Please, Hurry Up and Become Dao Companions!

A few hours later, Xu Yinglian regretted it at light speed.

Where did all these bootlickers come from?

The trial mission Qiu Changtian had accepted this time was because an outer disciple of Kunlun had accidentally discovered what appeared to be an entrance to an earth vein on the west side of Longshan.

Earth veins are branches of the dragon veins of the Nine Provinces, usually places with abundant spiritual energy, suitable for cultivation.

More importantly, ancient cultivators had built their dwellings here. While their relics would undoubtedly be beneficial, they could also be filled with traps and occupied by demonic beasts, presenting risks and rewards of equal measure.

The spiritual energy of this earth vein was not very strong. Even if there were ancient ruins, the benefits would likely only be for disciples at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Golden Core True Persons wouldn't bother coming.

The Kunlun disciple who invited Qiu Changtian was initially a bit nervous, fearing that the Chief Disciple would consider the risks too high and the rewards too small and refuse to come.

To his surprise, upon receiving the reply, he was so moved that tears welled up, and he repeatedly praised the Chief Disciple for his righteousness.

When Qiu Changtian and Xu Yinglian arrived on their swords, more than a dozen Kunlun disciples were already waiting below, surrounding them and respectfully calling out "Senior Brother" and "Second Senior Sister," trying to get acquainted.

Xu Yinglian was impatient with these bootlickers and merely nodded coldly.

Qiu Changtian, however, was not arrogant at all. He nodded and greeted each person, his demeanor and tone as warm as a spring breeze, making everyone feel close and not alienated. Their favorable impressions of him immediately deepened.

[Invincible Persona, Synchronization Value +1.]

The Kunlun Mirror said indifferently.

As the synchronization value continued to rise, his Clear Dao Heart talent could be utilized at 100% stability. His cultivation during this period had been outrageously powerful, acting as an upgrade accelerator.

"Senior Brother, please look, this is the entrance to the earth vein." The disciple who took on this mission, named Duan Tianbao, unhesitatingly took on the responsibility of guiding them.

Qiu Changtian looked closely and indeed found a small opening hidden behind vines in a recess of the rock face, leading inside.

"The spiritual energy here is very weak, it's remarkable that it could be detected," Qiu Changtian said with a gentle smile. "However, it's so hidden that there may not be any cultivator ruins inside, perhaps just a natural, empty earth vein. Everyone should be mentally prepared for this journey."

"That's only natural. If there are truly no ancient ruins, we will report it to the sect and exchange this location for spirit stones. In any case, there will certainly be a share for Senior Brother." The crowd chimed in.

"That won't be necessary. I came this time to ensure your safety."

"If it's just an empty earth vein and there's nothing for me to do, I won't accept any spirit stones."

Qiu Changtian laughed heartily, raised his hand, and cast the Universal Clear Sound Minor Brightness Art, dispelling the darkness ahead, and walked in first.

Xu Yinglian followed silently, thinking, My Senior Brother is truly interesting. He always puts on this charming, refined facade for outsiders. Who would know that his true nature is nothing like this?

I should really use a recording stone to capture his rude remarks and let these bootlickers hear them properly.

Everyone followed closely behind him. The cave passage was winding and difficult to navigate, with moss clinging to the slippery, unstable ground.

After descending more than two hundred meters, the darkness ahead was still bottomless. The disciples who had not yet undergone Marrow Cleansing were already panting from the climb, their gazes constantly drawn to the towering figure of their Senior Brother ahead.

With so many people silently pleading, Qiu Changtian had no choice but to stop Xu Yinglian, who was about to continue forward, and signal for everyone to rest.

The air in the cave was damp and dark, with echoes reverberating. The longer they stayed, the more eerie and terrifying it became. Many disciples began to have second thoughts, afraid to venture deeper, and entrusted Duan Tianbao to intercede.

However, faced with Qiu Changtian's gentle smile, Duan Tianbao couldn't bring himself to say anything. He turned back and said harshly:

"Those who want to leave can leave the group on their own. Don't drag the Chief Senior Brother's trip out for nothing!"

The others exchanged glances, speechless for a moment.

After a short rest, they continued on their way.

Hundreds of meters further down, they finally saw light, emanating from luminous pearls embedded in the walls.

The path ahead had unknowingly transformed from a natural cave into a square underground palace corridor.

Seeing the blue bricks and gray walls, everyone felt a mixture of excitement and fear.

Excited that this was indeed not an empty earth vein, but one that had been occupied by cultivators.

Afraid because these blue bricks and gray walls exuded an eerie, sinister aura, appearing quite chilling and strange.

Qiu Changtian watched coldly and casually rubbed his fingers along a crack in the wall.

Hmm, indeed, there's bone ash mixed in. Others might not be able to tell, but after Luo Yan studied at Yuqing Temple for so long, how could he not recognize this kind of artifact refining technique used by evil cults?

Judging by the style, it seemed to be the artifact refining style of the early Yin Ghost Dao, shortly after the ancient Intercepting Sect split.

It appeared that this underground palace was definitely related to the ancient Yin Ghost Dao.

However, as he said before, given the spiritual energy of this earth vein, the ancient cultivator who occupied it wouldn't have been very powerful.

Qiu Changtian silently reviewed his own spells and realized that both the Yuyan Sword and the Jade Pivot Thunder had some restraint against Yin Ghosts. He then signaled for everyone to continue forward.

As they went deeper, the temperature became increasingly cold, and rustling sounds could be heard from time to time.

After a moment, a shadow suddenly lunged out of the darkness with great speed. Before the Kunlun disciples could react, Qiu Changtian quickly raised his hand and sent out a stream of jade-colored light, pinning the dark shadow to the wall and calmly reminding them:

"This is a low-level Corpse Spider. Everyone be careful."

Hearing the Chief Senior Brother's warning, everyone took out their Flying Swords and tensed up in vigilance.

Qiu Changtian raised his hand again, and the Yuyan Sword flew back from the corpse.

The crowd looked at the Corpse Spider's body with excitement, thinking that their Chief Senior Brother was indeed worthy of his title. Even his swordsmanship was far more proficient than theirs, further deepening their admiration and reverence.

[Invincible Persona, Synchronization Value +1.]

Only Xu Yinglian felt a little displeased.

Her Yujia Sword was even faster than the Yuyan Sword. Yet, in terms of reaction speed and attack speed, she was a step behind Senior Brother, losing completely.

The group continued forward, clearing out the Corpse Spiders they encountered along the way.

This seemed to be their nest. They had killed over seventy, yet there seemed to be no end to them.

After a while, strange cries suddenly came from both the front and rear. With mournful screeches, a large number of Corpse Spiders surged from both directions, charging towards the Kunlun disciples in the center!

Qiu Changtian remained unfazed by the danger. He immediately shouted to snap the terrified crowd back to their senses and ordered them to form a defensive array.

The dozen or so disciples on the other side either crouched or stood, forming three rows and successively wielding their Flying Swords in an attempt to repel the incoming Corpse Spiders.

These Corpse Spiders were covered in stiff fur, their defense formidable. Ordinary Flying Swords couldn't penetrate with a single strike, requiring three or four hits to kill one.

Within a few breaths of engagement, the disciples' defensive line began to waver, nearly being broken multiple times.

On the other side, Qiu Changtian single-handedly controlled the Yuyan Sword, slaying the Corpse Spiders that rushed towards him.

The Yuyan Sword was a seventh-tier Metal Flying Sword, and he himself possessed the essence of Shushan's Sword Control Art. Thus, the Flying Sword moved with incredible agility, and no spider could block it. Essentially, they were pierced by golden light upon contact and instantly killed.

He was handling his side with ease. Seeing that the disciples behind him were struggling to hold their formation, he quickly told Xu Yinglian to go and provide support.

Upon being ordered by him, Xu Yinglian immediately felt a competitive spirit. Her Yujia Sword flew faster and faster, weaving back and forth through the spider swarm.

At that moment, both of them simultaneously unleashed exquisite sword techniques, holding all the Corpse Spiders firmly at bay, several meters away.

[Invincible Persona, Synchronization Value +1.]

Everyone watched, dumbfounded. The spider tide on just one side had already overwhelmed them even when working together, yet Senior Brother Qiu and Senior Sister Xu could each hold their own with ease. Their strength was truly peerless.

Looking again at Qiu Changtian calmly controlling his sword with graceful bearing, and Xu Yinglian calmly gathering her energy with her robes fluttering, it made the surrounding disciples feel inferior.

What a perfect immortal couple!

Please, please become Dao Companions quickly!