Chapter 417

Southern Border

The Fan family's territory was once extremely prosperous, boasting several profitable marketplaces and numerous precious mineral veins, even spirit stone mines, with its infrastructure and environment kept in very good condition.

Nowadays, the Fan family's domain lies deserted and desolate, filled with sand dust in the air, and hardly anyone sets foot there.

Rumor has it that the Fan family once relied on a fourth‑level Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast to bully others, but they ultimately offended someone they shouldn't have, resulting in the clan's extermination, the loss of their territory, and now no one dares to approach the malevolent presence that haunts the land.

Rumor has it that the Fan family once relied on a fourth‑level Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast to bully others, but they ultimately offended someone they shouldn't have, resulting in the clan's extermination, the loss of their territory, and now no one dares to approach the malevolent presence that haunts the land.

Rumor has it that the Fan family once relied on a fourth‑level Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast to bully others, but they ultimately offended someone they shouldn't have, resulting in the clan's extermination, the loss of their territory, and now no one dares to approach the malevolent presence that haunts the land.

After all, the Fan family is considered half a Nascent Soul clan; their strength and foundation are formidable, and their treasury holds countless treasures—finding just a few could greatly ease the cultivation path for some cultivators.

However, every cultivator who entertained such thoughts, without exception, never managed to emerge after entering.

After all, the Fan family counts as half a Nascent Soul family; the family's strength and foundation are not to be underestimated, and the treasures in their storehouse are countless—finding even a few could make the cultivation path of some cultivators extremely smooth.

However, all cultivators who harbored such thoughts, without exception, never reappeared after entering.

Although the outside is blanketed in endless yellow sand, the Fan family's buildings inside the formation remain fairly intact, like an oasis in the desert—lush, verdant, and rich in vegetation.

Amidst the thick layers of accumulated yellow sand, one can occasionally find a piece or two of precious ore.

Although the outside was filled with yellow sand, within that formation the Fan family's buildings remained fairly intact, like an oasis in the desert, lush and verdant, with dense vegetation.

Yet within the thick accumulated yellow sand, one could occasionally find a piece or two of precious ore.

Yunhe's expression flickered oddly, and he instantly released his aura fully; the terrifying aura washed over the formation like a wave, sending ripples of vibration across it.

Now this is getting a bit interesting.

Yunhe's expression was slightly strange, then he unreservedly released his aura fully; the terrifying aura, like a wave, slapped against the formation, causing ripples of vibration.

Meanwhile, after numerous attempts by various explorers, it was found that staying out of the deeper parts of the Yellow Sand Domain keeps the danger relatively low.

All that is known is that in this region of endless yellow sand, it is extremely dangerous, and cultivators who venture near are growing ever scarcer.

Meanwhile, after many attempts by 'explorers', it was discovered that as long as one did not venture too deep into the Yellow Sand Domain, it would not be too dangerous.

All that is known is that in this area of endless yellow sand, it is extremely dangerous, and cultivators who approach are becoming fewer and fewer.

Before the yellow sand filling the sky could even approach him, it was repelled by an invisible force outside his body.

Yunhe even suspected that behind all this, the Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast was exerting 'control'.

A thunderous shout rang out: 'Who dares to show off on this king's territory?!'

In the world of cultivation, things are easily forgotten; countless events, big and small, gradually fade into the currents of history as time passes.

The Yellow Sand Domain is extremely dangerous.

The world of cultivation is the easiest world to forget things; countless big and small events, with the passage of long years, will gradually fade away in the river of history.

When Yunhe arrived at the former Fan family lands, now known as the Yellow Sand Domain, he saw several Qi Refining cultivators constantly sifting through the outermost sand, searching for something.

For Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators, these ores are precious treasures hard to come by.

When Yunhe arrived at this former Fan family land, now the 'Yellow Sand Domain', he saw several Qi Refining cultivators constantly rummaging through the outermost sand of the area for something.

The aura emanating from its body unmistakably identifies it as an early‑stage fourth‑level Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast.

Even nearby, specialized methods have arisen, and some small factions and organizations even make a living from it.

When he sensed that a fully operational formation was blocking his path, Yunhe genuinely felt a bit surprised.

He did not reveal his form, so his arrival caused no disturbance; he silently flew into the Yellow Sand Domain that countless cultivators long for yet fear.

When he felt a normally operating formation block his path, Yunhe really became a bit surprised.

But the cultivation world is also the easiest place to remember things, because there are always those who continually unearth the treasures left by ancient cultivators, fighting over them, and ultimately become the very entities that leave treasures for future generations—an endless cycle.

He seemed to have emerged in haste, his clothing not properly arranged, and it was unclear what he had been doing beforehand; his chest was covered in golden scales.

But the world of cultivation is also the easiest world to remember things, because there is always a group of people who continually unearth treasures left by ancient cultivators, fighting and struggling over them, eventually becoming the very existence that leaves treasures for posterity, in an endless cycle.

He seemed to have come out in a rush, his clothes not even properly worn, unaware of what he had been busy with before, his chest covered in golden scales.

Such a level of danger is well within what cultivators can tolerate, and even falls into the relatively 'safe' category.

Thus, many specialized 'gold diggers' have emerged as a result.

Such a level of danger is absolutely within the cultivators' capacity to bear, and even falls into the relatively 'safe' category.

Even for some Golden Core cultivators, it also holds considerable appeal.

The fall of such a colossal Fan family entity has given rise to numerous medium and small powers.

They forcibly turned a blessed land into a gathering place for demonic beasts, and this Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast is quite intriguing.

The danger is not absent; out of a hundred cultivators digging sand, perhaps three or four might perish.

By force, a blessed land was turned into a gathering place for demonic beasts; this Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast is somewhat interesting.

Feeling the force of the blowing yellow sand and the many large and small demonic beasts inhabiting it, Yunhe felt somewhat surprised.

Other fourth‑level demonic beasts can assume human form, but only for training, and they are not particularly fond of humans; however, this Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast, aside from the faint golden scales visible on its chest, looks almost indistinguishable from a human at first glance.

Feeling the force of the blowing yellow sand, as well as the many big and small demonic beasts inhabiting the yellow sand, Yunhe felt somewhat surprised.

Other Fourth Level demonic beasts, though able to assume human form, do so only for training and are actually not very fond of humans; but this Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast, were it not for the faint golden scales revealed on its chest, looks almost indistinguishable from a human at first glance.

Looking at those cultivators who once relied on the Fan family's wealth, their numbers are also dwindling, and they are gradually being forgotten.

Within the flowing light was an old man of short stature, hands behind his back, wearing a earth‑yellow robe with a metallic sheen, his beard and hair white, his long whiskers reaching his chest.

As for the cultivators who once relied on the Fan family's resources, their numbers are also dwindling, and they are gradually being forgotten.

Upon seeing this old‑man‑like Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast, Yunhe furrowed his brows slightly.

While Yunhe observed his opponent, the Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast was likewise observing him.

A human Nascent Soul!

The Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast couldn't help but furrow its brow, and in a deep voice it asked: 'Human, what brings you to my territory?'

Looking at the Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast staying inside the formation with no intention of coming out, Yunhe set aside his slight discomfort and smiled as he said:

The Gold-devouring Armored Beast also involuntarily furrowed its brows, and it asked in a deep voice: "Human, why have you come to my territory?"

Seeing the Gold-devouring Armored Beast staying inside the formation with no intention of coming out, Yunhe put aside his slight discomfort, revealed a smile, and slowly said:

"I am Yunhe; may I ask your name, fellow Daoist?"

Yunhe's attitude was still rather mild, so the Gold‑Armored Devouring Beast, after a slight hesitation, said: "I am Golden Armor."

"Golden Armor was probably the name given to it by the Fan family cultivators back then, right?"

Yunhe, who was silently complaining, kept his smile unchanged, bowed to the Gold‑Armored Devouring Beast and said, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Golden Armor; I, Yunhe, will state my purpose plainly."

He stared at the Gold‑Armored Devouring Beast, his tone growing ever gentler: "I, Yunhe, wish to borrow something from Fellow Daoist Golden Armor."

"Oh?" the Gold‑Armored Devouring Beast, hearing his pleasant tone, asked: "What is it? I will consider exchanging a thing or two with Fellow Daoist."

Yunhe's face lit up.

"Fellow Daoist's essence blood."

"Essence blood?!"

The Gold‑Armored Devouring Beast stared in shock.

Its eyes widened.

Seeing Yunhe's tone so amiable, it still thought the other party had truly come to exchange something.

After all, he is a Yuan Ying Cultivator, and his purpose in coming here seems extremely clear; he must know of its existence, yet he dares to come openly, which naturally shows he has sufficient confidence.

Thus the Gold‑Armored Devouring Beast had already made up its mind, knowing the other's request was not too much, it would agree.

Even though it is a Fourth‑Level demon beast, it does not really wish to provoke a Yuan Ying Cultivator.

But unexpectedly, Yunhe opened his mouth and demanded essence blood.

You should know.

For a demon beast, essence blood is second only to the inner core in importance.

If essence blood is lost too much, lightly it results in a reduction of cultivation base; severely it may even damage the foundation and cause regression of cultivation.

Not all demon beasts possess Yunhe's demon beast body, with such an extraordinary physique, a large amount of elixirs to aid recovery, and also know precisely how much essence blood is needed.

The Gold‑Armored Devouring Beast's face showed anger.

In its view, this is absolutely a provocation.

At the same time, it finally reacted belatedly.

"Those who come harbor ill intent!"

He then let out a low grunt and sneered: "Human cultivator, have you cultivated yourself into stupidity? Do you even know what you're saying?"

Saying that, it fiercely flicked its sleeve.

The surrounding yellow sand instantly became turbulent.

"While I'm still in a decent mood, scram!"

After giving Yunhe a disdainful sideways glance, it turned and flew toward the manor.

Seeing its posture, it seems to be relying on the Fan family's mountain‑protecting formation, and thus does not wish to pay attention to Yunhe.

Hum—

But before the Gold‑Armored Devouring Beast could fly far, its movement suddenly stalled; it looked at Yunhe with disbelief, its eyes full of stark astonishment.

Only to see.

The mountain‑protecting formation it relied upon began to emit a series of booming noises as soon as Yunhe produced a compass.

"A Fourth‑Level formation master?"

The Gold‑Armored Devouring Beast's face grew solemn.

It knew how rare formation masters were among human cultivators, let alone a Fourth‑Level one—an existence even rarer than a Yuan Ying Cultivator—and yet it had encountered one today.

More importantly,

Judging by the other's calm and composed demeanor, it seemed fully confident it could break the Fan family's mountain‑protecting formation, which made it secretly tremble with fear.

"Fellow Daoist Golden Armor."

Yunhe, holding the Floating Cloud Eight Trigrams Disk, repeatedly moved his fingers with apparent ease, and one after another small flags flew out from the disk.

He was setting up the Inverted Five Elements Formation.

For a formation like the Fan family's mountain‑protecting one, which links to the spirit veins, severing the spirit veins is the best way to break it.

If no one interferes, once he has laid down the Inverted Five Elements Formation, he will be confident he can break this formation.

Thus he remained calm and light‑hearted, saying, "I, Yunhe, need only a small amount of essence blood."

He paused his hand movements, then a jade bottle appeared; he smiled and said, "Just fill this bottle."

Looking at that jade bottle, the Gold‑Armored Devouring Beast's forehead veins twitched repeatedly.

That jade bottle is not large, but it holds essence blood!

Drawing out a bottle of essence blood would definitely be a grave injury to its vital energy.

"I originally thought, given how hard your cultivation has been, I wouldn't want to quarrel with you too much, but since you're so clueless, do you really think I'm afraid of you!!"

Saying that, a terrifying demonic aura surged from its body.

It stared fixedly at Yunhe, eyes flashing with murderous intent.

Likewise considered an early Fourth‑Level existence, as a demon beast it should have the greater advantage!

The Fan family's mountain‑protecting formation, under the Gold‑Armored Devouring Beast's guidance, slowly opened a gap.

Seeing this, Yunhe's smile grew even wider.

"Fine, since you won't 'lend' it, then I will simply take it myself."

(End of chapter)