Chapter 161

Occasionally, the four would also exchange cultivation insights, or Lingxiao would explain some profound Dao principles. In this secluded, isolated valley, the bond between master and disciples grew ever deeper, and their mutual trust and tacit understanding reached a new height.

That day, while Wei Yuzhu was collecting moss samples beside the Cold Pool, she inadvertently noticed something unusual at the pool's bottom. Using her divine sense to probe, she discovered that the bottom was covered with a fine layer of sand and gravel that shimmered with a faint blue light, exuding pure water-attribute spiritual energy.

"Master, look at this!" Wei Yuzhu brought the discovered blue sand and gravel to Lingxiao.

Lingxiao examined it carefully and exclaimed, "This is… 'Nether Cold Jade Sand,' a rather rare water-attribute spiritual material commonly used to forge water-attribute dharma treasures or cultivate cold-attribute techniques. I never expected that beneath this seemingly ordinary Cold Pool lay such a thing."

Although the value of Nether Cold Jade Sand pales in comparison to Azure Wood Source Fruit and Ghostly Mire Soil, discovering spiritual material in this barren small world still brought everyone a hint of delight. This perhaps suggests that the fragment of the small world is not completely lifeless; it may still conceal other undiscovered resources.

This small discovery added a touch of exploration's joy to their days of rest. Luo Changfeng and Wei Yuzhu, ensuring safety first, began a small-scale survey of the valley's surroundings and indeed found several kinds of spiritual herbs and minerals that, while not precious, were useful.

In the blink of an eye, they had stayed in this nameless small world for over half a month. Lingxiao's injuries had recovered to about seventy percent, enabling him to exert most of his strength. Shi Ran's condition stabilized; her grasp of the Extinction Source was still rudimentary, but she was no longer prone to losing control at any moment as before. Luo Changfeng and Wei Yuzhu's cultivation also each made progress.

That day, Lingxiao summoned the three to his side.

"Our injuries and conditions have basically stabilized; it's time to consider the next step." Ling Xiao said, "Ranran's Red Silk Entanglement peril now only lacks one final immortal treasure—the 'Undying Fire Essence'. This item is utmost yang and rigid, usually found in extremely hot places, such as earth-core fire veins, where solar essence fire has fallen, or in the secret realms of powerful sects that cultivate pure yang techniques."

He paused, then continued: "As far as I know, the 'Molten Fire Heart' region in the southern borders of the continent may have clues to this item. But the southern borders are extremely far from here, the environment is harsh, and the forces are tangled and complex. Given our current condition, rashly going there would not be wise."

"What the master means..." Luo Changfeng asked.

"We will first return to the sect." Ling Xiao made the decision: "First, I need to fully heal my injuries and gather the other materials needed to forge the 'Soul-Settling Annihilation Seal'. Second, the sect's archives may have more precise records of the Undying Fire Essence. Third, our trip to the Qingmu Ancestral Land yielded great gains but also provoked an unknown entity; we must inform other sects of the situation. Once we are fully prepared, we will head to the southern borders."

This decision was prudent and thorough; the three had no objections.

"When shall we depart?" Wei Yuzhu asked.

"Just these two days." Ling Xiao gazed at the hazy sky outside the valley, "Before leaving, we need to reinforce and conceal the spatial rift entrance here again; perhaps it could later serve as a secret refuge or cultivation spot."

Two days later, everything was ready. Ling Xiao expended effort, setting up a stronger concealment formation at the unstable spatial rift and firmly memorizing its spatial coordinates.

The four again stood in this desolate valley; looking back, in just half a month this place had become an important waystation for their healing, rest, and consolidation.

"Let's go." Ling Xiao flicked his sleeve, a gentle spiritual force swept up the three and rushed toward the concealed spatial rift.

A flash of light, and the four figures vanished. The dim valley returned to its ancient silence; only that cold pond still exhaled wisps of chill, as if awaiting the next batch of occasional intruders.

The dizziness of passing through the spatial rift surged again, but compared to the hurried initial entry, this departure left the four with more composure and preparation. Ling Xiao Zhenren protected everyone with his restored half cultivation, steadily guiding the sword light and charging out of that chaotic canyon region.

Returning to the Qingmu Ancestral Land, the familiar feeling—mixed with ancient vitality and deep deathly stillness—hit them. Although only half a month had passed, sensing that the spiritual qi here was countless times richer than that of the small world fragment yet fraught with danger, the four felt as if they had stepped into another world.

"This place is not suitable for lingering; we should leave the ancestral land's range as soon as possible." Ling Xiao swept his divine sense, confirmed no strong threat nearby, and immediately gave the order.

Eager to return, with their strength partly restored, the four's return speed increased greatly. Ling Xiao Zhenren personally piloted his sword; a magnificent azure sword light enveloped them, streaking across the ancestral land's dim sky like a meteor. His injuries had recovered seventy percent, his breath was long, and his sword light became more refined; any stray monsters or strange beings encountered along the way were either repelled by his overbearing sword intent or directly slain, no longer needing the cautious, repeated hard fights of their arrival.

Luo Changfeng and Wei Yuzhu's pressure greatly lessened, allowing them to truly relax their minds, adjust their breath, and recover from days of fatigue. Shi Ran quietly remained within the sword light's shield, continuing to nurture her divine sense with willpower, resisting and attempting to guide the annihilation source at her brow. Half a month of meditation in the cold pond gave her an initial grasp of controlling this power; though far from effortless use, at least she was no longer prone to having her mind backlash at any moment as before.

After flying at full speed for several days, the surrounding environment gradually changed. The shattered mountains and rivers began to diminish; although still desolate, the ancient oppression waned, and the spiritual qi between heaven and earth tended toward "normal" sparseness. They finally approached the outer boundary of the Qingmu Ancestral Land.

That day, ahead appeared a continuous, relatively low mountain range; beyond the range, normal blue sky and white clouds could be faintly seen.

"Passing through the upcoming 'Barren Desolation Mountain Range' will mean truly leaving the influence of the Qingmu Ancestral Land." Ling Xiao slightly reduced his sword speed and reminded, "The ancestral land's border has temporal-spatial turbulence; we need to find a relatively stable passage."

Relying on memory and divine sense perception, he led the sword light toward an apparently ordinary valley pass within the mountain range. As they neared the pass, they could clearly feel the undulation of spatial power, like ripples on water. The sword light entered, and the surrounding scenery twisted and changed, as if passing through an invisible membrane.

Shortly after, pressure suddenly dropped, and the view opened up. Long-missing bright sunshine poured down, the blue sky was clear, white clouds drifted, and the air was filled with the familiar spiritual qi of the outside world; although not as rich as some areas inside the ancestral land, it brimmed with life and vigor.

"Finally… we're out!" Wei Yuzhu exhaled deeply, a relaxed smile appearing on her face. Even the usually steady Luo Changfeng and the inwardly settled Shi Ran flashed a look of relief in their eyes.

The journey to the Qingmu Ancestral Land was a narrow escape from death, with great gains, yet it truly exhausted body and mind. Only upon returning to the normal world did they feel a genuine sense of safety.

"First find the nearest cultivator gathering point, then use the teleportation array to return to the sect." Ling Xiao determined the direction, his sword light accelerated again, and he sped toward the continent's interior.

Several days later, the four reached a medium-sized town named "Wangxian Town". This town is one of the nearest supply points to the edge of the Qingmu Ancestral Land; year-round, cultivators exploring the outer regions of the ancestral land lodge here to trade information and supplies. The town is small, but complete with all essentials: inns, taverns, market stalls, and even a small long-distance teleportation array—everything one could need.

The four did not draw attention, entered the town discreetly, and directly rented a separate courtyard at an inn. Ling Xiao Zhenren needed to make a final adjustment to his condition, ensuring that upon returning to the sect his unhealed injuries would not provoke unnecessary speculation and attention. At the same time, he also needed to inform his disciples of some urgent matters first.

Within the quiet room of the small courtyard, Ling Xiao set up a soundproof barrier.

"What happened inside the Qingmu Ancestral Land—especially the Source Fruit, Ghostly Mire Soil, and Annihilation Source—is of great importance; if leaked, it could invite calamity." Ling Xiao solemnly warned the three, "After returning to the sect, regarding the Annihilation Source within Ranran's body, outwardly say only that she encountered a strong enemy, her soul was injured, and she needs to seek yang spiritual objects to harmonize. The existence of Ghostly Mire Soil and Netherworld Crystal Core must never be mentioned. As for the Source Fruit… Yuzhu, the fragment you obtained is linked to your aura; keep it hidden in daily life, and do not reveal its power except in a life-or-death situation or before someone absolutely trustworthy."

"Yes, Master (Elder)!" The three, fully aware of the principle that possessing jade invites crime, replied in unison.

"Moreover, the existence of that small world fragment also needs to be kept secret; it could become a hidden retreat or resource point for our lineage." Ling Xiao added.

After a day of rest, the four passed through Wangxian Town's teleportation array, underwent several transfers, and finally returned smoothly to their sect—the Floating Dream Sect.

Floating Dream Sect occupies a solitary mountain, yet clouds and mist entwine, and immortal cranes gather. The rich heavenly and earthly spiritual qi turns into a light mist enveloping the whole sect, forming a stark contrast to the Qingmu Ancestral Land's dead, barren desolation and the small world fragment's poor, gloomy darkness.

Ling Xiao Zhenren's party returned, giving Floating Dream Sect a hint of vitality; Wei Yuzhu planned to rest one night at Floating Dream Sect before heading back, but she did not want to see Mei Ruoxue, so she hesitated.

But she soon realized her worry was unnecessary; the entire Floating Dream Sect was silent—let alone Mei Ruoxue and Gu Yusheng, even Qiu Chengshuang and Ruan Xinli had not returned; the great peak held only the four of them.

Returning to the familiar mountain gate, feeling the sect's array gathering rich spiritual qi, the four finally relaxed completely.

"Each go rest. Changfeng, Yuzhu, you too have worked hard; Changfeng, cultivate diligently to consolidate what you gained from this trip. Yuzhu, stay in the original guest room; after your breath steadies, return to your home sect. Ranran, come with me." Ling Xiao instructed.

Luo Changfeng and Wei Yuzhu bowed and took their leave, each returning to their dwellings. They all gained something from this trip and urgently need to enter seclusion to digest it.

Ling Xiao then brought Shi Ran to his private meditation chamber. He took out the jade box containing the Ghostly Mire Soil and Netherworld Crystal Core, and also retrieved several yin-type spiritual materials he had collected over the years, such as "Profound Yin Iron" and "Sunk Water Jade", etc.

"Ranran, Master will now begin forging the 'Soul-Settling Annihilation Seal' for you." Ling Xiao said solemnly, "The forging process requires wholehearted focus, without disturbance. You will sit quietly beside me, sensing the materials' aura; this will also benefit your future mastery of annihilation power."

"Yes, Master." Shi Ran obediently sat on the futon in the corner of the chamber, focusing her mind and calming her breath.

Ling Xiao Zhenren drew a deep breath, his fingertip flicked out a strand of pale purple elixir fire—the Purple Palace Primordial Fire, a high-level flame only Nascent Soul cultivators can condense. He first placed the auxiliary materials like Profound Yin Iron into the fire, carefully removing impurities and refining them into liquid. Then he opened the jade box, wrapped it with spiritual power, and took out a small amount of ink‑black Ghostly Mire Soil that seemed able to absorb all light.

Next came the Netherworld Crystal Core, the size of a pigeon egg. Upon entering the fire, it immediately exuded a strong yin chill, echoing the gloom of the Ghostly Mire Soil. Ling Xiao focused completely, using exquisite fire‑control technique to guide the essences of the several materials to slowly merge…

The forging process lasted a full seven days. During those days, the chamber sometimes flickered with faint light, sometimes was assailed by piercing cold, and sometimes a strange Dao rhythm like all sounds stilled flowed through. Shi Ran remained quietly beside him, feeling the aura that shared the source with the black pearl in her brow yet was gradually being tamed; her gratitude toward her master and hope for the future grew ever firmer.

Shortly thereafter, with a clear shout from Ling Xiao, all light converged, and a palm‑sized seal, wholly dark black, its knob shaped like a dark swirl, its base faintly bearing mysterious patterns, hovered in mid‑air. The seal appeared plain and unadorned, yet it exuded an aura capable of suppressing souls and stilling all things.

"Done!" Ling Xiao Zhenren exhaled deeply; though his face showed fatigue, it was full of satisfaction. He gestured to take the small seal and handed it to Shi Ran.

"This seal takes the Netherworld Crystal Core as its heart, the Ghostly Mire Soil as its body, supplemented by many yin‑attribute spiritual materials, and is named the 'Netherworld Tranquil Suppression Seal'. Wearing it regularly will help you suppress the agitation of the Annihilation Source at your brow; when you attempt to refine it, you can also use the seal to guide annihilation power, achieving twice the result with half the effort. But remember, this seal is merely an aid—the foundation still lies in your own will."

Shi Ran received the seal with both hands; it felt cool to the touch, and as her divine sense contacted it, she instantly felt the black pearl at her brow tremble slightly, as if restrained by something, becoming much more obedient. Overjoyed, she hurriedly thanked: "Thank you, Master, for the treasure! Disciple will surely not disappoint your expectations!"

Wei Yuzhu sat in meditation in the guest room, her spiritual qi circulating, gradually easing the fatigue of recent days. The next morning she took her leave of Ling Xiao. Knowing she missed her home sect, he did not detain her, only reminding her to be careful on the road.

Speaking of Luo Changfeng, after this tempering his cultivation rose considerably; along the way, Shi Ran and he have become true senior and junior siblings.

Speaking of senior‑junior sibling relations, Luo Changfeng always felt as if something were missing!

Meanwhile, Qiu Chengshuang and Ruan Xinli, awaiting at the far end of the Cloudy Peak, had waited many months yet saw no sign of the four returning to that place.

"I don't even know when Master will think of me again!!" Qiu Chengshuang sighed for the eight hundredth time.