Treasure Hunting

This place, named the Plain of the Wild Horses, is sheltered by the Yinshan Mountains and protected from cold waves. It also seems to have unique geographical features such as steam vents and active volcanoes. It remains evergreen year-round, and the soil never freezes, making it one of the few pastures on the ice field where people can overwinter. This place was Oldest One a wintering ground for herds of northern wild horses, hence the name "Plain Horses."

Legend has it that the ancestors of the Hu Barbarians tribes swore a blood oath with the horse kings of the Hu, which enabled them to traverse the Yin Mountains, occupy the northern plains, and establish a powerful tribal alliance with its own unique civilization, rivaling the civilization of the Central Plains.

After years of competition between the two great civilizations, the Hu Barbarians ultimately defeated, their tribes disintegrated, and the Spirit Race Demon Race, demon races, and heretical sects of the Central Plains were exiled and pursued to the north of Yinshan. The Hu barbarians were powerless to control these outsiders, and these remnants all shared the common enemy of the Immortal Palace. Thus, the various forces reluctantly coexisted, occasionally hunting and killing each other. When the Central Plains Northern Expedition, they had to unite to protect themselves, because if they fled again, they would be left with only the Arctic ice sea behind them, with nowhere to retreat.

These events were all introduced to Qiongqi by the feline demon couple, Anda and Barile. These two large cats were also unorthodox demons who had lost their lineage and fled to the north to Moon Worship and cultivate their own methods. They happened to witness Qiongqi using his demon form to hunt wild horses, and out of a sense of camaraderie, they probably envied Qiongqi for 'receiving the true teachings of immortality' and wanted to learn some superior Daoist techniques, so they took the initiative to befriend him.

Qiongqi was a fool; upon hearing that they were being invited to eat people, he followed along. Li Fan secretly felt lucky; Qiongqi was, after all, a fierce god, and if he had been left to his own devices for two years, he would definitely have been led astray by these demons.

Recalling Qiongqi's memories, and the two tigers also mentioned that this area, spanning five hundred miles of mountains, was their hunting ground. The only neighboring wolf demon had some skill, so they took him in as a follower, and their daily lives were relatively peaceful, consisting of hunting and cultivation.

Li Fan decided not to leave anytime soon. Instead, he took over the tiger's den in Barile and ate the three demons to stave off hunger. He then rummaged through the cave and found an agate bracelet, a storage magic item, among the leftovers from the Tiger Demon's human consumption. He then bound it to the cave, thus creating a base for Qiongqi.

Then it was time to reinstall the system for Qiongqi, cough cough, and start cultivating the <Qingxu Second Yuanshen>.

Li Fan had already tested this method of splitting the spirit in his main body, and it wasn't difficult to do. It simply involved using the power of the primordial spirit within the divine court to visualize and generate a layer of pseudo-primordial spirit called 'Pure Void Primordial Spirit'. From the Divine Sense, it looked like a disguise for the transformation of the Dao body, giving Daoist Qiongqi a new outer garment. Thus, the white-robed Daozi was enveloped by Dao Breath, transforming into a green-robed Daoist formed from Dao Breath.

This Daoist wore a mask, with no mouth or nose, only two thin, long slits for his eyes, slanted like swords. This simple form was the Pure Void Primordial Spirit. Whether it was his true form or an avatar, it had this appearance. If he later learned the magic of "Law of Heaven and Earth," he would also reveal this Pure Void Primordial Spirit, instead of just showing his Nascent Soul Stage body and letting people see through his cultivation level.

The effect was quite immediate. Li Fan had successfully cultivated the <Qingxu Second Yuanshen>. Enveloped in a cocoon-like Daoist Dao Breath, he could sense the existence of both sides of his body and use the Primordial Spirit of Purity to manipulate both sides of his body, allowing him to regulate his breathing, cultivate, or act autonomously.

Although the Pure Void Primordial Spirit is still in the trial operation stage, Li Fan can already remotely control it with his Divine Sense, making his main body jump up and perform a Beichen Sword Dance, while Qiongqi performs a set of Tiger Claw Technique. The two Dao bodies, separated by tens of thousands of miles, are like practicing fighting and sword fighting against an unseen shadow.

It's actually pretty good. Although there aren't any extra bonuses, being able to communicate between the two clones anytime, anywhere has achieved its basic purpose.

However, it's not perfect. For example, Li Fan's mind is currently focused on the Qiongqi clone, so he is more aware of the situation on Qiongqi's side and cannot hear the environment around his main body on the other side, nor does he know what the Profound Heaven Sword Intent is saying. He can only 'sense' that the clone is carrying out its predetermined commands under the operation of the Qingxu Primordial Spirit, which is probably equivalent to having an extra sword ghost that is remotely controlled.

And probably because of the distance, when Li Fan tried to return to his original body, he couldn't switch instantly. It felt like his primordial spirit left his body, wandering in the vast void, being pulled along a specific track between his two pure primordial spirits, from one end of a rope to the other. Then, the memories and perceptions from the other side flooded in like a tide. Apart from the fact that the recall was faster and clearer, and he could return to his senses in the blink of an eye, it wasn't much different from before.

However, this was enough, and Li Fan also had an unexpected surprise.

The Blood Infant was actually able to crawl over through the link between Qingxu's primordial spirit!

Of course, this can't be considered crawling; it's more like a projection, or even an infection. This little devil actually followed Qingxu Yuanshen and returned to his original body with Li Fan! On Qiongqi's side, only a shadow-like blood-red humanoid figure and a shadow-like projection remained!

The primordial spirit is truly wondrous...

"Did they run off to the jay?"

"Yes, I remember the Tiger Demon saying that the Chanyu's whereabouts were unknown, and that an avalanche had hindered the vanguard, forcing most of the Hu Barbarians coalition to retreat."

While chatting with Xuan Tian, Li Fan also conducted a fatigue test, having his Qingxu Yuan Shen control two bodies to engage in a virtual sword fight, using his left hand against his right to see which side would win.

"Hmm... You can use your clone to investigate. The Blood Execution Seal on your body hasn't dissipated for a long time, so I guess that the Chanyu is probably not dead yet. Perhaps he was just driven away by the destruction of a few Blood God Child clones by the Mountain Lord. If you can find out where he is hiding, inform Yuntai Peak, and I think many Dao Lords will be willing to make the trip to take his head."

Oh, and back when the Northern Expedition reached the Western Regions, I also buried some Cultivation Method and treasures nearby. These collections from outside the Central Plains may not all have been unearthed yet; you can try looking for them."

Hearing Xuan Tian say this, Li Fan became interested, "What's the exact location? Are there any landmarks? Xuan Tian, why do you always hide your flying sword so randomly? Is it also for Brother Yan?"

Xuan Tian was silent for a moment, "No, this batch was originally forged for my eldest disciple, Huangfu Weijian. He was a descendant of an old friend of mine. He followed the Northern Expedition back then. Although his talent was a little lacking, he was brave and diligent as a vanguard on the battlefield. It's a pity that he was killed by the Emei people later... Oh well, that's how it is to break through tribulations with killing. In a fair sword duel, if one's skills are inferior, there's nothing more to say..."

Li Fan paused for a moment, then said, "... How about I go kill a few Emei members to avenge you?"

Xuan Tian snorted coldly, "You better behave yourself. The Emei Daoist of the same generation as you, named Ren Nantian, is a disciple personally taught by the sect leader and personally trained by that old bastard Cang Bi."

When I went with Xiao Yao to break the Ten Ultimate Formation, I glanced at him from the side. He was only seventy or eighty years older than you, and his Five Arts cultivation was already exceptionally strong. In his first life, his cultivation was comparable to Xiao Yao's, and he could follow his elders and senior brothers in entering and exiting the Ten Ultimate Formation to fight.

I observe that his fortune is extremely strong, his foundation is solid, and he is even blessed with auspicious purple energy in his divine court. There will be no problems for him in the future; he might even become a grandmaster and bring glory to the Emei sect. You shouldn't go looking for trouble; you know how to pick on the weak, right?"

Li Fan asked cautiously, "Is he seven, eight, or ten years older than me, or seventy or eighty years older?"

Xuan Tian seemed too lazy to even answer him.

However, since they were all being compared to Yao Xuanzhou, Li Fan had already guessed it. "Can these people really be considered to be of the same generation? But I've killed people hundreds or thousands of years older than me before. Relax, if Emei doesn't have eyes, I'll cut off their heads to offer as a sacrifice to Senior Brother Huangfu!"

Then a talisman flew into the quiet room, Real Person transmitted the message, "Qingyue, an Emei disciple has come to visit."

Li Fan almost jumped up, "Damn! You can predict things so quickly even when you're just bragging! Is this for real?!"

Xuan Tian, "..."

Of course, this Emei disciple didn't anticipate Li Fan's "insult to his sect" and come to challenge him; he just came to deliver a message and say hello.

It turned out that after Li Wugou was rescued, Emei noticed that she possessed a flying sword forged by the Azure Dragon Ancestor and also inherited the secret techniques of the Emei Inner Sect. Furthermore, before the Azure Dragon Ancestor disappeared, he had indeed sent a letter boasting that he had taken in a girl with exceptional talent and wanted to bring her back to humiliate Cangbi. Therefore, when Li Wugou was awakened that day, Emei planned to urgently send her to the Golden Summit to investigate the whereabouts of the Azure Dragon Ancestor.

Li Wugou, of course, knew nothing about the Azure Dragon and inexplicably didn't want to go, but such matters were beyond her control. Moreover, Li Fan and Yao Xuanzhou were both healing at the time. Emei was, after all, a righteous sect, so they agreed to arrange for a disciple to deliver a message for her at Yuntai Peak. They calculated that Li Fan had woken up and soon came to her door to personally inform her of Li Wugou's whereabouts.

When Emei personally came to visit, Li Fan knew what they meant. After thinking for a moment, he wrote back, indicating that neither he nor Yao Xuanzhou were in mortal danger, and advised Li Wugou to cooperate with Emei's investigation. He also invited Li Wugou to visit Ink Bamboo Mountain when he had free time.

Xuan Tian said, "It's alright. Li girl has the authentic Profound Maiden Nu Dao Seal on her body, and she's not a demon or monster. Even if Emei can't find Canglong, at most they'll just think she's stupid and kick her out. We'll meet again someday."

Who would have thought that this masked woman would eventually come full circle and become a disciple of Emei? But what is the Profound Maiden Dao Seal? And what is the tattoo on her back?

Xuan Tian said, "That's an ancient Xuanmen talisman technique from a long time ago. It's a method of cultivating one's primordial spirit by tattooing talismans on one's body. Those tattoos might contain special information, Xuanmen Cultivation Method manuals, even fragments of celestial books, and many Xuanmen Dao Palaces and secret realms that only those with the tattoos can enter and exit. Back then, she must have used the Profound Maiden Nu Dao Seal to break into the Azure Dragon Sword Casting Pool... That's right!"

Li Fan was startled by Xuan Tian's sudden shout, "What's wrong? What's wrong now?"

Xuan Tian said, "You get one too."

... Do you think I'm so bored that I'd just stab myself?

Xuan Tian was exasperated. "Fool! This Yuntai Peak used to be under the protection of my Sword Sect. Later, it fell into the hands of the Nine Great Xuan Sects and was rebuilt. Of course, all those ancient restrictions and secret passages of the Dao Palace can be entered and exited using the Profound Maiden Nu Dao Seal! My Sword Sect also has many Dao Palaces and secret realms, which should all be buried at the bottom! That way, even if we get caught after taking the Sword Sect's things, you can claim that you have no connection with the Sword Sect and that you only obtained the immortal opportunity because you have the Profound Maiden Dao Seal!"

Hiss... Xuan Tian, you really are a clever little devil!

Without further ado, Li Fan, who possessed a photographic memory and with Xuan Tian offering guidance, rolled up his sleeves and used sword energy to pierce the Xuan Girl Seal on his arm. He then gave his Qingxu Primordial Spirit the instruction to postpone cultivation and first search for the treasure of the Beichen Sword Sect.

On one side, the main body was exploring the secret passages of the underground palace of Yuntai Peak, while on the other side, the Qiongqi clone was flying around the Fourth Department of Qiongqi, searching for the treasures left behind by Xuantian.

The main body is a bit simpler. With Xuan Tian and Si Nan guiding the way, there's no rush to break the formation. You can use Qing Xu Yuan Shen to explore automatically, marking the complex terrain of Yuntai Peak and the Daoist palace formations that may contain treasures. Draw the map and then explore them one by one.

The situation is a bit more difficult for Qiongqi, because in addition to the complex terrain and the presence of demons and monsters everywhere, Li Fan's true god must personally arrive to open the Xuan Tian's inherited treasure.

So Li Fan handed over the task of navigating the maze to Qingxu's clone, while he used the Qiongqi clone to explore the Plain of Qiongqi, occasionally plundering monsters he encountered to stretch his muscles.

Sure enough, Li Fan had just flown out of the Tiger Demon's territory when he found the two demons.

Those who could live next to those Tiger Demons were naturally Nascent Soul Stage demons, and they were all human-like ghosts, trashy rogue demons who had not yet fully transformed. One had reindeer antlers, and the other had goat eyes. The two demons sat face to face on a folded bed made of human skin and blood, playing chess.

Li Fan transformed into a gust of wind and swept over, landing at the edge of the chessboard and peering over to take a look.

The chessboard was also made of human bones and covered with a skin. There was also a pot of blood wine on the bed, and the two monsters were drinking it together, the smell of which was extremely foul.

The two great demons turned their heads and glanced at Li Fan. Seeing his pale face, black eyes with golden pupils, and mouth full of fangs, they assumed he was some kind of demon and ignored him, continuing to sip their blood wine and play chess.

Li Fan smiled and pointed, "Eat his horse."

Goat-eyed Li Fan rolled his eyes and then moved his cannon, saying, "A true gentleman observes chess in silence."

"Damn it! I'll teach you to eat a horse!"

Li Fan immediately turned hostile, grabbed the chessboard and smashed it into Shan Yangyan's eye socket, smashing half of its cheek, scattering bone fragments and blood everywhere. He then pulled out his waist knife and cut off the sheep's head.

The other antler demon was stunned for a moment, unable to react. How could this guy be so unreasonable and even hit someone? It was only when it saw blood that it realized something was wrong, but when it tried to get up, its eyes rolled back and its whole body trembled. Its primordial spirit had been invaded by the blood infant, and it could not move.

So Li Fan leisurely removed the bones from the sheep demon, then took out his knife, stabbed it in the chest, and took out the deer demon's heart and liver, which were as big as a bucket. He then swallowed them while they were still hot, along with blood wine.

Although the deer and sheep were practically useless trash, Li Fan understood their situation.

These monsters from the Plain of the Demons have absolutely no sense of 'being wary of people'.

Li Fan vaguely remembered that the Tiger Demon had mentioned something about finding a tribe for Qiongqi, making him a guardian deity to receive offerings, and having brothers become mountain kings together. It seems that this is indeed the case; these northern demons really don't fight each other much.

After all, with a formidable enemy eyeing them from the south, this desolate and remote place was really not worth fighting over. When they were hungry, they would go to the Hu Barbarians tribes for offerings, take a few cattle and sheep, and kidnap a few people to eat. At night, they would Moon Worship and cultivate themselves. They would also visit each other's homes, have meals together, play chess, and so on. Their lives couldn't be more leisurely and comfortable.

This saves Li Fan some trouble; he can't always be fighting monsters across realms, so he can occasionally have a couple of clean-up matches.

So Li Fan collected the corpses of the two demons, searched around, and found what appeared to be the cave of a deer demon. He barged into the cave, casually slaughtered the servants and maids who were actually mountain spirits and demons, and then ransacked another house.

Then it transformed into a gale and continued to rush towards the next mountain peak.