Chapter Ninety-Four: Rescuing the Little White Fox

Lu Buyu watched the departing figure of Ge Qian, a cold smile curling on his lips as he absentmindedly stroked his chin, lost in unfathomable thoughts.

After leaving the Hall of Merit, Ge Qian stepped onto the Purplewood Ruler, heading straight for the medicinal garden. As he entered, a thick fragrance of herbs rushed forth to greet him. Elder Cui was not only a masterful alchemist but also adept at managing the garden; all manner of spiritual herbs flourished, lush and vibrant.

Ge Qian was just about to send a message talisman when Cui Yun appeared at the entrance of his abode, a smile spreading over his aged face. His spiritual sense, however, swept over Ge Qian with no trace of politeness. Cui Yun liked to be informed; upon probing, he discovered Ge Qian had just advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage—his realm barely stabilized, though his magic was deep. This did not surprise him; those who cultivated the "Threefold Foundation Art" always possessed deeper power than ordinary cultivators, an indisputable fact.

With such strength, Ge Qian could not stir up much trouble in his presence. Cui Yun said, "Brother Ge, it's been a while. Congratulations on advancing to Foundation Establishment. You did not disappoint me—now we are fellow disciples, aren't we?"

Ge Qian was startled; he was glad he had not taken any chances and had activated the concealment ability of the Earth Spirit Pearl to its fullest. Otherwise, with Cui Yun's formidable spiritual sense, he would have surely been exposed. Outwardly, he smiled warmly, expressing his gratitude, "My advancement was merely luck. Truthfully, I must thank you for those ten Foundation Establishment pills."

"A trivial matter, hardly worth mentioning. Besides, you earned those pills through your own merit—it had nothing to do with me. This isn't the place to talk; would you care to step inside my humble abode?" Cui Yun shook his head, a half-smile playing on his lips.

Ge Qian did not stand on ceremony. "Very well, I would like to observe your cave-dwelling, perhaps I can glean some inspiration for my own in the future."

Cui Yun nodded, opening the restrictions to his abode. The two entered, master and guest.

The cave was neat and spacious, about thirty feet across. Two beds, a long table, and several pots of spiritual flowers for calming the mind—nothing else. The only remarkable feature was the abundance of spiritual energy, rivaling even the Hall of Merit.

Yet Ge Qian felt there was more beneath the surface; a faint sense of danger lingered in his heart. A formless restriction enveloped the cave, surely a formidable array with considerable power.

Cui Yun sat cross-legged, gesturing for Ge Qian to do the same. Ge Qian nodded and took a seat opposite him.

Ge Qian spoke first. "Brother, I've come today to assist you in alchemy. Are you ready?"

"Everything is prepared, just waiting for your assistance," Cui Yun replied eagerly.

Ge Qian sneered, "I've shown my sincerity. Would you let me see how my spirit beast is faring?"

Cui Yun answered indifferently, "Of course." With a flick of his beast pouch, the little white fox appeared before Ge Qian.

The white fox's aura was powerful, now a second-tier demon beast. Its demonic energy surged as it glared at Cui Yun, raising its front paws as if to pounce.

Cui Yun pressed down with a forceful hand, subduing the fox to the ground. It trembled all over, powerless to resist.

Ge Qian said calmly, "My spirit beast has advanced to the second tier. I suppose that's thanks to you?"

Cui Yun waved his hand, putting the fox back in the storage pouch. "You and your pet are bound by the Heart Demon Pact—if one dies, so does the other. Now that you've reached Foundation Establishment, the fox can't affect you anymore. When one side's realm surpasses the other's, the pact fails. So I raised its level; should you betray me, I have something to rely on. Don't you agree?"

Ge Qian smiled and nodded. "Brother, you worry too much. I'm not that kind of person. When will we begin the alchemy?"

At the mention of alchemy, joy flashed across Cui Yun's face. He saw Ge Qian as meat on the chopping block, ready for him to carve—sooner or later, it made no difference. "You seem even more eager than I am. Let's begin."

He changed his hand seals, activating the array. White light flickered; the runes on the stone walls flashed rapidly, forming a massive light formation.

Both sat within the array. Ge Qian quickly rose, watching Cui Yun warily.

Cui Yun rose slowly, pressing a hand to the table. The table sank into the floor as he produced a teleportation talisman, handing it to Ge Qian. "Don't be alarmed. This is merely a long-distance teleportation array—the place for alchemy is a thousand miles away. As for its exact location, I can't disclose it yet. Once matters are settled, I'll send you back. Does that put you at ease?"

Ge Qian showed surprise; a thousand-mile teleportation array was priceless, able to transport someone far away at a great cost of spirit stones. This spoke volumes about Cui Yun's wealth.

He accepted the talisman and affixed it to his body, a faint light shield enveloping him. "Brother, you are truly cautious. I've secured it—let's begin."

Cui Yun pasted a talisman on himself, forming the seals. With the operation of the array, white light enveloped them both and they vanished.

At the instant the array activated, Ge Qian struck—using "Substitution Trick," he swapped Cui Yun's beast pouch for six Purple Fiend Yin Thunder bombs. And not only that—he "Drew from the Bottom," draining a tenth of the teleportation talisman's power.

Cui Yun, confident and complacent, never expected Ge Qian to act at the moment of teleportation. The attack was swift and ruthless, and to his fury, Ge Qian used his own Purple Fiend Yin Thunder. One or two he could tolerate, but six at once—how could he withstand such force?

Cui Yun roared, realizing his teleportation talisman had weakened, its power greatly diminished. Life and death hung in the balance; he could spare no thought for anything else.

A strange aura enveloped his body, and he donned a gray armor, its intricate patterns crisscrossing, emitting a faint glow.

The six Purple Fiend Yin Thunders struck Cui Yun's armor with a thunderous roar, deafening as a storm in the heavens.

Ge Qian seized the opportunity, his eyes sharp and his spells swift. The "Substitution Trick" and "Draw from the Bottom" were executed perfectly, though not without risk—any misstep in the teleportation process could have torn him apart by spatial forces.

Dizzy and disoriented, Ge Qian found himself in a gray, hazy space, tens of thousands of feet across. At the center stood a ruined altar, a hundred feet tall, exuding the marks of time—oppressive, painful, and strange.

Beside it was a round blood pool, its liquid churning. Above, wisps of resentment drifted, surely from those who had died unjustly, their grievances soaring.

Within the resentment was a mysterious gray substance, which made Ge Qian pause—upon first contact, he felt an uncanny sense of familiarity.

The space rippled; Cui Yun appeared, no longer serene and composed, but battered and bloody. Half his hair was gone, his eyes gleamed with ferocity as he glared at Ge Qian.