Chapter 291 ·Ji Yuan Battles a Golden Core Cultivator!

“They've ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍made their move!”

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍moment Spiritual Energy fluctuations arose, Divine Eagle Master and Real Person Fire Python, who were inside the Demonic Den, opened their eyes simultaneously. Both looked outside with panic in their eyes.

However, ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍when they sensed the astonishing phenomenon of the Falling Star River being frozen over a stretch of three hundred li, they were considerably frightened.

Real ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Person Fire Python's face turned pale.

Divine ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Eagle Master, meanwhile, seemed to have made some kind of decision.

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍two had their own thoughts.

Divine Eagle Master immediately sent a voice transmission to the remaining Foundation Establishment cultivators, “You should retreat first through the backup entrance. We'll stay here and guard this place.”

“Should we… run?”

Real Person Fire Python subconsciously recalled the overwhelming pressure Ice-Fire Elder had exerted on him earlier. It had truly made him feel the threat of death.

Especially that slap from Ice-Fire Elder. He had practically seen his master beckoning to him from the afterlife.

“Run?”

Divine Eagle Master sneered, “Of course we have to run! Are we supposed to stay here and wait to die?”

Hearing this, Real Person Fire Python laughed awkwardly a few times. “Just… just joking.”

Divine Eagle Master did not waste any more words on this meaningless question. He sensed the tremendous rumbling coming from outside the formation, along with vibrations resembling an earth dragon turning over.

“Ice-Fire Elder really doesn't understand formations, just as the rumors say. He only knows how to break them through brute force.”

Divine Eagle Master analyzed:

“Our formation can distribute his attacks evenly across every part of the formation, so even if he wants to break through, it'll take him at least a stick of incense… That should be enough time for Venerable Dark to arrive.”

“When Venerable Dark arrives, he'll confront the enemy head-on while the two of us provide support from the flanks. This time, we must kill Ice-Fire Elder.”

“What? We're going to provide support?”

Real Person Fire Python hesitated as he spoke, “But I've already been injured twice in succession. I'm afraid I won't be of much help.”

Divine Eagle Master mocked:

“Although Ice-Fire Elder is powerful, against Venerable Dark… he's still somewhat lacking.”

“Victory is practically guaranteed. The two of us only need to join in to claim a share of the rewards. If you want to give up such an enormous contribution, then go ahead.”

“Among the many Rogue Cultivators who joined Eastern Shang, Ice-Fire Elder can be considered the strongest. As long as we take him down… it'll deal a devastating blow to the morale of all Eastern Shang.”

Hearing Divine Eagle Master's analysis, Real Person Fire Python could not help feeling tempted.

“In that case, let's fight for a glorious future.”

“Heh, the entire Cangluo Continent is going to undergo a reshuffling of power this time. Whether we can rise to high positions in one fell swoop will depend on this opportunity.” Divine Eagle Master spoke with considerable emotion.

During this brief exchange, the entire formation outside had already reached the verge of collapse.

“That madman… his strength is truly terrifying.”

As Divine Eagle Master sighed, he reached out and lightly patted the Spiritual Beast Pouch at his waist.

Accompanied by a streak of gray light, a large eagle appeared beside him, standing as tall as he was. Its entire body was covered in gray feathers, but the small tuft atop its head was a mesmerizing purple.

Upon closer inspection, streaks of lightning seemed to flicker within it.

After the Divine Eagle appeared, Divine Eagle Master's aura seemed to grow even stronger.

He then took out some back meat from a Third-Tier Demon Beast, the Crimson-Heart Tiger, from his Storage Pouch and personally fed it to the large eagle.

Seeing this, Real Person Fire Python, who stood nearby, revealed a trace of envy in his eyes. He then summoned his own Third-Tier Spiritual Beast, the “Crimson Flame Fire Python,” from his Spiritual Beast Pouch.

The Fire Python was covered in flame-like patterns. Its head was flat and elongated, and the scales covering its body were exceptionally fine. As it flicked its scarlet tongue, it actually possessed a certain elegance.

With two Third-Tier Spiritual Beasts appearing together inside this small Cave Dwelling, Demonic Aura surged wildly in every direction.

The Divine Eagle, which had originally been eating meat, sensed the Fire Python's aura and immediately turned its head, revealing a ferocious expression.

“Little Eagle.”

Divine Eagle Master called softly, and only then did the Divine Eagle withdraw its gaze.

The Fire Python also retracted its exposed venomous fangs, even lowering its previously raised body considerably.

Eagles were natural enemies of snakes, to begin with, let alone a Divine Eagle of this caliber.

While the two were preparing for battle, Ji Yuan, who was inside Spiritual Platform Square-Inch Mountain on the surface, was doing the same. Seeing the situation, he knew Ice-Fire Elder had made his move.

In that case… once the formation was broken and the two Golden Core cultivators went to confront the enemy.

That would be the moment Ji Yuan escaped with his life.

……

Meanwhile.

Above the frozen Falling Star River, Ice-Fire Elder hovered in midair with an expressionless face. His right hand rose and fell leisurely.

Yet every time it descended, a massive hole appeared in the frozen river surface. The shattered ice within the hole transformed into countless ice swords that fell straight down, striking the formation's surface.

As far as Ice-Fire Elder was concerned, there was no formation that could remain concealed forever.

If it refused to reveal itself, he would simply beat it into the open.

He continued pointing casually, his gaze occasionally surveying the scenery along both banks of the Falling Star River.

The cultivators who had originally been sightseeing on Tranquility Mountain had already scattered in every direction. However, several cultivators were still watching from a hill on the opposite bank of the Falling Star River.

Ice-Fire Elder had always welcomed cultivators who only wanted to make a fortune and did not fear losing their lives, so he made no attempt to drive them away.

Another stick of incense passed in this manner. Two streaks of light flew in from the south and stopped before Ice-Fire Elder.

“Go one hundred li west. There's another exit from this Demonic Den there. The strongest cultivators inside are only at Peak Foundation Establishment. You two go wipe them out, and remember not to leave anyone alive.”

“Yes.”

The two Pseudo-Core cultivators received their orders, cupped their hands slightly in salute, and once again activated the Flying Spiritual Artifacts beneath their feet, heading straight into the western mountains.

Ice-Fire Elder remained motionless, continuing to point at the formation beneath the Falling Star River.

According to his perception, the formation was already on the verge of collapse. Judging by the cracks covering its surface and the rate at which Spiritual Energy was leaking out, it should only be able to withstand another eight breaths.

Oh, no. Another strike landed, and now it could only withstand seven breaths.

But just then, Ice-Fire Elder suddenly stopped.

His previously raised right hand trembled slightly. After exposing his palm from his sleeve, he positioned it horizontally before his lower abdomen.

His left hand rested behind his back, while his right hand remained before him.

At that very moment, a golden ring suddenly appeared behind him. Initially, it was only a tiny point, but the ring continuously expanded and evolved until it finally transformed into a Dharma Manifestation resembling a great sun.

Brilliant golden light radiated from it, illuminating the entire frozen river surface in gold.

“Fellow Daoist, you've been watching the show for quite some time. Isn't it about time you came out and greeted me?”

Ice-Fire Elder looked toward the northern bank of the Falling Star River and spoke slowly.

As his words faded, a streak of gray light flashed through the endless forest, finally stopping at the riverbank and transforming into a middle-aged man wrapped entirely in gray robes, with even his face covered by a veil.

He stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at Ice-Fire Elder in midair.

“You… are that madman from Ice-Fire Island?”

Ice-Fire Elder did not become angry upon hearing this. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he looked down at the gray-robed man.

“You're not from Eastern Shang.”

“I know every Peak Golden Core cultivator in Eastern Shang, and you're not among them.”

The gray-robed man shook his head. “Indeed, I'm not. I've just arrived from Western Shang. My purpose is to defeat the world's heroes and seek an opportunity to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm.”

“Oh, right. The people of Western Shang all call me… Venerable Dark.”

“I've heard of your reputation. You're known as the number one cultivator beneath the Nascent Soul Realm.”

Ice-Fire Elder descended from midair, no longer looking down at the man from above.

“No, no, no.”

Venerable Dark shook his head repeatedly. “I'm not that powerful.”

“Among the Golden Core cultivators of Western Shang, I can rank third at most. As for the number one cultivator beneath the Nascent Soul Realm… that's someone else.”

“That's still very impressive.”

Ice-Fire Elder continued, “Judging by your tone, you shouldn't be very old, should you?”

Venerable Dark answered truthfully as before, “Among Golden Core cultivators, I'm indeed not considered old.”

“No wonder.”

“Why would a madman like you ask such a question?”

Venerable Dark asked curiously.

Ice-Fire Elder sighed. “Because you still talk so arrogantly, constantly declaring that you'll defeat all the heroes under heaven… I was the same when I was young.”

“You should still be at the Late Golden Core Stage… Then what is your outlook now?”

“Me, now?”

The great sun revolved behind Ice-Fire Elder as he slowly replied, “I no longer seek to surpass others. I only seek to break through each cultivation realm and pursue immortality.”

“Then that's unfortunate for you. Since you've encountered me today, I'm afraid your path to immortality has reached its end.”

After speaking, Venerable Dark took a step forward from where he stood on the riverbank. His entire body instantly transformed into a streak of gray light, first leaping into midair before violently crashing toward Ice-Fire Elder, who stood upon the river surface.

Their bodies and techniques collided.

A muffled “Boom——” resounded.

In an instant, the river surface that had been frozen for three hundred li shattered completely, with nearly every inch of ice breaking apart.

Their figures plunged to the riverbed, but they quickly flew back up near the riverbanks, finally hovering opposite each other on the northern and southern sides of the Falling Star River.

Ice-Fire Elder shook his left hand and muttered, “So ruthless at such a young age. You don't even know how to show a little mercy to an old man like me.”

“Hehehe.”

Once Venerable Dark began fighting, his previous attitude disappeared. Instead, he sneered:

“Killing an old bastard like you is as easy as slaughtering a dog!”

After speaking, he lowered his head toward the river surface again. “You two useless old fools, if you don't come out now, I'll kill you both first.”

As his voice faded, the formation, which was already damaged to the extreme, was opened from within. At the very instant its Life Gate opened.

The formation, already on the verge of destruction, finally shattered completely.

Two streaks of Escape Light, one black and one red, shot out from within and eventually stopped behind Venerable Dark, transforming into two figures.

They were none other than Divine Eagle Master and Real Person Fire Python.

But at that very moment, as the formation dissipated, a speck of dust also drifted away with the current, floating downstream along the Falling Star River.

Ice-Fire Elder's gaze swept over the two before finally settling on Real Person Fire Python. He said seriously, “What I regret most now is not slapping you to death against that wall back then.”

A barely perceptible trace of fear flashed through Real Person Fire Python's eyes. However, when he caught sight of Venerable Dark standing before him from the corner of his eye, he finally gained a little confidence.

“Don't worry. In a moment, it'll be Venerable Dark's turn to slap you to death against a wall.”

Ice-Fire Elder sneered and silently mouthed two words.

“Useless trash.”

With that, the great sun behind him suddenly expanded, transforming into a massive Dharma Manifestation the size of a small mountain.

The golden sun scorched the river surface, immediately raising countless clouds of white steam. Even the distant mountains were ignited by the raging flames, burning through mountains, rivers, and fields.

“Suppress——”

Ice-Fire Elder uttered the command in a deep voice.

Immediately, fireballs flew out from the golden sun Dharma Manifestation behind him. Each was the size of a human head and contained an aura capable of incinerating everything.

When the fireballs struck the river surface, they immediately burned out enormous craters.

However, most of the fireballs were directed toward the three Golden Core cultivators opposite him.

Seeing this, Venerable Dark advanced instead of retreating. As he stepped forward, a dark Spiritual Barrier immediately appeared before him.

Every fireball that struck the Spiritual Barrier dissolved into nothingness. However, fiery patterns appeared across its surface, eventually converging at its center.

Absorb, then counterattack.

Having seen through the technique, Ice-Fire Elder sneered and formed a hand seal with one hand. As he retreated a step, the entire great sun Dharma Manifestation advanced.

His figure passed through the Dharma Manifestation… and then the great sun smashed toward Venerable Dark on the opposite side.

Seeing this, Divine Eagle Master and Real Person Fire Python, who were farther away, instinctively retreated.

Real Person Fire Python merely retreated to the riverbank. Knowing that this attack could not harm him, he stopped there.

In the distance, Venerable Dark extended a finger, and a dark peach blossom immediately bloomed before him. The moment the blossom shattered, the descending great sun Dharma Manifestation vanished along with it.

Real Person Fire Python stroked the little red snake on his shoulder and instinctively looked to his right.

That was where Divine Eagle Master had originally been standing, but now… where was Divine Eagle Master?!

Where the hell had he gone?

Real Person Fire Python hurriedly turned his head toward the north, only to spot a tiny speck of black light at the far edge of the sky.

That bastard… had run away?

He had actually run away?!

For a moment, Real Person Fire Python could hardly believe it. However, he quickly recalled what Divine Eagle Master had said earlier inside the underground Demonic Den.

He had said back then that they should run, but Real Person Fire Python had thought he was joking.

But now, it seemed… Real Person Fire Python hesitated for less than one-tenth of a breath before immediately transforming into a streak of red light and fleeing eastward.

“The Demonic Path truly lives up to its reputation. You certainly know how to sacrifice your fellow Daoists to save yourselves.”

Seeing this while fighting, Ice-Fire Elder could not help bursting into laughter.

He had never imagined that the two men who had appeared so aggressive earlier would turn around and flee immediately.

Veins bulged violently on Venerable Dark's forehead. “No matter. Once I've killed you, I'll personally send those two to join you.”

“We'll see who sends whom.”

After speaking, Ice-Fire Elder's figure suddenly rose several dozen zhang into the air. He raised his right hand and pressed downward from above, then lifted his left hand to support upward from below.

In less than an instant.

Two lotus flowers, each several dozen zhang in diameter, appeared above and below Venerable Dark. The lotus above his head was fiery red, while the one beneath his feet was icy blue.

“Ice-Fire Lotus!”

“……”

“I've already traveled several dozen li underwater. If I head farther south now and hide within Medicine King Valley's territory, no one should know where I've gone.”

On the southern bank of the Falling Star River, Real Person Fire Python silently emerged from beneath the water.

Just as he was about to step ashore, he discovered a man sitting on a massive boulder by the riverbank, with his back facing him.

The man had a tall, slender figure and wore a snow-white robe. As the river breeze blew, the hem of his robe fluttered gracefully, giving him the appearance of a genuine immortal.

“You are…”

Before Real Person Fire Python could release his Divine Sense, he watched helplessly as the massive boulder rotated in a circle. The man who had originally been sitting with his back toward him also turned around, facing him directly.

“What? It's you!”

Real Person Fire Python instinctively took half a step backward upon seeing the man before him.

However, after thinking about it, he was no longer afraid.

No matter how badly injured he was, he was still a genuine Core Formation cultivator. As for the Island Lord of Wuyou Island before him?

He was merely a Late Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The one who should be panicking was not him, but the other party!

“It's me.”

As Ji Yuan nodded, sword embryos flew out of his Dantian one after another, eventually hovering around him in various colors. “When I saw you earlier in the underground Demonic Den, I secretly swore to myself that you… would definitely die by my hand.”

“Arrogant brat!”

Real Person Fire Python descended, and the little crimson snake on his shoulder suddenly revealed its true form.

In an instant, an enormous Fire Python more than a dozen zhang long appeared on the bank of the Falling Star River.

Ji Yuan glanced at it. It was merely an Early Third-Tier Spiritual Beast. His Monday, although only at the Late Second Tier, was not necessarily weaker. He lightly patted the Spiritual Beast Pouch at his waist.

An ice-blue Ice Flood Dragon suddenly emerged from within and landed before Ji Yuan, transforming into an enormous Spiritual Beast of roughly the same size.

“Ice Flood Dragon…”

A trace of envy flashed through Real Person Fire Python's eyes. “Heh, so what if it's an Ice Flood Dragon?”

“You talk too much.”

Seeing that his preparations were nearly complete, Ji Yuan immediately willed the two Heavenly Thunder Seeds he had secretly buried beneath Real Person Fire Python's feet to explode.

“Boom——”

“Boom——”

Two deafening explosions rang out in succession, and waves of mist subsequently rose along the riverbank.

Formation——Stellar Whirl Cloud Barrier Formation.

Formation——Stardust Illusion-Kill Formation!

This was Ji Yuan's first time confronting a Golden Core cultivator head-on, so he naturally had to remain completely vigilant.

Although Real Person Fire Python transformed into Escape Light and avoided the attacks, the Fire Python took both strikes directly. Many of the scales on its abdomen were torn apart, and its forked tongue flicked incessantly.

Monday had thoroughly inherited Ji Yuan's fighting philosophy.

Strike while the enemy is weakened and finish him off!

Thus, it suddenly lunged forward while simultaneously summoning numerous ice spikes that crashed down from the sky, seemingly intending to impale the Fire Python to death.

Unlike the cautious Tuesday, Monday was truly fearless in battle. Just like now, although the Fire Python was an entire tier above it, Monday still charged forward without the slightest hesitation.

It displayed an attitude of either the enemy dying or itself perishing.

But Ji Yuan was rather different. He never fought an unprepared battle.

Just like now, Real Person Fire Python had been frightened into flying high into the sky by the two Heavenly Thunder Seeds, turning himself into a living target.

Ji Yuan extended a finger toward Real Person Fire Python in the sky. The nine Flying Sword Embryos that had originally been hovering around him immediately shot upward one after another.

One sword followed another.

Finally, the nine sword embryos merged together, transforming into an enormous Canglan Sword.

Nine Swords Combined into One.

One Sword… Slashes the Heavens!

The Canglan Sword descended from above, but beneath Real Person Fire Python's feet, an enormous net had already spread open. If he attempted to flee, he would be caught by the Magic Treasure, the Heavenly Net.

If he did not flee, he would have to withstand this heaven-slashing sword strike head-on.

Real Person Fire Python was, after all, a Golden Core cultivator. Seeing that Ji Yuan truly dared to attack him, he finally calmed down. He formed a hand seal with his right hand, and a fiery-red streak of light flew out of his Dantian, eventually landing in his hand and transforming into a crimson whip.

Life-Bound Magic Treasure——Crimson Wave Whip!

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