The long, rhythmic breaths of a few people marked the quiet passing of time.
The rich spiritual energy, bound by ancient restrictions, gently nourishes every inhabitant within the cave.
The golden- Sacred Battle Angel Gu Xin's previously dim holy light had become solid and pure again.
Although he is still far from his peak, his indomitable fighting spirit has been rekindled, and his sharp eyes are like refined gold that has been tempered.
His wife, Yuan Qingqing, a descendant of the Earth-Shaking Divine Ape, possessed an astonishingly strong physical body with remarkable regenerative abilities.
The damaged meridians and internal organs in his body have been mostly healed under the combined effects of the elixir and the power of his own bloodline. Occasionally, when he moves his body, the slight popping sound from his bones carries a sense of power.
The significant recovery of their injuries caused the previously heavy and oppressive atmosphere in the cave to ease somewhat.
In a corner of the cave, Chen Zhan slowly opened his eyes.
His deep, star-like eyes remained completely still, as if he had seen through the vicissitudes of life since time immemorial.
Lady Li was beside him, also opened her eyes, looking at her husband with a gentle yet firm gaze.
"In this world, Cause and Effect are intertwined like a web, and the Calamity Qi grows ever stronger."
Chen Zhan's voice rang out calmly, carrying a power that penetrates the soul, and a touch of decisiveness. "Even a small ripple can affect the whole situation."
My injuries have healed, and the past Cause and Effect must now be settled.
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Gu Xin and Yuan Qingqing before finally settling on Li Qingshan, who had just awakened from a deep Entering Stillness.
At this moment, Li Qingshan was a completely different person from a few months ago.
His aura was harmonious and restrained, and he could control the terrifying demonic phenomena with ease. Clearly, his mastery of the first stage of the Nine Profound Art, "Summoning Demons and Planting Embryos," had reached a relatively stable stage.
His eyes shone with a divine light as they opened and closed, a profound and serene quality that could only be attained after countless battles against the Demonic Embryo and the forging of an indomitable will on the brink of destruction.
Chen Zhan said, "My wife and I are about to leave."
His words were concise.
However, Li Qingshan could vaguely sense that the so-called "recovery of injuries" was more like a state of temporarily suppressing and stabilizing the most serious hidden injuries and seals.
He is probably still far from his true peak.
The phrases "past Cause and Effect " and "need to be settled" likely refer to an extremely formidable enemy, either the patriarch of the Chen Family or an existence at another Heaven Rank.
A fierce battle is inevitable.
Lady Li's face did not show any surprise, but the lingering worry in her eyes deepened.
She rose gently, straightened her elegant dress, and stood gracefully yet firmly beside Chen Zhan.
Upon hearing this, Gu Xin and Yuan Qingqing both showed complicated expressions.
There was a sense of sadness and reluctance at the impending departure of their savior, but also a hint of understanding.
They understood that someone like Chen Zhan could not remain hidden here forever; there was a battlefield and destiny for him in the outside world.
"Senior Chen, Madam," Gu Xin opened her mouth, but in the end only bowed deeply again, "I will never forget your kindness, Senior and Gu Xin! I wish you a safe and successful journey!"
Yuan Qingqing followed closely behind and bowed respectfully.
Chen Zhan nodded slightly, acknowledging their respect.
Immediately, his gaze fixed on Li Qingshan again, a gaze that seemed to penetrate all appearances and look directly into the nascent, unpredictable Demonic Embryo deep within Li Qingshan's Bitter Sea.
He paused for a moment, then spoke in a tone that was both inquisitive and somewhat indescribable, "Your method is unique and has boundless potential."
This road may be difficult, but I hope to see you reach the end and see the scenery along the way.
Li Qingshan composed himself and solemnly cupped his hands in thanks. "I will never forget your guidance, senior."
I have also felt something from what my seniors have said about Cause and Effect and Calamity Qi.
This place is certainly not a place of lasting peace. Senior, please take care on your journey.
Chen Zhan gave Li Qingshan a deep look, then said nothing more.
He took Lady Li's hand beside him, and the two exchanged a glance. No words were needed; their understanding was unspoken.
The next moment, no intense light erupted from the two of them; instead, a rift naturally opened up in the space in front of them, like ripples on water.
With a single step, their figures merged into the Void, like water droplets flowing into the ocean, without causing the slightest energy storm, or even disturbing the finest dust within the cave.
The aura vanished without a trace in an instant.
Coming and going without a trace, speaking words that become law—this is the demeanor of a top-tier expert.
Inside the cave, only Li Qingshan, Gu Xin, and Yuan Qingqing remained.
The departure of Chen Zhan and his wife seemed to have taken away some invisible support, making the space inside the cave feel much emptier.
A heavy pressure silently fell on the shoulders of the three of them.
Gu Xin took a deep breath, looked at Li Qingshan, and said with a wry smile, "Fellow Daoist Li, with Senior Chen Zhan gone, the protective power here has greatly diminished. We must be even more careful."
Li Qingshan nodded; he naturally understood this principle.
He said in a deep voice, "Fellow Gu Xin is absolutely right."
97
One day.
Gu Xin decided to try to communicate with the clan's most precious treasure, the " Heart of Sacred Battle," in order to obtain more guidance to deal with future crises.
He sat cross-legged in the center of the stone hall, where the ancient angel totems were most densely carved.
He closed his eyes, formed a complex and sacred hand seal in front of his chest, and chanted a deep and ancient prayer, a secret incantation unique to the Sacred Battle Angel, used to invoke their core heritage.
At first, there were no unusual phenomena. Only the increasingly pure aura of light emanating from his body flowed slowly.
But as time went by, when he was highly focused and his mind was completely immersed in sensing and calling upon the " Heart of Sacred Battle," a strange change suddenly occurred!
"Buzz!"
A faint, yet seemingly soul-stirring hum emanated from Gu Xin's chest!
It wasn't an actual sound, but more like a tremor of rules, a resonance of blood!
Immediately afterwards, the ancient angel totems on the stone walls beneath him and around him, which had been silent for countless years, seemed to be infused with life!
Those engravings, which had previously emitted only a faint, flowing light, suddenly shone brightly!
Instantly, lines composed purely of light lit up, outlining various illusory figures such as winged angels, holy spears, and crowns of thorns, flickering and changing, as if ancient heroes were briefly awakened at this moment, uttering a silent roar!
The light-attribute energy within the entire stone hall became unusually active, even subtly suppressing other attribute spiritual energy. A desolate, ancient, yet indomitable fighting spirit permeated the air!
"Not good!" Gu Xin's expression changed drastically. She immediately cut off the communication, suppressed her aura, and her forehead instantly broke out in a fine layer of cold sweat.
Yuan Qingqing, who was standing next to her, also suddenly stood up, her demonic aura surging instinctively as she looked around warily, especially towards the entrance of the cave.
Fortunately, the restrictions on this ancient refuge are indeed extraordinary.
The intense totemic phenomena and energy fluctuations became even more complex as they touched the edges of the stone hall.
The hidden divine runes, which spread across every inch of the stone wall like a neural network, seemed to be gently smoothed, absorbed, and transformed by an invisible hand.
The intense light and fluctuations quickly diminished and subsided, ultimately failing to penetrate the final barrier separating the cave dwellings, and dissipated into nothingness.
Outside, the Forgotten Mountain Range remained a desolate and chaotic expanse.
The strange phenomenon subsided, and the cave returned to silence, with only the lingering energy ripples gently spreading through the air.
Gu Xin breathed a sigh of relief, then exchanged a lingering glance with his wife and Li Qingshan.
"The resonance of the Heart of Sacred Battle is stronger than I imagined,"
Gu Xin's voice was slightly hoarse, "Fortunately, the restrictions here are strong enough, otherwise that fluctuation just now might have attracted prying eyes."
Moreover, Senior Chen Zhan has already left.
Yuan Qingqing said in a deep voice, "It seems that the Blood Angel's pursuit and our previous near-death experience have actually stimulated it, making its bond with you even stronger."
But this also means it's more easily detected, and we must be more careful.
Be vigilant for any external disturbances.
If things become unmanageable, we must be prepared to evacuate immediately.
At the same time, we also need to discuss where we can settle down next.
Gu Xin and Yuan Qingqing exchanged a glance, both seeing a resolute look in each other's eyes.
Gu Xin pondered for a moment and said, "Our clan does indeed have a few more hidden strongholds in the Western Heaven Realm, but they are quite far from here and the journey is treacherous."
We need to plan a relatively safe route.
Yuan Qingqing added, "My injuries are no longer serious, and my combat strength has recovered, enough to handle ordinary troubles."
But if they were to encounter a large force of Blood Angel again, or something even more terrifying,
She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear.
Without further ado, the three quickly reached a consensus.
Gu Xin and Yuan Qingqing began to examine the various restrictions in the cave more carefully, especially the entrance and energy nodes, to ensure they were in optimal condition, while taking turns on guard.
Li Qingshan then sat down cross-legged in the center of the stone hall once again.
This time, he was not attempting a dangerous new technique, but rather entering a deep state of seclusion, with the clear purpose of stabilizing the nascent Demonic Embryo and solidifying the foundation of the first stage of the " Eight-Nine Profound Art ".
He looked inward at himself, and deep within the Sea of Bitterness Secret Realm, the chaotic, nascent Demonic Embryo resembled a miniature cosmic singularity.
It slowly rotates, devouring the pure primordial energy around it and the wisps of bloodline essence that have been guided out.
On the surface of the Demonic Embryo, five-colored light flickers, representing the initial taming of the chaotic power of the five elements, while inside it contains an extremely pure artistic conception of destruction and rebirth intertwined.
He carefully guided his divine power, like the most meticulous craftsman, refining and nurturing this fragile balance time and time again.
The light of will shines like an Eternal lighthouse, illuminating the Demonic Embryo and ensuring it remains under control, neither allowing it to run rampant nor causing it to shrink due to insufficient energy.
This process may seem peaceful, but it is actually fraught with hidden dangers. The Demonic Embryo is like a living bomb, requiring constant and precise manipulation to maintain its stability.
Li Qingshan's consciousness was highly focused, and he dared not slacken in the slightest.
He recalled the perilous moment when he created the technique and understood even more the meaning of Chen Zhan's words, "To contend with one's own demonic instincts."
The violent power lurking deep within the bloodline, even after being condensed into a fetus, still stirs restlessly, attempting to turn the tables.
Time passed in silence. Inside the cave, only the three of them breathed deeply and the faint light flowing from the runes on the stone walls could be heard.
I don't know how much time passed, perhaps several days, perhaps a month.
The faint, restless demonic aura surrounding Li Qingshan gradually subsided completely, becoming deep and unfathomable.
His tightly closed eyes suddenly snapped open, and a chaotic vortex seemed to flash across the depths of his gaze.
He regained his clarity, but the oppressive feeling originating from the very source of life was even stronger than before he went into seclusion.
The first stage of the Eight-Nine Profound Art, "Summoning Demons and Implanting Embryo," is now truly stable!
His strength naturally stabilized at the fifth level of the First Heaven of the Immortal Platform, which is the Mid Eighth-Rank God King the Divine Tomb World!
He stood up, feeling the terrifying potential within his body, yet his heart was at peace.
Almost the instant he stood up, Yuan Qingqing, who was on guard duty, suddenly turned her head, her pale golden vertical pupils looking towards the entrance of the cave, and whispered, "There's movement! The energy storm outside seems to have become chaotic; there's a feeling of being spied on!"
Gu Xin immediately came to her side, her holy light emanating from her, her eyes sharp as a hawk's.
Li Qingshan's divine sense immediately extended, penetrating the cave's restrictions and sensing the outside world.
Sure enough, the energy flow, which was originally chaotic but relatively "natural," now had a slightly discordant disturbance.
It was as if invisible tentacles were manipulating the laws of this area, carrying a subtle yet searching intent.
"Is it the Blood Angel ' tracking technique? Or some other being attracted by the fluctuations of the Heart of Sacred Battle?"
Gu Xin's expression was grave.