Afterward, Wu Qingfeng announced the conclusion of the competition, and the crowd dispersed.


    Lu Yi, Liu Ningshuang, and Donggong Mingyue left together and returned to Lingluo Peak.


    The following seven days passed peacefully, and soon the time for departure arrived.


    Early that morning, Lu Yi left his cave dwelling and headed to the gathering point.


    The meeting place was at the peak of White Cloud Mountain, where the main hall of White Cloud Sect was located.


    When Lu Yi arrived at the peak, he saw that many people had already gathered, including Jiang Fan and the senior brothers and sisters who were also heading to the Eastern Forest Ruins.


    Surprisingly, Lu Yi also saw Liu Ningshuang, who was standing with several elders exuding powerful and profound auras.


    Lu Yi walked over and asked in surprise, "Senior Sister, why are you here too?"


    Upon seeing Lu Yi, Liu Ningshuang''s usually cold expression softened slightly, and she smiled faintly. "The disciples heading to the Eastern Forest Ruins are the future backbone of White Cloud Sect. Moreover, with you participating, someone needs to provide protection. I, along with several elders, will be accompanying you."


    Lu Yi glanced at the elders nearby. They wore gentle expressions and nodded slightly toward him.


    All these elders were in the Nascent Soul Realm, but among them, there was an elderly woman whose aura was so profound that Lu Yi couldn’t even sense her cultivation level. She was likely as strong as Elder Xuan and Elder Ming—at the Void Refinement Realm.


    The elderly woman stepped forward, examined Lu Yi, and smiled warmly. "Child, you must be Lu Yi? You truly are talented and handsome. Very impressive."


    Liu Ningshuang introduced her, "Junior Brother, this is Elder Chuyun. She is one of the true powerhouses of White Cloud Sect, a figure who dominated Green Province a thousand years ago. She will be leading the team this time."


    Lu Yi quickly bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Elder Chuyun."


    The elderly woman smiled kindly, exuding a grandmotherly demeanor. "That was all so long ago. Seeing such talented young people now makes me happy. I don’t have many years left to live, so the future of White Cloud Sect will depend on all of you."


    After exchanging a few words, the group was finally assembled, and Elder Chuyun spoke. "Let’s set off."


    A Nascent Soul elder nearby nodded, waved his sleeve, and summoned a magnificent wooden ship.


    The ship was engraved with intricate formations and slowly expanded in size. Soon, it turned into a massive vessel hundreds of meters long, shimmering with light, and floated above White Cloud Peak.


    It was a flying treasure!


    Lu Yi was astonished. Such a large flying treasure likely surpassed the level of magical artifacts and might even be a spiritual artifact.


    He hadn’t expected White Cloud Sect to possess such a treasure.


    "Board the ship. It’s a long journey, so we should start as soon as possible," Elder Chuyun instructed.


    The group boarded the ship one by one.


    Standing on the deck, Lu Yi watched as the formations carved into the ship lit up. A translucent barrier enveloped the vessel, which then transformed into a stream of light and vanished from White Cloud Peak.


    From the deck, Lu Yi gazed down at the rapidly shrinking mountains and rivers below.


    ''What incredible speed,'' he thought. ''This is much faster than my full-speed Lightning Shadow Step.''


    Come to think of it, Lu Yi remembered he also had a flying treasure—a top-grade flying artifact. However, he had never used it. The Wind Breath Boat was too conspicuous, and since he rarely traveled, he had no need for it.


    While Lu Yi was lost in thought, Liu Ningshuang approached and stood beside him. Lu Yi glanced at her; her snow-white, jade-like complexion gleamed softly, making her look as stunning as a painting.


    Liu Ningshuang looked back at him and chuckled lightly. "Junior Brother, the Eastern Forest Ruins are far outside White Cloud Sect’s territory. Even aboard the Radiant Light Ship, it will take half a month to get there. Standing here won’t do. Come with me; I’ll find you a room to rest."


    Lu Yi nodded, and the two headed into the cabin.


    Lu Yi found that the Radiant Light Ship was extraordinarily spacious. With only about thirty people onboard, there was more than enough room—each person even had their own chamber.


    To his surprise, each room was equipped with a Spirit Gathering Array, making it possible to cultivate peacefully.


    ''What luxury,'' Lu Yi marveled.


    In the following days, Lu Yi focused on cultivating. Occasionally, he chatted and drank with Liu Ningshuang or sparred with Jiang Fan.


    The Radiant Light Ship’s deck was incredibly sturdy—Lu Yi doubted he could damage it even with his full strength—making it a perfect spot for sparring.


    Through these sparring sessions, Lu Yi gained insight into the Water Dao and even collected nearly a hundred drops of Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Milk.


    He had now accumulated several hundred drops of Thousand-Year Spirit Milk, most of which were rewards from clearing over twenty levels in the Trial Tower, breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, and completing missions a year ago.


    Lu Yi hadn’t used the Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Milk yet. For now, the Thousand-Year Spirit Milk was sufficient for his cultivation. He planned to switch once its effects diminished.


    After sparring with Jiang Fan, several other Foundation Establishment disciples joined in. Lu Yi challenged them one by one.


    Among them, five Foundation Establishment peak disciples demonstrated impressive talent, earning me Thousand-Year Spirit Milk as rewards. From others, I got Perfect Qi Gathering Pills instead.


    Qi Gathering Pills were valuable for Foundation Establishment cultivation, and Perfect Qi Gathering Pills were considered rare treasures. However, to Lu Yi, they were too ordinary for his use.


    Still, he accepted them all, planning to distribute them later to his father, Lu Gaoyang, and mother, Wang Siqi, or perhaps to Jiang Fan and Bai Yulong.


    After several days, the Radiant Light Ship left White Cloud Sect’s territory and continued its journey, passing through various regions until it reached a desolate wasteland.


    This barren land was deathly silent, with faint traces of bloodthirsty energy lingering in the air. Lu Yi’s mind wavered for a moment, and he seemed to hear echoes of battle cries from an unknown, ancient era.


    Lu Yi snapped out of it, startled, and looked down at the wasteland.


    ''What a strange and eerie place,'' he thought.


    He turned his head and saw that some of the Foundation Establishment cultivators nearby appeared dazed, even Jiang Fan was the same.


    As for the few Nascent Soul cultivators, Elder Chuyun, and Senior Sister Liu Ningshuang, they seemed unaffected.


    Seeing Lu Yi recover so quickly, the Nascent Soul elders all showed expressions of surprise. Elder Chuyun nodded in satisfaction, smiling as he said, "Not bad, not bad. To break free from the Blood Fiend Illusion this quickly, Lu Yi, your mental strength is quite formidable."


    Liu Ningshuang, however, remained calm and said, "Junior Brother is at the thirteenth layer of Qi Refining and has a Foundation Establishment base. His mental strength is naturally far superior to others of the same rank."If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Thirteenth layer of Qi Refining—indeed an exceptionally strong foundation."


    "Haha, it seems we were overthinking things. Nephew Lu Yi is, after all, the genius who triggered the Foundation Establishment tribulation."


    The elders all sighed in admiration, and one of them spoke up, "Alright, let''s wake the others."


    An elder opened his mouth and shouted, "Wake up!"


    Instantly, the Foundation Establishment disciples shuddered and regained their senses. Their faces turned pale as they looked down below, horror evident in their eyes.


    Jiang Fan furrowed his brows, his face full of shock. "What was that illusion just now?"


    A Nascent Soul elder explained, "This place is an ancient battlefield where humans and demons once fought. The area is stained with the blood of mighty beings. Even after countless years, the killing intent remains in this scorched land. Those with lower cultivation or weaker mental strength can easily be influenced by this killing aura, falling into illusions. The same killing aura exists within the Eastern Forest Ruins, and in some areas, it is even more concentrated. If your mind is not strong enough, you should avoid those places. If you get lost in the illusions, you may never return."


    Hearing this, the disciples all shuddered in fear.


    "So, the Eastern Forest Ruins are just ahead?" Lu Yi gazed into the distance.


    Liu Ningshuang nodded slightly and pointed toward a barren hillside. "The entrance to the ruins is over there."


    Lu Yi looked ahead and noticed figures present. Apart from cultivators floating in mid-air, there was also a massive, floating, azure-colored ice mountain.


    "Heh, it seems the people from Winter Valley have already arrived. It''s rare for them to be this early," a Nascent Soul elder said with a smile upon seeing the ice mountain.


    "Let''s head over too," Elder Chuyun commanded, and the Radiant Light Ancient Ship flew in that direction.


    As they drew closer, Lu Yi saw everything more clearly. The ice mountain was enormous, and several cultivators sat cross-legged atop it. They appeared completely unbothered by their surroundings, meditating with their eyes closed despite the nearby discussions.


    Lu Yi took a closer look at the peculiar ice mountain, which exuded intense coldness. It seemed to have been refined into a powerful magic treasure.


    As for the cultivators outside the ice mountain, Lu Yi suspected they were rogue cultivators. Each time the Eastern Forest Ruins opened, rogue cultivators would gather, hoping to sneak into the ruins and acquire resources. Some simply treated the event as a spectacle to watch.


    When the Radiant Light Ancient Ship approached, the rogue cultivators turned their attention to it.


    "It''s the Radiant Light Ancient Ship of the White Cloud Sect. They''ve arrived too."


    "I wonder how strong the disciples from White Cloud Sect are this time. I heard that Winter Valley produced a genius with an innate ice spirit body. They were hidden away for twenty years and have now reached the peak of Foundation Establishment. If not for the opening of the Eastern Forest Ruins, this genius might have remained hidden even longer."


    "An innate ice spirit body? Winter Valley actually has such a prodigy? Reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment at twenty years old may not match Liu Ningshuang, but it''s not far off. Perhaps no one among the disciples of the five great sects can compete with them this generation."


    "That''s not necessarily true. The Blood Spirit Sect''s sect master''s son was born with the Blood Spirit Orb and has been trained from a young age. It''s said that he has also reached the peak of Foundation Establishment. If not for the opening of the Eastern Forest Ruins, he might already be at the Golden Core stage. He may even surpass Winter Valley''s ice spirit genius."


    "I''ve heard about the Blood Spirit Sect''s young master. They say he is extremely bloodthirsty. Isn''t he afraid of retribution?"


    "Watch your words... You may not fear death, but we don''t want to die."


    Hearing this, the rogue cultivators distanced themselves from the speaker, who seemed to realize his mistake and fell silent.


    "What about the Heavenly Serpent Sect, the Myriad Flower Valley, and the White Cloud Sect? Do they have any standout disciples this time?"


    "Heh, I don''t know about the other sects, but as someone from the White Cloud territory, I can assure you that White Cloud Sect is undoubtedly the strongest this time."


    Hearing this, the crowd was stunned and looked toward the speaker.


    "Brother, aren''t you being a bit too confident?"


    "Exactly. The five sects are all major powers in Green Province, each with numerous talents. To say that one sect is far superior might be a stretch."


    "You all just don''t understand. Did you know that White Cloud Sect produced a genius who surpasses Liu Ningshuang?"


    This statement caused an uproar among the crowd, who all stared at the speaker in disbelief.


    "A genius surpassing Liu Ningshuang?!"


    "Fairy Liu Ningshuang is ranked among the top three prodigies in the Eastern Region and has overshadowed the younger generation throughout Green Province. White Cloud Sect has someone even better?!"


    "Impossible! I don''t believe it!"


    The rogue cultivator sneered and said, "That genius broke through from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment last year and even triggered a lightning tribulation! Have you ever seen a lightning tribulation during Qi Refining?"


    This revelation silenced the crowd before an uproar broke out again.


    "Qi Refining Stage, yet it triggered a lightning tribulation?! How is that possible?"


    "What kind of aptitude would it take to draw a lightning tribulation at the Qi Refining Stage?"


    A rogue cultivator sneered, "If it weren''t for the fact that the tribulation occurred within the sect and caused such a commotion, no one would have known about it. That genius''s talent is probably comparable to the prodigies of ancient times."


    "Hiss... If that''s true, then as long as this genius doesn''t fall, wouldn''t there be hope for ascension to immortality in the future? White Cloud Sect really hit the jackpot."


    "Wait, you said he only broke through to Foundation Establishment last year? How strong can he be in just one year? He might not be able to match those other prodigies who are already at the peak of Foundation Establishment, right?"


    These words brought everyone back to their senses.


    "That does make sense. No matter how great the talent, if it hasn''t been converted into strength, it''s all meaningless."


    "He just reached Foundation Establishment a year ago, and he dares to come to the Eastern Forest Ruins? If we know about this, I can''t believe other sects don''t know about the monstrous genius from White Cloud Sect. If he really dares to come here, the geniuses from other sects won''t miss the chance to eliminate him."


    "That''s true. With such monstrous talent, he shouldn''t come out so soon. If he waited until his cultivation was perfected, who could stand against him? He might even cause a sensation throughout the Eastern Region."


    While the crowd was still discussing, the group of cultivators from Cold Winter Valley atop the icy mountain seemed to sense something. They opened their eyes one after another and looked toward the approaching Radiant Light Ancient Ship.


    Sitting at the peak of the icy mountain was a white-haired elder. His cold eyes flickered slightly as he lightly floated into the air and flew toward the Radiant Light Ancient Ship.


    "Hahaha, fellow cultivators of White Cloud Sect, I didn''t expect you to arrive so early. Who''s leading your group this time? Please come out and meet me."


    Elder Chuyun rose into the air, his gentle voice ringing out, "Fellow Daoist Dongyu, it''s been a long time. I hope you''ve been well."


    Dongyu, upon seeing Elder Chuyun, smiled and said, "So it''s Daoist Chuyun."


    He glanced at Elder Chuyun''s aged face. Although traces of her former elegance remained, Dongyu sighed with some emotion, "It''s been a long time. We''ve both grown old."


    Chuyun smiled warmly, "Without achieving immortality, aging and sickness are inevitable. Having come to this mortal world, we might as well live freely. Being so sentimental doesn''t suit someone called the Ice Demon."


    Dongyu laughed, "Even the once-renowned Fairy Chuyun can be so open-minded. Why should this old man dwell on it?"


    As he spoke, his gaze swept across the Radiant Light Ancient Ship and finally landed on Lu Yi. A trace of light flashed in his eyes as he smiled faintly, "I heard your White Cloud Sect produced a genius with immortal potential. You''re not afraid of him dying in the Eastern Forest Ruins?"


    Elder Chuyun looked at Dongyu and smiled, "Since he''s an immortal seed, this small Eastern Forest Ruins poses no threat to him."


    "Then what about the prodigies from other sects?" Dongyu gave Lu Yi a deep look before withdrawing his gaze slowly.


    Elder Chuyun''s eyes turned cold as he said, "If they have the ability, they are welcome to try."


    Dongyu smiled and said, "Cold Winter Valley has no enmity with White Cloud Sect, so we certainly won''t harm your immortal seed. But the Heavenly Serpent Sect and the Blood Spirit Sect might not be so kind."


    "Hmph, do you think the disciples of those sects can even lay a hand on Lu Yi?" Elder Chuyun sneered.


    Lu Yi was the personal disciple of the Magnolia Peak Master, whose strength was unfathomable. If Lu Yi''s safety couldn''t be reasonably assured, how could he possibly be allowed to enter the ruins?


    At this moment, a cold voice suddenly echoed, "Chuyun, after more than two hundred years, your cultivation hasn''t improved much, but your arrogance certainly has..."


    Many cultivators turned their heads to see an ancient ship shrouded in a sinister blood mist slowly approaching from the horizon.


    Even though it was still some distance away, the cultivators could already sense the intense smell of blood.


    "That''s the Blood Spirit Sect''s ancient ship!"


    "The Blood Spirit Sect is here. Things are about to get interesting!"


    "I heard that a Nascent Soul elder of the Blood Spirit Sect is nearing the end of his lifespan, and they''ve been sending cultivators to the White Cloud Territory to refine blood essence, stirring up trouble. The enmity between the two sects is already deep."


    "Heh, as if there wasn''t already hatred between the two sects before this. Remember when the Blood Spirit Sect''s Sect Master died at the hands of White Cloud Sect?"


    "I wonder if they''ll start fighting right now?"


    Nearby rogue cultivators whispered among themselves, watching the approaching Blood Spirit Sect''s ancient ship.


    Elder Chuyun''s expression turned cold as he looked at the Blood Spirit Sect''s ship. With a sneer, he said, "So it''s you, Xueluo. Looks like you''ve recovered well from the injuries you sustained back then?"


    A streak of blood-red light shot out from the ancient ship, landing near Elder Chuyun. It was an elder clad in a blood-red robe, with hair dyed crimson as if soaked in blood.


    His dark red eyes gleamed with a bloody light as he sneered and turned his gaze toward the Radiant Light Ancient Ship.


    When he saw Lu Yi, a murderous intent flickered openly in his eyes. He grinned and said, "I originally thought the little brat from White Cloud Sect wouldn''t dare show up, but it seems he really came? Since he''s here, he shouldn''t expect to leave."


    Elder Chuyun locked his aura onto Xueluo to prevent any sudden attacks and said indifferently, "If your Blood Spirit Sect''s disciples can come, why can''t our White Cloud Sect''s disciples?"


    Xueluo sensed Elder Chuyun''s aura and smirked, holding back from attacking. "I hope he enters the ruins."


    On the ancient ship, Lu Yi naturally felt Xueluo''s murderous intent, and he was displeased. He muttered, ''That old guy''s gaze is disgusting. At his age, he still wants to make a move against me? Shameless.''


    Beside him, Liu Ningshuang''s cold expression didn''t change as she glanced at Xueluo and said calmly, "With Elder Chuyun and us here, no one can touch you outside the ruins."


    At that moment, Lu Yi suddenly frowned, sensing undisguised malice emanating from the Blood Spirit Sect''s ancient ship.


    He turned and saw a handsome young man with a blood-red mark on his forehead staring at him.


    Noticing Lu Yi''s gaze, the young man grinned wickedly, then pointed at Lu Yi and slowly ran his finger across his own throat.