165: With the celestial pivot in sight, the three beauties shine together.

The enchanting warmth within the cave gradually settled with the arrival of dawn. Under Lin Xuan's desperate treatment and the deep resonance of spiritual and physical union, Gongsun Yu's injuries recovered unexpectedly quickly. Although the cracks on her Golden Core had not fully healed and her cultivation had dropped to the Peak Early Golden Core Stage, her Foundation was stable. Furthermore, a blessing in disguise, her Thunder Origin became purer, and her control over Chaos Thunder Gang seemed to have entered a new level.

When she awoke, she found herself still tightly embraced by Lin Xuan, covered by his outer robe. Recalling the madness and intimacy of last night, she blushed furiously, burying her burning face deep into his chest, her ears completely red. Yet, her heart was filled with immense happiness and a sense of security.

Lin Xuan felt her movements and looked down at her ostrich-like posture, unable to help but chuckle. He gently patted her back: "How do you feel?"

"Much... much better," Gongsun Yu's voice was like a mosquito's buzz; she dared not look up. "Thank you, Big Brother Lin."

"Between you and me, there's no need for thanks," Lin Xuan said gently, helping her sit up and tidying her slightly disheveled dress.

When the two walked out of the inner cave, Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan had already tidied themselves. Su Wanqing still maintained her cold and serene demeanor, like snow. However, her icy eyes flickered slightly as they swept over Gongsun Yu's noticeably more charming and alluring aura and the lingering spring in her eyes, then quickly returned to calm. She nodded faintly: "It's good that your injuries are fine."

Qu Feiyan, on the other hand, looked as if she had expected this. Her enchanting eyes swept over Lin Xuan and Gongsun Yu, and her red lips curved into an ambiguous smile. She walked to Gongsun Yu's side, deliberately bumped her shoulder lightly, and whispered teasingly, "Oh, our little Sister Yu, you've really 'grown up' now~ How does it feel? Junior Brother Lin... didn't bully you, did he?"

How could Gongsun Yu withstand such teasing? Her neck immediately turned pink, and she stamped her foot, pouting, "Senior Sister Qu! You... what nonsense are you saying!" Yet, she instinctively leaned closer to Lin Xuan, seeking his protection.

Lin Xuan cleared his throat, interrupting the increasingly off-topic conversation: "This place is not suitable for long stays. We need to hurry to Tianshu City as soon as possible."

Everyone agreed. After a night of rest (or a deeper level of "rest" for Lin Xuan and Gongsun Yu), their conditions had largely recovered.

Leaving their hidden cave, they embarked on their journey once more. After passing through the Dead Mire, the danger of the swamp significantly decreased. After another half day of travel, the mist ahead gradually thinned, and the muddy ground underfoot became firm. They could even see some low shrubs and resilient moss growing.

Finally, as the last wisp of grayish-white mist dissipated behind them and bright sunlight fell upon their shoulders, a vast, boundless plain brimming with Spiritual Qi appeared before their eyes. In the distance, the outline of a massive city loomed on the horizon, majestic and grand, like a dormant giant beast—the core of the Eastern Domain, the venue for the Myriad Elixirs Grand Gathering, Tianshu City!

"We're finally out!" Yun Shang let out a long sigh of relief, her nerves, which had been taut for several days in the swamp, could finally relax a little.

Leaving the swamp meant they had successfully evaded most potential pursuers and could travel to Tianshu City relatively safely.

The five wasted no more time, riding their escape light and speeding towards Tianshu City. The closer they got, the more they felt the grandeur and prosperity of this colossal city. In the sky, various escape lights streaked like meteors, Cultivators from all directions converged here, and the flow of people far exceeded any city in the Northern Domain. The air was filled with dense Spiritual Qi and a peculiar fragrance mixed from various Medicinal Pills and spiritual materials, refreshing and invigorating.

The city gate was guarded by soldiers in unified armored uniforms, checking the identities of passing Cultivators and collecting entrance fees. Lin Xuan and the five paid their Spirit Stones and, without excessive scrutiny, smoothly entered this renowned holy city of Alchemy.

Inside the city, there was an endless stream of traffic. The streets were wide and clean, lined with shops and fluttering banners, almost eighty percent of which were related to Alchemy. There was the "Hundred Herbs Hall" selling Spiritual Plants, the "Divine Craftsman Workshop" customizing Pill Furnaces, the "Molten Fire Tower" renting out Earth Fire chambers, and even the "Pill Appraisal Pavilion" specializing in appraising Medicinal Pills... everything imaginable. Cries of vendors, haggling, and discussions about the Dao were incessant, a scene of bustling activity.

"As expected of the venue for the Myriad Elixirs Grand Gathering, it truly possesses an extraordinary atmosphere," even the well-traveled Qu Feiyan couldn't help but exclaim.

Lin Xuan's gaze swept over the bustling crowd, sensing many powerful auras hidden within. Golden Core Cultivators were as numerous as cattle, and even Nascent Soul Cultivators were not uncommon. Here, they had to be even more discreet and cautious.

They found an inn called "Listening to Bamboo Pavilion," which was relatively secluded but had a tranquil environment and decent protective Formations. They requested a private courtyard, large enough for five people, and convenient for discussing matters.

After settling down, the five gathered in the living room.

"The Myriad Elixirs Grand Gathering officially begins in five days. We can split up during these days," Lin Xuan instructed. "Wanqing, Feiyan, you two are more familiar with the Eastern Domain's forces and the Alchemy world. You can inquire about the specific movements of the Medicine King Sect and Daoist Master Miao Dan, as well as any news about high-grade Spirit Medicine trade fairs."

Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan nodded in agreement.

"Yun Shang, you'll come with me to various pharmacies and stalls in the city to see if we can find other auxiliary medicines for the nirvana phoenix blood pill, or more clues about the phoenix blood vine and nirvana flower," Lin Xuan continued to arrange. Yun Shang's Star Spirit Body was sensitive to the aura of spiritual items, which would be helpful.

"Yes, Senior Brother Lin!" Yun Shang replied obediently.

Finally, Lin Xuan looked at Gongsun Yu, whose face was still a bit pale but whose spirits were good, and said softly, "Xiao Yu, your injuries have just healed, so you shouldn't overexert yourself. Rest assured in the inn to recuperate and stabilize your Realm. If anything urgent comes up, you can contact us via communication jade talisman."

Gongsun Yu knew Lin Xuan was concerned about her. Although she also wanted to go out and help, she still obediently nodded: "En, Big Brother Lin, don't worry, I will Cultivate well."

After the arrangements were made, Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan went out together to gather information. Although the two still didn't talk much, after enduring hardships together in the swamp and implicitly accepting Gongsun Yu's relationship with Lin Xuan, the sharp antagonism between them seemed to have softened considerably, replaced by a subtle understanding based on their common ground (both being Lin Xuan's women).

Lin Xuan, meanwhile, took Yun Shang and blended into the bustling crowd of Tianshu City's streets.

As for Gongsun Yu, who remained at the inn, she returned to her room and sat cross-legged on the couch, feeling somewhat restless. She inwardly observed the still-visible crack on her Golden Core within her Dantian, sensing the weakness of her fallen Realm. Then, she recalled Lin Xuan's struggles against powerful enemies, and her desire to become stronger and help Lin Xuan grew even more intense.

"I can't always be the one who's protected..." She clenched her small fists, a flicker of determination in her eyes. She recalled the Lightning Guiding Spirit Tempering Art that Lin Xuan had taught her, and the peculiar insights into the Thunder Origin she had gained during their spiritual and physical union, and a bold idea began to form in her mind.

Perhaps, with the help of the dense Spiritual Qi here and the vitality of the residual thunder source crystal marrow in her body, she could risk a more aggressive method of healing and Cultivation? Even if there were some risks, as long as it could quickly restore her strength, or even make her stronger, and help Big Brother Lin, she was willing to try!

The young girl's resolve quietly solidified in the silent room.

Meanwhile, in another luxurious mansion in Tianshu City.

"Useless! A bunch of useless people! You can't even find a few individuals!" Ling Tianyu's face was grim as he furiously smashed the jade cup in his hand to the ground, fragments scattering. Before him, several Heavenly Frost City guards knelt trembling.

"Young Lord, please calm your anger! Those few, Lin Fan included, are extremely cunning. They chose to cross the Misty Swamp, and many of our men were lost there. We finally tracked them to near Tianshu City, but then completely lost their traces..." A guard captain reported, steeling himself.

"Tianshu City is huge, search! Dig three feet deep if you have to, but find them!" Ling Tianyu's eyes gleamed with venomous light. "Also, investigate! Investigate that Lin Fan's background! I refuse to believe that a mere Loose Cultivator from overseas can turn the world upside down! Myriad Elixirs Grand Gathering... Hmph, let's see how long you can hide!"

He turned to a blurry figure in the shadows behind him and ordered: "Old Shadow, contact our 'friends' in the Eastern Domain. It's time for them to do something. At the Myriad Elixirs Grand Gathering, I want that Lin Fan to be utterly disgraced and die without a burial place!"

"Yes, Young Lord," a hoarse voice came from the shadows.

A storm was quietly brewing beneath the calm surface of Tianshu City. And the story of Lin Xuan and his three confidantes was about to turn a new chapter in this grand Alchemy event where heroes gathered.