Qinghe Immortal Clan.

The cultivation world of the "Floating Cloud Mountains".

On a high mountain to the west of "Guyun Mountain".

Xu Ziyan, Yao Muling, Song Linxi, and Guo Jingzhou, four Golden Core elders of the "Free and Unfettered Sect," were directing their disciples below to set up a restrictive array at the mountaintop.

A streak of light flew in from afar and stopped a moment later in front of a cave dwelling located on the top of a high mountain.

The next moment, a figure in white stepped out from the beam of light.

"Greetings, Uncle Bai!"

The person who arrived was none other than Bai Yuxian, the Supreme Elder of the sect. Xu Ziyan and the others, who had already arrived to the side, quickly stepped forward and bowed.

Bai Yuxian glanced around, waved her hand, and just as she turned to face the cave ahead, a figure strode out.

"Ziyang greets Martial Uncle Bai!"

"No need for formalities, Ziyang. Have you made preparations for your seclusion?"

Upon hearing Bai Yuxian's question, Zhou Ziyang immediately nodded and replied, "Reporting to Uncle-Master, Senior Sister Xu and the others have already set up the magic array for me."

"This disciple plans to begin seclusion next month and will certainly live up to the sect's expectations."

Zhou Ziyang is one of the five Golden Core Ninth Level cultivators in the "Xiaoyao Sect". He had already exchanged for "Nurture Pill" seventy years ago to try to break through to the Nascent Soul realm.

Although it was Zhou Ziyang's first attempt at forming a nascent soul ultimately failed, he did manage to trigger a celestial phenomenon, and his overall performance was much better than that of Xu Ziyan and Huang Siyuan.

After recovering from his injuries, Zhou Ziyang incurred a lot of good deeds in the sect for exchanging for Nascent Soul spiritual items. It took him decades to accumulate spirit stones before he was able to pay off his debts.

At this time, Zhou Ziyang, despite being a Golden Core elder of the sect, was penniless.

Compared to Xu Ziyan, who serves as the sect leader, and elders like Luo Qingyun and Yun Nishang who possess special skills, this is a different story.

Zhou Ziyang's "cultivation skills" only included a mid-level third-grade talisman maker, and his speed in earning spirit stones and merits was significantly slower than theirs.

Normally, if one wants to exchange for Nascent Soul spiritual items and break through to the Nascent Soul realm again, it's unknown how many years it would take to accumulate enough merit.

But just twenty years ago, Song Qingming and Bai Yuxian, along with other sect elders, suddenly announced a sect restructuring, establishing new regulations for exchanging Nascent Soul spiritual items.

Because Zhou Ziyang successfully triggered a celestial phenomenon during his first Nascent Soul formation, he was able to receive extra support from the sect to exchange for Nascent Soul spiritual items, thus becoming the first sect elder to benefit.

Several years ago, I learned that a spirit object that had reached the Nascent Soul stage had appeared in the sect's "Good Deeds Pavilion".

Zhou Ziyang, along with the elders and disciples of the sect, borrowed tens of thousands of merit points and went to the "Merit Point Pavilion" to exchange them for Nascent Soul spiritual items, preparing to break through to the Nascent Soul realm once again.

When Zhou Ziyang first formed his nascent soul, he caused a celestial phenomenon, and his performance was better than that of Xu Ziyan and Huang Siyuan.

The two sect elders, Bai Yuxian and Li Mufeng, also showed some support for his Nascent Soul formation.

They each gave him 10,000 merits, which relieved a lot of the pressure on Zhou Ziyang.

Just before he was about to go into seclusion, Bai Yuxian, who was still a little worried, came here again and gave Zhou Ziyang some words of encouragement.

Seeing that Zhou Ziyang had made all the necessary preparations, Bai Yuxian nodded slightly and watched him enter the secluded cave with peace of mind.

After seeing Zhou Ziyang off, Bai Yuxian glanced at the crowd and quickly stopped on Xu Ziyan, who was standing on the far left. She then dismissed the others and left her alone.

"Uncle-Master Bai, is there anything else you need?"

Faced with Xu Ziyan's cautious inquiry, Bai Yuxian waved her hand and smiled as she spoke to her, "It seems like it's been a long time since we last talked since you recovered from your injuries."

Since you have some free time today, why don't you come for a walk with me? You can also tell me about some things that have happened in the sect recently.

“If my master gives the order, Ziyan will do it.”

Upon hearing Bai Yuxian's invitation, Xu Ziyan nodded slightly and immediately followed behind her.

The two walked slowly along the mountain path. Along the way, Xu Ziyan carefully told the sect's Supreme Elder about the major and minor events that had occurred in the sect in recent years.

As the head of the "Xiaoyao Sect", Xu Ziyan has been managing the sect's affairs for hundreds of years since she took over the position.

Having witnessed the rise of the "Free and Unfettered Sect" to its current strength, she was already very familiar with all the sect's affairs, big and small, and managed them with great ease.

Bai Yuxian, feeling satisfied with the other party's detailed explanation, nodded repeatedly in approval.

The two walked and talked, and soon arrived at the top of the mountain.

As far as the eye can see, towering mountains, a sea of ​​clouds, and the setting sun converge into one place, resembling a golden scroll painting that is breathtakingly beautiful.

Upon arriving here, Bai Yuxian stopped and gazed into the distance.

"Purple Smoke, what do you think of the scenery here?"

Upon hearing Bai Yuxian's words, Xu Ziyan turned to look ahead with a puzzled expression, and the golden sunset immediately fell on her face.

After a long pause, Xu Ziyan finally spoke and replied, "Guyang Mountain is a treasure land carefully selected by our ancestors, so the scenery is naturally beautiful."

Unfortunately, the sunset cannot last long; such a beautiful scene, though unforgettable, can only be enjoyed for a fleeting moment.

"I wish it could last a little longer."

Since her second failed attempt to form a nascent soul, Xu Ziyan has recovered from her injuries over the years.

However, with a lifespan exceeding five hundred years, coupled with the fact that her two failed attempts to form a Nascent Soul depleted her accumulated resources over hundreds of years, her hopes of reaching the Nascent Soul realm are now extremely slim.

Seeing the setting sun, Xu Ziyan seemed to see her own destiny reflected in it.

Despite his hundreds of years of cultivation and his valiant struggle, he was still unable to escape the impending descent into the sea of ​​clouds and disappear into the vast sky.

Such a beautiful world, yet I have less than a hundred years left to live.

We really haven't had enough!
"Ziyan, you're right. The setting sun cannot be held back. Whether we are Golden Core cultivators or Nascent Soul cultivators, we will all eventually come to an end."

Even if one must fade away, one should live as beautifully as the setting sun to live up to one's potential.

If you like the scenery here, you should come out and see it more often, instead of focusing only on sect affairs.

After saying that, Bai Yuxian took out a "storage bag" from her body and handed it to Xu Ziyan.

"This is a small token of my appreciation; it should be enough for you to pay off the good deeds you owe to the Good Deeds Pavilion."

The Fire Element Fruit in the sect's herb garden should be ripe in a few years. I'll go to Donghuang Kingdom then and see if I can get you a portion of Cold Jade Spirit Water from another sect.

Although this substance is not as effective as the Infant-Nourishing Pill, it still has the effect of assisting in the formation of an infant.

You have devoted so many years to the sect, and we have naturally seen it all. How could we possibly treat you, the sect leader, unfairly?

Before Junior Brother Song left, I had already discussed this matter with him. Consider it a reward for you.

I hope you won't give up hope of achieving Nascent Soul too soon.

"As the sect leader, Ziyan is only doing her best for the sect. How dare she ask her uncle for a reward for this?"

Uncle Bai, the sect has treated me well over the years, and I know your intentions.

However, the matter of forming a nascent soul is ultimately a matter of fate that cannot be defied. Even with the Cold Jade Spirit Water, I'm afraid I still won't be able to pass this test.

Please take these spirit stones back; don't waste them on me.

"Don't worry, I've almost repaid the good deeds I owed Mu Ling and the others, so this won't hinder their cultivation."

He was young and devoted himself to cultivation, but hundreds of years have passed in the blink of an eye, and his cultivation has made no progress.

Having failed to form an infant twice, and with his lifespan now nearing its end, he has begun to experience a decline in his vital energy and blood.

Xu Ziyan's determination to break through to the Nascent Soul stage was no longer what it used to be.

Even if she were given a "Cold Jade Spirit Water" or a "Nurture Pill", Xu Ziyan would most likely still have difficulty forming a Nascent Soul.

Faced with the "storage bag" that Bai Yuxian took out, even though she knew that the other party genuinely wanted to help her, Xu Ziyan did not have much courage to accept it.

Upon seeing this, Bai Yuxian, who had been gentle in demeanor, suddenly changed her expression slightly.

"We cultivators seek the path to immortality, relying on nothing more than a heart that yearns for life even in the face of death."

The spirit of pine and cypress remains lush even after frost.

Even though Junior Brother Chen's lifespan was nearing its end, he still had the determination to face death at all costs and went to the Tower of Babel to seek an opportunity.

Now that I've brought this to your door, you dare not accept it.

"After all these years of cultivation, have you really lost even this little bit of courage?"

"Ziyan thanks Uncle Bai for his teachings. Regardless of success or failure in this life, Ziyan will never betray the path she has chosen."

Having failed to form a Nascent Soul twice, Chen Xuanxin's heart was still incredibly firm in his pursuit of the Dao. Even as his lifespan was about to end, he still resolutely chose to enter the Tower of Babel to try his luck on the path to enlightenment.

Upon hearing Bai Yuxian's advice, Xu Ziyan, recalling the events of the past, suddenly felt enlightened, and her gaze became firm.

He stepped forward and took the "storage bag" that Bai Yuxian handed him, bowing to thank her.

Although the path to the Nascent Soul stage is difficult to attain, it cannot be changed by a few words from oneself.

But Bai Yuxian still didn't want to see Xu Ziyan live the rest of her life in the shadow of failing to reach the Nascent Soul stage, just like the old sect leader Yao Qianshu back then.

Seeing that Xu Ziyan seemed to have emerged from the gloom that had accumulated in her heart for so long, Bai Yuxian nodded slightly, showing a hint of satisfaction.

Then Bai Yuxian raised her hand and transformed into a streak of light, flashing away from the mountaintop and returning to her cave.

Looking at the "storage bag" she had just received, Xu Ziyan was still unable to calm down.

Uncle Bai is right. Even if the hope of reaching the Nascent Soul stage is slim, I should not easily give up on my path.

Even if I fail again, as the sect leader, I should set an example for future generations.

As the evening breeze blew by, Xu Ziyan looked up again, her gaze fixed firmly on the distance.

At this moment, the last rays of the setting sun in the sky are still so bright and dazzling.

But the slight confusion that Xu Ziyan felt when she arrived had long since disappeared, and her eyes were once again filled with anticipation for her future.

Time is not to be feared, and the future is full of promise.

Even if one has to give one's whole life, as a seeker of the Dao, one must not lose the courage to fight against fate to the very end.

".."

At the summit of "Red Cloud Mountain," outside a cave dwelling, Song Yuanhao, dressed in a blue robe, sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, surrounded by countless streams of spiritual energy frantically gathering around him.

These pure spiritual energies quickly entered Song Yuanhao's meridians and then slowly flowed out from his dantian.

By continuously refining his natal golden core, Song Yuanhao was able to gather enough spiritual power in his dantian.

Since his last failed attempt to form a nascent soul, Song Yuanhao's injuries had been fully recovered more than twenty years ago.

After more than a decade of seclusion and careful conditioning, and now that his condition is almost ready, he has once again gone into seclusion to attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul realm.

Seeing that the spiritual power gathered in his golden core had reached a critical point where it could no longer be accumulated, Song Yuanhao immediately raised his hand and activated a magic array in front of him.

Soon a white array plate flew up and arrived above Song Yuanhao's head.

Within the white array plate, a stream of white spiritual energy shone directly upon Song Yuanhao's entire body, instantly filling his dantian with abundant spiritual power.

Long before Song Qingming and the other two left, Song Yuanhao's injuries had already almost completely healed.

Because he has been traveling through the "Zhongyuan Immortal Continent" for thousands of years, he doesn't know when he will return.

In order not to delay Song Yuanhao's Nascent Soul formation time, Song Qingming had already arranged everything before leaving, and instructed "Ice and Fire Dragon" to stay behind to protect him.

In addition, the sect's remaining "Nurture Pill" had already been exchanged for by Song Yuanhao.

The array that Song Yuanhao was activating at this moment was a spirit-gathering array specially set up for him by Song Qingming, with the "Spirit Heart Jade Plate" as its core.

The "Spirit Heart Jade Plate" once contained a top-grade spirit stone, making it an auxiliary magic treasure that can help cultivators form their Nascent Soul.

Although the power of this magic weapon has weakened considerably over the years, it can still help cultivators quickly replenish their spiritual power, providing about 10% assistance in the Nascent Soul stage.

However, after one use, the spiritual energy within will take at least a hundred years to recover.

After Song Qingming killed Ma Wuchen at Taiyue Lake, he obtained this item from him. Over the years, only he and Huang Siyuan used it once each when they formed their Nascent Souls.

Now, a century later, the spiritual power of the "Spirit Heart Jade Plate" has almost recovered.

Song Yuanhao was forming his second Nascent Soul, and just in time, he was able to borrow this item.

Having gained experience from the first Nascent Soul formation, and with the assistance of the "Spiritual Heart Jade Plate,"

In just a few years, Song Yuanhao easily completed the two steps of gathering spiritual energy and tempering the elixir with primordial energy. Next, he can try the third step of transforming into a nascent soul.

As long as Song Yuanhao can successfully take this crucial step, Song Qingming has already made arrangements for the upcoming "Heavenly Tribulation," so there shouldn't be any major problems.

At that time, Song Yuanhao will be able to be considered to have leaped over the dragon gate and truly become a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Compared to the gathering of spiritual energy and the tempering of elixir with primordial energy, "transforming the embryo into a nascent soul" is also the most difficult step for cultivators to form their nascent soul.

During his trial at the "Heart Refining Tower," Song Yuanhao successfully completed the transformation into a nascent soul once.

However, when he first formed his nascent soul decades ago, he still failed to pass this hurdle and fell at the "fetal transformation into nascent soul" stage.

After decades of meticulous preparation, Song Yuanhao has finally stood once again at this crucial point in his attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul realm.

Whether he will transform from a carp into a dragon and soar to great heights, or fail and have to start all over again, depends on his performance.

Having made up his mind, Song Yuanhao immediately took a deep breath and decisively swallowed the "Nurture Pill" he had prepared.

A vast spiritual force quickly filled his dantian, causing Song Yuanhao's dantian to emit bursts of golden light, illuminating the entire cave.

The next moment, clouds and mist suddenly rolled in the sky above the cave, and countless spiritual energies from the mountaintop rushed into the cave below.

Upon seeing this, Song Yuanhao immediately recalled the Nascent Soul formation experience he had previously learned from several patriarchs, and began to vigorously cast spells to control the spiritual power in his dantian.

At the same time, the "Spiritual Heart Jade Plate" hovering above Song Yuanhao's head once again emitted a dazzling spiritual light.

".."

On a small path on one side of the summit of "Chiyun Mountain".

Chu Ling, who had just come out of the "Spirit Herb Garden" on the back mountain, took out her flying sword and was about to return to her mountaintop cave.

His gaze suddenly fell upon the rolling clouds on one side of the mountaintop, which immediately surprised him.

"This is.."

Upon discovering that such an unusual sight was appearing above the mountaintop, Chu Ling, who was standing in mid-air, paused for a moment before immediately casting a spell to quickly rush towards the entrance.

"Senior Brother Wei, look west! Look west!"

".."

Wei Yunlong, who was sitting cross-legged in the stone pavilion, heard Chu Ling reach out and call out, so he quickly got up, opened the barrier, and looked westward.

In the distance, countless clouds and mists rolled in the sky, and white clouds continued to gather towards the top of "Red Cloud Mountain".

"Could it be Senior Brother Song?!"

"Junior Sister Chu, hurry down the mountain and inform Senior Sister Zhang and Senior Sister Song that I have urgent business with them and they must come immediately."

Remember, this matter must not be kept secret, and you must never let anyone else know.

Upon seeing this scene from afar, Wei Yunlong immediately showed a solemn expression, instructing Chu Ling while quickly casting a spell.

They quickly activated a concealment array that had been prepared beforehand at the mountaintop location.

Before Chu Ling could set off down the mountain, she saw a streak of light rapidly approaching from afar. It was Zhang Yurong, who had been the first to notice the unusual sight at the summit.

Besides Zhang Yurong, two other streaks of light followed behind, landing one after the other at the stone pavilion on the mountaintop.

It was Song Siqing and Song Linyu who had just heard the news and rushed over.

"Why did Junior Brother Wei suddenly activate the magic array? What exactly happened here? Did my husband trigger a celestial phenomenon?"

Hearing Zhang Yurong's anxious inquiry, Wei Yunlong, who hadn't yet confirmed the situation, could only step forward and honestly nod in response:

"There was indeed a strange phenomenon just now, near Senior Brother Song's secluded cave, but we don't know the specifics yet."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yurong nodded slightly and immediately led the group to the mountain where Song Yuanhao was in seclusion.

But just as they arrived nearby, they were suddenly stopped by a voice.

"Didn't I tell you before that no one is allowed to come near here? What are you doing here now?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a crimson phantom formed from a dragon appeared before everyone in front of the mountain peak, its gaze carrying a hint of the majesty of a demon emperor.

Upon seeing the phantom image of the "Ice and Fire Dragon," Zhang Yurong and the others immediately stopped and respectfully stepped forward, bowing with their hands clasped in greeting.

"Senior Jin, we just saw a strange phenomenon in the heavens and earth here. We wonder if it was caused by my husband's Nascent Soul formation? May we go and take a look?"

"That kid has only just begun to form a nascent soul, and it's still a long way from him forming a complete nascent soul. There's no need to rush him."

Go back first. I'll let you know via telepathy when things are more or less settled.

Remember, no one is allowed near this place without my permission. Otherwise, don't blame me for not warning you beforehand if anything happens.

When the crowd tried to approach and investigate, "Icefire Dragon" simply dismissed them without even considering consulting them.

After saying that, the crimson phantom quickly disappeared into the air, leaving only Zhang Yurong and the others who were still somewhat excited.

Since Song Yuanhao went into seclusion for the second time to form his Nascent Soul, Zhang Yurong has been very concerned about this matter. Whenever there was any disturbance at the mountaintop, she would rush over in a hurry.

Upon hearing "Ice and Fire Dragon" personally confirm that it was indeed Zhang Yurong, who had successfully triggered the celestial phenomenon, she could not hide her excitement.

Not only Zhang Yurong, but also Song Linyu, Wei Yunlong and the others beside her, all bowed and congratulated her with joy on their faces.

Once a cultivator forms their Nascent Soul, the next step leads to the Great Dao of the Nascent Soul. This not only grants them an extra thousand years of lifespan but also allows them to stand at the pinnacle of the cultivation world and become a powerful ancestor.

This is the realm that countless Golden Core cultivators like them yearn for.

"Congratulations, Senior Sister Zhang. Senior Brother Song's recent appearance of an unusual phenomenon indicates that he has begun the process of forming a Nascent Soul. It is estimated that he will be able to successfully form a Nascent Soul in a few years at most."

"Yes, if Uncle Yuanhao succeeds in forming his Nascent Soul this time, the sect will have another Nascent Soul ancestor, which is a rare and joyous occasion."

When the elders return and learn of this, they will be overjoyed, and we might even benefit from it.

"Siqing is right, and so is Senior Sister Zhang. Don't forget about us when the time comes."

".."

"Alright, the process of forming a nascent soul is fraught with difficulties and dangers. It's far too early to celebrate. Don't be too happy yet."

My husband has now triggered an extraordinary phenomenon in the heavens and earth. We should quickly inform the sect and Uncle Bai and the others about this.

In case anything happens, we can prepare in advance.

"Don't worry, senior sister, I'll go and deliver the message right away."

".."

Upon hearing Zhang Yurong's calmed-down instructions, Wei Yunlong and the others immediately nodded in agreement and left the spot.

Before long, the entire "Red Cloud Mountain" was bustling with activity.

Not only was the area around the mountaintop heavily guarded, but the number of law enforcement patrols in the market below also increased several times over.

Looking at the solid protective array covering the mountaintop, the unsuspecting low-level cultivators began to whisper amongst themselves.

It's unclear whether there's a cultivator forming their core on the mountain, or perhaps an ancestor is in seclusion breaking through to a higher realm.

".."

In the southwest of the "Zhongyuan Immortal Continent", there is Immortal Wood Mountain.

Led by a Golden Core cultivator, Song Qingming and his companions entered a magnificent golden hall, where a smiling man quickly approached them.

"Fellow Daoist Song, it's been many years since we last met. How have you been?"

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Liu!"

(PS: I just woke up this morning and received a text message informing me that I'm another year older, which made me feel a bit emotional.)

Before I knew it, this book had been written for almost three years and had exceeded five million words. It really has been a long time.

It's been cold lately, and I haven't gotten better from the flu, so I'm feeling really bad. I apologize for the delayed updates. (End of Chapter)