Qinghe Immortal Clan.

Seeing the puzzled looks on Song Qingyu and the others' faces, the woman in green seemed to understand and immediately waved her hand to remove the veil from her face.

Soon, a delicate and pretty face appeared before everyone's eyes!

"So it was you. Where is Yuan Hao? What happened to him?"

"Reporting to the Ancestor, Senior Brother Yuan Hao has been targeted by several Golden Core cultivators over there!"
My senior brother was already injured when he came out of the secret realm. If we don't go to his aid now, it might be too late.

Seeing the anxious look on the green-robed woman's face, Song Qingyu did not delay and immediately used her magic to sweep her up, then turned into a beam of light and disappeared from the spot.

Only after Song Qingyu and the woman in green robes left did Song Qingming, who was standing in place, ask Xu Ziyan with some confusion:
"Who was that woman just now? Why did she call him Senior Brother Yuan Hao?"

Although Song Qingming has stayed at Chiyun Mountain for many years and rarely returns to the sect, not many disciples on Guyang Mountain can recognize him.

However, the elders of the sect above the Golden Core stage would hold a Golden Core celebration after forming their own Golden Core, which Song Qingming and his group had all seen, but this green-robed woman was not among them.

After staring at the other person for a while, Song Qingming only felt that they were somewhat familiar, but he couldn't recognize them at a glance, which made him a little puzzled.

Upon hearing Song Qingming's question, Xu Ziyan also looked puzzled, as if she hadn't recognized him either.

Seeing this, Huang Siyuan, who was standing to the side, quickly explained, "Husband, if I'm not mistaken, she should be from the Zhang family!"

"The Zhang family... So it was her! I never expected that she would also successfully form her core after all these years. How come we didn't know about this!"

Upon hearing Huang Siyuan mention the Zhang family, a figure flashed through Song Qingming's mind. He then realized that this woman was Zhang Yurong, a descendant of Zhang Tieyang whom he had met long ago.

However, Song Qingming had not seen her for the past hundred years. He was surprised to find that not only had her appearance changed a lot, but she had also successfully formed her Golden Core at some point.

Many cultivators present, including Song Qingming, Bai Yuxian, and Xu Ziyan, all looked surprised. Clearly, the "Xiaoyao Sect" was unaware of this matter.

Upon hearing this, Huang Siyuan immediately explained, "My husband, you may not know this, but before we went out to travel, Zhang Yurong left Tiexian Fortress alone to seek an opportunity to form her core."

For this reason, Senior Brother Zhang even sent someone to Chiyun Mountain to try and find her whereabouts.

However, since you were still in seclusion at the time, I didn't tell you about this. I just asked Yuan Hao and the others to inquire about it for you.

Not to mention you, even I didn't expect that she would actually form a golden core outside and return. It's clear that her good fortune is quite extraordinary.

If Qingyu and I hadn't hosted her at Funiu Mountain before, I almost wouldn't have recognized her.

"So that's how it is. I was wondering why the Zhang family had someone who had achieved Core Formation, but I'd never heard the General Affairs Department mention it before. It turns out that Zhang Yurong came back from outside after achieving Core Formation."

"Now that you mention it, Junior Sister Huang, I do remember. Junior Brother Zhang did indeed go to the Enforcement Hall to inquire about someone back then, and it must be her."

Whether it's the Zhang family of "Iron Immortal Fortress", "Camel Cloud Mountain" or the Song family's "Funiu Mountain", they are all nominally affiliated immortal cultivation families under the "Free and Unfettered Sect".

Although the sect's "General Affairs Hall" will not interfere too much with their development, it will more or less place some of its own spies in their territory to prevent the Ma family's fate from repeating itself.

If someone in "Iron Immortal Fortress" had formed a Golden Core, such a commotion should not have been able to escape the notice of "Free and Unfettered Sect".

Xu Ziyan was also very puzzled by this, wondering how Zhang Tieyang had managed to do it.

Upon hearing Huang Siyuan's explanation, Xu Ziyan immediately recalled some clues from before and nodded in agreement. Everyone finally understood the ins and outs of the matter.

Regardless of where Zhang Yurong found her Golden Core formation opportunity, the Zhang family is, after all, an appendage of the "Xiaoyao Sect," so Zhang Yurong can naturally be considered a Golden Core cultivator under the sect's command in the future.

Upon hearing this news, Bai Yuxian smiled slightly and nodded in agreement:
"Hehe! Since he's a junior of Junior Brother Zhang's family, it's a good thing for the sect. Let's hurry up and congratulate him!"

"Alright, let's go and meet up with them first!"

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement and continued their journey south.

In the third floor of the "Tongtian Pavilion", after confirming that all the cultivators in the tower had been cleared out of the secret realm, "Xuantian" raised his hand and put away a scroll in mid-air.

The next moment, as the five-colored clouds around it continued to shimmer, the "Tower of Babel" that had been suspended in mid-air began to rise slowly, once again flying towards the outer heavens.

After doing all this, "Xuantian" returned to the wooden chair and poured himself a cup of spiritual tea.

".."

The numerous cultivators standing in mid-air outside watched the "Tower of Babel" slowly disappear before their eyes, and a look of amazement appeared in everyone's eyes.

Many of the cultivators present had never reached the Golden Core realm in their entire lives of cultivation. Most of them probably had never left the cultivation world of the "Floating Cloud Mountain Range" to witness the wonders and strange sights of the outside cultivation world.

Seeing the "Tower of Babel" secret realm open for a while is one of the few things they can brag about in their lives.

Once the Tower of Babel disappeared into the afterglow, most of the cultivators in the crowd began to leave, while only a few remained, reluctant to depart.

Not far below the glow of the sunset, Wang Yan, the Supreme Elder of the "Ten Thousand Spirits Sect," looked at the vanished "Tower of Babel" with regret in his eyes.

"We have done our best, and if we cannot obtain the Xuanling Pill, it can only be said that our opportunity has not yet arrived!"
Junior Brother Wang, don't worry. After we return, I will find a way to go to the Eastern Phoenix Kingdom and see if I can use the alchemy manuals I have to obtain a spiritual item for you to break through to the late Nascent Soul stage.

"Senior brother is right. Since I missed the opportunity both times I came in, it's clear that my luck is not good enough. I have no hope of breaking through to the later stage in this lifetime."

The alchemy manual in my senior brother's hands is one of the important inheritances of our sect. How could I allow him to take it and exchange it for spiritual items to break through his cultivation?

Moreover, given my lifespan, even if I break through to the late Nascent Soul stage, I have no hope of cultivating to the ninth level of the Nascent Soul stage. It would be better to use these resources to nurture other juniors in the sect.

"If we can cultivate a few more Nascent Soul cultivators before we leave, it will be enough to live up to the expectations of our ancestors. At worst, we can just relinquish the title of the number one sect in the Floating Cloud Mountains."

"Junior brother, you are mistaken. The title of the number one sect in the Floating Cloud Mountains is coveted by many people around us. How can we just give it up as we please?"

In recent years, our sect has developed rapidly, and we have offended many forces, both openly and secretly. Do you think they will let us off easily?
Even though our sect is powerful now, the people around us still speak to us politely.

Once the sect loses its title as the number one sect in the Floating Cloud Mountains, it's likely that not only the Northern Demon Clan, but also other sects and forces will want a piece of the pie.

The cultivation world has always followed the law of the strong: the strong prevail, and the weak perish!
Countless sects have gone through this process over thousands of years. Now that we've reached this high point, we don't have much room to retreat.

"Perhaps our Myriad Spirits Sect cannot avoid its rise and fall, but it shouldn't decline so quickly in our hands. You must go into seclusion and break through to the late Nascent Soul stage as soon as possible; that way, I can feel more at ease."

"Senior brother, you want me to go into seclusion to break through to the late stage, do you want more?"

"Alright, I've made up my mind about this matter. Go back and focus on preparing for your seclusion."

Wang Yan was interrupted by Zhao Wuling's avatar with a wave of his hand before the two figures quickly disappeared from the spot.

Above a high mountain located to the north of the rosy dawn, a large group of demon cultivators were gathered below a magic array, led by several Nascent Soul Demon Emperors who had just emerged from the secret realm.

"Those two damned human cultivators are truly despicable. If they hadn't ambushed me, I would have already obtained the Profound Spirit Pill!"
"Which sect do these two belong to? Why didn't you tell me beforehand? I was caught off guard."

"Fellow Daoist Flying Wing has wronged us somewhat. These two are not human cultivators from the Floating Cloud Mountain Range at all. How would we have known they were so powerful?"

Fortunately, they weren't local human cultivators; otherwise, if the Floating Cloud Mountains had gained these two powerful enemies, our demon race would be in serious trouble.

“Fellow Daoist Bailong is right. Even the people of the Myriad Spirits Sect can’t do anything about them, so what can we do?”

Hearing the "Winged Demon Emperor" still indignant about losing the golden orb, the other demon emperors could only offer a few words of comfort.

Only when the other party's expression improved did the group begin to discuss returning to their respective territories.

After the other demon emperors had left, the "Flying Wing Demon Emperor" walked up to Long Feng, who was standing to the side, and cupped his hands in greeting, saying:

"Brother Longfeng, are you going straight back to the Northern Frontier, or would you like to come to my Dongling Mountain for a visit first?"

"Oh! Fellow Daoist Feiyi, you're too kind. I still have some things to take care of, and I'm afraid I'll be delayed in the vicinity for a while. Brother, please go ahead and do what you need to do, don't worry about me."

"Hehe! Since you say so, brother, then I'll head back first. Once I've finished what I'm doing, I'll definitely visit Xianfeng City."

I'd appreciate it if you could introduce me to a few like-minded friends.

"Since we are both Feather Clan cultivators, these things are naturally easy to discuss!"

After greeting the other party, Long Feng got up to take his leave and then transformed into a streak of light, flying north alone.

"..." In the void to the southwest, a gray-robed cultivator looked at a white, round jade tablet in his hand with an expression of disbelief on his face.

"The secret realm has already closed, why hasn't my senior brother come out yet? Could it be that he really perished inside!"

"With my senior brother's strength, how could he possibly die here so easily? Who could have attacked him?"

Gazing at the "colorful glow" that was gradually disappearing in the sky, the gray-robed cultivator once again cast a spell to activate the white jade tablet in his hand.

However, the spiritual light above the jade tablet remained unchanged and did not respond to her message. In the end, the gray-robed cultivator could only reluctantly put it away.

After carefully scanning his surroundings, the gray-robed cultivator vanished from his spot in a flash of light.

Just as the gray-robed cultivator was casting a spell on the "white jade tablet," Song Qingming, on a white flying boat some distance ahead, also sensed something unusual about himself at the same moment.

The unusual fluctuation of spiritual energy originated from the "storage ring" that Song Qingming seized from the gray-robed man after killing him.

However, Song Qingming ignored all of this and simply cast a spell to cover it with a magic seal, so that no one around him would notice anything unusual about him.

As the flying boat beneath his feet approached the agreed-upon meeting point, Song Qingming saw Zhang Tieyang and the others who had entered the "Tower of Babel" secret realm with them earlier.

This time, the number of cultivators entering the secret realm was twice as many as before, and the area beneath the "Tower of Babel" was also extremely dangerous, with many cultivators failing to emerge from it.

Some of them died because they were not strong enough and fell into the traps and mechanisms of the secret realm, while others were targeted by other cultivators with higher cultivation levels.

In the end, not only did he fail to leave with the treasures inside, but all the spiritual items he possessed also ended up being given to others.

After entering the secret realm, Zhang Tieyang and his group were instructed by Song Qingming and Bai Yuxian to only stay on the lower three levels and not to easily enter the fourth level.

With the addition of eight or nine members from the "Free and Unfettered Sect," all of whom were elders at or above the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, this force was so formidable that no human cultivator or demon expert dared to provoke them easily within the tower.

After going in, they spent more than ten days there. Although their gains were average, no one got into any trouble, so they were considered quite lucky.

When they were exploring a restriction on the third floor of the "Tower of Babel," Zhang Tieyang and his companions accidentally triggered a very powerful mechanism, and the whole group fell into a trap.

After some twists and turns, they successfully escaped, but several people were separated from the group while trying to avoid danger during their escape from the restrictions.

They didn't reunite until they emerged from the Tower of Babel.

Most of them returned to the gathering place safely, but Song Yuanhao was nowhere to be seen. Zhang Tieyang looked somewhat nervous when he saw Song Qingming.

"Uncle-Master, it's Junior Brother Song."

Before he could explain, Song Qingming waved his hand and said:
"I know about Yuan Hao's situation. Don't worry, I've already sent Qingyu to pick him up. He should be fine."

"So Junior Brother Song is alright! That's wonderful!"

Upon hearing that Song Yuanhao had safely emerged from the secret realm, Zhang Tieyang and the others, whose faces had previously shown some grim expressions, finally breathed a sigh of relief and put their worries to rest.

As soon as Song Qingming finished speaking, Xu Ziyan, who was standing to the side, immediately stepped forward and smiled at Zhang Tieyang:
"Don't worry, Junior Brother Zhang. We have a pleasant surprise to tell you today, as we don't know if Junior Brother Song is safe and sound."

"A pleasant surprise, hehe. Although I escaped safely this time, I didn't find many spiritual items. I really don't know what surprise I could have. Senior Sister Xu, you're not joking with me, are you?"

"Junior brother, don't be impatient. You'll find out soon enough whether it's a joke or not!"

Just as Xu Ziyan finished speaking, a sword light appeared in the distance, flying straight towards the rendezvous point.

After the light dissipated, standing on the flying sword was Song Qingyu, who had arrived a little later to join them, along with a male and a female cultivator standing beside her.

One of them was Song Yuanhao, who had been separated from Zhang Tieyang and the others. The other was a green-robed woman who seemed somewhat unfamiliar to everyone, and whose aura was also at the Golden Core stage.

Just as Zhang Tieyang was scanning the green-robed woman next to Song Qingyu, a look of shock suddenly appeared on his face, and he looked at her incredulously.

"You, you are Yu Rong!"

"Yu Rong greets the Ancestor!"

Seeing that Zhang Tieyang had recognized her, Zhang Yurong, being the younger generation, quickly came to his side and bowed.

Upon confirming that the person before him was indeed Zhang Yurong, who had been missing for many years, Zhang Tieyang was both surprised and delighted, his face filled with excitement and confusion.

If Zhang Yurong hadn't stepped forward to support him, Zhang Tieyang would have seriously doubted that it was all an illusion. He simply couldn't believe that the Core Formation cultivator in front of him was actually his great-granddaughter who had been missing for many years.

Upon hearing Zhang Yurong call out "Ancestor" again, Zhang Tieyang's somewhat aged face was already filled with excitement. He quickly grabbed her and asked her how she ended up there.

Seeing this somewhat sentimental scene, Song Qingming smiled slightly, then turned to Song Yuanhao beside him, and asked directly with a serious expression:
"How are your injuries? Who were those cultivators who were chasing you? Do you know their identities?"

"Don't worry, Seventh Brother, I've already checked on him. His injuries aren't serious. He's just lost some vital energy. He'll recover after a period of seclusion and recuperation."

As for those guys, I've already dealt with them. Two of them were just rogue cultivators from out of town with no real status, and the other two seemed to be from the Qin Kingdom. I don't know yet if they have any connection with the Wanling Sect.

"Don't worry, Seventh Brother, I've already cleaned everything up. No one will know about this!"

Hearing Song Qingyu's confident expression, Song Qingming nodded slightly. At that moment, a white-clad figure appeared in front of him from behind.

"Fellow Daoist Song, Qingyu! Since everyone is alright, I'll head back now!"

This success is largely thanks to everyone's help. If you need any assistance in the future, please feel free to contact me in Donghai.

"Sister Xia, you've only just come out, why are you in such a hurry to leave? Why don't you come back to Chiyun Mountain with us for a few days to rest, so we can show you some hospitality!"

"When I left the sect this time, I told my senior sister that I would go back early, so I won't stay and bother you."

When you go to the East China Sea another day, I will definitely treat you all to a good meal!

After bowing to everyone in farewell, Xia Mo did not linger and immediately left the spot on a beam of light.

Song Qingming and Xia Mo have known each other for so many years and have long been used to each other's decisive and efficient personality!

After Xia Mo left, Bai Yuxian stepped forward and said, "Junior Brother Song, now that everyone has arrived, let's go back!"

This would also allow Yuan Hao and Zi Yan to return to their seclusion sooner, so as not to delay their own healing.

"Okay! That's settled then!"

After Song Qingming nodded in agreement, the members of the "Xiaoyao Sect" quickly boarded the flying boat together and then transformed into several streaks of light, leaving the original location.

As the numerous cultivators in the sky departed one by one, the valley, which had been bustling for so long, gradually quieted down and returned to its original state.
-
Several days later, in the cave at the top of "Red Cloud Mountain".

Song Qingming, Song Qingyu, Li Xuanyi, and Huang Siyuan were gathered around a stone table, carefully taking stock of their spoils.

The stone table was covered with all sorts of high-level spiritual items, all of which they had brought from the Tower of Babel on this trip.

Among them are three magic treasures of level four or above, two of which are of low-grade level four quality, and one is a very rare level four mid-grade magic treasure.

In addition, there are two low-grade level four spiritual herbs, one mid-grade level four spiritual fruit, and a bottle of low-grade level four spiritual liquid.

The rest were second- and third-grade spiritual herbs of lower quality, as well as spiritual fruits, spiritual wood, and materials from demonic beasts, totaling seventy or eighty items.

Most of these items, especially those of level four or higher, were brought out by Song Qingming and his group from the second floor of the "Tongtian Pavilion".

The remaining lower-grade items were spirit objects that everyone found from the lower levels and then distributed equally among them.

Before entering the "Tower of Babel," Song Qingming had already agreed with Song Qingyu and the others that anything they obtained together should be divided equally.

After all, these are spiritual items that they worked together to obtain, so it's best if everyone chooses them together and makes the most of them for the person who needs them the most.

"Seventh Brother, you deserve the most credit for successfully snatching so many things this time, so you can choose the first ones!"

Looking at the table full of spiritual items, Song Qingyu, who was already eager to grab a share, first reached out to Song Qingming.

(For some reason, I've been getting a lot of trouble these past few days. I'll definitely make up for what I owe later!) (End of Chapter)