Qinghe Immortal Clan.

Several months later, outside the "Tianyu Sect" market.

At the city gate of the market, countless cultivators were queuing in an orderly fashion to enter the market.

Many cultivators in the crowd couldn't help but look up into the distance.

Several hundred feet away from the city gate, a purple flying chariot, about five or six feet long and wide, floated in mid-air, attracting curious and envious glances from the crowd.

This flying vehicle is not only exquisitely designed, but also guarded by a golden dragon.

The powerful aura emanating from it caused many cultivators below to turn solemn, for it was a powerful demon emperor whose cultivation had reached the Nascent Soul stage.

Such a Nascent Soul Demon Emperor could appear in the most prosperous market of the human race, the "Tianyu Sect".

Clearly, the other party is not so simple; it must be a spirit beast that has already recognized a master.

Otherwise, the "Tianyu Sect," as the number one human sect in the Eastern Phoenix Immortal Continent, would not have stood idly by.

Raising spirit beasts consumes a great deal of cultivation resources. In the cultivation world, apart from a very few sects that are proficient in the art of beast taming, very few people possess spirit beasts at the Nascent Soul level.

Seeing the majestic "golden dragon" in the distance, the many cultivators below were speculating about the identity of the owner of this flying chariot, who had such powerful confidence.

"May I ask, brother, which senior above was able to cultivate such a powerful Nascent Soul spirit beast?"

"Look at that golden dragon, his cultivation has already reached the peak of the mid-Nascent Soul stage, and he is only one step away from the late-Nascent Soul stage."

Besides the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain, which other of the ten major sects could raise such powerful spirit beasts?

"Hehe, my friend, that's a bit shallow."

Which of the top ten sects doesn't have its own trump card? I've heard before that there's a spirit turtle in Dan Yuan Valley with a cultivation level that has reached the late Nascent Soul stage.

They just don't usually show themselves easily, which is why few people outside know about them.

"Oh, a Nascent Soul stage late-stage spirit turtle! That's equivalent to a great cultivator!"

".

While the crowd queuing below was discussing amongst themselves, inside a temporary barrier set up inside the flying car, two beams of light were locked in a fierce battle.

Within the crimson flames, a palm-sized red spirit rat was desperately casting spells to ignite the flames around it.

Its adversary is an "Ice Glass Beast" with an ice-blue body and a round belly.

Both spirit beasts had reached the peak of the Golden Core realm, and their supernatural powers, one ice and one fire, were mutually restraining. They fought for hundreds of rounds but still could not determine a winner.

Not far away, several figures sat to the side, their eyes fixed on the spirit beasts fighting inside.

"Sister Siyuan, Chiyan's cultivation has improved a lot over the years. I estimate that she should be close to breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm now."

"She has been in the outer heavens for years, and she has stolen and consumed a lot of my pills, which is why her cultivation level has reached this level."

To be honest, although her cultivation speed has been decent over the years, it's hard to say whether she can break through to the Nascent Soul realm.

After all, in terms of bloodline alone, she is far inferior to Xiao Jin and Senior Sister Bai's Ice Glass Beast, which has been with me for almost a thousand years.

The "Crimson Flame" fighting inside appears to be evenly matched with the "Ice Glass Beast".

However, in terms of spiritual beast abilities and bloodlines, the "Ice Glass Beast" is clearly stronger than its opponent, but it lacks combat experience, which is why it cannot gain any advantage for the time being.

Hearing what Huang Siyuan said, Li Xuanyi, who was standing to the side, seemed to be deep in thought.

"Speaking of enhancing the bloodline of spirit beasts, how did Xiao Jin cultivate so quickly back then? Sister Siyuan, why don't you ask your husband later?"

"Now that Chi Yan and Xiao Bing have reached this level of cultivation, if they miss the deadline, they may truly have no chance to advance to the Nascent Soul realm."

"Senior Sister Li, do you mean to have my husband go to the Northern Frontier to seek help from Senior Fire Phoenix?!"

Seeing Bai Yuxian, Huang Siyuan, and the others looking at her with somewhat meaningful eyes, Li Xuanyi quickly waved her hand.

"My dear sisters, I just happened to think of it and that's why I brought it up. As for whether or not to ask our husbands, you should think it over yourselves and not blame me."

During the great war against the demons, Bai Yuxian, Song Qingyu, Li Xuanyi, and Huang Siyuan all participated.

As Song Qingming's Daoist partner, Li Xuanyi was the first to notice that the relationship between Song Qingming and Huo Feng was somewhat unusual, as if they hadn't just met.

Later, while Song Qingming was in seclusion, Li Xuanyi and Song Qingyu used a combination of threats and inducements to "Little Gold," and successfully extracted from it the fact that Song Qingming and Fire Phoenix had known each other for a long time.

Seeing that he could no longer hide it from them, Song Qingming, who had no reservations to begin with, simply told them how he and Huo Feng had met back then.

Now that he is a Nascent Soul Ancestor, Song Qingming no longer needs to hide his acquaintance with Fire Phoenix for fear of others finding out.

Song Qingming did not hide from Li Xuanyi and the others the fact that "Little Gold's" bloodline cultivation had improved back then, which was also due to the help of the Fire Phoenix.

They were simply told not to tell anyone, lest their subordinates find out and spread bad rumors.

Just as Huang Siyuan and the others were talking, a streak of light suddenly flew from afar and landed steadily on the flying car.

Upon seeing the newcomer, the three women immediately smiled and stood up to greet him.

"My husband, I was getting a little bored waiting. You've finally arrived."

"When I went to see Senior Chen, I happened to run into He Yuliang, who asked me some questions, which is why I was delayed for a while. I apologize for keeping you waiting."

"By the way, where are Qingyu and the others?"

"The sect purchased a lot of spiritual materials this time. I was worried about Xinyuan and the others, so I asked Qingyu to escort them. They have already left ahead of us."

"Oh! If that's the case, then let's just ignore them!"

After nodding slightly to Bai Yuxian, Song Qingming glanced lightly at the two spirit beasts trapped in the barrier to the side.

Before he could speak, "Crimson Flame" and "Ice Glass Beast" darted into their respective masters' spirit beast pouches.

".

Several days later, at the summit of "Qingyun Mountain".

After the Xiaoyao Sect moved its mountain gate northward, the "Huixian Pavilion" located on the mountaintop was expanded into the sect's main hall.

Not only has the entire pavilion been expanded several times, but the sect usually holds its receptions for distinguished guests or convenes meetings with elders to handle sect affairs here.

Outside the "Meeting Immortals Pavilion," several streaks of light suddenly descended from the sky and landed in the hall.

It was Bai Yuxian, Li Xuanyi, and Huang Siyuan who had just returned to the Floating Cloud Mountains not long ago after participating in the Eastern Phoenix Sword Tournament.

After landing, the three of them looked up at the distant sky at the same time.

Just tens of miles away in mid-air from "Qingyun Mountain", Song Qingming was maneuvering the jade shuttle beneath his feet, turning into a white light and heading directly north.

".

Six months later, on a hillside in northern Xinjiang.

As a streak of crimson light flew in from afar, a familiar figure appeared before Song Qingming—the "Fire Phoenix," whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

"Sorry, I've been in seclusion recently, so I received the news a little late."

"It's alright! I just waited a few more months."

"It's been so many years since we last met. I never imagined your cultivation had surpassed mine. That Phoenix Blood Immortal Stone truly is a wondrous object."

Three hundred years have passed since the two's journey to the "Dragon Abyss Sea".

When the two met again, Song Qingming was somewhat surprised to find that Huo Feng's cultivation had caught up with his own, reaching the peak of the third level of the Nascent Soul stage.

Moreover, the opponent's cultivation aura seemed even more stable and solid than his own, suggesting that he was not far from breaking through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

It is unbelievable that the "Fire Phoenix" has undergone such a great change in just three hundred years.

Upon seeing Song Qingming, the image of the "Phoenix Blood Immortal Stone" that Song Qingming had obtained years ago instantly came to mind, and the person guessed that this item must have been of great help to Huo Feng.

In response to Song Qingming's words, "Fire Phoenix" did not deny them but nodded directly.

"Thanks to your help back then, I was able to successfully retrieve my ancestors' belongings."

You came to see me this time, probably still because of these things, right?

Having said that, "Fire Phoenix" raised her hand and waved it gently, and a storage magic artifact appeared in her hand.

Besides the high-level demon beast essence blood that Song Qingming needed to cultivate the True Spirit Disintegration Technique, it was also filled with some high-level spiritual herbs and spiritual objects that were extremely rare in human territories.

Meanwhile, Song Qingming also took out a "storage bag" and handed it to the other party.

Inside were various elixirs that Huang Siyuan had refined, which were useful for the cultivation of the demon race, as well as some spiritual teas, pastries, and other things that the fire phoenix liked.

This is also a spiritual item that he and "Fire Phoenix" have often exchanged over the years.

In the past, the two had always met secretly, but now Song Qingming walked openly into the territory of the "Heavenly Phoenix Clan" without any worry about being discovered.

After completing the transaction, Song Qingming took out the "Spirit Beast Bag" from his waist and placed it in front of the Fire Phoenix.

"The two little ones inside are at a crucial point in their advancement to the Nascent Soul stage. I'm not entirely confident about their chances, but you should have a way to help them!"

"Why can't I sense your presence from them? Are they not your spirit beasts?"

Faced with two completely unfamiliar spirit beasts in the spirit beast pouch, "Fire Phoenix" asked a question out of curiosity.

Seeing that the other party recognized it at a glance, Song Qingming immediately nodded and replied, "Yes! It's Siyuan and the others' spirit beast. After raising it for so many years, there must be some affection for it."

Just consider it a favor you're doing me. If I need anything later, I'll repay you.

"No need for that, you just need to answer one question for me!"

"Just ask me anything you need to know. I will definitely not hide anything from you if I know it."

Looking at Song Qingming in front of her, "Fire Phoenix" hesitated for a moment before her expression suddenly became serious.

"When you escaped from the heavens that time, what exactly did you and Ao Xing discuss behind my back?"

"this.."

Three hundred years ago, when that "space node" was discovered in outer space, Ao Xing and Song Qingming, along with the "Fire Phoenix," were also present.

At the time, Song Qingming and Ao Xing had secretly agreed to smuggle themselves across a spatial node together in the future, communicating via telepathy. Unexpectedly, "Fire Phoenix" had already discovered their plan. Having already made an agreement with Ao Xing, Song Qingming was caught off guard when "Fire Phoenix" suddenly inquired about it, finding it difficult to give a proper answer.

"What's wrong? Didn't you just say you wouldn't hide anything from me? Why can't you tell me now?"

"I've already promised her I can't tell anyone else."

Don't worry, this has nothing to do with anyone else; it's just a personal agreement between her and me, and it won't affect you.

It wasn't that Song Qingming intentionally wanted to hide it from the other party; it was just that he had promised Ao Xing that he wouldn't reveal anything about the spatial node.

When "Fire Phoenix" pressed him for an answer, he could only bite the bullet and give her a reply.

But "Fire Phoenix" seemed to have anticipated his answer, and a soft chuckle suddenly appeared on her lips.

"Human cultivator and True Dragon Clan, it's quite unexpected that you two could have an unspeakable agreement."

Even if you can't tell me now, I should be able to guess.

Ao Xing is determined to sneak into the upper realm, so her agreement with you must be related to this. Could it be that she invited you to enter the spatial node together?

".

Upon hearing that "Fire Phoenix" had revealed the agreement he and Ao Xing had made years ago, Song Qingming immediately opened his eyes wide and looked at the other person.

He had never mentioned this to "Fire Phoenix," yet the other party seemed to know it all along, which truly puzzled him.

"Did Ao Xing tell you?"

"If she were willing to tell me even this, she wouldn't have chased us to the ends of the earth back then."

"You may not know this, but Ao Xing encountered some problems with her cultivation technique back then. Although she is a member of the True Dragon Clan, her lifespan is now draining at a much faster rate than that of a normal cultivator."

That's why she's been so anxious all these years to find spatial nodes in order to sneak into the upper realm.

The two of you had your eyes on that spatial node behind my back. What else could you have been up to besides plotting a smuggling operation?

After all, she doesn't have a good temper, so the only reason she would take the initiative to put aside her grudges and reconcile with us is probably because of this.

I guessed the rest, but there are still some things I don't understand.

You've only been cultivating to the Nascent Soul stage for a few hundred years. How did Ao Xing even take a liking to you and invite a human cultivator like you to sneak across a spatial node with her?

Don't tell me she only thought of you on a whim.

"That's not the reason. It's because of a spatial artifact I have. This artifact is somewhat useful for smuggling through spatial nodes, which is why she happened to have her eye on it."

Back when I was still in the Nascent Soul stage, Ao Xing chased after me several times, trying to force me to hand over this treasure!

Fortunately...

Seeing that "Fire Phoenix" had already guessed his agreement with Ao Xing, Song Qingming smiled helplessly and told Fire Phoenix everything that had happened to him and Ao Xing back then.

Upon hearing the other party's detailed explanation, "Fire Phoenix" finally understood the reason behind the matter, and a look of realization appeared on her face.

"No wonder she recognized you at a glance back then in Longyuanhai. I was wondering where this madwoman had seen your portrait. It turns out there were things that happened between you two."

Being targeted three times by a Nascent Soul cultivator from the True Dragon Clan, it's truly surprising that you've survived unscathed.

"It was just good luck, a bit of a fluke!"

Seeing that "Fire Phoenix" was looking at him with a slightly meaningful gaze, Song Qingming could only helplessly reply.

Back when I encountered Ao Xing in the heavens, I almost perished at her hands several times. It was indeed a matter of luck that I managed to escape from her clutches.

However, explaining too much to "Fire Phoenix" would likely be met with disbelief due to the latter's personality, so Song Qingming didn't say much and simply took out the "Sacred Star Disc" from his body.

"Is the treasure that Ao Xing has his eye on this Sacred Star Disc?"

"That's right, but this thing has already developed its own spirit and is unwilling to acknowledge her as its master. In the end, Ao Xing wanted to drag me along to smuggle the spatial node."

Centuries ago, when the group was trapped in the spatial rift, "Fire Phoenix" had seen Song Qingming wield this treasure and witnessed the "Sacred Star Disc" suppressing the spatial rift's supernatural power.

Seeing Song Qingming take out this treasure, she seemed to confirm her thoughts and nodded slightly.

When are you planning to leave?

"We have fixed the spatial nodes, which we estimate can last for another two or three hundred years."

Ao Xing meant that it was best to raise the cultivator to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm before smuggling into the spatial node.

To be honest, I'm not confident that I can break through to a higher realm within two hundred years, and I don't know if I can catch up.

If there isn't enough time, this agreement may have to be void.

"You have only cultivated for a little over a thousand years, which is still quite a long lifespan for human cultivators."

Although the spiritual energy in the cultivation world is currently scarce, with your talent, I believe you will still be able to cultivate to a higher realm in the future. There is no need to rush to risk sneaking through the spatial node now.

I'm saying all this just as a friend to offer you some advice; I don't mean anything else by it.

You should understand, right?

Song Qingming has only been cultivating for a little over 1,300 years.

In terms of the lifespan of a Nascent Soul cultivator, he still has enough time to stay in the "Huayang Realm" and, like "Ling Xuzi" and Chen Qingxuan, successfully cultivate to the peak of the mid-Nascent Soul stage.

Today, "Fire Phoenix" specifically inquired about the agreement between him and Ao Xing, implying that she was still somewhat worried that he might encounter danger if he rashly chose to enter the spatial node.

As a friend of many years, Song Qingming naturally understood what the other person meant and immediately smiled and nodded in response:

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness. Don't worry, I will consider this matter carefully."

".

After chatting with "Fire Phoenix" for a while, Song Qingming bid her farewell and turned to leave.

After Song Qingming left, "Fire Phoenix" gently raised her hand and took out a bronze mirror from her body, in which a glittering dot quickly appeared.

Seeing that the dot was flashing in the direction it was heading, heading straight east instead of south, "Fire Phoenix" frowned slightly.

"Hmph! You were just saying you'd think it over carefully, why are you in such a hurry to go find her!"

".

Several years later, Song Qingming returned to the "Floating Cloud Mountains".

At that time, Li Xuanyi and Song Qingyu had just gone out to the "East Sea Immortal Cultivation World" for a visit, so Song Qingming took Huang Siyuan back to the "Ziyang Heavenly Palace" first.

Having returned to the "Huayang Realm" for several years, Song Qingming not only obtained a high-grade spiritual liquid from Chen Qingxuan.

He also went to the Northern Frontier and the "Dragon Abyss Sea" and exchanged many spiritual items with Fire Phoenix and Ao Xing, which was almost enough for him to break through the bottleneck of the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

Next, after some closed-door preparation, one can attempt to break through to a higher realm.

Just as Song Qingming was preparing to go into seclusion to adjust his condition, Bai Yuxian suddenly arrived in the outer heavens with someone, interrupting his cultivation once again.

Accompanying Bai Yuxian was Long Ziyun, the Grand Elder of the "Four Seas Business Alliance".

Over the years, Song Qingming has been in seclusion outside the heavens cultivating. The people in the sect who deal with Long Ziyun are Bai Yuxian and others. He only sees her occasionally at sect celebrations.

I was quite surprised by her sudden visit.

Before Song Qingming could even ask, Bai Yuxian pulled him aside and explained their purpose directly.

For the past hundred years or so, Long Ziyun's cultivation has been unsuccessful, and she has never been able to sense the "primordial energy of heaven and earth".

The reason she came to the "Ziyang Heavenly Palace" was to use the magic array left behind by the Ziyang Twin Saints to help her comprehend the "primordial energy of heaven and earth".

“My husband, Sister Long helped the sect find the formula for the Yin-Yang Creation Pill, so I agreed to owe her a favor.”

"I brought her to the Purple Sun Heavenly Palace this time hoping you could help her comprehend the primordial energy of heaven and earth, as a way of repaying this favor."

"The Yin-Yang Creation Pill is crucial for your future breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm. Since Fellow Daoist Long can help find the pill formula, we will certainly do our part."

However, the magic array left by Senior Ziyang requires the cultivation of the Ziyang Divine Light Technique to have any auxiliary effect, so it might not be able to help her.

The "Yin-Yang Creation Pill" is one of the three most common spiritual items used to refine items for those aiming to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. It is a low-grade fifth-level item.

A hundred years ago, Huang Siyuan had already successfully broken through to the fifth level of alchemy after obtaining the alchemy manual that Song Qingming brought back from the ancient secret realm.

Song Qingming and Bai Yuxian have been searching for the recipe for the "Yin Yang Creation Pill" for years, hoping to give it to Huang Siyuan to help them refine the pill.

Several years ago, before he returned to the "Purple Sun Heavenly Palace", he had already learned from Bai Yuxian that he had found the elixir formula.

Upon learning this news, Song Qingming was overjoyed and ordered the sect to begin collecting the necessary materials to Huang Siyuan for refining the elixir.

Song Qingming had no objection to compensating and rewarding Long Ziyun for helping him find the formula for the "Yin Yang Creation Pill".

However, it's not advisable to offer assistance in matters like comprehending the "primordial energy of heaven and earth."

Upon hearing Bai Yuxian explain the purpose of the visit, Song Qingming also looked puzzled, wondering why she would bring Long Ziyun to the Heavenly Palace.

Just as Song Qingming was somewhat puzzled by this, Bai Yuxian spoke to him earnestly:

“My husband, there’s something I haven’t told you yet. My sister Long also practices the Purple Sun Divine Light Technique. I taught it to her on my own initiative.”

"You mean, she also practices the Purple Sun Divine Light Technique!"

"Yes! I remember when I was trying to comprehend the primordial energy of heaven and earth, it was my husband who helped me pass this test."

Previously, Sister Long had been asking me for advice on how to comprehend the primordial energy of heaven and earth, so I passed on some of the techniques to her for reference, without telling her the details at the time.

This time, she took the initiative to come to me for help, so I had no choice but to tell her about it.

Since my husband was able to help me back then, why not help her again? Consider it a way of fulfilling her wish.

"It's not that I don't want to help her, but you should know what happened back then. Just because you succeeded doesn't mean she can!"

"Don't worry, my husband. I have already explained the matter of that secret technique to her in advance."

"..." (End of Chapter)