On the west side of Tingyu Market, a faint sandalwood fragrance filled a temporary cave dwelling, where Yu Daoist sat cross-legged.
He wore a moon-white long robe, gently twisting a teacup with his fingers, presenting a cultured and refined demeanor, though a trace of fierce expression occasionally flashed in his eyes.
He had come here this time to break through his cultivation, complete the Blood Banner ritual, and gather information.
"Hmm?"
Yu Daoist suddenly opened his eyes, frowning slightly.
He clearly felt the heaven and earth spiritual qi around him converging rapidly in one direction, forming an invisible tide of spiritual qi rushing straight to the sky.
"Could it be... someone is forming a Golden Core?"
His heart stirred, and a trace of greed flashed in his eyes.
When a cultivator tries to form a Golden Core, if they fail, not only will they suffer great loss of primordial qi, but their treasures will also become ownerless, which is a perfect opportunity for plunder.
Yu Daoist stood up, transforming into a faint red escape light, silently flying towards the source of the spiritual qi convergence.
The escape light moved swiftly, yet deliberately concealed its presence, like a phantom slipping through the streets and alleys of the market, soon arriving in the woods near Celestial Capital Peak.
As soon as he landed, he saw two figures standing on a large rock, intently gazing in the direction of Celestial Capital Peak.
These two were wearing family magic robes, their auras steady, both of Foundation Establishment Early-stage cultivation, namely the Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Zhou and Wang families of the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range—Zhou Guanglu and Wang Juhui.
Zhou Guanglu was the first to notice Yu Daoist's arrival. He turned around, scrutinizing this unfamiliar scholarly face with vigilance, cupping his hands and asking:
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"Fellow Daoist, are you a cultivator from the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range? May I ask your Daoist title?"
Yu Daoist put on a warm smile, returning the gesture with cupped hands:
"I am Yu Daoist, traveling from Fenghua Immortal City. Upon hearing the famed Tingyu Market, I've decided to rest here for a few days."
"I did not expect to encounter such unusual phenomena upon my arrival. Do you know which fellow Daoist is forming a Core here?"
His tone was natural, his eyes clear, showing no sign of anomaly.
Wang Juhui sighed, looking complicatedly towards Celestial Capital Peak:
"If nothing unexpected happens, it should be Brother Tingyu."
Yu Daoist feigned surprise:
"Brother Tingyu?"
"When I was in Fenghua Immortal City, I heard that Master Tingyu was a mid-stage Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator. Why is he suddenly attempting Golden Core formation?"
What he said was half-true, which fitted the identity of an "outside cultivator" while skillfully probing for information.
Zhou Guanglu shook his head:
"Brother Tingyu has always been deeply reserved and exceptionally good at self-preservation. If not for the large spiritual qi tide from this Core Formation attempt, we wouldn't know he had already reached Foundation Establishment Perfection."
Yu Daoist showed a look of admiration on his face, but secretly cursed:
"This Sword Cultivator is monstrous! Luckily, I was cautious and didn't rashly seek him out; otherwise, with his strength, I wouldn't have gotten away easily!"
But on second thought, he looked at the Array Light flickering around Celestial Capital Peak, greed rekindling in his eyes.
"However, forming a Core is not so easy. No matter how strong you are, once you fail, it's my opportunity!"
Zhou Guanglu suddenly spoke:
"This place is too close to Celestial Capital Peak. If Brother Tingyu misunderstands us as harboring ill intentions, it would be troublesome. Why don't we wait at the pavilion ahead, to clear ourselves of suspicion?"
He was well aware of Tingyu Daoist's capabilities and wished not to get into trouble during this sensitive period.
Wang Juhui nodded repeatedly, turning to Yu Daoist with a questioning look.
In their view, all three of them were Foundation Establishment Early-stage Cultivators. Even if Tingyu Daoist failed in forming his Core, they were not ones to provoke; rather than hovering around, it was better to keep a safe distance.
"We shall go together, we shall go together!"
Yu Daoist agreed with a smile, though harboring different intentions within.
The pavilion offered a broad view, which suited him for observing the situation and acting swiftly if the opportunity arose.
The three transformed into three escape lights, landing several miles away at the mountain pavilion.
Zhou Guanglu waved his hand, and a delicate spirit wood tea set appeared on the stone table. He skillfully boiled water and brewed tea, pushing two steaming cups of spirit tea towards Yu Daoist and Wang Juhui, cupping his hands:
"Please enjoy the tea, fellow Daoists."
Yu Daoist picked up the teacup, taking a gentle sip, but secretly observed the surroundings of the pavilion.
The pavilion was built in a mountain hollow, surrounded by lush vegetation, well-suited for concealing one's presence.
And the tea seemed to contain a faint, almost undetectable addition—clearly, these two weren't as harmless as they appeared.
"I heard that Celestial Capital Peak only possesses a Tier Two High Grade Spirit Vein. How can it support the spiritual qi needed for Core Formation?"
"Could the rumor be false!"
Yu Daoist asked with feigned confusion, subtly baiting to uncover more about the Celestial Capital Peak arrays.
Wang Juhui, without much thought, replied truthfully:
"The High Grade Spirit Vein is indeed true. However, fellow Daoist may not know, Brother Tingyu's Mountain Protection Array is said to be Tier Two Top Grade. If all the array's power is used for Gathering Spirit, it might barely meet the spiritual qi requirements for Core Formation."
"I see, thank you for clearing my doubt, fellow Daoist."
Yu Daoist displayed a look of sudden realization, becoming more determined within—using the Tier Two array fully for Gathering Spirit would significantly weaken the defenses.
Even if the opponent had a Quasi-Tier Three Array concealed, without the support of a Tier Three Spiritual Vein, it could never stand against his Blood God Banner!
The three sipped tea and chatted casually in the pavilion, discussing cultivation insights and the situation of the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range, seemingly harmonious but each harboring their own schemes.
Gradually, the expressions of Zhou Guanglu and Wang Juhui grew increasingly disturbed, hands under the table silently pinching spells, their glances occasionally drifting towards Yu Daoist's teacup.
By right, it should have taken effect, yet Yu Daoist remained composed, even leisurely sipping his tea.
Yu Daoist put down the teacup, a cold smile curled up at the corners of his mouth:
"What's wrong with you two? Could it be you're wondering why I haven't fallen for your trap?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he opened his mouth and spat out several pitch-black worms.
The worms fell to the ground, making a sizzling sound, emitting white smoke. They were precisely the "gu insects" Zhou and Wang had hidden in the tea.
Zhou Guanglu and Wang Juhui's faces changed dramatically, unable to keep up the pretense any longer.
"Now that you've seen through it, don't blame us for being rude!"
Zhou Guanglu shouted in a low voice, summoning a golden ring, which expanded rapidly in the air, emitting sharp golden light aimed to lock onto Yu Daoist.
Wang Juhui then summoned a heavy black seal, which carried immense power as it came smashing down toward Yu Daoist's head.
The two cooperated seamlessly, one locking and one striking, clearly well-prepared.
"Hmph, petty tricks!"
Yu Daoist snorted coldly, his figure transforming into a bloody shadow, disappearing instantly from the spot.
Zhou and Wang's attacks hit empty air, the golden ring and black seal collided with a muffled boom.
Before they had time to react, Yu Daoist's figure appeared behind them.
The aura around him suddenly surged, the pressure of Foundation Establishment Perfection sweeping out like a tide.
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The blood-colored banner in his hand moved without wind, numerous twisted human faces on the banner let out tragic wails, and streams of blood-colored figures flew out, pouncing towards Zhou and Wang.
"Foundation Establishment Perfection!"
Zhou Guanglu and Wang Juhui's faces turned ashen, eyes filled with despair.
They never expected that this seemingly gentle scholar was actually a Foundation Establishment Perfection Demon Cultivator!
The blood-colored figures instantly enveloped the two, tragic screams echoed through the mountains and forests.
In just a moment, the two silhouettes were completely consumed by the blood-colored figures, leaving only two withered corpses.
"Return!"
Yu Daoist shouted in a low voice, numerous blood-colored figures retreated back into the banner.
His complexion became rosy, satisfaction flashing in his eyes — after devouring the essence blood and divine souls of two Foundation Establishment cultivators, his strength had further increased.
Just then, he suddenly raised his head, looking towards Celestial Capital Peak.
The Spiritual Qi tide that had gathered over Celestial Capital Peak dissipated like a punctured balloon, and the Spiritual Qi of the world returned to calm.
Clearly, Tingyu Daoist's Core Formation attempt had failed!
"Heaven-sent opportunity!"
Yu Daoist's eyes flashed with ecstasy, no longer bothering to conceal himself, he transformed into a streak of blood light, rushing towards Celestial Capital Peak at the fastest speed.
The blood-colored banner in his hand shook violently, countless blood-colored figures flew out from the banner, swarming towards the Mountain Protection Array of Celestial Capital Peak like locusts.
"Swish! Swish!"
Blood-colored figures landed on the array light, gnawing at the array's spirit light like ravenous wolves.
The array light flickered intensely, quickly being gnawed into a blood-colored passage.
"Indeed, an empty shell!"
Yu Daoist sneered, striding through the passage towards the cave where the source of the Spiritual Qi lay.
However, when he passed through two layers of array light, the scene before him suddenly changed.
The cave that had been right in front of him vanished, the mountain path beneath his feet turned into an endless expanse of water, with a bright full moon hanging in the sky, its moonlight casting ripples on the water's surface.
"How is this possible? This is... the Tier Three Water Moon Illusion Array!"
Yu Daoist's face changed dramatically, a bad premonition surging in his heart.
He had seen records of Tier Three illusion arrays in ancient texts, such arrays could create indistinguishable illusions, trapping those within forever if they couldn't see through it.
Suppressing the panic in his heart, he focused all his power on activating the Blood God Banner.
Countless blood-colored figures flew out from the banner, obscuring the sky and gnawing frantically at the surrounding illusion realm.
The water surface stirred by the blood-colored figures surged with massive ripples, and the moonlight's glow dimmed.
"Break for me!"
Yu Daoist roared, his mana continuously pouring into the Blood God Banner.
The attack of the blood-colored figures became more fierce, cracks began to appear on the water's surface, and the moon wobbled.
Just when he thought he was about to break through the illusion, the scene before him suddenly reverted — the water remained calm, the moon still bright, as if the previous attack had been futile.
"Impossible! This can't be happening!"
Yu Daoist's face showed madness, he stared deathly at the illusion before him:
"Just a Foundation Establishment cultivator, how could they set up a genuine Tier Three Water Moon Array?!"
Unbeknownst to him, high above the array where he couldn't see, Chen Sheng stood with his arms folded, looking indifferently at him, as if watching a clown.
With the power of the Tier Three Array, Chen Sheng's Divine Sense had already enveloped the entire perimeter of Celestial Capital Peak.
Besides Yu Daoist, several other Loose Cultivators, and even Qi Cultivators hoping to take advantage of his "Core Formation failure," were trapped in different illusion realms at this moment.
"A bunch of foolhardy individuals."
Chen Sheng shook his head, a cyan Main Array Banner appearing in his hand.
With a gentle shake, under the water, countless strands of Water Spirit Qi coalesced into menacing Water Flood Dragons, pouncing on the trapped Loose Cultivators.
"Swish! Swish!"
The screams followed one after another, those cultivators hoping to fish in troubled waters were instantly torn into a bloody mess by the Water Flood Dragons, completely obliterated by the power of the array.
Having dealt with the riffraff on the outskirts, Chen Sheng's gaze returned to Yu Daoist:
"The remnants of Blood Refining Hall, let's see if you can surprise me."
He shook the Main Array Banner again, the full moon in the sky suddenly descended, transforming into a massive moonlight phantom, exuding an eerie and cold aura.
Wherever the moonlight phantom passed, the blood-colored figures Yu Daoist released froze instantly, then shattered into ice crystals and dissipated into the air.
The suffocating pressure descended, causing Yu Daoist's legs to give way, and he fell to the ground with a "thud."
His face was as pale as paper, the mana within him boiling like hot water, threatening to scatter at any moment.
"No! I can't die like this!"
Yu Daoist's eyes flashed with madness, suddenly spitting out a large mouthful of essence blood, which fell upon the Blood God Banner, causing it to erupt with blinding blood-colored light.
"Blood God Devours Heaven!"
He roared, trying to perform a Forbidden Technique.
But just then, the calm water surface suddenly raised a gigantic wave, a massive Water Flood Dragon burst out from the water, swallowing the Blood God Banner in one bite.
Then it submerged back into the water, disappearing without a trace.
With the Blood God Banner taken, Yu Daoist's last hope was dashed.
He slumped on the ground, eyes filled with despair.
The next moment, the massive moonlight phantom fell into Yu Daoist's eyes.
His eyes instantly became hollow, like a marionette, he began to stammer out his innermost secrets:
"I... I am under the command of Venerable Soul Manipulator from Blood Refining Hall... ordered to collect essence blood of cultivators in Thousand Peaks Mountain Range... refine Blood Spirits..."
Before he could reveal all his secrets.
A blood-colored light suddenly flashed in his head, then with a "boom", his head exploded, and his Divine Soul was completely obliterated.
This was a restriction planted in Blood Refining Hall cultivators. Once their identity was exposed, it would self-detonate, preventing any secrets from leaking.
Chen Sheng looked at the dissipating corpse of Yu Daoist, nodding slightly:
"Blood Refining Hall's restrictions are indeed ruthless."
"Venerable Soul Manipulator should be a Fake Pill Cultivator, truly a tough opponent that refuses to die!"
He waved his hand, and the Water Moon Array gradually dispersed, restoring Celestial Capital Peak to its previous state.
Chen Sheng turned, transforming into a streak of cyan light, returning to the cave. He needed to quickly adjust his state to prepare for the next Core Formation attempt.
With the Evil Pill as a backup, he intended to achieve perfection in both Body Refining and Qi Cultivation this life, leaving no regrets.
...
Outside West River Immortal City, in a secluded hill.
An elderly man with a slightly plump figure emitted the mana fluctuations of a Fake Pill Cultivator; sensing the Blood Jade's shattering, he snorted coldly:
"Useless fool!"
"But the news Yu Daoist sent, is it true or false?"
"Is that junior Tingyu truly a Body Cultivator at the Sixth Layer Perfection?"
Venerable Soul Manipulator's eyes reflected deep thoughts, pondering on the refining of his Magical Treasure, and ultimately deciding to pay a visit.