at the same time.
Five hundred miles away from Xie Yunyi, in a putrid swamp.
Dozens of azure Sword Qi crisscrossed, trapping a hundred-foot-long black-scaled crocodile in the center of the swamp.
The giant crocodile had reached the Divine Sea Realm Fourth Level. Every time its tail twitched, it would stir up a large amount of putrid mud.
Qin Hao stood atop a withered tree, his face grim.
"Holy Son, this beast is already trapped by the sword formation!"
A disciple of the Cangyun Sect spoke up to remind him.
Qin Hao's eyes sharpened, and he thrust out his long sword.
" Cangyun Spirit Transformation Sword!"
The azure sword light pierced through the giant crocodile's head.
The giant crocodile struggled frantically for a few breaths before its massive body finally slammed into the mud, where it lay lifeless.
Several Cangyun Sect disciples quickly stepped forward and retrieved three Sect Token and a sixth-grade Blood Essence Grass radiating a rich blood aura from the giant crocodile's lair.
Qin Hao glanced at it, but his face showed little joy.
Three Sect Token far from enough.
The Cangyun Sect wants to win first place in the grand competition.
What he wanted most was Chu Yunfei's life.
A disciple flew over from afar, landed, and cupped his hands, saying, "Holy Son, a palace ruin has appeared in the northwest. The Rogue Cultivator who first discovered the ruin has spread the word that there may be seventh-grade spiritual herbs and high-grade heaven-rank spiritual artifacts inside. However, it is protected by an ancient formation, and many people have already died."
"A high-grade Heavenly Rank spiritual weapon?"
Qin Hao's eyes brightened slightly.
The Cangyun Sect sent quite a few core disciples into the secret realm this time.
As long as they seal off the ruins first, the opportunities within will belong to the Cangyun Sect.
More importantly, such news will inevitably attract the attention of the most talented individuals from various sects.
If Chu Yunfei were still alive, there is a high probability that he would show himself.
"Send a sect signal to summon all Cangyun Sect disciples in the vicinity."
Qin Hao sheathed his sword, his voice cold.
"If we encounter Chu Yunfei on our way to the palace ruins, we must not attack him without authorization."
The disciple was slightly taken aback.
Qin Hao had previously claimed that he was capable of killing Chu Yunfei on his own, but now he has taken the initiative to order his fellow disciples not to make a move without authorization.
Clearly, Wei Shanhe's unusual behavior outside the secret realm eventually made him somewhat wary.
Qin Hao noticed the strange look in his disciple's eyes, and his expression immediately darkened.
"What, you have a problem with that?"
"Or do you think that I, the Holy Son, am afraid of his strength?"
The disciple's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly bowed his head to accept the order.
Soon, a pale blue signal blood talisman shot into the sky.
At the same time.
In the southern part of the secret realm, in a canyon filled with broken stone statues.
Yue Chenzhou sat cross-legged on the shoulder of a three-headed, six-armed battle puppet, holding a grayish-white crystal in his hand.
Inside the crystal, an ancient beast soul is faintly sealed.
Dozens of puppets were scattered around the canyon, constantly delivering scattered ores, spiritual herbs, and storage rings to Yue Chenzhou.
Yin Hanmei stood beside an ancient black wooden coffin, coldly watching the three rogue Rogue Cultivator kneeling on the ground.
All three had reached the Heavenly Origin Realm Ninth Layer, but their shoulders were pierced by black puppet silk, leaving them completely unable to resist.
"We have already handed over the Sect Token and storage ring, why won't Holy Maiden Yin release them?"
The elderly man at the head of the group was deathly pale.
Yin Hanmei and gently stroked the black wooden coffin lid, her eyes icy cold.
"When did I ever promise to let you go after you hand over the goods?"
The old man's expression changed drastically.
The ancient black wooden coffin suddenly opened.
Three dark figures leaped out of the coffin, dragging the three Rogue Cultivator into the darkness.
The screams lasted only a few breaths.
The ancient coffin closed again, and the three dark red lines on its surface lit up.
Yue Chenzhou frowned slightly as he watched this scene, but did not stop it.
Once inside the secret realm, the various sects no longer clashed over life and death.
Since these three dared to steal the soul crystal discovered by the Puppet Sect, they should pay the price.
A Puppet Sect returned from outside the canyon and whispered, "Holy Son and Holy Daughter, the Cangyun Sect has sent out signals one after another, and the nearby Rogue Cultivator are also spreading the word that a palace ruin has been discovered in the southwest."
"Among them are seventh-grade spiritual herbs, high-grade heavenly-rank spiritual artifacts, and possibly even complete heavenly-level cultivation techniques."
A glint of light flashed in Yue Chenzhou's eyes.
Yin Hanmei did not set off immediately.
She asked coldly, "How many people from the Cangyun Sect are going there?"
"At least fifty people."
"This includes several second-rate forces that are affiliated with the Cangyun Sect."
A hint of mockery flashed across Yin Hanmei.
The Cangyun Sect has gathered so many people, clearly intending to monopolize the ruins.
However, Qin Hao was not yet capable of consuming all of the seventh-grade spiritual herbs and the top-grade heavenly artifacts.
"Summon fellow disciples in the vicinity."
Yin Hanmei patted the black wooden coffin, her tone cold.
"Let them converge on the ruins. If the Cangyun Sect tries to monopolize everything, I'll make them spit out a few lives first."
Yue Chenzhou did not object.
Although he had an agreement with Qin Hao to join forces against Chu Yunfei.
But when it comes to his own interests, he will never back down.
Moreover, with news of the ruins spreading, Chu Yunfei is very likely to appear as well.
He still vividly remembers that sword strike in the Jingyuan Hall.
Now that they meet again, he will make Chu Yunfei pay back the money with interest.
The Heavenly Edict Sect's group was located in the mountains.
Xiao Yihan put away a golden fruit and looked up into the distance.
"Junior Sister Si, those signals, though far apart, seem to originate from the same area."
Si Yunshu nodded gently.
The longsword in her hand was still stained with the blood of demonic beasts, and behind her, several disciples of the Heavenly Edict Sect were counting their spoils.
Something must have happened there.
" Grand Elder Qin instructed us to help Chu Yunfei as much as possible after entering the secret realm. If any events there are related to him, we cannot stand idly by."
Xiao Yihan smiled and said, "Of course, but... I'd like to test just how strong he has become now."
Si Yunshu, however, did not smile.
She recalled Chu Yunfei's behavior in the Pill Pavilion yesterday, and a look of seriousness appeared in her eyes.
"Don't do anything reckless."
"He's willing to be on good terms with our Heavenly Edict Sect because the sect hasn't actively made an enemy of him. If Senior Brother acts recklessly, it will completely sever this relationship."
Xiao Yihan stopped smiling and nodded seriously.
A moment later.
The entire Heavenly Edict Sect team then headed towards the direction of the signal.
Another hidden mountain forest.
Wu Changge stood on the corpse of a Divine Sea Realm Fourth Level demon beast, his fists still bearing the lingering crimson blood.
Not far away, more than ten Rogue Cultivator looked grateful.
If Wu Changge hadn't intervened, they would have already died under the claws of this demonic beast.
An elderly man with gray hair cupped his hands and said, "Thank you so much, Holy Son Wu Saint, for saving my life. I have no way to repay you, so I can only tell you the information I just received."
"An ancient palace has appeared in the southwest direction, containing seventh-grade spiritual herbs and high-grade heavenly-rank spiritual artifacts. However, the outer formation is extremely dangerous, and several cultivators at the Divine Sea Realm have already perished within it."
A fighting spirit immediately surged in Wu Changge's eyes.
"An ancient formation capable of slaying cultivators at the Divine Sea Realm?"
Upon seeing her brother's expression, Wu Mingyue knew that he had once again focused his attention on the strength of the formation.
She reminded him helplessly, "Brother, the key is the seventh-grade spiritual medicine and the spiritual weapon. With such an opportunity appearing, all the sects will surely rush there. We should also reunite with our fellow disciples as soon as possible."
Wu Changge leaped down from the monster's corpse.
"Then let's go take a look."
"If I happen to meet Brother Chu there, I can have another sparring session with him."
Wu Mingyue rubbed her temples.
That was her biggest worry.
The purpose of entering the secret realm was to compete for the Sect Token and opportunities, but his elder brother, being warlike, couldn't wait to find opponents as soon as he entered, completely forgetting the purpose of the trip.
If they hadn't been teleported to places that were close together and happened to run into each other, they probably wouldn't have been able to find him at all.
If they were to actually encounter Chu Yunfei at the palace ruins, let alone a seventh-grade spiritual medicine, even an eighth-grade divine medicine would have to take a backseat in front of their elder brother.
The Heavenly Sword Sect is located within the glacial region.
Situ Shuang'er cleaved through the ice wall with a single sword stroke and retrieved a sixth-grade Cold Soul Grass that was as clear as jade.
Three disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect stood guard to the side, their eyes filled with awe.
Not long ago, they witnessed Situ Shuang'er, with her Divine Sea Realm Second Layer, directly kill an ice-armored demon beast at the Divine Sea Realm Fourth Level.
It only took three swords from beginning to end.
This level of combat prowess far surpasses that of ordinary saintesses.
A disciple hurriedly stepped forward respectfully and said, "Holy Maiden, both the Cangyun Sect and the Puppet Sect are gathering manpower and heading southwest. It seems something major has happened. Holy Son Nangong should also receive the news and head there. Should we go and join them?"
When Nangong Wuhen was mentioned, a hint of annoyance flashed across Situ Shuang'er's brows.
But then she thought of Chu Yunfei.
These two unusual actions—could it be that they've discovered Chu Yunfei's whereabouts and are redeploying manpower?
If that's the case, with several elite factions gathered together, he would likely be besieged.
Thinking of this, Situ Shuang'er tightened her grip on the sword slightly.
"Follow them immediately."
She said coldly, "Whether Nangong Wuhen is there or not is none of my business."
The disciples dared not ask any more questions and immediately followed.
at the same time.
In a dark forest where the sun never shines.
Li Tianxing stood before a blood-stained altar.
More than forty corpses lay scattered around the altar, including Rogue Cultivator and disciples from other factions.
A young man in black robes knelt before Li Tianxing and whispered, "Holy Son, as you instructed, our people have already set up altars in various regions, and only the ritual remains to be completed... However, now that signals from various sects have appeared, news has arrived that a palace ruin has been discovered. Should we also rush there?"
Li Tianxing looked down at a slowly beating black heart in his hand, a sinister glint in his eyes.
"Just the ruins of a palace."
"The task the sect leader gave us is far more important than the ruins."
He pressed the black heart into the center of the altar.
The entire forest trembled.
Blood-red lines spread across the ground in all directions.