111: Chapter 111 Murong Bai's words, heading to Falling Star Lake

"This trip to Falling Star Lake has two objectives. First, to investigate the movements of the 'Shadow Fiend' and confirm if the Ancient Medicine Garden exists. If possible, try to prevent it from falling into the hands of the 'Shadow Fiend'."

"Second, to collect any Spirit Medicines or minerals that may exist within Falling Star Lake, especially rare items beneficial to the Sect's Dao of Alchemy and Dao of Artifacts."

He paused and looked at Ye Chen, his gaze becoming somewhat profound.

"Does Junior Brother Ye know why the Sect included you on this list? It's not just because you have sufficient strength, but more because of... the grudge between you and the 'Shadow Fiend'."

"As well as the special qualities you may possess that can sense or suppress the forces of the Netherworld and sinister evil?"

Ye Chen's heart jolted.

Murong Bai actually knew this much?

Maintaining a calm expression, he said,

"What does Senior Brother mean?"

"Falling Star Lake has a unique environment, filled with toxic miasma and gathered Yin Qi. There are even spatial cracks, making it extremely easy for sinister ghosts to breed. It may even contain remnant methods left behind by the ancient Netherworld Sect."

Murong Bai spoke slowly.

"The Cultivation Technique you practice is unique; you might have a stronger adaptability to such environments, and perhaps even sense dangers or... Opportunities that are difficult for us to perceive."

"This is crucial for us to complete the mission. Therefore, I hope that in Falling Star Lake, Junior Brother Ye can work together with me and the entire team with one heart to overcome the difficulties."

He spoke reasonably, seemingly entirely focused on the mission.

But Ye Chen heard a deeper meaning.

Murong Bai was reminding him of his value and hoping he would play a role in the team, while also subtly trying to win him over and exert control.

"Rest assured, Senior Brother. Since I am participating, I will naturally do my best. Fellow Disciples should help one another."

Ye Chen replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Good."

The smile on Murong Bai's face grew wider.

"With those words from Junior Brother Ye, I am relieved. Additionally, there is one more matter I need to remind Junior Brother Ye of."

"Please speak, Senior Brother."

"Over at Golden Flame Peak, Elder Wang He seems to have been moving frequently with certain Inner Sect Deacons and even individual Outer Sect Elders lately."

Murong Bai's voice lowered slightly, carrying a hint of meaningfulness.

"Although the Sect strictly forbids internecine killing, in a dangerous place like Falling Star Lake, anything can happen. Junior Brother Ye needs to be extra careful, especially against 'dangers' that seem like accidents."

Was this a reminder to be careful of Golden Flame Peak's schemes, or was it hinting at something else?

Ye Chen looked into Murong Bai's eyes, which seemed gentle yet bottomless, and for a moment found it difficult to judge his true intentions.

Was it a sincere warning, a deliberate attempt to sow doubt, or a desire to make him more dependent?

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother. I will be careful."

Ye Chen cupped his hands again.

"Mhm, it's good that you're aware."

Murong Bai nodded, seemingly having achieved the purpose of this 'chance encounter.' He looked up at the sky.

"It's getting late. I still need to go to the Deacon Hall to handle some affairs. Junior Brother Ye, we shall meet again at Falling Star Lake. I hope this trip goes smoothly and everyone gains something."

"I'll take Senior Brother's auspicious words."

Murong Bai smiled at Ye Chen and said no more.

With a flicker of his body, he drifted away, quickly disappearing at the end of the winding mountain path.

Ye Chen stood in place, looking in the direction Murong Bai had disappeared, his brow furrowing slightly.

This man, Murong Bai, has unfathomable strength and even more unpredictable thoughts.

His words today seemed open and honest, but they were actually full of hidden barbs.

He had pointed out Ye Chen's value, warned of potential dangers, and vaguely expressed expectations for cooperation.

What exactly was he planning?

Was he truly considering the Sect's mission, or did he have other designs?

"It seems that on this trip to Falling Star Lake, I must not only face the external 'Shadow Fiend' and the dangerous terrain but also remain vigilant against internal undercurrents at all times."

Ye Chen thought to himself.

Murong Bai, the potential hidden hands of Golden Flame Peak, and other unknown companions... the water is getting muddier and muddier.

He stopped overthinking, quickened his pace, and returned to Ziyun Peak.

No matter what the outside world is like, improving his own strength is the fundamental way to deal with everything.

Back at his Immortal Cave, Ye Chen took out the Storage Pouch bestowed by the Sect Master.

Looking at the mountain of Spirit Stones and rare Medicinal Pills inside, a flash of determination crossed his eyes.

He did not rush to break through his Realm, but first took out a Medicinal Pill labeled as a 'dao origin pill'.

The 'dao origin pill' was Profound Rank High Grade, containing pure Dao Rhyme and vast Spiritual Qi. It was a top-grade Medicinal Pill for Wheel Sea Realm Cultivators to consolidate their Foundation and assist in Breakthroughs. Its value was immense, usually only obtainable by Core Disciples or those who had performed great service. The Sect Master giving several bottles at once was quite a grand gesture.

He swallowed a 'dao origin pill' and took out dozens of High-Grade Spirit Stones, setting up a simple Spirit Gathering Formation around himself.

Then, he operated the Hunyuan One-Qi Art with all his strength and began to Cultivate.

The pill melted upon entering his mouth, turning into a gentle and mellow torrent that contained profound Dao Rhyme, surging into his limbs and bones.

The Spiritual Qi from the High-Grade Spirit Stones was also frantically drawn out, mixing with the pill's power, and was rapidly refined and absorbed by the Chaos vortex in his Wheel Sea.

Ye Chen's aura began to rise steadily at a visible rate.

The barrier between the Early Stage and Middle Stage of the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm was under the impact of such abundant and pure energy.

It was already loose, and now it was teetering on the brink of collapse.

Ye Chen did not become impatient; instead, he focused more of his mind on comprehending the newly acquired Hunyuan Dao Scripture Incomplete Manual.

And on further tempering and compressing his own Hunyuan True Essence.

Breaking through Realms was certainly important, but a solid Foundation and the purity of True Essence were even more critical.

Especially after learning that his parents might still be alive and that he would face powerful enemies like 'Shadow Fiend' in the future, he dared not be the least bit eager for quick success.

...

Days passed by.

Spiritual Qi misted within the Immortal Cave, and the aura on Ye Chen's body fluctuated.

At times it was as heavy as a mountain, at times as sharp as a sword, and at times there were traces of Chaos flowing through it.

On the seventh day, a slight 'crack' sound, as if everything had fallen into place, came from within his body.

The volume of his Wheel Sea expanded once more, and the Chaos vortex rotated more stably and powerfully.

The Dark Red Ember at the center also grew slightly, and the warm current of Life Qi it emitted became more active.

A more abundant and more condensed Hunyuan True Essence flowed through his entire body.

Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm, Middle Stage!

The Breakthrough process was exceptionally smooth, without the slightest strain.

In fact, because of his previously solid Foundation and his comprehension of the Hunyuan Dao Scripture,

the newly born True Essence was purer than before, and his control over power was more effortless.

Ye Chen did not stop; he continued to absorb the medicinal power and Spiritual Qi to stabilize his Realm, while also starting to attempt to Cultivate the Blood Shadow Escape.

He carefully separated a strand of his mind and, following the method, stimulated a trace of essence blood in his body.

He tried to simulate that state of burning and eruption.

The first few times failed; the essence blood was difficult to control, and any slight carelessness would lead to actual depletion.

But Ye Chen was not impatient; he tried repeatedly, using his powerful Divine Sense for precise control and his Hunyuan True Essence to wrap and guide it.

Finally, on the tenth day, Ye Chen successfully circulated and ignited a strand of essence blood according to a specific route.

Although it was just a simulation, the sudden burst of powerful thrusting force

caused his figure to pull out a faint blood-colored afterimage in the quiet room, his speed multiplying several times over!

"It's done!"

Ye Chen was delighted.

Although he had only achieved preliminary mastery and the simulated consumption was minimal, it proved that this path was feasible.

At a critical moment, this might be a life-saving or killing trump card.

He stopped Cultivating the Blood Shadow Escape and began to focus on the Great Sun Visualization Method.

With his previous experience and the support of his strengthened Divine Soul after the Breakthrough,

this time, visualizing the 'Pure Yang Light' was much smoother. The pain was greatly reduced, yet the effect was even better.

Ye Chen could feel his Divine Sense being tempered by the Pure Yang Light, constantly becoming more solid and resilient.

His range of perception expanded further, and his understanding of light and heat gradually deepened.

Cultivating, comprehending, consolidating...

Ye Chen was completely immersed in the process of improving his strength, forgetting the passage of time.

...

Until the day before departure, Zhou Tong's sound transmission Talisman woke him from his meditation.

"Junior Brother Ye, tomorrow at the Hour of Chen, assemble at the Sect square to head for Falling Star Lake. Senior Brother Murong asked me to notify you so you don't miss the time."

Ye Chen opened his eyes, a sharp light contained within them, his aura as deep and heavy as an abyss.

He rose to his feet and stretched his limbs, a series of crackling sounds coming from his body, filled with a sense of power.

Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm, Middle Stage, completely stabilized.

The Hunyuan One-Qi Art and the Hunyuan Dao Scripture Incomplete Manual complemented each other, leading to a deeper understanding.

The first layer of the Great Sun Visualization Method, 'Drawing Yang into the Soul,' was already proficient, and his Divine Soul strength was comparable to an ordinary Cultivator at the Fifth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm.

Blood Shadow Escape was preliminarily mastered and could burst forth instantly.

The ice scar sword, after the integration of the Void Gazer Cold Iron Wood, was of better quality and more in tune with himself.

Various Medicinal Pills, Talismans, and Formation Plates were also fully prepared.

It was time.

He changed into a set of black tight-fitting clothes convenient for movement, carried the ice scar sword on his back, and checked the items in his Storage Pouch once more to ensure nothing was missing.

Then, he pushed open the door of his Immortal Cave and walked out.

The morning light was faint, and the horizon was turning white.

Clouds and mist swirled around Ziyun Peak, and the air was fresh.

Ye Chen didn't go directly to the Sect square, but first to the Outer Sect area, Lin Qingxue's residence.

The small courtyard was still clean and tidy, but it had a bit more Life Qi.

Lin Qingxue was practicing her swordplay in the courtyard; though her technique was still immature, it was already taking shape, and her posture was agile.

The "bone-eroding pill" cold poison in her body had been completely neutralized under the care of the Medicinal Pills bestowed by Elder Li.

Not only had she recovered her health, but her cultivation had actually broken through to the Seventh Level of the Pulse Opening Realm; her complexion was rosy and her eyes were bright.

She had a bit more of a young girl's vitality and confidence than before.

"Brother Ye Chen!"

Seeing Ye Chen, Lin Qingxue put away her sword and ran over in pleasant surprise, her face overflowing with heartfelt joy.

"Qingxue, it seems you've recovered well."

Ye Chen felt gratified as he observed the changes in her.

"Mhm! It's all thanks to Brother Ye Chen and Elder Li's Medicinal Pills!"

Lin Qingxue nodded vigorously, then noticed Ye Chen's attire and aura, her eyes showing concern.

"Brother Ye Chen, are you going out again?"

"Yes, I'm going out to perform a Sect mission. It could be as short as a month or as long as several months."

Ye Chen did not hide it.

"While I'm away, Cultivate well and take care of yourself. If you encounter difficulties, you can go to Danding Peak to find Pill Cauldron Peak Deacon Disciple Senior Brother, or go directly to Cold Mist Pavilion to request an audience with Elder Li. I've already spoken with them."

"Brother Ye Chen, you must be careful!"

Lin Qingxue's eyes were full of reluctance and worry; she knew the mission Ye Chen was undertaking must be dangerous.

"Don't worry, I will return safely."

Ye Chen patted her head, took out several bottles of Medicinal Pills suitable for her current stage of Cultivation and some Spirit Stones from his Storage Pouch, and handed them to her.

"Take these and Cultivate well. When I return, I hope to see you Breakthrough to the Wheel Sea Realm."

"Mhm! I will definitely work hard!"

Lin Qingxue took the Medicinal Pills and gripped them tightly in her hands, her eyes shining with determined light.

Without staying too long, Ye Chen bid farewell to Lin Qingxue and turned to walk toward the main Peak in the direction of the Sect square.

At the Hour of Chen, the Sect square was already crowded with people.

In addition to the members of the investigation team about to depart, there were many Disciples who had come to see them off or watch the excitement.

...

When Ye Chen arrived, more than ten people had already gathered in the center of the square.

Murong Bai was dressed in white, standing at the very front, as refined as jade, speaking in low tones with several people beside him.

Beside him stood several Core Disciples with powerful auras, both men and women, all with cold expressions and extraordinary temperaments.

Ye Chen only recognized one of them, a Core Disciple he had met once before who cultivated a thunder-attribute Cultivation Technique.

Named "Lei Zhen," he was at the Fifth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm Peak, and his aura was overbearing.

On the side of the Inner Sect Elite Disciples, besides Ye Chen, there were three others.

Two men and one woman.

One of them was actually Zhao Feng!

Seeing Ye Chen, a look of surprise and joy appeared in his eyes, and he nodded slightly in greeting.

The other man was tall and thin, carrying a longbow on his back with sharp eyes; he was "Han Li," a well-known arrow Cultivator in the Inner Sect at the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm Late Stage.

The last woman was wearing a water-blue long dress, with a clear and pretty face and a gentle temperament.

She was "Su Yuwei," an Elite Disciple from "Bibo Peak" at the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm Peak, skilled in water-attribute Cultivation Techniques and healing.

To Ye Chen's slight surprise, Bai Yu was also among them!

He still had that lazy appearance, leaning against a stone pillar at the edge of the square, playing with his iron fan as if he were indifferent to everything around him.

Sensing Ye Chen's gaze, he looked up, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth, and nodded.

"Junior Brother Ye, over here."

Seeing Ye Chen, Murong Bai smiled and waved.

Ye Chen walked over and bowed with cupped hands to Murong Bai and the several Core Disciples.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Murong, and fellow Senior Brothers and Sisters."

Murong Bai nodded and briefly introduced both sides.

Besides Lei Zhen, the other Core Disciples were as follows.

"Shi Yue" (Fifth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm Late Stage), who specialized in earth-attribute Cultivation Techniques and had extremely strong defense.

"Mo Ling" (Fifth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm Middle Stage), a woman with a cold temperament from "Shenbing Peak" who was proficient in Artifact Refining and Formations.

And a taciturn young man in black with a hidden aura, carrying a broadsword on his back, named "Jing Wuming" (Fifth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm Peak).

He gave Ye Chen an extremely dangerous feeling.

"Everyone is here."

Murong Bai's gaze swept over the crowd, his voice clear.

"This trip to Falling Star Lake will be led by me. Senior Brother Shi Yue will be responsible for defense and scouting, Senior Brother Lei Zhen will lead the offense, Junior Sister Mo Ling will handle Formations and equipment, and Senior Brother Jing Wuming will provide support."

"Ye Chen, Zhao Feng, Han Li, Su Yuwei, and Bai Yu from the Inner Sect, you must follow the arrangements and perform your respective duties."

"Our goal is the outskirts of Falling Star Lake, with a focus on investigating the traces of the 'Shadow Fiend' and the possible entrance to the Ancient Medicine Garden. This journey is dangerous, so we must work together. Now, depart!"

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.

Murong Bai took out a palm-sized, silver-white flying boat with a sleek design and tossed it into the air.

The flying boat grew upon meeting the wind, instantly transforming into a ten-zhang-long silver multi-storied ship with circulating runes, hovering in mid-air.

This was the Sect's standard-issue flying Spiritual Artifact, the "cloud-piercing boat," which was extremely fast and possessed a certain degree of defensive power.

Everyone leapt onto the flying boat.

Murong Bai inserted Spirit Stones and activated the Formation.

The cloud-piercing boat vibrated slightly and turned into a streak of silver light, soaring into the sky and speeding toward the southeast.

On the flying boat, there were independent quiet rooms and public areas.

Most people chose to enter the quiet rooms to regulate their breathing and make final preparations for the upcoming journey to the dangerous land.

Ye Chen greeted Zhao Feng and also chose a quiet room to enter.

Looking through the porthole at the mountains and rivers passing rapidly below, Ye Chen's eyes were calm, but his heart was already tense.

Falling Star Lake, the Ancient Medicine Garden, the "Shadow Fiend"... a new adventure and challenge had begun.

He sat cross-legged, closing his eyes to concentrate and adjust his state to its Peak.

The unknown road ahead might be fraught with danger, but Ye Chen was already fearless.

Only by moving forward and constantly becoming stronger could he clear the mist, find his parents, settle his grievances, and step onto his own path to the Peak.

The cloud-piercing boat cut through the sky and disappeared into the vast sea of clouds.

...

The cloud-piercing boat was extremely fast, traveling ten thousand miles a day.

The atmosphere inside the boat was somewhat dull, except for Murong Bai occasionally discussing things in low tones with Shi Yue, Lei Zhen, and others.

Most people were in their respective quiet rooms regulating their breathing, or silently wiping their weapons and checking their equipment in a corner of the public area.

Even the lively Bai Yu had quieted down a lot, leaning against the porthole and looking at the rapidly receding sea of clouds outside, wondering what he was thinking.

In the quiet room, Ye Chen consolidated his cultivation while repeatedly pondering the profound principles in the Incomplete Manual of the Hunyuan Dao Scripture that he could barely understand.

He cross-referenced them with his own Hunyuan One-Qi Art.

Occasionally, he would use his Divine Sense to investigate outside the boat, observing the changes in terrain and comparing them with the information in the Jade Slip given by Leng Ningshuang to familiarize himself with the environment of the Falling Star Lake outskirts.

...

Three days later, the cloud-piercing boat began to lower its altitude and its speed slowed down.

Through the porthole, the changes in the terrain below could already be seen.

The originally lush mountain forests gradually became sparse, and the color of the vegetation turned into an unhealthy grayish-green.

A faint, fishy-sweet smell like rotting mud began to permeate the air.

Even through the flying boat's protective light shield, it could be faintly smelled.

"Everyone, we are about to enter the outskirts of Falling Star Lake. Come out."

Murong Bai's voice passed through the sound transmission Formation and clearly entered every quiet room.

Ye Chen pushed the door open and walked out to the deck at the bow of the boat.

Others also gathered one after another.

On the horizon ahead, a vast, eerie area shrouded in thick, grayish-white mist appeared.

The mist was like solidified miasma, slowly flowing and rolling, blotting out the sun and making it difficult for sunlight to penetrate.

This made the area dim, as if it were another world.

At the edge of the mist, the ground was a dark purplish-black, with jagged rocks and no grass growing.

Only some twisted, unknown fungi grew stubbornly, emitting a faint, multicolored fluorescence, adding a bit more eeriness.

This was the dreaded dangerous land—the outskirts of Falling Star Lake.

It was said that its core area was a bottomless, giant lake, named after star fragments that had fallen into it in ancient times.

The lake was surrounded by this boundless "Meteor Miasma," which was highly toxic and could erode True Essence and confuse the mind.

Deeper in, there were also spatial cracks, eerie Yao Beasts, ancient Restrictions, and other fatal dangers.

"What a dense poisonous miasma!"

Su Yuwei's brows furrowed slightly; as a water-attribute Cultivator, she was sensitive to environmental changes.

"This miasma is mixed with at least seventeen types of toxins, and it also has an evil power that disturbs the Divine Soul.

An ordinary Wheel Sea Realm Cultivator, without special means, would not last two hours in this miasma."

"Junior Sister Su is correct."