After half a month of seclusion in the Ten Thousand Year Ice Cavern, Xiao Qi thoroughly consolidated his Late Golden Core peak realm. His control over Four Symbols Chaos power grew increasingly skillful—mind's turn, Four Symbols flowing, spiritual power nature changing freely. Though not yet attempting to break through to Nascent Soul, his foundation's sturdiness and spiritual power's purity already far exceeded ordinary Golden Coreperfect cultivators. Third Senior Sister also made gains. Though not directly breaking through mid Golden Core, her bottleneck had loosened, her aura more condensed.
The two delayed no further, following the original route leaving the ice cavern. With the Black Tortoise Soul Crystal origin in possession, the ice lake's maze and cold no longer posed obstacles. They crossed smoothly. The Silver Moon Wolf King of Snow Wolf Valley sensed their aura and came to see them off. Xiao Qi again expressed gratitude for its help, leaving some pills suitable for demon beasts as repayment before bidding farewell to the wolf pack, embarking on the return journey.
Departing the Northern Snow Field, surrounding temperatures gradually rose. The barren snow plains gave way to tundra covered with cold-resistant vegetation, then familiar verdant mountains. Heading south, the two were eager to return home, yet didn't relax vigilance. With Four Symbols Soul Crystals gathered, they had become Shadow Snake Pavilion and that demonic entity's primary targets to eliminate—the return journey would not be peaceful.
However,unexpected, traveling along the way was unexpectedly smooth. Not to mention Golden Core level interception, they didn't even encounter a single Foundation Establishment level Shadow Snake Pavilion scout. As if Shadow Snake Pavilion had suddenly lost interest in them, or... had withdrawn all forces.
"Abnormal events certainly hide demons." Third Senior Sister Liu Yun frowned. "Shadow Snake Pavilion will never let things go. Suchcalminsteadmakes peopleunease."
Xiao Qi nodded, agreeing. This pre-storm calm often signaled a larger storm brewing. Perhaps Shadow Snake Pavilion was arranging something at headquarters, waiting for them to walk into the trap?
One day, the two traveled to a perilous mountain range called "Falling Eagle Gorge" at the border between Central State and Northern Wastes. This place had steep mountains, gorges thousands of zhang deep, often occupied by fierce birds—a key passage toward Central State's interior.
Just as they rode their escape light, preparing to cross this perilous gorge, Xiao Qi suddenly felt something, sharply stopping. His gaze flashed like lightning, shooting toward a mist-shrouded peak ahead.
Almost simultaneously, a steady, heavy sword light bearing familiar aura rose from that peak's summit like a comet across the sky, stably landing invoid not far before the two. The sword light dispersed, revealing ayoung man figure standing tall as a pine, face handsome and resolute, wearing Qingxu Temple core disciple attire.
Who else could it be but Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng?!
"Senior Brother!" Xiao Qi and Third Senior Sister, surprised and delighted, called out simultaneously.
Mu Qingfeng's face also showed some weariness, but his eyes were bright, aura steady, sharp sword intent faintly flowing around him. His cultivation had notably reached Foundation Establishmentperfect peak—one step away from condensing a Golden Core! Clearly, his sect mission journey had also been great fortune and training.
"Xiao Qi, Liu Junior Sister!" Upon seeing them, joy flashed in Mu Qingfeng's eyes, but more importantly was relief and comfort: "Finally found you!"
He stepped forward quickly, gaze rapidly scanning the two. Sensing Xiao Qi's profound, seemingly resonating with surrounding heaven and earthmajestic aura, and Third Senior Sister's noticeably improved cultivation, even his steady disposition couldn't hide deep shock.
"You... it seems this journey yielded enormousharvest." Mu Qingfeng's tone carried amazement, especially looking at Xiao Qi: "Xiao Qi, your cultivation... I actually can't quite fathom it."
"Senior Brother, you've also improved greatly, seems not far from Golden Core." Xiao Qi smiled in response, warmth surging in his heart. Encountering his most trusted Senior Brother on the return was unexpected joy.
"Senior Brother, why are you here? Did you come specifically looking for us?" Third Senior Sister asked.
Mu Qingfeng's expression became serious, nodding: "Indeed. Half a month ago after completing my mission and returning to the sect, I received urgent messages from Temple Master and several elders. Learning you two went to the Northern Wastes searching for the final soul crystal, the sect was very worried. Northern Snow Field is extremely dangerous, plus Shadow Snake Pavilion certainly won't sit idle. Temple Master ordered me, after handling my affairs, to immediately come provide support."
He paused, continuing: "I traced possible traces you might have left, only in the past few days roughly determining your possible return direction. Just now, adjusting my breath on the mountain, I sensed two powerful auras approaching—one faintly bearing our sect's technique traces and sword intent that made my sword quietly hum (finger Third Senior Sister), the other profound as the sea, hard to gauge. I guessed it was you, hence revealing myself."
Hearing this, warmth filled Xiao Qi and Third Senior Sister's hearts. The sect had always been concerned about them.
"Sorry to worry Temple Master and Senior Brother." Xiao Qi apologized, then expression grew solemn: "Senior Brother, our journey... fulfilled our mission. Four Symbols Soul Crystals, all gathered!"
Though having guessed, hearing Xiao Qi personally confirm, Mu Qingfeng couldn't help taking a deep breath, excitement appearing on his face: "Good! Excellent! With this, we truly haveconfidence opposing Shadow Snake Pavilion and that demonic entity!"
But his brow then creased: "However, the current situation is probably even more severe than we imagined."
"Senior Brother, did something happen to the sect or cultivation world?" Xiao Qi sensitively detected the heaviness in Mu Qingfeng's tone.
Mu Qingfeng nodded, speaking deeply: "Your return journey, you've probably noticed Shadow Snake Pavilion's activity seems to have quieted. But this isn't them retreating—it's the calm before the storm!"
"According to the latest intelligence from the Alliance and some information Aunt Su risked sending, Shadow Snake Pavilion is massively withdrawing forces—all important external bases and personnel have been secretly recalled to headquarters recently. Simultaneously, they seem to be secretly collecting large quantities of creatures and materials containingyin evilenergy, with veryabnormal behaviormovement."
"Alliance high command speculates they're likely conducting some extremely evil large ritual, or... preparing for the demonic entity main body's actions!" Mu Qingfeng's voice carried chill: "Moreover, signs indicate that deep within 'Ten Thousand Poison Marsh' where Shadow Snake Pavilion headquarters lies, unusual phenomena frequently occur recently—frequent earth movements, demonic qisoaring increasingly evident. Alliance internal judgment—the demonic entity breaking seal day is probably... not far!"
Xiao Qi and Third Senior Sister exchanged glances, hearts sinking. Indeed! Tianjizi's prophecy was coming true! Shadow Snake Pavilion's abnormal behavior was for the final action!
"We must return to the sect quickly!" Xiao Qi said decisively: "With Four Symbols Soul Crystals gathered, we know the final target and method—need to discuss in detail with Temple Master and the Alliance, formulate a plan to head to Shadow Snake Pavilion headquarters and reinforce the Demon Suppression Formation!"
"I agree completely." Mu Qingfeng heavily nodded: "No time to waste, we set out immediately! I'll tell you along the way about some peripheral intelligence the Alliance recently gathered about Shadow Snake Pavilion headquarters."
The three no longer delayed, transforming into three differently colored escape lights, like a rainbow across the sky, crossing Falling Eagle Gorge, racing toward Qingxu Temple.
Encountering an old friend on the return brought the sect's concern, also brought news of the imminent crisis! The final battle seemed to be accelerating toward all, exceeding everyone's expectations!