Ji Yuan first activated the effects of all the buildings on Mist Island, then released Tu Yue and let her go collect her basic stipend.

For the Big Toad that came crowding over, he simply sent it off with two Spirit Pigs.

After finishing these matters, he headed straight for the Cave Mansion on the island.

As soon as he stepped inside, he activated the Spirit Gathering Array's effect, then took out twenty Mid-grade Spirit Stones and piled them up around himself.

The Jade Sea Tide Generation Skill automatically circulated within him, and instantly a Spiritual Energy Vortex appeared inside the Cave Mansion, continually sending spiritual energy into his body.

He picked up two more Spirit Stones, held them in his palms, and absorbed the spiritual energy within.

If one wants to advance from the late Qi Cultivation Stage to the peak of Qi Refining, simply absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is surely not enough; even using Low-grade Spirit Stones would be too slow.

So Ji Yuan simply went all out and used Mid-grade Spirit Stones.

Spiritual energy streamed endlessly into his body; to speed up his breakthrough, he didn't even have time to upgrade the Enlightenment Room, nor did he bother checking the Storage Bag left by Jian Zong.

Nothing mattered as much as breaking through.

...

Medicine King Valley.

Inside the Alchemy Hall, an old Daoist with hair and beard all white sat behind the Pill Furnace, forming hand seals to ignite the fire.

In front of him, a middle-aged man in black robes bowed his head in respect, standing.

"So, what you mean is, Nine Nether Cave Heaven hasn't even opened yet, and our Medicine King Valley's two strongest Qi Cultivation Stage disciples have already been killed?"

The old Daoist's voice was calm, yet it exerted immense pressure on the man in black.

He quickly cupped his hands, replying in a deep voice:

"Sect Leader, it truly isn't that our Medicine King Valley is incompetent, but that the Water Dragon Sect is far too… cunning!"

Medicine King Valley's Sect Leader, Master Dan Yang, slowly opened his eyes. "Zhang Zehuai was killed by Feng Yichen, and who killed Jian Zong?"

"That…"

The black-robed man, Dong Qing, lowered himself even more respectfully. "Still under investigation."

"But we have already contacted our agents within Water Dragon Sect. The current information is, there's no word circulating within Water Dragon Sect about Jian Zong's death; they… seem not to know about it at all."

"We sent people to where Jian Zong died; the energy in the area was extremely chaotic—not like a single person's duel, more like an ambush leading to death."

Master Dan Yang waved his hand, shaking his head:

"Among the Six Immortal Sects of Shang Dong, Medicine King Valley is always the most aboveboard, while Water Dragon Sect is the most treacherous and cunning. No need to look any further; this was definitely done by Water Dragon Sect."

"Sect Leader's words are indeed correct."

Dong Qing said with deep admiration.

But Master Dan Yang's expression wasn't much better. "Dong Qing."

"Disciple here."

"You've entered Nine Nether Cave Heaven before. Naturally, you know what's most valuable inside—it's not the thousand-year Illusion Spirit Grass for refining Foundation Establishment Pills, but the fragments of Magical Treasures, and even intact Ancient Treasures."

"That… is correct."

"Which is why, for these hundreds of years, our major sects have never given up exploration of Nine Nether Cave Heaven; that place… is likely to be where the Dao grounds of Shang Court used to be."

Dong Qing was already drenched in sweat.

"But this time, with Nine Nether Cave Heaven about to open, our Medicine King Valley's two strongest Qi Cultivation Stage disciples have died one after another; losing this upper hand, I fear Medicine King Valley won't gain much benefit this time."

With Jian Zong dead, Master Dan Yang didn't feel much regret.

But missing out on the treasures inside Nine Nether Cave Heaven—that's what truly made his heart ache.

"Then in Sect Leader's opinion?"

Dong Qing asked probingly.

Master Dan Yang slowly turned around; in an instant, an unprecedented pressure nearly made Dong Qing kneel. He heard the Medicine King Valley's Sect Leader slowly say, "We're not lacking a Foundation Establishment or two in the sect, but we do lack one or two Qi Cultivator who can dominate inside Nine Nether Cave Heaven. Do you understand what I mean?"

Dong Qing's eyes subconsciously widened.

This, of course, he understood.

Slice off the foundation; revert to Qi Cultivation.

Nothing more than these simple four words.

But Medicine King Valley has an even better method… they have Tier Two elixirs called the Descending Realm Pill, which allows Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators to revert to the Qi Cultivation Stage while retaining their Foundation Establishment mana and Divine Sense.

Of course, it comes at a price.

The price: the user will forever remain at the Qi Cultivation Stage.

Just as Dong Qing thought he'd have to 'voluntarily' take the Descending Realm Pill, Master Dan Yang said, "You're in charge of this. Remember, keep it secret. It absolutely must not be known outside."

"And the user must be willing. Only with volunteers, once inside Nine Nether Cave Heaven, can they work for us."

"Yes."

Dong Qing let out a long sigh of relief, unable to hide it.

It didn't matter who took the Descending Realm Pill, as long as it wasn't him.

"Also, don't forget to keep investigating Jian Zong's death. The truth can't stay hidden forever. If it were only a few people it might be alright, but Water Dragon Sect had so many involved—it definitely won't stay secret."

"Once it's clear, report back immediately."

"Yes."

Dong Qing cupped his hands again.

Only then did Master Dan Yang wave his hand to dismiss him.

...

Also discussing Jian Zong's death was Master Xuan Shui, Sect Leader of Water Dragon Sect.

After hearing Feng Yichen's complete report, he couldn't restrain the joy on his face.

Feng Yichen's killing of Zhang Zehuai wasn't arranged by Master Xuan Shui, but he knew about it beforehand.

But Jian Zong's death was something he truly hadn't expected.

"Ji Yuan? When did he enter the sect?"

"As far as I know, it should be less than two years. He's from the Cloud Rain Marsh market. As for cultivation, I've met him—he's only at Qi Cultivation ninth layer."

Standing before Master Xuan Shui, Feng Yichen spoke honestly, not daring to hide anything.

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