Li Shen's heart stirred for a moment, but he quickly calmed down.

Although he had originally planned to gain some benefits for himself, considering the demoness's previous attitude and the true cultivation levels of the three of them, and the fact that she added them so decisively, he figured that the second-tier Ink Scale Python wouldn't be so easy to deal with.

"What's the beast's condition now?"

Li Shen did not rush to agree, but instead asked for details.

Yun Yan nodded slightly and began to explain what she knew and her future plans in detail:

"This python is about seven zhang long, and its black scales are as hard as iron, making it difficult to be harmed by ordinary magical weapons. However, when I was fighting it, I discovered an old wound on its neck that has now healed. Using this as a breakthrough, I am sure I can defeat it. I have a secret treasure that I need to buy some time. Fellow Daoist Luo, you just need to find a way to restrain it."

After speaking, Yun Yan took out an object and held it in her hand:

"This item is a talisman bestowed by our sect. Its power is sufficient to withstand the full force of a cultivator in the early stage of Core Formation. Unfortunately, it can only be used once."

"A talisman?"

Li Shen's heart stirred slightly. This was the first time he had seen the real thing. It was indeed similar in appearance to a talisman. Although there was only one character difference, the power was worlds apart.

After a moment's hesitation, he nodded:

"If that's the case, then we'll do as Fellow Daoist Yun says."

Li Shen did not suspect anything about this. Judging from the tense expressions of the two female cultivators behind the demoness, it was indeed true.

Given that they share the same goal, even if they were to set a trap, it should have been after eliminating the Ink Scale Python or upon arriving at the Hanging Mountain.

By then, it will be uncertain who the hunter and the prey will be.

His thoughts raced, and Li Shen's tone shifted accordingly:

"However, I have a condition."

Yun Yan raised her eyebrows slightly:

"Fellow Daoist Luo, please speak freely."

"The demon core of the Ink-Scaled Python is mine. It won't be easy for me, with my meager cultivation, to restrain a demon beast that even Fellow Daoist Yun and his companions couldn't handle."

Before the words were even finished, the female cultivator wielding the sword finally lost her temper and shouted sharply:

"You rogue cultivator are really asking for the moon! Don't think that just because you were lucky enough to break a formation, you can make demands so easily. The Holy Maiden giving you an extra 20% is already a great favor, yet you still dare to covet the demon core? You truly don't know what's good for you! With your strength, without our help, you probably wouldn't even reach Mount Xuan in this lifetime!"

As she spoke, the long sword in her hand hummed, as if she were about to draw it.

However, the sword was only halfway out when it was pressed down by Yun Yan's seemingly gentle palm.

"Fellow Daoist Luo, although the demon core is the essence of a second-tier demon beast, it is nothing compared to the life-saving grace you have shown me. Moreover..."

Her gaze shifted to Li Shen, and her red lips parted slightly:

"Without your restraint, my talisman would have been useless."

It's a deal.

Li Shen spoke calmly, glanced at the female cultivator with the sword, pondered for a moment, and then decided to speak up and offer a reminder:

"However, Fellow Daoist Yun, since we are going to work together to eliminate this scourge, it's best to say a few things upfront. If something goes wrong and your life is in danger, then don't blame me."

"Fellow Daoist Luo is right."

Yun Yan's smile remained unchanged. Her gaze swept almost imperceptibly over the sword-wielding female cultivator behind her, and she said softly:

"Since I have made the promise, I will naturally keep my disciples in check."

"That's good."

Li Shen gave a lukewarm response.

From beginning to end, Li Shen did not take the words of the female cultivator with the sword to heart.

In the world of cultivation, strength is paramount; no matter how eloquent one's words are, one must demonstrate their true abilities through actions.

Besides, he had always intended to hide his true abilities.

However, if a fight were to break out, he would certainly invite this woman to the banner for a talk.

With the cooperation agreed upon, the group did not delay any longer.

Return via the same route.

Yun Yan walked in front, with the two female cultivators flanking her from behind, while Li Shen trailed at the back, maintaining a perfect distance from the three in front.

Without making a sound, they retrieved all the Soul-Eating Ants.

After traveling for two days, the four of them stopped behind a huge rock.

At this moment, the fog was quite thin, and a giant python could be vaguely seen slowly pacing around.

Behind it lies the mist bridge that Yun Yan spoke of, the only passage to the suspended mountain.

Li Shen held his breath and focused his gaze, looking past the giant python and lingering for a moment around the entrance to the mist bridge.

"Both sides are bottomless rifts. It seems the demoness wasn't lying; this mist bridge is indeed the only passage."

As he was pondering to himself, a voice transmission suddenly drifted into his ears.