238 Chapter 396-400: Reunion After Ten Years (7.5k words)
Although there was some regret on Huangfu Song's face, the purpose of this trip had evidently been achieved.
"Let's go. With Guan Xingxiu's Falling Star Divine Sword protecting us, we should be safe on this journey."
He summoned the Dust Crossing Boat again, overjoyed.
Recalling the conversation between the two in the courtyard, Li Fan pondered, "Has the resistance movement in the area become so severe that you need to seek protection everywhere?"
Huangfu Song replied, "It's better to be safe than sorry. In such a remote place, anything can happen. If things get out of hand and we're captured, they might throw us into the ashes of the Burning Silence Flow, claiming an accident. What can we do then?"
"It's different with Guan Xingxiu's Falling Star Divine Sword," Huangfu Song said proudly. "Although he is only at the Nascent Divinity stage now, falling from the Unity Realm, his Nascent Divinity is much more formidable than an ordinary Nascent Divinity cultivator."
"At least, in Lanlinzhou, where there is no Unity Realm Immortal overseeing, Guan Xingxiu's flying sword can suppress any disobedience."
The chubby guy took out the golden sword again, fondling it lovingly.
Li Fan stared at the Falling Star Divine Sword and could faintly sense a sharp and bold spirit emanating from it.
Thinking back to the lazy appearance he had just seen, he couldn't help feeling a bit emotional.
"A generation of Unity Realm cultivators, all because of not seeing the situation clearly, has fallen to such a state."
Then he remembered Guan Xingxiu's words and couldn't help but ask, "Earlier, Senior Guan mentioned the old leader's passing. Did Supreme Immortal Jicheng fall?"
"Yes, not long ago."
"He eventually quietly died in his own Tianji Institute, together with that willow tree."
Li Fan couldn't help but visualize the old face of Supreme Immortal Jicheng.
"If it weren't for Real Stillness, I'm afraid I would have met the same fate soon after, just waiting for death in fear."
"Unity Realm cultivation means nothing if it doesn't guarantee immortality. It's ultimately futile."
Seemingly opened up by the feelings brought by the fall of an old Unity Realm powerhouse, Huangfu Song put away the Falling Star Divine Sword and said with emotion, "Perhaps Guan Xingxiu's disappointment is also related to this matter."
"With Supreme Immortal Jicheng controlling the foundation of the Wanxian Alliance Garrison Command for five hundred years, he still had no hope of achieving immortality. It shows how difficult it is to go against the laws of heaven and earth."
"Guan Xingxiu had his cultivation stripped away and trying to start again from Nascent Divinity cultivation is even more challenging."
"To regain Unity Realm cultivation, you must rely on a soul similar to the one you had before."
"Soul of the heavens and earth is already rare, and if there are additional requirements for its nature, it becomes almost impossible."
...
During the casual conversation with Huangfu Song, the Dust Crossing Boat reached the central core area of the Locking Spirit Array, the designated location for placing the Tianxuan Array Hub.
The formation was not yet complete and would take some time.
Apart from the formation experts among the Universal Dao Institute students, the other cultivators were not very friendly towards Huangfu Song and Li Fan's arrival, at least it seemed so.
However, after Huangfu Song released the Falling Star Divine Sword, these cultivators had to restrain themselves.
At the same time, in Shilin Prefecture, near the former Yunhai, now known as the Congyun Abyss.
Zhang Haobo looked at the endless void not far away, with a sad expression on his face.
Even though he had seen this scene more than once, he still couldn't accept it.
His former hometown, the ocean that was once azure and full of vitality.
Seeing it again, it had turned into this appearance.
"Haobo, mournful." Xiao Heng walked over, patting him on the shoulder and comforting him.
"What happened back then? How did the vast Congyun Sea suddenly become like this?" Zhang Haobo couldn't help but ask again.
Xiao Heng shook his head, "I don't know either. Senior Skull suddenly warned that a great disaster might befall the Congyun Sea. So shortly after you went to Jiushan Prefecture, I also left the Congyun Sea."
"But Ye Feipeng seemed to know something and insisted on not leaving with me."
"I originally thought he was hiding something from me, but since then, he has never appeared again."
"I think he should have long passed away by now."
"If I had known, I should have advised him back then." Xiao Heng's eyes showed a trace of sadness.
After a long silence, he continued.
"In recent years, I have tried to inquire about the changes in the Congyun Sea. But what surprised me is that, in less than a year, most cultivators have almost no impression of the Congyun Sea."
"It's as if this area has never existed."
"Even now, I only remember the existence of the Congyun Sea when I look at the abyss in front of me."
Zhang Haobo said, "I feel the same. In Jiushan Prefecture for nearly ten years, I haven't had a single memory of the Congyun Sea."
"It was only after coming back to find you that, seeing the Congyun Abyss, memories of the past surged like a tide."
He paused and whispered, "This should be the influence of the Lord of Eternal Life."
Xiao Heng also nodded slightly, "Perhaps not long from now, the memories in our minds will completely disappear, just like the former Congyun Sea, gone forever."
The two looked at each other in silence.
By the edge of the abyss, there was silence.
Not long after, the silence was interrupted by a distant rumbling.
They turned around and found that Su Xiaomei and Su Changyu were sparring again.
"Brother, be careful!"
Su Xiaomei showed a sinister smile towards Su Changyu.
In an instant, dozens of figures with different costumes appeared, surrounding Su Changyu.
These figures held different weapons but had no faces.
Each blank face had various blood-red symbols circulating.
"Watch this move; can you block it!"
These faceless figures with blood-red symbols on their faces laughed in unison with strange and eerie tones.
The weapons in their hands emitted faint blood-colored light.
Countless blood-red attacks, accompanied by their laughter, were about to bombard Su Changyu.
Instead of panicking, Su Changyu closed his eyes.
As the blood-colored light approached him, he extended his right hand, radiating a bright white light.
Moving at an extremely high speed, in an instant, a scene of a thousand hands appearing simultaneously emerged.
Each phantom hand grasped the incoming blood-colored light.
Then simultaneously exerted force.
In an instant, the blood-colored brilliance reversed its direction.
It attacked the dozens of faceless figures instead.
"Boom!"
The situation reversed in an instant.
Caught off guard, those figures were hit by their own attacks.
Many figures disappeared.
However, one of them, after being hit by a blood-colored attack, remained unharmed.
Taking advantage of the explosion's glare, it quietly approached Su Changyu.
Its form exploded.
A flaming giant net was about to envelop Su Changyu.
Su Changyu's expression remained unchanged, but he suddenly opened his eyes.
Each eyeball had two pupils.
The four black holes had shrunk to the size of a needlepoint.
The flames burning in front of him were instantly halted.
Su Changyu then slapped his hand.
However, his target was not the flames before him.
It was Su Xiaomei, who was secretly hidden.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
Illusory palm shadows appeared one after another, and explosions sounded all around.
"You can't hit me!"
Su Xiaomei's voice came from all directions, elusive like a ghost.
"Oh?"
"Oh?"
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Su Changyu's mouth.
High in the sky, a transparent giant palm had formed at some point.
It completely covered the battlefield where the two were.
Then it pressed down.
"Boom!"
The earth sank, raising dust.
The enormous palm imprint landed on the ground.
Su Xiaomei, hidden within it, could no longer conceal herself.
She was grabbed out of the illusionary five fingers and restrained in mid-air.
"Let me go!"
Su Xiaomei angrily shouted.
Her eyes turned red, and her tightly clenched fingers showed signs of being released.
Su Changyu extended his right hand, making a distant grasp.
Another illusory giant palm appeared.
It overlapped with the previous transparent palm.
Su Xiaomei was once again suppressed.
"Ah, ah, ah! So annoying!"
Su Xiaomei's innate divine ability continued to be triggered.
Her hair gradually turned crimson.
The air around distorted due to the heat.
But no matter how she struggled, she couldn't break free from the suppression of the giant palm.
"I admit defeat!"
With Su Xiaomei's angry shout, a crimson sun inexplicably appeared in the sky.
The illusionary palm shadow turned into nothingness under the burning of the red sun.
Su Xiaomei, now free, did not show joy on her face. She retracted her own "Red Sun Paradise" domain.
Scratching her head, she flew to Su Changyu's side.
"Brother, how did you become so powerful?"
"I suppressed my cultivation to the Golden Core realm; now, you are no match for me."
She asked curiously.
"When I left the Congyun Sea, Yin Yuetin sisters discovered remnants of ancient Dao rhyme artifacts."
"After years of restoration, I can now experience a complete strand of Dao rhyme."
"Just now, the 'Sky Suppressing Palm' technique was inspired by my understanding of the Dao rhyme. Little sister, your comprehension is superior to mine. I believe you can comprehend even stronger divine abilities from it."
...
"When I left the Congyun Sea, Yin Yuetin sisters discovered remnants of ancient Dao rhyme artifacts..."
While Su Changyu was speaking, an identical voice sounded simultaneously.
Forming a strange dual echo.
But as he slowly closed his eyes, the other echoes became weaker.
Finally, barely audible.
Su Changyu explained that this was due to his unique cultivation technique, and gradually, Su Xiaomei and others got used to it.
"Great! I want to comprehend this divine ability too!" She happily clapped her hands upon hearing Su Changyu's words.
Even without opening his eyes, Su Changyu could clearly see the appearance of this sister he hadn't seen in a long time.
Although she had reached the Yuan Infant stage, she still looked like a child who hadn't grown up.
Thinking of this, Su Changyu indulgently patted Su Xiaomei's head.
"Separated for over a decade, we are finally reunited."
On the side, Xiao Heng watched this scene and couldn't help but feel relieved.
Suddenly, he sensed subtle fluctuations in the storage ring, which had not been used for a long time. His expression brightened.
Since Senior Skull's warning and saving everyone's lives, it had fallen into a deep sleep again.
Could it be that it was finally waking up now?
Immediately, Xiao Heng eagerly entered the realm of Bone Forerunner.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 397: The Inheritance of Returning to Immortality
"Hmm?!"
After a moment of dizziness, Xiao Heng, who saw the surroundings clearly, was greatly shocked.
The Bone Forerunner realm was in chaos, with traces of battles everywhere.
The originally magnificent scenery now appeared somewhat broken and battered.
"Elder Skull..."
Xiao Heng's heart tightened, hastily rushing to where Elder Skull was in slumber.
However, the closer he got, the more evident the signs of battle became.
The smooth white bones were now pitted and scarred.
A sinister foreboding grew stronger, and when Xiao Heng arrived, he couldn't help but be completely stunned.
As if a severe explosion had occurred, there was no trace of Elder Skull.
Only a pitch-black deep pit remained, telling of a recent fierce battle.
"What exactly happened?"
Xiao Heng's expression became somewhat unsightly.
"Could it be that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is pursuing us?"
Thinking of Elder Skull's instructions before his sleep, Xiao Heng couldn't help but speculate.
Xiao Heng, who had been mingling in the Stone Linzhou for more than a decade, was no longer the ignorant youth he was in the beginning.
Because of this, his heart grew even colder.
While cultivating Qi, he dared to say, "Overthrow the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, revive the glory of Returning to Immortality; our generation has an unshirkable duty."
But now, as a Golden Core cultivator, he no longer dared to boast so boldly.
"Elder's instructions were that if he couldn't be contacted, it meant this place had been exposed. For safety's sake, destroy the skull as soon as possible and cut off all connections with this place." Although he felt reluctant, Xiao Heng was not a vacillating person.
Before leaving, he searched the Bone Forerunner realm one last time.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Heng found that the bone altar in the secret realm seemed to have not been completely destroyed.
Faintly familiar fluctuations still emanated from it.
Xiao Heng's heart stirred, and he called out according to the previous method of prayer.
"Elder Skull!"
After a moment, Elder Skull's figure indeed appeared above the ruins of the altar.
Xiao Heng was extremely excited, but in an instant, he calmed down.
Because what stood before him was just a phantom.
"Xiao kid, there's no time to bid you a final farewell."
"I didn't expect that, hiding here for so long, they still haven't given up on their intentions against me."
"If you can see this image, it means I've encountered an unforeseen event."
Even though mentally prepared, hearing Elder Skull personally recounting it made Xiao Heng's eyes turn red.
"Although I led them away before I slept, avoiding your exposure."
"But this place is no longer safe."
"After going back, sever the connection with this place and never return."
...
"In the altar, I left four small Medicine King Cauldrons for you."
"They are keys to entering the true Medicine King Cauldron."
"Thousands of years ago, Medicine King Sect Master Liu Ruchen led all the members of Medicine King Sect to break through the realms. But more than a decade ago, I sensed that they had returned to the Xuanhuang Realm. It was that meteor that illuminated the sky and eventually fell into the Abyss of Cangwu."
"If everything goes as expected, Medicine King Sect should have encountered some changes."
"However, I have a sense that there is a great opportunity in the true Medicine King Cauldron."
"If you have the chance, you can go and explore."
"Remember, there should be other small Medicine King Cauldrons scattered outside. Perhaps others can use secret methods to sense each other's positions through these cauldrons."
"Be careful of your own safety. If things become impossible, selling the small Medicine King Cauldrons for a good price is also a good way."
"Oh, by the way, there are some materials I collected back then stored in the small Medicine King Cauldrons. Remember to take them out."
"Consider it my final gift."
...
"Remember, endure, hide..."
"Inheritance!"
After Elder Skull's earnest words, the image completely disappeared.
And four ancient small cauldrons appeared before Xiao Heng.
Xiao Heng suppressed the grief in his heart and put away the small Medicine King Cauldrons.
Then, showing determination, he left the Bone Forerunner realm.
"Xiao Heng, what's wrong?" Su Xiaomei and the others saw Xiao Heng's reddened eyes and couldn't help but change their expressions.
In front of everyone, the small bone that served as the token to enter was destroyed.
Then, Xiao Heng led the "Returning to Immortality" group to a secret room in the base and asked them to do the same.
After the connection with the Bone Forerunner realm was completely severed, Xiao Heng began to explain everything.
"Elder Skull has fallen?!"
Although everyone was somewhat surprised, they weren't as mournful as Xiao Heng.
After all, only Xiao Heng had direct contact with Elder Skull.
However, they successfully embarked on the path of cultivation, and it was inseparable from Elder Skull's care.
The people leaving the realm were not ungrateful.
So, they were a bit sad at the moment but that's about it.
"What do we do next?"
After a moment of silence, a question was posed to everyone.
Should they continue to maintain their identity as members of the "Returning to Immortality" organization and resist the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance?
Or...
After all, they couldn't overpower the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
With their highest Golden Core cultivation, trying to overthrow the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, which had the existence of the Eternal Heavenly Sovereign, dominating half of the Xuanhuang Realm for thousands of years, was indeed a bit laughable.
"The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is not a good thing," Su Xiaomei expressed her opinion first.
"Once you enter the Immortal Alliance, you'll be a servant for life. This Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is not to be entered," Zhang Haobo agreed.
Su Changyu, with closed eyes, calmly said, "I support Xiaomei."
Xiao Heng, looking at the decision made by his companions, couldn't help but feel moved.
He deeply understood the huge power disparity between "Returning to Immortality" and the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Originally, he only intended to bear the mission of "Returning to Immortality" alone.
But fortunately, everyone did not disappoint him.
Just as he was about to speak, he heard a timid voice say, "The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is not a good thing!"
Xiao Heng was suddenly a bit dumbfounded.
Following the voice, he saw a green youth rubbing the back of his head, his face all red.
Xiao Heng praised with a smile, "Wuyou, great courage!"
The youth's face became even hotter.
This young man was Wuyou, the descendant of the two mortals who took refuge with Xiao Heng when they left the Misty Cloud Sea.
His parents had passed away due to illness some years ago, and he had been raised by Xiao Heng, Su Changyu, and others.
Wuyou had good aptitude in cultivation and, under Xiao Heng's guidance, embarked on the path of cultivation.
At the age of fifteen, he was already in the later stage of Qi refining.
After praising Wuyou, Xiao Heng turned around.
"I've already understood everyone's intentions. But we cannot deny one thing: the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is indeed too powerful. With our current strength, attempting to confront it head-on is like hitting a rock with an egg."
"What Elder said before his fall is correct; our main task is to endure and inherit."
Xiao Heng's expression was determined, his gaze unwavering.
"After a long separation, there will be a reunion, and after a long reunion, there will be a separation. This is the great trend of heaven and earth."
"Mortal dynasties often have a limit of five hundred years."
"Although the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is mighty, it has also inherited for thousands of years."
"As long as we pass down the ideology of 'Returning to Immortality' from generation to generation and patiently await the opportune moment."
"We will eventually encounter a time when the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance undergoes a major change and disintegrates."
"At that time, that will be our opportunity," Xiao Heng said slowly.
Su Xiaomei chuckled, not taking it seriously.
The others just nodded symbolically.
Only Han Wuyou, with wide-open eyes, was filled with hopeful light.
"Xiao Heng, didn't you say Elder Skull left you four small cauldrons?"
"Quick, take them out and let me see what treasures they are."
Amid the awkward silence, Su Xiaomei stepped in to break the tension.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Heng took a deep breath and then took out the four small Medicine King cauldrons, placing them in front of everyone.
Su Xiaomei picked up one and observed it carefully.
"Just this? It looks shabby and doesn't seem like anything good."
"Hey, there seems to be a hidden space inside."
After a moment, Su Xiaomei exclaimed.
"Wow! So many spirit stones! I'm rich!"
"And there are lots of herbs!"
"Haha, this is a good thing!"
Su Xiaomei threw the Medicine King cauldron to the side and happily put on a silver necklace.
Then, she showed several identical ones she had in her hand to everyone.
"Come on, everyone gets a share."
Seeing this, Zhang Haobo's eyes lit up.
"Is this a necklace engraved with an instant teleportation array?"
Su Xiaomei nodded repeatedly, "That's right. When I was in the Chao Yuan Sect, I escaped death several times thanks to it."
As Su Xiaomei and others put on the silver necklaces, Li Fan in Lanlinzhou, far away, flashed a subtle light in his eyes that others might not notice.
"With the help of the revised array, I can finally reconnect to the images."
He thought to himself.
Under the surveillance of the Indiscriminate Killing Machine, the scene of the gathering and discussion of the people leaving the realm at this moment suddenly appeared before Li Fan's eyes.
...
"Xiao Heng, how do you see the opportunity Elder Skull mentioned about the Medicine King True Cauldron?"
Su Changyu retrieved the Medicine King cauldron that Su Xiaomei had thrown to the ground, rearranged them neatly, and asked in a deep voice.
Xiao Heng hesitated for a moment at the question.
Su Xiaomei, on the other hand, was just enjoying the spectacle.
"Why think so much? There's no reason to give up an opportunity in front of us," she said.
"If it weren't for the adventures in the Chao Yuan Sect, both Haobo and I would still be in the Golden Core realm now," Zhang Haobo added, eyes narrowed in agreement.
After contemplating for a moment, Xiao Heng slowly said, "Elder Skull accurately predicted the drastic changes in the Misty Cloud Sea before his fall."
"I believe the opportunity with the Medicine King True Cauldron in the Cangwu Abyss is certainly not false."
"But..."
Uncertain about what he was thinking, Xiao Heng became somewhat hesitant.
Seeing this, Su Xiaomei couldn't help but get annoyed, "Xiao Heng, you're not thinking of backing out again, are you?"
"Last time, when Haobo and I wanted to go to the Chao Yuan Sect, you disagreed."
"If you do this again, I'll be really angry!"
"Xiaomei, I..." Xiao Heng smiled bitterly, about to explain.
But Su Changyu calmly said, "If what the Elder said is correct, these small Medicine King cauldrons are the keys to entering the Medicine King True Cauldron."
"We four, originally, going together would be the best."
Su Xiaomei nodded repeatedly.
However, Su Changyu's tone changed, "But... we can't all go."
"Wuyou is still young and needs someone to take care of him."
"Zhao Erbao and the Yin sisters are out searching for treasures, occasionally bringing back useful things."
"All of this needs someone to take care of."
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 398: Profound Abyss of Three Hundred Thousand
Su Changyu had one more thing to say.
Exploring opportunities is not without risks.
If they all go together and end up in complete disaster, the legacy of "复仙" would be cut off.
This was the main concern in Xiao Heng's mind.
However, Su Changyu also noticed that, apart from Xiao Heng, the others present didn't place much importance on the "复仙" legacy.
At least, compared to their own cultivation levels, the so-called "复仙" inheritance was not worth mentioning.
Xiao Heng was well aware of this, but he had his own principles and didn't impose them on others, so he didn't express it directly.
Although Su Changyu kept his eyes closed, he could see through the thoughts of everyone in the room.
So, he took the initiative to resolve the situation, "How about this, Xiao Heng, Xiaomei, and Zhang Haobo, you go together to Cangwu Abyss."
"As for me, I'll stay here."
Before Su Xiaomei could object, he continued explaining, "The cultivation technique I practice is special. The so-called opportunities aren't of much use to me."
"So, you don't need to worry."
Xiao Heng looked at Su Changyu gratefully upon hearing this.
Su Xiaomei, on the other hand, turned her head in a huff, refusing to look at Su Changyu.
However, she was still quite convinced by Su Changyu's words.
Now that he had made the decision, things were almost settled.
"Then there's one more Medicine King cauldron. Should we really sell it as the Elder suggested?" Zhang Haobo asked with a furrowed brow.
"No," Su Changyu denied, shaking his head. "Having the Medicine King cauldron is already a crime. If we expose our knowledge of the Medicine King True Cauldron for a small benefit, it would be unwise."
"Better to keep it and, at a critical moment, use it as bait to divert the enemy's attention."
Xiao Heng also agreed with Su Changyu's words.
"Although it's a bit regrettable, it's the most secure method."
"Fine! Whatever! You guys have the final say!" Su Xiaomei hmphed and stopped opposing.
She grabbed Han Wuyou and went outside to play.
"Going to Cangwu Abyss is a long journey. We are not cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortals League, so we can't use the teleportation array."
"If we fly with our bodies, it will take too long, and who knows what accidents might happen along the way."
"We need to figure out a good solution..."
Xiao Heng rubbed his chin, frowning.
"Um..." Zhang Haobo hesitated.
"What?" Xiao Heng looked at Zhang Haobo with some surprise.
"The teleportation array, maybe we can use it too," Zhang Haobo explained.
"You also know that, during our exploration in the Jiushan Province, we met Senior Shaofeng."
"Our trip to the Chao Yuan Sect was also when we fought our way out of the Corpse Mountain and Blood Sea together."
"Our relationship is quite deep."
"At the parting, Senior Shaofeng invited us to join the Ten Thousand Immortals League. Although we politely declined, he still expressed understanding and left a jade card for Xiaomei."
"With that jade card, we should be able to use the teleportation array without any problems."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Heng nodded, "That's even better."
He thought that Zhang Haobo's previous hesitation was because Shaofeng was a cultivator of the Ten Thousand Immortals League.
Xiao Heng said seriously, "I'm not an inflexible person. Our enemy is the Ten Thousand Immortals League, not every individual in the league."
"If we can make friends with cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortals League and undermine them from within, it's advantageous and harmless."
"Why would I object?"
"I'll go talk to Xiaomei about it."
With that, Xiao Heng left to find Su Xiaomei.
Zhang Haobo watched Xiao Heng's back and shook his head helplessly.
"What's wrong? Is there some hidden meaning between Xiaomei and Shaofeng?" Su Changyu, noticing Zhang Haobo's intention, asked with interest.
"Who knows, but I can see that they seem to have a close relationship. Although Shaofeng has returned to the Nascent Soul stage, he doesn't seem to mind Xiaomei's cultivation level."
"Hey, Xiao Heng, this kid, has no sense of crisis at all."
Su Changyu smiled disdainfully, "You're worrying too much. In my opinion, Xiaomei may not have romantic feelings."
Zhang Haobo shook his head speechlessly.
...
Chapter 398: Thirty Thousand Zhang Deep
After many years, the group of kids from the past seemed to have grown up.
Yet, there were still subtle things that hadn't changed.
Li Fan couldn't help but feel a bit emotional, vaguely recalling his children from the first few lifetimes.
"I'm really getting old," he thought to himself.
Soon after, Li Fan quickly suppressed this emotion.
...
Xiao Heng had to put in a lot of effort to finally coax Su Xiaomei into happily agreeing to hand over Shaofeng's jade card.
After a few days of preparation, Xiao Heng, Su Xiaomei, and Zhang Haobo set out on the road to Cangwu State.
Han Wuyou, with a pair of big eyes, looked enviously at them, waving his hand to bid them farewell.
Su Changyu's eyelids twitched, as if he wanted to open his eyes.
But he remained calm and composed.
Until the end, he didn't open his distinctive double pupils.
Shaofeng's jade card was indeed useful.
Even if they weren't cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortals League, Xiao Heng and the others could smoothly enter the Stone Lament Immortal City.
Xiao Heng tightly held Su Xiaomei, who was very curious and eager to explore, initiating the teleportation array.
Teleporting to the border of Stone Lament State, crossing the white mist barrier, the group arrived at the Source Dao State.
Then, continuously using the teleportation array, they headed towards the remote corner of the Xuanhuang Realm, Cangwu Abyss.
So, after more than half a month.
When Li Fan began inspecting the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Formation in Lanlin State, Xiao Heng's group finally arrived at their destination.
"It seems that Lanlin State is indeed not far from Cangwu Abyss. Even without using the sensing arrays, my 'Killing Intent of Nothingness' can sense the scenes," Li Fan remarked.
With the eyes of the group, Li Fan could finally witness the famous Cangwu Abyss that he had heard about for a long time.
It was different from the completely dissipated Congyun Abyss.
This Cangwu Abyss looked more like a vast canyon of the Great Mystery.
Beneath towering cliffs was an endless abyss.
Above the deep abyss, red clouds and mist lingered, obscuring the view of the bottom.
Many exotic birds and beasts soared within the clouds and mist.
On the cliff walls, buildings were constructed at intervals, delving deep into the mountains.
"Cangwu Abyss was formed by the disappearance of mountains and waters in the entire Cangwu State many years ago, creating this unique terrain."
"Therefore, the abyss has its boundaries, resembling the sole of a foot."
"At present, we have explored about three hundred thousand zhang downward, but the bottom is still far from sight."
"Cangwu Abyss is not empty. Each layer has its own characteristics."
"The first layer, from the ground to thirty thousand zhang below the ground. Many exotic beasts inhabit the clouds and mist of Cangwu and the cliffs of the abyss boundary."
"These kinds of exotic beasts can swallow gold and spit out lightning, and their strength is exceptional. They are fearless and travel in groups. Be cautious."
"The second layer, from thirty thousand zhang to eighty thousand zhang below ground."
...
Su Xiaomei read aloud the explanatory jade slip freely given by the cultivators outside Cangwu Abyss, her eyes wide open.
"So big, so deep."
"Even if the Medicine King True Cauldron is really in this Cangwu Abyss, we won't be able to find it, right?"
She transmitted her voice.
However, Xiao Heng was moved.
He manipulated the small Medicine King True Cauldron in his storage ring to sense it.
Sure enough, at some position extremely deep below the abyss, there was something responding to the Medicine King True Cauldron.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 399: Cangwu Town's Immortal Power
"Senior Skull's words are indeed true. These broken cauldrons are indeed the keys to enter the Medicine King True Cauldron!"
When Xiao Heng revealed this discovery to Su Xiaomei, she couldn't help but smile with joy.
"Now it's good. As long as we follow the guidance, we should be able to find it soon."
The three glanced at each other, then stuck to the boundary wall of the abyss, quietly flying towards the depths of Cangwu Abyss.
As they descended to about two hundred zhang above the ground, the scenery inside the abyss began to differ drastically from the surface.
Due to the perennial presence of clouds and mist above, the deeper they went, the darker the surrounding environment became.
The cliff walls were no longer bare rocks but were covered with various bizarre-shaped plants.
There were glowing fine willows, predatory pines disguised as rocks, and even dark trees that lurked like giant pythons, waiting to attack when prey approached.
And coexisting with these plants were the exotic beasts mentioned in the jade slip, which needed to be guarded against.
Most of these exotic beasts were pitch black and hard to perceive with the naked eye in the dim abyss.
Their appearances were extremely strange, completely different from surface creatures.
They didn't seem to evolve naturally but were more like fragments of various creatures forcibly fused together.
Long insects that split in the middle and preyed with open mouths.
Strange apes that tucked their heads into their stomachs.
Birds with countless wriggling insects as wings.
...
Various grotesque forms made people shiver.
Moreover, there seemed to be a mysterious force within this abyss.
It suppressed the sensing range of cultivators' divine consciousness.
This force became more prominent with increasing depth.
Inadvertently, as the cultivators descended, these strange creatures suddenly emerged from the abyss walls or the central void of the abyss.
They attacked the cultivators in groups, as if they had a deep-seated hatred for outsiders. Their attacks only stopped after they died.
Fortunately, although there were many creatures under the abyss, their killing power was equivalent to the late Foundation Establishment stage.
For Su Xiaomei's group, all with at least Golden Core strength, they posed no threat.
The journey was eventful but not dangerous. After spending nearly half a day, they finally approached a gigantic boundary stone embedded in the cliff wall.
On it, in bright red luminous letters, were the words "Thirty Thousand."
You could see it from a distance.
On this boundary stone, the continuous cliff wall was almost hollowed out, creating a splendid city suspended above the abyss.
"This is the first foothold for exploring Cangwu Abyss."
"Lincang City."
"Further down, the abyss becomes more dangerous. So it's necessary to provide a place for rest and supplies here."
Xiao Heng, watching the constantly passing cultivators, raised his vigilance.
Most of the cultivators exploring Cangwu Abyss were not easy to deal with.
Their purpose for coming here, besides collecting the valuable products of Cangwu Abyss, was mostly to find the meteor that fell from the sky many years ago.
In recent years, the true identity of the meteor had been widely debated.
It was said to be the Medicine King True Cauldron that broke through the boundaries in ancient times, among various speculations.
Regardless, the meteor that made all cultivators who witnessed it feel a palpitation was extraordinary.
The so-called "man dies for wealth."
It wasn't difficult to understand why external cultivators tirelessly pursued it.
"Let's go." Xiao Heng and the others didn't enter Lincang City.
They flew past the boundary stone and arrived at the second layer, thirty thousand zhang below the surface.
As they passed the boundary stone, it felt like passing through an invisible shield.
A strange sensation surged into Xiao Heng's heart.
"My strength has indeed weakened a bit, just as rumored."
Chapter 399: Cangwu Town's Immortal Power
With a heavy heart, Xiao Heng asked Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo, "Have you noticed the existence of the 'Town Immortal Power'?"
"Yes, indeed, there's a faint sense of it. But for now, the impact isn't too significant," Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo responded after a moment.
"It seems that my strength has indeed weakened," Xiao Heng sighed with some helplessness.
He could only hope that the location of the Medicine King True Cauldron was within the range he could reach.
'Town Immortal Power' is the collective term used by cultivators for the mysterious force shrouding Cangwu Abyss. Specifically, as cultivators delve deeper into Cangwu Abyss, their strength will be correspondingly reduced.
Within the first layer of thirty thousand zhang, it's not very noticeable, just interfering with the coverage of divine consciousness. But entering the second layer, the effect becomes apparent.
For cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage and below, once they enter, they become no different from mortals. Their spiritual power cannot be mobilized, and they lose the ability to fly.
The only outcome is to fall to the bottomless abyss and be consumed by the strange creatures on the way down, utterly defenseless.
This means that at least cultivators in the Golden Core stage are needed to survive in the second layer of Cangwu Abyss.
However, as the depth increases, the creatures in the abyss become stronger, while the cultivators' strength is constantly suppressed. This makes exploration more difficult the deeper they go.
Xiao Heng's group proceeded more cautiously into the second layer, the 'Forest of Spirit Language.'
Trees deeply rooted in the boundary wall of the abyss extended their branches toward the central void of Cangwu Abyss in an illogical manner, creating a primitive forest that occupied a space of fifty thousand zhang vertically.
In addition to the increasingly diverse and powerful dangerous creatures, the murmurs from the forest were even more deadly.
These sounds could induce various illusions in cultivators, causing them to lose their mental clarity. Those with weak wills would fly towards the central area of the Forest of Spirit Language as if they had lost their souls, never to return.
Xiao Heng's group, all of whom were outstanding individuals with strong wills, took almost a day to successfully traverse the second layer.
They reached a depth of eighty thousand zhang.
Here, the dense forest suddenly became sparse, and there seemed to be another light source below, making the vision suddenly clear.
The boundary marker was no longer a standing stone tablet as before but a giant eyeball growing on the cliff wall.
The central pupil of the eyeball was replaced by the blood-red characters "Eight Thousand."
The eyeball seemed to be alive, constantly rotating and peering around.
Sensing someone arriving from above, it instantly turned its gaze toward Xiao Heng's group.
A tremendous pressure enveloped Xiao Heng's body for an instant. Fortunately, the giant eye glanced over them and moved its gaze away without lingering.
"Phew..." Xiao Heng breathed a sigh of relief.
"The second foothold in Cangwu Abyss, 'City of the Giant Eye.'"
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 400: Hidden Medicine King Cauldron in the Enigmatic City
"The City of the Giant Eye is said to have been constructed by a predecessor who explored the abyss. They killed monsters emerging from the abyss, took their eyeballs, embedded them in the cliff, and built the city by hollowing it out."
"The Giant Eye can see deep below, effectively monitoring any changes in Cangwu Abyss."
The three descended slowly beside the City of the Giant Eye, deeply impressed.
"Just a single eyeball, and it's so massive. It's hard to imagine how colossal the monsters that emerged from the depths of Cangwu Abyss were."
When their bodies crossed the eighty thousand zhang boundary, Xiao Heng once again felt his strength diminishing.
"In the Qi Refinement stage, it's impossible to stand firm here. Only Foundation Establishment strength can barely continue descending."
The pressure from the abyss began to show.
"The third layer is not as vast as the Forest of Spirit Language, only between eighty thousand and a hundred thousand zhang deep."
"But its danger level is several times higher."
Continuing their descent, Xiao Heng's group heard a distant rumbling sound from below.
Looking into the vast white fog, they saw two enormous figures, standing in mid-air, wielding blades and battling each other.
"The third layer, the Puppet Gorge."
"There are two giant ancient stone puppets fighting in this area."
"These puppets exist in a strange state between reality and illusion. When you fly close to them, they appear like phantoms and cannot be touched."
"But their influence on the surrounding area is real."
"The puppets are nearly twenty thousand zhang tall, and their strength is said to be close to the Harmonization stage."
"Even from a distance, there's a possibility of being harmed by the shockwaves generated in their battle."
Boom! Boom!
In the hazy white fog, the figures of the two stone puppets appeared and disappeared.
The three stared at this surreal scene in a daze.
After a long time, Xiao Heng spoke, "Alright, let's continue downward."
"Be cautious at all times."
During the descent, they had to pay attention to the movements of the two giant stone puppets and avoid potential energy shocks.
The appearance of strange creatures in the mist also became stronger and more powerful.
So their progress became increasingly slow.
It took them a full two days to reach the boundary of the Puppet Gorge's lower level.
"The fourth layer is ahead."
"The good news is that the Medicine King True Cauldron seems to be nearby."
Controlling the small Medicine King Cauldron once again, Xiao Heng sensed it for a moment and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Nevertheless, we must not be complacent."
Zhang Haobo frowned slightly and transmitted his voice.
"Let's move on quickly. I'm quite eager to see that treasure." Su Xiaomei pouted and entered the fourth layer ahead of them.
There was no resting point provided for cultivators between the third and fourth layers.
Only a long red line carved into the cliff marked the boundary.
"The fourth layer, the Lost Enigmatic City."
"Between a hundred thousand and a hundred and thirty thousand zhang deep underground."
Sensing his own condition, Xiao Heng frowned slightly.
Arbitrarily stripping away the cultivation equivalent to an early Foundation Establishment cultivator had begun to affect him noticeably.
He changed the direction of flight, no longer descending vertically but heading diagonally towards the center of the Lost Enigmatic City.
Countless ruins of buildings floated haphazardly in the air, like remnants of a world-ending catastrophe. Everywhere were broken and dilapidated fragments of artifacts.
No corpses, no remnants of belongings, only the corpses of buildings lying silently in this space, telling the tale of their past.
The silence around was terrifying.
The repeated scenes of ruins brought a somewhat oppressive feeling.
Xiao Heng's group couldn't help but feel downhearted.
In the Lost Enigmatic City, not only could unidentified creatures made of stone jump out at any moment to launch attacks, but there were also unscrupulous cultivators secretly hiding, ready to launch sneak attacks.
The existence of the Town-Sealing Force and the chaotic ruins provided them with the perfect cover.
Enduring until the stone beasts attacked each other, leaving both sides weakened, increased their chances of success.
Moreover, below the abyss, the signs of a cultivator's demise were difficult to discern.
After a successful strike, escaping far away was enough to go unnoticed.
Many cultivators mysteriously disappeared in this Lost Enigmatic City.
As Xiao Heng and his team delved deeper into the ruins on their way to the location of the Medicine King True Cauldron...
As expected, they were attacked twice by cultivators.
However, the opponents were just small fries.
Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo had previously faced the siege of thousands of faceless blood-faced cultivators in the remnants of the Chao Yuan Sect and had emerged unscathed.
They didn't regard these people highly.
With little effort, they easily defeated them.
After eliminating two groups and revealing their strength, the surroundings finally quieted down a lot.
"Looks like there's a tail behind us," Zhang Haobo warned.
"I'll go kill them," Su Xiaomei raised her eyebrows, and a red light flashed in her eyes as she was about to turn around and take action.
"Don't! We're here to find the Medicine King Cauldron, not to kill people," Xiao Heng quickly stopped her.
"Attracting attention would be detrimental."
"Just shake them off."
With that, the three suddenly accelerated.
Navigating through the ruins, it took most of the day, but they finally managed to shake off their pursuers.
"Let's go!"
Zhang Haobo pinched a spell, concealing their auras.
Then they headed straight for the Medicine King True Cauldron.
After flying like this for half a day, they finally reached the sensed location.
"Huh?!"
Xiao Heng looked around in confusion, not seeing any sign of the Medicine King True Cauldron.
"It should be right here."
"Let's split up and search in different directions."
Su Xiaomei and Zhang Haobo nodded, then went their separate ways.
Not long after.
"Nothing?"
Xiao Heng deeply furrowed his brows.
"This shouldn't be the case."
Unwilling to give up, Xiao Heng searched again.
Still, he found nothing.
Su Xiaomei took out the little Medicine King Cauldron from her storage ring and held it in her hand, sensing once more.
The result remained unchanged.
"What do we do?"
After several unsuccessful attempts, the three gathered again to discuss.
"It's strange."
"I can clearly sense that the Medicine King True Cauldron is here, but it's nowhere to be seen."
Xiao Heng observed the surroundings, his face filled with confusion.
"Maybe it's hiding."
Zhang Haobo squinted his eyes and suddenly said.
After saying that, he mobilized his spiritual power and sent out a spiritual blade towards the sensed location of the Medicine King Cauldron.
As if hitting something, the air distorted for a moment.
The spiritual blade disappeared without a sound.
Then, the fluctuation returned to normal.
"Wow! That's really it!"
Su Xiaomei clapped excitedly.
She flew towards the anomaly.
However, it seemed like an illusion just now; she passed through without any hindrance.
A bit frustrated, Su Xiaomei tried a few more times, and the result was the same.
"Damn it, what's going on!"
Xiao Heng remained calm and carefully touched the nonexistent barrier.
"The little Medicine King Cauldron is the key to entering the Medicine King True Cauldron."
Xiao Heng pondered.
"Can this little Medicine King Cauldron carry someone inside?"
He suddenly asked.
(End of this chapter)
