"Senior Qin, the Five Great Sects, and even Sect Master Shi have all gone to the Spirit Mist Cultivation World. There are hardly any cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage left in the Chaos Lands. If Senior Qin simply raises his banner here, he will surely attract numerous followers. Perhaps we should establish our own sect here and start a grand venture? ...Or, we could join the other sects and march into the Spirit Mist Cultivation World to seize a large territory? With your strength, Senior, occupying the land of a small country in the Spirit Mist Cultivation World and recruiting forces should present no issue. Decades from now, as your cultivation deepens, perhaps you could even form a Golden Core like Old Ancestor Hongyun, commanding respect and power in the cultivation world."

Seeing Ye Qin lost in thought, Hou Qianji cautiously offered his suggestions.

Ye Qin glanced at Hou Qianji. Despite the man's extremely low cultivation, his ambition was considerable—even daring to incite him to seize territory in the Spirit Mist Cultivation World and expand his power. Hou Qianji's ideas were not inherently flawed; after all, they were cultivators of the Chaos Lands, unconcerned with the survival of the Spirit Mist Cultivation World.

But he was different. He was a disciple of the third-largest immortal cultivation sect in the Spirit Mist Cultivation World. Furthermore, Ye Qin knew his own limits: while his strength was decent compared to other low- or mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators of the same level, encountering any Golden Core cultivator meant certain death.

"Now is not the time to discuss such matters. Since you two have arrived, I have a few bottles of common spirit pills here. Take these and sell them in the marketplace, try to exchange them for as many Mid-Grade Spirit Stones as possible. If Mid-Grade Spirit Stones are unavailable, Low-Grade Spirit Stones will suffice."

Ye Qin handed several bottles of elixirs to Hou Qianji and Tie Dadan, instructing them to go sell them.

"Spirit Pills! These low-grade medicinal pills that can enhance cultivation are far rarer than spirit stones, perfect for Qi Condensation cultivators. I've befriended several merchants in the marketplace over the last year and should be able to help Senior sell these pills for the best possible price!"

Hou Qianji accepted them with delighted surprise, inhaling the aroma and crying out involuntarily. With spirit pills in hand, one could continuously improve regardless of spiritual root potential. Spirit pills were undoubtedly one of the most sought-after and easily sold commodities.

Ye Qin entrusted the task of selling the spirit pills to Hou Qianji and Tie Dadan.

Familiar with the area, the two took only three days to sell all the large bottles of spirit pills to the local merchants within the marketplace fortress. Since most cultivators from the Chaos Lands had departed for the Spirit Mist Cultivation World, the marketplace was sparsely populated with few merchants remaining. They managed to collect the Mid-Grade Spirit Stones held by nearly every merchant in the market, yet only acquired about a hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones in total.

Fortunately, this amount was sufficient for Ye Qin's needs.

He accepted all the Mid-Grade Spirit Stones with satisfaction. He then gave the surplus of over two hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, along with a small bottle of medicinal pills, to Hou Qianji and Tie Dadan.

"I must depart immediately for the Spirit Mist Cultivation World to handle an urgent matter. If you two wish to follow, head to the Southern Liang Kingdom in the Spirit Mist Cultivation World. I have several friends there who need manpower to expand their influence. You can partner with them to manage a territory belonging to a Jianghu gang in Qingzhou, Southern Liang Kingdom. If you choose not to go, you can remain here in the Chaos Lands to cultivate slowly; this small bottle of spirit pills and spirit stones is my reward for you."

Ye Qin finished his instructions and left the marketplace.

Hou Qianji and Tie Dadan, each clutching over a hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones and some low-grade spirit pills from Ye Qin, were momentarily stunned. Senior Qin had only been back for a few days before rushing off again; it seemed he must be pursuing Sect Master Shi and the others. (Computer Reading .16.c)

"Old Hou, Senior Qin seems entirely focused on cultivation, perhaps having no interest in establishing a sect. Should we still go to the Southern Liang Kingdom?" Tie Dadan asked.

"We go! There's no future staying here; we might as well venture into the Spirit Mist Cultivation World. The Spirit Mist Cultivation World must be in turmoil now, offering more opportunities," Hou Qianji grit his teeth and made up his mind.

Ye Qin flew out of the marketplace, clutching the considerable cache of Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, pondering where to go next. He actually had two impending matters requiring his attention for advancement.

The first was to stop Ma Dongyan from acquiring a physical body with a Single Spirit Root exceeding eighty, preventing the Holy Emperor from possessing it and re-emerging from the underground imperial tomb. The second was to seize the Spirit Fruit from cultivators like Shi Hanyang. This Spirit Fruit was the most crucial spiritual medicine for refining the Golden Core, vital for breaking through the Golden Core bottleneck, and a substance that all Foundation Establishment cultivators would fight for, regardless of cost.

However, he had no idea where Ma Dongyan planned to procure this physical body, making it impossible to predict Ma Dongyan's whereabouts. Thus, although this matter was urgent, it could not be acted upon immediately.

As for the second matter, Shi Hanyang had gone to the Southern Liang Kingdom in the Spirit Mist Cultivation World, providing a clear destination, making him easier to locate.

With this realization, Ye Qin immediately summoned the Dark Cloud Barrier and flew towards the ruins of the Holy Emperor City, intending to activate the ancient teleportation array within the ruins to transport himself directly back to the Spirit Mist Cultivation World.

He was currently very anxious about the location of the Spirit Fruit.

Traveling from the Chaos Lands to the Spirit Mist Cultivation World by sword flight would only take about half a year. But Shi Hanyang had emerged from the underground imperial tomb, bringing a contingent of core Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Sunset Sect to the Southern Liang Kingdom in the Spirit Mist Cultivation World a full year ago. Therefore, based on the timeline, Shi Hanyang should have long since arrived at the Lu Family Fortress in Southern Liang. They had ample time to secure the Spirit Fruit.

Of course, the Lu Family of the Southern Liang Kingdom was not easy to deal with.

The Lu Family of today was vastly different from that of a thousand years ago. They were now a major immortal cultivation family within the Southern Liang Kingdom, boasting a Golden Core cultivator and numerous Foundation Establishment experts—far surpassing the strength of the mere Sunset Sect. The difficulty for Shi Hanyang to take the Spirit Fruit without alerting the Lu Family was likely far from trivial.

Ye Qin was uncertain whether the Spirit Fruit at the Lu Family Fortress in Southern Liang had already fallen into Shi Hanyang's hands or if it remained at the Lu Family Fortress. Having long worried about breaking through the Golden Core bottleneck, Ye Qin was naturally extremely eager for the Spirit Fruit. Otherwise, he wouldn't have traded a Golden Armored Guard to the Holy Emperor just for this piece of intelligence.

He needed to arrive in the shortest time possible to see if there was any chance to contend for the Spirit Fruit against Sect Master Shi, the Lu Family, and a host of covetous cultivators.

This ancient teleportation array in the ruins of the Holy Emperor City could save him over half a year of travel time.

As for Hou Qianji and Tie Dadan, the Qi Condensation cultivators who wished to follow him, they would simply have to travel to the Spirit Mist Cultivation World slowly—Qi Condensation cultivators could not fly by sword, and it would likely take them five or six years to reach Southern Liang.

Ye Qin flew to the ruins of the Holy Emperor City and landed on the ancient teleportation array within the ruins, quickly inserting over sixty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones into the southeast and due east corners of the array.

This direction led to the Immortal Fate City of the Spirit Mist World.

Activating the array, a dazzling beam of light shot into the sky. Whoosh—Ye Qin vanished from the ancient teleportation array. After the light dissipated, all the Mid-Grade Spirit Stones inserted into the array slots had turned into inert, powdered dust.

Millions of miles away from the ruins of the Holy Emperor City, in the distant Immortal Fate City of the Spirit Mist World.

Inside the city, in the Central Palace, hundreds of Golden Armored cultivators stood guard. These were all soldiers of the Loose Cultivator Alliance.

In the main hall, a group of over a hundred Foundation Establishment mid- and high-stage cultivators, clad in varied robes and wearing solemn expressions, sat stiffly on rush mats. Based on the insignia on their clothing, they hailed from completely different immortal cultivation sects, all holding high-ranking positions such as Elder or Vice-Sect Master. Although their expressions were grave, they were currently engaged in a fierce argument regarding the deployment of forces from their respective sects to guard Immortal Fate City.

"Elder Li, why must my Beast Spirit Sect also dispatch two Golden Core cultivators and thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators to guard Immortal Fate City? This is highly unfair! Transferring so many personnel leaves my sect's mountain gate undefended!" an old man in green shouted agitatedly.

"Elder Wu, do not be hasty. The forces dispatched by all Seven Great Immortal Cultivation Sects are identical; this is the fairest arrangement," a white-robed, gray-haired old man replied calmly beside him.

"Esteemed sirs, with a great enemy at the gates, those of us originating from the Spirit Mist Cultivation World should set aside our differences and work together to resist the invaders. Otherwise, once Spirit Mist City falls, the entire Spirit Mist Mountain Range will lose its last barrier, exposed before the enemy. The enemy can easily cross the Great Spirit Mist Canyon and assault the immortal gates of our various sects," the red-robed elder seated at the head continually reasoned.

He was Wei Shanyi, the Alliance Leader of the Loose Cultivator Alliance in Spirit Mist City, a cultivator at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. He was the nominal convener of the joint resistance by the major sects of the Spirit Mist Cultivation World against the invasion of the Heaven's Vault and the Ten Thousand Moon Lake.

However, he held little real authority; his role was primarily to coordinate efforts.

After all, the strength of the Loose Cultivator Alliance in Spirit Mist City was too weak, inferior to any single one of the Seven Great Immortal Cultivation Sects. The true backbone of the defense against external enemies had to be the cultivators from the major sects.

"Hmph, if it's fairness we seek, then the deployment should be based on each sect's actual strength! My Beast Spirit Sect has the fewest disciples, so we should contribute the least. The Azure Pill Sect has the most resources!" the old man in green continued to clamor angrily.

As the cultivators argued over troop numbers, a blindingly brilliant light suddenly erupted from a corner of the hall.

All present were startled, ceasing their dispute, and hurriedly looked toward the source of the light.

In this heavily guarded main hall, it was absolutely impossible for an outsider to sneak in.

The light emanated from the large teleportation array situated in the corner of the hall.

"An Ancient Teleportation Array! Someone is teleporting in from another cultivation world..." Wei Shanyi observed the array, knitting his brows. "The teleportation display shows the origin as the Chaos Lands. The arrival is likely an enemy—everyone, be cautious!"

Seeing that the light originated from the Ancient Teleportation Array, the cultivators felt a measure of relief. These high-ranking cultivators from various sects often convened in this palace to discuss important matters and were naturally aware of the ancient teleportation array housed within. However, this array was seldom used, perhaps only once every few decades or centuries, causing them to overlook its presence.

Although the Ancient Teleportation Array was massive and capable of ultra-long-distance travel, the number of individuals it could transport at one time was extremely limited. Regardless of whether the arrival was friend or foe, they posed little threat. Even if a Golden Core cultivator emerged, it would be no great matter.

Currently, Spirit Mist City hosted over a dozen Golden Core ancestors from various sects, all present in the city and able to arrive in an instant. The number of Foundation Establishment cultivators was countless. An enemy daring to use the Ancient Teleportation Array single-handedly was akin to seeking death.

While many were aware that battles between the cultivation worlds of the Central Continent often involved an Ancient Teleportation Array connecting their respective Immortal Fate Cities, no one had ever attempted to use this method for a sneak attack. First, the cost was immense—teleporting a single person required thousands of Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Second, even if they successfully teleported, their small numbers would be instantly wiped out by the enemy's superior forces, resulting in a futile sacrifice.

Thus, the elders were more curious as to who would choose to teleport from the Chaos Lands.

A moment later, the space above the Ancient Teleportation Array fluctuated, and Ye Qin, dressed in a plain green robe, materialized abruptly in the hall.

Seeing himself appear inside a vast palace, surrounded by a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators staring intensely at him, Ye Qin paused in surprise. This must be Spirit Mist City; there was only one major palace there, the Immortal Fate Hall at the city's center. He hadn't expected the Ancient Teleportation Array here to also be situated within a grand building.

To avoid misunderstanding, Ye Qin quickly took out his sect identification token and cupped his hands toward the crowd. "I am Ye Qin of the Azure Pill Sect. Greetings to all my fellow disciples!"

"A disciple of the Azure Pill Sect!? How could he come from a place like the Chaos Lands?" Wei Shanyi asked suspiciously, turning to ask someone beside him. "Elder Li, is this cultivator one of your Azure Pill Sect members?"

That Elder Li stepped forward to examine Ye Qin, then glanced at the token, shaking his head in equal confusion. "The Azure Pill Sect has two hundred Foundation Establishment disciples, and I haven't met them all. This sect token is genuine. However, this individual appears exceptionally young, under thirty, yet possesses the cultivation of the fourth level of Foundation Establishment. Such a talented cultivator must be renowned within the sect; there is no reason I wouldn't recognize him. Furthermore, our disciples are all assigned specific duties and would not act independently, nor have we ever dispatched anyone to the Chaos Lands. How did he come from there?" He paused and questioned Ye Qin, "Boy, since you claim to be an Azure Pill Sect disciple, do you know my name?"

Ye Qin was struck dumb; he certainly couldn't name him. The Azure Pill Sect had numerous elders, and Elder Li had never met Ye Qin, nor had Ye Qin ever met him.

"If even Elder Li doesn't recognize this person, he must be a spy from the Chaos Lands masquerading as an Azure Pill Sect disciple! Seize him and interrogate him strictly!" Wei Shanyi immediately shouted sternly.

Following the sharp command, several Foundation Establishment cultivators, each wielding a magical artifact, lunged toward Ye Qin, attempting to restrain him.

Ye Qin offered a wry smile; he was perfectly fine, so why was he suddenly deemed not to be an Azure Pill Sect disciple? But facing the charging Foundation Establishment cultivators, he dared not underestimate them. Two green and gold flying swords shot out from his sleeve, protecting his person.

"Stop! This child is a disciple of my Azure Pill Sect! Junior Brother Qin, follow me."

A faint, ethereal female voice echoed through the hall, seeming to approach from afar. In the blink of an eye, a beautiful madam appeared at the hall entrance, an almost imperceptible spiritual pressure enveloping the entire hall.

All the cultivators were shocked, glancing toward the hall entrance before immediately lowering their heads, none daring to meet the woman's gaze.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators who had attacked also halted instantly, careful not to harm Ye Qin.

"Li Hongxi pays respects to Martial Aunt Chen. Since Martial Aunt Chen recognizes this Junior Brother Qin, he must indeed be an Azure Pill disciple."

Following this, all the cultivators hurriedly bowed respectfully to the female cultivator outside the hall, addressing her as 'Martial Aunt Chen.' Although the newcomer was a Golden Core cultivator from the Azure Pill Sect, the various sects of the Spirit Mist World were interconnected, and it was proper for the juniors to pay their respects.

Ye Qin looked at the beautiful married woman outside the hall, his heart tightening slightly. A Golden Core female cultivator had arrived, and she was from the Azure Pill Sect. While the Azure Pill Sect had nine Golden Core cultivators, he had never had the honor of meeting any of them personally and naturally did not recognize them.

This was not the main issue; he was certain the Golden Core cultivators of the Azure Pill Sect would not harm him. The perplexing thing was how this Martial Aunt recognized him?

Ye Qin retracted his two flying swords and cautiously stepped out, his mind filled with confusion.