Jing Nation, Thousand Island Lake.
Vast azure waters stretched beyond sight, resembling an inland sea. Scattered across it were countless islands of varying sizes, dotted like stars, each with its spiritual aura.
Numerous cultivators had taken root on these islands, managing and cultivating them as their own.
Among them, on the largest island where spiritual energy was most concentrated and refined, stood a massive city built along the island's terrain.
The city was grand and magnificent, teeming with cultivators. It was the spiritual and political center of the Thousand Islands known as the Thousand Island Water City, a Golden Core power and the only major force among the four nations governed by rogue cultivators.
At the center of this sprawling city lay a small lake, linked to surrounding waterways. Spiritual formations connected to it, channeling vibrant blue streams of energy into it from all sides.
Within the lake, schools of dragon carp with glistening black scales stirred the waters, sending up endless splashes.
If one was fortunate, they might even glimpse the flicker of a scale or claw from the elusive third-tier black flood dragon beneath the surface, or hear its distant, echoing dragon call.
At the heart of the lake, on a modest island where the most refined spiritual energy converged, stood a small lakeside pavilion with a panoramic view of the city below.
There, an old man sat calmly on a chair, his posture relaxed, yet exuding undeniable authority despite the heavy aura of decay and old age. His gaze, steady and peaceful, swept across the lake he had watched for centuries.
He was none other than the founder of Thousand Island Water City, the Golden Core Patriarch known as Bihu Sanren.
By his side stood a middle-aged cultivator with graying hair and beard, standing respectfully, not daring to disturb the silence.
The old man remained quiet for a long while. Only after some time did he finally speak, his voice dry and raspy:
"Any movement from those old fools?"
The middle-aged cultivator bowed reverently and replied,
"Reporting to Master…"
"Purple Profound Sect Master has reinforced his sect's grand formation and exchanged a powerful blow with the invading Golden Core demonic cultivator, barely managing to drive them off. He has since remained within the mountain, taking no further action."
"Daoist Feiyu was also ambushed by a Golden Core demon, but no one knows the details. Only after returning to his sect did news of the attack spread. He's been in seclusion ever since."
"As for the one from Jiuding Valley…"
Before he could finish, the old man snorted coldly and scoffed,
"Hmph! That faker who refined a demon core into a pseudo-Golden Core isn't even worth mentioning! With his level of cultivation, the only reason Jiuding Valley still stands is because we're too old to waste our breath on him."
"You want him to risk exploring the Lava Palace? He'd probably die to the first fire beast he runs into!"
"Most he'll do is send his disciples to throw their lives away exploring in his stead!"
After that brief ridicule, the old man let out a weary sigh.
"It's been over a year… Those three haven't made a single move. I suppose the unrest within the Lava Palace has settled."
"I don't have much time left. It's about time I made one final attempt!"
As a Golden Core cultivator, Bihu Sanren's vision far surpassed that of Foundation Establishment cultivators.
After interrogating the disciple who had barely escaped the mouth of a third-tier fire beast, he pieced together the truth behind the Lava Palace which likely contained the ruins of an ancient Nascent Soul sect.
He had once crossed the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range to explore the richer lands and spiritual veins beyond.
Though his travels ended poorly suffering severe setbacks and nearly losing his life to powerful foes he eventually returned to Jing Nation and never left again.
Though these four nations were spiritually barren and resources for Golden Core cultivators were scarce, he had at least managed to survive. There were no unreasonable powerhouses here who could crush him, not even among some abnormally strong Foundation Establishment cultivators who had once forced him to flee for his life.
Those bitter memories aside, his travels gave him a broader perspective and sharper judgment than most Golden Core cultivators.
He had seen with his own eyes the scale and structure of true Nascent Soul sects.
A typical Nascent Soul sect might have no more than five Golden Core elders, with a fourth-tier grand formation as standard.
But in the Lava Palace, there were already two possibly more third-tier fire beasts, and its lingering formations, even in disarray, still retained the might of third and fourth-tier powers.
And with no known history or records, the ruins had to date back at least ten thousand years remnants of an ancient sect from a forgotten era.
For it to retain such depth after all that time this was no mere Nascent Soul sect.
Such ruins carried unimaginable risks, but also the chance of priceless ancient pills or spiritual treasures.
Whether to extend his life or boost his cultivation further, any success could grant him a few more precious years.
As for the dangers… he had little time left anyway. Just another year or two. What did he have to fear?
"Master…"
The middle-aged cultivator's expression shifted, clearly moved, though he said nothing more.
Bihu Sanren glanced at his disciple and sighed.
"You've done well these years. I've given you everything I could… Were it not for the rarity of Core Formation materials, and my lack of certainty in slaying a third-tier beast, I would've helped you attempt forming a core long ago…"
The middle-aged man immediately knelt. "Master, you've done more than enough. The fault lies with this unworthy disciple."
"Enough."
The old man waved his hand.
"I won't be taking Dahei with me on this trip… If all goes well, all will rejoice. But if I fall in the Lava Palace, then Thousand Island Water City will have to rely on Dahei to maintain our legacy…"
"You all must serve him well. If any opportunity for core formation arises, let Dahei act. So long as we can raise one more Golden Core, our dominance in these four nations will remain unshaken!"
Bringing his third-tier spirit beast would indeed increase his odds greatly.
But the Bihu Sanren had ruled Thousand Island Water City for many years and had built strong bonds with his many disciples.
As a beast, Dahei the black flood dragon had a much longer lifespan than human cultivators. Leaving it behind as a legacy guardian would ensure the city's continued stability long after his passing.
If he took it with him and both perished in the Lava Palace, the entire city might collapse his disciples would have no way to hold the foundation together.
Faced with this reality, he made the difficult decision to leave behind this final safeguard.
As he finished speaking, the lake's surface rippled, and the faint outline of a fierce dragon's head emerged briefly before sinking again.
"Your disciple will remember this forever!"
Feeling Dahei's gaze upon him, the middle-aged cultivator trembled slightly and bowed solemnly in response.
.......
Chidi Mountain Range.
A streak of black-and-blue light raced through the sky, arriving swiftly outside a geothermal tunnel, revealing the figure of Bihu Sanren.
However, on his entire journey here, it was as if no one had noticed his presence at all he hadn't drawn the slightest attention.
His divine sense carefully scanned the formation's layout, verifying its functions. With a flick of his wrist, a command token silently appeared in his hand.
"This Li Ye is quite a talent. Pity he's not from my city and can't be fully trusted. Otherwise, with his mastery over formation arts, he might've added another layer of defense to Thousand Island Water City…"
Bihu Sanren examined the token and shook his head slightly, a trace of regret in his eyes.
Without further delay, he used the token to quietly activate the formation and stepped into the passage.
His remaining lifespan was limited he had come for the Lava Palace and nothing else. He had already heard about Li Ye's situation from his disciples.
Now that Li Ye had shut his gates tightly and was keeping to himself, Bihu Sanren had no intention of disturbing him better not risk any noise that might alert others.
But the moment he entered, certain unremarkable mechanisms silently activated…
A startled exclamation soon echoed from the summit of Pingyang Mountain.
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