Empty Vigil at the Treasure Land, Missing the Opportunity

Having cultivated to the Mystic Immortal realm, Li Yunjing's strength increased significantly, becoming more than ten times stronger than before. The next crucial realm was the Golden Immortal stage.

Reaching Golden Immortal status would make him a pillar of support in this era, capable of becoming a great shaman among the Witch Clan or a commanding general among the Demon Race, no longer an insignificant nobody.

On Mount Buzhou, Li Yunjing searched for a full five hundred years. Along the way, he acquired many rare treasures, even obtaining a low-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Nine Heavens Divine Sword. When wielded, this sword unleashed torrents of divine lightning from the nine heavens, possessing infinite power and considered a formidable weapon for combat.

Unfortunately, no matter how Li Yunjing searched, he could not find the Gourd Root. Five hundred years of searching, plus another five hundred years of travel, totaling a millennium, yielded nothing. Destiny had not yet arrived, and forcing it was impossible, which left Li Yunjing somewhat disheartened.

During these years, Li Yunjing resided on Mount Buzhou for five hundred years, engaging in battles with various beings. His name gradually spread throughout the mid-levels of the mountain.

Within a radius of millions of miles, many creatures became aware of the presence of such a figure nearby.

One day, a Golden-Winged Roc, a powerful demon Li Yunjing had befriended, found him. This Golden-Winged Roc was a formidable demon expert they had initially fought before becoming acquainted. It had not joined the Heavenly Court and preferred to roam freely and live a leisurely life.

"Li Yunjing, Old Roc's cultivation has advanced greatly. I've come to spar with you again!"

The enormous Golden-Winged Roc spread its wings, covering an area of over ten miles. This Golden-Winged Roc boasted of having the bloodline of a Golden-Winged Great Peng, though Li Yunjing was unsure of its veracity. However, its peak Mystic Immortal combat power was undeniable.

"You scoundrel! I'm in the middle of refining pills! You've ruined a batch of excellent pills with your interruption!"

A small mountain valley, spanning three to four miles, with a few stone houses, was Li Yunjing's "cave dwelling" on Mount Buzhou. Mount Buzhou was rich in heavenly materials and earthly treasures, so Li Yunjing, with nothing better to do, began to study the art of pill refining. Since it cost him nothing, he could experiment freely.

Over the years, although Li Yunjing lacked any powerful legacies, he had indeed made some headway. He used some lesser demons as test subjects for new pills he dared not consume himself.

Needless to say, those unfortunate lesser demons met their demise. However, some lesser demons benefited from the pills, and Li Yunjing's reputation as a "Pill Refining Master" slowly began to spread. Those among the Demon Race who were not skilled in pill refining sought him out. In this way, beings like the Golden-Winged Roc became Li Yunjing's "fellow Daoists."

Among these demons, the Golden-Winged Roc was the most eager for battle. Not only did it seek pills, but it also sparred with Li Yunjing every few days. Over time, they became familiar with each other, and Li Yunjing did not dislike its straightforward personality.

"Hahaha! If it's ruined, just refine another batch! There are plenty of spirit herbs here!" The Golden-Winged Roc circled in the air before its massive form vanished. A young man in fine robes appeared in Li Yunjing's stone house.

"Didn't you want to spar with me? Why are you coming in?" Li Yunjing asked irritably, looking at the effeminate young man before him.

"Have some tea first! Bring out your spirit tea! We'll fight after we drink!" The Golden-Winged Roc made no pretense of politeness, picking up a cup and teapot from the stone table, and told Li Yunjing to brew the tea.

"You really have no manners!"

Ever since the Golden-Winged Roc had accidentally tasted the Enlightenment Spirit Tea from Mount Wuyi, it knew it was a good thing. It wanted to savor it every time it visited.

The Golden-Winged Roc did not take it for free. As a native of Mount Buzhou, it had also brought many good things from the mountain to Li Yunjing. Li Yunjing was not stingy. Although the Enlightenment Spirit Tea was precious, he possessed a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root, so he wasn't afraid of others drinking him dry.

Li Yunjing skillfully brewed the spirit tea and poured a cup for the Golden-Winged Roc before asking, "You didn't come all the way here just to fight, did you? What's on your mind?"

"You're so cunning! You guessed my intention right away. I've found a great place! Unfortunately, there's a natural restriction outside that's preventing me from entering. I've tried everything but can't get in, so I had to find you. If we can break through the restriction together, we'll split the benefits fifty-fifty!"

The Golden-Winged Roc held its teacup, savoring the tea with enjoyment. It was clearly an experienced tea drinker, and had clearly troubled Li Yunjing many times.

"You can't open it? Then calling me probably won't help either. We're equally matched." Although Li Yunjing said this, he still stood up, ready to go with the Golden-Winged Roc to take a look.

"Heh! I knew you'd be interested. Let's go!" With that, the Golden-Winged Roc downed its spirit tea and walked out of the stone house.

Seeing the Golden-Winged Roc spread its wings and prepare to fly away, Li Yunjing shouted, "Wait! Give me a ride, my legs are slow!"

"Damn it!"

The Golden-Winged Roc cursed inwardly, thinking this bastard was trying to take advantage of him again. Nevertheless, it let Li Yunjing stand on its back before spreading its wings, covering three thousand miles in an instant.

"It would be great if this guy could be my mount!"

The Golden-Winged Roc covered three thousand miles with a flap of its wings, its speed astonishing. Li Yunjing was somewhat envious, but they were too familiar with each other to make such a move. He secretly resolved to capture a Golden-Winged Great Peng as a mount in the future.

In just three to five breaths, the Golden-Winged Roc was circling in the air. Li Yunjing looked down at the ground, spotting a valley hidden within a thick fog, making it impossible to see what was inside.

"This is it. Let's go down!"

The Golden-Winged Roc muttered, its form shifting back into human shape as it flew downwards. A cloud of auspicious vapor rose beneath Li Yunjing's feet, and he drifted down to the valley entrance.

After a careful inspection, Li Yunjing turned to the Golden-Winged Roc and asked, "Is this the place?"

"That's right! It's this place! Our Golden-Winged Great Peng clan possesses innate divine eyes that can perceive all things. After I discovered something unusual here, I came here three times, but I was never able to break into the valley."

The Golden-Winged Roc pointed to the restriction outside the valley. Following his finger, traces of magical power being unleashed were still visible, indicating that the Roc had indeed put in considerable effort. The large pit, about ten feet deep, showed that it had truly used its full strength.

"Then let's try! Behold my Great Zhou Heavenly Destruction Divine Light!"

Li Yunjing shouted, brandishing the Nine Heavens Divine Sword in his hand towards the dense fog ahead. With a thunderous roar, dark clouds gathered, and lightning struck from the nine heavens. Torrents of heavenly lightning, along with the radiant sword energy of the Nine Heavens Divine Sword, fell upon the natural restriction at the valley entrance.

"Soaring Through the Nine Heavens! Endless Sword Rain!"

Seeing Li Yunjing make his move, the Golden-Winged Roc shifted its form, soaring into the sky and revealing its true form. Spreading its wings, it unleashed thousands of sharp winds that formed a rain of swords, slashing down at the restriction!