Four dragons roared, all of them imprisoned within water droplets by Qin Yi, unable to move a single inch.
"Roar..."
The leading White Dragon King, despite its ferocious appearance, sensed that something was terribly wrong. It thrashed its massive body continuously while keeping its gaze locked firmly on the figure below.
Qin Yi stood with his hands behind his back, watching with a cold indifference. Inside his body, an adult phantom flickered in and out of view, as if he had been possessed.
His eyes were as deep as a bottomless pool, carrying an inexpressible air of mystery within their depths.
"This power... What sacred being on earth are you?!" the White Dragon King cried out in human speech, in immense agony.
The other three dragons were gradually freezing as well, sealed by a terrifying force that paralyzed them completely, rendering even the thought of escape impossible.
Qin Yi remained silent, a fierce murderous intent welling up in his eyes.
"For thousands of years, I have guarded this sea of lotuses, never leaving for a single moment, only to meet such an end today! If the heavens seek to destroy me, I refuse to submit!"
"Roar..."
With a miserable screech, the White Dragon King ultimately failed to withstand the erosion of Qin Yi's power. Its massive body slowly collapsed, turning into a wisp of dust that vanished into the space around it.
The other three giant dragons followed suit one after another, swallowed up until nothing remained.
"Boom..."
The blue-gold runes surrounding Qin Yi gradually faded, revealing his original form. His gaze was vacant, and his brow betrayed a deep exhaustion as a surge of spiritual energy continuously swirled around him, enveloping his entire body.
It took a long time for the energy to calm down somewhat.
Qin Yi's aura gradually stabilized and returned to normal. He opened his eyes and looked around. Aside from flowers and plants blanketing the ground and a scattering of crystal-clear pebbles, there was nothing else left.
"Whoosh..."
A gentle breeze swept through, half-stripping the flowers of their petals.
Qin Yi stood up with a groan of pain, involuntarily recalling the events that had just transpired. The more he thought about it, the stronger the backlash that surged into his mind.
It felt as though his soul was being torn apart.
Fortunately, that mysterious power had not damaged his foundation; a few days of recuperation would have him fully recovered.
"How did I end up here?"
Qin Yi muttered to himself, raising his head to look into the distance. High up in the far reaches of the sky hung a single sun, radiating a dazzling golden glow that cast countless rays of multicolored light across the entire region.
"Swish..."
Suddenly, the whistle of wind brushed past his ears, and that overwhelming pressure returned. Qin Yi straightened up and narrowed his eyes at the source of the aura.
It was the Magic Spirit.
"You're awake," the Magic Spirit suddenly spoke, its voice deep and resonant with a hint of aged weariness.
"You can speak?!" Qin Yi was startled. He stood his ground, looked the entity up and down, and asked, "Since you could talk, why did you..."
"Hahaha..." The Magic Spirit chuckled softly, raising a hand slightly to stir up a warm gust of wind. "I perished a hundred years ago, but my residual will has not been completely eradicated."
"Back then, I struck an agreement with your Great Commandery Leader to open the Valley of Heavenly Abyss as a training ground for disciples, in exchange for the life force they brought to sustain me. Hundreds of years have passed, and no one has ever been willing to approach me. They all feared me and dared not speak to me. Gradually, I grew unaccustomed to talking as well."
"So, I was the brave one?" Qin Yi wore an expression of utter disdain. He had to remind himself that back then, he too had backed off three paces, too terrified to get close.
"I knew you were afraid too, but for some reason, I could sense a gentle, familiar aura coming from you." The Magic Spirit turned its palm upward, releasing a tiny lotus flower, and continued, "I wanted to get close to you, but I was afraid you would shun me from afar just like the others. Fortunately, I had plenty of treasures capable of catching your eye."
Seeing the proud look on the Magic Spirit's face, Qin Yi gradually lowered his guard, took a step forward, and asked, "So, you know what they are too?"
The Magic Spirit sighed and went on, "Hundreds of years have slipped away while I watched these lotuses grow. Time and again, I waited for cultivators to arrive, and time and again, I watched them leave, never once blessed with a truly suitable candidate."
"...These Phoenix Spirit Ice Lotuses simply bloomed and withered away like this, passing through the long years." A trace of helplessness crept across the Magic Spirit's face before its expression abruptly shifted, radiating brilliance once more. "But then you appeared!"
"Me?" Qin Yi was baffled.
"Yes!" The Magic Spirit's tone turned resolute. Its form dissolved into a billow of black mist that circled Qin Yi before coming to a halt. "You are the one I've been waiting for!"
Qin Yi remained silent, but he finally had a clear understanding of the whole story.
"Little fellow, my time is running short. Your aptitude is exceptional, and I have nothing else of value to pass on to you, but there is one plant—I beg you to take it," the Magic Spirit said, eager longing written all over its face.
"Is it the World-Slaying Vine?" Qin Yi asked.
The Magic Spirit was shocked, its face lighting up with joy. "You know of it!"
Qin Yi nodded slightly. His very purpose for coming here in the first place had been to search for it.
"Since you already know, I won't waste words. Follow me." The Magic Spirit turned and dashed forward into the distance.
They moved at incredible speed, weaving through the forest like elusive ghosts leaving no trace behind.
After about ten minutes, Qin Yi came to a halt, gazing far into the distance. There, a towering ancient tree stood tall, its lush branches and leaves blocking out the sunlight and casting a gloomy, eerie shadow.
Beneath the ancient tree sat a stone platform. A unique plant, green on the outside and purple within, was sprouting delicate buds, emitting a peculiar aura that instantly captured one's attention.
"That is the World-Slaying Vine," the Magic Spirit said, watching with expectant eyes before adding, "Go on, pluck it."
"..." Qin Yi stood still in thought for a moment, then stepped forward, sensing that peculiar yet remarkably feeble spiritual energy fluctuation.
"This is the World-Slaying Vine!" Qin Yi felt a surge of inner joy, but quickly furrowed his brow in confusion. "Why is its aura so weak?"
Suddenly, the plants surrounding the World-Slaying Vine withered rapidly, leaving behind only a few shriveled husks.
At that moment, an illusory ball of light flew into Qin Yi's arms and transformed into a phantom shape.
It looked like a little fairy.
"What is going on here?" Qin Yi asked, puzzled.
Seeing this, the Magic Spirit stared intently at Qin Yi and said solemnly, "Little fellow, although the World-Slaying Vine is a supreme treasure of this world imbued with boundless vitality, it also has a maturity cycle. Moreover, the reason the World-Slaying Vine ranks above all other spiritual herbs is not solely due to the miraculous effects produced by its main body alone..."
Seeing the Magic Spirit deliberately withholding the rest, Qin Yi grew even more curious. "Then what is it?"
The Magic Spirit paused for a moment, then spoke with a hint of embarrassment, "Ahem, because of the Soul Source Supreme Spirit—the little fellow right there in your arms."
Hearing this, Qin Yi was deeply shocked, looking down in wonder at the tiny life-form before him.
"...Little fellow, I look forward to your rise. I hope I haven't misjudged you. The calamity is about to descend once more; it is time for someone to step forward." With those solemn words spoken, the Magic Spirit slowly drifted away until it dissolved completely into nothingness.
Qin Yi looked at the World-Slaying Vine, a trace of hesitation in his eyes.
The Magic Spirit had seemingly left its previous question unanswered, but the implication was likely an answer that would make one blush and quicken the pulse.
Silence descended, and a lingering, gentle drizzle welcomed the valley.
After plucking the World-Slaying Vine and storing it in his ring, Qin Yi took the Supreme Spirit in his arms and hid out in a dilapidated thatched cottage for a while.
During this period, he calmly reviewed his experiences and fully consolidated his spiritual power.
Before he knew it, three days had passed.
"I wonder how the Grand Tournament is progressing. Now that my strength has returned to the Foundation Establishment Realm, it's time to bring my contest with Senior Brother Murong to a close."
As Qin Yi watched the rising sun, a flurry of thoughts crossed his mind.
He stepped out the doorway and stretched lazily.
Overnight, apart from solidifying his foundation, he had accomplished two things: first, he had refined and absorbed the power of the Spirit Creek; second, he had fused the Supreme Spirit with the World-Slaying Vine, perfectly concealing their auras.
"Senior Brother Qin Yi!"
After walking a short distance, a figure atop a peak ahead bounced up and down, waving his arms as his voice carried across the space.
It was Wang Xuan.
He had actually made it into the valley as well. Qin Yi smiled and walked forward to meet him as the two reunited.
"Senior Brother Qin Yi, so you were still in the valley!" Wang Xuan ran over with a beaming smile, looking utterly delighted. "Senior Brother, have you... have you returned to the Foundation Establishment Realm?"
Qin Yi smiled faintly. "It was just a stroke of luck."
For Wang Xuan, who was already in the Foundation Establishment Realm himself, sensing the unique aura fluctuations of that realm was effortless. Therefore, Qin Yi did not bother to deny it, choosing instead to be straightforward.
"...Congratulations, Senior Brother Qin Yi." Wang Xuan grew even more excited, a look of envious admiration on his face.
After exchanging pleasantries for a moment, Qin Yi asked, "Junior Brother Wang Xuan, how is it that you suddenly came to the depths of the Heavenly Abyss Valley?"
"Oh, today is the open day for our immortal commandery, and I came here this time along with several senior brothers," Wang Xuan nodded, a look of regret crossing his face. "It's just a pity that I got separated from them."
At this, Wang Xuan raised his head again, scanning his surroundings with a lamenting expression. "By the way, Senior Brother Qin Yi? In the past few days, have you happened to run into that herb I mentioned?"
As those words fell, Qin Yi's brow tightened slightly. The words the Magic Spirit had spoken flashed through his mind once more, instantly putting him on high alert.
"I haven't encountered it," Qin Yi shook his head.
"Sigh..." Wang Xuan couldn't help letting out a disappointed sigh. "What a huge pity, then!"
"No matter..." Qin Yi smiled and offered a few words of comfort.
The World-Slaying Vine carried immense implications, and coupled with his recent discovery of the "Supreme Spirit," Qin Yi was even less inclined to mention it to outsiders.
In a way, this was also a form of protection for Wang Xuan.
Suddenly, a voice echoed across the heavens.
"Wang Xuan! Get your ass out here!"
"Huh?"
"That is..." Qin Yi recognized the voice, his gaze turning chillingly cold.
"Oh no!" Wang Xuan gasped in panic, scrambling in a flurry of confusion as he blurted out, "They're here!"
Sensing that something was amiss, Qin Yi asked doubtfully, "Weren't you separated from them?"
Wang Xuan scratched his head, stumbling over his words as his expression grew increasingly anxious.
"I, I... Senior Brother Qin Yi, please save me..."
Seeing this, Qin Yi frowned.
"Boom..."
"Wang Xuan!"
The arrogant shouting grew clearer, laden with intense murderous intent.
Qin Yi inwardly heightened his guard. A moment later, his ears twitched as he caught the subtle rustle of a passing breeze.
Someone was coming.
Qin Yi remained silent for a fraction of a second before finally speaking, "I'll take you out of here."
*Whoosh—*
Flashing dozens of meters away with Wang Xuan in tow, Qin Yi ducked behind the thick trunk of a giant tree.
Then, he formed hand seals as spiritual runes erupted with a golden glow, weaving a barrier that enveloped the two of them, completely concealing their presence from the outside world.
Beside him, Wang Xuan cowered in a trembling ball of fright.