With seven Core Patterns branded upon it, Bai Yi's aura, which had settled, surged once more.
The waters of the Heart Pool churned. As they swirled, they continually helped Bai Yi familiarize himself with every bit of his improvement after reaching the Golden Core Realm, all under his control.
At the same time, above the Heart Pool,
the Senior Brother in charge of scouting suddenly changed expression and spoke.
"Someone's coming!"
Zi Mochen and the others, who had been meditating, opened their eyes and rose into the air. Using the Grand Formation to sweep with their Divine Sense, they spotted the Spirit Treasure Ship racing toward them.
"It's the Four Realms Merchant Association... As expected, they know far more about this place than we do."
Zi Mochen's face darkened. The other party's Spirit Treasure Ship hadn't deviated at all, heading straight toward them. Clearly, they already knew about this Heart Pool.
It was even very likely that they had come because the Four Realms Merchant Association's prodigy they had slain had failed to return.
"Junior Brother Bai hasn't emerged from seclusion yet. No matter the cost, we have to stop them!"
Wei Luoqing's expression was grave, and a broken Azure Pass Gate condensed behind him once more.
"Senior Brother Zi, I'm already a cripple. Just let me be selfish this one last time."
As everyone meditated, the Jade-Mist Heavenly Sea Formation, which had been badly damaged in the battle, suddenly shook violently.
In just a moment, despite the Formation Masters' efforts to reinforce it, the wall of water above the Jade-Mist Heavenly Sea Formation shattered completely, exposing the people below, who were sitting cross-legged and recovering from their injuries.
The instant the Formation shattered, a blue-haired man stood before the dozen or so cultivators from the Four Realms Merchant Association