I create patterns, regardless of your level of expertise.

There's no such thing as closing halfway and then opening up; I've never heard of that.

If Zhou Lian had said those words, the Zhou family head would have immediately rebuked him.

"Are you kidding? Do you think I'm kidding?"

"But I'm not forcing you... How about this, what realm does he want to break through to in his seclusion?" Li Hao asked.

After a brief silence, the other end said, "Third Elder, are you preparing to break through to the fourth level of the Core Formation stage?"

Li Hao immediately said, "Alright, let him come out and help me. After it's done, I guarantee he can break through to the fourth level of Core Formation within a year."

There was a long silence on the other end, clearly indicating that they were considering the situation.

After a long pause, the Zhou family head said with difficulty, "Senior, I can't make that decision..."

"How about this, I'll inform the Third Elder first, think about it for a few days, and then give you an answer, Senior."

Li Hao frowned slightly and said, "It's going to happen in the next few days. Do you think I can wait for you to think about it for several more days?"

"You're having a hard time, aren't you? Fine, then I'll go there myself and have a face-to-face talk with your Third Elder."

The person on the other end panicked and hurriedly said, "Senior, please wait!"

"Senior, it's not that the Zhou family is ungrateful, but rather that the Zhou family is currently at a critical juncture of life and death, and our fate depends entirely on whether the Third Elder can successfully break through. We absolutely cannot be disturbed in any way!"

Upon hearing this, Li Hao couldn't help but give Zhou Lian a strange look.

"Life or death? The Zhou family is a first-rate power in the Yue Kingdom, with a Core Formation expert in the clan... What, did they offend the royal family?"

The Zhou family head said in a low voice, "No, this matter... is of utmost importance. If you can promise to protect the Zhou family, I will certainly inform you."

"If you can still lend the Zhou family a hand, senior, then the Zhou family will certainly follow your lead!"

Upon hearing this, Li Hao murmured softly, "What's the matter that you're taking so seriously..."

"Alright, let's talk face-to-face."

Li Hao immediately stopped inputting spiritual power and threw the jade talisman back.

"Zhou Lian, lead the way."

Zhou Lian could only nod resignedly.

"Alright, senior, please wait a moment, I'll go prepare the carriage and horses right away."

Li Hao rolled his eyes and said, "Travel? A round trip would take half a month, are you kidding me?"

As he spoke, Li Hao came over, put the elytra on him, and then tied his waist with a rope.

Then, Li Hao soared into the sky!

"Get out of here!"

With ropes binding Zhou Lian, he soared straight into the sky, his elytra providing him with flight, or more accurately, gliding ability.

The two transformed into streaks of crimson light and headed straight for the west bank of the river.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

The main hall of the Zhou family residence in Hexi.

Looking at the communication jade talisman whose light had dimmed, the Zhou family patriarch's face was very ugly.

Beside him, the Zhou family's eldest elder also looked worried and whispered, "Patriarch, should we really involve that senior in this matter?"

The Zhou family head gave a bitter smile and said, "The Water Ripples Palace is pressing us relentlessly. I heard they've even found that Core Formation cultivator. If they join forces to attack the Zhou family, how can we possibly defend ourselves?"

"If we involve that senior, at least the Zhou family will be safe, and who knows, we might even get a share of the profits..."

The Third Elder was in such a hurry to go into seclusion because the Water Ripples Palace had put him under too much pressure, and there was no better way to deal with the situation.

The Grand Elder sighed as well, his eyes filled with worry: "That's true, but that senior's reputation isn't very good."

"Not long ago, the Lei family of Tiannan was destroyed. Although he wasn't the one who actually carried out the attack, he was a great help."

"There are also rumors that the marriage between Shen Lingyan and Song Yuqi was also arranged by him."

"This senior doesn't seem like a good person."

The Zhou family head sighed and said, "How could I not know that? But if that senior wants to come, can we really stop him?"

Let's take it one step at a time.

……

Two days later.

Li Hao led Zhou Lian into the Zhou family mansion.

Zhou Luo, the head of the Zhou family, personally came to the door to greet him, giving this Earth Soul expert a great deal of face.

Enter and take a seat.

Zhou Luo dismissed all irrelevant people, leaving only himself and Li Hao.

He personally served tea to Li Hao, who naturally took a sip as a courtesy.

Then he asked directly, "Tell me, Patriarch Zhou, what exactly has happened that has brought your great Zhou family to the brink of life and death?"

Zhou Luo gave a wry smile, then said seriously, "Senior, have you ever heard of the Yin Huai wood?"

Li Hao was not a true Earth Soul expert after all, and his knowledge was limited, so he naturally had never heard of it.

However, even a true Earth Soul Realm expert may not have heard of all the treasures in the world.

So he asked bluntly, "What is that?"

Zhou Luo took a deep breath and said, "Yin Huai wood is a rare and precious material, containing extremely pure Yin energy."

"Senior, now you should understand why I said this matter concerns the life and death of the Zhou family."

Li Hao nodded slightly; now that he heard that, he understood.

Beyond the Core Formation stage lies the Yin-Yang duality realm, where one must absorb Yin and Yang energies respectively.

Of course, Yin and Yang exist in the universe, but they are extremely rare.

Most people, even if they spend their entire lives, cannot absorb enough nutrients, so they must rely on external aids.

Why don't the only two people in the Yue Kingdom who are currently at the peak of the Core Formation stage break through to the next level?

It's not because I haven't accumulated enough knowledge, but because I don't have enough Yin and Yang energies of sufficient quality.

If this news gets out, the royal family and the Qingyun Sect will definitely try every means to compete for it.

After all, this matter involves the struggle between these two forces. Both sides are stuck at the peak of the Core Formation stage. Whoever can obtain the Yin Locust Wood and absorb Yin Qi to break through first will be able to crush the competition and win all.

Although the Zhou family is considered a first-rate power in the Yue Kingdom, how can they compare to these two top-tier powers?

Seeing Li Hao nod, Zhou Luo's voice deepened as he continued, "Originally, our Zhou family planned to proceed slowly, since the secret realm is extremely dangerous, and it wouldn't be easy to retrieve the Yin Huai Wood."

"But unfortunately, somehow, this matter got to Shui Lan Palace."

"Senior should know that Shui Lan Palace also has Core Formation cultivators. Although we are still far from the peak of Core Formation, we will only feel at ease if we have such a treasure in our hands."

Li Hao followed up with, "So the Water Ripples Palace wants to come and compete for it? Speaking of which, the Water Ripples Palace and the Zhou family aren't that far apart in strength. Do they have the guts to start a major war?"

Zhou Luo gave a wry smile and said, "That's the most crucial point."

"The Water Ripples Palace somehow managed to win over Gao Yuanfan... that rogue cultivator who has reached the Core Formation stage."

"Rogue cultivators lack resources and have to rob everything. For a rogue cultivator to cultivate to the Core Formation stage, Gao Yuanfan's combat power is truly formidable."

"Although it is only the first level of Core Formation, it can be regarded as the third level of Core Formation."

"Gao Yuanfan, along with Shui Yuelu, the former palace master of Shui Lan Palace, are two Core Formation experts. How can our Zhou family possibly withstand them?"

"The Third Elder's sudden seclusion was an attempt to break through to the fourth level of the Core Formation stage in order to prepare for the upcoming crisis, but it was ultimately a bit risky."

He paused, his expression suddenly becoming somewhat complicated, and looked at Li Hao: "Moreover, this matter is also somewhat related to you, senior."