Qinghe Immortal Clan.

The great battle had just ended, and white banners were already hung in many places of Xuanqing Temple, and a somber atmosphere still surrounded the area.

Having cultivated for hundreds of years, Song Qingming had also experienced many such great battles between sects.

Back then, there were several major battles between the "Xiaoyao Sect" and the "Jiuyuan Sect" of Yue Kingdom, and both sides lost countless cultivators in the process, all for the sake of competing for some territory and cultivation resources.

This has always been the case, no matter where you are in the cultivation world.

"Xuanqing Temple" is now just a larger Nascent Soul sect. If it wants to exclusively enjoy such huge benefits from the intercontinental "teleportation array", it will inevitably attract the envy of surrounding forces and lead to competition among them.

To escape their current predicament, they would need to increase their strength or cultivate combat power at the Nascent Soul level to deter those outside who covet the benefits in their hands.

As soon as they arrived at the top of a mountain, they saw Yu Ning, dressed in red, standing at the entrance of the cave, smiling as she greeted them.

"Fellow Daoist Song, I was worried about whether your injuries had healed yesterday, but I didn't expect you to visit me in person today. It seems I was worrying too much!"

Upon seeing Yu Ning, who had personally come out to greet him, Song Qingming quickly stepped forward and gently cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Yu!"
I did lose some energy in the previous battle, but after these days of seclusion and recuperation, I have recovered most of it and am fine.

I just heard from Siyuan that you sent someone to look for me yesterday, so I came here to pay you a visit.

In addition, there is something else I would like to tell you, fellow Daoist.

The other day, Song opened Li Jinyue's storage bag and inadvertently discovered the remains of your esteemed disciple Liang, along with some of his belongings. Not daring to delay, I have come to return them to Fellow Daoist Yu.

After saying that, Song Qingming took out two storage bags from his waist and solemnly handed them to Yu Ning.

During the more than half a month that he was in seclusion to recuperate, Song Qingming also took the time to open the "storage bag" he had obtained from Li Jinyue that day.

Besides finding many spiritual items left behind by the other party, Song Qingming also inadvertently discovered a corpse that had long since died. It was the Golden Core cultivator from the "Heavenly Dao Sect" who had disappeared first in the restriction that day.

Seeing this, Song Qingming guessed that this person must have been unlucky enough to encounter Li Jinyue the moment he was sucked into the barrier, which is why he was unable to reunite with the others and was killed by the other party.

Upon seeing Yu Ning, Song Qingming immediately returned the "storage bag" containing her body to her.

"After we escaped, we were unable to find our nephew Liang. We never imagined that he had actually perished inside."

It is hateful that Li Jinyue, that villain, deliberately lurked near the sect more than a decade ago in order to plan this day's events.

"It really is thanks to Fellow Daoist Song's help that Junior Nephew Liang was able to avenge his great grudge."

After confirming the body inside the "storage bag" in her hand, Yu Ning couldn't help but sigh, and then took out a bag containing spirit stones from her person and handed it to Song Qingming.

"Fellow Daoist Song, consider these spirit stones as my way of thanking you for helping to return the relics of our sect. I hope you will not refuse!"

After this junior apprentice Liang disappeared, no one was able to find his whereabouts or confirm whether he had died at the hands of Li Jinyue.

If Song Qingming hadn't taken the item out at that moment, Yu Ning and the others wouldn't have thought it was related to him.

Seeing that the "storage bag" on that junior disciple Liang's body had not changed, she understood his upright and honest actions and naturally wanted to express her gratitude.

After some initial refusal, Song Qingming didn't stand on ceremony and accepted the spirit stones from Yu Ning.

".."

"Huh! I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Song to be here too. What a coincidence."

Just as Song Qingming finished collecting the spirit stones, a voice suddenly came from not far behind him. It was "Old Daoist Qingping" who had just arrived.

Upon arriving before the two, "Old Taoist Qingping" first bowed to them, then chuckled and took out several talismans from his person, handing them to Song Qingming.

"Fellow Daoist Song, I just remembered that I still owe you a few spirit talismans. I specially exchanged these spirit talismans with Fellow Daoist Chen of Xuanqing Temple a few days ago."

It's a pity I couldn't get the same talisman as before; I hope Fellow Daoist Song won't mind.

Seeing that the "Old Taoist Qingping" in front of him had changed his usual stingy manner and actually took out the talisman to return it to him, Song Qingming's eyes also showed a little surprise.

Regardless of the reason why the stingy old Taoist changed his attitude, as long as the other party was willing to return his talisman, Song Qingming naturally wouldn't be polite and immediately nodded to accept it.

Seeing that Song Qingming had accepted his talisman, "Old Taoist Qingping" relaxed a little. Just as he was about to say something, Yu Ning, who was standing to the side, interrupted him.

"Fellow Daoists, we have specially invited you here today because several fellow Daoists from Xuanqing Temple wish to meet you."

Now that everyone is here, let's head to Xuanling Peak, so as not to keep Fellow Daoist Chen and the others waiting."

"Oh! Since Fellow Daoist Chen has something to discuss, then we should hurry over there."

Upon hearing that it was the "Xuanqing Temple" that wanted to see the two of them, "Old Taoist Qingping" immediately changed his expression and nodded with a hint of joy.

As for Song Qingming, knowing that it was the "Xuanqing Temple" that had come to see him, he was not surprised at all and quickly nodded slightly to greet them.

After setting off from Yu Ning's cave, the three of them soon arrived at a towering mountain peak not far away, where they met several Xuanqing Temple cultivators who were already waiting there.

Besides the elderly man surnamed Chen who was trapped with Song Qingming and the others that day, the "Xuanqing Temple" Grand Elder Xuanku Daoist and the sect leader Jin Qing were also sitting in the main hall.

Upon seeing Song Qingming and his group appear, "Xuanku Daoist" quickly led everyone over and greeted them with a smile and a cupped-hand salute.

"Fellow Daoist Song, Fellow Daoist Qingping, it was thanks to your help that day that my Xuanqing Temple was not captured by villains. Please accept my greeting first."

"Hehe! Elder, you're too kind. There's no need to be so formal. Although I'm just a rogue cultivator, I'm not one to be afraid of death."

Since we've encountered such injustice, how can we just sit and watch them go on a killing spree?

Standing to the side, Song Qingming and Yu Ning felt a little awkward when they heard the "Old Taoist Qingping" speaking in a righteous and solemn tone.

I remember that old guy initially refused Yu Ning outright, claiming his strength was too weak. He only agreed to help after she promised to provide him with a level-four spiritual medicine.

In terms of shamelessness, Song Qingming is far inferior.

Seeing that "Old Taoist Qingping" was being overly polite, and that it was the old man surnamed Chen from "Xuanqing Temple" beside him who couldn't stand it anymore, he took the initiative to interrupt him.

"Elder, when we were trapped in the restriction, if it weren't for Fellow Daoist Song's superb abilities that killed our opponent, we probably wouldn't have been able to escape for a while."

"To be honest, we were able to defend our sect this time thanks to the help of this Fellow Daoist Song; otherwise, we might not even be standing here today."

Seeing that the old man surnamed Chen was pointing towards Song Qingming, Yu Ning, who was standing to the side, quickly said, "What Fellow Daoist Chen said is correct."

That day, we were trapped in the restrictions by that scoundrel Li Jinyue's scheme. If it weren't for Fellow Daoist Song's help, the Qingyuan Sect might have actually succeeded.

Song Qingming, who is usually quite modest in public, surprisingly did not decline the praise from Yu Ning and the other person this time, but simply nodded slightly.

Upon hearing this, "Xuanku Daoist" immediately smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "Fellow Daoist Song's superb abilities are something I heard Junior Brother Chen and the others mention a few days ago."

"I never expected you to possess such extraordinary abilities at such a young age. You will surely become one of us in the future. I will definitely pay you a visit another day to learn from you."

Although both are Nascent Soul cultivators, "Master Xuanku" has reached the late Nascent Soul stage, and his status is definitely much higher than that of Song Qingming, a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator.

To receive such praise from a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator to his face, Song Qingming was somewhat flattered and quickly bowed in response:
"Elder, you are too kind. My cultivation is far inferior to yours, so how could I dare to ask you to come and learn from me?"

"If the Grand Elder wishes to discuss the Dao, please simply send a message, and I, Song, will certainly not dare to refuse."

"Hehe! Alright, then it's settled with you, fellow Daoist." Seeing that Song Qingming didn't refuse, "Master Xuanku" quickly nodded slightly and continued:

"Today, our sect has been fortunate to form a good relationship with you two fellow Daoists. If you need any help in Xihua Prefecture in the future, please do not hesitate to ask us for assistance. Our sect will do its best to help you."

These few spiritual herbs are the spiritual items and some spirit stones I promised you two. Please accept them, fellow Daoists, and don't stand on ceremony with our sect."

As soon as "Master Xuanku" finished speaking, Jin Qing, the head of "Xuanqing Temple" who was standing to the side, used magic to take out two wooden boxes and a spirit stone bag from his body and handed them to Song Qingming and the other person respectively.

"Hehe! Since I'm so old-fashioned, I won't stand on ceremony with you all."

Upon opening the wooden box and taking a look, "Old Daoist Qingping" was immediately excited to find that it contained the fourth-grade spiritual medicine he had been longing for. He quickly cupped his hands in thanks.

Meanwhile, Song Qingming also opened the wooden box, glanced at it, and then calmly put the item in his "storage bag".

Next, everyone sat down together to enjoy tea and chat, and discussed the matter of repairing the intercontinental "teleportation array".

Although the sudden attack by the "Qingyuan Sect" interrupted the final step of everyone's repair of the intercontinental "teleportation array".

However, this time, thanks to everyone's concerted efforts, the "teleportation array" was not damaged by the other side; only some of the materials used to repair the array were lost.

Fortunately, the Heavenly Dao Sect brought a lot of spare materials this time, and the Xuanqing Temple also put in a lot of effort, so they quickly collected all the materials needed to repair the great formation.

After several more months, with the intercontinental "teleportation array" slowly activating, Song Qingming and the others finally succeeded in repairing the damaged array and fulfilling their agreement with the "Heavenly Dao Sect".

This time, to thank the two for their help, "Xuanqing Temple" also gave them each a token, which they could use in the future to get a discount on the "teleportation array" to return to Donghuang Immortal Continent.

Having fulfilled the agreement, Song Qingming sent a message to the cultivators of Xuanqing Temple, preparing to leave for Tianjian Pavilion. The day before they were to depart, an unexpected distinguished guest arrived at their door—the Xuanqing Temple's Grand Elder, Xuanku Zhenren, who was at the late Nascent Soul stage.

"I have come uninvited, and I hope Fellow Daoist Song will not take offense at my intrusion!"

"It is an honor for us to have the Grand Elder personally visit us. We dare not take offense. Please, fellow Daoist, come in and have a few cups of tea!"

Seeing that the great cultivator "Master Xuanku" had personally come to his door, Song Qingming dared not be negligent and quickly beckoned him into his cave.

During the more than half a year that "Xuan Ku Zhenren" spent at "Xuan Qing Guan", he indeed showed great respect to Song Qingming, the young Nascent Soul cultivator.

Especially after repelling the attack by the "Qingyuan Sect", "Master Xuanku" invited him to discuss the Dao several times and personally gave Song Qingming many pointers on cultivation.

Like Lin Tianrong, "Master Xuanku" is also a veteran Nascent Soul cultivator who has been practicing for nearly a thousand years, and he is even older than Lin Tianrong.

Although "Master Xuanku" was only at the eighth level of the Nascent Soul stage, which was inferior to Lin Tianrong who had already stepped into the half-step Divine Transformation stage, his cultivation experience was not much weaker than Lin Tianrong's.

Song Qingming, who had visited him several times to discuss philosophy, naturally gained a lot from the experience and felt grateful to him as well.

Huang Siyuan, who was tidying up her things in the cave, saw "Master Xuanku" arrive and quickly brewed a pot of spiritual tea for the two of them and brought it over.

After greeting Song Qingming and the other person, "Master Xuanku" picked up the spiritual tea on the table, took a sip, and then slowly spoke:

"Having learned that you two fellow Daoists will be leaving Xuanqing Temple tomorrow, this old Daoist has come today to bid farewell to Fellow Daoist Song."

There's one more thing I'd like to remind you two fellow Daoists of, lest Fellow Daoist Song be unaware and unexpectedly encounter trouble while out and about."

"Oh! I would be most grateful for your guidance, Elder."

Seeing Song Qingming looking at him earnestly, "Master Xuanku" nodded slightly before continuing:

"I heard from Junior Brother Chen that you two have come to Xihua Continent to search for someone at the Heavenly Sword Pavilion in the Northern Mountain cultivation world. Is this true or false?"

"The Elder is right. I have a cousin who came to Xihua Continent because she was appreciated by a fellow Daoist from the Heavenly Sword Pavilion."

The reason we've come here is to inquire about her from the Heavenly Sword Pavilion.

Upon hearing the question from "Master Xuanku," Song Qingming quickly nodded in response, acknowledging the matter.

Seeing this, "Master Xuanku" nodded slightly and continued, "That's right, to reach the cultivation world of Beishan, one must pass through the Kunyu Mountains in the north."

Not long ago, the old Taoist priest heard that a demonic calamity had suddenly broken out in the Kunyu Mountains, and many cultivation sects in the vicinity had suffered. Now, the normal road to the cultivation world in the North Mountain is difficult to travel.

Although Fellow Daoist Song's cultivation and supernatural abilities are not weak, he is, after all, alone. To attempt to cross the Kunyu Mountains rashly would likely be extremely dangerous.

"What? A demonic calamity has broken out in the Kunyu Mountains? How come I haven't heard of this before?"

Upon suddenly hearing the words "demonic calamity" from "Master Xuanku," Song Qingming's expression immediately changed, and he frowned.

The so-called "demonic calamity" is a major disaster that occurs when demonic beasts or human beings in the cultivation world are infected by demonic energy on a large scale.

Once this "demonic calamity" is formed, any living being infected by the demonic energy will become extremely bloodthirsty and attack any other living being it sees without provocation.

Wherever it goes, it's like a locust swarm sweeping across the land, causing countless living beings to lose consciousness and become slaves of the demonic cultivators.

When Song Qingming first traveled to the "Eastern Phoenix Kingdom", he encountered the "Demon Sealing Duck" infected by demonic energy in the "Demon Sealing Valley".

Their terrifying power when they swarm together is so great that even many Golden Core cultivators have to give way.

Although he has now reached the Nascent Soul realm, he still seems somewhat helpless in the face of a disaster of the "Demon Calamity" level.

Hearing Song Qingming's anxious question, "Master Xuanku" calmly nodded and said:

"Fellow Daoist Song, you may not know this, but this demonic calamity has only appeared in recent years. Our sect is located at the southern end of the cultivation world, far away from the Kunyu Mountains. It is not surprising that Junior Brother Chen and the others are unaware of this matter."

The old Taoist priest has been busy dealing with the Qingyuan Sect these past few years and hasn't dared to go out for a long time.

If it weren't for a visit from an old friend a year ago, from whom I learned about this matter, I probably wouldn't know the details now.

It was just a coincidence that I knew Fellow Daoist Song was going to the Heavenly Sword Pavilion, so I came to visit today to remind him.

With Fellow Daoist Song's talent, he already possesses supernatural abilities comparable to ours at only the mid-Nascent Soul stage. Even if he doesn't advance to the Deity Transformation stage in the future, it won't be difficult for him to become one of us.

"I truly do not wish to see a talent like you perish prematurely. I urge you, Fellow Daoist Song, to reconsider this matter and lest you lose your life in vain."

"this,.."

Upon hearing this devastating news, Song Qingming couldn't help but show a troubled expression. After a moment of thought, he stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and asked a question.

Since it was their first time visiting "Xihua Immortal Continent," Song Qingming and his companion were unfamiliar with the place and its people, and didn't know how to cope. They could only ask "Master Xuanku" for help.

Seeing that Song Qingming still didn't seem to have changed his mind, "Master Xuanku" sighed softly and then took out a jade pendant in the shape of a dragon with a bright green color.

"Fellow Daoist Song, since I cannot change your mind, then you should keep this item safe."

After handing the item to Song Qingming, "Master Xuanku" continued, "This magic treasure was a gift from a close friend when I was forming my Nascent Soul."

Take it to Qinglong Mountain in the north and find Elder Feihe Zhenren of the Qinglong Sect. Perhaps he can help you.

Although the calamities in this realm are extremely dangerous, such disasters generally do not last too long.

If you really can't get through, fellow Daoist, there's no need to be too anxious. You can come to Xihua Continent after the demonic calamity ends, and you'll be able to get there just the same way.

Now that the teleportation arrays between the two continents have been repaired, it won't be too much trouble for Fellow Daoist Song to make a trip here.

"Thank you for your guidance, Elder. I am extremely grateful!"

Upon hearing Master Xuanku's patient advice, Song Qingming, realizing that the other party truly meant well, quickly stood up and bowed to him.

He then took out many spiritual items from his person, intending to use them to express his gratitude.

"I have been very grateful for your help these past few days, and today I am even more grateful for your personal guidance today. These spiritual items are just a small token of my appreciation, and I hope that you will not find them offensive!"

Seeing this, "Master Xuanku" quickly waved his hand and said, "Alas! Fellow Daoist Song, this is putting this old Daoist in a difficult position."

Fellow Daoist has come from afar to help us, and we already have some debt of gratitude to our sect. We dare not accept such a small favor. Please do not be so polite.

"If you think highly of my Xuanqing Temple, please feel free to visit Xihua Prefecture more often in the future. I will certainly accompany you personally."

"This... Elder, you misunderstand. These things are just some local specialties that I carry with me, and there are no precious spiritual items among them."

I have benefited greatly from the guidance of the Elder these past few days, and I will certainly pay him a visit again when I have the opportunity. I only hope that the Elder will not find my visit troublesome.

"Hehe! Fellow Daoist Song, you're too kind."

After some initial refusals, Song Qingming insisted, and "Master Xuanku" finally had no choice but to accept the packets of high-grade spiritual tea he offered before getting up to take his leave.

Song Qingming, on the other hand, did not easily change his mind because of the "demonic disaster" mentioned by the other party, and still left "Xuanqing Temple" with Huang Siyuan the next day.

The two set off on the "Bone Boat" and headed north.

There are tens of thousands of miles between the "Xuanqing Temple" and the "Kunyu Mountains" to the north.

After leaving the Xuanqing Temple, fearing they might encounter anyone connected to the Qingyuan Sect,
From the beginning, Song Qingming estimated that he should reduce his escape speed, disguise himself as an ordinary Golden Core cultivator, and then carefully travel around the other party's territory.

Fortunately, nothing unusual or troublesome happened along the way, and Song Qingming and his companion successfully left the other's territory.

Only after leaving the territory controlled by the Qingyuan Sect cultivators did Song Qingming control the "White Bone Boat" to regain its speed and begin speeding northward.

After traveling north for more than a month, Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan gradually heard news about a sudden "demonic disaster" in the Kunyu Mountains to the north when they stopped at nearby markets.

However, the cultivators here, being quite far from the Kunyu Mountains to the north, have very limited information about the "demonic calamity."

Therefore, the information that Song Qingming and his companion obtained was varied and diverse.

Some accounts are quite exaggerated, claiming that the "demonic calamity" in the north has spiraled out of control, destroying more than a dozen major northern states and is about to invade this region, making the story seem extremely terrifying.

Some cultivators also said that the "demonic calamity" has been successfully controlled by the joint efforts of many Nascent Soul sects in the north and is about to end.

However, the further north they went, the more Song Qingming and his companion noticed that the number of cultivators heading south in the surrounding area was gradually increasing, making their journey against the current a rather unusual phenomenon.

This also indirectly proves that the demonic calamity in the northern "Kunyu Mountains" is far from over. (End of Chapter)