"Damn it!"
The old man was both shocked and furious!
He knew that if he continued to fight, not only would he be unable to win, but he might even perish.
'There are countless opportunities in the secret realm. If I am injured too heavily, I won't have the strength to compete for other fortunes.'
The old man looked at Xu Deyue and gritted his teeth. "You win this time. I will let you have this spirit medicine!"
With that said, he immediately transformed into a cloud of black mist and fled out of the deep valley.
"This is the Profound Soul Ice Lotus. Once it fully matures, it will be a top-tier fourth-grade spirit medicine. It can even provide some help in condensing a Nascent Soul, making it a precious treasure for healing a Nascent Soul's divine soul," Murong Yun sent a voice transmission, mocking the old demonic cultivator. She then added, "Extract it by the roots, place it in a vessel, and scoop up some of the water from this cold pool to take back. Your grandfather should be able to transplant and cultivate it."
"Yes, Master," Xu Deyue replied.
After doing as instructed, she began to form hand seals, using her bloodline as a guide to locate her son, Xu Chongfei.
In a certain valley within the secret realm's mountain range.
This place was covered year-round by a thick, grayish-white fog. The dense mist disrupted divine sense, suppressing even Golden Core cultivators to a range of barely three hundred feet.
Moreover, the fog was composed of a dark, poisonous miasma that stretched for a couple of miles.
This toxic barrier was extremely formidable. It could dissolve mana shields, melt spiritual energy light screens, liquefy flesh, and dissolve bone. It was undeniably a perilous death trap.
Yet, deep within this perilous place lay a true heavenly grotto and blessed land.
Upon entering, Xu Chongfei and his wife were incredibly lucky not to be separated, and they were teleported directly into this very sanctuary.
"Husband, look at that. What is it?"
Following Chen Yulian's pointing finger, Xu Chongfei looked toward the center of the valley. There, an extraordinary spring lay arranged in a Taiji pattern—one yin, one yang, distinct yet harmoniously intertwined.
The left spring was crimson like molten magma, bubbling with searing heat and radiating a scorching extreme yang aura. The right spring was icy blue like ten-thousand-year profound ice, emitting a biting chill, its surface coated in a thin layer of everlasting frost.
It was a rare Ice and Fire Spring!
Even more shocking were the incredibly pure streams of connate aura hovering about a foot above each spring!
Above the crimson spring danced an intensely condensed, writhing stream of crimson energy.
At times, it manifested as a miniature, lifelike crimson dragon with flaring scales and claws; at other times, it dissolved into pure, radiant flames, exuding intense heat and extreme yang energy.
Above the icy blue spring, the blue aura occasionally formed the phantom of an ice phoenix or condensed into ice crystals, radiating an ultimate chill capable of freezing the very soul.
Both belonged to the category of connate spirit objects, and they were in the most supreme, primal "qi" state, making them several times more precious than solidified innate spirit grass or ores!
"Connate aura!" Xu Chongfei exclaimed.
Connate aura was formed from a sliver of origin rules left behind during the creation of the world or the birth of a special blessed land. The vast majority of it would quickly dissipate into the world or attach to a specific medium to form other innate spiritual objects.
To be preserved in a purely gaseous state for a long time, just like the ones right before his eyes...
Was truly an encounter rarely seen in ten thousand years!
Xu Chongfei could feel the intense attraction those two streams of connate aura held for him. Being extreme yang and extreme cold, they were an absolutely perfect match for his cultivation method and physique.
"Husband, look around. There are so many spirit medicines! There are ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill, materials for the Core Formation Pill, and many others I can't even name. This place is definitely a treasure trove within the secret realm!"
Chen Yulian's eyes brimmed with excitement, her delicate body trembling slightly.
"Lian'er, carefully harvest these spirit medicines. Don't damage them. Dig them up along with the soil so we can bring them back for Great-grandfather to cultivate. I'll see if I can collect those two streams of connate aura. If I can, it will be a massive fortune for me!"
"Go ahead, Husband."
The extreme yang and extreme cold auras were overwhelmingly terrifying. Chen Yulian couldn't even get within thirty feet of the spring.
However, Xu Chongfei possessed the exceedingly rare Flame-Cold Spirit Body of ancient times and practiced the matching cultivation method, Flame-Cold Nine Heavens, which allowed him to approach the Ice and Fire Spring.
Unfortunately, connate aura could not be collected by ordinary means. Once it touched a postnatal object, it would either merge into it or dissipate into nothingness.
'Perhaps I can use my Immortal Foundation as a vessel, but I must make physical contact.'
His imagination running wild, Xu Chongfei actually stepped directly into the Ice and Fire Spring, enduring the erosion of extreme yang and extreme cold as his flesh was simultaneously scorched and frozen.
It nearly cost him half his life to finally extract the two streams of connate aura.
They transformed into a miniature fire dragon and ice phoenix, coiling atop the Immortal Foundation within his dantian. Wisps of connate aura permeated outward, constantly tempering his foundation.
Xu Chongfei swallowed a high-grade Jade Sprout Pill and a high-grade Hundred Herbs Pill to alleviate his injuries.
Only after half a day did he recover slightly.
Chen Yulian looked at him with a face full of worry. "Husband, you were too impulsive. If something had happened to you..."
"Our Xu family's providence is surging, and we naturally have the protection of our ancestors. The fact that we were teleported here together proves our profound fortune, doesn't it?"
"What you say makes sense, Husband. If we can take all these treasures out, our harvest will surely rank among the very best of everyone here!"
Xu Chongfei swept his gaze around. Seeing that all the spirit medicines had been collected, his face bloomed into a bright smile. "You've worked hard, my wife. However, the soil here should also be spirit soil. We can't waste it."
"Huh?" Chen Yulian was stunned. Was he going to scrape three feet off the ground? Was the dignified Cloudstream Xu family really this poor?
"Our Xu family rose to power quickly. In the end, our foundation cannot compare to millennial factions like the Mo family and the Lei family. Naturally, we can't leave behind this large patch of spirit soil."
"I'll listen to you, Husband," Chen Yulian replied, her lips twitching slightly as she began to dig up the dirt.
It took more than half an hour to finish the harvest. She then looked toward the dual-colored spring. "Husband, what about the Ice and Fire Spring?"
"We can take the spirit liquid. It's all Tier 3 top-grade extreme yang and extreme cold spirit liquid. But it would be even better if we could take this entire spring away. It's just a pity that with our Foundation Establishment mana, we simply can't do it. Let's wait for now. Father and Mother will definitely come looking for us."
"Husband, I've scouted the surroundings. The area several miles out is completely surrounded by a toxic miasma. That miasma can even corrode mana; it's extremely terrifying. I don't know if Father and Mother will be able to get in."
"Let's not worry about that for now. The spiritual qi here is incredibly dense. Let's focus on cultivating with all our might first."
"You're right, Husband."
The two immediately sat cross-legged and began to cultivate.
Drawing near the Ice and Fire Spring, extreme yang and extreme cold spiritual qi continuously surged into Xu Chongfei's body.
He felt his Foundation Establishment cultivation speed up by several times compared to before.
At this rate, he would easily break through to the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment within a few days.
Another half a day passed.
Xu Deyue flew to the outskirts of the valley, passed through the dense fog, and arrived right outside the toxic miasma.
"Fei'er should be in the valley."
Just as Xu Deyue propped up her mana shield and prepared to fly in, Murong Yun stopped her. "The toxic miasma here is potent. It will corrode your mana and your magic treasure's defensive light screen. You need at least Golden Core perfection, or the protection of a high-grade defensive magic treasure, to enter safely."
"If it's that formidable, how did Fei'er get inside?"
"It's likely due to luck—being directly teleported in. A place of great peril must house great fortune. Your boy has been blessed."
Xu Deyue pondered for a moment and murmured to herself, "According to you, Master, we'll need Sister Ling to come over if we want to enter this place."
Thinking of this, she began attempting to contact Xu Chongfei via a transmission token.
"Mother, are you nearby?" Xu Chongfei's voice was filled with pleasant surprise. He quickly replied, "Lian'er and I are both in the valley. We've obtained a great fortune and are perfectly safe."
Hearing the voice from the transmission token, Xu Deyue felt her heart settle. She then said, "It is difficult to break into this place. Your aunt will have to come over. Stay there and cultivate in peace for now."
"Yes, Mother."
Immediately after, Xu Deyue began searching for Xu Deling.
In the entire secret realm, only the three of them possessed the Xu family bloodline, allowing her to use the bloodline tracking secret art.
Meanwhile, on another side of the secret realm.
Xu Deling was streaking through the towering mountains like a burning crimson meteor. Relying on the bloodline tracking secret art, she was rushing toward Xu Deyue's location.
Although the opportunities within the Connate Secret Realm were important, she valued the safety of her clan members far more.
Even if it delayed her, she had to regroup with the others first.
Of course, if she happened to stumble upon an opportunity along the way, she naturally wouldn't hesitate to take it.
Half an hour later.
Xu Deling sensed the powerful ripples of an intense battle. The scale of the clash was unmistakably at the Golden Core level.
Flying over to investigate, she saw two late-stage Golden Core demonic cultivators in black robes fiercely battling an eighty-foot-large Lightning Eagle atop an isolated peak.
At this moment, the Lightning Eagle was already in a wretched state.
Its originally majestic steel feathers were fractured, scorched, and stained with blood in multiple places. One of its wings seemed to have taken a heavy blow, causing its flight trajectory to tilt awkwardly.
Yet, its ferocity remained undiminished. It shrieked as it continuously spat out silver thunderbolts and swung its sword-like plumage.
"Elders of the Greedy Wolf Sect? They got in this quickly?" Xu Deling murmured to herself. "Makes sense. With a Nascent Soul leading the way, they naturally travel fast."
'Ah, a connate aura. So there is a portion of high-grade innate Geng Metal here. No wonder those two provoked this fierce bird,' she thought.
Xu Deling carefully scouted the isolated peak, a faint smile curling her lips. "How can I refuse a free connate spirit object?"
She immediately flew toward the battlefield.
The two late-stage Golden Core elders of the Greedy Wolf Sect coordinated flawlessly—one wielding a bloody long saber, the other controlling a Mother-Child Yin Soul Sword.
The intersecting saber light and sword shadows formed an inescapable net, firmly trapping the Sword-Feather Lightning Eagle and continuously inflicting new wounds upon its body.
Suddenly, a blazing beam of fire struck toward them.
"Who goes there?!"
"The Greedy Wolf Sect is conducting business here. Unrelated personnel, get lost!"
The two shouted sternly, trying to drive the intruder away.
Hearing this, the smile on Xu Deling's face turned icy, and golden flames danced in her eyes. "If True Lord Heavenly Wolf were here, I might be somewhat wary. But do the two of you think you're worthy?"
Before her voice even faded, she ruthlessly launched an attack!
The phantom of a Fire Phoenix materialized behind her, letting out an angry cry.
With a wave of her jade-white hand, the crimson feather magic treasure in her grasp transformed into a heaven-shaking rainbow of fire, shooting straight at the elder controlling the Mother-Child Yin Soul Sword!
Wherever the fiery streak passed, the air itself twisted and warped from the intense heat!
"A high-grade magic treasure?!" The terrifying might of the attack made the two men's expressions change drastically.
At the same time, Xu Deling patted her spirit beast pouch. "Xiao Hong, come out and get to work. I'll leave that Sword-Feather Lightning Eagle to you. It's heavily injured, so don't tell me you can't take it down."
"Understood, Master!"
The Four-winged Chongming Bird burst forth, its body rapidly expanding against the wind until it reached an imposing size of nearly eighty feet.
A wave of bloodline pressure immediately crashed down upon the eagle, causing it to tremble slightly.
However, the Sword-Feather Lightning Eagle quickly overcame it and engaged the Four-winged Chongming Bird in fierce combat.
Xu Deling focused her attention on dealing with the two men.
She primarily targeted one of them. After a mere five or six strikes, she shattered the defensive magic treasure's light screen of the elder wielding the Yin Soul Sword. Then, a faint golden light flared in her dual pupils.
Two streaks of golden light instantly pierced through his chest, making him scream in agony.
Seeing this, the other elder seized the opportunity to launch a sneak attack on Xu Deling, but she paid him absolutely no mind.
The man gripped his blood saber and slashed down heavily, only for the strike to be blocked by a crimson light screen that abruptly materialized around her body. The light screen merely trembled slightly.
"You actually have a high-grade defensive magic treasure?!" the blood saber elder exclaimed in shock.
Xu Deling attacked furiously, deflecting all the Mother-Child Yin Soul Swords. With a single palm strike, she shattered the injured elder's heart meridians, his life force rapidly dissipating.
"Elder Yin Soul!"
The blood saber elder stared in disbelief. A powerful late-stage Golden Core expert had died just like that.
But who could blame him when Xu Deling's strength was so overwhelming? She possessed a major success divine ability, the ancient Fire Phoenix bloodline, had stepped into the mid-stage Golden Core realm, and possessed high-grade magic treasures. She was significantly stronger than true lord-level experts who had yet to reach Golden Core perfection.
Even someone like True Lord Heavenly Wolf could only manage to slightly suppress her.
"Flee!"
The blood saber elder didn't have time to grieve. He immediately turned to run, but the moment he did, a massive silver hammer forcefully tore through his divine soul's defenses and smashed into his sea of consciousness.
The blow left him with a splitting headache, nearly making him lose his ability to maintain flight.
In the very next instant.
Two beams of golden eye-light shot out, violently piercing through his dantian and heart, killing him on the spot.
'Divine sense secret methods are indeed useful!'
Xu Deling extracted the two men's Golden Cores and remnant souls, sealing them with a secret method to prevent them from dissipating. Then, she transferred the items from their storage pouches, along with their corpses, into her spatial bracelet.
This was a gift from Xu Chuan, a spatial artifact no less spacious than her own spatial ring.
Only then did she turn to help the Four-winged Chongming Bird.
Armed with a high-grade magic treasure, the major success divine ability "Fire Emperor's True Pupil", and the overwhelming pressure of the Fire Phoenix.
In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Sword-Feather Lightning Eagle was also slain.
As for why she killed it, the reason was obvious. A late-stage Tier 3 demonic beast was a treasure trove from head to toe.
Xu Deling retrieved the piece of innate Geng Metal from the isolated peak and also collected all the Tier 3 and Tier 4 spiritual materials in the area before continuing on her way.
Several hours later.
The two women met up, and Xu Deyue explained Xu Chongfei's situation.
"Since that place is dangerous and ordinary Golden Cores can't enter, it's best to let Fei'er and his wife stay there," Xu Deling pondered for a moment before deciding. "Bringing them along would only tie our hands."
"What you say makes sense, Sister Ling. We'll do as you suggest."
"Let's go find Ye Fan and the others. The Concentric Ring you're wearing should be able to sense his location."
"Alright."
At that moment, Ye Fan was locked in brutal combat with a late-stage Tier 3 demonic beast. The beast's lair also contained a high-grade innate spirit object.
Unfortunately, with his current strength, while he had some chance of killing a late-stage Golden Core cultivator, slaying a late-stage Tier 3 demonic beast was an extremely slim prospect.
'Ah, Deyue's aura is approaching my location.'
The corners of Ye Fan's lips curled up. He instantly dismissed the thought of retreating and continued to tangle with the Crimson Flame Blood Mastiff Lion.
More than half an hour later.
"Sister Ling is here too. Even better!"
Ye Fan relayed the situation via voice transmission, and the two women immediately joined the fray.
Sword light crisscrossed as the Fire Phoenix soared into the sky.
In less than half a quarter of an hour, the trio slew the Crimson Flame Blood Mastiff Lion and then mercilessly plundered its lair.
"There's actually a Tier 3 low-grade spirit vein here! Take it!"
After carefully sensing it, Xu Deling immediately made her move to extract it.
In an instant, the earth shook and the mountains trembled. It took more than a full quarter of an hour for the tremors to cease.
The trio left the area. While searching for spirit medicines, spiritual materials, and spirit veins, they also tracked down Perfected Person Fire Cloud and the others. Along the way, they casually robbed quite a few Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Anyone capable of surviving alone in the secret realm up to this point was undoubtedly ruthless.
So, the trio held nothing back.
Those who refused to cooperate were cleanly disposed of.
One day, two days, three days passed.
Xu Deling and her companions successively located Perfected Person Fire Cloud, Perfected Person Green Cliff, and Chen Changge.
The number of Golden Core cultivators roaming the secret realm was also increasing.
However, almost everyone they encountered ended up being plundered by them.
Naturally, they also crossed paths with True Lord Heavenly Wolf, True Lord Green Wood, and their ilk. After a brief exchange of blows where neither side could gain the upper hand in a short time, they all went their separate ways.
In the blink of an eye, the fifth day arrived.
Xu Deling received a transmission from Lei Wuji. He had discovered a Tier 4 spirit vein and several Tier 3 high-grade spirit veins, but they were currently facing off against numerous Greedy Wolf Sect elders.
She immediately led Ye Fan and the rest toward the location, while also attempting to transmit a message to True Lord Fierce Sun and his group, who coincidentally happened to be within transmission range.
Upon hearing Xu Deling's message, they promised to rush over as quickly as possible.
At the location of the towering ancient trees.
In midair, Lei Wuji's hair and beard stood on end, arcs of lightning coiling around his entire body. Gripping a long halberd, he, alongside three other Golden Core elders of the Lei family, stood against six Greedy Wolf Sect elders!
Fighting one against three, Lei Wuji relied on his fierce and domineering lightning techniques to pin down one late-stage and two early-stage Golden Core cultivators.
The others each fought a single opponent.
Above the forest, various bolts of lightning, demonic light, and magic treasures continuously collided in the sky. Deafening explosions echoed relentlessly, and the shockwaves leveled entire swaths of ancient trees below.
Yet, neither side could overwhelm the other!
"Lei Wuji! Stop your stubborn resistance!"
The late-stage Golden Core elder of the Greedy Wolf Sect shouted sternly while urging a black banner to unleash rolling clouds of demonic energy. "My Greedy Wolf Sect is determined to obtain the spirit veins here! Our sect's True Lord Heavenly Wolf is already on his way.
"Once he arrives, you won't be able to escape even if you want to!
"If you know what's good for you, retreat now, and you might just keep your lives!"
Another Greedy Wolf Sect elder added sinisterly, "Even if you luckily succeed, so what?
"Our Sect Master is personally standing guard outside the secret realm right now.
"Even if you seize the spirit veins, you won't be able to take them with you. In the end, you'd merely be handing them over to our sect as a wedding dress!"
Hearing this, Lei Wuji's heart inevitably sank.
'True Lord Heavenly Wolf is manageable. With the strength the Xu family brought in combined with my Lei family, we can certainly defeat him. But the Greedy Wolf Sect Master, a mid-stage Nascent Soul demon...'
Although he harbored these concerns in his heart, he still shouted, "Stop your yammering! If you want the spirit veins, take them with your own strength. If you expect my Lei family to hand them over on a silver platter, keep dreaming!"
Half an incense stick of time later.
Demonic clouds churned in the southwestern sky, and a ferocious, tyrannical aura—one that had reached Golden Core perfection—swept over like a tempest!
The newcomer was none other than True Lord Heavenly Wolf, and accompanying him were three Golden Core elders.
Two were at the late stage, and one was at the mid stage.
The pressure on Lei Wuji and the three elders instantly multiplied, and thoughts of retreat began to sprout in their minds.
True Lord Heavenly Wolf stood proudly in the air. His gaze swept over the Lei family members like a sharp blade as he commanded indifferently, "Kill them!"
The three Golden Core elders beside him instantly joined the fray.
"Who dares to kill a guest elder of my Xu family?!"
A sharp, delicate shout tore through the sky like a thunderclap.
Immediately after, a clear, resounding phoenix cry erupted from the northeast!
Xu Deling, leading Ye Fan, Xu Deyue, and the others, tore through the air and arrived!
The phantom of a Fire Phoenix shrieked fiercely, its golden true flames scorching the air with terrifying might.
"You're here."
Lei Wuji immediately let out a sigh of relief. Had they arrived even half a moment later, he would have had to fight his way out and flee.
"Fairy 'Feng Ling', you want a piece of this too?" True Lord Heavenly Wolf's gloomy gaze swept over Xu Deling and her group, lingering specifically on Xu Deling for a moment.
"My Xu family is taking the spirit veins here!"
Xu Deling stepped forward, her crimson dress fluttering amid the true flames. Golden fire danced in her eyes as she stared directly at True Lord Heavenly Wolf, her voice resolute and decisive. "True Lord Heavenly Wolf, if you object, then let's fight again!"
Though Xu Deling was only at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, she displayed absolutely no fear when facing True Lord Heavenly Wolf, a demonic cultivator at Golden Core perfection.
Although the number of Golden Core cultivators on both sides was equal, she alone could pin down True Lord Heavenly Wolf, while Lei Wuji, Ye Fan, and Xu Deyue completely outclassed the late-stage Golden Core cultivators of the Greedy Wolf Sect.
Furthermore, Perfected Person Fire Cloud and the others all possessed mid-grade magic treasures, giving them a clear upper hand.
"You think I'm afraid of you?!"
"Kill them!"
Without wasting any more words, True Lord Heavenly Wolf let out a harsh roar and struck first!
Moving like a bolt of lightning, he transformed into the ferocious phantom of a wolf and lunged straight at Xu Deling. Slashing out with both claws, he brought with him pitch-black demonic energy and a foul wind, intent on suppressing her with lightning speed.
Xu Deling let out a clear, piercing cry. The Fire Phoenix phantom behind her shrieked into the heavens as her feather flame magic treasure transformed into an earth-shattering fiery rainbow to meet the attack!
Golden flames and demonic claws collided with a deafening boom, unleashing an eardrum-shattering explosion and a tidal wave of violent energy.
Xu Deling's body swayed slightly, but she didn't retreat a single step. The Fire Phoenix true flames actually began to burn the demonic energy, emitting sizzling sounds as she completely halted True Lord Heavenly Wolf's fierce assault.
On the other side, Ye Fan let out a long roar. Bathed in golden Sanskrit light, he charged like a humanoid Tyrannosaurus at a late-stage Golden Core elder of the Greedy Wolf Sect. His punches carried the weight of mountains, fiercely unyielding, forcing his opponent into a continuous retreat.
Arcs of lightning exploded around Lei Wuji. Wielding his long halberd, he easily suppressed a late-stage Golden Core cultivator, leaving his opponent groaning in misery.
After all, Lei Wuji was an eighth-layer Golden Core expert with a major success divine ability.
Xu Deyue's sword light was like moonlight—cold, aloof, and razor-sharp. She engaged the final late-stage Golden Core elder.
Relying on the power of Supreme Yin and her mid-grade defensive magic treasure, the Ice Soul Mirror, she tightly suppressed her foe as well.
Chen Changge, Perfected Person Fire Cloud, and the rest also found their respective opponents and threw themselves into the slaughter.
The remaining Golden Core elders of the Lei family paired off in one-on-one duels, handling the battle with relative ease.
In an instant, the sky above the towering ancient trees devolved into a chaotic battlefield!
Phoenix cries, wolf howls, thunderclaps, howling fists, whistling swords, and demonic roars intertwined into a single cacophony.
Golden flames, demonic light, lightning, moonlight, and the radiant glows of various magic treasures continuously clashed and annihilated one another. The berserk energy snapped the massive trees below in droves and fractured the ground, churning the ambient spiritual qi into complete disarray.
The battle seemed deadlocked, but anyone with a discerning eye could tell that as time passed, the Greedy Wolf Sect elders—excluding True Lord Heavenly Wolf—were already showing signs of crumbling under the fierce onslaught of Lei Wuji, Ye Fan, and the others.
In at most half an incense stick of time, casualties were bound to occur.
True Lord Heavenly Wolf found a brief moment to scan the rest of the battlefield, feeling a mix of shock and fury.
During their previous encounter, they had only briefly exchanged blows. But now, even going all out, he still couldn't take down Xu Deling.
Xu Deling's offensive power was a notch below his, but armed with a high-grade defensive magic treasure, he simply couldn't touch her.
'I could perhaps use a secret method to turn the tide, but once the time limit expires, many of my men will undoubtedly perish.'
Just as he was deliberating.
Three streaks of light suddenly flew over from the southwest.
The aura of the person in the middle was similar to True Lord Heavenly Wolf's own—someone at Golden Core perfection.
"Fierce Sun and his group have arrived as well!"
True Lord Heavenly Wolf furrowed his brows. Thinking of the other opportunities remaining in the secret realm, he decisively ordered, "Everyone, fall back!"
The elders of the Greedy Wolf Sect immediately unleashed bursts of power to force their opponents back, before rushing to True Lord Heavenly Wolf's side. The members of the Xu and Lei families didn't dare pursue them recklessly.
"Xu Deling, you win this time. But even if you take the spirit veins, you won't be able to bring them out!"
With that parting threat, he turned and departed with the Greedy Wolf Sect elders.
At this moment, the three incoming streaks of light landed, revealing True Lord Fierce Sun, True Lord Yanzhen, and their companion.
"Senior Brother Fierce Sun, Senior Brother Yanzhen, you've arrived."
True Lord Fierce Sun nodded slightly. His divine sense swept over the area below, a look of joy appearing on his face as he smiled faintly. "It truly is a Tier 4 spirit vein, and it feels like it's higher than just Tier 4 low-grade."
Xu Deling said, "Senior Brother Fierce Sun, my Xu family has great use for the spirit vein here."
"Understood. I won't fight you for it. Even if I tried, I could never win against a lineup like yours," he replied.
"Senior Brother Fierce Sun jests."
Xu Deling then looked toward Lei Wuji. Lei Wuji spoke up, "Our Lei family understands. As I am currently a guest elder of the Xu family, and my family has pledged to serve the Xu family for ten years, this spirit vein naturally belongs to the Xu family."
"Thank you," Xu Deling laughed as she cupped her fists. "I will report the Lei family's discovery of this spirit vein to my grandfather. He certainly won't be stingy with the rewards."
"Then Elder Lei, Senior Brother Fierce Sun, and Senior Brother Yanzhen—let the four of us combine our strength to extract the Tier 4 spirit vein here, while the others extract the Tier 3 ones."
"Alright."
After pinpointing the boundaries of the Tier 4 spirit vein, the four experts positioned themselves at the four cardinal directions and began channeling their mana.
For a time, the mountains roared as earth and stone cracked open.
Five-colored rosy light spewed forth from the fissures in the ground, illuminating the sky.
Spirit veins inherently possessed a degree of sentience and refused to be easily suppressed, constantly unleashing tides of spiritual qi to break through the blockade.
The four experts unleashed their mana to the fullest, maintaining a grueling stalemate that lasted for a full three hours.
Suddenly, a thunderous boom—sounding like both a dragon's roar and a mournful wail—echoed from deep underground. A condensed, dazzling, and majestic river of light was forcefully ripped out from the earth's core!
Its spiritual qi was incredibly pure and dense, far exceeding their expectations. Phantoms of mountains and rivers seemed to flow within its brilliant luminescence.
"Seal!" Xu Deling's hands moved with the rapid agility of a butterfly flitting through flowers. Streaks of mana shot out, transforming into a crimson net of light that wrapped around the vein layer by layer.
The other three simultaneously cast sealing incantations as well.
The Tier 4 spirit vein struggled and contracted until it finally shrank into a translucent, jade-like ribbon roughly three feet long. Radiating a warm, gentle glow, it fell smoothly into a profound jade box.
"To think it's a Tier 4 mid-grade spirit vein. The Xu family is truly blessed," True Lord Fierce Sun said with a faint smile, stroking his beard.
Xu Deling stroked the jade box in delight and thanked the others.
Glancing at the jade box, True Lord Fierce Sun cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Junior Sister. Since the fortune here has been settled, I will lead my people elsewhere to seek other opportunities."
With that, he transformed into a streak of light and departed.
Lei Wuji also bade his farewells, leading his clansmen to search for their own fortunes.
Xu Deling securely stored away the spirit vein. Seeing the earth's spiritual qi gradually dissipating, leaving behind a scarred and devastated landscape, she said to Ye Fan and the others, "Let's move out as well."
Numerous streaks of light ascended, disappearing into the vast, distant mountains.
Meanwhile.
In the Heavenly Azure Prefecture, Cloudstream City.
Within the Xu Residence, Moyue's massive body, roughly thirty feet long, coiled impatiently in midair. His pale golden vertical pupils burned with intense anticipation. "Xu Chuan, the ninth day of the ninth month has arrived. Isn't it time for my tribulation transcendence? This seat is burning with anxiety from all this waiting."
Xu Chuan shook his head with a soft chuckle before nodding. "Go ahead. The skies above Cloud Lake will be your tribulation grounds. Remember to stay far away from Cloudstream City. The city protection grand array cannot withstand the strike of heavenly thunder."
"I know!"
"This seat is off!"
Before his voice even faded, the pale blue phantom of a flood dragon soared into the sky, shooting straight toward Cloud Lake outside the northern part of the city. He didn't stop until he was a full thirty miles away.
Arriving above the lake's surface, Moyue abruptly halted his momentum.
The spiritual qi in the surrounding area seemed to be pulled by an invisible force. Billowing clouds gathered from all directions, condensing in the blink of an eye into leaden, ink-black storm clouds that hung ominously low over the water.
Amid the churning sea of clouds, a clear, resounding dragon's roar shattered the heavens, and Moyue boldly revealed his true form.
His immense, one-hundred-and-fifty-foot flood dragon body stretched across the firmament. His dark blue scales shimmered with an aqueous luster, his four claws flexed menacingly beneath his belly, and his long tail churned the wind and clouds.
He roamed and coiled wildly within the dense storm clouds. Then, throwing off all restraint, he unleashed the entirety of his majestic, peak Tier 3 demonic energy!
Boom—!
A terrifying spiritual pressure cascaded down like a tidal wave. The surface of Cloud Lake abruptly sank by several feet, and countless spirit fish swimming beneath didn't even have time to struggle before they floated up, bellies white, knocked completely unconscious.
Back in Cloudstream City, numerous people felt this horrifying pressure.
"What's happening?!"
"Could it be another beast tide attack?"
"No, the pressure is coming from the north. That's Cloud Lake, but I've never heard of any powerful demonic beast lurking there!"
Countless cultivators surged toward the northern district of the city.
The skyward radiance of the demonic energy dyed the boundless sea of clouds a deep, abyssal blue, as if the entire firmament had transformed into his personal domain.
Before long, low rumbles of thunder rolled out from the depths of the clouds, echoing like the heavy breathing of a primeval behemoth, growing louder by the second.
Xu Chuan's figure quietly appeared in the sky above the northern city gate. Standing with his hands clasped behind his back, his robes fluttered gently in the wind.
He gazed calmly at the churning ink clouds and the towering pillar of demonic energy thirty miles away.
In no time, streaks of flying light continuously ascended from Cloudstream City.
Startled by the celestial phenomenon in the northern sky, numerous Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators hurried to the city walls or hovered in midair on their magical artifacts to peer into the distance.
All they saw were rolling ink-black clouds and a pillar of demonic energy piercing the heavens, dyeing that patch of sky an ominous, profound blue.
The low rumble of thunder arrived in waves. Even from such a distance, they could still sense the faint, overwhelming pressure and the restless turbulence of the heaven and earth spiritual qi.
"What a terrifying demonic aura! Could a mighty demonic beast be attacking the city?" a young late-stage Qi Refining cultivator asked, his face pale and voice trembling with panic.
A middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator standing beside him observed carefully for a moment before shaking his head. "Unlikely. If it were a true city siege, the demonic clouds would have long since pressed down upon our borders.
"Look over there. The ink clouds are condensing but not dispersing, and the thunder is still brewing within. It actually looks more like..."
As he pondered, a knowledgeable white-bearded elder nearby suddenly gasped in shock and blurted out, "This... could this be the legendary phenomenon of a demonic beast transcending its tribulation?"
"Transcending its tribulation?" Everyone froze upon hearing this.
The old man pointed into the distance, his words tumbling out rapidly. "When a demonic beast cultivates to the peak of the third tier and wishes to break through to the next major stage, it must undergo the tempering of heavenly thunder to purify its soul and bloodline.
"When a demonic beast steps into the fourth tier, it enters the Shapeshifting stage.
"Rumor has it that late-stage Shapeshifting demonic beasts can take on a complete human form, making it impossible to spot any flaws.
"Looking at this weather—the spontaneous gathering of thunderclouds and the demonic aura piercing the sky without scattering—these are the exact signs of a tribulation cloud forming!"
"A peak Tier 3 demonic beast?!"
An uproar instantly swept through the crowd, looks of pure horror surfacing on many faces.
That was an existence on par with a human Golden Core perfection cultivator, capable of shattering mountains and severing rivers with a casual gesture.
"Why would such a great demon choose to undergo its tribulation a mere thirty miles from our Cloudstream City?"
A mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator frowned deeply, his face filled with bewilderment. "The tribulation lightning is incredibly dangerous and covers a vast area. Is it not afraid of being disrupted during the tribulation, or of someone coveting its remains during its period of weakness afterward?"
Someone ventured a guess, "Perhaps it's a water-element demonic beast. Cloud Lake encompasses a massive body of water rich in water spiritual qi, which might aid in transcending the tribulation."
"I've never heard of anything like this," another elder said, shaking his head. "A demonic beast transcending a tribulation is exceptionally rare. It's even harder to witness than a Nascent Soul formation."
"If the various factions of the Heavenly Azure Prefecture catch wind of this, a massive number of Golden Core cultivators will likely swarm here for it!"
"Not necessarily," replied a middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator. "Daoist friend, are you unaware that a Connate Secret Realm has appeared over at Grand Harmony Lake? Nearly ninety percent of the Golden Core cultivators in the Heavenly Azure Prefecture have rushed over there.
"They're all trying to seize a great fortune.
"Compared to that, hunting a peak Tier 3 demonic beast is nothing at all."
"Such a thing actually happened?" The other man was utterly dumbfounded by the news. He quickly explained, "I've been in secluded cultivation all this time and haven't stepped out of my door."
"Ah, so that's how it is. That explains it."