237: I temporarily reside in the Great Yu, but my path to immortality is not yet over.

"Boom—!"

The ground shook incessantly, and the Truth Cult stronghold beneath the earth swayed with it, dust sifting down from the ceiling.

"Zhao Da, we owe you a lot this time!"

Lei Yan's face was pale, and there were obvious stitching marks left on his neck. He looked at the few remaining people before him, his heart heavy.

Under Er Wuzai's betrayal and attack, his stronghold suffered heavy losses. Many core members perished, and the only top combat power left was those standing before him.

There was Zhu Gongchang of the Core Formation Stage, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator Zhao Da whose strength rivaled Core Formation, and several Advanced Cult members who had luckily survived.

Although he had salvaged his life, he was nearly crippled, and his cultivation had dropped significantly.

"Er Wuzai... Prince Kangs Residence... just you wait!" he gritted his teeth inwardly.

After calming his mind, Lei Yan quickly made his deployment plan.

First, he appointed Zhao Da as the temporary Deputy Base Director, handing over most of the existing resources to help him recover and consolidate his strength as quickly as possible.

The remaining Core Formation Cultivators were to lead the rest of the cult members to coordinate the assault on the Kaifeng of Kaifeng.

Lei Yan knew there were still spies within the cult, but he had no time for detailed investigation now. Since the enemy had acted openly, it meant they had already figured out each other's details. A great battle was inevitable; it was simply a matter of who planned earlier and suffered fewer losses.

Having fallen to this state, he had nothing left to lose.

After giving his instructions, Lei Yan, eyes bloodshot, shoved the token into Zhao Da's hand, pouring out his heart, and almost recognizing him as his adopted son on the spot.

Only by thinking of the son and brother he had just lost did he manage to suppress that thought.

Watching Lei Yan's retreating figure, Long Tianxing put away his tear-streaked expression and tucked the token into his embrace.

The current trust placed in him was merely because he had saved Lei Yan's life, coupled with the fact that there was no one else available. Just as Lei Yan had inadvertently revealed, he suspected Zhu Gongchang was a spy, and most of the other Core Formation cult members were low-level Half-Demons who would lose their minds upon Demonization, making them unreliable for serious use.

Although this trust was somewhat blind, it was perfect for Long Tianxing.

Due to the dangerous situation earlier, he had already instructed Hui Yuxuan to leave first with the Keepsake and Scales to find Li Wenbo.

Now that there was no one to look after and he had Lei Yan's deep trust, Long Tianxing moved through the stronghold virtually unchallenged.

He quickly moved around the stronghold, collecting information wherever possible, while simultaneously directing the Half-Demon hordes outside toward the direction of the Defending Forces and the Prodigy teams.

Since those Half-Demons lacked intelligence anyway, this arrangement would not arouse suspicion.

"Station Chief Zhao!"

Long Tianxing, who was rummaging through documents in the shadows, was startled by a shout from behind and turned around, seeing an ordinary cult member running over breathlessly.

"The Station Chief is calling for you! There's an urgent matter he needs your help with!"

Seeing that the other party was not suspicious, Long Tianxing breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, and followed.

As soon as he saw Lei Yan, the man eagerly grabbed him.

"Zhao Da, you're finally here! In the battle just now, we managed to seize the Duke Zhenguo's remains. This item is of great importance."

"But I must go out and command now, and I urgently need someone trustworthy to guard this place."

He led Long Tianxing to a curtain.

"Although this stronghold looks unassuming on the outside, it is the largest underground stronghold within the Kaifeng of Kaifeng, and its defenses are sufficient to resist a Nascent Soul Cultivator."

"Use my token to activate the Restrictions here. You must hold this place and absolutely cannot let outsiders take the remains! I have important matters to attend to!"

Having said that, Lei Yan hurriedly left the stronghold and rushed toward the surface battlefield.

Just moments ago, he suddenly learned that Zhu Gongchang was actually an inside agent disguised by the Grand Princess!

He had guessed that the person might be a spy, but he never expected the identity to be so high-ranking, nor did he expect that half of the Truth Cult's interior were spies.

This group was now converging with the Prodigy teams. If they also gained control over the Half-Demons, the Half-Demons in the outer Kaifeng would soon be wiped out.

He had to stop them quickly and minimize the losses.

Long Tianxing gripped the token in his hand, then looked at the remains of the Young General, armored and holding a flag, displayed before the curtain. He slowly drew his Long Sword and walked toward the ordinary cult members who looked confused.

On the other side, Lei Yan concealed his Qi, narrowly avoiding the perception of that Young General. He secretly cried out in relief, as that was a true Nascent Soul Cultivator. He just didn't know why the person hadn't discovered him.

"How could such a figure be here... Is he also here for the Duke Zhenguo's remains? Fortunately, the stronghold's defenses are sufficient to resist Soul Transformation..."

"Boom—!"

A loud noise came from behind. Lei Yan turned his head abruptly, only to see that Young General soaring into the sky carrying a sack on his back. He didn't need to guess what was inside.

The fact that the person entered so easily and retreated so quickly meant only one thing.

"Zhao Da! You motherf*cker are a spy too!!!"

Lei Yan let out a furious roar, followed the token's sensation, raised his Saber, and chased after him. At the same time, he used Burning Life Force, forcing his cultivation to recover to roughly the Core Formation Middle Stage despite his severe injuries, vowing to perish together with Zhao Da.

But until his death, he never knew that Zhao Da wasn't actually called Zhao Da.

"What happened next?"

Above the clouds, the Fifth Elder piloted the flying boat he had borrowed from Li Wenbo, heading toward the Qingxu Grotto-Heaven.

Long Tianxing leaned tiredly against the ship's rail and said through gritted teeth.

"Didn't you already know what happened next? I used the Imprint to connect with Emperor Gaozong, allowing him to briefly leave the underground and meet the Young Emperor."

"And Emperor Gaozong also helped the Young Emperor borrow his power to fight the monster, even outside the Ancestral Temple."

"As for me, I had to maintain the connection while dodging the pursuit of that madman Lei Yan... In the end, Zhou Yan saved me."

The Fifth Elder was not very satisfied with this.

"I wasn't asking about that."

"How many benefits did you gain from it? At least we, master and disciple, should split it three-seven, right?"

"Only seventy percent for me?" Long Tianxing complained with his eyes closed.

"Heh, you brat... Forget it, you did put in a lot of effort this time. Take out your share, I'll count it up, and I'll give you forty percent."

Long Tianxing did not reply, falling into a deep sleep.

"Hey! How can you sleep? Where's the money!"

Meanwhile, the Grand Princess was seeing off guests.

"Although this collaboration was unpleasant, you truly helped a lot and contributed significantly." Song Ling looked at Meng Ke and Mu Qianqiu before her, feeling a headache coming on.

She had originally thought her Imperial Uncle had other plans—to protect his younger brother and oppose the Duke Zhenguo and the Chancellor—but she never expected the mastermind to be that fellow named Kun Gou.

With heavy calculations from all sides, her Imperial Uncle, whom she had once thought unfathomable, turned out to be the most innocent one among them.

Her own arrangements were almost like child's play, failing to exert any substantial effect.

Although Emperor Gaozong and her younger brother expressed their recognition, she still felt like a young child who helped set the table while the adults cooked, only to be praised by everyone afterward.

Regretful as she was, the necessary price still had to be paid.

One of the reasons the Joyous Union Sect offered assistance this time was for the "dragon nature," which was extremely rare in the Eastern Domain.

Song Ling took out an irregular, crystal-clear crystal, and just as she was about to hand it over, the other party politely refused.

Mu Qianqiu explained.

"We hope you can transfer this item to Zhou Yan and tell him that it is a gift from the Young Lord of the Joyous Union Sect."

They were actually quite reluctant to part with it, but since the Young Lord had spoken, they, as working staff, could only comply.

Far in the distance, a jellyfish floated quietly in the air, with two young men beside it trying to persuade it.

"Young Lord, weren't you going to the Eastern Extreme? Why don't you want this dragon nature now? If we miss this chance, it will be difficult to collect this much again in a short period."

Another man with a feminine temperament also advised softly.

"The Yao Race from the Northern Abyss I encountered this time also revealed that their purpose for coming here was also the dragon nature, and they have already obtained what they needed."

"In other words, this piece is likely the only remaining dragon nature in Great Yu. Who knows how long it will take to accumulate an equivalent amount again."

The Young Lord of the Joyous Union Sect did not pay attention, merely gazing quietly in a certain direction.

"It doesn't matter anymore."

"I went to the Eastern Extreme to comprehend the Great Dao of Life, condense a dao body, and thus achieve a Soul Transformation Breakthrough."

As it spoke, the jellyfish-like body gradually solidified, faintly transforming into a true human appearance, no longer the form disguised by wrapping tentacles around itself.

"Now, there is no need."

"I plan to go back and comprehend the Law of Love."

"This is what my teacher hopes for, and perhaps it is also the best way for me to condense my dao body."

"As for this piece of dragon nature... consider it a thank-you gift."

"Oh, right."

It seemed to recall something, and then spoke to the two men.

"From now on, my Daoist Name will be Zhou Su. Don't forget to spread the word within the sect."

It was also at this moment that the previously strange voice became closer to a human female voice.

The young man wanted to persuade further, but he was gently pulled back by his feminine companion beside him.

Meeting eyes, he understood the other party's "be cautious with words" glance, swallowing the words, "The Northern Territory is rich in resources; there are other ways even without the dragon nature."

He also understood that people who fall into "love brain" often lose all reason, especially the Young Lord, who was a new hybrid race born from the union of a Silk Sea Guest and a Nightmare.

No one knew what such an existence would be like once afflicted with "love brain," so it was best not to invite trouble.

In any case, since the Young Lord already had the opportunity to condense a dao body, their mission was considered complete.

Seeing how sensible his good brother was, he also breathed a sigh of relief. He was truly afraid his good brother might say something inappropriate in a moment of passion.

Didn't he see that the Young Lord had even taken the other person's surname? If he interjected now, he might be exiled to mine ore in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.

Making a Soul Transformation Cultivator mine ore—the Demon Sect could truly do such a thing.

"Junior Brother, aren't you going to see them before you enter secluded cultivation?"

Li Wenbo looked at Zhou Yan, who was carrying large and small bags and was about to enter the Immortal Cave, and gave a final reminder.

Zhou Yan did not stop.

Logically, having just woken up, he should go see his companions, visit the Young Emperor, and enjoy the joy of being the MVP, or at least make up for the previous celebration banquet.

But he had more important things to do now.

He knew those guys' temperaments too well; once they met, just chatting would take two or three days.

Time was pressing now, so it was better to gather slowly after his secluded cultivation ended.

Only then could they truly talk without worry.

"The Path of Immortal Cultivation values forging ahead bravely. Senior Brother, you don't need to see me off anymore. I'll be going ahead."

"Wait, wait."

Li Wenbo pulled him back once more.

Zhou Yan was about to ask, but he saw the other party's serious expression, and then a book and a Storage Pouch were shoved into his arms.

"Senior Brother, this is...?"

Li Wenbo sighed, looking into his eyes.

"I don't know why you are so certain you can Nascent Soul Formation. Don't be surprised; I have been an official for many years, so I can at least see through this little intention of yours."

"This book contains my insights written after I achieved the Nascent Soul Breakthrough back then. Inside the pouch are several healing Medicinal Pills, specifically for treating injuries that might result from a failed Breakthrough."

"I don't know what reliance you have, but I still hope you proceed according to your ability. I am not a Genius, and as I age, I inevitably lose my drive, so my words might not be pleasant to hear, but please take care of yourself."

Having said that, Li Wenbo solemnly clasped his hands.

Zhou Yan was stunned, put down the items, and returned the gesture.

Afterward, under the other party's gaze, he carried his luggage and stepped into the depths of the Immortal Cave.

[The Great Yu Arc Concludes]