Ice Crystal Cave.

Beside the teleportation array.

“The array has been calibrated, but I suspect that the demonic cultivators are already aware of our intentions, so Taiping, when you go down, you might be surrounded by them.”

Liu Chuxuan looked at Xu Taiping with a serious expression.

“Don’t worry, Master. I’ll act accordingly.”

Xu Taiping nodded.

He had already mentally prepared for this.

A bottle of spiritual essence wasn’t easy to earn.

Seeing Xu Taiping remain calm, Liu Chuxuan nodded in satisfaction. He handed a jade disk to Xu Taiping while continuing to instruct him:

“This time, among the disciples planted by the Nine Mansions in various sects, besides Qingyu, there’s another person you need to pay special attention to.”

“Who?”

“Chen Sheng from the Pure Yang Sword Sect.”

Liu Chuxuan’s face was grave.

“Chen Sheng from the Pure Yang Sword Sect is also a demonic cultivator?”

Xu Taiping was slightly taken aback.

Before entering the Immortal Gourd Cave, he had actually met Chen Sheng once. At that time, Chen Sheng had inquired about his Second Senior Brother Qingxiao.

“Yes, the Pure Yang Sword Sect is the top sect of the Nine Mansions. Chen Sheng showed an astonishing talent for sword cultivation from a young age, so even though he’s currently only in the Gazing Abyss Realm, he shouldn’t be underestimated.”

Liu Chuxuan nodded.

###

Immortal Gourd Cave, lower layer.

Unlike the vast forests of the upper layer, the lower layer was an endless plain, covered with towering Jade Bone Grass.

Though called grass, it was taller than a person and resembled reeds.

Walking through it, one could easily lose their way.

Xu Taiping, who had been teleported here, was no exception.

“Fairy Lingyue, that’s roughly the situation.”

For safety, he untied the second bamboo leaf knot, summoning Fairy Lingyue’s divine sense, and briefly explained the Nine Mansions’ instructions and the current situation to her.

“Although there’s some risk, being able to enter this lower layer and earning a bottle of spiritual essence upon completing the task makes the risk worthwhile.”

Fairy Lingyue said to Xu Taiping.

On this point, she agreed with Xu Taiping.

“The current problem is that we can’t determine the location of the blood pool. If we use sword flight, we’ll likely be discovered by the demonic cultivators before we get there.”

Xu Taiping pointed out the most pressing issue.

“That’s not a problem.”

Fairy Lingyue smiled.

“Not a problem?”

Xu Taiping was puzzled.

“Look at these Jade Bone Grass, which way is the wind blowing them?”

Fairy Lingyue pointed at the grass that resembled reed stalks.

“The direction the wind is blowing the Jade Bone Grass is where the blood pool is?”

Xu Taiping suddenly realized.

“Exactly.”

Fairy Lingyue nodded.

“The blood pool gathers a large amount of demonic energy, while the Jade Bone Grass contains a lot of true qi. The true qi and demonic energy grind against each other like millstones, consuming each other while providing a continuous source of energy for the upper layer. This is why the Immortal Gourd Cave still has abundant spiritual energy after millions of years.”

She explained to Xu Taiping.

Xu Taiping nodded.

Fairy Lingyue’s explanation solved a long-standing puzzle in his mind—why the Immortal Gourd Cave still had abundant spiritual energy after millions of years.

“Hmm?”

Just as Xu Taiping was about to follow the direction of the wind to find the blood pool, he suddenly stopped and placed his hand on the hilt of his saber.

Though faint, he sensed a trace of killing intent approaching him.

“It seems your whereabouts have been exposed. There are at least a dozen demonic cultivators nearby searching for you.”

Fairy Lingyue said seriously.

Even though she was just a divine sense, her perception was much stronger than Xu Taiping’s.

Xu Taiping nodded.

As he locked onto a source of killing intent, he slowly drew his Spring Tiger saber.

Since the Master had warned him beforehand, he wasn’t surprised.

“Judging by their aura, they’re not very strong. This is a good opportunity for you to test your saber skills.”

Fairy Lingyue smiled at Xu Taiping.

Due to the restrictions of the Immortal Gourd Cave, the demonic cultivators who entered were all around Xu Taiping’s age. As long as he didn’t encounter their master, she wasn’t too worried about Xu Taiping’s safety.

Xu Taiping had the same intention.

With no spies from the Nine Mansions around and a group of demonic cultivators who were all fair game, he could freely test the results of his three years of cultivation on them.

“By the way, don’t forget to look for that green Jade Bone Grass.”

Fairy Lingyue reminded Xu Taiping.

“I’ll look for it.”

Xu Taiping nodded while keeping an eye on the demonic cultivators’ aura.

Fairy Lingyue had mentioned the green Jade Bone Grass to him back when they were in the Qingxuan Sect.

If the second layer of the Immortal Gourd Cave was a prison for demonic cultivators, then the Jade Bone Grass were the wardens.

If you could find a green Jade Bone Grass and infuse it with your true essence, the entire field of Jade Bone Grass would obey you.

They could help you trap and kill enemies, and even serve as your eyes.

However, time was tight, and Xu Taiping didn’t have high hopes, given that there was only one green Jade Bone Grass among thousands.

So he didn’t pin his hopes on finding it.

“Swish!”

At that moment, a claw shadow suddenly flew out from the grass beside him.

“Clang!” Xu Taiping, already aware, slashed out with his saber, Cicada’s Cry, cutting the claw shadow and the figure behind it, sending them flying.

Though also a demonic cultivator, this one was clearly weaker than Qingyu.

Realizing this, Xu Taiping felt slightly disappointed.

Not challenging enough.

After dealing with the demonic cultivator, Xu Taiping searched his belongings and continued looking for the green Jade Bone Grass while waiting for the next target.

“Boom!”

Just then, a blood-red talisman flew out from the grass behind him, followed by a shout:

“He’s here, close in and capture him!”

“Swish!”

Almost instantly, a blade as thin as a cicada’s wing slashed towards the source of the voice.

With a “bang,” the demonic cultivator hiding in the grass was cut in half by Xu Taiping.

“Bang!”

The bisected demonic cultivator tried to use demonic energy to heal and escape, but Xu Taiping appeared before him like a ghost, breaking his neck with a stomp.

The Tai Xuan Sect’s One Step to Heaven technique had no flaws except for its high spiritual energy consumption.

“Of all things, why choose to be a demonic cultivator.”

Xu Taiping muttered as he crouched down, taking out a True Fire Talisman.