However, while Li Tianyi's group (ambushing) and Li Changsheng's group (hunting geniuses) found things relatively easy in the outer areas, Li Yunlin, who had ventured deep within the Tian Xing Abode, was facing immense hardship.
He hovered above the surface of a vast, tranquil lake. Suspended in the air before him was a massive, house-sized black cuboid. Its surface was rough and uneven, with jagged corners missing, as if it had been chipped away by time or force. The blackness of the object wasn't merely dark; it evoked the boundless void between stars, a depth that seemed to swallow light itself.
Encircling the cuboid were three Nascent Soul cultivators, seated cross-legged in a triangular formation. Each of them was drawing in the Spirit Qi of Heaven and Earth, weaving intricate techniques aimed directly at the black structure. It was clear—they were trying to force it open.
Was this not... Li Yunlin's Skyveil Hall?
And among these three Nascent Soul cultivators, one was, astonishingly, none other than the woman the Li family and Region Prince Jiang had struck a deal with previously – Nangong Yazhi of the Nangong family (Hundred Treasures Pavilion)!
"Li Yunlin of the Li family," Nangong Yazhi began, her voice calm, "Sect Master of the Skyveil Sect. He led five thousand disciples here, into Eternal Sun Prefecture." Her voice was perfectly serene. "If you had simply stayed put within your sect," she continued, "then the matter might have rested. We would have found it awkward to openly seek your life. A pity," she sighed, "that you simply didn't know how to stay put and mind your own business. You just had to insist on coming here to the Tian Xing Abode to vie for fortune."
Inside the Skyveil Hall, Li Yunlin listened to the voices from outside. He sat cross-legged, silent, his brow furrowed in concentration or concern. Cupped in the palm of his hand rested a small pool of exceptionally clear water. Strangely, instead of spilling, it hovered, seeming to float slightly upwards. Li Yunlin circulated the Spirit Qi of Heaven and Earth, simultaneously working to refine this ball of clear water while relying on the Skyveil Hall to maintain his defense.
Li Wei, observing from afar, had already perceived Li Yunlin's dangerous situation and instantly extended his protection around his descendant.
[Your descendant Li Yunlin entered the Tian Xing Cultivator Abode. He maintained concealment and initially took no action, instead searching for specific Spirit Objects known to originate from the Eternal Sun Prefecture!]
[As he has yet to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, Li Yunlin maintained a low profile, seeking naturally formed spirit objects within the Abode while strictly avoiding confrontation with other cultivators.]
[Obtained Heaven and Earth Spirit Objects: 'Rank 7 Azure Mist Branch', 'Rank 6 Tian Xing Tear'.]
At this point, the Skyveil Hall already housed several wondrous objects. Within the artifact's internal sky, his 'Nine Spirit Fire' manifested as nine blazing suns. An azure tree branch hovered in the Hall's sky. The vibrant life force radiating from it fell upon the ground below, astonishingly causing trees to instantly sprout where the energy landed.
[Wondrous Object: Azure Mist Branch]
[Rank: 7]
[Obtained millennia ago when gifted to Venerable Tian Xing by a close friend from Azure Mist Mountain. On that mountain, high-level cultivators practice perpetually. Over millennia, influenced by the power of their mastered Rules, the Azure Mist Tree formed. This branchlet was its single most precious part, containing its core essence. Eventually, it detached itself from the parent tree, becoming a Wondrous Object. It possesses the ability to restore vitality and store spiritual power.]
The other Spirit Object, however, was even more remarkable!
[Tian Xing Tear]
[Rank: 6]
[Venerable Tian Xing, a cultivator who had reached the peak of the Divinity Transformation stage, once stood at the threshold of ascending to the next realm. Yet, at the critical moment, he failed to fully merge his Primordial Spirit with the Heaven and Earth of the Void Realm.
As his lifespan came to an end, and with his final reflections on the fleeting nature of life—how the world remains while people come and go—he shed a single tear.
When his body dispersed into the Dao, that tear absorbed the surrounding Qi of Heaven and Earth, crystallizing into a boundless inner sea of power.
This tear can be fused with the user's body, forming an indestructible shield that protects both their physical form and Dao Heart. In addition, it contains the distilled essence of Venerable Tian Xing's cultivation insights and experiences from the first two thousand years of his life. By comprehending this essence, one can inherit the legacy he left behind—everything he mastered before reaching two thousand years of age.]
At this moment, Li Yunlin was clearly immersed in comprehending the Laws contained within the Tian Xing Tear!
"But of course, it's precisely at this critical moment," Li Wei sighed, "that three Nascent Soul experts decide to show up together!" Li Wei frowned slightly. "Refining wondrous objects like that takes accumulated effort over years and months," he thought. "And currently, Li Yunlin is obviously stuck inside the Skyveil Hall, unable to get out." Still, the Skyveil Hall itself was clearly a high-grade artifact, given that the three Nascent Soul experts actually needed to resort to various stratagems just to keep Li Yunlin contained.
It had to be said—Li Yunlin's luck was downright tragic.
He entered the Skyveil Sect as a young man and, after much hard work, finally earned a spot as a direct disciple of an Elder. So far, so good. But not long after, that master died.
Still, he persisted. After more effort, he managed to become the direct disciple of another powerful figure. Fine. Then, just as the Li family became embroiled in a major war, Li Yunlin got himself locked up.
Eventually, he clawed his way up to become the Sect Master. You'd think things would improve—but no. That's when everything really started falling apart. Daoist Jiuyou mysteriously vanished and hasn't been seen since.
And now, after struggling to find yet another major opportunity... Li Yunlin ends up trapped. Again.
It seemed this young man's good fortune was invariably accompanied by disaster.
Just then, Outside, Nangong Yazhi spoke once more. "Li Yunlin, I am aware you are occupied refining a wondrous object within that artifact. But do you genuinely believe hiding inside it ensures your safety? Consider this carefully: If I were to summon the other experts currently exploring the Tian Xing Abode, it wouldn't take long at all for us to breach this peculiar space you're hiding in."
"Come out, Li Yunlin. I give you my word, I will not kill you. My only aim is to use you as an intermediary to conclude another transaction with your Li family."
Hearing this, Li Yunlin finally stirred. His thin lips parted slightly, and his voice carried out beyond the walls of the Skyveil Hall.
"Scram," Li Yunlin's voice echoed out, "or, by all means, summon your reinforcements and give it a try."
His expression remained composed and unshaken. At his current cultivation level, fear was a thing of the past. He could already guess the true nature of Nangong Yazhi's so-called "transaction"—nothing more than an attempt to squeeze benefits out of the Li family. And Li Yunlin knew all too well what the Nangong clan was like: ruthless, willing to do anything for profit.
"Throughout my life, I've already caused the family more than enough trouble. If escape is truly impossible, then so be it – one final struggle."
Slowly, Li Yunlin opened his eyes. The Tian Xing Tear continued to float before him, while within his cupped palm, only a phantom trace of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Qi he had been refining remained.
He still possessed one final trump card!
Li Yunlin's plan was simple—yet utterly desperate.
He intended to dismantle the Skyveil Hall and absorb its power directly into his body. Of course, he knew his physical form couldn't possibly endure such a surge of raw energy. But that was the point.
By sacrificing everything—his body, his cultivation, even his Dao—he could forcibly trigger the devastating Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulation.
If Nangong Yazhi's threats were true… if multiple Nascent Soul cultivators were truly waiting outside, or even experts at the Divinity Transformation stage were preparing to strike—then unleashing such a catastrophe might be the only way to take them all down with him.
"That outcome," Li Yunlin said quietly, a grim smile forming on his lips, "might just be worth the price."
But just then, outside the Skyveil Hall,
"You..."
Hearing Li Yunlin's utterly unhesitating retort, Nangong Yazhi frowned. Letting out a long breath, she curbed her impatience and tried a different tack. "I will give you time to reconsider, Li Yunlin," she said. "You are still young, your innate aptitude is superb, and you clearly possess the potential to achieve the Divinity Transformation realm. For a genius like you to perish in the Tian Xing Abode – wouldn't that be a terrible waste? I hear your Li family elders value you immensely. Why insist on being so Stubborn?"
"Just surrender," she urged. "I promise you, my conditions will not be excessive. Fall into my hands, and I assure you, you will be treated properly."
The Skyveil Hall began to tremble violently. From within, boundless spiritual power surged, and a deep, resonant hum began to emanate.
"Absolutely not."
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