Half a month later, Linyuan City.

As the city closest to the Soul Burying Abyss, Linyuan City has always been regarded as a remote place where few people are willing to visit.

Even though Core Formation cultivators occasionally enter the Soul Burying Abyss to hunt for beasts and seek treasures, with their tunneling speed, they could completely opt to stop in larger cities farther away instead of coming here to suffer.

However, now, with the news of the Immortal Mansion's emergence spreading, in order to reach the site of the Immortal Mansion as quickly as possible, countless cultivators began pouring into Linyuan City to rest, not only Loose Cultivators in great numbers but even several major powers from the Black Wind Desert sent people to stay. They bought the city in co-ownership, for a considerable price, from the original city owner's hands.

With the influx of cultivators, the city's infrastructure developed at an exceptionally rapid pace, among which tea houses—where information could be collected—opened most abundantly.

As the saying goes, money moves hearts. Despite the many dangers of the Soul Burying Abyss, from which even Core Formation cultivators cannot guarantee safe return, the chance of an Immortal Mansion appearing suddenly stirred greed in many Foundation Establishment cultivators as well, who, mustering their courage, also wanted to try their fortune and get a piece of the action.

And today, in the newly opened "Immortal Fate Tea House," several Foundation Establishment cultivators sat around a long table, as usual, exchanging information with each other.

"Did you hear? A few days ago, eight fellow Daoists formed a team to explore, but they accidentally encountered a Third-level Lower Stage demon beast. In the end, only one came back with a severed arm. Tsk, tsk, tragic." A long-haired male cultivator spoke.

Upon hearing this, a female cultivator with freckles beside him sighed, "Alas, it's only been half a month since the Immortal Mansion appeared, and so many fellow Daoists have already died in the Soul Burying Abyss. The opportunity in this accursed place isn't something we Foundation Establishment cultivators can covet. In my opinion, we should leave early while we can."

"You're right, and look at the Great Sects. With such a big opportunity, they send Core Formation elders, not even one Foundation Establishment disciple is seen. It's just us Loose Cultivators who are daring enough to risk our necks and barge in. Fellow Daoist Zuo, wouldn't you agree?" A middle-aged male cultivator echoed, looking towards a golden-skinned man sitting at the table.

This person was Zuo Qinghui. Yuan Ming, who he was currently trying to rescue, was still trapped beneath the Soul Burying Abyss, in that mysterious grand hall. He came to Linyuan City to gather information, intending to mount a rescue.

Upon arriving in Linyuan City, he heard about the emergence of the Immortal Mansion, which made him realize he must have been captured by some kind of Array Restriction from the Immortal Mansion.

"Indeed, with the news spreading for so long, no one seems to have found any opportunity. Moreover, I heard that the forbiddens around the Immortal Mansion have not been opened to this day. I wonder if anyone has found any other way in or out?" Zuo Qinghui asked seemingly nonchalantly.

"Who knows? But even if there is a way, unless it's accidentally discovered by someone, who would publicize it? Are they worried there aren't enough people vying for the opportunity?" The middle-aged male cultivator shook his head.

"True, the phenomenon of the Immortal Mansion's appearance was so magnificent that its origin must be extraordinary. Perhaps it's related to the origin of the Soul Burying Abyss. I wonder if there is any historical record in Linyuan City that could provide a clue to gain entry?" Zuo Qinghui tapped his fingers on the table, musing aloud.

"Linyuan City was built just a century ago; how could there be any historical records? Besides, the Soul Burying Abyss has existed since ancient times, probably even the Nascent Soul Ancestors who do not appear in the world on ordinary days have no idea of the origin of this place." The long-haired male cultivator said, shaking his head emphatically.

"Speaking of which, you all saw the scene of tunneling lights covering the sky and the Flying Boats crossing, didn't you? I inquired about it; those were the vehicles of the Nascent Soul Ancestors from the three major powers. We haven't seen such a grand sight in the Black Wind Desert for many years. It's a pity the Soul Burying Abyss is too dangerous; otherwise, I would have insisted on going to broaden my view," the freckled female cultivator said.

"Heh, not just the three major powers. I heard that the Nascent Soul Ancestor from the Spirit Talisman Sect also came, but they have always been low-key, not as grand in their arrival," the middle-aged male cultivator mentioned.

Zuo Qinghui, who was listening, had a slight frown on his face and was deep in thought when suddenly, a sound similar to a dragon's chant, a sharp sword ringing, came from outside the tea house, startling all the cultivators. They promptly got to their feet and rushed to the window to see what was happening.

In the sky, a dazzling tunneling light, like a long sword, tore through the clouds and sped towards the Spirit Light Sky Pillar deep within the Soul Burying Abyss. The magnitude of the sound was so significant that those who saw it were struck dumb with astonishment.

"Hehe, looks like another Nascent Soul Ancestor has arrived, although it's anyone's guess which Sect or lineage the senior hails from," the middle-aged male cultivator commented.

Among the crowd, Zuo Qinghui stared intently at the receding tunneling light, his face solemn.

He found an excuse to leave and went to the inn where he was staying. After closing the door, he took out a set of Array Restrictions and set them up around the room. It was only after taking a seated position that he took out four white talismans and stuck them on his Dantian, chest, forehead, and back.

A surge of white light rose, enveloping Zuo Qinghui's entire body. His Mana circulation was sealed, and he was unable to move.

A glint of crystal light flashed across Zuo Qinghui's forehead, and a transparent soul crow shot out. It was his Second Split Soul.

The Second Split Soul tunneled into the ground and flew towards the direction of the Soul Burying Abyss outside the city.

...

Meanwhile, in the Soul Burying Abyss.

Four cultivators stood in front of the crowd, sizing up the Spirit Light Restriction outside the Immortal Mansion while exhibiting slight wariness towards each other.

Each of them appeared unarmed, with no Mana on display, yet behind each, several Core Formation cultivators stood at the ready, as if awaiting orders.

After a brief silence, a short-statured male cultivator suddenly coughed twice and was the first to speak up:

"Heh, none of us knows the situation inside the Immortal Mansion, so why must we be at each other's throats? I suggest we all set some rules in a friendly manner, limiting those who can explore the Immortal Mansion, to avoid fighting amongst ourselves and letting the opportunity slip to someone else."

He was only half the height of an average person, with short, thick limbs, resembling an enlarged doll. Yet, his face was not young; wrinkles appeared along with his smile, and his sharp voice made others quite uncomfortable.

Behind him stood three Core Formation cultivators side by side. One had a single horn on his head—it was none other than Fang Dafu, who Yuan Ming had encountered before. Another had golden hair and blue eyes, with a high bridge nose that set him apart from the Central Plains people, and the last was dressed in white, his face pale, giving off an impression of extreme frailty.

"Hmph, Su Zimo, you always like to make these petty schemes. Who doesn't know that your Guiyuan Sect is the last to abide by rules? I heard that not so long ago, one of your mines was destroyed, losing a Core Formation in the process, and your scheme of enslaving people was exposed. Have you cleaned up your mess? And here you are, talking about rules!" A bearded old man scoffed unreservedly.

Dressed in indigo robes, with the demeanor of a leopard and a beard like a whiskered tiger, his voice boomed like thunder, ensuring everyone heard him clearly.

Behind the old man stood three Core Formation female cultivators, each beautiful enough to cause the downfall of cities. Among them was Yan Sijing, though the wittiness once in her eyes was replaced with a troubled look, seemingly always preoccupied with heavy thoughts.

Faced with public mockery by the purple-robed elder, the short cultivator called Su Zimo remained smiling, not seeming angry in the slightest. However, Fang Dafu behind him couldn't help clenching his fists tightly.

"Ha, by the way, Old Monster Yu, wasn't your grandson killed a few years ago? Have you found the murderer yet, or shall I call some disciples to help you look for the culprit?" Su Zimo said cheerfully.

"Hmph, the mastermind behind that has been caught by me, so there's no need for your concern. Go ahead and clean up your own mess," retorted Thunderbolt Ancestor, also known as Old Monster Yu.

Upon hearing this, Su Zimo's face stiffened, and Yan Sijing's expression behind Thunderbolt Ancestor involuntarily darkened.

"If you ask me, why don't you two find a place to fight it out? Let the winner decide, so we don't have to hear this whining, distracting me from figuring out the Forbidden Breaking Method," interjected an impatient young cultivator with a black kerchief over his head.

He had a pair of eyes that looked neither open nor closed and uneven eyebrows, with a flattened nose and thin lips, hollow cheeks, and prominent cheekbones—a face that didn't suggest a decent person.

The three Core Formation cultivators following him varied in build—one robust like a tower, one of average build, neither fat nor thin, and one with the graceful posture of a curved waist and long back. All three were clad in black robes with masks obscuring their faces.

"Disturbed? Dugu Feng, stop putting on airs. With your mediocre understanding of formations, you probably couldn't figure it out after studying for decades. But, Golden Dawn Fairy, you've been studying it for so long—have you discerned anything?" Lei Ming said, turning his gaze to a beautiful female cultivator in a golden gauze skirt.

Golden Dawn Fairy was quite young, her fair skin blushed with health, and her egg-shaped face framed with scarlet lips and green eyebrows set off her Hidden Moon Star Eyes. A touch of golden light adorned her forehead, and tender green earrings dangled by her ears, adding to her noble charm.

"This restriction mostly employs Ancient Runes, making it especially difficult to unravel. However, it seems the power of this Forbidden Restriction is waning over time; it is already much weaker than on the day of our arrival. In just a few more days, it should dissipate on its own," Golden Dawn Fairy spoke, her voice as pleasant as a ringing bell, significantly calming the previously tense atmosphere.

Three Core Formation cultivators accompanied her as well, all of them elders in charge of Spirit Wind City, including Pi Xiu.

Upon hearing this, Su Zimo and Thunderbolt Ancestor both nodded their heads, about to add something, when suddenly, all four Nascent Soul cultivators present changed their expressions.

The sound of a sword whistling came from behind, and a blade-like tunneling light reached in front of everyone in an instant.

All lifted their eyes to see a middle-aged cultivator in the sky, his sword-like eyebrows and handsome features exuding a dignified presence as he stood aloft. His figure was as straight as a pine tree, and though his indifferent gaze swept over them, the Core Formation cultivators who met his look felt as if slashed by a sword, their skin tingling with pain.

"Wan Qi Hong of Chang Chun Temple has come for matters regarding the Immortal Mansion. Forgive my directness, Fellow Daoists," he said, his words suggesting apology, yet his tone was brusque and without a hint of a bow, maintaining an air of arrogance even in the presence of the four Nascent Soul cultivators, including Lei Ming.

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