I established the Eternal Immortal Clan by taming beasts.

Deepest part of the dormant zone, in the center of the basin.

The Blood Jade Infant Marrow lay quietly on the stone platform, its dark red halo flickering like the breath of a sleeping creature, each pulse causing the surrounding malevolent energy to tremble slightly.

The light wasn't dazzling, but it possessed a captivating allure, as if it weren't an inanimate object, but a still-beating heart waiting for a destined person to awaken it.

The atmosphere around the stone platform was so heavy it seemed to drip water.

The white-haired elder of the Loose Cultivator Alliance leaned on his wooden cane, his eyes half-closed as if he were asleep, but his divine sense had already locked onto every inch of space within ten feet around the stone platform.

His fingers gently caressed the staff, and the dark red gem at the top of the staff gleamed faintly in the dim light.

Song San Niang of Tingyuxuan still had that smiling face, her peach blossom eyes curved into two crescent moons, and a faint smile played at the corners of her mouth.

But her fingers had already formed a hand seal in her sleeve, ready to strike in a moment.

The eight Golden Core cultivators behind her each occupied a corner, their positions staggered yet perfectly balanced, maintaining a distance just wide enough to support each other.

Zhao Tie of the Iron-Blooded Mercenary Group crossed his arms and swept his gaze across everyone present like a hawk. There was no spiritual energy fluctuation around him, but the invisible killing intent made those who came near him feel a chill down their spines.

Cheng Wanjun stood at the very front of the three teams, the veins on his forehead throbbing slightly.

He glanced at the Blood Jade Infant Marrow, then at the other groups of people, quickly calculating the gains and losses in his mind.

With twelve against twenty-something, the team is outnumbered.

However, the advantage of these three families lies in the fact that they are a united front, while the loose cultivator alliance, Tingyuxuan, and Iron Blood Mercenary Group are all temporary rabble.

Once a fight breaks out, they'll each have their own agendas and won't really fight to the death.

"Gentlemen," Cheng Wanjun spoke first, his voice echoing in the basin, carrying a hint of deliberately suppressed composure.

"My Cheng family is determined to obtain this Blood Jade Infant Marrow. If you gentlemen are willing to give us face, my Cheng family will repay you handsomely. In the future, if you need any help in Burning Bone City, please feel free to ask."

His words sounded nice, but everyone present was shrewd; who would take the "generous reward" seriously?

How many spirit stones are the Cheng family's "generous reward" worth?

How much of a favor is the Cheng family's "help" worth?

In the face of a spirit that has formed an infant, all of those are a joke.

The white-haired old man opened his eyes, glanced at him, and then closed them again.

Song San Niang chuckled softly, her laughter like silver bells echoing in the mist, carrying a hint of languor, a touch of nonchalance, and a dash of undisguised mockery:

"Master Cheng, you have quite the arrogance, so confident of your victory? This secret realm wasn't opened by your Cheng family, and these spiritual treasures weren't cultivated by your family. What gives you the right to take them away with just a word?"

Zhao Tie didn't speak, but simply took a step forward.

The seven or eight Golden Core cultivators from the Loose Cultivator Alliance also unleashed their magical artifacts, which shimmered with spiritual light and exuded a chilling killing intent.

The atmosphere instantly became extremely tense.

Cheng Wanjun's face turned very ugly.

He knew his words would be ineffective, but he didn't expect these people to ignore even polite words.

That's really disrespectful to those three families!

His Cheng family has been operating in Burning Bone City for hundreds of years. They are always the ones who give him face. When is it his turn to give face to others?

"Then don't blame me for being impolite." Cheng Wanjun's voice turned cold, like the frost of winter.

With a flick of his right hand, a jet-black longsword slid out from his sleeve. The dark red patterns on the blade suddenly lit up, like awakened blood snakes crawling across the blade, emitting a pungent, bloody smell.

Behind him, He Zhenyue and the other Golden Core cultivators from the three families simultaneously released their respective magical artifacts.

In an instant, a flash of spiritual light appeared, and a murderous intent soared to the sky. The dark red baleful aura was stirred up and surged endlessly, like boiling magma.

A chaotic battle is about to break out.

Lin Che, hidden in the mist a hundred feet away, watched this scene with a slight smile on his lips.

"Let's fight," he muttered to himself. "The more chaotic the better."

The first attack came from the white-haired elder of the Loose Cultivator Alliance.

"Thump!"

A deep, muffled thud, like the beating of a drum, shook the ground slightly.

A gray ripple burst forth from the base of the staff, sweeping outwards in all directions. Wherever the ripple passed, the hard earth on the ground cracked inch by inch, and pebbles flew everywhere, like countless sharp arrows surging towards the three families' ranks.

Cheng Wanjun snorted coldly and slashed horizontally with his longsword.

A dark red sword aura surged from the blade, about three feet wide and over ten feet long, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound that tore through the air, colliding with the gray ripples.

"boom--!"

The deafening roar sent debris flying and dust billowing everywhere.

At the center of the collision between the two attacks, a crater more than ten feet deep was blasted into the ground, and rubble shot out in all directions like shrapnel, hitting the cultivator's protective aura with a crackling sound.

This blow was like igniting a powder keg.

Song San Niang moved, her figure swaying as she transformed into a streak of purple light, rushing towards the three families' group from the side.

She was incredibly fast, leaving behind several afterimages in the air, each one as real as her actual body.

The magical weapon in his hand was a short sword, narrow in blade, only two fingers wide, with a bluish gleam at the tip, clearly indicating that it was coated with a potent poison. The luster was particularly dazzling in the dim light.

Zhao Tie also made a move.

He didn't use any magical weapons, only his two iron fists.

With golden spiritual light surrounding his fists, he struck Cheng Wanjun's chest like two falling meteors.

The force of the punch was so strong that it caused the surrounding mist to surge to both sides, revealing the hard, gray-black soil on the ground.

The Golden Core cultivators of the Loose Cultivator Alliance also took action.

Someone swung their sword, unleashing several streaks of sword light, each tearing through the air and emitting a sharp shriek;

Someone threw out talismans, which burned in the air, turning into a sky full of fireballs that fell like a meteor shower.

The overwhelming offensive enveloped the three teams.

Sword light, fireballs, white light, and fist shadows intertwined to form an impenetrable killing net.

Cheng Wanjun's face turned ashen, but he gritted his teeth and endured it.

His longsword drew dark red arcs in the air, deflecting the incoming sword lights and fireballs one by one.

However, due to the overwhelming attacks, cracks began to appear in his protective aura, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

He Zhenyue stood protectively by his side.

A bronze mirror hung overhead, casting a golden light that enveloped the two of them.

The light barrier was thick and solid, with runes flowing on its surface. However, every time it was hit by an attack, it would tremble violently, and He Zhenyue's face would turn paler.

The other Golden Core cultivators from the three families also used their own methods to fight against the people from the Loose Cultivator Alliance, Tingyuxuan, and the Iron Blood Mercenary Group.

In an instant, spiritual light flashed in the basin, a deafening roar shook the heavens, smoke and dust filled the air, and killing intent surged everywhere.

Someone was struck by the sword light, and blood gushed out, staining the hard earth beneath them red;

Some people were engulfed by fireballs, their bodies charred black, emitting a burnt smell;

Some people were frozen by the ice crystals, unable to move, like stone sculptures.

The fighting is getting increasingly chaotic.

With no one able to look after anyone else, the offensive began to fall on other forces.

Chaos began to spread.

For a moment, everyone was on guard against someone suddenly making a move.

……

"It's time."

Lin Che, like an invisible ghost, moved silently towards the stone platform, passing through the edge of the melee, through the flying rubble, and through the crisscrossing sword light.

No one noticed him.

Everyone's attention was focused on the enemy, and they were all on guard against a sudden attack from those around them.

Cheng Wanjun was blocking the sword, He Zhenyue was holding up a shield, Song Sanniang was moving around, Zhao Tie was throwing punches, and the rogue cultivators were casting spells.

No one would notice that an unseen figure was slowly approaching the stone platform from the mist.

Lin Che was getting closer and closer to the stone platform.

He could clearly sense the energy fluctuations of the Blood Jade Infant Marrow.

The fluctuations were not intense, but they carried a rhythm that made one's heart tremble. Each pulse made his golden core tremble slightly.

Five zhang, three zhang, one zhang...

He stood in front of the stone platform and could feel the temperature emanating from the crystals.

It wasn't hot, it was even a little cool, but within that coolness lay a power that made his heart pound.

A carefree journey.

Lin Che instantly transformed into a streak of azure light, sweeping across the stone platform.

The Blood Jade Infant Marrow flew up from the stone platform and landed in his sleeve.

The entire process took less than a breath.

Like a dragonfly skimming the water, like a leaf falling in the wind.

No one noticed.

That blood jade infant marrow simply vanished into thin air.

"Um?"

The white-haired old man was the first to notice something was wrong.

His consciousness remained fixed on the stone platform.

But now the aura of the Blood Jade Infant Marrow has disappeared.

His brows furrowed sharply, and a glint of light flashed in his cloudy old eyes.

My gaze fell upon the stone platform, which was empty except for a bare rock.

"Where is the spirit?" His voice wasn't loud, but it exploded like thunder in the basin.

The melee abruptly stopped.

Everyone turned to look at the stone platform.

There was nothing there.

The stone is still the same stone, but the spirit on it is gone.

Cheng Wanjun's longsword stopped in mid-air, Song Sanniang's figure suddenly froze, Zhao Tie's fist was withdrawn, and the magical artifacts of the rogue cultivators fell one after another.

"Who is it?" Song San Niang's voice was devoid of laughter, only coldness remained, like frost in winter.

Cheng Wanjun's face was ashen. His gaze swept over everyone present, trying to find a flaw in their expressions.

But everyone's face showed the same astonishment and confusion.

The members of the Loose Cultivator Alliance looked at each other, the members of Tingyuxuan whispered among themselves, and the members of the Iron Blood Mercenary Group looked at each other.

No one seemed to have received a spiritual object.

"Impossible," He Zhenyue said in a low voice, his gaze repeatedly searching around the stone platform as if looking for some trace. "I've been watching the stone platform the whole time, and no one has come close."

"It wasn't taken by someone." His gaze drifted to the dark red mist in the distance, his tone carrying a hint of uncertainty even he himself wasn't sure. "Did the spirit disappear on its own?"

"Disappeared on its own?" Zhao Tie sneered, his iron fists tapping together lightly, producing a dull thud. "Do you think we're three-year-olds? A spirit creature disappearing on its own? Why don't you just say it grew legs and ran away?"

Believe it or not—

Before he could finish speaking, everyone's attention was drawn to a figure that swept through the depths of the mist.

The figure moved swiftly, flashing through the mist, so fast that only the white-haired old man and Zhao Tie, with their keenest senses, managed to catch it.

But they only saw a blurry outline: a person in a dark robe, walking hurriedly, as if fleeing.

He Zhenyue was startled at first, then his eyes widened, his pupils filled with disbelief.

the reason is simple.

He recognized the man; it was Liu Zhengyun!

The attire, the figure, the way he walked—it was clearly the same dark blue robe that Liu Zhengyun was wearing today.

Cheng Wanjun, who was standing to the side, began to tremble.

His lips trembled, and his face went from ashen to deathly pale, then from deathly pale to bright red, as if he had been slapped across the face.

"So that's how it is! There was a traitor among us!"

Liu Zhengyun never came to join them in the end, and Cheng Wanjun assumed that he was trapped somewhere or had gone off to seek some kind of opportunity.

I sent more than a dozen messages to Liu Zhengyun, but he didn't reply to any of them.

He thought Liu Zhengyun was in danger and couldn't take care of himself.

But to my surprise, he actually pulled a fast one!

Perhaps the disappearance of his own clansmen was also related to him?

After being reminded by the two, Song San Niang was the first to react, letting out a cold laugh full of mockery: "If I remember correctly, that person is Liu Zhengyun, the head of the Liu family, right? Well, so you three families are playing this trick?"

"What do you mean?" Cheng Wanjun turned his head sharply, glaring angrily. "You think my Cheng family is setting this up?"

"You know perfectly well whether it's true or not." Song Sanniang sheathed her short sword, stood with her hands behind her back, her peach blossom eyes filled with coldness. "There are more of us here than you. Think carefully about the consequences of playing us for a fool!"

In an instant, the crowd surrounded the three families and unleashed their magical artifacts.

A flash of inspiration struck, and the killing intent rose again, even more intense than before.

"Ha, ha, what a fine Liu Zhengyun!"

Cheng Wanjun's eyes widened in fury. He pointed his longsword, and dark red sword energy surged forth once more, the blood snakes on the blade writhing wildly. "Come on, who's afraid of who!"

"Old Cheng, let's work together to break out!" He Zhenyue summoned his natal magic weapon, and golden spiritual light shone again. The bronze mirror slowly rotated above his head, casting a thick golden light curtain.

Just as another chaotic battle was about to erupt, the white-haired old man suddenly spoke up: "Enough."

He leaned on his wooden cane, looking in the direction "Liu Zhengyun" had left.

"The spirit item is gone, so there's no point in continuing the fight. Instead of wasting time here, we should hurry up and chase after it. Or we can disperse; there's still time in the secret realm, and perhaps we can gain something else."

After saying that, he turned around and waved to the people of the Loose Cultivator Alliance.

Although the seven or eight Golden Core cultivators were unwilling, they dared not disobey his orders. They put away their magical artifacts and followed him out of the basin.

Song San Niang glanced at Cheng Wan Jun, then snorted coldly, her "snort" filled with contempt and disdain.

With a flick of her sleeve, she led the people from Tingyuxuan away, chasing after them in that direction.

Zhao Tie remained silent.

He squinted and stared at Cheng Wanjun for a long while.

Then, he led the Ironblood Mercenary Group and chased after them as well.

Cheng Wanjun stood there, his hand holding the longsword trembling slightly.

It wasn't out of fear, but out of anger—anger at being made a fool of, at being used as a tool, at being betrayed by one's own people.

Exhale.

Then, he and He Zhenyue exchanged a glance.

The two reached a tacit understanding in that instant.

The next moment, the two attacked simultaneously, launching a fierce assault on the few Golden Core cultivators from the Liu family in the group!

"Cheng Wanjun! Are you crazy!" A Golden Core cultivator from the Liu family was shocked and furious, and hurriedly summoned his magic weapon to block.

But Cheng Wanjun's sword was too fast. The dark red sword energy tore through his protective aura and pierced through his shoulder blade.

Blood gushed out, and the man screamed and staggered backward.

Another Golden Core cultivator from the Liu family tried to escape, but was caught red-handed by He Zhenyue's bronze mirror.

A golden beam of light fell upon him, and his body instantly froze, as if he had been frozen in place.

He Zhenyue struck out with his palm, and a golden palm print landed on his chest. His sternum cracked with a "crack" sound, and he spat out blood, flying backward and crashing to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The alliance of the three parties shattered completely at this moment.

…………

In the distance, Lin Che stood in the mist, watching this scene, a smile appearing on his lips.

He circled around, then activated Absolute Void Concealment and returned.

No one noticed him; no one knew he was still there.

Everyone thought he had already run away, and that "Liu Zhengyun" had already taken the spirit and flown far away.

That's right, he just impersonated Liu Zhengyun, put on his robes, and used Absolute Concealment to simulate his aura.

All the people saw was his back, his dark blue robe, and his hurriedly fleeing figure.

No one saw his face, no one saw his expression, no one saw through his disguise.

This was Lin Che's plan to kill three birds with one stone!

They not only obtained the Blood Jade Infant Marrow, but also provoked hostility from various forces towards the three families, and caused internal strife within their alliance.

From now on, they will be too busy taking care of themselves to have any interest in managing the Lin family.

There is no longer any possibility for the three families to resist the Lin family's development.

As for the real Liu Zhengyun?

They're still locked up in the training tower right now.

Lin Che sealed off his dantian.

He was trapped in that little house, unable to get out, yet unable to die.

At this moment, he is someone whose soul lamp has not been extinguished within the family, but whose whereabouts are nowhere to be found.

Lin Che wanted to make him disappear completely and stir up trouble among the three families.

What kind of chaos would a patriarch who is nowhere to be found, either alive or dead, plunge into the Liu family?

How will this make the Cheng and He families suspicious?

How will this cause the three-way alliance to fall apart?

Lin Che smiled.

He immediately stopped and quickly left in the opposite direction from the others.

A grayish-yellow mist surged behind him, engulfing his figure as if swallowing up all traces.

A day later, he appeared on the outskirts of the middle level area and was attacked by two rogue cultivators who joined forces to fight for the spiritual item. He fought with all his might but was ultimately defeated and left the secret realm.

With this, our journey to this hidden realm has officially come to an end!