118: Moonlight conveys a message, Azure Mist surges beneath the surface.

Inside the mountain cave, time quietly slipped away amidst meditation and waiting. Lin Xuan continuously optimized the construction of the energy model for the periphery of the Nether Abyss with the help of the System, while Qu Feiyan stabilized her cultivation and assimilated the insights gained from the previous battles.

About half a day later, the communication jade talisman in Lin Xuan's embrace finally transmitted a familiar, cool sensation. It was Su Wanqing!

He immediately took out the jade talisman and sank his Divine Sense into it. Su Wanqing's Divine Thought was still cold and clear, yet carried a trace of imperceptible fatigue and gravity:

"Lin Xuan, the message has been received. The situation within the Qinglan Sect is complicated; the Grand Elder's faction is gaining increasing control, and the investigation into the Sect Master's former subordinates is ongoing. I secretly contacted two trustworthy Junior Martial Uncles, who confirmed that several Elders within the Sect have been acting abnormally recently, frequently contacting mysterious external forces. Furthermore, a large quantity of Yin-attributed Resources from the Sect's treasury has recently been allocated for unknown purposes, partially overlapping with the Materials required for the 'nether ghost seal'. Zhao Ming and I are currently safe, but we must act with increasing caution."

"Regarding the Nether Abyss and the Incomplete Map, I can remotely infuse a trace of Taiyin Power into a specific medium to help you activate it. However, the Hundred Ghosts Night Parade Boardwalk is exceptionally perilous, and relying solely on you and Senior Sister Qu might not be enough. Once I handle the urgent matters within the Sect and settle Junior Brother Zhao, I will try to head to the Nether Abyss to meet up with you. You must wait for me; do not easily take risks."

At the end of the message, a trace of incomparably pure Taiyin Moon Essence power slowly passed through the specially made communication jade talisman, traversing endless space, and entered the Beast Hide Incomplete Map in Lin Xuan's hand.

[Detected high-purity Grand Yin Origin injection! Incomplete Map activating...]

The previously dull and lusterless Incomplete Map showed the scorched marks along its edges seemingly coming alive, emitting a faint Black Light. The distorted patterns and Underworld Script on the map surface rippled like water. An extremely subtle, almost transparent, pale blue light path slowly extended across the blank area of the Incomplete Map, pointing toward a specific direction—the depths of the Nether Abyss!

Success! The Incomplete Map has been activated!

Lin Xuan was delighted, but he was more concerned about Su Wanqing's predicament. The internal situation of the Qinglan Sect was clearly worse than imagined; she was at the center of the vortex, under immense pressure.

"Sister Su's situation... is it bad?" Qu Feiyan also finished her meditation and walked over to Lin Xuan, noticing the gravity on his face. Although she usually enjoyed competing with Su Wanqing, hearing that the other party was in danger now revealed genuine concern in her eyes.

Lin Xuan briefly informed her of the contents of Su Wanqing's message.

Qu Feiyan furrowed her delicate brows: "The Guixu Cult's reach is truly long! Sister Su is too dangerous being there alone. Junior Brother Lin, should we..." She paused, seemingly weighing the options, "How about we go to the Qinglan Sect first to receive and support her?"

Lin Xuan pondered for a moment, then shook his head, his gaze falling upon the activated Incomplete Map in his hand: "Wanqing asked us to wait for her, which indicates she can temporarily control the situation and has a compelling reason to stay. If we rashly head to the Qinglan Sect now, we might not only alert the enemy, putting her in a more dangerous position, but also delay the clues here at the Nether Abyss. The Guixu Cult and the Black Fiend Valley are both acting; we must seize the time."

He paused, continuing: "Furthermore, since Wanqing can remotely activate the Incomplete Map, it means she has her own methods. What we need to do now is follow the plan: first, explore the 'Hundred Ghosts Night Parade Boardwalk' and find the 'Soul Guiding Altar' to gain the initiative. By then, whether Wanqing arrives or not, we will have more leverage and information when we meet up with her."

Qu Feiyan nodded upon hearing this. She knew Lin Xuan's analysis was correct; given the current situation, personal feelings had to be temporarily set aside. "Alright, I'll listen to you. Should we depart now?"

"There's no rush." Lin Xuan looked outside the Immortal Cave. "Although the Incomplete Map is activated, it points to the middle region of the Nether Abyss, which is extremely dangerous. We need to make more thorough preparations. System, based on the existing energy model and the light path direction on the Incomplete Map, plan the safest route to the entrance of the 'Hundred Ghosts Night Parade Boardwalk' and mark potential resource points and dangerous areas along the way."

[Path planning in progress... Combining energy flow and terrain analysis, three alternative paths have been generated. The optimal path is estimated to take three days, passing through two known 'Yin Soul Grass' collection points, the edge of one 'Nether Cold Iron' mine, and requires avoidance of three Spatially Unstable Nodes and one suspected 'Soul Devouring Demonic Bat' nest.]

"Additionally, refine a batch of high-grade 'Evil Breaking Talismans' and 'Soul Stabilizing Pills' targeting soul bodies and resentful spirits." Lin Xuan took out the corresponding Materials from his Storage Ring. His assets were now substantial, and he had abundant reserves of various Spiritual Materials.

Over the next two days, Lin Xuan and Qu Feiyan busied themselves in this temporary Immortal Cave. Lin Xuan was responsible for drawing Talismans and refining Medicinal Pills; his Talisman Crafting and Alchemy skills, aided by the System, had long reached the Great Master level, resulting in extremely high yield and quality. Qu Feiyan was responsible for perfecting the Concealment and Early Warning Formations around the periphery of the Immortal Cave. Her Demonic Path Formations were unpredictable and varied, complementing Lin Xuan's Orthodox Formations perfectly.

The two worked together, dividing the labor with seamless synergy. Occasionally, their eyes would meet, and Qu Feiyan would toss him a charming glance, which Lin Xuan would return with a helpless yet gentle look. The atmosphere inside the mountain cave was far from dull.

During this period, Lin Xuan received another brief message from Su Wanqing, informing him that she had initially stabilized the internal situation and was trying to create an opportunity to leave the Sect, urging Lin Xuan to be careful.

Two days later, all preparations were complete. Lin Xuan and Qu Feiyan's conditions were restored to the Peak, and they had ample Medicinal Pills and Talismans ready.

"Let's go, time to confront the 'Hundred Ghosts Night Parade Boardwalk'." Lin Xuan put away the Immortal Cave Restriction, his gaze sharp as he looked toward the churning gray mist deep within the Nether Abyss.

Qu Feiyan smiled enchantingly, the illusory image of a blood lotus faintly visible behind her: "It's been a long time since this Sister encountered anything so exciting."

Their figures moved, transforming into two blurred streams of Escape Light. Following the optimal path planned by the System, they cautiously submerged themselves into the light-devouring gray mist, stealthily moving toward the legendary dangerous land filled with rampant ghosts and spatial anomalies.

Shortly after they departed, several Black Fiend Valley Cultivators appeared outside the mountain cave.

"The aura is strong here; they definitely stayed here!" a Cultivator reported after checking.

The Black-Clad Leader's solitary eye flashed with cold light: "Pursue them! They must be going after the 'nether ghost seal'! We absolutely cannot let them succeed! Also, send a message to the 'Dark Agents' inside the Nether Abyss to keep an eye on their movements!"

A struggle centered around the nether ghost seal quietly began in this Desolate Land.