Chapter 220: Striving for the Great Dao!

Actually, it cannot be said that it was completely destroyed by someone.

Qingling Xianzi understood that Yunhe must have misunderstood, and hurriedly explained:

"According to some records of my Qingmu Sect, in ages before any records existed, the 'Luo Tian Hulu Vine' was cut off by a senior possessing great power."

"Cut off?"

Yunhe learned from the demonic script on the jade pillar that when the demon tribe retreated, they had to abandon it because they could not handle this vine; surprisingly, someone could cut off this vine.

"Wait, if it was cut off, yet not destroyed?" Yunhe asked.

Qingling Xianzi smiled and nodded, extending her jade-like finger to draw two simple lines on the table, and Yunhe immediately understood.

The gourd vine grows from the ground, its vines hanging on a special rack, and the part that was cut off is merely the portion hanging on the rack.

"In other words, the 'Luo Tian Hulu Vine' was cut into two sections by a certain senior; the remaining part should still bear gourds, at most yielding fewer gourds."

"Indeed." Qingling Xianzi's smile gradually faded, she lightly sighed and continued:

"But this vine is an integral immortal vine; cutting a part causes it to become incomplete, so the gourds it bears are not only fewer in number, but also greatly inferior in effect and efficacy compared to before."

Hearing this, Yunhe rubbed the rim of his tea cup, revealing a thoughtful expression.

Does this mean that the vine's attraction to those Yuan Ying Cultivators is not as great?

Although this is regrettable, for Yunhe it is not without good news.

Anyway, whether the 'Luo Tian Hulu Vine' is intact or not, it is not something he can obtain.

"If this causes some Yuan Ying Cultivators to lose interest, then this 'Luo Tian Secret Realm' might be worth a try."

Besides, just obtaining this piece of information from Qingling Xianzi makes his trip worthwhile.

Afterward.

The two chatted on and off about many matters concerning the 'Luo Tian Secret Realm'.

The Qingmu Sect seems to have had cultivators enter before, possibly more than once, so they not only have considerable knowledge of the 'Luo Tian Secret Realm', but also know some secret spots, which has greatly benefited Yunhe.

Once again, the fact proves that his coming to consult Qingling Xianzi about the situation was indeed a wise move.

Of course.

Qingling Xianzi is not a fool either; she more or less sensed from some of Yunhe's revelations that he might have a chance to enter the 'Luo Tian Secret Realm'.

However, both were tacitly aware but neither chose to point it out, each understanding the other in silence.

And their conversation lasted from morning until nightfall.

Their talk was not only about the 'Luo Tian Secret Realm'; they also exchanged cultivation insights and some seemingly trivial information.

"It's getting late, Fellow Daoist Yun, you might as well rest here for a while."

This place is far from the central area of Yuheng Island; it seems to be solely Qingling Xianzi's domain, not even a servant present.

As for that, Yunhe did not refuse either.

Interacting more with fellow cultivators of the same realm is still quite beneficial for him.

Especially cultivators like Qingling Xianzi from a major sect, whose knowledge, information, and experience cannot be compared to that of a loose cultivator like Yunhe.

This point, Yunhe, who once joined a sect, is well aware of.

However, the Qingzong Sect he initially joined pales in comparison to the Qingmu Sect that possesses Yuan Ying Cultivators; the difference is not just a little.

Overnight stay.

Of course, it's impossible to have just one room.

In fact, neither of them stayed in a single building.

Between them lay a lake.

Cultivators always have their own secrets; their relationship has not yet reached the point where they can mutually reveal some secrets.

Even after Yunhe entered the wooden hut, he still set up a formation.

He sat cross-legged on the couch, slightly digested the information he had gathered today, then took out his talisman pen and talisman paper.

His new understanding of the Dragon Scale Pattern made him eager to try drawing a new Cloud Escape Talisman.

However, the difficulty of drawing it turned out to be far greater than he imagined.

All the previous talisman papers could not bear it; even the talisman skin originally made from the hide of the Thunder Horn Mystic Crystal Crocodile, which the Cloud Escape Talisman used, could not do so.

But this did not disappoint Yunhe; instead, it surprised him even more.

The higher the demand for the talisman skin, the more it indicates that the effect of this spirit pattern he has comprehended, once drawn, will be stronger.

But it might be that he has to make new talisman skin from scratch.

As for the materials, he had made preparations.

That is the scale of a late-stage third-order fire python from the Yao Shou Shijie.

A python further ahead becomes a jiao; that fire python possesses a faint trace of the True Dragon Bloodline with red fire, obviously showing greater bearing capacity than the hide of the Thunder Horn Mystic Crystal Crocodile.

If even the talisman skin made from those scales cannot bear this spirit pattern, then he could temporarily set it aside.

Afterward.

During the day, Yunhe exchanged insights with Qingling Xianzi; at night, he alone in the room crafted talisman skin while practicing the new spirit pattern.

During this period.

It let Yunhe discover a new 'skill' of Qingling Xianzi.

Playing the zither.

Qingling Xianzi actually has some accomplishment in music; her zither skill may not be stunning, but paired with this tranquil and beautiful landscape, it carries quite a charm.

Half a month later.

Only then did he finally succeed in turning the fire python's scales into talisman skin.

However, at that time he did not kill the fire python, so the remaining scales were few, ultimately yielding only eight pieces of talisman skin.

And after his attempts, he ultimately confirmed that the talisman skin made from the fire python's scales can indeed bear the new spirit pattern.

Finally, Yunhe harvested three new Cloud Escape Talismans.

The success rate is somewhat low, but the crafted talisman

"Third Level Supreme? Or perhaps Fourth Level?"

He examined the talisman he had successfully drawn; its patterns were already concealed, yet just by the naked eye one could see that the talisman's material was not ordinary—it was clear this talisman would certainly not be simple.

Yunhe was somewhat unsure about the level of this talisman.

Logically speaking.

With this round's talisman pattern plus the talisman base, this talisman can fully be considered a Fourth Level talisman.

But for some reason, Yunhe always felt that something was missing somewhere.

He couldn't specify exactly where.

However, one thing is certain: this talisman is definitely not just a Third Level Supreme talisman.

He wanted to test its effect, but felt it would be a bit wasteful.

"Forget it; wait until the Demon Beast Body completes its breakthrough, then go ask the Fire Python for some scales, make more to try, and it won't feel so painful."

One would think the effect would be much better than the previous Cloud Escape Talisman, though the function would probably be similar.

"In that case, the matter of the flying magic treasure can be set aside for now."

With the new Cloud Escape Talisman at his side, his escape ability will inevitably rise to a higher level.

He didn't know how to face a Yuan Ying Cultivator, but among Golden Core cultivators, even those at Late Jie Dan Stage or Great Perfection of Jie Dan, catching up to him would likely not be easy.

Furthermore, adding the Demon-Suppressing Armor forged from the Lu Shan Turtle Shell.

"This time, perhaps one could really make a trip to the Luotian Secret Realm!"

"This past month has truly been a disturbance."

"Fellow Daoist, you're too polite; Qingling has also benefited greatly."

The two performed a salute and said farewell at the lakeside pavilion.

Should speak or not speak.

In this exchange, each gained a deeper understanding of the other, and both also reaped considerable gains from this exchange.

Yunhe made up for many of his shortcomings with the help of Fairy Qingling, while Fairy Qingling also found in him a hint of an opportunity to break through to the Middle Jie Dan Stage.

From this it can be seen that if two fairly excellent cultivators of the same level communicate more, both sides will indeed gain something.

But in the treacherous, deceitful world of cultivation, how many cultivators can truly engage in communication?

Even between master and disciple, they hide things from each other.

Although it's said that one day as a teacher makes you a father for life, are incidents of killing one's master still rare in the cultivation world?

It's not easy to say to Fairy Qingling, but Yunhe himself knows clearly that what he hides is not trivial.

Nevertheless, Fairy Qingling indeed gained considerable benefits.

Just the experience of breaking through to mid-stage Golden Core is already a gain.

"Then Yun Mou will take his leave."

Yunhe clasped his fists in salute.

He did not take out a new Cloud Escape Talisman.

First, because he is not very familiar with this talisman.

Second, this talisman is at least above the top-tier third‑level spirit talismans; taking it out now would inevitably cause surprise, and just the question of how this talisman's surface came to be is a problem.

Thirdly, he currently only has three new Cloud Escape Talismans; if he truly intends to go to the Luotian Secret Realm, ensuring his own safety first is the truth.

At worst, next time we meet, I'll just give him one more.

Moreover, Fairy Qingling evidently did not expect Yunhe to successfully turn that spirit pattern—which made her feel dizzy just from a glance—into a talisman in such a short time.

Watching Yunhe turn and prepare to leave, Fairy Qingling pressed her lips, sat in the pavilion, and plucked the strings of her zither.

The lingering melody of the zither, accompanied by the tinkling of mountain streams, saw Yunhe off into the distance.

Yao Shou Shijie

Boom—

Faint thunder rumbled, erupting from Huanhu Dao.

The demon beasts of Huanhu Dao that heard the commotion each showed reverence, gazing toward Huanhu Dao and kneeling down.

The colossal phantom of a mysterious turtle that had descended upon Huanhu Dao flickered above it and then vanished.

"Scatter, scatter."

Yunhe's voice spread throughout Huanhu Dao.

Breaking through to mid‑third level was merely a matter of course.

In the cave dwelling,

Yunhe's huge body gradually shrank, and beside him lay scattered a ground of black turtle shells.

'Breaking through to mid‑third level, now my Mysterious Monster Illusory Form can evade the Demon Sense of Fourth Level demon beasts? At least early‑stage Fourth Level demon beasts should pose no problem.'

While carefully collecting the shed turtle shells, he silently pondered.

He slowly stepped out of the cave dwelling and greeted the bright sunshine.

The other demon beasts had already left, but Qing Yao and the little fox were still waiting outside the cave dwelling; seeing him emerge, they immediately went to meet him.

Wuu—

Chirp—

The two little ones actually seemed happier than he was.

Yunhe also smiled, ruffled the little fox's head, and Qing Yao fluttered her wings to land on his back.

"Nothing much has happened lately, right?"

translation...

After all lines, output a names list (even if empty):

Seeing this, Yunhe nodded slightly.

Compared to the cultivation world, the beasts in Yao Shou Shijie, aside from causing disputes, interact relatively little.

The third-tier beasts near Huanhu Dao's territory have mostly been cleared out by him; even if new third-tier beasts try to seize territory, they won't cause trouble at Huanhu Dao.

"However, although there are many beasts on Huanhu Dao, their strength is indeed somewhat lacking."

Once he leaves Huanhu Dao, the only remaining third-tier beast is a single demonic insect earth silkworm.

Although he has set up many formations near Huanhu Dao, they are only second-stage high-grade formations, capable of blocking second-tier beasts without worry, but they are somewhat lacking against third-tier beasts.

He looked at the two little fellows before him.

Qingyao need not be said much; she originally at least had an azure phoenix physique, and after nirvana rebirth her cultivation base has risen quickly, but there is still a considerable gap to reach third-tier.

The little fox is a three-tailed spirit fox, also cultivating the Eight Transformations Spirit Fox Technique, and its cultivation base has already reached late second-stage; if it can break through to third-tier, its strength will surely not be weak.

The thought reached this point.

Yunhe lightly patted his storage bag.

He took out two inferior Weeping Blood Elixirs, as well as one third-tier high-grade Nurturing Elixir.

Upon seeing the elixir, Qingyao's and the little fox's eyes lit up.

Although they did not know what that reddish elixir was, they instinctively felt that consuming it would bring them considerable benefit.

Yunhe stuffed it into the little fox's embrace, patted its head, and said, "Digest it well."

"Ugh!"

The little fox didn't hesitate; in front of Yunhe it swallowed all three elixirs at once.

Soon its face scrunched up, a hazy red mist rose from its whole body, intertwining with a fragrant white mist that enveloped it.

"Chirp?"

Qingyao smacked her lips twice.

"Your cultivation base is still a bit lacking; the Weeping Blood Elixir might burst you if you take it." Yunhe explained with a smile, and also stuffed a Nurturing Elixir into the little fellow.

Now he has found a Dragon Blood Stone deposit, so he need not be stingy with the Nurturing Elixir.

As the overall strength of the beasts on Huanhu Dao increases, it is only beneficial to him.

In the future, if he survives the tribulation of transforming into human form, it will also be safer.

"By the way, Qingyao, do you know the Luotian Gourd Vine?"

Suddenly, Yunhe thought that the Luotian Gourd Vine in the Luotian Secret Realm of the Cloud Upper Realm was indeed brought by the beasts from the Demon Realm to the cultivation world.

Perhaps Qingyao could know.

Luotian Gourd Vine?

Upon hearing that, Qingyao tilted her head to think, and the feathers on her head trembled slightly.

But after thinking for a while, she still couldn't recall anything.

Perhaps she simply didn't know, or maybe she had forgotten.

Regarding this, Yunhe did not insist.

He had already decided.

He would certainly go to the Luotian Secret Realm.

Not for the gourds on the Luotian Gourd Vine, but for the Nascent Soul Supreme Treasure!

From the Qingling Fairy's mouth he had already learned that the Luotian Secret Realm indeed contains a Nascent Soul Supreme Treasure.

Although obtaining it is not much easier than picking the gourds, it is extremely rare, and it is also unknown whether it has already been exhausted.

But the risk involved would be much smaller.

The Nascent Soul Supreme Treasure is precious, but it should not attract too much attention from Yuan Ying Cultivators; as for Golden Core cultivators, he is confident he can compete.

Yes.

He has a vast lifespan and the enormous resources of Yao Shou Shijie, so he can completely bide his time and slowly develop and grow.

However, Nascent Soul is different from Foundation Establishment and Golden Core; it cannot be achieved merely by accumulating time.

In the long history of the cultivation world, how many genius cultivators achieve Foundation Establishment at a young age and reach Golden Core within sixty years?

Many!

But how many cultivators attain the Yuan Ying realm?

Very few!

Already too many people have proven the difficulty of breaking through to Yuan Ying.

This requires not only talent, but also resources, and even more, opportunity and fate.

If he does not strive, who knows whether after hundreds or even thousands of years he will certainly achieve Yuan Ying?

This struggle is for the sake of the Great Dao!

(End of chapter)