White Jade Hall's Spring Day Is Long, Immortal Rides a Crane to Fusang

The bell tolls Evergreen Hall, eighteen times sending off the Cloud Dream Soul.

The saying goes, "Morning bell and evening drum," but if it's an evening bell, then it signifies misfortune.

The eighteen tolls of the evening bell in the Evergreen Sect signify the passing of an elder within the sect, and a passing of the highest honor. The eighteen tolls are meant to help the Soul Spirit avoid the Eighteen Hells and directly send the Soul Spirit to the Cloud Dream Immortal Realm, where it can enjoy Eternal Longevity.

This is merely a beautiful wish. This custom originated from the Longevity Sect, but even with the standards of the Longevity Sect, it is impossible to avoid the Eighteen Hells and reach the Cloud Dream Immortal Realm directly. That is not something that Mortal Immortal can accomplish.

When Chen Dengming flew with He Yingyu to the Evergreen Hall on the main peak of the Evergreen Sect, he found that Li Yue, Liang Yunsheng and other acquaintances had already arrived.

There were also two Foundation Establishment Deacon whom I wasn't very familiar with.

Although they weren't very close, Chen Dengming had already visited them with gifts, so they were basically acquainted. When they met, they would greet each other with smiles and polite formalities.

But the atmosphere today is clearly different. It doesn't seem like someone from the Evergreen Sect has met with misfortune; it seems more like a great figure from the Longevity Sect has died.

At this time, anyone who dares to greet others with a smile would be considered extremely filial.

Chen Dengming was incredibly clever. After entering the palace, he didn't waste any words. He followed He Yingyu closely, hiding quietly behind her like a newbie who had never heard a word.

Before long, the other Foundation Establishment cultivators in the sect also arrived one after another.

Chen Dengming thought that this time he would finally be able to meet Qiu Feng, the sect leader and a Golden Core Cultivator.

They were pondering whether Golden Core Cultivator, who usually didn't radiate spiritual power, were like them, or whether they exuded a strong Golden Core Spiritual Charm, shining like light bulbs when they stood there, setting them apart from the crowd.

Unexpectedly, after everyone had arrived, it was Liang Yunsheng, the deputy sect leader, who spoke first, his expression solemn.

"Gentlemen, the situation on the front lines is extremely dire. Sect Master Qiu has gone to the Longevity Sect to discuss the battle plan. For now, I will be in charge of coordinating the sect's affairs."

First, I have some very heavy news to share: the border between the Turtle Snake Bee has been breached.

Everyone's expression changed upon hearing this.

The Turtle Snake Bee side had two Golden Core Elders from the Longevity Sect stationed there, yet it was breached. Were those two Golden Core Elder also in danger? Just how powerful must the enemy be?

"The one who attacked the Turtle Snake Bee Pass was a Nascent Soul True Lord. His exact identity is still unknown. He was one of the two Golden Core Elders from the Longevity Sect who were stationed at Turtle-Snake Mountain. One of them died by detonating his Golden Core, and the other was seriously injured and escaped."

The other dozen or so Foundation Establishment cultivators were also mostly killed or wounded, and some were missing.

"Nascent Soul True Lord has made a move?"

"This breaks the long-standing rules of the Four Domains Agreement! This Nascent Soul True Lord will be besieged and attacked by other Nascent Soul True Lord from the Four Domains. Why are they acting so recklessly?"

Everyone present was shocked and whispered among themselves.

Chen Dengming, huddled in the corner, also gasped, feeling a chill run down his spine.

Even Nascent Soul Old Monster has made a move; how insane must they be? Golden Core Cultivator will all die. The only reason one might escape is because one of the Golden Core Cultivator self-destructed, and the Nascent Soul didn't dare to pursue them deep into the Eastern Region.

Besides the Golden Core Cultivator, many Foundation Establishment guarding the pass also suffered heavy casualties, and some went missing.

These Foundation Establishment cultivators were no different from cannon fodder when facing Nascent Soul True Lord, which made Chen Dengming feel extremely heavy-hearted.

"Now, Lord Qi Yun, the Nascent Soul Dao Lord the Longevity Sect, has gone to the Turtle Snake Bee area to rebuild the defensive passes. Although the unknown Nascent Soul Cultivator has retreated, in just Heavenly Timing, a large number of demons and people from the Western Region Devil Country have entered the heart of the Eastern Region and are causing havoc everywhere."

The Longevity Sect has issued Clearing Jade Order. Everyone, we must act immediately and lead our disciples to wipe out the numerous demons that have intruded.

After a solemn impromptu meeting, several spirit boats rose from the Evergreen Sect, and a large number of disciples from the sect were quickly assembled. Everything was being prepared in full swing.

Chen Dengming and He Yingyu flew out of the Evergreen Hall and returned to their respective cave abode to pack their belongings, preparing to set off immediately.

"Junior Brother Chen, you've only recently broken through to the Foundation Establishment. Although Fellow Daoist Guan has helped you during this patrol, you must still be especially careful."

As they flew through a cloud of mist and passed by the mountainside, He Yingyu couldn't help but turn back to look at Chen Dengming and offer a reminder.

Earlier in the hall, when Liang Yunsheng arranged the list of Foundation Establishment cultivators among the disciples who were stationed and patrolling, she originally wanted to take the initiative to travel with Chen Dengming, since with her Foundation Establishment Middle Stage strength, she could take care of this Junior Brother had just broken through not long ago.

However, Liang Yunsheng had other important tasks planned for her, so she had no choice but to give up.

"Don't worry, Senior Sister He, you know I'm always cautious and vigilant."

Chen Dengming responded with a smile. Seeing that they had reached the cave abode ahead, he immediately slowed down and solemnly said to He Yingyu, "Senior Sister He, you must also be especially careful. The situation is unclear now. We don't know how many Great Demons are among those who have poured in. If we are not careful, we Foundation Establishment cultivators will also be in danger."

"Hmm!" He Yingyu nodded with a slight blush on her cheeks, then suddenly took out a bottle of elixirs from her Storage Bag and handed it to Chen Dengming.

"This is a life-saving elixir I obtained from a Pill Dao Master long ago. Junior Brother, please accept it."

Chen Dengming raised an eyebrow, about to refuse, but He Yingyu smiled, "Don't worry, it's not some valuable elixir. I have my own."

Chen Dengming couldn't refuse, so he accepted the gift and said with a smile, "Junior Brother has nothing of value to offer Senior Sister He."

He Yingyu gazed at Chen Dengming for a moment, then smiled and said, "I don't expect you to have anything good."

After she finished speaking, she turned and left.

Chen Dengming felt slightly embarrassed; he really didn't have anything good left.

Since refining the Law Artifact, he only had a dozen or so Mid-grade Spirit Stone left. He had to spend money to bribe and give gifts to other Foundation Establishment cultivators along the way.

Therefore, some time ago, he had to borrow fifty Mid-grade Spirit Stone from this senior sister to bribe her and to use for setting up formations and cultivating during this period.

For a Foundation Establishment cultivator to ask his senior sister for fifty Mid-grade Spirit Stone is indeed quite embarrassing, to the point that He Yingyu is well aware that he is a penniless wretch.

"The way Senior Sister He has been speaking lately..."

As Chen Dengming watched He Yingyu's departing figure, he vaguely sensed that his senior sister's gaze and tone of voice seemed somewhat different now.

Thinking of this, Chen Dengming shook his head and smiled, then turned and flew back to his cave abode.

Regardless of the meaning, his feelings for Senior Sister He remained unchanged from beginning to end, and he didn't think too deeply about it.

Inside the cave abode, Chen Dengming summoned Little Array Spirit to enter the Soul House, preparing to go out on patrol with him.

This trip might not be long, and he might not be able to return every day. He might have to stay away for a long time, and Chen Dengming was worried about leaving the Little Array Spirit in the cave abode forever.

Although staying outside is dangerous, now that there is Soul House, even ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators cannot detect the existence of the Little Array Spirit through the isolation of the Soul House.

"Alright, alright, that's enough! I can't see what you're carrying."

Inside the cave abode, Chen Dengming had finished packing his belongings. Seeing the Little Array Spirit still busy running back and forth between the array plate and the Soul House, moving some illusory items, he couldn't help but say irritably.

The Little Array Spirit hurriedly explained, pointing to her empty little hands, "Look, you can see them, they're right here. I... I'm not taking them with me. What if I lose them?"

Chen Dengming was speechless, and longed to touch his forehead.

However, considering the Little Array Spirit's current intellectual decline, the only option was to patiently coax her like a child, "Alright, Ling'er, I understand, but we're in a hurry, so there are some things you shouldn't take out, okay?"

There are many bad people out there. If they see you have so many wonderful treasures, they'll try to steal them.

The Little Array Spirit was startled, then a hint of fear appeared on her pretty face, "Really? Just like last time?"

Chen Dengming nodded, "Of course, just like those villains last time."

"Okay then, I won't bring it."

The Little Array Spirit tossed its two tiny hands and flew into the Soul House.

Chen Dengming shook his head. This little guy had regressed to the intelligence of a four or five-year-old girl, and he didn't know when he would recover. It was very troublesome to communicate with him now, and there was a serious generation gap between him and this nearly one-hundred-year-old man.

He made a hand seal to collect the Soul House and placed it in the pouch at his waist.

This Law Artifact is only the size of a fist, so it's not cumbersome to carry.

Upon exiting the cave abode, they saw the Black Cloud Leopard still licking its paws with its barbed tongue, looking quite relaxed as it picked at its toes.

Chen Dengming walked over, stretched out his leg, and said, "So comfortable? I'll lick it for your master too?"

The Black Cloud Leopard turned its head and rolled its eyes in a leopard-like, devilish way.

Chen Dengming kicked him, "Get up! We're getting ready to leave, stop lying there!"

"Aww--"

The Black Cloud Leopard rose in dissatisfaction, its body now over ten feet tall, instantly blocking out the sunlight. Its powerful physique exuded a faint Sha Qi, and its two enormous wings, extending from its back, had a wingspan of over thirty feet, making it appear very majestic.

In the past fifty-odd days, not only Chen Dengming has broken through, but the Black Cloud Leopard has also advanced and broken through once. Its strength is now equivalent to that of a Qi Cultivation Ninth Level Demon Beast at the ninth level of Qi Refining. Two small bulges have appeared on the back of its back, containing strong Spiritual Qi fluctuations, and it seems that it will grow two wings.

Chen Dengming leaped onto the Black Panther and flicked his sleeve.

Buzzing--

Several Golden Silkworm Gu and Blood Centipede Gu flew out to replace the Black Cloud Leopard in guarding the cave abode.

These Gu Worm are now obsolete. Even if they still have some use, they are no longer suitable for combat. Otherwise, if they are easily destroyed by the enemy, it will affect Chen Dengming. He can only wait until he obtains a better Gu refining Cultivation Method and then find a way to improve them slowly.

At Chen Dengming's command, the Black Cloud Leopard began its run-up, its four hooves pounding wildly.

Then, with a flap of its wings, it soared into the sky like a dark cloud, drawing a graceful leopard-like arc as it flew towards the distant spirit boat.

The Longevity Sect called upon many surrounding Immortal Sect to patrol and slay demons together. After this order was issued, many sects have already mobilized their disciples and members to take action.

As the most direct subordinate Immortal Sect of the Longevity Sect, the Evergreen Sect naturally could not lag behind.

Liang Yunsheng dispatched ten Foundation Establishment cultivators from his sect to six different regions.

Chen Dengming and a fellow Daoist surnamed Guan, who was in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, were in a team. They boarded a spirit boat and led a group of disciples to investigate the mountain forest seven hundred miles away where traces of demons had been found.

The entire investigation was carried out by many disciples, while Chen Dengming and Guan Le mainly provided cover. If any danger occurred, they would step in to resolve it or cover the disciples as they boarded the spirit boat before quickly escaping.

This kind of patrol experience is clearly a valuable training opportunity for the disciples of the Evergreen Sect.

At this moment, a long wind blew, and Chen Dengming rode the Black Cloud Leopard directly to the spirit boats hovering at the Mountain Gate.

Hundreds of disciples have gathered here, almost all of them are the best among the more than 5,000 disciples of the Evergreen Sect. They all have the strength of at least the Qi Cultivation Fifth Level, and only these people can take on the heavy responsibility of patrolling and hunting demons.

Seeing their Foundation Establishment senior uncle Chen Dengming arrive riding a Black Cloud Leopard at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Level, many disciples exclaimed in surprise and began to murmur amongst themselves.

"What a huge black dog demon with long wings! This dog demon must be at least at the eighth or ninth level of Qi Refining, right? Such powerful Sha Qi!"

"That's not a dog demon, it's a leopard spirit. Last time, this leopard even sneaked out of Martial Uncle Chen's cave abode to steal meat from the sect's dining hall, scaring Master Liu half to death. Martial Uncle Chen even apologized. Uncle Chen is such a humble and polite person. It's just that this greedy leopard is very rude."

The Black Cloud Leopard was flying majestically, deliberately showing off above hundreds of disciples. It pricked up its ears to listen to the comments below praising its might, and by the end, its face darkened even more. It immediately prepared to fly back to the spirit boat.

These little brats from the Evergreen Sect don't Dao Venerable Brother Leopard.

It's Cave Guarding Spirit Beast under the command of Foundation Establishment cultivator; didn't you see the two rows of characters on its belly?

It deliberately spread its four legs apart, displaying an open and honest demeanor. Many female disciples were too embarrassed to look up and could only secretly admire Martial Uncle Chen's profile. They saw that he was handsome and dignified, humble and calm, with confidence in his eyes, making him extremely charming. They whispered among themselves.

"It is said that Martial Uncle Chen is the youngest and most promising Uncle Chen in our Evergreen Sect. He is only forty years old this year, with Dual Spirit Root that clash with each other, and his cultivation has been quite bumpy before."

If it's a truly High-grade Spiritual Root, its future is probably limitless.

"Forty years old is really young, and quite mature enough."

Among the female disciples, the female cultivator surnamed Yue, who had guided Chen Dengming up the mountain, watched Chen Dengming's flying figure with a slightly complicated and admiring expression. However, seeing that he never glanced down at her, she couldn't help but feel disappointed.

Chen Dengming dared not linger. Upon hearing the female disciple's words below, even this old man, who was already thin-skinned, blushed.

Martial Uncle Chen, who is forty years old, is almost like his son.

He's over eighty years old, Mr. Chen.

At this moment, several Foundation Establishment cultivators had already boarded the spirit boats.

As Chen Dengming flew in riding Black Cloud Leopard, some people teased Chen Dengming for his impressive entrance, while others jokingly remarked that Chen Dengming very popular with his disciples.

Chen Dengming responded with humility and politeness, his calm and unassuming attitude greatly reduced the displeasure and unhappiness of some people who were outwardly smiling.

People like to be friends with humble yet capable individuals because they feel comfortable around such people and are not arrogant or conceited.

Otherwise, no matter how capable you are, if you constantly suppress others with your high profile, they will feel uncomfortable.

Speed is of the essence in war, and now is the crucial time to patrol and hunt down demons. The Evergreen Sect disciples did not take too long to assemble.

Two incense sticks later, the hundreds of disciples were divided into six teams, boarded six spirit boats, and headed to their respective destinations.

On the spirit boat, Chen Dengming Guan Le exchanged words with another Foundation Establishment cultivator, Guan Le.

After being flattered by Chen Dengming, Guan Le became a little arrogant.

Normally, everyone here is Foundation Establishment cultivator, so few people flatter him.

Chen Dengming had just broken through, and in his opinion, this Junior Brother was currently weaker than him. There would be dangers during the patrol, so it was normal to praise him.

Although it was rumored that this Junior Brother had defeated the Blood Ghost Daoist, there were also rumors that the Blood Ghost Daoist was afraid to stay on the Evergreen Sect's territory and therefore took the initiative to retreat. Guan Le believed the latter more.

"Junior Brother Chen, you're quite adept at cultivating relationships. Ever since you asked Master Crane to repair your magic Law Artifact last time, Master Crane's been busy forging new Law Artifact for you for the past two months. I've asked her for help, but she's been too busy to do anything."

Chen Dengming laughed and said, "That's unfortunate. I didn't expect it would delay Senior Brother Guan's crafting of the Law Artifact."

Next time something like this happens, Senior Brother Guan, just tell me directly. I'd rather ask Senior Sister He to refine yours first, since you're so capable."

Guan Le laughed heartily, feeling even more at ease. He thought that this Junior Brother Chen really knew how to handle people, and his initial minor complaints disappeared. He then smiled and tentatively inquired.

"Hey, Junior Brother Chen, let me ask you, what do you think Master Crane He likes in her daily life?"

"Huh?" Chen Dengming was stunned, not expecting Guan Le to ask such a question.

Looking again at Guan Le's expectant eyes, he immediately understood something and couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

It wasn't that he looked down on Senior Brother, but rather that the man only possessed the strength of the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

Their financial resources are far inferior to He Yingyu's, so how did they become so confident in targeting He Yingyu?

Although he didn't think much of it, Chen Dengming still went along with it politely on the surface, chatting casually.

Everyone loves beauty. He Yingyu is so beautiful and single. With so many Foundation Establishment cultivators in the sect, it would be a lie to say that none of them are tempted. Their usual indifference is probably just an act.

Thinking of this, he became alert, wondering if he had been getting too close to Senior Sister He lately.

I'm afraid I've already become a thorn in the side of some of my Senior Brother.

However, these Senior Brothers were all shrewd and experienced, and they could all put on a serious face in front of He Yingyu, and they would never show their dissatisfaction to him.

"Beauty can be a curse, and I'll have to be more careful in the future. Of course, there's no need to distance myself from my senior sister because of this."

Chen Dengming thought to himself, but it was just a matter of keeping an eye on things. It was impossible for him to change his interpersonal skills because of this. He was just being humble, not lacking in confidence.

The speed of the spirit boat far surpassed Chen Dengming's escape speed.

The distance of seven hundred miles was covered in just over twenty minutes.

Upon arriving at their destination, the expressions of many Evergreen Sect disciples changed.

Some were so shocked that their faces turned pale, and the excitement they had been having along the way, chatting about how to hunt demons, vanished completely.

Because you can see that the clearing in the mountains and forests is piled with corpses, some human, some wild, with all sorts of intestines and severed limbs scattered on a small mountain of corpses.

Beneath the mountain of corpses, fire still burns.

But probably because it was drizzling at the time, the fire wasn't very big, and the bodies at the top weren't burned.

The corpses below, however, were burning and crackling like dry firewood popping; they were clearly charred and cracked.

A strange and foul odor mixed with the stench of corpses formed thick smoke, which was carried by the wind and rain. Some Evergreen Sect disciples' faces trembled violently as if being clawed by ghosts, and then they could not hold back any longer and rushed off the spirit boat to vomit.

The group of mountain hermits stationed there, along with a few disciples from the Cultivation Family, couldn't help but feel disappointed upon seeing this scene, thinking that these sect disciples seemed too psychologically fragile.

However, when they saw Chen Dengming and Guan Le, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators, flying down with solemn expressions, their expressions improved considerably, and they immediately went up to greet them respectfully.

"No need for formalities. These are extraordinary times. We're here to search for the demons of the Western Regions and eliminate this threat completely. What's going on here? Explain the situation in detail."

Guan Le asked the question directly with a calm face, showing his decisiveness and efficiency; he was indeed a person who got things done.

Chen Dengming remained silent, letting Guan Le ask questions while his gaze swept over the surroundings, lingering on the large claw marks scattered in the muddy ground.

"Go, take a walk around the area, see if there's anything suspicious, and be careful."

Chen Dengming patted the Black Cloud Leopard, signaling it to search the surroundings for any trace of the demon.

Although it is said that the demons and Demon Beast of the Western Regions are different, it is obviously easier and less strenuous for Demon Beast to search for the traces of demons than for humans to do so.

Guan Le glanced at Chen Dengming and kindly reminded him, "Junior Brother Chen, be careful not to let anything happen to your precious Black Cloud Leopard. I, your Senior Brother, will not be responsible for that."

Chen Dengming smiled and nodded to express his gratitude, but he was not worried.

Hei Zi is too shrewd and timid. If there's any real problem, he'll come to inform me from afar rather than act rashly.

By this time, many Evergreen Sect disciples had basically adapted.

The physique and mental strength of Qi Cultivation Cultivator are much stronger than those of ordinary mortals, and they can quickly calm down after adapting.

With the description from the cultivators who remained in the area, everyone had a basic understanding.

This place was originally a Gathering Place for rogue cultivators. These rogue cultivators couldn't afford to live in the Marketplace, so they gathered Rogue Cultivator in the mountains and forests. Many of them had fled from the War Zone a long time ago.

As a result, this Gathering Place was attacked by demons yesterday, and almost everyone died tragically. The two survivors who escaped notified the surrounding Cultivation Family, who in turn notified the Evergreen Sect Cultivation Family request reinforcements.

"Almost all of the forty-odd Rogue Cultivator in this Gathering Place are here. Among them, the stronger ones are at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Level, who should be the leaders."

However, upon examining the wounds, we found that they were mostly killed quickly, indicating little resistance. We suspect that Foundation Establishment demon may have appeared yesterday."

One of the Lineage cultivators said, his eyes filled with terror.

Guan Le frowned and looked at Chen Dengming, "Junior Brother Chen, I plan to instruct the disciples to spread out and search. You and I will stay on either side of the sky, each in charge of a section, searching with our Divine Sense. Once we find anything, we'll rush to your aid immediately. What do you think?"

Chen Dengming nodded in agreement, "We'll do as Senior Brother says."

Once this plan is formulated, responsibility must be taken.

If an accident occurs that results in the tragic deaths of many disciples, Guan Le will also be severely punished, and Chen Dengming will need to agree that both of them will bear the responsibility.

Chen Dengming didn't care about this, as long as the plan was reasonable.

Now that he's already here, besides doing his best to protect himself, he also hopes to resolve the trouble here as soon as possible, while also protecting the safety of his disciples, otherwise he won't be able to explain himself.

Immediately, under Guan Le's arrangement, nearly fifty disciples were divided into five teams, carrying all the supplies, and entered the mountains to search in five different directions.

Chen Dengming and Guan Le flew to the top of the mountain forest, occupying two large areas respectively. While slowly searching with their Divine Sense, they also provided cover for the many disciples.

Although this mountain forest is very large, given the search speed of the group of cultivators, it would take at most five days to completely search it.

If the demon is not found, proceed to the next aid point.

Four days passed, and despite the intense search during the day and the nightly deployment of troops and camps for strict defense, they found nothing.

By the fifth day, many disciples had clearly relaxed, feeling that the demons might have already left.

Even Guan Le thought so.

In the past few days, he used his Divine Sense to search more places and found some traces left by demons, but he did not see any demons.

From all the clues, he could almost conclude that the demon had left.

Chen Dengming, however, became increasingly vigilant, holding the opposite view to Guan Le, believing that demons were probably still lurking in the mountains and forests, or even right around them.

These past few days, whenever he practiced at night, he would feel a pang of unease in a state of utmost emptiness and stillness.

This feeling of palpitations and unease had even been experienced by the Little Array Spirit, who had repeatedly conveyed warnings of tension and fear to him.

However, whenever Chen Dengming used his Divine Sense to search, he often found nothing.

As a result, Chen Dengming could only become suspicious and wary, gradually realizing that something was wrong.

When he is in a state close to Unity of Heaven and Man, his perception ability is roughly equivalent to that of the array spirit, and his perception intensity and sensitivity in close range even surpasses that of Divine Sense.

Since I suddenly sensed the danger of palpitations, I couldn't have acted without reason.

However, he couldn't directly tell Guan Le these secrets about his own martial arts State of Mind and the Little Array Spirit; he could only offer a reminder.

"Hey, Junior Brother Chen, you're just too cautious, or to put it bluntly, too timid."

After being reminded by Chen Dengming once again, Guan Le sighed and shook his head, saying, "Although we need to be more cautious when we go out on missions, you've participated in the search these past few days, so you should be able to tell that these demons have left."

Otherwise, if it were still there, unless it were an ant, it wouldn't be able to escape our Divine Sense detection."

Chen Dengming could only clasp his hands in a fist and smile, "What you say makes sense, Senior Brother. Perhaps I was overthinking it. In any case, it's better to be careful."

After he finished speaking, seeing that Guan Le didn't take it to heart, he shook his head inwardly and left, while simultaneously turning off the audio-visual recording Law Artifact, the Sound-Image Pearl, which he had just activated.

Evergreen Sect disciples always carry Sound-Image Pearl when carrying out sect missions.

In this way, whatever happens during the mission can be recorded and kept as evidence.

Chen Dengming was cautious by nature, and now he was the only one who had sensed the subtle danger that might be lurking. This was the biggest problem, meaning that if there was real danger, something terrible could happen, and someone might lose their life due to carelessness.

He has already done what he could to dissuade them from doing.

But Guan Le wouldn't listen to advice, so he had no choice but to record it with the Sound-Image Pearl to avoid being held accountable if something really happened in the future. Then he secretly used the Sound Transmission Jade Talisman to send a message to Li Yue, informing him of the situation.

It was during a break, Chen Dengming walked into the woods. He saw a female cultivator feeding Black Cloud Leopard a piece of dried meat, while some other female disciples watched the spectacle from a distance.

Upon walking over, he discovered that the person was none other than the female musician who had once guided him up the mountain, now known as his Niece Yue.

Upon his arrival, the female disciple not far away was so startled that she immediately stood up and bowed.

"Uncle Chen, Martial Uncle Chen"

Seeing Chen Dengming approach, Yueyue immediately stood up, looking nervous and flustered.

"I... I'm feeding your spirit pet some dried Demon Beast meat. It's been following us around lately, and it's given us a lot more courage. I just wanted to thank it."

Chen Dengming smiled and shook his head, "No need to explain, it's a small matter. It's an honor for the Black Panther to be fed by you, Niece Yue."

The Black Cloud Leopard spat out a bone fragment with a "poof," rolled its eyes, and expressed its displeasure.

"Master, Uncle-Master, you're joking."

Yueyue lowered her head nervously, her delicate chin almost touching the curve of her chest. After a quick bow, she prepared to leave.

Chen Dengming called her back and said kindly, "Niece Yue, although we haven't found any trace of the demons yet, we must not let our guard down. Please remind everyone to do the same, and also be careful yourself."

Yueyue was taken aback, then her ears turned slightly red. She quickly thanked him and left.

Hearing the sounds of women flirting that soon drifted from the mountains and forests, Chen Dengming shook his head slightly.

It's unclear how many people Yueyue can persuade, or even if she herself has listened. How many people still remember the horrific scene of mountains of corpses they witnessed four days ago?

These past few days, he had actually arranged for Black Cloud Leopard to loiter around Yueyue. It was because he unexpectedly discovered that the junior sister who had guided him up the mountain was in the group, so he casually offered her some help within his power. However, he did not let Yueyue know.

"I hope that the heart palpitations I've felt these past few days are just me overthinking things."

Chen Dengming looked up and gazed at the sky through the branches and leaves of the trees.

The sky grew increasingly overcast, with dark, iron-gray clouds merging with the distant mountain gorges, shrouding the valley like an iron cage.

It's quite a sign that a storm is brewing.

The final search proceeded smoothly, and all unease seemed to be purely due to Chen Dengming's overthinking.

The dark clouds that swept by during the day only brought a couple of drops of rain, which dissipated by nightfall, without any of the expected summer downpours.

The sky was dotted with stars, and the mountains and forests were filled with the fresh and invigorating atmosphere of nature. There were even more birds chirping and insects chirping. It seemed that the oppressive feeling of not being able to breathe in the past few days had disappeared with the departure of the demons.

This does evoke the feeling of "when the clouds rise and the sun seems to set, it's as if the sun is not shining, but after the rain, flowers suddenly appear in the sunshine."

"Junior Brother Chen, I told you, it's alright. Those Demon Beast beasts have already run away."

As the disciples set up camp and array that night, Guan Le approached Chen Dengming with a cup of tea and remarked, "I received a message from Senior Brother Li yesterday. They encountered Demon Beast and successfully killed it, reaping a rich harvest. Alas, we were unlucky and didn't run into it!"

Chen Dengming relaxed considerably; he did feel less anxious now, thinking he was just being paranoid. He laughed and said, "Never mind, it's better to avoid trouble."

Guan Le scoffed, "You're just a coward. If Li Yue and his men manage to hunt down demons and they end up in our hands, that's still a contribution and a resource. Sigh—"

He shook his head, turned and left, feeling that following this timid and cautious Junior Brother Chen might bring him bad luck.

It would have been fine if they hadn't encountered Demon Beast, but they've been suspicious and paranoid for days, making everyone tense.

Chen Dengming didn't care; he always believed that safety comes first.

Now that he is safe and all his disciples are safe, that's a good thing.

The Longevity Sect's motto is to live a life of non-contention and pursue longevity and immortality.

The fact that everyone is safe and sound is the greatest gain, far better than any resource gained by risking one's life.

He entered the tent, took out the Soul House where the Little Array Spirit was placed, held it close to his chest, and then began his daily cultivation.

In the past few days, he has stopped setting up the Spirit Seizing Formation cultivation in the wild, and as a result, his cultivation speed has slowed down by about 40% to 50%.

However, it only lasts a few days, so it doesn't have much of an impact.

As night fell, his cultivation had truly entered a profound and the Unseen state, where spiritual energy continuously generated.

At this moment, he had a rare dream. He dreamed of the scene when he was in the Nanxun Kingdom, serving as the Crown Prince's tutor and being praised by others. He dreamed of pursuing the Immortal Path, finding the legendary Penglai Island, playing chess with immortals, and obtaining the secret to longevity.

Looking back again, I realized it was all just a dream.

He remained in the Nanxun Kingdom, merely a wealthy man.

All those stories about playing cultivation games, time travel, becoming immortals, and seeking eternal life are nothing but illusions.

This is truly a place where spring days are long before the Jade Hall, where immortals ride cranes to Fusang. Heavenly winds blow down the Penglai waters, and ten thousand miles of blue clouds enter the imperial capital.

"A dream of immortality? How could it be a dream? With my strength, how could I dream while cultivating? Non-Self haven't cultivated at all, and my Foundation Establishment realm is all fake... Could it be that I really haven't cultivated immortality? Am I still searching in the south?"

"No, it can't be, it can't be fake."

Chen Dengming suddenly felt a heat in his chest. The Little Array Spirit's voice seemed to come from a great distance, vague and indistinct, which startled him.

I tried to open my eyes, but found that I couldn't.

Even the perception of the body is extremely vague, only the consciousness of struggling remains clear.

The scenes he had dreamed of before, like illusory shadows, flowed through his mind.

His consciousness had broken free from these illusory scenes, yet it seemed to be in darkness, unable to return to his physical body and achieve unity of spirit and flesh.

"Dao, Dao, fellow Daoist, there is danger, danger!"

The Little Array Spirit's voice continued to come frequently and urgently, even carrying a faint hint of a terrified cry, as if danger was rapidly approaching.

Chen Dengming was getting anxious. What kind of demonic spell had he fallen under? He was experiencing sleep paralysis like a ghost.

He, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, actually experienced sleep paralysis. What kind of ghost is so good at this?

However, the more anxious one becomes, the less one's mind can return to the Physical Body, and the more blurred one's perception of the body becomes.

"Quiet!"

A sudden thought flashed through Chen Dengming's mind, and he gradually calmed down, ignoring the Little Array Spirit's urgent reminder.

This anxious reminder will strongly affect his desire to State of Mind down, and instead of helping him, it will only make things worse.

Perhaps the demon that led him into his dream was trying to exploit the fear, obsession, and attachment in people's hearts, causing him to fall into a daze, unaware of the outside world, and ultimately lose his life.

Maintain composure in the face of great events!

Chen Dengming gradually reached a state of mental tranquility, and his awareness of his body gradually increased.

Almost at that moment, a sinister and evil aura, accompanied by a figure covered in cold, scaled creatures, suddenly tore open the tent and silently slipped inside.

Outside the tent, a gloomy fog swirled, and the chirping of birds and insects was gone; even the snoring of many disciples had ceased.