Divine Root Bone

Nestled among the mountains of the Southern Region, the Biyue Yunlan Sect, adjacent to the Qingyun Sect, is one of the few sects that have maintained a long-standing and friendly relationship. For centuries, the two sects have exchanged supplies and provided mutual assistance in times of crisis, forging a deep bond. The Biyue Yunlan Sect is entirely composed of female cultivators, and its sect foundation and overall strength of its cultivators are far inferior to those of the Qingyun Sect. It has always relied on the Qingyun Sect for support, and every so often, the sect leader would lead a delegation to visit the sect and exchange information.

On this day, the sect leader of Biyue Yunlan personally led a group of core female disciples on the mountain path to Qingyun Sect. Su Qingyao, the most favored personal disciple, accompanied them. The group chatted leisurely as they walked. When they reached the fork in the dense forest at the border of the two sects, two figures dressed in dark, tight-fitting clothes were hiding among the trees, talking in hushed tones. They were the two spies of the Black Fiend Demonic Sect who had previously infiltrated the Qingyun Mountain Grand Competition to spy on Zhang Yang. One had returned to deliver a message, while the other stayed behind to investigate. Now, they were rushing back to the Black Fiend headquarters to report their intelligence.

The Yunlan Sect group was just passing by, walking slowly, and happened to hear every word of the conversation between the two.

"Zhang Yang, the newly promoted disciple of the Qingyun Sect, is by no means a top-grade talent; he is truly an exceptional genius. At the fifth level of Qi Refining, he can crush a late-stage seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator, a difference of two realms. His physical body, spiritual power, and divine soul all far surpass those of his peers. If such talent were captured and brought back to the sect, the sect leader would surely be able to break through his limitations!"

"The elders have already secretly gifted him a large number of top-grade spirit stones, and his cultivation will advance further before long. We must inform the sect leader as soon as possible, mobilize the sect's elite forces to attack the Qingyun Mountain Range, seize him before he grows stronger, and incidentally annex the Qingyun Sect's spiritual veins!"

As soon as they finished speaking, the two dark figures hurriedly disappeared into the depths of the dense forest.

All the female cultivators of Yunlan felt a tightness in their hearts. The sect leader's expression immediately darkened. Knowing that this matter was of great importance, he had no intention of chatting along the way. He immediately urged his spiritual power to speed up his pace, and the group headed straight for the main hall of the Qingyun Sect's main peak.

The Qingyun Sect Master and seven Foundation Establishment elders were already waiting in the hall. The two sects were on good terms, and upon meeting, they exchanged a few pleasantries, discussing recent sect harvests and disciples' cultivation matters, maintaining a relatively peaceful atmosphere. After a while, the Biyunyun Sect Master abruptly changed the subject, his expression turning serious as he spoke: "On our way to visit you, my disciples and I passed through the border forest and inadvertently stumbled upon two Black Fiend Demon Sect spies having a private conversation. Their conversation concerns one of your sect's newly promoted disciples."

Su Qingyao stepped forward and recounted everything she had overheard on the way. She clearly stated everything, from Zhang Yang's crushing defeat of the third-level cultivators in the arena and his exceptional talent, to the Demonic Sect's plan to gather forces to attack Qingyun, kidnap Zhang Yang, and annex the spiritual veins, without omitting a single detail.

The moment the words left his mouth, the entire main hall fell into a deathly silence.

The seven elders stood up abruptly, their faces ashen. Their earlier concerns during their secret meeting had come true. They had anticipated that Zhang Yang's displayed combat prowess would attract covetousness, but they hadn't expected the Black Fiend Sect to act so quickly, already having ascertained Zhang Yang's background and even preparing to launch an attack.

The Qingyun Sect Master clenched his fists, his brow furrowed with seriousness. He immediately issued a command in a deep voice: "The situation is critical! The Black Fiend Sect harbors wolfish ambitions and will surely launch a full-scale attack. The entire sect must immediately enter a state of combat readiness!"

One after another, messages and decrees were sent out, their orders spreading throughout the entire Qingyun Mountain:

All outer disciples reinforced the mountain gate's defenses and moved defensive machinery and equipment.

The inner sect cultivators were divided into patrol teams, who took turns guarding the various passes in the mountain range 24 hours a day.

Each of the seven Foundation Establishment Elders led a team of core disciples to guard the four major mountain gates in the east, west, south, and north.

The warehouse was opened, and the sealed defensive array plates, healing pills, and standard magical artifacts were taken out and distributed to all the disciples who participated in the battle.

Upon seeing this, the sect leader of Biyue Yunlan immediately declared: "Our two sects have been on good terms for generations. The Black Fiend Demonic Sect is wreaking havoc in the Southern Region. Although my Biyue Yunlan Sect is not as strong as your sect, we are willing to send all our capable female cultivators to help us defend the Qingyun Mountains. We will never sit idly by and watch the Demonic Sect act recklessly."

The Qingyun Sect Master bowed in thanks, feeling slightly relieved, but his heart remained heavy. Zhang Yang was currently only at the fifth level of Qi Refining. Even with his extraordinary talent, facing a large number of elite evil cultivators was still dangerous. Right now, the only option was to focus on preparations, relying on the Qingyun Mountain spiritual vein array to defend the mountain gate, while urging Zhang Yang to use fifty top-grade spirit stones to break through his cultivation level as quickly as possible. Only by increasing his own strength could he protect himself in the upcoming battle.

The news quickly reached Qingning Cottage. Zhang Yang, clutching the top-grade spirit stones around him, heard that the Black Fiend Sect was about to launch an attack to capture him. Instead of panicking, he became even more determined to go into seclusion and break through his cultivation barrier. He knew that the root of all the current crises lay with him. Only by improving his cultivation as quickly as possible could he protect Lin Wanqing beside him and the Qingyun Sect, which had shown him such great kindness.

The wind in the mountains grew stronger as cultivators from both sects mobilized their forces, and a chilling aura enveloped the entire Qingyun Mountain Range, signaling that a great battle between good and evil was imminent.