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

"How is Tianyin Temple?"

Master Shuiyue's eyes were filled with fear.

"Just received news... Mount Sumeru... the entire mountain, along with Tianyin Temple... has vanished! As if evaporated from the face of the earth! Abbot Puhong, the three great monks Pude and Pukong, as well as all the disciples, scriptures, and elixirs in the temple... have all disappeared without a trace! Only... only some peripheral pilgrims and lay disciples managed to escape..."

boom!
As if the last straw had broken the camel's back, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Even Tianyin Temple... Everyone felt a chill run from the soles of their feet straight to the top of their heads!
Although Qingyun Sect suffered heavy damage, at least its mountain gate and people are still there! But Tianyin Temple... was completely uprooted!
"Junior Brother Cangsong... is there any news?"

Dao Xuan forced himself to ask the question.

Tian Buyi shook his head.

"No. Since that day, there has been no news of Junior Brother Cangsong. I'm afraid... he also met with a terrible fate."

Dao Xuan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, all that remained in his eyes was endless exhaustion and determination.

"The other party... did not come to kill. Otherwise, we would have already turned to dust. What they covet... is resources! The accumulated wealth of our sect over thousands of years! Spiritual herbs, magical treasures, and ancient texts... are all their targets!"

His gaze swept over the desperate crowd below, and his voice suddenly rose, carrying a sense of authority.

"Things have come to this point, despair is useless! My Qingyun Sect has been established for thousands of years and has weathered many storms. How can it be destroyed by this one calamity!"

"Pass down the order: All disciples, intensify your training! Those without swords, practice fist and foot techniques! Those without medicine, draw upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth! Activate the mountain-protecting formation to its fullest extent! Double the number of disciples patrolling the mountain! My Qingyun Sect... is not yet dead!"

The Star-Picking Pavilion, second-floor private seating area.

Biyao and Aunt You spoke in hushed tones for a moment, seemingly quite curious about this suddenly appearing luxurious restaurant.

Her bright, lively eyes darted around, and she suddenly stood up and walked straight toward the private room where Ying Xuan was.

"Young master, do you mind if I sit here?"

Biyao smiled radiantly, her voice clear and playful. Before Ying Xuan could answer, she sat down in the empty seat opposite him, resting her chin on her hand and curiously observing him.

Aunt You frowned slightly and followed closely behind Bi Yao, standing behind her. Her eyes swept over Ying Xuan warily, and her hand was already quietly placed on her waist.

Ying Xuan remained calm, as if he was not surprised at all by Bi Yao's sudden visit.

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and looked at Biyao, saying calmly.

"Please make yourself at home, young lady. Waiter, bring this young lady some of our newly made pastries."

The eunuch standing to the side immediately bowed and responded.

"Yes, son."

They then silently withdrew to prepare.

Biyao blinked, her curiosity growing even stronger as she looked at Ying Xuan's calm demeanor.

"Young master, you have a fine demeanor. May I ask your name? Judging from your extraordinary bearing, you do not seem to be a local?"

Ying Xuan put down his teacup, looked at Bi Yao with a deep gaze, and gave an irrelevant answer.

“The girl… is not human either.”

Upon hearing this, Biyao's smile instantly froze!
Aunt You's eyes flashed with a cold light, and a sharp killing intent locked onto Ying Xuan!

Inhuman? These two seemingly casual words exploded in their hearts! This person... could actually see through Biyao's true nature at a glance?!
"You...what are you talking nonsense about?"

Biyao's expression changed slightly, but she forced herself to remain calm.

Ying Xuan seemed oblivious to the chilling killing intent and spoke calmly as before.

"Young lady, there's no need to be nervous. I mean no harm. It's just... I know of a place where clues to the first volume of the 'Heavenly Book' are hidden. Would you... be interested in going there together to take a look?"

"A celestial book?!"

Biyao suddenly stood up, her eyes flashing with disbelief!

A celestial book! A legendary treasure containing the ultimate principles of heaven and earth! How could this person know its whereabouts?!
Aunt You's expression changed drastically! This person not only revealed Biyao's identity, but also threw out bait such as the "Heavenly Book," his intentions were unfathomable!

She could no longer contain herself and let out a sharp shout.

"How dare you be so disrespectful to Miss!"

Before she finished speaking, Aunt You moved closer, her right palm carrying a chilling, bone-chilling force capable of freezing the soul, and struck Ying Xuan's chest!
This palm strike contained her profound cultivation at the Nascent Soul stage, without any reservation!
She was determined to kill the enemy with one blow; she absolutely could not let this person of unknown origin, who knew too many secrets, leave alive!

The palm strike was accompanied by a howling wind and a chilling aura! The entire second-floor private room instantly felt as if it had fallen into an ice cave!
Before Ying Xuan could finish speaking, Aunt You's palm strike, imbued with the cultivation of a Nascent Soul cultivator and chilling to the bone, had already reached his chest! The fierce killing intent almost froze the air!

"Humph."

Ying Xuan's eyes flashed with a cold light.

He didn't even get up, but just sat still. A vast and condensed divine power, like an invisible giant hammer, suddenly erupted from him!

There was no earth-shattering roar, only a muffled, heart-pounding hum.

The entire second floor of the Star-Picking Tower seemed to freeze in an instant!

All the diners who were drinking and chatting, the busy waiters (eunuchs), and even Biyao, felt an irresistible and terrifying force descend upon them. Everything went black, they instantly lost all consciousness, and collapsed to the ground!
Aunt You, who was the first to be affected, was struck as if by lightning!

Her palm strike, powerful enough to freeze the soul, dissipated instantly when it reached three feet in front of Ying Xuan, as if it had struck an invisible wall of sighs!
She groaned, and blood seeped from her seven orifices. Her eyes were filled with disbelief, horror, and fear!
She felt as insignificant as dust in the face of this will!

"Level 1 life form? That's quite a foundation."

Ying Xuan spoke calmly, not even glancing at the swaying Aunt You, and raised his hand to grab her in a feint!
An ancient and weathered stone gate phantom flashed past behind Aunt You!
Aunt You's figure vanished instantly, as if she had never existed, leaving only faint ripples in the space where she stood.

"Aunt You!"

Although Biyao was dizzy from the shock of the divine sense, she was not completely unconscious. She struggled to raise her head and saw Aunt You disappear. She immediately let out a shrill scream!

She suddenly looked at Ying Xuan, her eyes filled with anger, fear, and despair.

"What...what did you do to her?! Let her go! My father is the Ghost King!"

He will definitely…

"Ghost King?"

Ying Xuan interrupted her, his tone flat and emotionless.

"I am not interested."

"The Heavenly Book! I know where the second volume of the Heavenly Book is!"

In a moment of quick thinking, Biyao attempted to throw out a bait.

"If you release Aunt You, I can tell you! I can even... I can even help you get it!"

Ying Xuan shook his head slightly, a half-smile playing on his lips.

"The Heavenly Book? I will retrieve it myself; no transaction is necessary."

Biyao's heart sank to the bottom instantly.

Threats were useless, the deal was rejected, and Aunt You's fate was unknown... An unprecedented sense of powerlessness overwhelmed her. She looked at Ying Xuan's calm and expressionless face as if she were looking at a cold and ruthless abyss.

Just then, Ying Xuan stood up and strode to Bi Yao.

Biyao felt a sudden tightening around her waist, an irresistible force pulling her into Ying Xuan's embrace!
"Ah! Let me go!"

Biyao was shocked and furious. She struggled desperately, but couldn't budge an inch.

Ying Xuan looked down at her, his eyes deep.

"Take you somewhere."

Before the words were even finished, the two figures blurred and disappeared from the spot!
Inside the gloomy main hall of the Ghost King Sect's headquarters.

The Ghost King suddenly crushed the jade cup in his hand, the shards piercing his palm and drawing blood, but he was completely unaware.

Before him, a disciple of the Ghost King Sect was trembling as he reported everything that had happened at the Star-Picking Tower.

"...Miss...Miss has been kidnapped by that mysterious person! Lady Youji...has disappeared without a trace! That person...that person's methods are extraordinary, instantly stunning everyone in the entire restaurant..."

“Biyao…Youji…”

The Ghost King's eyes were bloodshot, like those of a wounded beast, as he let out a low roar.

"No matter who you are! How dare you touch my daughter! I will tear you to pieces and grind your bones to dust!"

"Master, calm down!"

Mr. Ghost, who was standing nearby, quickly offered some advice.

"This person was able to abduct Miss and Youji without a sound; his strength is unfathomable! The successive calamities suffered by Qingyun Sect and Tianyin Temple are likely related to him! Our sect is still recovering; it is not advisable to make such a powerful enemy! The most urgent task is to find out Miss's whereabouts..."

"Shut up!"

The Ghost King suddenly turned around, and a violent killing intent swept through the hall.

"I don't care who he is! Anyone who dares to touch Biyao is an enemy of the entire Ghost King Sect!"

"Pass down the order: Proclaim to the world! Whoever can provide the exact whereabouts of Biyao, the Ghost King Sect is willing to grant any request! Abandon all actions against the Qingyun Sect and Tianyin Temple! Dedicate all resources to finding Biyao!"

Mr. Ghost opened his mouth, but it ultimately turned into a sigh.

He knew that the Ghost King was blinded by anger and worry at this moment, and any attempt to dissuade him would be futile.

The grand ambition of unifying the cultivation world is insignificant compared to the safety of his beloved daughter.

Ten thousand miles away, above a desolate mountain range.

A massive mountain, forged entirely from some unknown metal and gleaming with a cold luster, is tearing through the clouds at an astonishing speed, hurtling through the sky!

Atop the mountain peaks, pavilions and towers appear and disappear amidst the swirling clouds and mist, resembling a celestial abode.

Biyao was held in Ying Xuan's arms, feeling the howling wind in her ears, and looking at the mountains, rivers, towns and villages rushing past below. Her mouth was slightly open, and her eyes were filled with shock!

"This...this mountain...can fly?!"

Her voice trembled with disbelief.

She had seen many flying magical artifacts, but she had never heard of a mountain as large and as fast as this!

This speed is more than ten or a hundred times faster than flying on a sword!
Ying Xuan did not answer.

With a slight thought, the enormous magical mountain began to slow down, eventually hovering above a desolate, barren, and jagged mountain range. Below lay the desolate mountain overrun by bats.

"arrive."

Ying Xuan released Bi Yao and stood with his hands behind his back on the mountaintop.

Biyao steadied herself, gazing down at the lifeless mountain range with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty. Just then, a sudden change occurred!

A sharp, piercing screech rang out!
From the depths of the desolate mountain below, countless dark shadows rose into the sky! They were tens of thousands of bats!

They were enormous, with wingspans of nearly ten feet, entirely black, with exposed fangs, and their scarlet eyes gleamed with a ferocious light in the dim light of day!
A dark, overwhelming mass, blotting out the sun, carrying a nauseating, foul stench, rushed madly toward the Magic Treasure Mountain!

Biyao's face paled, and she subconsciously took a step back.

With so many ferocious bats, even if her father, the Ghost King, were to come in person, it would take him quite a while!
Ying Xuan simply watched calmly.

He raised his hand and pointed at the surging swarm of bats!
A viscous, crimson gas, exuding a strong aura of blood and violence, gushed out from Ying Xuan's fingertips, instantly enveloping the entire swarm of bats!
"squeak--!!!"

A bloodcurdling scream, piercing to the extreme, echoed through the sky! A swarm of bats shrouded in crimson gas!
Countless tiny bats instantly swelled and exploded, turning into a cloud of blood mist! The scene was bloody and cruel!
But many more bats struggled and howled in the blood mist!
Their bodies began to undergo terrifying changes as they were corroded by the crimson gas!

His bones cracked, his muscles bulged, and his body expanded at a visible rate!

Its once jet-black fur turned a dark red! Its fangs became even sharper, and its claws gleamed with a metallic sheen!
A fierce aura, far greater than before, rose from their bodies!

"This...this is..."

Biyao stared in disbelief, a chill running down her spine.

The aura emanating from these bats surged to a level comparable to that of an elder (Golden Core stage) of the Ghost King Sect in just a few breaths! Their numbers... numbered in the thousands!
But this is not over yet!
A glint flashed in Ying Xuan's eyes, and he tapped his fingertip again!
A purer, more condensed, and almost purplish-black crimson aura poured down, precisely infusing the giant bats that had completed their initial transformation and whose auras had reached the Golden Core stage!
"Roar--!"

This time, the bats didn't emit sharp screechs, but roars!

Their bodies swelled up again, and strange blood-red patterns appeared on their dark red fur. Their scarlet eyes shone with a ferocious and bloodthirsty light!
A more terrifying and chilling aura swept out!
Ying Xuan embraced Bi Yao, standing atop the Magic Treasure Mountain, overlooking the desolate and lifeless Kongsang Mountain below.

The mountain is steep and rugged, with jagged rocks, and a faint, chilly atmosphere permeates the air.

"Kongsang Mountain?"

Biyao looked at the familiar terrain below, her eyes filled with understanding, and then she looked at Ying Xuan with a mocking expression.

"So that's how it is. You went to such lengths to capture me here for the first volume of that heavenly book, didn't you? Hmph, don't even think about it! My father..."

"Book of Heaven?"

Ying Xuan interrupted her, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"It's just a cultivation technique; I wouldn't go to such lengths for it."

Biyao was taken aback, then frowned.

"Then why did you..."

Ying Xuan's gaze, however, had already turned to the depths of Kongsang Mountain.

His target was the "treasure" hidden in the mountains—millions of ferocious bats, the lingering resentment of ghosts buried deep underground for thousands of years, and... the ancient ferocious beast sleeping beneath the Abyss of the Dead, the Blackwater Serpent!

"Array down!"

Ying Xuan said no more, and his mind stirred!
The enormous magical mountain peak that had been suspended high in the sky suddenly sank!

At the base of the mountain, the core array plate, composed of 108 illusory star images, shone brightly!
The vast power of the stars, mixed with the boundless aura of bloodlust, descended, instantly covering the entire Kongsang Mountain! (End of Chapter)