I am in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have a demonic beast clone!

Deep within the Taiyue Mountains, dozens of feet underground.

Xiao Jin used his earth-遁术 (earth-遁术 is a type of magic that allows one to move silently through rocks and soil).

The surrounding rock layers automatically separated the moment Xiao Jin touched them, and then slowly closed up behind them without leaving any trace.

Zhou Ding sat cross-legged on Xiao Jin's back, his eyes slightly closed and his breathing steady.

His body swayed slightly with Xiao Jin's movements, but his mind remained clear.

The divine sense, like an invisible thread, extended in all directions, covering an area of ​​dozens of miles.

"The Yan Family Fort Incident exposed the Ghost Spirit Sect's conspiracy, and the prelude to the invasion of the six demonic sects has begun. At this moment, the seven sects of Yue Kingdom are probably already in a state of panic, recruiting disciples everywhere to prepare for the impending all-out war."

Zhou Ding pondered for a moment, his gaze piercing through layers of rock and soil as he looked up at the hazy sky above.

He could imagine the scene in Yellow Maple Valley at this moment.

As the bell tolled, the disciples hurriedly packed their belongings, while the Core Formation cultivators gathered solemnly in the council hall. Transmission talismans flew out like shooting stars, summoning all disciples away from the mountain back.

Those Foundation Establishment cultivators who usually cultivate peacefully in their caves, whether they like it or not, will be incorporated into the ranks and sent to the most dangerous front lines.

Those familiar fellow disciples will all be swept into the torrent of this war.

Some will come back alive, while others will remain on the battlefield forever.

"Returning to the sect now would be tantamount to walking into a trap, being captured and sent to the front lines as a 'conscript.' It would be best to remain hidden and observe the situation first."

With the abilities of earth-遁术 (earth-遁术, a technique for escaping into the ground) and 地听术 (earth-listening technique), he could return to his cave without anyone noticing.

As long as he doesn't want to be discovered, no one can find him.

He could hide in his cave, cultivate in peace, wait for the war to pass and the teleportation array to be repaired, and then take Xin Ruyin and Xiao Mei and fly far away.

……

Outside the cave, the light screen of the Five Elements Spiritual Light Array continued to flow endlessly.

The five-colored light shone brightly in the twilight, like a jewel embedded in the valley.

Zhou Ding quietly emerged from underground and stood in front of the light screen.

He took a deep breath, feeling the familiar aura emanating from the cave, took out the jade tablet and gently shook it, causing a portal to open in the light barrier.

He slipped inside, and the light screen closed behind him, everything as usual.

Inside the cave, everything remained the same.

The Spirit Eye Spring continued to gush forth, its misty spiritual energy permeating the entire cave, flowing slowly like white fog under the glow of the luminous pearl.

In the hall, Xin Ruyin was sitting at a stone table, holding a jade scroll in her hands.

That was the "Heavenly Origin Array Manual." Her brows furrowed slightly, her fingers gently tracing lines in the air, her lips moving slightly as she murmured to herself, as if conversing with the array formations in the book.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up.

Those clear eyes lit up the moment they saw Zhou Ding, like fireworks suddenly bursting in the night sky, or like two bright lamps lit in the darkness.

"Zhou Lang!"

She put down the jade slip and quickly came forward, her skirt swaying gently at her feet.

Her steps were hurried, completely unlike her usual elegant and composed demeanor.

Zhou Ding opened his arms and embraced her.

Her body was light and soft, carrying a familiar fragrance.

"I'm back."

His voice was deep and gentle.

Xin Ruyin didn't say anything, but just hugged him tightly and buried her face in his chest.

Xiaomei peeked out of the quiet room, and when she saw this scene, she was stunned for a moment, then covered her mouth and secretly laughed.

She didn't disturb them, quietly retreated, and gently closed the door behind her.

After a long while, the two finally separated.

Xin Ruyin took Zhou Ding's hand and sat down at the stone table.

She looked him up and down, from his hair to his face, from his shoulders to his arms, from his chest to his waist, and only breathed a sigh of relief when she made sure he was not injured.

"Zhou Lang, I've heard about what happened at Yan Family Fortress. The Ghost Spirit Sect's conspiracy has been exposed, and the cultivators who went to participate in the treasure hunt... I heard that apart from Senior Brother Han and Senior Sister Dong, the others..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the lingering fear in her eyes said it all.

Zhou Ding nodded, took her hand, and gently...