Qin Renhuang just became an immortal, and you told me this is the prehistoric time

A leader of the inner guards stepped forward to report.

Ying Xuan nodded slightly.

"Inform the leaders of Qingyun Sect: This battle, which helped their disciples break through bottlenecks and transcend realms, consumed a great deal of resources. These external items can be considered as payment. We will not owe each other anything."

The leader of the inner guard bowed and accepted the order.

"Yes!"

Ying Xuan ignored the unconscious cultivators in the square and flashed into the magnificent hall of the Qingyun Sect's Tongtian Peak.

The hall was empty, except for hundreds of magical artifacts with various colored lights floating in the center!
Swords, spears, halberds, bells, tripods, mirrors, seals... all with different shapes and extraordinary auras.

These are all exquisite magical artifacts accumulated by the Qingyun Sect over the generations, many of which are close to becoming magic treasures, just one step away from being so.

Ying Xuan casually picked up a few items, scanned them with his divine sense, and then flipped through several scrolls of Qingyun Sect weapon-refining manuals placed nearby. After a moment, disappointment filled his eyes.

"The art of weapon forging is so crude."

Ying Xuan shook his head and muttered to himself. The core of Qingyun Sect's weapon-refining technique lies in finding rare and precious natural materials, then repeatedly tempering them with true fire and infusing them with basic runes, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Crafting a top-tier magic weapon is already the limit. To upgrade a magic treasure, one can only rely on nurturing it over a long period of time, or by chance, by incorporating the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. The success rate is extremely low.

Such efficiency was of no value to the Qin Dynasty.

He casually tossed the scrolls of weapon-refining manuals aside.

"Send them back to Qin later and throw them into the Imperial Guard's Martial Pavilion to make up the numbers."

Ying Xuan's gaze returned to the hundreds of magical artifacts.

With a slight thought, a jade sword, crystal clear and radiating a chilling aura, fell into his hand.

This sword is made of superior material and exudes a chilling aura; it is already considered a top-grade magical artifact.

"This sword is quite suitable for inviting the moon."

Ying Xuan's heart stirred.

He joined his fingers like a sword, gathering his divine sense and the profound runes of the Maoshan weapon-forging tradition at his fingertips, and began to carve on the Cold Jade Sword in mid-air!
Runes, each shimmering with a pale golden light and imbued with profound powers such as spatial cutting, freezing, and energy amplification, were imprinted on the sword's body!
At the same time, he drew upon the vast energy of the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends Formation, transforming it into pure starfire that enveloped the sword!
Runes and starlight fused together, tempering the sword's body! The sword vibrated and hummed, its chilling aura surged, and its sword light flickered erratically!
A sharper aura than before spread out!
A moment later, the starlight dissipated.

A jade sword, radiating light and exuding a chilling aura, with its blade subtly distorting the very space around it, floats in mid-air!

Its aura has completely transcended the category of magical artifacts, making it a true magical treasure!

"It's done."

Ying Xuan nodded in satisfaction. But then, his brows furrowed slightly.

Is it appropriate to only give it to Yaoyue? As for the other imperial concubines... that might not be suitable.

His gaze swept over the hundreds of magical artifacts, selecting a dozen or so of the best materials and greatest potential—there was an ancient bronze bell, a heavy giant axe, a nimble flying shuttle, a heavy treasure seal… all were exquisite pieces.

"Fine, I'll refine them all at once."

Ying Xuan took a deep breath.

He formed hand seals, and a surge of immense primordial spirit power erupted forth! More than a dozen magical artifacts simultaneously floated into the air!

His fingers flew across the paper, and exquisite refining runes scattered down, precisely imprinting themselves onto each magical artifact!
At the same time, the energy of the grand formation was activated, transforming into more than a dozen clusters of starlight flames, which were used to temper the flames simultaneously!

In an instant, the hall was filled with dazzling light! Bells tolled and axes roared, and the shadows of shuttles lingered!

Various powerful auras collided and merged!
Refining magical artifacts is extremely costly, especially when refining more than a dozen at once!

Even with Ying Xuan's powerful primordial spirit, he felt waves of fatigue washing over him.

After an unknown amount of time, when the last treasure seal was completely covered by runes and the Starfire tempering was completed, Ying Xuan's face had turned slightly pale.

More than a dozen artifacts of different shapes, all exuding the aura of powerful magical treasures, floated in front of him, their light flowing and their power astonishing.

"call……"

Ying Xuan let out a long breath, sat down cross-legged, and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing. The power of the stars and the power of incense and prayers flowed into his body, nourishing his over-consumed primordial spirit.

Just as he was recovering, an Eastern Depot guard appeared silently outside the hall and bowed to report.

"Your Majesty, the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends Formation has stopped moving. Below... a temple has appeared, with incense burning brightly and Buddhist light faintly visible."

Ying Xuan slowly opened his eyes, his gaze bright and clear, all traces of fatigue vanished.

His divine sense swept across the area below in an instant, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

"Tianyin Temple... We've finally arrived."

Under the influence of the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends Formation, Mount Sumeru, where Tianyin Temple is located, was as if it had been cast into a vast galaxy.

The temple bells tolled long and deep, and the Buddha's light appeared and disappeared, yet it could not break through the invisible barrier of stars.

Abbot Puhong stood before the Great Buddha Hall, his face as solemn as iron as he gazed at the blood-red figures in the void, their forms condensed from malevolent energy and exuding a fierce aura.

These demons were incredibly powerful, and as the battle intensified, the temple disciples, relying on the profound Buddhist teachings and forming formations to barely hold on, were already suffering casualties, with many novices with shallower cultivation showing signs of exhaustion.

"Amitabha!"

Pu Hong sighed deeply, his eyes filled with sorrow and worry.

"This formation is dangerous, its malevolent aura is bewitching. If this continues, it may damage the disciples' foundation and shake the very foundation of our temple!"

At the center of the galaxy, Ying Xuan's divine sense swept across the battlefield of Tianyin Temple, and his eyebrows twitched slightly.

His original plan was no different from dealing with the Qingyun Sect—to use the evil energy to stimulate their potential, and then, once they were exhausted, to plunder their treasures and let them leave.

When he "saw" the pure and gentle Buddhist aura emanating from the monks of Tianyin Temple, it came into contact with the bloodthirsty aura permeating the formation, and a strange change occurred!
Under the illumination of the Buddha's light and the cleansing of the chanting, the wisps of bloodthirsty energy were like stubborn iron thrown into a furnace, with the violent, resentful, and bloodthirsty negative energy being gradually stripped away and purified!
What remains is an even purer and more condensed source of pure malevolent energy!

This pure baleful energy merged into the grand formation, making the aura of those Blood Shadow Demons more restrained and their attacks more refined. The destructive power they contained showed signs of breaking through their current limits and transforming into a higher level (primordial spirit or even the Void Returning level)!
"The aura of Buddhism... it actually has such wondrous uses?"

Ying Xuan's eyes gleamed! This was an unexpected delight!

If the blood-fiend power within the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Formation can be continuously purified and refined using this method, its power will surely increase several times over!
It was far more powerful than the mixed and violent malevolent energy from before!
Looking at the spiritual roots and herbs planted on the back mountain of Tianyin Temple and around the various halls, their quantity, quality, and age were more than ten times that of Qingyun Sect!
Thousand-year-old Bodhi, ten-thousand-year-old Buddha Lotus, Vajra Bamboo, Arhat Fruit... a dazzling array, full of spiritual energy, made Ying Xuan's heart flutter.

"Change the plan!"

Ying Xuan made a decision instantly. These monks cannot be let go so easily!
With a thought, he subtly changed the way the great formation operated.

In the void, as the monks who were fighting fiercely against the evil demons were about to collapse from exhaustion after exhausting their last bit of Buddhist power, a pure and gentle energy of heaven and earth mixed with a rich life force (the medicinal power of a hundred-year-old ginseng) was instantly injected into their bodies!
It quickly replenished their energy and soothed their fatigue and injuries!

"This……"

Pu Hong stared in astonishment at the disciples around him who had been teetering on the brink of collapse. After receiving this inexplicable power, their auras quickly stabilized and even became more refined than before!
He was filled with doubt and uncertainty, wondering what the person who set up the formation intended.

"Master Puhong." Ying Xuan's voice, like heavenly music, resounded directly in Puhong's sea of ​​consciousness, carrying an air of majesty.

"Your Buddhist aura has a tempering effect on my grand formation. Stay here, chant scriptures and worship Buddha, and help me purify the evil energy. I will provide you with the vital energy, food, and water you need. When the work is complete, I will release you. If you disobey..."

His voice turned cold.

"Even Mount Sumeru can be reduced to dust!"

Pu Hong was jolted, his expression shifting rapidly. The other party had actually managed to transmit their voice directly into his consciousness!
This level of cultivation is simply unfathomable!
He looked around at his disciples who, after replenishing their energy, were still trapped but temporarily out of danger. Finally, he sighed and clasped his hands together.

“Amitabha…This humble monk…will obey.”

Soon, three thousand steaming hot vegetarian dishes, made with carefully selected ingredients and boasting excellent color, aroma, and taste, were sent into the formation by a gentle force and distributed to each monk of Tianyin Temple.

The monks looked at each other, their hearts filled with mixed emotions as they gazed at the exquisite vegetarian meal in their hands and smelled its enticing aroma.

The person who set up this formation possesses extraordinary abilities, yet... they don't seem to be solely ruthless?
Several days later, in a bustling county town within the territory of the Ghost King Sect.

In the center of the county town, a magnificent three-story restaurant with carved beams and painted rafters rises from the ground, named "Zhaixinglou" (Star-Picking Tower).

The interior was decorated in an extremely luxurious style, with golden nanmu wood tables and chairs, glass lamps, and calligraphy and paintings by famous artists hanging on the walls. A faint sandalwood fragrance permeated the air.

The attendants were all eunuchs dressed in palace servants' robes, with a calm demeanor, moving nimbly and silently, and providing attentive service.

In the kitchen, the imperial chefs brought by Ying Xuan personally took charge of the cooking, their culinary skills being unparalleled in the world.

On the second floor, in a private room by the window, Ying Xuan, dressed casually, leisurely sipped tea.

He abandoned his journey to the remote and untamed Fragrance Valley (where the Beast God had not yet grown up), and set his sights on Biyao.

This place is not far from the Ghost King Sect's headquarters and is well-informed, making it an ideal spot to wait and ambush.

Downstairs in the lobby, a cacophony of voices filled the air. Two disciples dressed in Ghost King Sect robes, exuding a chilling aura, were drinking and whispering amongst themselves.

"Have you heard? Something terrible has happened at both Qingyun Sect and Tianyin Temple!"

One of the disciples lowered his voice, his tone filled with fear.

"I've only heard about it! It's said that the seven peaks of Qingyun were all shrouded in a strange starry sky! The people inside fought fiercely, and in the end, they were all thrown back to the plaza, and all their magical treasures were stripped away! The situation at Tianyin Temple is even more bizarre; the entire Mount Sumeru has vanished! Not even a ghost has escaped!"

Another disciple's voice trembled.

"Hiss... Who on earth is behind this? Could it be a joint effort by the other factions of the Demonic Sect?"

"Unlikely! I've heard their methods are extraordinary, unlike anything found in the mortal realm! Even Dao Xuan Zhenren and Abbot Pu Hong were powerless against them! Could our Ghost King Sect... also be..."

As the two were talking with bated breath, the light at the entrance of the restaurant dimmed slightly.

A slender figure walked in.

The newcomer wore a long, light green dress, the hem of which was embroidered with delicate bamboo, swaying gently with her steps, like a newly blossoming lotus beside a mountain stream.

She had a beautiful face and snow-white skin. Her bright, expressive eyes were like talking black gems, and her every glance carried a hint of playfulness and cunning.

Her lips curved slightly upward, as if she were born with a smile, instantly making people feel good towards her. She was none other than Biyao, the daughter of the Ghost King Sect's leader!
The moment she entered, she attracted everyone's attention.

The two Ghost King Sect disciples were terrified and quickly lowered their heads, not daring to look any further.

Biyao seemed used to the stares of the crowd. She walked briskly to an empty table and sat down, her clear voice like a nightingale singing in a valley.

"Waiter, bring me a pot of the finest Biluochun tea, and a few of your signature dim sum dishes!"

"Yes! Please wait a moment, young lady!"

A waiter dressed as a eunuch immediately bowed and responded, then quickly went to prepare.

Ying Xuan's gaze fell through the beaded curtain on the second floor onto the green figure downstairs.

A barely perceptible smile played at the corners of his lips.

"Finally... I've been waiting for you."

Ying Xuan sat in a private room on the second floor of the restaurant, his gaze falling through the beaded curtain onto the agile green figure downstairs.

Biyao was talking in hushed tones with a middle-aged woman (Aunt You) dressed in black with a calm demeanor, seemingly discussing something.

Ying Xuan's divine sense swept over the two of them, then across the entire county, and even extended towards the Ghost King Sect's headquarters.

"Ghost King Sect..."

Ying Xuan shook his head slightly in his heart.

This sect's techniques lean towards the ghostly and sinister path. Although there are experts within the sect, the quantity of spiritual roots and elixirs they can provide is far less than that of the Qingyun Sect and Tianyin Temple, not to mention those monks who possess Buddhist aura and can purify evil energy.

As for magic treasures? Most of the Ghost King Sect's magic treasures are filled with yin energy and mixed with evil energy, which are incompatible with the star power required by his Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends Grand Formation. Forcibly integrating them may only pollute the formation.

Since there's not enough profit to be made, why bother? As long as we get Biyao, let the Ghost King Sect go...

Qingyun Gate, Tongtian Peak Main Hall.

The atmosphere was as oppressive as solidified lead.

Dao Xuan Zhenren sat high in the main seat, his face ashen, his hands gripping the armrests tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. Below, the heads of all the peaks gathered, each with a somber expression.

"The Seven Peaks Herb Garden... has been completely looted! Thousand-year-old spiritual herbs and hundred-year-old spiritual roots have been uprooted, leaving not a single leaf behind!"

Tian Buyi's voice was filled with barely suppressed anger and trembling.

"The treasure pavilion... hundreds of exquisite magical artifacts accumulated over generations... have vanished without a trace! The manuals on weapon crafting and alchemy... have all been stolen! And... and the Spirit Venerable!"

His voice choked with emotion.

"Most of the Spirit Lord's essence blood was forcibly extracted, severely damaging his vital energy. He remains unconscious to this day!"

Master Shuiyue, his face pale, replied.

"The most...most terrifying thing is...the Immortal Execution Sword...is gone! Only an empty scabbard remains on the altar!"

"puff!"

Dao Xuan Zhenren suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, his body swayed, and he almost fell over!
The Immortal Execution Sword! The most prized treasure of the Qingyun Sect! It was lost from his hands! This is an utter disgrace! A catastrophe!

"Senior Brother Head!"

Everyone exclaimed.

Dao Xuan suppressed his surging blood and qi, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and spoke in a hoarse voice. (End of Chapter)