Chapter 228: Tianyang Appears in the Mortal Realm (2k+ words)

With Qingmu and Ling Meng, two Yuanying True Sovereigns leading the way, the journey became noticeably easier for everyone.

Along the way, they chatted and laughed, sharing anecdotes and secrets.

Li Fan just smiled and listened, not actively participating.

During the journey, they occasionally encountered cultivators from other states. While exchanging information, Li Fan learned by chance that the prophecy of the Medicine King Ding's imminent return to the Medicine King Sect had begun to circulate widely.

However, at this point, people still treated it as a joke, not taking it seriously.

It seemed that Jiao Xiuyuan had already begun to make moves, but it would still take a long time to form a real public opinion impact.

Time passed swiftly.

After more than half a year, the group finally returned to the Cloud Sea.

At this point, it had been thirteen years since the anchoring.

Most people had exchanged contact information, and after saying their goodbyes, they went back to rest.

The clone, within the Heavenly Mirror, activated a ritual and arrived in the White Bone Vanguard Realm.

...

On the nameless desolate island.

At this time, in the late Qi Refining stage, Xiao Heng, who was meditating with closed eyes, suddenly showed a change in expression.

Activating the necklace on his chest, his consciousness immediately entered the White Bone Vanguard Realm.

"Senior? You're awake?" He looked at the skull that seemed to have recovered some vitality, pleasantly surprised.

"Cough, I've just slightly recovered, barely escaping the fate of complete disappearance. The reason I woke up this time is to entrust you with a mission. Afterward, I still need to continue healing in my slumber." The skull spoke in a weak tone.

"While I was asleep, I seemed to sense someone around you, a little guy with excellent talent...," the skull continued.

Xiao Heng hastily said, "That's my companion who came out of the hometown with me, named Ye Feipeng. His cultivation speed is also fast and very reliable."

The skull pondered for a moment, seemingly sensing, "Hmm, the talent of this chubby boy is indeed not much weaker than yours."

"Unfortunately, it seems that the person I sensed while in deep sleep is not the same as him."

Xiao Heng was startled, then quickly replied, "Could it be my little sister? Although she is still very young, she can already run and jump, and her strength is terrifying!"

"Oh... this little girl's talent is terrifying indeed. But why hasn't she started cultivating yet? With such talent, why haven't you absorbed her into our [Rebirth] sect? Xiao kid, why are you so negligent?" the skull reproached with a muffled voice.

The skull interrupted him, "Unparalleled talent cannot be measured by common sense. What you're doing is delaying her."

"Well, you are still too young after all. It seems that it was a bit inappropriate for me to hastily entrust the heavy responsibility to you back then..."

After a long time, the skull seemed to make a decision.

"As they say, it's difficult for a single tree to support the sky. You alone seem to be a bit too challenging."

"Let's do this; I will lend you a hand again."

Saying that, the skull flew into the sky, and from the hollow eye sockets, a faint light shot out.

In the light, countless images rapidly flashed.

After a moment, the flickering images suddenly stopped.

And the skull seemed to have consumed too much, falling to the ground.

Xiao Heng hurried forward but was stopped.

As the light emitted by the skull struck, several people's information suddenly appeared in Xiao Heng's mind.

"Luli Island, Zhang Haobo..."

"Yelan Island, Yin Yuetin, Yin Yuzhen..."

"Senior, what is this?" Xiao Heng couldn't help but feel a bit confused.

"These are the Qi Luck Sons I found within the Cloud Sea using a secret technique to explore far and wide," the skull explained. "These individuals either have outstanding cultivation talents or possess extraordinary abilities. They will be greatly helpful in revitalizing [Rebirth]. Unfortunately, my injuries are too severe, and the technique was interrupted, so I only found these few..."

The skull sighed.

"Kid, my power is running out again. From now on, it's up to your own fate."

"Remember, focus on developing and improving your own strength. The influence of the Wanxian Alliance is immense, and even a Yuanying cultivator would find it difficult to make waves."

"So, your first priority is cultivation."

"These newly added individuals, don't directly reveal the details of [Rebirth] to them. Just say it's an independent cultivation organization to avoid startling them."

"As for the specifics, decide for yourself..."

The voice of the skull became quieter, gradually becoming illusory and disappearing into the darkness.

"Senior..." Xiao Heng tightly clenched his fists.

After a long time, his eyes slowly regained determination.

Awakening from the Vanguard Realm, Xiao Heng intended to find Ye Feipeng and discuss the matter of searching for the various Qi Luck Sons.

Unexpectedly, Ye Feipeng came to him first, acting mysteriously.

Pulling Xiao Heng to a secluded and deserted place, he slowly began to speak.

"Tianyang Cave? Several Foundation Establishment cultivators, led by a Golden Core cultivator, went in for exploration. The result was a heavy loss, with only the Golden Core cultivator managing to escape," Xiao Heng looked at Ye Feipeng, feeling a bit puzzled.

"Why are you telling me all this?" Ye Feipeng said sternly, "The Wanxian Alliance is preparing for a second exploration. This time, the team is likely to be led by a Yuanying cultivator, along with many Golden Core cultivators."

"However, it's useless!"

"Damn it, no one can escape death! I boldly speculate that the second exploration team will still be wiped out!"

Xiao Heng was stunned, "It's impossible. Didn't you say it's a Golden Core cave? How can even Yuanying cultivators die inside?"

Ye Feipeng snorted, "That's because the seventeen mechanical puppets in Tianyang Cave have unique characteristics!"

"Encounter the weak, remain weak; encounter the strong, become strong!" He uttered each word with a deep and resolute tone.

Xiao Heng squinted his eyes, carefully pondering the meaning of these eight words.

Suddenly, he looked at Ye Feipeng and asked skeptically, "How do you know this so clearly?"

Ye Feipeng waved his hand, saying, "Born with knowledge, born with knowledge! Have you forgotten?"

"That's not the point. The point is, we must sneak into the cave and seize the opportunities before the second exploration team is formed!" Ye Feipeng said decisively.

"Otherwise, when the Wanxian Alliance's team is wiped out again, causing a huge commotion, it will be impossible for us to quietly take the opportunities."

Seeing Xiao Heng's skeptical eyes, Ye Feipeng became anxious and said, "Don't you trust me?"

"Would I harm you?!"

"We are both outsiders and members of [Rebirth], and we have signed a contract."

"We share the same fate, prosperity, and decline."

"How could I possibly harm you!"

...

In the end, Xiao Heng was convinced.

The two of them quietly approached the vicinity of Tianyang Cave and the submarine volcano.

At this time, news about Tianyang Cave had not spread widely, and the surroundings were quiet without any cultivators lurking.

"You go in first, understand the attacks of those puppets, and see how long you can endure," Ye Feipeng instructed. "The puppets in the Foundation Establishment stage have weak attack power. Even if you get hit, it won't matter much. I'll release some information outside."

Xiao Heng nodded slowly, looking serious, and flew into Tianyang Cave.

After about twenty breaths, Xiao Heng rushed out looking somewhat disheveled. Without saying a word, he closed his eyes and contemplated silently.

After a while, he flew back in.

This time, Xiao Heng persisted for twice the duration.

The third time...

Half a day later, Xiao Heng, somewhat fatigued, said to Ye Feipeng, "I've roughly figured out the attack patterns of these puppets. But my spiritual energy is limited, even with this understanding, I won't last long."

Ye Feipeng, looking confident, handed a storage ring to Xiao Heng.

Upon inspecting it, Xiao Heng found the ring filled with spiritual stones. "Where did you get these?" he couldn't help but ask.

Ye Feipeng proudly said, "This young master has his own ways. Don't worry about it."

"How about this, with these spiritual stones, how long can you last?" Xiao Heng took out a piece of spiritual stone and sensed its spiritual energy concentration.

After a while, he gave a certain answer, "With enough spiritual energy support, those puppets, although numerous, shouldn't pose a threat to me."

Ye Feipeng quickly said, "No, no, this won't work. You must be at a disadvantage but not defeated. You must endure for as long as possible until I come out from inside."

Xiao Heng furrowed his brows, "Fatty, are you making fun of me? What kind of strange request is this?"

Then he scrutinized Ye Feipeng, "Are you hiding something from me?"

"Don't be so suspicious. I won't tell you because I'm afraid it will affect your mentality and reduce your combat power," Ye Feipeng said helplessly. "In terms of danger, I'm even more at risk inside the cave. If something goes wrong, you still have a chance to escape from the exit. I can't escape at all."

Hearing this, Xiao Heng nodded slowly.

"Alright, time is of the essence. Let's prepare a little and act immediately. My life is in your hands!"

Ye Feipeng was somewhat nervous, but he took a deep breath, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.

"Let's go!"

After a moment, the two of them rushed into Tianyang Cave in succession.

Seventeen puppets blocked their way.

Ye Feipeng's feet shimmered with light, and with a quick flicker, he bypassed the puppets and appeared behind them.

The angry puppets were about to chase, but were intercepted by azure water swords.

Countless water swords, like flying dragons, erupted simultaneously.

Xiao Heng instantly intertwined with the seventeen puppets.

Under the siege, Xiao Heng appeared extremely miserable.

The puppet's attacks almost grazed his body. A slight mistake could result in serious injury.

However, it seemed that luck was on his side, and he managed to dodge each attack.

Although it seemed perilous, he was actually in control.

The battle between the two sides continued for some time.

The puppets, which had been unable to break through, seemed to be undergoing some kind of transformation.

The power displayed in each move gradually exceeded the Foundation Establishment stage.

On the red silk body, a faint black light began to shimmer.

A sense of unease suddenly rose in Xiao Heng's heart.

He took out another spiritual stone to replenish his internal spiritual energy.

He shouted into the cave, "Fatty, are you done yet?"

Echoes spread throughout, but there was no response.

Xiao Heng had no choice but to grit his teeth and persist.

The puppet's attacks became more fierce, and Xiao Heng gradually found it difficult to cope.

Just as he was about to be hit by a puppet, he shouted, "Dragon's Roar!"

Twice the number of water swords as before suddenly emerged.

The densely packed Divine Sea God Swords instantly scattered the puppets.

The seventeen puppets paused for a moment.

Then, cracks began to gradually appear on their bodies.

"Fatty! Something's wrong!" Xiao Heng shouted.

In the cave, a sudden ancient and mechanical voice echoed, "Damn! How come there's nothing!" Ye Feipeng's extremely frustrated voice also echoed.

He turned into a thin line, not looking back, and rushed out from the depths of the cave.

"Run!"

As he fled, he shouted, "Xiao..."

Before he could finish, the sound of something shattering resonated in the cave.

"Continue running, as far as you can!" Ye Feipeng's terrified voice came from the side.

Xiao Heng's heart tightened. Following the chubby but incredibly agile figure, they fled in a sorry state.

Shortly after Xiao Heng and Ye Feipeng left, a small team of about a dozen people arrived at the entrance of Tianyang Cave.

"With Senior Gouxuan leading the team, exploring a small Foundation Establishment cave, we are sure to capture it easily," a Golden Core cultivator in the team praised.

"Haha, let's go! I want to see if the puppets in this cave are really that amazing!" Senior Gouxuan laughed and walked in first.

What welcomed him was a giant black hand covered in cracks.

...

"Tianyang's entire life..."

"Not inferior to humans!"

Rolling thick smoke rose into the sky as the submarine volcano erupted consecutively.

In the face of the terrifying power of heaven and earth, the Golden Core cultivators had no resistance at all.

The team, which had smiles on their faces one moment, inexplicably disappeared from the world the next.

The towering Tianyang puppets stood proudly, roaring in anger.

After confusedly determining the direction, they headed toward Wanxian Island with giant strides.

(End of this chapter)