Refining the Spirit Liquid, Returning to Peak; the Heavenly Venerate Retreats, Plotting an Alliance

Deep within the Chaos Void, in a meteorite Secret Realm enveloped by layers of primordial and yellow energies, jagged rocks and barren land stretched out, save for wisps of faint, ethereal Primordial Chaos Pure Qi swirling around a stone platform. As this energy circulated, it subtly condensed into palm-sized golden lotuses imbued with the Secret Realm Dao Rhyme Golden Lotus. The lotus petals were pure white, their stamens Primordial Chaos color. As they opened and closed, they released a captivating fragrance that could cleanse the soul and soothe the turbulent waves of Dao Heart. Outside the realm, Law Turbulence, like ferocious beasts breaking free of their shackles, raged with a power capable of tearing apart the universe. The impact struck the barrier formed by the primordial and yellow energies, producing a muffled, thunderous roar. Ripples spread outwards, yet not even a crack could penetrate within. Above the barrier, the primordial and yellow energies flowed slowly, like two sleeping dragons, their scales appearing and disappearing, their Dragon Might might restrained, devouring and dissolving the violent Power of Principle, transforming them into gentle streams that nourished the Secret Realm. These streams seeped into every inch of the meteorite's rocks, giving the once lifeless meteorite a faint glow of vitality, and even the surface of the dull, chaotic rocks developed a thin layer of Spiritual Charm.

Ren Xiaoyao sat cross-legged on the stone platform in the center of the meteorite. The platform was carved from High Antiquity Profound Yellow Jade, its surface covered with dense, ancient Spirit Patterns. The patterns meandered like dragons, their ends connected, forming a grand, cyclical array. At this moment, as the spiritual liquid was poured in, it shimmered with a faint blue light, with flowing light moving between the patterns, as if it had come alive, resonating with the aura around him. The Ten Thousand Year Warm Jade bottle filled with Profound Heaven Living Spirit Liquid floated above his palm. The bottle was carved from warm jade. The bottle, crafted with care, felt warm to the touch. It trembled slightly, emitting a low hum. The Spirit Gathering Formation on the bottle shone brightly, and countless tiny Living Beings Runes leaped merrily within its patterns, like dancing sprites. The bottle was tilted, and streams of liquid, like Seven-Colored Rosy Clouds, slowly flowed out, like the Milky Way cascading from the heavens. Carrying a refreshing fragrance, the streams seeped into his brow, condensing into a seven-colored light screen around him. On this light screen, the Life and Death Qi intertwined, like the sun and moon revolving, slowly and ceaselessly.

The warm, nourishing spiritual liquid entered his body, instantly transforming into an overwhelming surge of life force, like parched earth receiving rain after a long drought, frantically nourishing his Damaged Meridians. The needle -Central Plains his meridians quickly dissipated, and the ruptured veins, under the gentle cleansing of the life force, visibly sprouted fine buds, then rapidly healed, becoming stronger and wider than before. As the Dao power flowed, it even carried a faint, clear Primordial Chaos Initial Opening sound, like the whisper of an Ancient Gods, echoing throughout his limbs and bones. Within his dantian, the dim, lifeless phantom of the Nine Dragons Fire Dao was illuminated by the spiritual light... Layer upon layer, the cracks on the dragon scales slowly healed as if meticulously drawn by a divine brush. Nine-Colored Flames rose anew, intertwining and crackling with crimson, purple, black, blue, gold, cyan, seven-colored, purplish-red, and Primordial Chaos Mars, scattering sparks. The dragon's eyes blazed with fire, and the nine fire dragons seemed to awaken from an ancient slumber. They brandished their claws and whipped their tails, unleashing roars that shook the very core of their being. The Dragon Might's might swept across the surroundings, causing even the stone platform to tremble slightly. Stone chips fell in a flurry, but the moment they hit the ground, they were refined by the Dragon Might, becoming crystal clear and transforming into tiny pieces of mysterious Mysterious Yellow Jade Marrow, which scattered around the stone platform.

The Profound Yellow Mother Pearl trembled slightly between his brows, its Xuanhuang Qi and the life force of the spiritual liquid mingling together, inseparable like water and milk, flowing through his meridians throughout his body. His Dao power, which had been nearly 70% depleted, rapidly replenished like a parched river being filled with a surging torrent. As his meridians swelled, there were even faint signs of a breakthrough. An even more powerful pressure slowly rose from within him, causing the surrounding air to stagnate slightly. The scabs on his white robes cracked inch by inch, turning into powder and scattering. Those deep, bone-revealing wounds quickly scabbed over and fell off under the nourishment of life, revealing smooth, pristine skin. Beneath this skin, Dao power flowed like a dragon, faintly radiating light, condensing into a thin Light Membrane of light on his body. On this Light Membrane, the Life and Death Qi flickered alternately, incredibly mysterious. Even the surrounding Law Turbulence could not get close, only swirling wildly outside the Light Membrane.

After an unknown amount of time—perhaps the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, perhaps three days and three nights—the spiritual light within the Meteorite Secret Realm grew increasingly intense, almost solidifying into a tangible liquid. The Dao Rhyme Golden Lotus bloomed more profusely, its petals layered upon layer, its fragrance permeating the entire Secret Realm. Even the turbid air of the Chaos Void was somewhat dispelled by this fragrance. Ren Xiaoyao suddenly opened his eyes, two beams of tangible light shooting from them, piercing through the void and leaving two shallow, three-inch-deep marks on the barrier of the Secret Realm realm. Within these cracks, Law Turbulence surged wildly. However, he was instantly suppressed by the Xuanhuang Qi, turning into streams of light that merged into the barrier. He slowly raised his hand, and in his palm, Nine-Colored Flames intertwined with Black and White Qi, the Power of Life and Death and death and the Power of Creation perfectly fused together. The pressure he exuded was even greater than at his peak, and the surrounding air was pressed into stillness. Even the roar of the Law Turbulence weakened a bit. It was as if under this pressure, even Primordial Chaos had to bow down. The Dao Rhyme Golden Lotus also slowly lowered its petals in his direction, like a subject meeting a king.

"Call--"

Ren Xiaoyao let out a long breath, exhaling a stream of turbid air from his mouth and nose, transforming into a grayish-black stream of gas. This gas contained wisps of impurities—the accumulated old wounds and Law Fragments within his body. These impurities pierced the stone wall upon impact, leaving a hole the size of a bowl. The edges of the hole were corroded into dust by the turbid air, which then dispersed into the air and were purified by the spiritual light. He stood up, his white robes fluttering in the wind, moving even without wind. His Dao power flowed freely around him, and the illusory image of the Nine Dragons Fire Dao circled and danced behind him, its Dragon Might might overwhelming. Even the surrounding chaotic Law Turbulence submitted to it, becoming docile, no longer charging recklessly, but instead flowing slowly around the Secret Realm like pilgrims, making a rushing sound.

"You've regained your peak, even surpassing your former glory." Ren Xiaoyao's lips curled into a cold smile as he cast his gaze towards a certain point in the Chaos Void. His eyes flashed with murderous intent, which coalesced into an invisible sword that pierced through the void. "Yin Yang Creation Great Heavenly Venerate, in our battle back then, you relied on the power of the Yin Yang Creation Grotto-heaven to escape by chance. Today, it's time to settle old scores."

Before he finished speaking, the Profound Yellow Mother Pearl between his brows shone brightly, and the Xuanhuang Qi transformed into a dazzling rainbow, enveloping him and the Profound Yellow Great Beetle lying dormant beside him. The Profound Yellow Great Beetle, originally only ten feet long, showed signs of regrowth under the nourishment of the Xuanhuang Qi. The Xuanhuang runes on its carapace became increasingly clear, shimmering with an ancient and profound light. It let out a low roar, its voice filled with excitement and fighting spirit. The sound of metal clashing against metal echoed as its carapace rubbed together. Ripples spread through the void beneath Ren Xiaoyao's feet, spreading out like layers of water. His figure seemed to Teleport, breaking through the Open Chaos and rushing towards the direction he remembered. Wherever he passed, the Chaos Turbid Qi was cleaved open by the Xuanhuang Qi, leaving a long Void Passage. The passage remained open for a long time; at its edges, Law Turbulence constantly collided, but they could not destroy it. Instead, they were dissolved one by one by the Xuanhuang Qi on the passage walls, turning into streams of light that dissipated into the void.

Several days later, Depths of Chaos, outside a Grotto-heaven Blessed Land where Yin and Yang Qi intertwined, Ren Xiaoyao's figure suddenly appeared. Above the Cave Heaven, the Yin and Yang Qi transformed into a colossal Tai Chi Symbol that blotted out the sky, its black and white colors shifting erratically, radiating a boundless aura of creation. At the center of the Tai Chi Symbol was a Primordial Chaos point of light, the very origin of the Cave Heaven, the very cultivation ground of the Yin Yang Creation Great Heavenly Venerate — the Yin Yang Creation Grotto-heaven. Around the Cave Heaven, countless Yin and Yang runes flickered, the runes like stars... Adorned with the void, it transformed into a sturdy barrier, isolating the Chaos Turbid Qi from the outside. Within the Cave Heaven, Immortal Mist swirled, auspicious Auspicious Qi of Immortal Crane rose, and the faint cries of cranes could be heard. Spirit Spring gurgled, and exotic flowers Rare Flowers and Exotic Herbs grew everywhere, exuding a rich Spiritual Qi. These flowers and herbs were all Spirit Plant over ten thousand years old, their petals shimmering with a faint spiritual light. Within their stamens, even nascent intelligence was being nurtured, curiously observing the uninvited guests outside the Cave Heaven. In the Spirit Spring, golden fish frolicked, their tails swaying and splashing water droplets.

"Ren Xiaoyao! How dare you find your way here!"

Within the Cave Heaven, a furious voice suddenly boomed, like a thunderclap, scattering the surrounding Immortal Mist and sending the Spirit Spring splashing up ten feet high. The petals of the Spirit Plant were shaken and fell, the spirits within their stamens cowering back into the petals in fear. The fish in the Spirit Spring instantly dived to the bottom, not daring to surface. Immediately afterward, a figure clad in a black and white Daoist robe soared into the sky. On the robe, Yin and Yang Qi intertwined to form Tai Chi Pattern, which slowly rotated, radiating a profound aura. This was none other than the Yin Yang Creation Great Heavenly Venerate. He wore a crown... The man, Purple-Gold Crown, with a handsome face, was now filled with rage. Seeing the overwhelming aura emanating from Ren Xiaoyao, his pupils suddenly contracted, a flash of horror crossing his eyes. His face instantly turned deathly pale, like a blank sheet of paper. In their last encounter, Ren Xiaoyao's Dao power hadn't fully recovered, yet he had still managed to hold his own for dozens of rounds. Now, however, the opponent's aura was perfect, even showing faint signs of breaking through to the Half Step Dao Ancestor. An uncontrollable urge to retreat arose in his heart, his feet unconsciously shifting back half an inch, the hem of his Daoist robe trembling slightly, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"A coward hiding in this Grotto-heaven Blessed Land, barely clinging to life, dares to presume to call himself Heavenly Venerate?" Ren Xiaoyao sneered, his voice like the clash of metal and stone, causing the void to hum. Primordial Chaos Life and Death Axe Shattering the Void with his feet, his figure rushing forward like lightning. The Primordial Life-Death Runes and Death appeared out of thin air in his hand. The axe was black and white, engraved with life and death runes. The Black and White Qi surged for tens of thousands of feet, transforming into a beam of axe light hundreds of thousands of feet long. Within the axe light, the Life and Death Qi intertwined and entwined, carrying the supreme power of the Cycle of Life and Death, and fiercely cleaved down towards the Great Heavenly Venerate. Where the axe light passed, the void shattered inch by inch, revealing the deep darkness within. The chaotic Law Turbulence surged out like a rushing river, making a deafening sound.

The Great Heavenly Venerate dared not be negligent. His hands moved swiftly, forming hand seals, and as his fingers flew, countless Yin-Yang runes shot out. The runes shimmered with black and white light, rapidly combining in the air to form layer upon layer of defensive formations. These formations, stacked upon each other, were like an impregnable fortress, gleaming with a cold luster. Behind him, the Tai Chi Symbol spun rapidly, emitting a buzzing sound. Yin and Yang Qi surged forth like a tide, transforming into a massive shield. On the shield, Yin and Yang Qi circulated endlessly, radiating an aura of creation, blocking his path. At the same time, countless Yin-Yang sword Sword Qi shot out from his fingertips. The Sword Qi energies were chillingly sharp, weaving into an impenetrable net, carrying the Power of Creation, and slashing towards Ren Xiaoyao. Wherever they passed, the air was torn apart, emitting a piercing shriek, and even space itself was slightly distorted, as if it were about to be cut into pieces by the Sword Qi.

"A trivial skill!"

Ren Xiaoyao sneered disdainfully. He activated the Nine Dragons Fire Dao at full power, and Nine-Colored Flames rose around him, transforming into nine ferocious fire dragons. The dragons' scales were distinct, and their claws were as sharp as knives. With each swing of their Dragon Breath, a Heaven-Burning Emperor Formation- destroying power swept across the surrounding area. Their breath sizzled, even the void itself crackled and rippled. The fire dragons roared as they collided with the Yin-Yang Sword Qi, producing a sizzling sound. Those sword Sword Qi, imbued with the Power of Creation, were utterly vulnerable before the Innate Realm Divine Fire, instantly devoured and reduced to wisps of smoke that dissipated into the void. The remaining power of the flames, carrying the roar of the nine dragons, swept towards the Great Heavenly Venerate Venerable. Wherever they passed, the void was distorted and deformed by the heat. Even the runic barrier outside the Cave Heaven began to sizzle and showed signs of melting. The light on the runic barrier grew dimmer and dimmer, threatening to collapse at any moment.

At the same time, the axe light of the Primordial Chaos Life and Death Axe crashed into the Yin-Yang Shield. With a crisp "crack," like shattered Glazed Ice, clear and piercing, the shield was instantly covered with spiderweb-like cracks. Black and White Qi scattered wildly, and the shield swayed precariously, groaning under the strain. The Great Heavenly Venerate Venerable groaned, a sweet taste rising in his throat, and a mouthful of blood gushed out. The blood turned into a blood mist in the air, within which the Yin and Yang Qi energies faintly circulated, but were instantly burned away by the Nine-Colored Flames, emitting a burnt smell. His body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, his Daoist robe torn by the residual force of the axe light, revealing his scarred skin. On his skin, the Power of Life and Death faintly roamed, scorching his flesh with a sizzling sound and wisps of black smoke. He convulsed in pain, his features contorted, and his Purple-Gold Crown hung askew on his head, making him look utterly wretched.

"The Nine Dragons Fire Dao has actually recovered to this state!" The Great Heavenly Venerate's eyes were filled with disbelief. He staggered and steadied himself, looking at the Nine-Colored Flames burning around him. A trace of fear flashed in his eyes, a fear that came from the depths of his soul. He knew that Ren Xiaoyao's Nine Dragons Fire Dao was the innate Innate Realm Divine Fire from the Beginning of Chaos, which had a strong restraining effect on his Yin-Yang Power of Creation. Now that the opponent's Dao power was perfected and the power of the Divine Fire was even greater than before, he had no chance of winning at all. All that remained in his heart was the desire to retreat and escape from this place of trouble.

"Trying to leave?"

Ren Xiaoyao wouldn't give him a chance. With a flicker, he transformed into a streak of crimson light and instantly gave chase. The Primordial Chaos Life and Death Axe cleaved out once more, its axe light crisscrossing and sweeping like a celestial Heavenly River pouring down, blocking all of the Great Heavenly Venerate Venerable's escape routes. Within the axe light, the Life and Death Qi and death intertwined wildly, emitting a world-destroying aura. Even the air was shattered into fragments by the axe light, emitting a mournful sound. The Profound Yellow Great Beetle also roared and charged forward, its ten-thousand-foot-long body suddenly unfolding like a moving mountain, blotting out the sky and the sun. Its enormous tentacles, carrying the power to Sky-Rending Strike, lashed fiercely at the Great Heavenly Venerate's back. On the tentacles, Xuanhuang runes flickered, their power astonishing. Wherever it passed, the void was dented, forming a long black mark, within which the Law Turbulence wildly.

Upon seeing this, the Great Heavenly Venerate's expression changed drastically, a hint of despair flashing in his eyes. He knew that if he didn't reveal his trump card, he would surely die today. He gritted his teeth and pulled out a black and white bead from his robes. Yin and Yang Qi circulated on the bead, radiating an aura of creation. It was his most treasured possession— the Yin Yang Creation Pearl. This bead had consumed ten thousand years of his Natal Supreme Treasure. If the bead shattered, his cultivation would regress by ten thousand years. Without hesitation, he crushed the bead. The bead exploded, transforming into a massive Yin-Yang vortex. Within the vortex, Yin and Yang Qi swirled wildly, radiating a power that devoured everything, enveloping his figure. At the edge of the vortex, space itself was twisted into a pretzel shape. Within the vortex, Space Passage slowly opened. Inside the passage, the Power of Principle was chaotic. Ignoring the excruciating pain of the Secret Method's backlash, he forcefully activated his remaining Dao power and plunged into the passage. Blood continuously spilled from the corner of his mouth, staining his Daoist robe and leaving a long trail of blood.

"Pfft--"

The axe flashed past his back, spraying blood. The Great Heavenly Venerate screamed in agony; half his body was corroded by the Power of Life and Death, a bloody mess revealing his bones. At the wound, the Life and Death Qi intertwined, causing him unbearable pain. Even his Primordial Spirit trembled slightly, on the verge of collapse. But he ultimately used the vortex as cover to slip into the Space Passage in a sorry state, leaving only a venomous voice echoing in the void. "Ren Xiaoyao! I will repay this humiliation a hundredfold!"

The Space Passage slowly closed, and Ren Xiaoyao frowned slightly as he looked at the empty void. He could sense that the aura of the Great Heavenly Venerate Venerable had not gone far, but instead fled in a familiar direction—the direction of the Profound Yellow Realm, the place where he had just taken the spiritual liquid.

"The Profound Yellow Realm?" A glint flashed in Ren Xiaoyao's eyes, and a playful smile appeared on his lips. "Could it be that he intends to join forces with the Spirit Venerable?"

On the other side, atop the Spirit Peak of the Profound Yellow Realm, the Spirit Venerable sat cross-legged before the Spirit Liquid Waterfall, meditating and attempting to recover his depleted Dao power. Above the waterfall, the spiritual liquid flowed slowly, as thin as a spider's thread, a stark contrast to its former grandeur. The pool below the waterfall was murky, the life-giving lights within barely clinging to life, on the verge of extinguishing. The surrounding spiritual herbs had lost their luster, turning withered and drooping. Green spiritual light swirled around the Spirit Venerable, Living Beings Runes slowly circulating around him, wrapping around him like vines, repairing his damaged essence. His face was still somewhat pale, clearly indicating that his battle with Ren Xiaoyao had taken a heavy toll, even injuring his essence. Suddenly, a disheveled figure broke through the Space Barrier, falling like a bird with broken wings before him, crashing heavily to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. Mixed in the dust were traces of blood—it was the heavily injured Yin Yang Creation Great Heavenly Venerate.

"Spirit Venerable Lingzun, save me!" The Great Heavenly Venerate's face was deathly pale, and he was barely breathing. He struggled to stand up, but the movement aggravated his wounds, causing him to grimace in pain. He could only bow to Spirit Venerable, his voice weak but urgent, "That Ren Xiaoyao has recovered to his peak strength, and his power has greatly increased. I almost lost my life at his hands!"

The Spirit Venerable slowly opened his eyes, his pupils flashing with green light like two green stars. He looked at the injuries on the Great Heavenly Venerate's body and the familiar traces of the Power of Life and Death erosion, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He hadn't expected that someone could injure the Yin Yang Creation Great Heavenly Venerate to such a state. He recalled the overwhelming hatred of Ren Xiaoyao stealing the spiritual liquid, and his face gradually darkened. The green spiritual light around him suddenly became violent, and the surrounding vegetation instantly grew to a hundred feet tall, with lush branches and leaves, before suddenly withering and turning into ashes that scattered in the air. The extreme transformation between vitality and death made the air cold, and even space itself rippled with distortion. The rocks on the ground began to shatter inch by inch, making cracking sounds.

Seeing this, the Great Heavenly Venerate quickly seized the opportunity. Despite his injuries, he took out a healing Pills from his robes and swallowed it. The Pills entered his stomach and transformed into a gentle medicinal power, relieving his pain and making his complexion slightly rosier. His voice carried a seductive tone. "Fellow Daoist, that Ren Xiaoyao possesses the Profound Yellow Mother Pearl and the Primordial Chaos Life and Death Axe, and has also stolen the supreme treasure, the Spiritual Liquid, from your Profound Yellow Realm. If this villain is not eliminated, he will surely become a major threat! You and I, one controlling the Living Being Laws and the other wielding the Yin Yang Creation, our Principle complement each other, our power is boundless. If we join forces against him, we can surely grind him to dust and eliminate this threat forever! At that time, the supreme treasure on his body will also belong to both of us!"

The Spirit Venerable remained silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the almost dried-up spiritual liquid waterfall on the peak. A murderous intent surged in his eyes, a killing intent like a tangible blade cutting through the surrounding air. The spiritual light around him grew increasingly violent, the green light burning like flames, melting the surrounding rocks and turning them into slowly flowing magma. Within the magma were fragments of unmelted Profound Yellow Mother Stone, radiating a scorching heat. He slowly stood up, his figure as upright as a pine tree. The green spiritual light around him surged ten thousand feet, faintly resonating with the remaining Yin and Yang Qi on the Great Heavenly Venerate's body. A powerful pressure swept across the entire Spirit Peak, the rocks on the peak shattering inch by inch, the vegetation withering away, and even the Profound Yellow Mother Stone buried deep underground began to tremble, emitting a low, buzzing sound, as if fearing his wrath.

"Very well!" The Spirit Venerable's voice was icy cold, like ten thousand years of ice, carrying a chilling aura. "The scores of my Profound Yellow Realm, plus the grudge you incurred today, will be settled together!"

As the words fell, two powerful auras soared into the sky, one green, one black, and one white, intertwining and transforming into a massive pillar of light that shot straight into the heavens, sweeping across the entire Profound Yellow Realm. The world changed color, the wind and clouds swirled, dark clouds filled the sky, lightning flashed and thunder roared, purple lightning like giant dragons weaving through the clouds, emitting deafening booms. Even the earth trembled slightly, distant mountains began to collapse, rocks tumbling down and creating deep craters. Rivers overflowed, churning up towering waves that submerged vast swathes of land. The entire Profound Yellow Realm was plunged into panic; countless creatures trembled, prostrating themselves on the ground, afraid to raise their heads. An even more perilous battle was quietly brewing.