Chapter 293 ·Ice-Fire Agrees, Ji Yuan Refuses

When ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Ji Yuan escaped from the Demonic Den earlier, he had overheard the conversation between Ice-Fire Elder and Venerable Dark of the Demonic Path.

Among ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the numerous Golden Core cultivators of the Western Shang Demonic Path, Venerable Dark ranked among the top three!

He ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍had even once been known as the number one cultivator beneath the Nascent Soul Realm.

That ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍alone demonstrated just how formidable his strength was.

But ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍what about now?

Judging ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍by Ice-Fire Elder's crazed declaration, it seemed he had actually won.

'Is that old bastard really so powerful?'

Ji Yuan had barely begun wondering about this when he received his answer. He saw an enormous fireball flying toward them from the north, and wherever it passed, even space itself seemed to ripple.

However, the person inside the fireball was no longer the hunched old man from before. Instead, he was an elderly man dressed in a crimson dragon robe. Although his hair and beard were white, his aura was extraordinarily powerful, and his bold, imperious expression made it seem as though he regarded even heaven and earth with disdain.

When the battle had begun, he had been the ice-aspected Ice-Fire Elder. Yet now that the battle was over, he had transformed into the fire-aspected Ice-Fire Elder before them.

He had seemed extremely far away just moments earlier, but within a few breaths, he had already returned to the skies above the Pill Refining Room.

Hovering high above, he looked down upon the entire Pill Refining Room.

Even with the formation separating them, Ji Yuan could feel the scorching heat burning against his skin.

“This Ice-Fire El… Senior Ice-Fire seems to have broken through.”

Li Changhe said through Divine Sense Voice Transmission, “In the middle of that great battle, he actually managed to achieve a breakthrough while fighting.”

“I think… so too!”

Ji Yuan could sense it as well. Ice-Fire Elder's aura was indeed considerably stronger than before the battle.

…There really were countless geniuses in this world. Even during a life-and-death battle between Peak Golden Core cultivators, someone could actually achieve a breakthrough in the midst of combat.

Faced with such talent, even Ji Yuan could only admit his inferiority.

At the very least, every breakthrough he had experienced since beginning cultivation had been extremely difficult.

And that was without even mentioning his future breakthrough into the Core Formation Realm. Merely thinking about it made Ji Yuan feel tremendous pressure.

Whether he was showing off or doing something else, Ice-Fire Elder remained in midair for a while before finally withdrawing the phenomenon surrounding him. He descended into the Pill Refining Room and eventually entered the main hall.

Just before leaving, Ji Yuan noticed that the elder seemed to have given him an unusually long glance, though he could not tell whether it was his imagination.

“Come on, let's go over and take a look.”

Li Changhe was extremely eager to join the excitement.

However, before he could move, Ice-Fire Elder's voice rang out from within the Pill Refining Room.

“Foundation Establishment cultivators shall remain on guard. Golden Core cultivators shall assemble for discussions.”

As soon as he spoke, all the Foundation Establishment cultivators who had been preparing to head toward the main hall stopped in their tracks. After all, the sight of Ice-Fire Elder returning with such overwhelming momentum had placed tremendous pressure on everyone.

Immediately afterward, several streaks of Escape Light of various colors rose from different parts of the Pill Refining Room before descending into its center.

“Well, looks like we'd better stay here and guard our posts obediently.”

Li Changhe sat back down.

Ji Yuan glanced at him before finally choosing to speak through Divine Sense Voice Transmission. “When I was inside the Demonic Den earlier, I learned some information… I'll tell you, but you mustn't spread it.”

“What? You know something? Brother Ji, don't worry. My lips are sealed tighter than anyone's.”

Li Changhe hurriedly replied.

“Mm… So, do you have any Voidstone?”

Ji Yuan had not forgotten Li Changhe's true reasons for returning to the sect this time. First, he had gone to deliver the Immortal Spring, and second, he had wanted to see whether the Li Family possessed any Voidstone.

“Yes, but not much. This stuff is incredibly rare. We only have eleven jin, and I brought all of it. Do you want to trade?”

Li Changhe answered through Divine Sense Voice Transmission.

“Yes… How do you want to trade?”

Ji Yuan asked tentatively.

Li Changhe pondered for a moment. “Judging by the prices at several previous auctions, the exchange rate between Voidstone and Immortal Spring is approximately ten jin of Voidstone for one mouthful of Immortal Spring.”

“The elders of our Li Family wanted me to negotiate with you and see whether we could get you to accept nine jin of Voidstone for one mouthful of Immortal Spring.”

Ji Yuan thought for a moment. “If that's the case, I'll have to find something else to trade with you as well. I won't lie to you. I need ten jin of Voidstone.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Li Changhe rolled his eyes. “I'll give you all eleven jin. When I get back, I'll just tell them I made the trade. What, do you think those old fossils would actually dare beat me up?”

“Are you sure that's alright?”

Ji Yuan genuinely needed Voidstone. Forget one or two jin—even one or two liang would be useful to him.

“It's fine. Don't worry about it.”

Li Changhe waved his hand dismissively.

“Alright.”

As he spoke, Ji Yuan immediately tossed a Storage Pouch to Li Changhe.

There was nothing else inside the Storage Pouch, only a pot of Immortal Spring.

After receiving it, Li Changhe showed no exaggerated reaction. He simply transferred the pot of Immortal Spring into his own Storage Pouch, placed the eleven jin of Voidstone into the now-empty pouch, and tossed it back.

Ji Yuan caught it and extended his Divine Sense into the Storage Pouch. He immediately saw eleven stones of roughly equal size lying inside.

The Voidstone was entirely grayish-black, dotted with mica-like specks. Overall, it glittered with golden light and looked remarkably beautiful.

However, when Ji Yuan's Divine Sense touched the Voidstone, he discovered that the material seemed capable of devouring Divine Sense.

Or rather, it seemed as though the Voidstone contained an infinite amount of space. Ji Yuan continuously extended his Divine Sense into it, but the Voidstone appeared capable of absorbing it endlessly.

After experimenting for a while, Ji Yuan put away the Storage Pouch.

He could not detect anything unusual.

There was only one thing he was curious about now: Could he use Voidstone to create an upgradeable mineral vein, just as he could with Spirit Stones?

If that were possible, it would truly solve the problem once and for all.

…There was no rush. He would try it when he had time.

Ji Yuan did not even intend to return to the Water Dragon Sect. Instead, he planned to dig a hole beneath this Pill Refining Room and see whether he could establish a mineral vein there.

“Alright, tell me what information you learned inside that Demonic Den.”

Having obtained another mouthful of Immortal Spring through the trade, Li Changhe was becoming increasingly delighted. To the Li Family, Spirit Stones were not particularly useful… If it were not for the chaos caused by the Righteous-Demonic War, the Li Family would practically never run out of Spirit Stones.

Voidstone was not particularly useful to them either.

If a Golden Core cultivator truly needed to forge a Life-Bound Magic Treasure, they could simply trade with another prominent family.

But Immortal Spring was different. It was something they could not obtain even through ordinary trading.

“Mm. Even if I don't tell you, you'll probably hear about it before long.”

Ji Yuan offered this preamble before continuing, “The Six Immortal Sects are preparing to abandon Shang Mountain. They intend to let the Demonic Path enter Eastern Shang and fight them here.”

Li Changhe had been idly rolling two walnuts around in his hand. Upon hearing this, his right hand unconsciously tightened. With a crisp “Crack,” the two walnuts were crushed into fragments.

Even the relaxed smile on his face froze.

Ji Yuan had long since passed the point of surprise, so he found Li Changhe's reaction perfectly understandable. He even picked up a piece of walnut kernel from his hand and examined it.

Who knew how old it was? It was no longer edible.

“You're saying… they're abandoning the defense of Shang Mountain?”

Li Changhe took a deep breath before continuing his question through Divine Sense Voice Transmission.

Fortunately, everyone else was standing some distance away, and nobody noticed them.

“That's right. From now on, they'll wage guerrilla warfare centered around the Six Immortal Sects and the numerous Market Towns,” Ji Yuan explained.

“No wonder. I was wondering why that old man in my family has been running around everywhere lately. Whenever I asked him what was happening, he refused to tell me. So something this major was going on… But now that you've mentioned it, I think I understand why.”

After his brief astonishment, Li Changhe gradually calmed down.

“Why?”

This was something Ji Yuan genuinely did not know.

Hearing the question, Li Changhe pondered for a moment before finally answering through Divine Sense Voice Transmission. “Actually, over the past few years… You might not know much about this. In fact, most cultivators from our Six Sects probably don't know either. I only happened to learn something about the situation from the Great Elder and the others.”

“According to the information obtained by the Six Sects Alliance, the vast majority of those defending Shang Mountain over the years have actually been disciples of our Immortal Sects.”

“The Rogue Cultivators of Eastern Shang have barely contributed anything. If that were all, we could probably tolerate it.”

“But they insist on causing trouble within Eastern Shang as well. You should know quite a bit about that, shouldn't you? Ever since the Demonic Path began its invasion, the entirety of Eastern Shang has been in chaos.”

Ji Yuan nodded slightly. “That's true. Leaving aside the major cities, even the Market Towns have been incredibly chaotic, with disturbances supposedly caused by Demonic Cultivators occurring every few days.”

Li Changhe sneered upon hearing this. “Where would so many Demonic Cultivators come from? Most of those disturbances were actually caused by Rogue Cultivators taking advantage of the chaos. And more often than not, groups of Rogue Cultivators gathered together specifically to target our Six Immortal Sects.”

“This…”

Ji Yuan actually knew about this, but he had not known that the Rogue Cultivators were avoiding Shang Mountain.

“So the Six Sects Alliance believes… the Rogue Cultivators aren't worth saving?”

Even though they were communicating through Divine Sense Voice Transmission, Ji Yuan's voice became noticeably quieter as he spoke.

“That's essentially the situation. Our Six Immortal Sects have been fighting desperately on Shang Mountain. It would be bad enough if those people merely sat back and enjoyed the benefits, but they're actually dragging us down.”

“Furthermore, according to the intelligence our families have gathered, many Rogue Cultivators have already made up their minds. Once the Demonic Path breaks through, not only will they join the Demonic Path, they'll even guide the Demonic Cultivators through Eastern Shang.”

As Li Changhe spoke, his anger intensified, and he crushed the walnuts in his hand into powder.

“Looking at it that way, there really isn't much point in continuing to defend Shang Mountain. More importantly, they can't hold it anyway.”

Ji Yuan neither agreed nor disagreed. He merely stated the facts.

“Exactly!”

Li Changhe sneered through Divine Sense Voice Transmission. “Since those Rogue Cultivators are so fond of the Demonic Path, we might as well let the Demonic Cultivators in. Then they can see for themselves whether the Demonic Path treats them as allies or as Immortal Materials!”

“And if we really stop defending Shang Mountain, the pressure on our Six Immortal Sects will actually decrease considerably.”

Ji Yuan analyzed the situation as he spoke.

“Precisely. You have no idea how many disciples our Six Immortal Sects have lost over the years. Besides, our defensive line has been stretched too thin. We simply can't hold it anymore.”

“Didn't you see that even a Demonic Cultivator as powerful as Venerable Dark managed to get inside? In fact, you can hardly even call it infiltration. They practically forced their way in. We can't hold the line. There's simply no way to hold it.”

Li Changhe sighed.

“From now on, the Righteous-Demonic War will enter its second phase.”

“Indeed.”

After hearing Li Changhe's explanation, Ji Yuan also felt rather heavyhearted.

If the defense of Shang Mountain could be compared to a siege, then the second phase that followed would be street fighting.

During a siege, Ji Yuan could still keep his head down and avoid participating in the battle. However, that would no longer be possible once the fighting reached the streets.

Because even if he refused to participate, the enemy would eventually come knocking at his door.

That would be true whether he remained in this Pill Refining Room or returned to the Water Dragon Sect.

“Judging by the preparations at our Pill Refining Room, I suspect Shang Mountain has already been abandoned. The news simply hasn't reached us yet.”

Li Changhe looked around at the fortress-like Pill Refining Room as he spoke.

“Indeed. I think that's almost certainly the case.”

Ji Yuan shared the same opinion.

“Don't worry. We'll deal with whatever comes our way.”

As Li Changhe spoke, he glanced around to make sure nobody was paying attention before continuing through Divine Sense Voice Transmission:

“Think about it from another perspective. If you were a Demonic Cultivator invading Eastern Shang from Western Shang, would you focus on the easy prey among the Rogue Cultivators, or would you come after the tough bones represented by our Six Immortal Sects?”

Although he could not state it too directly, that was indeed the reality.

…Actually, I don't need to look at it from another perspective.

Ji Yuan recalled the Demonic Path cultivation technique in his mind, 《Yin Transformation Spirit-Absorbing Scripture》.

Then he glanced at the upgrade requirements for the 【Grave Mound】 on his panel.

【Upgrade Requirements: Bury 100 Foundation Establishment corpses, 10 Peak Foundation Establishment corpses, and 1 Golden Core corpse. (Not Met)】

After cultivating diligently for so long, it was about time he strengthened his Demonic Path abilities.

For example, once he unleashed his Yin Corpse Demonic Fire, who among cultivators of the same realm would dare raise their voice at him?

While the two were conversing, several streaks of Escape Light suddenly flew out of the main hall of the Pill Refining Room. Immediately afterward, Ice-Fire Elder's voice rang out once more.

“Golden Core cultivators shall remain on guard. Foundation Establishment cultivators shall assemble for discussions.”

As soon as his voice faded, Li Changhe pulled Ji Yuan to his feet. “Come on, come on. It's our turn.”

Immediately afterward, figures rose from the four surrounding walls of the Pill Refining Room and flew toward the main hall in the center.

After arriving, Ji Yuan briefly surveyed the surroundings. There were nearly forty or fifty Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered in this Pill Refining Room alone.

Most of them were unfamiliar faces, and their auras varied considerably.

Clearly, they came from other Immortal Sects.

Li Changhe originally wanted to pull Ji Yuan toward the front.

However, Ji Yuan remained near the entrance, habitually positioning everyone else in front of himself.

After everyone had assembled, Ice-Fire Elder, who sat above the hall dressed almost like an emperor, suddenly opened his eyes.

Even the slightest trace of his Peak Golden Core aura placed tremendous psychological pressure on everyone present.

The hall fell silent.

The Golden Core cultivator spoke. “From this day onward, we will no longer defend Shang Mountain. We only need to defend the Wangcheng Mountain Pill Refining Room.”

The hall immediately erupted into an uproar, and everyone began discussing the announcement.

To avoid appearing conspicuous, Ji Yuan also began talking with Li Changhe beside him.

“……”

What followed was relatively straightforward.

Ice-Fire Elder did not say much more. He merely instructed everyone to defend the Pill Refining Room properly before reorganizing the duties assigned to the numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators.

He reduced the number assigned to Pill Refining and strengthened the defensive forces.

He also assigned the Foundation Establishment cultivators to serve under Core Formation cultivators, though this arrangement was fairly reasonable.

Perhaps taking the grievances between the sects into consideration, Ice-Fire Elder assigned the Foundation Establishment cultivators of each sect to Core Formation cultivators from their respective sects.

Ji Yuan and Li Changhe, for example, were assigned to serve under Real Person Hunter Owl.

As for his duties, Ji Yuan was finally no longer responsible for guarding the streets. Instead, he was assigned to protect the Pill Refining Room.

In other words, he would be guarding the city.

Most of those who remained assigned to Pill Refining were Early Foundation Establishment cultivators.

There was nothing to complain about. Everyone was assigned duties according to their strength.

They could hardly allow Peak Foundation Establishment cultivators to hide safely inside the Market Town while demanding that Early Foundation Establishment cultivators protect them.

Once the discussions concluded, everyone began preparing to leave.

However, just as Ji Yuan was about to depart, Ice-Fire Elder's voice rang out in his mind once again through Divine Sense Voice Transmission.

“You stay.”

Those three simple words brought Ji Yuan to a halt.

Yet just as he assumed Ice-Fire Elder wanted him to remain behind to discuss matters concerning the Demonic Den, he discovered that he was not the only person staying.

Including himself, there were six Peak Foundation Establishment cultivators.

…What was this about?

Ji Yuan could not help feeling somewhat puzzled.

After all, even a Pseudo-Core cultivator like Li Changhe had not been asked to stay, yet several Peak Foundation Establishment cultivators had been retained…

Six people, four men and two women.

Ji Yuan examined them, judging from their clothing and auras.

Among the four men, there was one each from Sword Ruins, Medicine King Valley, the Spirit Taming Sect, and the Water Dragon Sect.

Both women came from Joy Palace.

Not a single person came from Corpse Driving Mountain.

While Ji Yuan was examining them, they were also examining him…

After all, Ji Yuan was using the 《Aura Concealment Art》, so his outwardly displayed cultivation was only at Late Foundation Establishment.

Just as he was wondering what was happening, Ice-Fire Elder raised his hand and closed the hall doors.

“Come closer.”

Everyone gathered before the raised platform.

“You all know the general situation, so I won't waste time explaining it again. The reason I've asked you to stay is that the Six Sects Alliance has made another arrangement.”

Ice-Fire Elder paused briefly before continuing:

“The Six Immortal Sects intend to gather their finest resources and their most talented Peak Foundation Establishment disciples to form specialized Demon-Hunting Squads.”

“The purpose of these Demon-Hunting Squads will be to venture out and hunt Demonic Cultivators once we've allowed them into Eastern Shang.”

“Any resources possessed by the Six Sects will be made available to the Demon-Hunting Squads on a priority basis. This includes certain treasures that can assist with Core Formation. For example, even the Core Condensation Wood of Sword Ruins will be made available for exchange.”

“What?!”

The Peak Foundation Establishment cultivator from Sword Ruins could not help looking astonished.

“Even Core Condensation Wood can be exchanged for?”

“As long as you've earned sufficient merit, yes.”

Ice-Fire Elder waved his hand. “Let me finish first.”

“Yes. This junior overstepped his bounds.”

The cultivator cupped his hands and stepped backward, only to discover that someone was standing even farther behind him… He smiled at Ji Yuan and said nothing more.

“You six are the most talented and powerful Peak Foundation Establishment… and Late Foundation Establishment cultivators I've selected from our Pill Refining Room. Therefore, I'd like you to form a Demon-Hunting Squad. What do you think?”

“Of course, participation isn't compulsory. It's entirely voluntary.”

After Ice-Fire Elder finished speaking, his gaze swept across their faces. Clearly, he was waiting for their answers.

For a moment, the six exchanged glances.

Finally, the Peak Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Spirit Taming Sect stepped forward and cupped his hands.

“May I ask, Senior, why select a Late Foundation Establishment cultivator when there are Peak Foundation Establishment fellow Daoists available?”

After speaking, he turned to glance at Ji Yuan and smiled politely. “I have no intention of looking down on this fellow Daoist. It's simply that… perhaps Fellow Daoist Tongyou from Corpse Driving Mountain would be somewhat stronger.”

Hearing this, Ice-Fire Elder raised an eyebrow… Late Foundation Establishment?

The Late Foundation Establishment cultivator you're looking at just killed a Core Formation cultivator.

He then glanced at Ji Yuan, clearly implying that the brat should stop concealing his cultivation and reveal his true strength so that the elder could explain his selection.

Under his gaze, Ji Yuan actually did step forward.

However, he cupped his hands and said, “Reporting to Senior, this junior believes that this fellow Daoist makes a reasonable point. My cultivation is low, and I'm not skilled in combat. It would be better to give my place in the Demon-Hunting Squad to Fellow Daoist Tongyou of Corpse Driving Mountain.”

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