Three months had passed, and with the aid of the Yuan Crystal's power, the depletion within his acupoints had gradually been fully restored.

Xiao Han and Huo Feng were slightly slower—the deeper one's cultivation, the harder it became to recover once their internal power was severely diminished. On this day, as the three were cultivating in silence, they simultaneously sensed an outsider approaching.

They were situated in a relatively remote grove, the ground covered everywhere with tall reeds, all colored azure and green, standing erect like countless sharp swords piercing the sky. “Is anyone there?” the outsider called out first. “Who is it?” Xiao Han responded coldly; she never showed a pleasant demeanor to strangers. “May we enter?” the person continued to call from outside. “You may.” Xiao Han replied with a frigid tone.

Before long, a party of five approached from outside. All five were Heavenly Artisans of the human race, each possessing the cultivation of the Ten Directions Heavenly Nirvana Cage realm. One among them had an aura as profound and distant as the sea, likely on par with Huo Feng’s realm—both were peak figures of the Nirvana Radiance realm.

The group consisted of three men and two women, all of ordinary appearance. Upon arrival, they all wore slight smiles, displaying an expression suggesting they had matters to discuss.

“Allow me to introduce myself first. My name is Zou Tao. I have been cultivating here in the Earth’s core all along.” The leader, a plump man with a cordial, amiable smile, gestured to the other four: “These are also Heavenly Artisans here, all in the Nirvana Cage realm. They are Tian Yue, Luo Mi, Qiu Yun, and Li Xing. We are all of the human race.”

Huo Feng opened his eyes and said impatiently, “You five have sought us out. State your business clearly.” Huo Feng had not yet fully recovered his depleted internal essence and did not wish to waste time on trifles.

“Heh heh.” Zou Tao was not offended. He smiled faintly and continued, “From the words of the Blood Clan's Yan Yun, we learned that you three are also here for the Life Magnetic Pool. In another two months, the Blood Clan will lead us there. By then, there will likely be many people present—besides the Blood Clan, there will be numerous cultivators from this area, even the Ice Clan and the Flame Demon race will enter. Since you know of the Life Magnetic Pool, you should understand its cruelty. Who knows how many will survive to emerge...”

This person was quite candid. He had approached because he recognized the high cultivation of Huo Feng and Xiao Han—both being Nirvana Cage realm—and because they were fellow humans. Thus, he sought to establish a good relationship beforehand, proposing that they look out for one another within the “Life Magnetic Pool” so as not to be treated as cannon fodder by experts of other races.

This was mutually beneficial, advantageous to both parties. Xiao Han paused only briefly before nodding slightly, turning to ask Huo Feng for his opinion. Huo Feng remained silent, simply nodding in agreement, muttering under his breath, “Such a hassle...” Xiao Han then shifted her gaze to Ji Changkong, asking, “What about you? Do you have any concerns?”

Zou Tao and his party suddenly wore peculiar expressions. In their view, Ji Changkong, who was only in the Subtle Insight realm, should have no right to voice an opinion, and they were perplexed as to why Xiao Han valued his input.

“I naturally have no issues either.” Ji Changkong rubbed his nose nonchalantly. Unaware of the deep intricacies surrounding the “Life Magnetic Pool,” he trusted that Xiao Han had arranged the entry matters sufficiently, so he did not give it much thought. “Good. When we enter the ‘Life Magnetic Pool,’ we will stick together and watch out for each other.” Xiao Han finally nodded.

Zou Tao smiled with satisfaction. “That is excellent. We will not disturb your cultivation further.” He could also tell the three had not yet reached their peak state, which prompted his suggestion to depart. Xiao Han nodded coolly, making no move to rise. Two months later.

In front of the Blood Clan’s Crystal Ancient Castle, nearly a hundred experts from various races were gathered. The assembly was a motley crew, including three Elders of the Blood Clan in the Willful Insight realm, and Heavenly Artisans who had just entered the Ten Directions Heavenly realm—Subtle Insight practitioners. Races such as the Blood Clan, Wood Clan, Wing Clan, and Three-Eyed Clan mingled, truly a mix of everyone.

When Ji Changkong’s trio arrived, they noticed Zou Tao’s group had arrived earlier. Seeing Ji Changkong’s three appear, they eagerly waved, signaling for Huo Feng and Xiao Han to join them.

Ji Changkong observed that although the gathering was mixed, different races generally kept to their own areas; humans clustered with humans, and the Wing Clan with the Wing Clan.

Within the grand assembly, there were smaller formations. For instance, in the human section, the five experts of the Nirvana Cage realm, like Zou Tao, stayed together in one spot, while those in the Subtle Insight realm formed several smaller groups among themselves.

After joining Zou Tao beside Huo Feng and Xiao Han, Ji Changkong gave a relaxed smile. “Looking at your complexions, you must have recovered to your peak state. Heh heh, our combined strength has increased by one segment. I hope we all gain something from this journey.”

As Zou Tao spoke, Elder Vercingetorix of the Blood Clan stood before the Crystal Ancient Castle, raising a hand to signal for silence. He then announced, “The Flame Demons and the Ice Clan have observed for a century, and they have finally discovered that the vortex within the Life Magnetic Pool is gradually forming again. We have conferred with those two clans and decided to jointly break the barrier protecting entry to the ‘Life Magnetic Pool’ and enter together. The reason you have all been living here is because of that place’s existence. We of the Blood Clan will not disregard customs, so you are allowed to enter together.”

After a pause, Vercingetorix continued, “However, everything has rules. We Blood Clan have our rules, and the Flame Demons and Ice Clan also have theirs. To avoid unnecessary conflict, I must remind you one more time: do not violate the rules of the others, or if any dispute arises, you must bear the consequences yourselves!”

Following Vercingetorix’s address, another Blood Clan Elder, Reign, stepped forward. “This time, the Life Magnetic Pool was discovered by an Ice Clan member who ventured in at great risk. The Ice Clan sacrificed ten experts to pinpoint the vortex’s location. Therefore, once this barrier is opened, the Ice Clan will enter first. No one is permitted to rush ahead. Otherwise, once we enter, we will first kill any who leap the line.”

After Reign detailed several other points requiring attention, he concluded, “If no one has any further questions, we shall depart now.” No one voiced any dissent. As Reign finished speaking, the crowd became solemn, yet their eyes shone with excitement.

Ji Changkong paid close attention. He noticed that the foreign race members opposite them, amidst their excitement, were watchfully eyeing the other races, their gazes tinged with hostility. Based on the situation, it seemed they would not hesitate to strike if an opportunity presented itself.

This realization startled him inwardly. While remaining vigilant, he casually asked Zou Tao beside him, “When those non-humans look over here, they seem filled with malice. Once we enter the Life Magnetic Pool, could we run into unnecessary trouble?”

The smile faded from Zou Tao’s face, and he replied gravely, “That is correct! Here in the Earth’s core, due to the Blood Clan’s restrictions, no one can engage in casual combat. Even sworn enemies must pay sufficient Yuan Crystals if they wish to fight to the death. Furthermore, because living here requires paying Yuan Crystals to the Blood Clan, and everyone remains here year after year without access to any Yuan Crystal mines, everyone’s supply is scarce. To conserve their Yuan Crystals, even enemies sometimes have to endure.”

“However, once inside the Life Magnetic Pool, all restrictions are lifted. Old scores can be settled, and grudges repaid. Consequently, those who harbor long-standing hatreds may show their malice beforehand, preparing to eliminate their enemies within the Life Magnetic Pool. The Blood Clan will not only refrain from stopping it but will happily witness such an outcome,” Zou Tao added.

“Oh? Why is that?” Ji Changkong asked out of curiosity.

“Because only when souls are continually extinguished within it will the vortex gradually materialize, becoming clearer and easier to locate!” A plain-looking young girl suddenly ground out through clenched teeth, “The reason the Blood Clan restricts fighting in the Earth’s core is precisely to channel those conflicts into the Life Magnetic Pool, hoping they fight to the death there to bring forth the life vortex as quickly as possible.”

This girl, whom Zou Tao had introduced earlier, was Qiu Yun, also possessing the Nirvana Cage realm cultivation. Seeing her teeth-grinding expression, she clearly held deep resentment toward this Blood Clan regulation.

Ji Changkong nodded silently, saying nothing aloud, but secretly cautioned himself to be ready once they entered the “Life Magnetic Pool.”

He observed that several individuals from the Wing Clan and Wood Clan across the way looked unkindly toward his group, while Tian Yue and Luo Mi looked furious, seemingly holding feuds with those opposite them. He feared he might be dragged into conflict once they entered the “Life Magnetic Pool.”

Mulling over these thoughts, he followed Huo Feng and Xiao Han under the guidance of the Blood Clan toward an unknown destination ahead.

This Earth’s core world seemed vast. Led by the Blood Clan, the group flew for over half a month before reaching their destination.

Boundless seas of scorching magma flames met boundless expanses of icy cold water. The lava sea and the icy sea were distinctly separated by a massive, strangely shaped pool shrouded in thick grey mist. One could not discern the true scene within, only sensing extraordinary elemental power contained within the haze.

Dozens of Flame Demons, whose appearances were already extremely close to humans, stood in the distance, enveloped in swirling flames, with crimson lava slowly flowing from their flesh. Upon seeing the approaching Blood Clan members, one shouted from afar, “Hurry up! You are already too late! Hmph, if your souls weren't useful for manifesting the life vortex, we wouldn't have bothered notifying you despicable lot!” He seemed quite resentful, showing disdain for all members of the Blood Clan.

A: Recommending a very interesting new book, Alchemy Frenzy (), Book ID: 178, it’s truly fascinating, you all might want to check it out. This book has a direct link you can use to access it. The synopsis is as follows: In my past life, I was ordinary. In this life, when I reincarnate, I want to be born into the most powerful, influential, and wealthy family!

I want to become a profligate son! A profligate son with power, influence, and money—preferably with a few lackeys too!!

I want to squander! I want to be a spendthrift!! ∫To be continued. To know what happens next, please log in to...m for more chapters, support the author, and support Yu Ban reading!)F