Chapter 290 : The Might of the Life-Bound Magic Treasure

Ji ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Yuan looked at the figure walking out from the inner room and was momentarily stunned. Immediately afterward, he subconsciously used his thoughts to connect with the protective wine cup inside his Storage Pouch.

Along ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍with the four scales inside his body.

And ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍that profoundly mysterious……Fixed-Point Teleportation Token.

The ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍tremendous contributions he had made on Black Dragon Island had long since been converted into tangible rewards, such as these scales that could withstand a surprise attack from a Mid Golden Core Cultivator.

Originally, ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍he had only possessed one, but now the Water Dragon Sect had given him three more at once.

And ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the Fixed-Point Teleportation Token, which was the best at preserving his life and could practically be called a “Return-to-City Talisman”,

had also been obtained by the Water Dragon Sect once again.

He did not know which sect had provided it, but in the end, it had fallen into Ji Yuan’s hands.

Therefore, if he truly wanted to flee, unless a Nascent Soul Cultivator launched a close-range surprise attack again, no one could stop Ji Yuan.

The person who appeared before him did not seem inclined to attack either. He simply walked step by step to the stone table in front of Ji Yuan, sat down, and even casually crossed one leg over the other.

Ji Yuan looked at him, then glanced at Divine Eagle Master, who had turned back at some unknown point, and subconsciously took a step backward.

“So the two Seniors already knew I was fake?”

The reason Ji Yuan had such a question was naturally because of the second person who had appeared.

Because the person now sitting beside the stone table was none other than the Golden Core Real Person who had previously left the Pill Refining Room……Real Person Fire Python.

This damn bastard had actually defected to the Demonic Path!

And he had even appeared inside this Demonic Den.

What a damn small world……Ji Yuan now regretted two things.

The first was that on the day Ice-Fire Elder arrived, he had not completely killed this fellow.

The second was that when entering just now, he had not used his Divine Sense to investigate a little more thoroughly. At the time, Ji Yuan’s Divine Sense had only just reached this place and discovered Divine Eagle Master’s figure when he was sensed in return.

That was why Ji Yuan had immediately withdrawn his Divine Sense.

If he had pushed just a little farther and investigated the rooms here,

the moment he learned Real Person Fire Python was inside, Ji Yuan definitely would have fled immediately and never given himself the chance to fall into this trap.

“We knew.”

The one-armed Divine Eagle Master also returned to his previous seat, sitting beside Real Person Fire Python with a triumphant smile on his face. “Did you never wonder why we contacted you immediately after Huang Richeng died?”

Ji Yuan frowned.

“So from the very beginning, this was a trap you deliberately set. You wanted to lure us in……you wanted to bait me? No, I’m not worth such effort.”

“So your actual target was……Ice-Fire Elder.”

“Correct.”

Real Person Fire Python spread his hands. “The moment Huang Richeng died, we thought of this flawless plan. We were betting that you wouldn’t give up this opportunity to eliminate us.”

“So Ice-Fire Elder is outside right now, isn’t he? But he’s being isolated by our formation and can’t hear what’s happening inside. Of course, you can also try using some other transmission method and see whether you can contact him.”

Ji Yuan looked at the two of them and slowly shook his head.

“Since things have reached this point and both Seniors came prepared, I won’t make any meaningless struggles. I’m only curious about one thing. Why didn’t the two Seniors kill me immediately, and instead are willing to chat with me here?”

As Ji Yuan spoke, he seriously thought it over. At present, he truly had no way to contact the outside.

Either he used one scale to protect his life while launching a forceful attack. That would definitely alert Ice-Fire Elder outside and draw him into attacking as well.

Or……he fled.

Divine Eagle Master and Real Person Fire Python glanced at each other, both seeing delight and approval in the other’s eyes.

“We put on such a good show, so naturally someone has to cooperate with us, right?”

Divine Eagle Master smiled and nodded. “As for the second reason, we’re considering something.”

“What?”

Ji Yuan asked.

“Since you were able to make it all the way here today, that proves you must be a clever person. Since you’re clever, then you should be able to see that in this Righteous–Demonic War, the Righteous Path no longer has the slightest hope. Since that’s the case, why not change sides and defect to our Demonic Path?”

After Divine Eagle Master finished speaking, he looked at Ji Yuan with interest.

“You want me to completely defect to the Demonic Path, then use Ice-Fire Elder’s trust in me to lure him thoroughly into your trap so you can……eliminate him. Is that right?”

Ji Yuan asked in return.

“See? I told you communicating with clever people saves effort.” Divine Eagle Master laughed loudly after saying this. “What do you think? After all, the world has so many beautiful things. Living is always better than dying, right?”

Ji Yuan looked at the two of them and did not speak immediately.

Divine Eagle Master and Real Person Fire Python also knew this was a major decision, so naturally they had to give Ji Yuan some time to consider it.

……The reason these two are keeping me alive means they don’t have absolute confidence in taking down Ice-Fire Elder right now. After all, if that old Senior unleashes his full strength, he definitely possesses Peak Golden Core combat power.

Relying on these two rotten fish and stinking shrimp clearly won’t be enough. They probably have some other method.

But they need me to lure Ice-Fire Elder into that trap.

Can I do that?

Absolutely not. Although I, Qiu Qianhai, am a Demonic Cultivator, I still understand that there are things one should and should not do……yes, what Ji Yuan was considering was not whether he should join the Demonic Path.

Because Qiu Qianhai was already part of the Demonic Path!

What he was thinking about was whether he should directly expose his Demonic Path identity. If he did, perhaps he could obtain their trust.

After all, what Ji Yuan wanted now was to escape without suffering any injuries. Once he escaped, he could call in reinforcements and have Ice-Fire Elder unleash his full strength, completely wiping out this Demonic Den.

But given the Demonic Path’s cautious nature, even if he exposed his Demonic Path identity, they probably would not directly trust him.

Most likely, they would still place some kind of method upon him, like the previous “Bloodline Curse”.

As for that……I could surrender a strand of my Divine Soul to gain their trust……but that would be far too much of a loss. Rather than use that move, I might as well use a scale to protect myself and attack directly.

Since exposing my Demonic Path identity won’t work, I can only think of another method.

Wait, perhaps there’s another way!

I’m a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with a Life-Bound Magic Treasure. How could I be compared with those people who don’t even possess Magic Treasures?

The more Ji Yuan thought about it, the more feasible this method seemed. Not only could he remain unharmed, he could even use it to alert Ice-Fire Elder.

“How is it? Have you thought it through? We don’t have that much patience.”

Real Person Fire Python smiled sinisterly.

Ji Yuan expressionlessly glanced at him……old thief, sooner or later you’ll die by my hand!

Although that was what he thought inwardly, Ji Yuan outwardly revealed an extremely conflicted expression. Finally, he gritted his teeth and cupped his hands toward the two people before him.

“Since that’s the case, I’ll have to trouble the two Seniors to take care of me from now on.”

Divine Eagle Master laughed. “Very good, very good!”

Ji Yuan looked as though those words had drained all the strength from his body. He dejectedly said, “I wonder what Senior needs me to do?”

“No rush.”

Divine Eagle Master lightly tapped his remaining right hand against his knee. “I already said it just now. You’re a clever person, and clever people must be treated with clever methods.”

After saying this, he took a jade clasp from his Storage Pouch.

It was just like the one he had taken out before.

“Come, drip one drop of blood onto it, and I’ll believe you.” Divine Eagle Master’s voice carried a faint trace of temptation.

Ji Yuan’s already ugly expression instantly turned deathly pale. He subconsciously stepped backward. “No……”

“Hmm?”

Divine Eagle Master angrily stood up, but just as he was about to speak, a strange fluctuation of aura suddenly came from the cave entrance, as though……someone had barged in.

The two of them instinctively turned their heads to look.

But when they turned back again, they discovered……the person was gone!

The figure that had still been beside them just now……had vanished.

He had simply disappeared into thin air from beside the two of them. Other than the faint remaining Spiritual Energy fluctuations they could still sense, there was no other movement at all.

And if it truly were some method capable of transporting a person away through thin air, how could the Spiritual Energy fluctuations it produced be so insignificant?

A living person vanished?

Divine Eagle Master and Real Person Fire Python looked at one another, both seeing shock and disbelief in each other’s eyes.

“Not good!”

“You stay here and guard this place. I’ll go outside and look!”

After Divine Eagle Master finished speaking, he transformed into Escape Light and followed the route Ji Yuan had taken, once again arriving near the entrance. The instant his figure manifested, he instinctively reached toward the Spirit Beast Pouch at his waist.

The reason Divine Eagle Master was called Divine Eagle Master was because he raised an extraordinarily fast Third-Tier Spirit Beast named——Flying Divine Eagle.

If Divine Eagle wanted to leave, unless a Nascent Soul Cultivator personally acted to intercept him, even if Ice-Fire Elder were here, he would not be able to keep Divine Eagle Master behind.

Without that much ability, would he dare come out alone to scout the way?

If that Island Lord of Forgotten Worry truly escaped and Ice-Fire Elder really attacked, then without question, Divine Eagle Master would immediately release the Flying Divine Eagle and flee.

As for Real Person Fire Python……someone had to remain behind to cover the retreat, right?

Divine Eagle Master understood the principle that a dead Fellow Daoist was better than a dead poor Daoist better than anyone.

If he had not understood that principle, Divine Eagle Master would have died countless times along the way.

But the problem was that after carefully checking for quite some time, he still detected nothing unusual outside……judging by the disturbance caused when that Island Lord of Forgotten Worry escaped, he should not have fled very far.

Even if he escaped outside, at most he should only be somewhere along either bank of the Falling Star River.

If he truly were here, Divine Eagle Master would definitely be able to detect him.

After all, the farther a movement technique traveled, the more Spiritual Energy it needed to mobilize.

With that tiny disturbance, he definitely could not have gone far!

Divine Eagle Master confirmed it again and again, but why was there not the slightest movement outside? Could it be that brat had never escaped?

Had he merely hidden himself?

“Brother Eagle, how is it? Any movement?”

Real Person Fire Python’s worried voice sounded inside Divine Eagle Master’s mind.

Divine Eagle Master might not know clearly, but Real Person Fire Python had personally experienced Ice-Fire Elder’s strength.

Real Person Fire Python had no doubt that if Ice-Fire Elder attacked him, surviving ten breaths would already count as Ice-Fire Elder showing mercy.

“Nothing.”

Divine Eagle Master answered truthfully.

“I suspect that brat never escaped and merely used some unknown method to hide himself. Search the surroundings carefully and see whether you can find anything unusual. If you find him……kill him!”

“Alright.”

After saying this, Real Person Fire Python had already begun carefully searching the highest level of the Demonic Den.

He first released his Divine Sense and carefully sensed the surroundings, but naturally found nothing. Afterward, he took several talismans from his Storage Pouch and threw them onto the ground.

The talismans landed and transformed into several small golden mice that rapidly scurried around the area. Every time they reached a new location, they would stop, continuously twitching their noses as they carefully investigated.

The more he searched, the deeper Real Person Fire Python’s frown became.

Because he discovered that he could not find even the slightest clue.

Meanwhile, inside a speck of dust on the ground called 【Spiritual Platform Square-Inch Mountain】, Ji Yuan was also cautiously observing the surroundings. Especially when Real Person Fire Python released those mice, Ji Yuan was startled.

This was the first time he had tested Spiritual Platform Square-Inch Mountain’s concealment effect.

And the bait used in this experiment was……his own life!

Fortunately, judging from the current situation, the effect seemed quite good.

Because several mice ran directly over Ji Yuan’s head without pausing at all.

“How is it?”

Divine Eagle Master detected no movement outside, so he transformed into Escape Light and flew back, repeatedly scanning this level of the Demonic Den with his Divine Sense at the same time.

“Couldn’t find him.”

Real Person Fire Python shook his head.

“If he truly stayed inside, then he probably took advantage of the time I went outside and fled to the lower levels. Come, let’s go down and look.”

After Divine Eagle Master spoke, he headed to the next level first, while Real Person Fire Python followed closely behind with the several mice.

Ji Yuan remained hidden inside the Magic Treasure without making the slightest movement.

After waiting roughly two or three breaths, the two Golden Core Real Persons returned again. “Strange. Looks like he really isn’t here. Let’s go!”

This time, the waiting period was even longer. More than ten breaths passed before the two returned.

They continued carefully investigating the surroundings. The two of them had always felt that Ji Yuan had not left and was still somewhere here.

But in reality?

Ji Yuan truly was here. It was just that when the two Golden Core Real Persons returned the first time, Old Demon Ji had already stopped paying attention to them. Instead, he returned to the 【Cave Dwelling】 inside Spiritual Platform Square-Inch Mountain, swallowed eggs, and cultivated, silently increasing his strength.

While doing so, he even thought that since his Magic Treasure was already called 【Spiritual Platform Square-Inch Mountain】,

then perhaps the 【Cave Dwelling】 could also be renamed 【Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave】?

It seemed that in the future, he would also need to raise a monkey-shaped Spirit Beast.

Thus, over the following day, Divine Eagle Master and Real Person Fire Python repeatedly searched up and down throughout the Demonic Den, practically turning the entire place upside down.

They were only short of digging three feet into the ground.

If they had not been worried about alerting outsiders, the two of them would even have wanted to bombard the entire Demonic Den inside and out. As long as the Island Lord of Forgotten Worry was still somewhere within the Demonic Den, he would inevitably reveal himself.

Unfortunately……they could not carry that out.

One day later.

The two returned once again to the highest level of the Demonic Den. Their expressions no longer held their previous calmness, and instead showed a trace of panic.

Real Person Fire Python, who had already been injured, now looked even paler.

“Brother Eagle, what exactly should we do about this?!”

Real Person Fire Python spoke while his hands trembled.

When nothing had gone wrong, the two could still act like close brothers. Now that trouble had occurred, Divine Eagle Master found even the sight of Real Person Fire Python’s trembling hands extremely irritating.

……What, you have two hands so you’re showing off in front of me?

“We need to make a decision quickly.”

As Divine Eagle Master spoke, he erected a restriction around them before saying solemnly, “According to the information we received not long ago, the Six Sects Alliance has already decided to abandon Shang Mountain. When the time comes, they’ll draw the Demonic Cultivators of Western Shang inside and rely on the Six Immortal Sects, along with the many fortress-like markets throughout Eastern Shang, to engage in chaotic warfare.”

“And this Wangcheng Mountain Pill Refining Room is one of the most important locations. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have sent someone like Ice-Fire Elder to guard it.”

Inside Spiritual Platform Square-Inch Mountain.

Ji Yuan, who had originally been cultivating, abruptly opened his eyes upon hearing this.

……Eastern Shang was going to abandon Shang Mountain?!

This news truly shocked Ji Yuan.

On the way here, he had asked Ice-Fire Elder what exactly was happening, but Ice-Fire Elder had refused to say anything at the time. Now he finally knew.

So the Six Immortal Sects were preparing to abandon Shang Mountain!

No wonder someone as powerful as Ice-Fire Elder had been sent to guard a mere market.

“Exactly.”

Real Person Fire Python spoke with slight agitation:

“So when exactly will Venerable Dark arrive? With him here, even if Ice-Fire Elder truly attacks, we won’t need to worry.”

“I guarantee that Ice-Fire Elder is currently standing right outside our entrance.”

“Nonsense. Do you need to tell me? I’m not blind!”

Divine Eagle Master snapped.

“If you’re not blind, then hurry up and send a message to Venerable Dark! Tell him we’ve already tied down Ice-Fire Elder and that he’s right outside our entrance. As long as Venerable Dark comes over, we can coordinate from inside and outside and completely kill Ice-Fire Elder!”

The inexplicable beating he had taken before, along with that vicious slap,

had caused Real Person Fire Python to hold an intense grudge.

Right now, there was only one thought in his mind.

That was……kill Ice-Fire Elder!

“Why are you rushing me? I’ll ask now.”

When it came to contacting the temperamental Venerable Dark, even Divine Eagle Master felt somewhat afraid. But with no other choice left, he could only take out a treasure pearl from his Storage Pouch, one with four little ghosts kneeling in worship around it.

He tried infusing a trace of Spiritual Energy into it.

The pearl immediately lit up with black light.

A hoarse voice sounded from within. “What is it?”

Divine Eagle Master, who had originally been sitting, immediately stood up and cupped his hands toward the pearl.

“Reporting to Senior. Ice-Fire Elder has now been lured over and is right outside our branch. May I ask whether Senior can act?”

“Oh? That old thief Ice-Fire came out?”

Venerable Dark seemed to become somewhat interested. “Fine. Stall him for a while longer. Once I shake off these tails, I’ll come over.”

After saying this, the transmission cut off.

The four little ghosts that had originally been kneeling beside the pearl seemed unable to withstand its pressure and immediately scattered into ashes.

“I didn’t expect Venerable Dark to truly come inside. Looks like those old fellows on Shang Mountain really aren’t even pretending anymore.” Excitement flickered in Real Person Fire Python’s eyes.

Divine Eagle Master nodded slightly, but his expression did not look good. No one knew what exactly he was thinking.

“……”

Atop Tranquility Mountain, visitors came and went in an endless stream, yet they seemed unable to see the hunched old man standing nearby.

At this moment, Ice-Fire Elder looked down at the Falling Star River, his heart already somewhat heavy.

Because Ji Yuan had been inside for two days. Not only had he failed to come out, there had not been the slightest movement.

……That brat couldn’t have died inside, could he?

This was what Ice-Fire Elder worried about most. But after thinking again, he felt it was more likely that Ji Yuan had been trapped. As for dying, given Ji Yuan’s background, even if he died, there was no way he would die so silently.

Since that was the case, there was no need to care anymore.

He would rescue him first.

Ice-Fire Elder was still somewhat concerned about this junior.

He thought briefly, then sent a Voice Transmission to the many cultivators on Tranquility Mountain, giving them one simple word.

“Scram!”

After saying this, he stepped forward and his figure appeared above the Falling Star River out of thin air. Then he lightly stamped his foot downward.

The Falling Star River froze for three hundred li!