Chapter 1317: Tianyun Sea Area

Tianxu Cave Heaven is located in the Tianyun Sea Region, west of the South Sea Immortal Cultivation World. The Tianyun Sect, one of the ten great sects of the South Sea, has its headquarters there.

Tianxu Cave Heaven is an independent space. Legends say it's the immortal's cave of a powerful cultivator who passed away, while others claim it's the ruins of the upper realm. However, it is heavily protected by numerous formidable restrictions. The Grand Elder of the Zhenhai Sect once led a large number of elite cultivators into Tianxu Cave Heaven in search of treasures, only to suffer heavy losses. Such incidents are not uncommon, as the allure of its treasures is simply too great.

Some high-ranking cultivators who entered Tianxu Cave Heaven obtained incredibly powerful magic treasures, subsequently rising to prominence and dominating their regions. Others discovered ancient cultivators' caves within, acquiring numerous rare elixirs and magic treasures, which led to rapid advancements in their cultivation.

These accounts are not mere rumors; they have been verified by multiple high-ranking cultivators. Naturally, those who choose to believe will, and those who don't, won't.

Unlike the Myriad Immortals' Tomb, the entry point for each cultivator entering Tianxu Cave Heaven is not fixed. With bad luck, one might even appear directly in the lair of a Fourth-tier demonic beast. While the Myriad Immortals' Tomb is most notorious for its powerful restrictions, Tianxu Cave Heaven's main difficulty lies in its various formidable demonic beasts, alongside numerous potent prohibitions.

Despite its extreme peril, many cultivators are still eager to seek treasures within Tianxu Cave Heaven.

One day, a white streak of light appeared on the distant horizon, swiftly approaching the Tianyun Sea Region. Not long after, it stopped in a certain void, revealing a massive white flood dragon. Two men and two women sat on its back: Wang Changsheng, Wang Qingling, Zhang Wuchen, and Lin Yuzong.

The Ice Wind Flood Dragon circled once before landing on a deserted island. The four cultivators dismounted, and Wang Qingling put away the Ice Wind Flood Dragon.

Zhang Wuchen conjured a blue orb the size of a dragon's eye. It emitted a sheet of blue light that enveloped her entire body, and she then leaped into the ocean.

She had entered Tianxu Cave Heaven several times before. On the way, she had explained to Wang Changsheng everything she knew about the place.

Half a *ke* later, Zhang Wuchen emerged from beneath the sea, her brows furrowed. "This isn't the period when Tianxu Cave Heaven's restrictions are weakest yet," she said. "We've arrived too early. It might be a few months, or even half a year to a year, before the time is right. Let's settle down here for now!"

Every so often, the entrance to Tianxu Cave Heaven experiences a period of weakness, though the timing is not fixed. Zhang Wuchen had visited Tianxu Cave Heaven twice, making her quite familiar with the entrance's situation.

Wang Changsheng and the others naturally had no objections. They found two caves and settled in.

Wang Changsheng set up a warning formation in the cave. He cast a spell into the formation plate, and a large expanse of yellow light emerged, enveloping the entire cave.

Zhang Wuchen and Lin Yuzong settled in caves opposite theirs. Although they were in-laws, everyone had their own secrets.

Wang Changsheng took out a light green beast skin, which depicted a topographic map with the characters 'Tianxu' written on it.

He had obtained this map from the immortal's cave of a barbarian cultivator. It depicted certain areas and might prove useful.

"Qingling," Wang Changsheng instructed, "this map shows a part of Tianxu Cave Heaven. Keep it; it might come in handy. After we enter, try to rendezvous with me. Prioritize your own safety above all else. Many Nascent Soul cultivators have died in Tianxu Cave Heaven, so be extra careful."

Wang Changsheng's expression was serious as he cautioned her, believing that once Wang Qingling rejoined him, she wouldn't be in too much danger.

"I understand, Uncle Nine," Wang Qingling replied, "I won't act recklessly."

Wang Qingling accepted the map and agreed. Even without Wang Changsheng's warning, she wouldn't have acted recklessly.

Wang Changsheng nodded. With a thought, he flicked his wrist, and a green light, a golden light, and a yellow light flew out. The green light was the Wood Fiend. After consuming three wood-attributed core crystals, it had successfully advanced to the mid-Third-tier. It had been loyal to Wang Changsheng for over a hundred years, only now advancing from the lower-Third-tier to the mid-Third-tier, which was not a fast pace.

The golden light was the Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada, which had previously consumed a Nascent Soul-stage ghost and fallen into a deep slumber, now having reached the upper-Third-tier. The yellow light was the Twin-Eyed Rat, which had consumed a demonic core of a Fourth-tier demonic beast and slept for several decades, yet it was still only upper-Third-tier.

From this, it was evident that cultivating spirit beasts and insects to the Fourth-tier was no easy feat.

The Zhenhai Ape had not yet awakened and was estimated to remain in slumber for some time.

The Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada circled Wang Changsheng, emitting sharp chirping sounds, seemingly asking him for something.

Wang Changsheng conjured a palm-sized black jade bottle and cast a spell into it. With a flash of black light, five egg-sized green light clusters flew out. These were the souls of five upper-Third-tier demonic beasts.

The Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada opened its mouth and spat out a stream of black light, instantly enveloping the five green light clusters and sucking them into its mouth, where they vanished. It didn't seem satisfied, continuing to emit piercing chirping sounds.

"I don't have any Fourth-tier demonic beast souls for you to eat," Wang Changsheng said. "Come back for now!"

Wang Changsheng chuckled softly. The Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada seemed displeased, flying around the cave to express its protest. However, after two laps, it obediently flew back into its spirit beast orb.

The Wood Fiend's body burrowed into the ground, and the thorny flowers on its surface bloomed, releasing a strong, unusual fragrance.

The Twin-Eyed Rat tried to burrow into Wang Changsheng's embrace. Wang Changsheng grabbed it by the scruff of its neck, causing its four limbs to flail constantly and emit 'squeaking' sounds, as if trying to convey something.

"All you do is eat," Wang Changsheng chuckled, "and you still haven't advanced to the Fourth-tier after eating so much."

Even as Wang Changsheng said this, he took out two green fruits and offered them to the Twin-Eyed Rat.

Although the Twin-Eyed Rat hadn't advanced to the Fourth-tier, its spiritual awareness had increased significantly after consuming a Fourth-tier demonic core. It had actively helped block True Master Huanglong. If it hadn't been for its thick skin and flesh, and True Master Huanglong being preoccupied with disrupting Wang Qingshan's Nascent Soul formation, it would probably be dead by now.

"It's an ordinary medicine-seeking rat that advanced into a demonic beast," Wang Qingling explained. "Its advancement difficulty is much higher than other Fourth-tier demonic beasts. However, if it were to reach the Fourth-tier, it might master a powerful divine ability."

Wang Changsheng smiled faintly. "A powerful divine ability?" he mused. "Even if this fellow could advance to the Fourth-tier, it would most likely master a defensive divine ability. I don't count on it mastering a powerful offensive one."

The Twin-Eyed Rat's greatest strength was finding spirit herbs, making it particularly useful for this trip to Tianxu Cave Heaven. The Gold-Swallowing Ants, Qilin Turtle, Zhenhai Ape, Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada, and Wood Fiend were all more powerful than it.

The Twin-Eyed Rat emitted 'squeaking' sounds from its mouth, swinging its tail back and forth, seemingly protesting Wang Changsheng's low opinion of it.

"Alright, alright, I know you're amazing," Wang Changsheng said. "Eat up. When we enter Tianxu Cave Heaven, you'll need to work hard, and there will be plenty of treats for you then."

He hadn't used the Twin-Eyed Rat for over a hundred years. During his Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Core Formation stages, the Twin-Eyed Rat had brought Wang Changsheng many opportunities, and Wang Changsheng had fed it generously, living up to the saying 'raise soldiers for a thousand days to use them for an hour.' Now it was time for it to repay Wang Changsheng; he hoped it could help him find rare spirit herbs.