Chapter 3568: Enemy Trace Appears

Sage Xuantian Talisman had also visited the Underworld. Strictly speaking, the Underworld was a realm thick with Yin energy, the territory of the Ghost Race, and home to various spectral beings. Several other realms were similar to the Underworld, all possessing extremely dense Yin energy.

In the Underworld, Ye Xuanji found it incredibly inconvenient to replenish her magical power, relying solely on elixirs and top-grade spirit stones.

Sage Xuantian Talisman had caused a major disturbance in the Underworld, single-handedly annihilating two powerful clans in succession, thereby establishing a notorious reputation.

"Wang Changsheng! Sage Xuantian Talisman! It must just be a coincidence of names," Ye Xuanji murmured to herself. She had heard many tales of Sage Xuantian Talisman in the Underworld.

Sage Xuantian Talisman claimed to be Wang Changsheng, originating from the Demon Realm. He was a master of talisman arts, possessed extraordinary divine abilities, and had cultivated his Spiritual Domain to grand completion. Single-handedly, he had eradicated two major clans in the Underworld; even late-stage Mahayana cultivators were no match for him.

Ye Xuanji also knew a Wang Changsheng, but that individual hailed from the East-Li Realm. Their shared name was likely a mere coincidence, as their appearances differed. The cultivation world was vast; it was not uncommon for cultivators to share the same given and family names, and even identical appearances, though the latter was considerably rarer.

Ye Xuanji arrived at a small courtyard. Within it stood a black-glowing palace, its main gates tightly shut. A plaque above the entrance bore the three golden characters: "Demon Ape Hall."

The palace gates opened, and a burly young man in black robes emerged. His aura clearly indicated that he was a Mahayana cultivator.

During her journey to the Underworld, Ye Xuanji had subdued a Mahayana-stage Demon Ape, naming it Ye Yuan. All her other spirit beasts had perished in the Underworld, and Shangguan Tianhong had also sustained severe injuries.

"It seems your injuries have fully healed," Ye Xuanji remarked, calmly assessing the black-robed youth.

"A minor injury is nothing," Ye Yuan replied, bowing. "What are your orders, Master?"

He had painstakingly cultivated to the Mahayana stage, and relying on his own divine abilities, had slain numerous Mahayana cultivators, living a carefree life. That was until he encountered Ye Xuanji, who, with her formidable strength, had brought him under her command.

"A powerful enemy might be approaching. Take these two jade talismans; they were refined by Sage Xuantian Talisman. Use them when the moment is right," Ye Xuanji instructed, handing the talismans to Ye Yuan.

Upon hearing the name "Sage Xuantian Talisman," Ye Yuan's expression became agitated. He took the two jade talismans with both hands, repeatedly acknowledging her command.

After a few more instructions, Ye Xuanji told Ye Yuan to return to the Demon Ape Hall and rest.

She then entered a private chamber, took out refining materials, and began crafting artifacts. She had gathered a considerable amount of such materials in the Underworld, including Profound Soul Divine Jade.

Profound Soul Divine Jade and Profound Soul Divine Crystal differed by only one character. Both could be used to refine soul-related treasures, but the former was specifically for crafting defensive artifacts against soul attacks, while the latter was for offensive soul treasures.

On the Qianyuan Continent, a streak of red light appeared in the sky, moving at an exceptional speed. Not long after, the red light stopped above a continuous range of emerald green mountains. As the light receded, it revealed a red dragon boat, over three hundred zhang in length, its surface shimmering with runes and exuding astonishing spiritual energy.

The sails bore the two golden characters "Heavenly Fire," and on the deck stood a seventy-two-story red pavilion. Dozens of cultivators were present, with a tall, red-robed elder and a slender, golden-robed elder standing at the very front. Their auras were as deep as a boundless sea, clearly marking them as Mahayana cultivators.

The red-robed elder had dignified features, an overwhelming murderous aura, and his eyes glowed with a red light. This was Huo Yunzi, a mid-Mahayana cultivator from the Heavenly Fire Palace in the Qianguang Realm, who had achieved minor completion in his Spiritual Domain.

The golden-robed elder had gaunt cheeks and a single golden horn protruding from his head. This was Jin Hong, a mid-Mahayana cultivator from the Jinchi Clan in the Guangyun Realm.

"At our current speed, we should reach Xuanling Continent within two hundred years," analyzed Qin Qianqian, a voluptuous young woman in a golden skirt whose charming eyes held captivating allure. She was a mid-Mahayana cultivator from the Heavenly Fire Palace.

The Jinchi Clan and the Heavenly Fire Palace, at the invitation of the Tang Clan, had allied to confront the Wang family. The Heavenly Fire Palace dispatched five Mahayana cultivators, while the Jinchi Clan sent three, along with a contingent of Integration cultivators.

According to intelligence, the Green Lotus Immortal Couple were Mahayana cultivators of unknown cultivation levels, and they had not been seen for many years. Considering that Yan Zheng had been slain by True Lord Taihao, the Jinchi Clan and Heavenly Fire Palace combined their forces, dispatching eight Mahayana cultivators.

They were not arrogant; their plan was to obliterate the Wang family with absolute power, then determine if they could arrive in time for the appearance of the Xuanling Celestial Venerable's cultivation grounds and enter to seek treasures.

The Tang Clan's original intention was for them to gather on the Qianling Continent, first collectively eradicate the Stone Cocoon Clan and the Ye family, and then proceed to confront the Wang family.

Jin Hong and Huo Yunzi were not foolish. They did not possess any Xuantian Treasures. If they were to confront the Stone Cocoon Clan, they might very well be annihilated by the Stone Cocoon Clan's Mahayana cultivators, especially since the Stone Cocoon Clan had allies. If they failed to destroy the Stone Cocoon Clan, they would face severe misfortune and would have to guard against their retaliation.

Furthermore, even if they managed to destroy the Stone Cocoon Clan and the Ye family, their own losses would be substantial. Most importantly, given their strength, they certainly wouldn't acquire many valuable spoils. It was far more advantageous to target the Wang family, as this presented less risk, promised significant rewards, and spared them from facing retaliation by the Stone Cocoon Clan.

After multiple probing attempts, during which they lost some Soul Transformation cultivators, they finally located a suitable spatial node and appeared on the Qianyuan Continent.

The Heavenly Fire was a trans-realm treasure ship, personally piloted by a mid-Mahayana cultivator, allowing it to maintain a very high speed.

"We must act quickly," Huo Yunzi urged, his eyes gleaming with fervor. "If the Wang family receives news, they might flee with their treasures. Since the cultivation ground manifested on the Xuanling Continent, the Wang family must have acquired many valuable items." He formed a hand seal, and the Heavenly Fire immediately burst forth with dazzling red light, its speed greatly increasing, vanishing into the sky in a flash.

On the Qianling Continent, within the Stone Cocoon Mountain Range—the ancestral land of the Stone Cocoon Clan (with the Heavenly Cocoon Mountain Range serving only as a branch stronghold)—a massive yellow sand barrier enveloped most of the region. A continuous roar echoed, and the yellow sand barrier dented and deformed, but quickly returned to normal.

A heaven-shattering beast roar then erupted, and the yellow sand barrier shattered. A blinding golden light surged skyward, casting dust and smoke everywhere.

Over a dozen streaks of light soared out from the dust. Soon after, they receded, revealing the figures of more than ten Mahayana cultivators, including Tong Yao, Tong Shan, Chi Huan, and Guan Yunxiao.

Following their gaze, one could see countless ruined buildings and bodies. Thick, long cracks marred the void; wherever they passed, structures were sliced in half, and mountains were bisected.

Twenty-two Mahayana cultivators, led by Tong Shan, assaulted the Stone Cocoon Mountain Range. They employed three Xuantian Treasures and eventually managed to breach the defenses. Inside the Stone Cocoon Mountain Range, thirteen Mahayana cultivators fiercely resisted them, most of whom belonged to the Stone Cocoon Clan's allied races.

Tong Shan, with his formidable divine abilities, consecutively slew five Mahayana cultivators. However, Shi Mo, the Stone Cocoon Clan's Guardian Elder, trapped them using the Xuantian remnant treasure, the Stone Cocoon Divine Sand, and activated the Void Origin Spirit Annihilation Array to eliminate them.

Following a bloody battle, all thirteen Mahayana cultivators of the Stone Cocoon Clan were annihilated. On Tong Shan's side, nine Mahayana cultivators perished, most succumbing to the Void Origin Spirit Annihilation Array. It was a Pyrrhic victory, with most of the fallen Mahayana cultivators coming from the affiliated races of both sides, resulting in relatively minor casualties for the main clans. Five Mahayana cultivators from the Stone Cocoon Clan perished, along with one Mahayana cultivator each from the Tang Clan, Medicine Clan, and Yinmei Clan.