Jade Clarity Celestial Light

The sounds of fighting were intense, the aftermath of energy collisions even reaching far away, causing the withered black wood to rustle.

Li Su and Zhiwei exchanged a glance, both raising their vigilance.

Li Su's divine sense quietly probed forward, and he saw in a clearing ahead, three young cultivators dressed in green daoist robes.

They were holding magic swords and had formed a simple Three Talents Sword Array, desperately fending off an attack from a monstrous insect resembling a centipede, but with wings and a body covered in metallic-like armor.

The monstrous insect was huge, with a ferocious aura, possessing the strength of an early-stage Celestial Immortal. Its mouthparts opened and closed, spitting out poisonous mist and acid, while its wings vibrated, emitting a piercing noise that disrupted the mind.

The three green-robed cultivators were all Earth Immortal realm cultivators. Relying on the exquisite sword array and their extraordinary magic swords, they were barely holding on. However, they were already struggling and in grave danger. Their daoist robes were already torn, clearly indicating they couldn't last much longer.

The aura of their daoist arts was upright and peaceful, carrying a pure, clear energy, similar to the orthodox Xuanmen cultivators Li Su had encountered before.

"They're Xuanmen disciples!" Zhiwei whispered, a hint of closeness in her tone.

Her Jade Rabbit Clan was also close to the Way of Nature and had a good impression of the orthodox Xuanmen sects.

Li Su's eyes flickered slightly.

Encountering Xuanmen disciples here, perhaps... it was an opportunity? An opportunity to get closer to, and perhaps even join, the Xuanmen in the future?

But that Celestial Immortal-level monstrous insect was not to be trifled with.

To save them, the risk was considerable; to not save them, he couldn't rest easy, and might miss a golden opportunity.

Seeing the light of the sword array dimming, one young cultivator dodged a moment too late, his arm grazed by the poisonous mist. His skin immediately festered, and with a scream, his sword stance faltered, leaving the sword array with a gaping flaw! The monstrous insect let out a screech, its sharp mouthparts lunging down!

At this critical juncture!

Li Su moved!

He didn't attack the monstrous insect directly, but his bamboo body vibrated, and the "Minor Star Net Array" he had secretly set up instantly activated, enveloping the battlefield!

Although hastily set up and not at full power, it was enough to momentarily disrupt the monstrous insect's senses and movements!

At the same time, he transmitted a message to Zhiwei: "Earth Evasion, disrupt its lower body!"

Zhiwei understood immediately and burrowed into the ground.

The monstrous insect was suddenly trapped in the array's illusion, its movements freezing, its attack missing.

It let out an enraged screech, about to break free from the array, when the ground beneath its feet suddenly collapsed and loosened. Countless sand and stones coiled around it like living creatures. Although unable to truly restrain it, it caused its form to stagger again!

"Which fellow daoist is assisting us?!" The three Xuanmen disciples were both surprised and delighted. The elder disciple among them immediately shouted.

"Attack the base of its wings where they connect to its armor!" Li Su's voice entered their ears through his divine sense, while a point of Soul-Devouring Dark Light silently shot towards the monstrous insect's compound eyes!

Although the three disciples didn't know who their rescuer was, they immediately followed his instructions. Three magic swords radiated clear light, precisely stabbing at the weak points at the base of the monstrous insect's wings!

The monstrous insect had to contend with the array's illusion and the underground interference, as well as the magic sword attacks aimed at its vital points. Its compound eyes were further injured by the Soul-Devouring Dark Light, causing it to let out a painful screech, its movements becoming even more chaotic.

Li Su seized the opportunity, the Star Evil Body Protection on his bamboo body shone brightly, and he charged into the fray like a massive black steel whip, fiercely striking the monstrous insect's waist!

Bang!

A dull thud! The monstrous insect was sent tumbling away, its armor cracking and spilling foul-smelling green blood.

Inflicted with this heavy blow, the monstrous insect's ferocity surged, but it also felt its opponent was tricky. Especially the bizarre array and divine sense attacks made it extremely uncomfortable.

It screeched a few times, and finally, with a powerful flap of its wings, it stirred up a gust of poisonous wind, turned, and darted into the depths of the dense forest, disappearing.

Seeing the monstrous insect retreat, Li Su immediately retracted the array. His bamboo body swayed slightly, his aura fluctuating a bit.

The operations just now, though seemingly smooth, had consumed quite a bit of energy, especially maintaining the array, activating divine abilities, and taking a direct hit from the Celestial Immortal-level monstrous insect simultaneously.

The three Xuanmen disciples, having narrowly escaped death, all breathed a sigh of relief, their faces showing expressions of relief.

They quickly helped their injured companion, applied medicine to detoxify him, then tidied their robes and bowed respectfully in Li Su's direction.

"Jade Clarity Sect disciples Ming Chen, Ming Qing, and Ming Jing, thank you, senior, for saving our lives!"

The elder disciple, Ming Chen, said respectfully. Although Li Su's aura was only at the mid-stage Earth Immortal realm, the array and strength he displayed made them willingly call him senior. They looked at Li Su with curiosity and gratitude, clearly having never seen such a peculiar powerful being (a bamboo spirit).

Jade Clarity Sect? Li Su's heart stirred. As expected, it was an orthodox Xuanmen sect, and judging by the name, it seemed to have some connection to Yuanshi Tianzun? (Yuanshi Tianzun is also known as Jade Clarity Yuanshi Tianzun).

"Just passing by, a small effort, no need for such formalities." Li Su responded with his divine sense, his voice calm.

"To senior, it was a small effort, but to us, it was a life-saving grace!" Ming Chen's attitude remained respectful. "May I ask senior's esteemed name?

And where is your immortal abode? Once we return to the mountain, we will certainly report to our masters and thank senior."

"My name is Mo Xing, just a rogue cultivator from the wilderness," Li Su said indifferently. "Why are you here in this dangerous place?"

Ming Chen quickly replied, "Replying to senior Mo Xing, the three of us disciples were ordered by our sect to gain experience and collect some unique spiritual ores from this area.

We didn't expect to stray into the territory of that flying centipede and be pursued here... If it weren't for senior's intervention, we would surely have perished today."

A look of shame appeared on his face.

At this moment, the injured disciple Ming Jing suddenly pointed at Li Su and said excitedly to Ming Chen, "Senior Brother!

Look at the clear light faintly appearing around senior, the natural dao rhythm, it actually feels somewhat compatible with my Jade Clarity Celestial Light!"

Ming Chen heard this and carefully examined Li Su. He indeed found that the starlight and clear light flowing on the dark black bamboo body, although having a special attribute, did not carry any malevolent aura. Instead, it exuded a sense of uprightness and peace.

It even produced a faint resonance with the Jade Clarity Celestial Light they cultivated! This was truly a strange occurrence! A bamboo spirit possessing the aura of an orthodox Xuanmen sect?

Li Su was also slightly taken aback. Was it because he cultivated the power of stars, or because he obtained the inheritance of Xuanmen formations like Minor Chiliad Array Analysis, or... did the dao rhythm contained within the "Bedrock Rune" itself have an affinity with the Jade Clarity dao arts?

Ming Chen's attitude became even more respectful. "Senior, you truly have a connection with the Xuanmen! Where do you intend to go?

If it's on the way, would you permit us to accompany you for a stretch? This place isn't too far from one of our Jade Clarity Sect's retreats. If our elders knew you saved us, they would surely want to thank you in person."

After extending the invitation, Ming Chen seemed to feel he had been too presumptuous and quickly added, "Of course, if Senior has other important matters, we wouldn't dare to impose.

It's just that the road ahead is still perilous, with a 'Shadowed Marsh' ahead, full of strange poisonous insects and illusory miasma. We have miasma-repelling talismans and maps bestowed by our sect, which might be of some help to Senior."

Li Su's thoughts raced. Traveling with Jade Clarity Sect disciples would undoubtedly make passing through the dangerous area ahead safer. It would also allow him to connect with the Xuanmen, inquire about Kunlun, and perhaps... this could be an opportunity to join the Jade Clarity Sect!

Though he still needed to be cautious, the opportunity was rare.

He pondered for a moment and slowly said, "That would be good. I was planning to travel northwest anyway, so I'll accompany you all for a stretch."

Ming Chen and the other two were overjoyed. "Thank you, Senior!"

Zhiwei also crawled out from the ground and stood obediently behind Li Su.

Upon seeing Zhiwei, the three disciples of Ming Chen were surprised again. However, seeing that she was Li Su's companion, they didn't dare to ask further questions, maintaining their polite demeanor.

After a brief rest, the group set off together. With the miasma-repelling talismans and detailed map provided by the Jade Clarity Sect disciples, they indeed managed to avoid many dangerous areas.

Along the way, Li Su occasionally chatted with Ming Chen, subtly inquiring about the happenings in the Primordial World and matters concerning the Jade Clarity Sect.

Ming Chen held his "savior" and "enlightened cultivator" in high regard, answering every question truthfully and without reservation.

From Ming Chen, Li Su learned that although the Primordial World was still plagued by ferocious beasts, the various orthodoxies established by the innate gods and demons had already risen, occupying famous mountains and great rivers, educating sentient beings, and resisting the beasts.

The Jade Clarity Sect was founded by a supreme mighty being who called himself "Primordial Heavenly King" on Kunlun Mountain. It was one of the leaders of the orthodox Xuanmen, renowned and influential.

The retreat they were heading to was merely an external outpost established by the Jade Clarity Sect.

Li Su's heart grew more excited. The direction was correct! Kunlun Mountain, Jade Clarity Sect, Primordial Heavenly King (Tianzun)!

At the same time, he also gained a clearer understanding of the current power distribution in the Primordial World.

Several days later, after passing through a misty canyon, their surroundings suddenly opened up. In a valley with relatively abundant spiritual energy, several ancient and simple Taoist temples were nestled, emitting faint auspicious light, a stark contrast to the surrounding desolation.

At the valley entrance stood a stone monument, inscribed with two ancient characters exuding profound Taoist charm: Jade Clarity.

The Jade Clarity Retreat had arrived.