90: Chapter 90 Leaving the perilous place and entering the desolate mountains, he secluded himself to refine fruits and solidify his soul.

Having beheaded three high-level Yao Race generals, especially that "Young Lord" whose identity was clearly not low, Ye Qing knew well that this place had become a dangerous area and could attract stronger Yao Cultivators for investigation or revenge at any moment.

He did not hesitate, pushing the effects of "Void Step" and the "void concealment pill" to the limit. His entire being nearly merged with space, transforming into a blurred, barely perceptible phantom, flying towards the outskirts of Dragonfall Abyss at a speed far exceeding his previous pace.

Along the way, he constantly changed directions, utilizing the complex and sinister terrain along with chaotic Spiritual Qi and spatial fluctuations to conceal his tracks. He even left false traces of aura and misleading movement patterns at several key nodes, like the most skilled hunter setting up a diversion.

Thus, without sleep or rest, he flew at full speed for three days and three nights until he was completely away from the "Black Nightmare Hills" and the core radiation area of Dragonfall Abyss, entering a barren mountain range known as the "Barren Ridge of Chaotic Winds," where he finally slowed his speed slightly.

The Barren Ridge of Chaotic Winds lived up to its name.

This place was plagued year-round by ceaseless gale winds mixed with sand, dust, and weak spatial turbulence. Spiritual Qi was so thin it was almost non-existent, vegetation could not grow, birds and beasts were extinct, and there were no valuable resources produced; it was a true dead zone for Cultivators and a forbidden zone for life.

Precisely because of this, almost no Cultivators or Yao Race members set foot here, making it an ideal temporary hiding place for Ye Qing.

Deep within the barren ridge, he found a natural rock cave eroded by the gale winds that extended deep underground.

The cave entrance was hidden, and the interior twisted downwards, eventually reaching a cavern several tens of zhang in diameter, wrapped in some kind of hard black rock. The air inside the cavern was dry, and although slight gale winds seeped in, it was much calmer than the outside.

"This will do."

Ye Qing lowered his flight light and immediately set to work.

First, using the "earth vein array core mushroom" as the core, he set up the "Lesser Heavenly Cycle Five Elements Earth Vein Array," connecting with the weak yet relatively stable earth vein Qi of this place to form a solid defense and concealment.

He also set up a "Small Heavenly Cycle Star Array" to assist with vigilance and interfere with detection.

Finally, he placed several layers of complex trigger, trapping, and illusion Restrictions at the cave entrance and passageways to ensure that if anyone broke in, he could perceive it and respond immediately.

Once arranged, the cavern was immediately enveloped by a stable light shield flowing with faint five-colored and starlike brilliance, completely isolating the outside gale winds and desolation, creating a peaceful little world of its own.

Only then did Ye Qing sit cross-legged and heave a long sigh of relief.

The continuous high-intensity flight and setting up of the Formation were a significant drain on his spirit and Dan Yuan. He first took a Medicinal Pill to regulate his breath, and once his state was restored to its Peak, he submerged his consciousness into the Cave Heaven World.

Inside the Cave Heaven, the scene was still vibrant with life, with the sun rising and the moon setting, and the earth veins flowing.

Beside the star core, that "star soul spirit-calming fruit" was already in a completely stable state under the nourishment of the rich star essence and the Cave Heaven Origin, and it was even more vibrant than before it was transplanted. Its three crystalline shuttle-shaped leaves were spread out, and the star-colored fruit the size of a pigeon egg in the center had star Dao patterns flowing more nimbly on its surface, emitting a clearer calming fragrance, though it seemed to still be a line away from full maturity.

"Very good, it's growing well. The Cave Heaven environment is indeed more suitable for its growth. However, full maturity may still take some time. It just so happens that I can take this opportunity to refine some other gains, consolidate my Cultivation, and strengthen my Divine Soul."

Ye Qing's thoughts stirred as he turned his attention to the spoils of war from slaying the three Yao generals.

The corpses, Yao pills, and Materials of the three Yao generals had already been mostly digested by the Cave Heaven World, and the feedback energy was continuously pushing his Cultivation to improve. Their Storage Pouches and relics were stored separately in a corner of the Floating Landmass.

First was the Storage Pouch of the Young Master with golden pupils.

Probing with his Divine Sense, the internal space was quite large, piled with a massive amount of Spirit Stones, including many Medium Grade and even a small number of High-Grade Spirit Stones, with a staggering total value. There were also various high-quality Medicinal Pills, Talismans, and Materials, a dazzling array, including Yao Race specialties and some rare Human Race premium goods; clearly, this Yao had a noble status and was wealthy.

What caught Ye Qing's attention most were a few Jade Slips and a dark gold identity token.

Among the Jade Slips, one recorded a high-level movement technique called "Dark Feather Void Escape," which seemed related to the energy wings behind the Young Master with golden pupils, containing a trace of spatial shifting intent, which was quite profound. Another recorded some internal Yao Race information, a rough map of parts of the Dragonfall Abyss, and annotations on several "suspected array base nodes" around the "ancient teleportation array ruins"; although blurry, they were of great value.

There was another Jade Slip that seemed to Seal a powerful Divine Thought brand. When Ye Qing tried to probe it, he felt a cold, warning-laden Yao sense sweep over him, so he stopped immediately. This was clearly left by the Yao's elder, perhaps one of his means for life-saving or messaging. However, with his death, this brand was ownerless, but forcibly breaking it might carry risks, so Ye Qing put it away for now.

The dark gold identity token had a complex emblem made of feathers and stars engraved on the front, and some ancient Yao Race characters on the back. Ye Qing could not recognize them, but he could feel that the material of the token itself was extraordinary, faintly emitting a noble and majestic aura; it was clearly a symbol of some status.

"It seems this 'Young Lord' has an extraordinary background and is likely a direct descendant of a powerful Yao Race tribe. Killing the young one might really bring the old ones. However, the environment of this Barren Ridge of Chaotic Winds is special, and with the Formation isolation, there should be no worries in the short term. Once I digest what I have gained and my strength advances further, even if there are pursuers, I may not be without the ability to cope."

He put away the token and Jade Slips and checked the Storage Pouches of the other two Yao generals. Although the harvest was not as good as the "Young Lord," there were still many Spirit Stones and Materials, replenishing Ye Qing's inventory.

Next, he took out the three "star source crystals" obtained from Starfall Valley, as well as the newly acquired star source liquid containing a portion of the aura of the "star soul spirit-calming fruit."

"The top priority is to use these star treasures, as well as the energy fed back by the Cave Heaven, to further strengthen my Divine Soul, stabilize my Dao Foundation, and lay the most solid Foundation for impacting the Nascent Soul in the future. The 'star soul spirit-calming fruit' is not yet ripe, but its accompanying star source liquid also contains pure star Soul Power Dao charm, which can be absorbed and refined first."

He first took out a drop of "star source liquid" and swallowed it, the pure star Origin power dissolving and nourishing his whole body.

Then, he carefully took out a drop of the star source liquid accompanying the "star soul spirit-calming fruit" and dripped it into the center of his eyebrows.

The liquid was ice-cold and melted upon contact with the skin, turning into a strange, cool, pure energy that went straight into the depths of his Divine Soul, instantly flooding into his Sea of Consciousness.

Ye Qing felt his Divine Soul tremble slightly, as if it had been washed by the purest star spring. All fatigue, distracting thoughts, and dust were washed away, and his Divine Sense became clearer, more condensed, and sharper. Some subtle, imperceptible "soul injuries" and "stagnations" left over from past cultivation, battles, and insights were also slowly healed and dissipated under the nourishment of this star Soul Power.

At the same time, the "Power of the Primordial World" fed back by the Cave Heaven World, containing the Origin of the newly obtained Yao generals and the Dao charm of the "star soul spirit-calming fruit," also poured in continuously, intertwining with the Soul Power of the star source liquid, jointly nourishing and strengthening Ye Qing's Divine Soul and Dao Foundation.

The Hunxu Yandao Scripture slowly operated, guiding these pure forces to form a perfect cycle within his body.

The Golden Core rotated slowly, its surface Dao patterns flickering, becoming increasingly profound and mysterious.

His Divine Soul was like soaking in a warm ocean of starlight, constantly growing, solidifying, and transforming.

Time passed quietly in deep meditation.

The cavern was silent, with only the Formation light shield flowing with faint brilliance.

Ye Qing was shrouded in a hazy, strange halo composed of starlight spots and Chaos airflow, his aura becoming more condensed and introverted, yet faintly revealing a more vast and profound meaning.

He did not know how much time had passed.

When the Soul Power of the last drop of star source liquid was completely absorbed and refined, and the energy fed back by the Cave Heaven also stabilized, Ye Qing slowly awoke from deep meditation.

Opening his eyes, the divine light in his pupils was clear as water, yet as if it could reflect the entire starry sky, extremely profound. As his thoughts turned, they were faster and clearer, and his control over his own strength, his perception of the surrounding environment, and his realization of the Dao charm of heaven and earth had all improved by a clear level.

His Divine Soul strength was nearly 30% stronger than before his secluded cultivation! His Divine Sense detection range had also broken through 1,500 zhang, becoming more condensed like substance.

His Late Golden Core Stage Cultivation was completely consolidated and was moving steadily towards Perfection. His Dao Foundation was as solid as a mountain, his Dan Yuan was as pure as crystal, and the operation of the Hunxu Yandao Scripture was becoming more round and unimpeded.

"Not bad. The nourishment effect of the star source liquid on the Divine Soul is significant. If I wait for the 'star soul spirit-calming fruit' to fully mature and take it, the effect will definitely be even better. By then, the Divine Soul strength should be able to reach the limit of the Golden Core Realm, and even touch a trace of the characteristics of the Nascent Soul Divine Sense, laying the most critical Foundation for condensing the Nascent Soul."

Ye Qing evaluated his own changes with satisfaction.

This secluded cultivation, although it did not directly improve his Realm, the strengthening of his Divine Soul and Foundation was even more significant. On the path of cultivation, the further one goes, the higher the requirements for the Divine Soul and Dao Foundation. If the Foundation is not solid, the earth will shake and the mountains will sway. Only by polishing every Realm to the limit can one go further in the future.

"Next, I can spend some time comprehending that 'Dark Feather Void Escape,' as well as the information in the Jade Slips about Dragonfall Abyss and the ancient teleportation array. When the 'star soul spirit-calming fruit' matures, I can try to impact the Golden Core Perfection, and even... make final preparations for condensing the Nascent Soul."

He set his follow-up plan and was not in a hurry to leave seclusion.

In this isolated, deep Barren Ridge of Chaotic Winds, it was the perfect time to Cultivate diligently, digest what he had gained, and improve his strength.