Qinghe Immortal Clan.

Ling Zhentian's sword strike successfully and severely injured the "Ice Glass Beast".

However, the opponent was, after all, a demon emperor in the late Nascent Soul stage, and completely annihilating this demon was not an easy task for them at their current level.

Moreover, this place is the enemy's lair. The "Ice Glass Beast" has hidden in this network of ice palace passages, making it difficult for everyone to catch up with its opponent for the time being.

Now, reinforcements from the demon race could arrive at any moment. If they are held up by other demon emperors for too long, they will be in trouble.

At this moment, including Ling Zhentian, everyone had very little magic power left, and they dared not risk staying here.

Seeing that they had successfully repelled the troublesome demon king, Ling Zhentian immediately decided to lead everyone to evacuate the demon beast's lair.

As a white light flashed above the "teleportation platform," Song Qingming and the others quickly disappeared into the cave.

".."

Near a teleportation platform deep in the abyss, hundreds of various sea monsters were besieging seven or eight human cultivators guarding the great formation.

These demonic beasts, though low-level beasts with low cultivation, were no match for the Nascent Soul cultivator before them.

But they seemed to be summoned by something, and even though they knew they couldn't defeat the people in front of them, they still frantically attacked the group.

With a flash of inspiration, several more figures appeared above the teleportation platform; they were Song Qingming and the others who had just escaped from the Ice Palace.

Upon seeing everyone appear, Liu Qingli and the others who had been guarding the "teleportation array" immediately showed a look of joy.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, that's great! You've finally come out!"

"Oh! Fellow Daoist Liu, you're injured. Are you alright?"

"Hehe, it was just a bite from that guy, nothing serious. I thank you all for your concern!"

Despite his injuries and the concerned inquiries from the crowd, Liu Ziliang, still trying to maintain his image as someone who cares about his reputation, smiled and waved his hand dismissively.

Seeing that more and more demonic beasts were gathering around, Old Ghost Xiao immediately spoke up to warn everyone.

"Everyone, we're afraid high-level demonic beasts will come after us soon. This is not the place to talk. We should leave here quickly."

"Let's talk about this after we find a safe place and recover our magic!"

"Fellow Daoist Xiao is right. We should hurry up and fight our way out, otherwise it will be troublesome if we are targeted by other demon emperors!"

".."

After regrouping, the group quickly reached a consensus. With Old Ghost Xiao leading the charge, they directly confronted the siege of numerous demonic beasts and charged towards the top of the abyss.

Fortunately, the group did not encounter any dangerous demonic beasts along the way. The few Golden Core Demon Kings that did appear did not stop Song Qingming and the others from leaving. Instead, they were transformed into demonic beast materials and fell into their "storage bags".

Just as they were about to break out of the abyss, two relatively powerful auras came from afar, following the commotion, and chased after them.

However, the two demon emperors who came were only at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, far less powerful than the "Ice Glass Beast" in the Ice Palace.

Upon seeing a dozen or so human Nascent Soul cultivators gathered in one place, including even a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, the two demon emperors were so frightened that they immediately turned their escape light around and fled from the spot before they could even recognize the group.

After a stick of incense had burned, more than a dozen figures suddenly flew out from the calm sea, scaring away the fish swimming nearby.

After experiencing a series of perilous events, Song Qingming and the others finally managed to return to the surface of the sea.

Feeling the long-awaited sea breeze blowing in their faces, the people who had been trapped outside the heavens for many years showed excitement at surviving a disaster.

".."

Half a month later, on a "coral island" tens of thousands of miles away from the abyss.

Song Qingming, dressed in a silver-white robe, was sitting cross-legged in a man-made cave on the south side of the island, emanating a faint spiritual light.

After the group caused havoc in the Ice Palace and escaped from the "deep sea abyss," they also angered various demon races in the nearby deep sea.

In a short time, a large army of demonic beasts gathered near the abyss, searching for the traces of the group. Among them were many Nascent Soul Demon Emperors with profound cultivation.

In order to evade the pursuit of the demon race and recover their own strength, Song Qingming and the others found refuge on this coral island, and it has been almost half a month now.

Fortunately, everyone was lucky. The demons did not expect that they were still hiding in the nearby sea. Taking this opportunity, Song Qingming had already recovered his condition.

Trapped in the "Purple Sun Heavenly Palace" for eight years, Song Qingming also delayed his own cultivation time by several years in order to practice the "Purple Sun Divine Light Technique".

Now that he has finally escaped his predicament, he has intensified his cultivation. He is no longer stingy with the spirit stones and pills that he used to be reluctant to use.

Having just refined a drop of spiritual liquid within his body and felt a slight increase in his magical power, Song Qingming was about to examine his dantian when a sudden fluctuation came from the location of the magic array at the entrance.

Seeing this, Song Qingming immediately stood up and activated the great formation in front of him. He then saw Xiao Laogui, who had a smiling face, take the initiative to bow to him.

"Fellow Daoist Song, would it be convenient for us to talk privately?"

"I have nothing to do but cultivate these days, so what's there to be inconvenient about? Fellow Daoist Xiao, you're too kind. Please come in and have a seat!"

After exchanging a greeting with Xiao Laogui, Song Qingming quickly invited him into the cave and then closed the magic array outside.

After inviting the other party to sit on the hastily prepared stone bench, Song Qingming was just about to take out the spiritual tea he carried with him.

But then, Xiao Laogui waved his hand lightly, and a pot of fragrant spirit wine appeared on the table. He then poured a cup for each of them.

"This wine has a pleasant aroma; just smelling it is enough to make one feel somewhat intoxicated. It seems to be no ordinary wine. How come I have never heard of Fellow Daoist Xiao having such a fine wine hidden on him?"

Seeing Song Qingming looking at him with curiosity, Old Ghost Xiao immediately sighed and explained:
"This spirit wine was a gift from a good friend of mine in the Heavenly Palace. He promised me that we would drink this wine together again after we returned to Huayang Realm."

Unfortunately, this old friend passed away a hundred years ago and was not fortunate enough to live to see this day.

"In a few days, we will probably have to part ways. Today, I will indulge myself and share this wine with you, my fellow Daoist, as a way of giving you some closure."

When Xiao Laogui mentioned his friend, he looked somewhat somber, suggesting that the two had a close relationship.

Song Qingming's smile immediately faded, and he nodded slightly to him.

The two opened the spirit wine and each tasted a few cups. Song Qingming, who was usually quite picky about food, felt the profound spiritual power contained in the spirit wine and, unusually, praised it several times in a row.

Seeing how much Song Qingming liked the spirit wine he brought, Xiao Laogui, whose expression had been somewhat somber, smiled more.

Before they knew it, the pot of spirit wine was quickly emptied, and Song Qingming still looked somewhat unsatisfied.

With a flash of inspiration, Xiao Laogui took out a gray wooden box from his "storage bag" at his waist and presented it to the other party with a smile.

"I was able to escape from the outer realm and return to Huayang Realm this time thanks to Fellow Daoist Song's help."

This Dragon Flame Pill is something I've treasured for many years. It can save a Nascent Soul cultivator thirty years of arduous cultivation. Please accept it, fellow Daoist, as my way of thanking you for saving my life.

"This... Fellow Daoist Xiao, you're too kind. My ability to find a way to leave the Heavenly Palace was merely a matter of chance. I dare not accept such a generous gift from you."

"This elixir is so precious, Fellow Daoist Xiao, please keep it for your own future use and do not make things difficult for me."

Upon hearing that the pill Xiao Laogui had taken out was actually a mid-grade fourth-level spiritual pill, the Dragon Flame Pill, which could save a Nascent Soul cultivator thirty years of arduous cultivation, they were astonished.

Song Qingming was immediately surprised, not expecting the other party to suddenly present such a valuable item, and waved his hand repeatedly.

Seeing that Song Qingming was declining the elixir he was offering as a token of gratitude, Old Ghost Xiao's expression changed slightly, and he suddenly adopted a more serious look.

“These days, Liu Ziliang and Old Monster You have come to express their gratitude, and you have accepted their gifts. Why are you still being so polite to me?”

Could it be that Fellow Daoist Song finds what I've brought out too shabby, inferior to what Liu Ziliang and the others have?

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, you misunderstand. I had no such intention! The reason I dare not accept this item is simply..."

When Song Qingming was trapped in the "Ziyang Heavenly Palace," his intention in helping everyone escape was actually so that he could return safely. He did not expect anyone to repay him for this.

However, after everyone successfully escaped, in order to repay Song Qingming for helping them escape and return to the "Huayang Realm".

During their time on Coral Island, Liu Ziliang and others took the initiative to visit him to express their gratitude, bringing him many spiritual items.

At first, Song Qingming was a little embarrassed and polite when faced with people coming to deliver gifts.

However, Liu Ziliang and the others valued this act of rescue very much, and they all said that these spiritual items were to make up for the karma they owed, and that Song Qingming must accept them.

In the end, Song Qingming did not refuse too much and generously accepted everyone's good wishes.

Having spent less than half a month on the island, Song Qingming received numerous gifts of gratitude from everyone.

Having acquired many valuable items, he thus received a windfall.

The reason Song Qingming refused Xiao Laogui was not because the spiritual items he offered were inferior to those of Liu Ziliang and the others.

On the contrary, Xiao Laogui's "Dragon Flame Pill" was far too valuable compared to the spiritual items given by others, which is why Song Qingming dared not accept the pill directly.

Seemingly sensing Song Qingming's hesitation, Old Ghost Xiao immediately continued to explain: "Fellow Daoist Song, to be honest, I have been trapped outside the Nine Heavens for many years, and my opportunities on the path of cultivation have long been exhausted."

There's no hope of advancing any further in this life, so keeping this elixir is of no use to me.

"Fellow Daoist, you've obtained the opportunity of the Purple Sun Heavenly Palace at such a young age. Your future path in cultivation will surely be much broader than mine. This pill will definitely be much more useful to you than to me. Besides, I am, after all, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. How could I offer something inferior to theirs? Otherwise, Liu Ziliang and his gang would laugh at me."

Xiao Laogui, who started as a rogue cultivator, has cultivated to the late Nascent Soul stage, which shows that he must have been a person of exceptional talent in his youth.

Unfortunately, being trapped in the "Ziyang Heavenly Palace" for so many years has wasted hundreds of years, causing him to miss many opportunities.

Now that his lifespan is running out, he seems to have realized that there is no hope of advancing further on his path, and his words are full of helplessness.

Seeing that Xiao Laogui was just as stubborn as Liu Ziliang and the others from a few days ago, Song Qingming thought for a moment and then accepted the elixir from the other party.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, I will accept this item for now, but I cannot take your things for nothing. Please also accept this talisman."

Although this item is not particularly valuable, it was personally crafted by me. In the future, whether you or your descendants go to the Floating Cloud Mountains, this item will be of great value.

"Just take this to Crimson Cloud Mountain, and even if I'm not there, someone will look after me."

These days, although Song Qingming accepted all the spiritual items sent by Liu Ziliang and others, he also gave each cultivator who came to express their gratitude a spiritual talisman he had personally crafted as a return gift.

Although the talismans he gave were far less valuable than the spiritual items he received, it was still a gesture of goodwill and a kind of "reciprocity".

"Since Fellow Daoist Song puts it that way, then I won't stand on ceremony with you."

Upon seeing the talisman given by Song Qingming, Old Ghost Xiao did not refuse and immediately put it into his "storage bag" with a smile.

"Although I am a rogue cultivator, I once established a business in Lei Yuanhai when I was young. Now that I have escaped this predicament, it is time for me to go back and take a look."

"Fellow Daoist Song, if you have the opportunity in the future, you are welcome to come and find me in Lei Yuanhai. Even if I cannot be of any help to you, it would still be nice to catch up."

After saying that, Xiao Laogui also handed Song Qingming a calligraphy scroll with a place name that was relatively unfamiliar to him written on it.

".."

Several days later, above a reef on the west side of "Coral Island".

Song Qingming, along with Ling Zhentian, Liu Ziliang, and more than a dozen other cultivators from the "Ziyang Heavenly Palace," had all gathered here.

After several days of recuperation and recovery, everyone has now fully recovered.

Even Liu Ziliang, who was injured by the ice blade of the "Ice Glass Beast" that day, has almost recovered from his injuries after taking healing pills, and there is no abnormality on his face.

After spending more than half a month together on this island, it was time to say goodbye.

Although they all come from different cultivation worlds across the five continents, they have long since formed a bond of life and death after being trapped in the "Purple Sun Heavenly Palace" for many years.

Facing parting at this moment, everyone, including Song Qingming, took the initiative to reveal the mountain sect or cave where they were cultivating.

Although we are all far apart, we are all Nascent Soul cultivators with long lifespans, so there will be many opportunities to rekindle our friendship in the future.

"Fellow Daoists, all good things must come to an end."

I am fortunate to have met you all at Ziyang Heavenly Palace. Over the years, we have shared life and death and gone through thick and thin together. This is a rare and precious bond in my life.

If any of you happen to visit Zhongyuanzhou in the future, you are welcome to come to Xianmu Mountain to find me for a few drinks. I will certainly treat you all well.

And Fellow Daoist Song, if you ever need any help in the future, please feel free to send me a message. As long as it's within my power, I will repay your great kindness by repaying your life-saving grace!

"Fellow Daoist Liu, you are too kind. I have long heard that Zhongyuan Immortal Continent is a land of outstanding people and abundant resources. If there is an opportunity in the future, I, Song, will definitely pay you a visit!"

Faced with Liu Ziliang's sincere thanks, Song Qingming immediately smiled and cupped his hands in response.

After bidding farewell to everyone, Liu Ziliang and several fellow Daoists who shared the same destination soon boarded a flying boat and headed east.

Next to leave were Xiao Laogui and Liu Qingli and the others. Their destination happened to be the nearby "Lei Yuan Hai" cultivation world.

After bidding farewell to Song Qingming and the others, the group quickly used their escape techniques to leave the "coral island".

".."

As everyone left, only Song Qingming and Ling Zhentian remained on the island.

Ling Zhentian had lost some of his energy from using his supernatural powers to repel the "Ice Glass Beast," and had been recuperating in his cave for the past few days. He only came out today after seeing everyone off.

Seeing that only he and Ling Zhentian remained on the island, Song Qingming immediately cupped his hands in greeting and asked, "Senior Ling, I must also depart for the Floating Cloud Mountains today."

If you wish to return to Xihua Immortal Continent, you will need to use the teleportation array of Donghuang Kingdom. Why don't you travel with me?
Once we reach the Floating Cloud Mountains, I can introduce Qingyu to you, senior.

At this moment, there were no other cultivators around, and Song Qingming's address to Ling Zhentian immediately changed from "fellow Daoist" to "senior" as they had when they first met.

Standing to the side, Ling Zhentian, seemingly prepared for this invitation, immediately nodded in agreement.
"Hmm! It's been many years since I've returned. I've also been planning to visit the Floating Cloud Mountains. Since Fellow Daoist Song is willing to accompany me, then I, Ling, will accept without hesitation."

However, since you are now a Nascent Soul cultivator like me, it's best not to address me as "senior" anymore, lest others misunderstand in the future.

"Very well, then I won't stand on ceremony with Fellow Daoist Ling!"

Song Qingming's initiative to invite Ling Zhentian to accompany him was naturally driven by his own selfish motives.

However, Ling Zhentian, being such a shrewd person, had obviously seen this point long ago. The reason he agreed was also to go and see Song Qingyu, who had inherited his sword intent.

Just as Song Qingming was happily about to take out his flying boat and set off, Ling Zhentian, who was standing to the side, suddenly interrupted his spellcasting action again.

"Fellow Daoist Song, before leaving here, I have a question that has been troubling me for a long time, and I would like to ask you about it again?"

"Fellow Daoist Ling, you are too kind. With my limited cultivation, how could I dare to say that you should ask me for guidance? Please feel free to ask me any questions."

Hearing Ling Zhentian speak to him so politely, Song Qingming looked a little puzzled and immediately responded.

Seeing this, Ling Zhentian immediately looked at Song Qingming seriously and asked:
"When I severely injured that Ice Glass Beast in the monster's lair that day, I felt something was amiss; it went a little too smoothly."

Ling wanted to ask fellow Daoists whether that sword strike that day was due to an increase in my own supernatural abilities, or whether other Daoists had secretly contributed to it.

During my seclusion these past few days, I haven't been able to figure this out. Could Fellow Daoist Song perhaps offer some guidance?

Seeing Ling Zhentian staring intently at him, Song Qingming was also surprised that the other party would suddenly ask this question, and he fell silent.

During the battle at the Ice Palace, when Ling Zhentian delivered the final blow to the "Ice Glass Beast," Song Qingming did indeed attempt to manipulate the "Purple Sun Token" to help increase the speed of the black sword dragon.

However, everyone's attention was focused on Ling Zhentian and the "Ice Glass Beast" at the time, and no one noticed that Song Qingming was secretly helping out.

Afterwards, everyone was busy escaping and no one thought to ask about the incident. Naturally, the credit for defeating the opponent in that battle was all attributed to Ling Zhentian.

Song Qingming didn't want too many people to know about the "Purple Sun Token" he possessed, and he didn't bring it up himself either.

He originally thought that the matter was over and no one would know about it, but he never expected that Ling Zhentian, as the person involved, would still catch a trace of something unusual.

Besides Ling Zhentian, Song Qingming was not the only cultivator present that day. The fact that the other party questioned him so directly showed that they had already identified him as the target of their suspicions.

Seeing Ling Zhentian looking at him expectantly, Song Qingming knew he couldn't hide it from him, so after thinking for a moment, he nodded and admitted it.

"Fellow Daoist Ling, you may not know this, but I do possess a special magical artifact that allows me to move through space over short distances. In that moment of crisis, I had no choice but to lend a hand."

However, Song's actions were merely icing on the cake. If it weren't for Fellow Daoist Ling's powerful abilities, none of us would have been able to severely injure this demon.

Regardless of whether others contributed, Song believed that the greatest credit for this battle belonged to his fellow Daoist.

"Alas, I have heard of special magical artifacts that can manipulate space, but after so many years of cultivation, I have never had the chance to see one."

On the day of the sword strike, Ling sensed an unusual fluctuation of spiritual energy in the surrounding space. He was surprised to find that it was indeed his fellow Daoist who had come to his aid.

It seems that Ling has neglected his supernatural abilities quite a bit over the years, and indeed overestimated himself.

Faced with Song Qingming's frank answer, Ling Zhentian sighed as if he had been prepared, then shook his head, turned around and jumped onto the "White Bone Flying Boat" in front of him.

A moment later, a white light streaked across the sky and disappeared from the spot.

In the cultivation world of the East Sea, there is "Windless Island".

On this day, a beam of light suddenly flew swiftly from the east side of the island and landed directly outside the large formation on the east side of the port.

Before the streak of light could completely stop, two streaks of light of different colors flew out from the "mountain-protecting formation" below and blocked its path.

"Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment. May I ask what brings you here?"
-

(PS: I spent a lot of time revising the text during the day, so I apologize for the late update. You should be scolded if you want.)

Previously, some readers did not understand why everyone suddenly lost their magic power after being teleported back from Ziyang Heavenly Palace. Here, Xiaomeng will add another setting.

Normally, teleportation within the Huayang Realm, even using a super-large intercontinental teleportation array, will not deplete a cultivator's mana during the teleportation process.

Only when teleporting in the void beyond the Nine Heavens will mana be consumed due to the need to resist the external gales during the teleportation process.

This will happen whether you are teleported there or back.

This is also the main reason why Song Qingming suddenly lost his magical power when he was first teleported up. (End of Chapter)