84: Chapter 84: Heading to the Outer Edge of Starfall Valley, Encountering Conflict and Rescuing the Array Master

The transformation brought about by the Cave Heaven World devouring the micro Spiritual Vein allowed Ye Qing to enter seclusion to stabilize his cultivation for several days.

When he emerged from seclusion, his Golden Core Middle Stage cultivation was already solid, and he was only a step away from the Late Stage.

The Hunxu Zhou Tian Star Sword Formation and the thirty-six zhou tian star formation flags, nourished by the "Power of the Primordial World" within the Cave Heaven World, had become more spiritually resonant, and their power had increased once again.

It was time to go and take a look at the outskirts of "Starfall Valley".

Ye Qing left the valley where he had been in seclusion, identified his direction, and quietly fled towards "Starfall Valley", located at the intersection of the main vein of "Dragonfall Abyss" and the extension of the "Myriad Demon Forest".

The closer he got to Starfall Valley, the more bizarre the environment became.

The sky was perpetually overcast, with neither sun nor moon visible, only twisted, dark red clouds slowly rolling. On the ground, vegetation was sparse, consisting mostly of strangely shaped, dark-colored rocks and low-lying shrubs.

The air was filled with thin but chaotic star power, interspersed with wisps of spatial turbulence, which hindered Divine Sense detection and made one's sense of direction blurred.

The space here was extremely unstable, with tiny spatial cracks flashing in and out of existence from time to time, devouring the surrounding light and Spiritual Qi, creating an inexplicable sense of danger.

Ye Qing slowed his flight speed, keeping his Divine Sense within a three-hundred-zhang radius around him, carefully sensing every trace of energy fluctuation and spatial ripple, avoiding the obviously turbulent spatial areas.

Along the way, he began to see more and more traces of activity from the Human Race and the Yao Race.

Fresh ruins of battle, charred earth, scattered fragments of Magical Artifacts and remains of Yao Beasts, and bloodstains that had not yet dried... all signaled the fierce conflicts that had recently taken place here.

Occasionally, he could see some simple ruins of camps, or remnants of warnings and concealment Restrictions set up with special techniques, clearly indicating that squads of human Cultivators or Yao Race teams had once camped or laid ambushes here.

"It has truly become a meat grinder. The tentacles of the major powers and the Yao Race have already reached here."

Ye Qing became more cautious, trying his best to avoid areas with dense traces, and specifically choosing remote, difficult-to-traverse, but relatively "clean" routes to advance.

After traveling another hundred li or so, a more broken, craggy hilly area appeared ahead.

Within the hills, the spiritual light of a Formation was faintly flickering, and sounds of intense spiritual power collisions could be heard.

Another battle.

Ye Qing originally intended to bypass it, but when his Divine Sense swept across the battlefield, he paused slightly.

The two opposing sides consisted of five Cultivators on one side and seven Yao Beasts on the other.

On the Cultivator side, four of them wore uniform, light blue dharma robes embroidered with complex star patterns, all at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage or Perfection Stage. At this moment, they were relying on a dilapidated Formation light barrier, desperately resisting the Yao Beasts' attacks, all of them injured and looking desperate.

The leader was a gray-haired, gaunt-faced old man with Foundation Establishment Perfection Stage cultivation. He held a Formation Plate, constantly casting spell seals, desperately trying to maintain the crumbling Formation, while anxiously urging his companions.

The Yao Beasts attacking them were surprisingly five "Star-Patterned Demon Wolves" (Second Rank) and two "Space-Rending Leopards" (Second Rank Peak). All were troublesome Yao Beasts skilled in speed and coordination, and their offensive was fierce; the dilapidated Formation was on the verge of collapse.

What caught Ye Qing's attention was not the battle itself, but the old man's Formation Plate technique and the star patterns on their dharma robes.

"People from the Tianxing Sect?" Ye Qing recognized the star pattern emblem. It was the Tianxing Sect, which Shopkeeper Zhou Ming had mentioned, famous for their star Formations and suspected of having discovered fragments of an ancient teleportation array base in Dragonfall Abyss.

"Judging by this posture, it looks like a squad sent by the Tianxing Sect to carry out some mission, and they encountered an ambush by Yao Beasts. That old man seems to be a Formation Master; his techniques are quite exquisite, but unfortunately, the Formation is broken, and he cannot hold it alone."

Ye Qing's eyes flickered. He was very interested in the intelligence the Tianxing Sect possessed regarding the ancient teleportation array. If he could save these people, he might be able to extract some useful information.

Moreover, the Tianxing Sect was famous for its Dao of Formations, and this old man was clearly an expert. The Formation Plate on him and the Jade Slips containing Formation knowledge he might be carrying could perhaps help him improve his own Dao of Formations.

"A trifling effort to build a good relationship, and by the way... fish for some benefits."

He made up his mind, stopped concealing his figure, released his aura slightly to the Golden Core Early Stage, and walked out slowly from behind the hills.

The Spiritual Pressure of the Golden Core Stage spread out like ripples in water, instantly enveloping the battlefield.

The intense slaughter came to a standstill.

Whether it was the Tianxing Sect Cultivators or those Yao Beasts, all turned their heads in shock, looking at the suddenly appearing blue-robed figure whose aura was unfathomable.

"Golden... Golden Core Senior!" The Tianxing Sect old man's eyes erupted with a strong hope for survival, and he hurriedly shouted: "Senior, save us! We are members of the Tianxing Sect, ambushed by Yao Beasts. I implore Senior to lend a hand; the Tianxing Sect will surely reward you generously!"

The Yao Beasts also felt the threat brought by Ye Qing, especially the two Space-Rending Leopards. They stopped attacking, lowered their bodies, and let out threatening low growls, their beast eyes flickering with vigilance and a trace of unease.

Ye Qing ignored the old man's cries, his gaze sweeping over the seven Yao Beasts indifferently.

"Noisy."

He raised his right hand, his five fingers slightly spread.

"zhou tian star formation flags, contain."

Thirty-six zhou tian star formation flags flew out from his sleeves, instantly setting up the "Small Heavenly Cycle Star Array". Starlight filled the air, enveloping the seven Yao Beasts along with the area of the dilapidated Formation.

The Formation Flags circulated, and the starlight turned into invisible shackles, binding the Yao Beasts' movements and slowing down their Yao power.

Immediately after, he pressed his fingers together on his left hand and pointed through the air at the two most threatening Space-Rending Leopards.

"Void Star Finger, Star Corrosion."

Two imperceptible, brilliant starlights shot out, ignoring distance, arriving before they could react, and accurately hitting the space between the eyebrows of the two Space-Rending Leopards.

Ssh, ssh.

With a light sound, the bodies of the Space-Rending Leopards stiffened abruptly, the luster in their eyes quickly fading. A charred hole appeared between their eyebrows, with star flames flickering at the edges, and they thumped to the ground, their life force completely gone.

The remaining five Star-Patterned Demon Wolves, seeing this, were terrified out of their wits (Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering), whimpered, and turned to flee.

However, trapped within the "Small Heavenly Cycle Star Array", their speed was greatly reduced.

Ye Qing's thoughts stirred, and his main sword, "Hunxu", along with three light-splitting swords, flew out on their own, turning into four faint silver streams of light, weaving through the Formation a few times.

Where the sword light passed, the Star-Patterned Demon Wolves died one after another, not even able to let out a complete wail.

From the moment Ye Qing appeared until the seven Yao Beasts were completely wiped out, it took no more than three breaths.

The five members of the Tianxing Sect stood dumbfounded, watching the blue-robed Golden Core Cultivator standing in the air, surrounded by Formation Flags, with the sword light returning on its own, stunned and speechless.

To kill seven fierce Second Rank Yao Beasts, including two at the Second Rank Peak, with such ease! What kind of strength was this? What kind of methods were these?

"Many... many thanks to Senior for saving our lives!" The Tianxing Sect old man was the first to react, hurriedly withdrawing the dilapidated Formation, and with his four Disciples, bowed deeply to Ye Qing, his expression extremely respectful.

"Deacon Chen Xuan of the Tianxing Sect Outer Sect, along with my Disciples, thank you, Senior! Senior's great kindness will never be forgotten!" The old man, Deacon Chen Xuan, said in an excited voice.

Ye Qing raised his hand in a gesture of support: "No need for such formalities. I was just passing by and did it while I was at it. Since you are members of the Tianxing Sect, why are you in such a dangerous place, encountering an ambush by Yao Beasts?"

Deacon Chen Xuan gave a wry smile, not daring to hide anything: "Reporting to Senior, we were ordered by the Sect to come to the outskirts of Starfall Valley to investigate several newly appeared spatial nodes and anomalous star tide points, to map them, and to try to repair several remnants of ancient Formations. Unexpectedly, while repairing a base here, we were sniffed out by these beasts, followed, and ambushed. If Senior had not appeared in time, we would probably..."

Investigating spatial nodes? Repairing remnants of ancient Formations?

Ye Qing's heart stirred; it seemed the Tianxing Sect indeed had major plans in Starfall Valley. The so-called "remnants of ancient Formations" were very likely related to the ancient teleportation array.

"I see. Starfall Valley is dangerous; your cultivation is insufficient, so you must be more cautious in your actions," Ye Qing said indifferently, his gaze sweeping over the Formation Plate in Deacon Chen Xuan's hand and the several bulging Storage Pouches at his waist.

Deacon Chen Xuan was an old and astute man; seeing this, he immediately understood and hurriedly took out a Jade Slip from his bosom, offering it with both hands: "We cannot repay Senior's life-saving grace. This is a rough map I compiled regarding the distribution of spatial nodes in the outskirts of Starfall Valley, common dangerous areas, and the locations of several explored ancient Formation remnants. Although incomplete, it may be of some help to Senior. There are also some Formation-setting Materials and Spirit Stones, just as a token of gratitude; please accept them, Senior."

As he spoke, he signaled his Disciples to take out several Storage Pouches, which contained quite a lot of star sand used for setting up Formations, fragments of Void Stone, and various attribute Formation Flag Materials, as well as a small pile of Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

Ye Qing did not stand on ceremony, taking the Jade Slip and the Storage Pouches. His Divine Sense swept through the Jade Slip, and it was indeed a much more detailed and professional map of the outskirts of Starfall Valley than the one provided by Shopkeeper Zhou Ming, marking many weak spatial points, patterns of star tide eruptions, and the locations of over a dozen suspected ancient Formation remnants. The information was of high value.

"You have been thoughtful." He nodded, put the items away, and then asked seemingly casually: "I have heard that the Tianxing Sect has deep research into star Formations and ancient Formations. Do you have any leads on the legendary 'ancient teleportation array' in this place?"

Deacon Chen Xuan's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, revealing some hesitation. But thinking that the other party had just saved his group's lives and possessed unfathomable strength, he had to lower his voice and said: "I dare not hide anything from Senior. The Sect has indeed discovered a large-scale ancient Formation ruin deep in Starfall Valley, suspected to be related to the legendary ultra-long-distance teleportation array. However, the ruins are sealed by powerful ancient Restrictions and spatial turbulence, making them extremely dangerous. Currently, the Sect is joining forces with Liuyun City, Ancient Sword City, and others to try to crack the outer Restrictions, but progress is slow. As for specific details, my position is low, and I have no way of knowing."

As expected! The ancient teleportation array ruin had been discovered, and several major powers were already working together to crack it!

Ye Qing understood; this news confirmed many previous rumors.

"This matter is of great importance. It is enough that you know; do not spread it," Ye Qing reminded him, not asking further questions to avoid arousing suspicion.

"This Junior understands!" Deacon Chen Xuan hurriedly replied.

"This place is not suitable for staying long. Your injuries are not light, so leave quickly," Ye Qing waved his hand and tossed out a Jade Bottle containing several healing Medicinal Pills.

"Many thanks to Senior for the medicine!" Deacon Chen Xuan and the others thanked him again, not daring to delay. They took the Medicinal Pills, simply treated their injuries, then set up their escape lights and left hurriedly along the way they came, soon disappearing into the horizon.

Ye Qing watched them leave, then raised his hand to collect the seven Yao Beast corpses, Yao Cores, Materials, and the fragments of Magical Artifacts damaged in the previous battle, all into the waste area of the Cave Heaven World.

After cleaning up the battlefield, he took out the Jade Slip that Deacon Chen Xuan had given him and studied it carefully again.

The map was much more detailed than the previous one, and the locations of many marked dangerous areas and ancient Formation remnants corroborated with other information he had, making his understanding of the outskirts of Starfall Valley much clearer.

"The ancient teleportation array ruin has already been targeted by several major powers; it is unwise to force one's way in. However, I can explore these 'anomalous star tide points' and 'suspected ancient star mineral veins' marked on the map. The clues to the star source crystal might just be among them."

He selected a nearby canyon marked as "intermittent star tide eruptions, suspected to have high-quality star mineral deposits" as his next target.

Without further delay, Ye Qing's figure turned into a pale golden escape light and quietly flew towards the canyon.

Inside his body, the six-thousand-zhang Cave Heaven World had its earth veins circulating and stars and moons shining; the newly acquired Yao Beast "nutrients" and Formation-setting Materials were being rapidly digested and absorbed, feeding back into the pure Power of the Primordial World.