Cave Dwelling No. 6.
When Nangong Xianweng arrived at the cave entrance.
He saw a silver-white little fox watching him with curious eyes.
"Are you the person my master is waiting for? Follow me!" Xiao Li said.
Nangong Xianweng froze momentarily, speaking with some confusion: "He knew I was coming? How long have you been waiting here?"
Xiao Li complained: "I've been waiting quite a while! You're really slow!"
Nangong Xianweng's mouth twitched: "This is somewhat unbelievable!"
"Huh?" Xiao Li tilted her head.
"Just lead me to him!"
Xiao Li nodded and began bouncing up the mountain path toward the cave dwelling.
Nangong Xianweng looked up at the sky in puzzlement, noticing his connection to the Big Dipper felt clearer here.
Following the little fox deeper into the cave, he soon arrived before a towering pagoda structure at the edge of a cliff.
His eyes were drawn to the Seven-Star Magic Altar atop the pagoda. While he recognized its general outline from Su Yuan's teachings, the details were hundreds of times more complex - practically a different realm entirely.
Upon entering the cave, he saw a figure sipping tea with his back turned.
When Nangong Xianweng instinctively tried to probe Su Yuan with his spiritual sense—
Before his detection could even begin—
An overwhelming spiritual pressure came crashing back at him like a tsunami!
Instantly, he felt crushing pressure from every corner of existence, as if the heavenly Dao itself was suffocating him. His face flushed crimson within seconds.
Su Yuan observed the automatically activated [Great Power's Demeanor], marveling at the terrifying pressure he could now control freely. "Is this the level of Void Refinement cultivators? The so-called 'higher realm' isn't just a minor stage but an entire major realm?"
"This is too exaggerated!" The same thought flashed through both Su Yuan and Nangong Xianweng's minds simultaneously.
Su Yuan quickly withdrew the pressure. "Elder Nangong, probing others without permission is quite rude."
As the pressure vanished, Nangong Xianweng felt like the clouds had parted. Wiping sweat from his brow, he asked in shock: "What was that just now?"
"Nothing important. You're here about concealing heavenly secrets, correct?" Su Yuan asked.
Suppressing his doubts, Nangong Xianweng nodded: "As expected, you anticipated this. We plan to counterattack - surrounding and killing those three Nascent Soul old devils. Eliminating them would give our righteous faction overwhelming advantage. This is a golden opportunity!"
Su Yuan glanced at the stars above. "I'm uncertain about blocking all three simultaneously."
"Three? Who?" Nangong Xianweng's eyes widened.
"Tianxing, Nanchen, and Guhe." Su Yuan named them directly.
"Those old bastards!" Nangong Xianweng gritted his teeth.
After a pause, he said resolutely: "Then we'll try our best. Even if discovered, the demonic faction's plans would still be disrupted. Regardless, we've already secured an unlosable position!"
"Indeed. Be careful." Su Yuan nodded.
Nangong Xianweng produced a storage pouch. "This is your annual tribute after our discussions. Please review."
With a casual wave, Su Yuan drew the pouch into his hand.
His spiritual sense scanned its contents - 100,000 top-grade spirit stones! Equivalent to 100 billion low-grade stones.
Hundreds of pill bottles were also inside.
"You may select one fifth-grade spiritual treasure from the sect vault. Our ancestors each left one or two fifth-grade treasures - they're foundational assets not lightly used, but you may choose one!" Nangong Xianweng added.
Su Yuan raised an eyebrow. "At my cultivation level, I can't refine fifth-grade treasures!"
Previously refining a sixth-grade treasure was pure luck - the Myriad Treasures Qiankun Cauldron was completely damaged, making refinement difficulty comparable to magic tools. A genuine fifth-grade treasure might be impossible currently.
"Just inform me or the sect leader when needed!" Nangong Xianweng said.
"Deal. I'll keep that in mind! With so many spirit stones, I can cultivate freely now. Proceed with your plans - I'll continue monitoring developments."
Su Yuan smiled cheerfully.
After a deep look at Su Yuan, Nangong Xianweng clasped his hands. "Very well, I'll take my leave now!"
As the elder departed, Xiao Li approached curiously: "Su Yuan, are you starting cultivation now?"
Su Yuan looked puzzled: "When did I say that?"
Xiao Li blinked, fox eyes showing confusion: "I've never seen you cultivate, and thought you lacked spirit stones. But now you have plenty?"
Shaking his head, Su Yuan beckoned toward Little Cai playing with spirit fish: "Little Cai, come here!"
The nine-colored fish swam over happily, circling Su Yuan with adoring eyes.
Patting its head, Su Yuan said: "Hungry, aren't you? You've suffered following me. From today onward, cultivate to your heart's content!"
Little Cai's eyes sparkled, wagging its tail excitedly!
With a wave, Su Yuan collected Little Cai and all 35 spirit fish into the Floating Light Pot.
"Xiao Li, you're coming too!"
"Okay!"
They entered the spatial treasure together.
By the Silver Spirit Lake, Little Cai and the fish had already returned to the water.
The curious fish watched Su Yuan expectantly.
Su Yuan willed the sixth-grade treasure's restriction core to the lake center. Layer upon layer of formations unfolded over the water.
Instantly, the entire lake transformed into a Yuan Pool!
Moreover, this Yuan Pool surpassed the valley's original - enhanced by ancestral techniques and treasure synergy, its spiritual refinement speed multiplied exponentially.
"Xiao Li, activate the core restrictions!"
The little fox immediately manipulated the formations, drawing copious spiritual energy from the treasure's surroundings and converting it into spiritual liquid filling the lake.
However, the treasure's internal energy soon depleted.
Unfazed, Su Yuan poured out mountains of spirit stones - low, medium, and high-grade stones cascaded into the lake alongside hundreds of cultivation pills. The formations crushed everything into powder, converting the massive spiritual energy into dense liquid that merged with the lake.
Little Cai cheered, opening its mouth to gulp down the spiritual liquid!
The liquid transformed into spiritual power within its body.
Meanwhile, the spirit fish soaked in the ultra-concentrated liquid, entering an intoxicated state. Under this baptism, they effortlessly broke through their bottlenecks, evolving toward second-grade spirit fish!
Su Yuan had included these fish for two reasons: their minimal consumption, and companionship for Little Cai.
Unlike Xiao Li, Little Cai had genuine childlike innocence - without playmates, it would grow lonely, hindering development. Since Su Yuan couldn't always accompany it, these fish were crucial.
Su Yuan observed the fish developing tri-colored glows under Little Cai's influence, rapidly advancing toward second-grade.
Meanwhile, Little Cai generated tremendous suction, voraciously absorbing spiritual liquid to convert into true essence.
Simultaneously, strands of true essence manifested within Su Yuan, enhancing his soul, body, and cultivation at shocking speeds.
He sat calmly by the lake sipping tea, allowing his physique and soul to ascend continuously.
The fish-shaped cheat was fully operational.
Xiao Li worked hard controlling the restrictions, complaining: "Su Yuan, this isn't fair! Making me handle all the work!"
Su Yuan spread his hands: "I'm only at Foundation Establishment. Controlling sixth-grade treasure restrictions is beyond me!"
Xiao Li opened her mouth but found no rebuttal, sulkily continuing her task.
Little Cai flew over, nuzzling Xiao Li's cheek.
The fox smiled: "There there, Little Cai. Of course I'll help you! I'm just scolding Su Yuan!"
Little Cai happily blew colorful bubbles before returning to its feast.
Su Yuan sipped his tea unperturbed. Being scolded didn't matter - no outsiders were watching anyway.
Besides, he was investing heavily in Xiao Li and Little Cai's growth - his conscience was clear.
As for his automatic cultivation gains? That was just fortunate side benefit from his efforts.
He leisurely admired the Silver Spirit Waterfall, its plunging currents mirroring starlight in mesmerizing fashion.
Time flowed peacefully onward.
Meanwhile, the demonic faction moved swiftly in the shadows.
Seven Extremes Sect elders executed covert operations of their own.
While the cultivation world appeared tranquil, undercurrents raged beneath the surface.
Sipping tea by the lake, Su Yuan's mind displayed vivid scenes of demonic activities - he saw everything clearly.
Due to information asymmetry, mentioning his name alerted him to their plans, rendering their actions transparent.
He periodically compiled intelligence for Nangong Xianweng, continuously optimizing their strategy and raising success probabilities.
The enemy was exposed while they remained hidden - advantage secured!
Three months passed in a blink.
On this night, clear skies revealed countless twinkling stars.
Around Seven Extremes Sect's mines, fisheries, forests, markets, and shops, demonic cultivators gathered, poised to strike!