Skeleton Mountain, White Bone Cave, outside the marketplace.
A streak of light concealed itself within the forested mountains, revealing three figures.
Two of them were Wu Zhichong and Duanmu Yuan, who had previously attacked the marketplace but had fled in disarray.
The third was an elderly man with snow-white hair.
"Elder Ouyang."
Wu Zhichong spoke cautiously, fearing that this elder, who had reached the peak of Qi Refining, might act rashly.
Ahead lay a perilous trap.
"Rest assured, I understand the gravity of the situation," Ouyang Feng replied sternly.
Though his gaze toward the marketplace brimmed with deep-seated hatred, his tone remained calm and unwavering.
"That demon is a ninth-grade formation master. He has set up both inner and outer formations in the marketplace, making it nearly impossible for ordinary individuals to breach. It's no wonder he's remained unscathed and has even earned the title 'Blood Garment Tower Master.' However, he hasn't truly reached the peak of Qi Refining; his foundation is ultimately unstable.""But Elder Ouyang, the Taiwei Mirror has also fallen into his hands," Wu Zhichong quickly added, then whispered,
"The Taiwei Mirror is enigmatic and unpredictable. If that demon can wield it, he might rival someone at the peak of Qi Refining."
"I've considered this," Ouyang Feng sneered.
"The Taiwei Mirror is a spiritual treasure of our Divine Martial Sect. It's not something a mere demon can use at will. If he dares to use it, all the better!"
"I've already summoned Master Yang Yanzi, the original craftsman of the Taiwei Mirror. He's furious that the mirror has fallen into demonic hands and has agreed to come to Skeleton Mountain to reclaim the treasure and restore order. With him here, if that demon dares to use the Taiwei Mirror against me, he's courting death!"
Though Ouyang Feng was enraged, he remained rational.
Especially after Ouyang Haoze's previous failure, he wouldn't risk charging into the formations again.
After much deliberation, he concluded that luring Lü Yang out of the formation was the better strategy.
"When does he usually leave the marketplace?"
"Uh..."
Faced with Ouyang Feng's question, Wu Zhichong and Duanmu Yuan exchanged glances, speechless.
Seeing this, Ouyang Feng frowned and said displeased,
"Haven't you been monitoring the marketplace for a long time? How can you not know such a trivial matter?"
"Reporting to Elder, he hasn't left the marketplace at all."
"...Not at all?"
Ouyang Feng was taken aback.
"Didn't you relay the news about the Witch Ghost Secret Realm inside?
Doesn't he know that Skeleton Mountain is now teeming with opportunities?"
The two looked aggrieved.
"We informed him long ago."
"Then perhaps the Primordial Saint Sect's reinforcements haven't arrived, making the demonic path weaker, so he's afraid to leave?"
"In fact, the sect's reinforcements arrived three months ago and have been active in Skeleton Mountain. Yet, he hasn't left even once."
"Ah?"
After hearing the report, Ouyang Feng finally showed a puzzled expression.
"I'm not going out."
Inside the Blood Garment Tower, Lü Yang sat across from Fairy Feixia.
He declined her invitation while handing her a cup of spiritual tea.
"Junior Brother, you truly are..."
Fairy Feixia looked at Lü Yang, her delicate face suddenly dazed.
Once, she had been deeply disappointed by this junior brother's timidity.
Yet, he had meticulously planned each step, earning the formidable title of Blood Garment Tower Master.
It's known that all cultivators strive against the heavens for longevity.
A single misstep could lead to death.
Even with the concept of reincarnation, one might not retain their destiny or identity in the next life, making it unreliable.
But now, seeing Lü Yang again, he remained as before.
Calm, serene, seemingly indifferent to all things.
Such a rare temperament among cultivators reminded Fairy Feixia of a saying:
"Water benefits all things without contention; thus, nothing can contend with it."
But in life, if you don't strive, how can you seek the Dao?
In the next life?
Thinking of this, Fairy Feixia sighed.
"Ashamed, I fear I may never attain Junior Brother's profound state of mind."
"Senior Sister flatters me," Lü Yang smiled slightly.
"Didn't we agree before coming here? This time, we won't discuss major matters, only the Dao. I'll teach you formations, and you'll teach me talismans."
"I shall impart all I know," Fairy Feixia replied, gently sipping her tea.
She lifted her veil, revealing a stunningly beautiful face.
Beneath her thin rosy attire, her figure was alluring.
Even her voice became unconsciously tender.
"Speaking of which, I haven't yet thanked Junior Brother for saving my life earlier."
The next day, as the sun rose high.
In the marketplace, a disheveled young man paced within his cave dwelling, his face full of struggle.
It was none other than Lü Yang's old friend, Zhao Xuhe.
"How could this be?
How could this be?"
At this moment, Zhao Xuhe was at his wit's end.
"The news about the Witch Ghost Secret Realm is now widespread. If I don't act soon, I'll miss my chance!"
Thinking of this, Zhao Xuhe's aura suddenly surged.
He was no longer at the sixth level of Qi Refining as when he first arrived at the marketplace but had broken through to the seventh level, reaching the late stage.
It was precisely because he had overcome the bottleneck that had plagued him for years that he now considered venturing into the secret realm to seek opportunities.
But having the intention doesn't equate to having the strength.
Without the opportunities from Panlong Island, he could only cultivate the Yin-Yang Great Bliss Ode from Mending Heaven Peak.
His true Qi was merely fifth-grade, and his magical powers and treasures were subpar.
In such circumstances, seeking opportunities would be courting death.
After much contemplation, Zhao Xuhe finally gritted his teeth, took out a long-sealed jade slip, infused it with mana, and contacted someone he hadn't seen in a long time.
The jade slip emitted a halo, and after a long while, a voice emerged:
"Who is it?"