To comprehend all laws and attain immortality

Outside Bibo Island, shouts of killing shook the heavens.

Gu Fan stood in mid-air, holding a command flag. With a wave of the flag, a waterspout instantly rose from the rippling blue sea, engulfing a frantically writhing two-headed shark. In just a few breaths, he crushed it into a pool of blood.

Outside Bibo Island, Chen Suzhen and Yan Tieyi each chased down a second-tier sea beast, and returned victorious after a short while.

The sea surface was littered with the remains of sea beasts, their crimson blood staining the surrounding two miles dark red.

Gu Fan put away the command flag and descended from the sky. He looked at the two-headed shark that resembled a tattered sack and shook his head inwardly.

"I should have weakened the array's power. What a waste of a demon beast hide; otherwise, I could have drawn a few more second-tier spirit talismans."

Chen Suzhen and Yan Tieyi were unaware of Gu Fan's thoughts and assumed he was feeling melancholy.

"Junior brother, are you planning to return to the sect? It's been almost three years; it's about time."

Yan Tieyi's tone revealed his reluctance.

At this time, two and a half years had passed since Gu Fan and his companion arrived at Bibo Island. The sect had conscripted Jin Ling to guard Bibo Island for three years.

The day after his arrival, Gu Fan began to modify the island's formation, changing the original formation into the second-tier high-grade Canglan Dragon-Slaying Formation. With the help of the formation, he not only easily defended against the invading monsters, but also gained a great deal.

Yan Tieyi had been guarding this place for many years and had never hunted monsters so easily. Seeing that the two were leaving and the good days were about to end, he was naturally quite sentimental.

"It's alright, if you're interested, I'll leave this formation behind," Gu Fan said readily.

Yan Tieyi's dark face flushed slightly, and he rubbed his hands together with a chuckle: "How could I possibly accept this?"

Gu Fan smiled and shook his head.

In recent years, the three have often left one person behind to guard Bibo Island, while the other two team up to lead Qi Refining disciples to exterminate monsters. They have become quite familiar with each other.

Every time they went into battle, Yan Tieyi always took the lead and never slacked off, which made Gu Fan quite fond of him.

Through his introduction, Gu Fan exchanged for three drops of Cold Spring Stone Dew, intending to consume them after returning to the sect.

"Why be sad, senior brother? We can reunite in the sect another time!"

Chen Suzhen smiled and offered a word of comfort.

"Indeed, indeed! Today we have won; let us drink and celebrate!"

......

Six months later.

Yan Tieyi reluctantly saw the two off, and Gu Fan and Chen Suzhen returned to their sect in their magic boat.

After three years of fierce fighting, the sea monsters suffered heavy casualties.

Unfortunately, the islands occupied by the Lingxiao Sect were also destroyed. Not only were the cultivators on the islands driven away, but the entire islands were also leveled.

It wasn't until the Golden Core Elder intervened, slaying several third-tier demonic beasts and forcing the remaining beasts to flee towards Meteor Cliff and Hidden Dragon Island that the defense was finally turned into offense. Very few islands could be defended as easily as Azure Wave Island.

Meteor Cliff and Hidden Dragon Island are places where monsters gather in the Cloud Mist Sea, and each island is guarded by a transformed demon king.

One day in the following year, the Cloud Mist Sea surged violently, and the sky was covered with dark clouds. A dragon's roar that resounded through the sky came from the direction of Hidden Dragon Island.

The dragon's roar was filled with anger, but half an hour later, the sea of ​​clouds returned to calm.

Rumor has it that the Supreme Elder of the Lingxiao Sect personally led an attack on Qianlong Island, cutting off half of a dragon's horn before returning.

Gu Fan could not know the truth of the matter, but it was true that no more monsters attacked Bibo Island in the following six months.

"If two more waves of sea monsters come, I can exchange for another drop of Cold Spring Stone Dew."

Gu Fan was quite disappointed by this.

Fortunately, the three-year recruitment was completed smoothly. The Lingxiao Sect has always been generous in its recruitment of Golden Tokens, and he was sure to gain a lot of merit points upon returning to the sect, which he was quite looking forward to.

......

The Dharma boat travels through the clouds.

As the sun was setting, half the sky was dyed a golden-red hue.

Gu Fan and Chen Suzhen sat at the bow of the boat, enjoying the sea breeze, sipping their wine and reminiscing about the old days.

After a few rounds of drinks, Gu Fan put down his cup and said seriously, "Speaking of which, there is something I would like to ask you for a favor, Senior Brother."

Chen Suzhen was gazing at the clouds, her eyes vacant as if lost in thought. Hearing this, she turned her head curiously.

"Junior brother, please speak freely."

Gu Fan hesitated for a moment, then said slowly, "I would like to ask you to introduce me to Senior Brother Xu Changsheng."

On his first trip to Guanlan Peak, he encountered Xu Changsheng visiting Chen Suzhen.

Although it is unknown what the two talked about, and why Xu Changsheng, who is in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage and comes from Shenxiu Peak, sought out Chen Suzhen, it is a fact that the two know each other.

Chen Suzhen asked in surprise, "Senior Brother Xu is always aloof. May I ask what brings you here, Junior Brother?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Chen Suzhen immediately felt she had been too abrupt and quickly said, "If it's inconvenient for Junior Brother to say, then just pretend I didn't ask."

Gu Fan shook his head wistfully: "It's not really a secret."

After speaking, Gu Fan recounted the plague that had struck his hometown, Lin'an.

Chen Suzhen initially frowned slightly, but when she heard that nine out of ten houses in Lin'an City were empty and every family was dressed in mourning, she crushed the cup in her hand, a murderous glint flashing in her eyes, and remained silent for a long time.

The exquisite glass cup shattered into more than a dozen pieces with a "crack," startling Gu Fan, who couldn't understand why Chen Suzhen reacted so strongly.

"Senior Brother Chen?" Gu Fan called softly.

Chen Suzhen instantly woke up, the murderous intent in her eyes dissipated, and she threw down the remaining crumbs in her palm and looked at Gu Fan: "This matter is not a problem. When you return to the sect, junior brother can come and find me. Although Senior Brother Xu and I are not close friends, we can still exchange a few words."

"Thank you, senior brother." Gu Fan cupped his hands in thanks.

Chen Suzhen seemed quite moved by the conversation, and her spirits sank afterward. Gu Fan also fell silent, and the atmosphere became quiet.

And so, the Dharma Boat sped on for another day, and Cloud Realm Mountain came into view in the distance.

......

After returning to their sect, the two first went to the Hall of Duty to return the gold token.

Thirty disciples were injured in some accidents, but their lives were not in danger. The number of demonic beasts captured made Chen Yunfan's eyes widen. Gu Fan's performance in this Golden Token summons was perfect.

Pointing at the jade ring and feeling the extra three thousand merits, Gu Fan smiled.

After leaving the Hall of Duty, Gu Fan did not immediately return to Phoenix Perch Island, but instead headed towards Wendao Peak.

On the third floor of Chenxing Pavilion, on the white jade altar.

Gu Fan bowed deeply: "Disciple greets Master."

Master Xuanji helped him up with a wave of his whisk. Seeing that he was radiant, he did not ask about the events of the past three years, but instead began to test his skills.

Several beams of starlight shone down, weaving together a mysterious array.

"What is the meaning of this battle formation?"

Gu Fan was surprised for a moment, but he immediately adjusted his mind and squinted to observe the array diagram.

One array diagram after another flashed by.

Half an hour later, Gu Fan smiled confidently after deciphering the last array diagram.

"I haven't had a single moment of rest in these past three years."

Master Xuanji was clearly very satisfied with Gu Fan's response, his weathered voice revealing a hint of pleasure: "Not bad, not bad."

Seeing this, Gu Fan seized the opportunity to ask the question that had been lingering in his mind: "Master, is it true that the Supreme Elder stormed Hidden Dragon Island, as the rumors in the sect say?"

The Supreme Elder of the Lingxiao Sect is named Guiyun Sword Lord.

Gu Fan only knew his name but had never seen him before, so he was naturally very curious when he heard about his skills.

Master Xuanji chuckled twice and nodded, saying, "That is indeed true."

His gaze was fixed on the distant void, as if piercing through the dome of the Star Pavilion. "The Supreme Elder's actions are to purge the entire court and to investigate the root cause of the demon race's unusual movements."

"Did you gain anything?" Gu Fan pressed.

Master Xuanji withdrew his gaze, the smile on his face vanished, replaced by a solemn expression. He sighed, "No! When the Supreme Elder was fighting the Turtle Dragon King, the Heavenly Eagle King suddenly arrived to provide assistance. Although the Supreme Elder managed to cut off half of its horn and retreat successfully, he was unable to uncover the source of the demon race's unusual movements."

"The demon race's recent unusual movements may indicate impending chaos, so we must not slacken our cultivation."

Gu Fan looked into Xuanji Zhenren's deep eyes, as if he could see turbulent undercurrents beneath the calm surface of the sea.

"Disciple understands."

After bowing respectfully, Gu Fan took his leave.

......

A sea of ​​clouds and mist.

Located in the southwest of the Cloud Mist Sea, Qianlong Island is one of the sacred lands of the demon race. Demonic energy rises from the sky, forming a black cloud. The island is lush and green, with strange rocks, but in the center is a deep pool that is dozens of feet in circumference and whose bottom cannot be seen at a glance.

The island is somewhat dilapidated at the moment, with several deep ravines spreading out. If viewed from above, they would be seen as sword marks.

Beside the deep pool stood a figure with a human body and a dragon's head, draped in a blood-red cloak. This was the Blood Dragon King. To his left was a valiant man wearing a feathered crown and golden armor.

A dark shadow slowly expanded from the deep pool, and a hideous, dark blue turtle head the size of a house emerged.

The turtle's head is covered with fine scales, and its dark golden eyes resemble two lanterns. A pair of dragon horns are intertwined on its head, but unfortunately, one of them is missing half, which ruins its majestic appearance.

The Turtle Dragon King's voice was deep and slow, like the roar of a dragon.

"Blood Dragon King, are you ready?"

The Blood Dragon King shook his head: "Still a little short."

"Still lacking? I lost half a dragon horn for this, and countless of my children and grandchildren have died. You say we're not ready yet?"

The Turtle Dragon King questioned angrily, his imposing aura causing the demonic clouds on Hidden Dragon Island to tremble slightly.

"Calm down." The Eagle King's voice was sharp as he raised his hand to soothe the situation. "Although we're not quite ready yet, we're almost there. The most important islands have been destroyed. I'll personally take over when the time is right."

The Turtle Dragon King then calmed down.

The Sky Eagle King turned to the Blood Flood Dragon King and asked, "Did you bring the treasure? You initiated this, so don't let anything go wrong!"

"Of course I brought it." The Blood Dragon King grinned, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth.

With a flick of his palm, a jade-green wine pot gleaming with an eerie, blood-red light appeared. Engraved on the pot was a giant demonic serpent coiled around a mountain peak, exhaling clouds and mist.

It was the Demon-Refining Pot.