In the boundless darkness, the intermittent screams that rose and fell were particularly chilling to the cultivators’ ears. Even those with minds as firm as rock couldn’t help but feel their skin crawl.

Occasionally, the light of flying swords and magical treasures would flash weakly, but the desperate, pitiful screams continued unabated.

Faced with the attacks of these strange and ferocious creatures, the already exhausted cultivators had no strength to resist. They were bitten and devoured one by one.

“…Enough, I’m out, I’m out!”

A cultivator, nearly driven to madness, leapt up and howled, his figure vanishing on the spot.

“Damn it, this godforsaken place isn’t fit for humans! I’m out too!”

Another cultivator grumbled, setting off a chain reaction. Hundreds of cultivators, admitting their inability to continue, chose to give up.

Then, the nameless creatures of darkness quietly disappeared, and calm was restored.

Qing Muling silently chuckled to himself. It seemed that the tower spirit was quite fair in its dealings, not indiscriminately slaughtering, and he felt a growing fondness for it.

At this moment, the human torches in the arena had dwindled to just over a hundred, most of them dimming, unlikely to last much longer.

Of course, this had no effect on Qing Muling and his two companions. From his perspective, it would be best if all those fellows ran out of oil and were eliminated, ensuring that all the opportunities within the tower would not fall into the hands of others.

However, the development of events did not go as Qing Muling wished. When the number of surviving cultivators dropped below one hundred, the tangible darkness slowly receded, and the scene above the dome returned to normal.

It’s finally over!

Apart from Qing Muling and his two companions, all the cultivators felt as if they had been given a new lease on life. Even for a well-known powerhouse like Su Zhengji, such a perilous experience was extremely rare.

After all, he was a being on the cusp of the Golden Immortal level. Although his power was limited to the Feather Transformation Realm in this mystical realm, the depth of his mana remained undiminished, which was why he had managed to hold on until now.

Among the nearly one hundred remaining cultivators, the majority were old powerhouses who had sealed their cultivation to enter. The rest of the new generation elites were all exceptional talents with special trump cards.

Moments later, the reflection of the starry sky reappeared on the dome, and the third wave of clear dew silently poured down, covering all the cultivators in the arena.

Compared to the previous two times, this wave of dew was especially plentiful, akin to a moderate rain, containing an even richer essence of life. The pure and rich, lively and profound Dao Rhyme spread out, leaving even Qing Muling somewhat shaken.

Cheng Yulan didn’t say much, controlling the formation to start collecting again. A hundred-mile radius of starlight vortex appeared overhead, sweeping up all the clear dew within the range of the formation, with all gains being equally divided among the three of them.

“I’m already at the ninth level of the Heart Demon realm, not far from the Destiny Realm! It’s just a pity that I can’t directly take this Yunji Inquiry Tower back with me!”

Qing Muling was delighted but also felt a tinge of regret. After absorbing this most abundant and highest quality wave of clear dew, his flesh and Divine Soul had improved by about fifty percent, and his cultivation had risen from the sixth level of the Heart Demon realm to the ninth level.

Most importantly, the Harmony Spirit Seed in his sea of consciousness had undergone changes. It could now draw in more essence of spiritual energy at every moment. Layers of auspicious clouds and radiant light rose and intertwined, enveloping him in a vast aura of green and purple auspiciousness. The rich essence of the Dao Rhyme spread out, slowly and continuously merging with Qing Muling’s Divine Soul, enhancing his foundation and talents. The eighth shadow of the Blue Lotus leaf had already taken shape ahead of schedule, bringing with it a brand-new innate ability.

This new innate ability was called “Chrono Dial,” capable of causing a small-scale reversal of time, lasting no more than thirty breaths. In the face of certain death, this ability could be described as a life-saving reversal of fate.

Of course, the cost was quite extravagant. Each use would permanently reduce one’s lifespan by three hundred years, with no elixirs or miraculous medicines able to compensate, unless one’s cultivation could break through to a higher realm in the future to recover.

Qing Muling silently estimated that the current range of this ability was three feet around himself, the center point. Of course, once he broke through to a new realm, its power should also be able to increase accordingly.

As the space within the Blue Lotus leaf shadow continued to expand, the nature of the items it could contain also changed. Qing Muling tried to capture a handful of clear dew, condensed it into a pill bottle with his mana, and sent it into the internal space, discovering that it could be preserved.

Qing Muling’s expression brightened slightly. This clear dew was actually a rare type of creation essence, similar in effect to the Primordial Mother Liquid of the Great Clarity, except that it could be used by both male and female cultivators. However, ordinary means could not preserve it, and if it was not immediately absorbed by the body, it would dissipate into spiritual energy in the air.

If he could retain some in this way and take it out for his Senior Sister and Sect Master, it would undoubtedly be excellent.

Acting on the thought, Qing Muling immediately informed Cheng Yulan with his divine sense. She, without hesitation, revealed a pair of white silk ribbons, which expanded in the wind, transforming into two jade dragons sweeping across the dome, effortlessly sweeping up massive amounts of clear dew and condensing it into a clear sphere about ten zhang in diameter.

Qing Muling did not dare to delay. He took the sphere, wrapped it with mana, and sent it into his internal space. Cheng Yulan followed suit, continuing to collect generously.

After all, in this space of over a thousand miles, there were now less than a hundred living cultivators. Even if she took a bit more, no one could do anything to her.

In a short time, more than ten clear spheres had reached Qing Muling’s hands and were stored in his internal space. Since Cheng Yulan was currently holding back her cultivation level, she was not in a hurry to absorb them and calmly dealt with the matter, knowing she could use this creation essence whenever she needed it later by simply asking Junior Brother.

By the time the rain of dew ended, Qing Muling’s internal space had accumulated over a hundred spheres, each of which contained enough essence to transform an utterly inept mortal into a genuine exceptional talent.

Of course, in the vast Great Void, mortals were as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, and the number of exceptional talents was actually much greater than one might imagine.

The key issue was that having such a seedling for cultivation was not enough. To truly grow them, one needed a sustained investment of massive amounts of heavenly materials and earthly treasures, top-level techniques and spells, top-level mentors to guide them constantly, and a sufficient number of protectors to ensure their safety during their travels, so they would not fall prematurely.

Moreover, such geniuses also needed to have enough luck and opportunities. Those with great talent but no great fortune were also not favored by the great figures.

After such strict conditions were applied, the number of exceptional talents who could achieve something was undoubtedly very rare. Just look at the current Supreme Dao Lineages, where each family has only a few exceptional talents to show, and you can imagine how difficult this is.

There are many geniuses, and not a few exceptional talents, but resources are always limited.

“…What were they doing just now? Do they really intend to take this creation essence out?”

In the distance, Chiye Ling of the Kylin clan muttered in confusion. He had tried to preserve this essence himself, but unfortunately, it was impossible. No matter what kind of divine powers, spells, or treasures he used, it didn’t work, so he gave up the idea.

“Perhaps they have some special method we don’t know about, which is why they’re doing this,” guessed a protector beside him.

Chiye Ling nodded, thinking that this was the most reasonable explanation.

After pondering for a moment, Chiye Ling took out a blank jade slip from his bracelet, quickly wrote a list with his divine sense, and handed it to a beautiful girl with green hair and blue eyes beside him, instructing:

“Xue You, go and negotiate with them. Ask if they can transfer some of this creation essence to us after we leave. If so, they can choose any of the rare resources listed here.”

“Alright, big brother.”

Xue You crisply agreed, took the jade slip, and walked towards Qing Muling.

Qing Muling naturally noticed the girl with the wasp waist and long legs, whose sweet and lovely features were accentuated by her extremely form-fitting blue-golden soft armor, highlighting her graceful and youthful curves. Her fair skin glowed, and her smile was full of sunshine.

“Do you need something, sister?”

Yu Binghua stood up with a gentle smile and asked.

Cheng Yulan subtly positioned herself in front of Qing Muling. The Senior Sister had once said that it was best for the sisters to handle such communications with outsiders. This would prevent Junior Brother’s fate from becoming too entangled with others, potentially leading to unpredictable consequences.

The Great Void was full of mysterious and unpredictable divine powers and secrets. If one wasn’t careful and cautious, problems would inevitably arise.

“Are you the Senior Sisters from Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace?”

Xue You tilted her head and looked at the charming and voluptuous beauty, saying sweetly, “I am the daughter of the clan leader of the ancient Kylin clan. My big brother would like to ask for some of this creation essence from you. If it’s convenient for you to part with it, you can choose anything from these items.”

Saying so, she handed over the jade slip.

Yu Binghua took the slip and saw that the resources listed were quite good, mostly specialties from the territory of the ancient Kylin clan, rare treasures seldom seen outside.

For example, the Red Leaf Kylin Blood Star Soul Grass was a sacred medicine that was extremely difficult to cultivate, a key ingredient for refining a certain life-extending heavenly-grade elixir. It had always been a strategic resource monopolized by the ancient Kylin clan, with an exorbitant price on the market. The fact that Chiye Ling, the young clan leader, was offering fifty plants at once showed his sincerity.

The other twenty or so resources were equally rare and precious. Under normal circumstances, it would cost the sisters much more to acquire these items, and it would take a lot of effort.

“The items are good, but… how do we trade?”

Yu Binghua pondered, asking. Chiye Ling couldn’t possibly carry these resources with him all the time, and only Qing Muling could preserve the creation essence for a long time. Once taken out of the internal space, it had to be used immediately, so the method of transaction became a problem.

“That’s easy,”

Xue You smiled with curved eyes: “After we leave this Hidden Cave Mystical Realm, my big brother will prepare the items and then make a special trip to Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace to visit, bringing the clan members who need the creation essence with him. After the transaction is completed, they can use the creation essence on the spot to wash their marrow and reshape their Dao foundation and roots. Sister, what do you think?”

“That sounds good, but please wait a moment.”

Yu Binghua thought for a while. Such an important strategic resource transaction required a high level of trust, and it might even affect the relationship between the ancient Kylin clan and Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace. She couldn’t decide on her own.

So, Yu Binghua decided to turn back and discuss with Cheng Yulan and Qing Muling. It was a pity that the Senior Sister Xuebing Xuan was not present, otherwise she could have made the decision.

“In principle, we can agree,”

Cheng Yulan pondered: “For now, let’s reply to her like this. After we meet up with Senior Sister and the others outside, we won’t need to worry about how to handle it.”

“I think it’s feasible too.”

Qing Muling agreed, guessing the Second Sister’s intention. As long as they could temporarily appease Chiye Ling, before leaving the Hidden Cave Mystical Realm, the people of the ancient Kylin clan would become temporary allies, at least not enemies.

After all, the transaction wouldn’t happen immediately, and if there were any changes after going out, it would still be possible to change their minds.

Yu Binghua immediately stepped out of the formation’s coverage area and informed Xue You of the results of the discussion. The daughter of the current clan leader happily went back to report.

After Chiye Ling received the news, he breathed a sigh of relief. Many of his capable and trusted clan members needed to improve their roots and talents. If they could trade for enough creation essence to collectively transform and ascend, his power and influence would surely increase in the future, and the position of the next clan leader would not fall into others’ hands, would it?

“That Qing Muling from Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace has a somewhat special background,”

Chiye Ling glanced at his sister and said, “If you have the chance, you might as well get to know him better. It would be best if you could become friends.”

“What’s so special about him?”

Xue You blinked her bright eyes, hesitantly asking, “When I went over just now, those two Senior Sisters seemed very nervous and concerned about him, not letting me talk to him at all.”

Chiye Ling chuckled: “Being nervous and concerned is right. Father once revealed some secrets to me. This Qing Muling is indeed not simple. If you can gain his friendship, it should be beneficial for you and for me.”

As the clan leader of the ancient Kylin clan, he had access to certain secret channels of information, some of which even Chiye Ling was not clear about, so he could only follow his father’s instructions.

“Alright, I’ll do my best.”

Xue You pursed her lips, somewhat displeased with her brother’s mysterious attitude, but still agreed.

Their actions did not escape the notice of the other cultivators. Before long, another woman in a black dress with a veiled face approached.

“Sister, I am Mu Yingshuang, a direct disciple of the Sect Master of Qingqiu Hall.”

She bowed slightly and greeted warmly. In Qing Muling’s eyes, this tall, curvaceous beauty was no less attractive than his two Senior Sisters. Her bright eyes sparkled with cunning, and she held a crystal-clear jade flute in her hand.

Unfortunately, Cheng Yulan was watching him, not allowing him to chat, leaving only Yu Binghua to talk with her.

Mu Yingshuang’s intention was the same as Xue You’s, to exchange for some creation essence. Since Qingqiu Hall had always had a good relationship with Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, the two sides talked more smoothly and agreed to trade after leaving.

Then, several more cultivators came over, men and women, young and old, and Yu Binghua gave each of them the answer they wanted.

In the midst of such exchanges, a temporary alliance was also formed.

“…Three ignorant brats, wait for me when you get out!”

In the distance, Su Zhengji’s face was grim, and he was secretly seething with rage. The three juniors from Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace had gained too many benefits this time. If they were allowed to return alive, wouldn’t it be terrible? In a few years, the sect might gain three more Golden Immortal powerhouses, or even…

But looking around, he had no subordinates left alive. They had all been unable to withstand the pressure earlier and had been forced to withdraw. With only himself left and unable to use cultivation above the Feather Transformation Realm, how could he take down these three juniors?

Not to mention, those cultivators who sought favors from them would certainly not stand with the Shadow Assassination Hall. If a fight broke out, he would be the one at a disadvantage.

After waiting for a moment, a circular light gate about ten zhang in diameter slowly emerged and solidified.

“Can we finally leave?”

The surviving cultivators felt relieved. It had been tough to persevere until now, and although they had gained a lot, they were somewhat mentally and physically exhausted.

Thus, everyone got up, cautiously on guard, and entered the light gate one by one.

Qing Muling and his two companions were the quickest to act, the first to step through the light gate and disappear, leaving Su Zhengji no time to react.

Outside was still the familiar mountains, but the Yunji Inquiry Tower was gone, leaving only the light gate.

“…Junior Brother, you’re finally out?!”

A voice filled with surprise came, and Qing Muling looked up to see Xuebing Xuan and the other women hovering in mid-air, their beautiful eyes full of concern.

On the ground around them lay many cultivators with unhealed serious injuries, and the air was thick with the smell of blood, indicating that many had died not long ago.

Qing Muling glanced around and understood what his Senior Sisters had done. No wonder they hadn’t entered to meet him after arriving; they had been waiting outside, clearing out all the hostile forces.

“Sister, it’s like this…”

Cheng Yulan quickly explained the situation inside with her divine sense. Since they had already made an enemy of the Shadow Assassination Hall, they had to see it through to the end.

Xuebing Xuan nodded slightly: “No worries, you did well. Since the people from the Shadow Assassination Hall have come in, they don’t need to go back. Let’s just wipe them out!”

Thus, the women surrounded the light gate from a distance. As soon as anyone from the hostile forces came out, they were greeted with a barrage of powerful divine powers and spells, shattering them to pieces. Except for those with life-saving jade talismans, no one could escape.

When Su Zhengji’s figure appeared, he was met with thousands of sharp sword lights filling his vision, tearing his body to shreds.

“Damn you, I will never let this go—!”

His self-activated life-saving jade talisman wrapped around his broken body and swiftly ascended to escape, leaving only a string of venomous curses echoing in the distance.