I gain ten years' worth of cultivation every day, and even geniuses will only see my doorstep!

Lei Hao was horrified. In a haste, he parried with his spear, while lightning flashed all around him, forming layers of lightning shields!

"clang!!!"

The fist collided with the lightning spear, producing a deafening roar! Lei Hao felt an irresistible force coming from the spear, his hand instantly splitting open, and the spear flew out of his grasp! The fist, still powerful, shattered layers of lightning shields and landed solidly on his chest!

"puff--!"

Lei Hao was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string. He sprayed out a cloud of blood mist in mid-air, and a clear sound of bones cracking came from his chest. His aura instantly weakened, and he crashed heavily into a distant rock wall, losing consciousness.

One punch severely injured Lei Hao, who was in the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm!

The remaining three Xuantian Sect disciples who had formed the array were dumbfounded, terrified out of their wits. The main array master was defeated in one blow, the lightning array collapsed instantly, and the backlash caused their blood to churn, almost making them vomit blood.

Qin Yuan's gaze swept over them.

"Let's get out! Let's get out!" The three of them didn't dare to hesitate for a second. They scrambled to their feet and helped the unconscious Lei Hao up. They didn't even dare to pick up the Lei Spear that had fallen to the ground. They fled in panic towards the outside of the valley, not daring to leave a single harsh word.

Qin Yuan did not pursue. He walked to the lotus flower growing on the edge of the lava lake, its entire body crimson and bearing nine crystalline leaves, plucked it, and put it into a jade box. This item was beneficial to fire-type cultivators or those practicing certain special techniques; he had no use for it, but he could exchange it for resources or give it away.

He turned around and handed the jade box to Yun Qingyao: "Senior Sister Qingyao, you can handle this."

Yun Qingyao took the jade box, looked at Qin Yuan, and a complex emotion flashed in her cold eyes. Not long ago, this fellow disciple needed her to take care of him, but now he had grown to a height that she had to look up to, and could easily deal with powerful enemies that she could not handle.

"Thank you, Junior Brother Qin," she said softly, her tone more solemn than before.

"It's only right that we share the same sect." Qin Yuan glanced at the two corpses of the Tianyin Valley disciples. "This place is not safe to stay any longer. Let me bury them for you first."

Together, the group found a secluded spot outside the valley and buried the two female disciples of Tianyin Valley. The remaining two disciples were extremely grateful to Qin Yuan; if he hadn't arrived in time, they probably wouldn't have escaped his clutches either.

"Senior Brother Qin, Senior Sister Qingyao, we are deeply grateful. We are weak and would only be a burden to you if we followed you. We will take our leave now. If you ever need our help, Liu Ruyan of Tianyin Valley will definitely repay you!" The two Tianyin Valley disciples composed themselves, bowed solemnly to Qin Yuan and Yun Qingyao, and then left. They needed to find their fellow disciples to reunite with.

Watching them leave, Qin Yuan looked at Yun Qingyao: "Senior Sister Qingyao, what are your plans next?"

Yun Qingyao pondered for a moment: "I originally intended to travel to the 'Frosty Secret Realm' in the northwest, where perhaps there would be an opportunity suitable for my Cloud Mist Path. Junior Brother Qin, you..."

"I plan to go and take a look at the core area," Qin Yuan said. "Since it's on the same route, why don't we travel together? It'll be good to have someone to look after you on the way." He could tell that Yun Qingyao was quite exhausted, and it would be risky for her to go to the Frozen Secret Realm alone.

Yun Qingyao glanced at Qin Yuan and nodded gently: "Then I'll have to trouble Junior Brother Qin."

The two left the Flame Demon Valley together and headed northwest.

Along the way, Qin Yuan learned more about the recent news from Yun Qingyao. It was said that strange phenomena were indeed appearing frequently in the core area, and a projection of what appeared to be an ancient "War God's Palace" was about to materialize, attracting geniuses from various sects to flock there. Jian Wuming of the Myriad Swords Pavilion, Youquan Gongzi of the Netherworld Palace, the Wood Spirit Twins of the Green Wood Sect, and several other top-tier prospective Dao Sons from the Taiyi Immortal Sect had all been gathering in the core area.

"The Temple of War Gods?" Qin Yuan mused. Just from the name, one could tell it was no ordinary place.

"Furthermore," Yun Qingyao hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I've heard that the Wood Spirit Twins of the Green Wood Sect seem to be looking for you."

"Looking for me?" Qin Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know the specific reason. But it seems to be related to Mu Qingyu being rescued by you in the Misty Swamp, or perhaps... it's related to Junior Sister Lin Qing'er," Yun Qingyao said. She had a decent relationship with Lin Qing'er and knew some of the inside story.

Qin Yuan nodded and asked no more questions. What's meant to happen will happen.

Both were quite powerful and moved quickly; three days later, they approached the area where the Frozen Secret Realm was located. Ahead lay a vast, white glacial world, its chilling aura biting.

Just as the two were about to enter the glacier area, five figures suddenly emerged from behind an ice hill to their side and blocked their way.

These five people, dressed in different clothes and not from the same sect, had connected auras and were faintly forming an encirclement. They were all at the Nascent Soul stage! The leader was a short old man with sinister eyes. He was at the peak of the mid-Nascent Soul stage and was playing with a pair of black iron balls in his hands, making a "click-clack" friction sound.

"Hehe, not bad luck. After waiting for several days, I finally caught two fat fish." The short old man's gaze swept over Qin Yuan and Yun Qingyao, especially lingering on Yun Qingyao's beautiful face for a moment, revealing a lewd look. "One is at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, and the other is at the early stage of the Nascent Soul stage... Boy, leave your storage magic treasures and this girl behind, and I may spare your life."

They turned out to be rogue cultivators who robbed travelers, or groups hastily assembled by small sects, who specifically targeted lone or small groups of disciples from various sects on this only road leading to the core area, killing them and robbing them of their treasures.

Qin Yuan's eyes turned slightly cold. Yun Qingyao also gripped the Cloud Mist Longsword tightly.

"Boss, why waste words with this kid? Just kill him!" A burly man with a face full of scars licked his lips and stared greedily at Yun Qingyao.

"That's right, this girl has such delicate skin, she's perfect for keeping us brothers entertained!" another person chimed in.

The five men slowly approached, their killing intent palpable.

Qin Yuan stepped forward, shielding Yun Qingyao behind him, and looked at the short old man, suddenly asking, "How many groups of people have you robbed here?"

The short old man was taken aback, then grinned maliciously: "What? Want to know the details? I might as well tell you. This is the fourth wave, including you! The previous three waves yielded not bad results. Boy, obediently hand over the goods, and I..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qin Yuan had already moved.

Without any extra movements, he simply moved and appeared in front of the short old man as if by teleportation, his right palm lightly striking the top of his head!

The old man was shocked. He had never expected his opponent to be so fast. In his haste, he threw the pair of black iron balls in his hand upwards and retreated rapidly!

However, Qin Yuan's palm seemed to ignore the spatial distance, and before the iron gall could reach the old man's body, it had already pressed down on the top of his head!

"Snap!"

With a soft sound, the old man's protective aura shattered like paper, his head mysteriously caved in half an inch, the life in his eyes instantly died, and his body slumped to the ground. Even in death, he couldn't see how his opponent had made the move.

The other four were utterly terrified. Their strongest leader had been killed in a single move?!