652: The evil pill was being refined, but the perpetrators were ambushed halfway through.

Deep in the extreme cold of Changbai Mountain, the biting wind howled like knives, carrying ice shards through the air. The heavens and earth were shrouded in a thick, impenetrable black Qi, so dense that even the light of the sun and moon could not penetrate it. The accumulated snow here had long been stained ink-black by Evil Qi, making a strange “creaking” sound when stepped upon. Every breath drew in bone-chilling cold, subtly stiffening a Cultivator’s Meridians—this was the hidden Secret Realm where the remnants of the Evil Cultivators refined Evil Pills, and also the final target of the Huaxia Alliance’s cleansing operation.

Li Fan, Zhao Hu, and Su Miao, along with Qin Feng and three Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivators dispatched by the Alliance, had been lurking outside the Secret Realm for half a day. After several days of rest, Li Fan had thoroughly mastered the “Low-Tier Cultivation Technique Fusion Art,” his Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer cultivation completely stabilized, and his war immortal golden core became even more solid. Zhao Hu, using his battle merits from clearing the strongholds, received guidance from Qin Feng, significantly improving his Huaxia Battle Qi Art and successfully breaking through to Late Stage Foundation Establishment. Su Miao, on the other hand, had cultivated several dual realm grasses, her Spiritual Plant Purification Art advancing another level, allowing her to quickly set up purification arrays in extremely cold environments.

"The Black Stone Mountain in the center of the Secret Realm is the Evil Cultivator's Alchemy point." Qin Feng used Battle Qi to form a barrier, isolating them from the cold wind and Evil Qi, and pointed to the distant mountain Peak shrouded in black Qi, his expression grave. "Look, there's an Evil Array operating on the mountaintop, and the black Qi is mixed with the wails of living souls. Clearly, the Evil Pill refinement has reached a critical stage; any later and it will be too late!"

Everyone looked, only to see a massive blood-red Evil Array operating frantically on the platform at the summit of Black Stone Mountain. In the center of the array, a pitch-black Pill Furnace was set up, its opening spewing rolling black and red Evil Qi. Vaguely, countless painful, struggling phantom living souls could be seen being sucked into the furnace, a terrifying sight. Around the Evil Array, more than a dozen Evil Cultivators sat cross-legged, acting as Protectors. The leader was none other than the Peak Foundation Establishment Fiend Leader, his body wreathed in black Qi, a bizarre evil talisman embedded in his glabella, his aura sinister and violent, far surpassing ordinary Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

"This Evil Pill is refined using living souls and the Evil Qi of Dragon Veins as catalysts. Once refined, Evil Cultivators who consume it can temporarily Breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage, but they will completely devolve into Puppets who only know slaughter. By then, the entire Dragon Vein of Changbai Mountain will be contaminated!" An Alliance Elder gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with rage.

Li Fan's eyes flashed with cold light, and the Battle Qi and Immortal Qi within him circulated silently. Harming living souls and polluting Dragon Veins—such evil deeds completely ignited his fury and intensified his desire to Breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage. Only with greater strength could he protect more living beings. He said in a deep voice, "The Evil Array is key. I will use Immortal Qi to break the array. Zhao Hu will cooperate with the Elders to create a frontal diversion. Su Miao will set up a purification array to prevent the Evil Qi from spreading. How does that sound?"

Qin Feng nodded in approval: "Fellow Daoist Li Fan's Martial Dao Immortal Arts Fusion power is most suitable for breaking the Evil Array. I will lead the main attack with you; we must succeed in one strike!"

With the strategy decided, the cleansing squad pounced on Black Stone Mountain like leopards, and a battle to intercept the Evil Pill refinement instantly erupted!

"Intruders! Kill them!" The Fiend Leader noticed the commotion, suddenly opened his eyes, his pitch-black pupils devoid of luster. With a sharp roar, the Evil Cultivator Protectors immediately rose, black Qi condensing into Demonic Weapons, and charged towards the squad.

Zhao Hu charged forward first, his fiery golden Battle Qi blazing. The Huaxia Battle Qi Art was perfectly integrated with the core boxing techniques of the Huang Clan Martial Arts Hall. His fists rained down like a furious storm, and the fierce Battle Qi instantly shattered two Early Stage Foundation Establishment Evil Cultivators. He roared, "Want to block the way? Get past your Tiger Lord first!" The three Peak Foundation Establishment Elders of the Alliance also struck simultaneously, their Battle Qi and Spiritual Qi interwoven into a net, pinning down most of the Evil Cultivator Protectors at the foot of the mountain, clearing the path to the summit for Li Fan and Qin Feng.

Su Miao, meanwhile, quickly set up a Spiritual Plant Purification Array at the foot of the mountain. With hand Seals, her “Spirit Plant Guardian Art” and “Dual Realm Grass Cultivation Art” perfectly fused. Verdant spiritual vines burst from the ice and snow, weaving into a massive purification barrier that firmly blocked the Evil Qi escaping from the mountaintop. The purifying spiritual flowers on the vines frantically absorbed the Evil Qi, converting it into Vitality Spiritual Qi, protecting the living beings at the foot of the mountain and providing stable support for the squad.

Li Fan and Qin Feng charged up the mountain side by side, the wails of the living souls from the Pill Furnace growing clearer, shaking their Divine Souls. The Fiend Leader roared, abandoning the Pill Furnace. Black Qi condensed into a ten-foot-long Demonic Weapon, striking towards the two with an corrosive might. Where the blade wind passed, the air was torn apart, and ice and snow instantly melted into black water.

"Li Fan, break the array! I'll hold him off!" Qin Feng shouted. The fragment of the Kunlun War Immortal Seal on his waist lit up, his Battle Qi surged, transforming into a brilliant war immortal phantom, and he swung his sword to meet the Demonic Weapon. The war immortal Sword Qi clashed with the Demonic Weapon, erupting in a deafening roar. Violent Qi waves swept across the mountaintop. Although Qin Feng was shaken back two steps, he firmly blocked the Fiend Leader's assault.

Li Fan seized this fleeting Opportunity, leaping into the center of the Evil Array. The war immortal golden core within him spun wildly, the Profound Truths of the “Martial Dao Immortal Arts - Introductory Fragment” were pushed to their limit, and Immortal Qi, Battle Qi, and Spiritual Qi, amplified by the “Low-Tier Cultivation Technique Fusion Art,” perfectly merged into a three-colored spiritual light. He formed hand Seals, combining the newly comprehended “Evil Cultivator Stronghold Assault Art” with his new techniques, and let out a low roar: “Immortal Art breaks evil, array destroyed!”

The three-colored spiritual light, carrying a sharp, tearing whistle, slammed violently into the core rune of the Evil Array. The blood-red Evil Array, already weakened in defense due to the critical stage of Alchemy, trembled violently upon being struck by this spiritual light imbued with Immortal Qi and purification power. The runes shattered inch by inch, and the black Qi dissipated like a tide.

"No—!" The Fiend Leader let out a bloodcurdling shriek, watching helplessly as the Evil Array collapsed and the Pill Furnace, deprived of Evil Energy support, began to totter.

Just as the Evil Array completely shattered and the Pill Furnace was about to topple, a brilliant golden light condensed from the array patterns and dropped with a “thud” at Li Fan’s feet—a Yellow Rank High Grade Cultivation Technique, “Evil Pill Refinement Prevention Art”! This Cultivation Technique recorded the principles of refining various Evil Pills and methods for destroying them, allowing for precise strikes against the Pill Furnace and the core of the Evil Array to prevent the Evil Pills from being formed. It was the bane of Evil Cultivator Alchemy!

Immediately after, Li Fan struck with a backhand, and the three-colored spiritual light slammed into the Pill Furnace. The pitch-black Pill Furnace exploded with a roar, and the unfinished Evil Pill semi-products, radiating dense Evil Qi and faint Vitality, tumbled out. With the Pill Furnace destroyed, the remaining Evil Cultivator Protectors were greatly shaken in spirit, their combat power drastically reduced, and they were successively defeated by Zhao Hu, who then rushed to the summit. Another golden light flashed, and a Jade Slip fell—a Yellow Rank Medium Grade Cultivation Technique, “Low-Tier Evil Cultivator Extermination Art,” capable of precisely striking the Divine Souls of low-tier Evil Cultivators to prevent them from escaping or self-detonating!

"You destroyed my Evil Pill! This Venerable will have you all as sacrifices!" The Fiend Leader went completely mad. The evil talisman on his glabella erupted with dense black Qi; he was actually going to burn his own Dao Foundation and detonate the Evil Qi accumulated within him to perish with everyone. The self-detonation of a Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivator possessed boundless power; once it exploded, the entire Black Stone Mountain would turn to scorched earth, and the purification array at the foot of the mountain would also be destroyed.

"Not good! Stop him!" Qin Feng's expression changed drastically, and he fully activated his Battle Qi, trying to prevent the opponent from self-detonating.

Li Fan's eyes, however, narrowed. Instead of retreating, he actively charged forward. He knew this was an Opportunity to completely resolve the Fiend Leader, and perhaps also an Opportunity for a Breakthrough. His Grandmist Shield instantly surged, milky-white spiritual light enveloping his entire being. The “Grandmist Fragment Application Art” was pushed to its extreme, and he simultaneously prepared to absorb the Evil Qi.

Just as the Fiend Leader was about to self-detonate, he suddenly opened his mouth and spat out the Evil Pill semi-product. The black and red Medicinal Pill, carrying dense Evil Qi and a trace of living soul Origin, smashed towards Li Fan—he wanted the Evil Pill to explode in front of Li Fan, using its power to kill everyone!

At the critical moment, Li Fan activated the newly acquired “Evil Pill Refinement Prevention Art.” Three-colored spiritual light condensed on his fingertips, precisely touching the Evil Pill semi-product, temporarily suppressing the pill's detonation. Simultaneously, he activated the nascent form of the Evil Energy Conversion Art. The Grandmist Shield actively opened a small aperture, sucking in the Evil Pill semi-product.

The Grandmist Shield’s purification power instantly erupted, rapidly purifying the violent Evil Qi within the Evil Pill and converting it into pure energy. The living soul Origin within was soothed by the transcendent spiritual qi in the shield, integrating into Li Fan’s war immortal golden core and nourishing his Dao Heart.

This energy was far more immense than imagined! The purified Evil Energy and living soul Origin surged into Li Fan's Dantian like a rushing river, fiercely impacting his cultivation Bottleneck. Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer, Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer... he broke through like a hot knife through butter, shattering the Late Stage Foundation Establishment barrier in mere breaths, and finally, under the nourishment of Hongmeng Spiritual Qi, he forcefully broke through the last shackle of Peak Foundation Establishment!

Li Fan's cultivation officially stepped into Peak Foundation Establishment!

At the moment of Breakthrough, the war immortal golden core surged in size, its surface interwoven with Grandmist patterns and war immortal runes, emitting a brilliant golden light. A pressure far exceeding Peak Foundation Establishment swept across the mountaintop, drawing everyone's attention. A crisp “thud” sounded, and a Jade Slip, black and red with purification runes, dropped—a Yellow Rank High Grade Cultivation Technique, “Evil Energy Conversion Art”! This Cultivation Technique could purify absorbed Evil Cultivator energy and convert it into one's own cultivation, and also temper the Dao Heart using Evil Energy, making it an excellent method for cleansing Evil Cultivators!

The Fiend Leader watched Li Fan not only unharmed but actually breaking through because of it, his eyes filled with disbelief and despair. His burning Dao Foundation lost control and exploded with a “bang” into a cloud of black mist. Li Fan waved his hand, and the three-colored spiritual light completely purified the black mist, leaving not even a trace of the Fiend Leader's remnant soul.

The battle was completely over, and the Evil Qi on the mountaintop gradually dissipated, absorbed and converted by Su Miao’s purification array. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Li Fan with awe and admiration. Qin Feng walked over, clapped him on the shoulder, and laughed heartily, “Fellow Daoist Li Fan, your Opportunity is truly profound! Breaking through to Peak Foundation Establishment with the help of an Evil Pill, and even comprehending the Evil Energy Conversion Art—if Revered Master Huang knew, he would be very pleased!”

Zhao Hu and Su Miao also gathered around, their faces full of joy. Zhao Hu even excitedly shouted, “Li Fan, you’re incredible! Peak Foundation Establishment! Our squad will be invincible from now on!”

Su Miao meticulously checked Li Fan's body, and only when she found his Dao Heart stable after the Breakthrough, with no signs of being corrupted by Evil Energy, did she relax. “Congratulations on your Breakthrough. The Grandmist Shield's purification power is indeed formidable; it can even purify and absorb Evil Pills.”

As everyone cleared the battlefield on the mountaintop, Zhao Hu found a black token and a tattered map in the Fiend Leader’s Storage Pouch. The token was carved with a ferocious Mythological Figure totem, and the map marked a hidden location with evil talismans—the Huaxia Alliance Forbidden Ground, the place where the Mythological Figure's remnant soul was sealed back then!

"This is... a mark for the Mythological Figure's Seal?" Qin Feng's expression changed drastically when he saw the token and map. "Could it be that these remnant Evil Cultivators want to go to the Forbidden Ground to awaken the Mythological Figure's remnant soul?"

This conjecture made everyone's heart sink. The Mythological Figure's remnant soul was sealed in the Forbidden Ground by Huang Xiaolong back then, possessing boundless power. If awakened by Evil Cultivators and colluding with the Evil Cultivator's Origin, the consequences would be unimaginable. Li Fan gripped the Mythological Figure token in his hand. The Evil Qi on the token resonated faintly with the hongmeng fragment in his glabella, setting off alarm bells in his heart.

"This matter is of great importance and must be reported to the Alliance immediately!" Qin Feng decided instantly. "Fellow Daoist Li Fan, you have just broken through to Peak Foundation Establishment, and your Dao Foundation needs to be stabilized. Furthermore, you possess a hongmeng fragment, which may have a restraining effect on the Mythological Figure's remnant soul. It seems you will be indispensable for the subsequent investigation of the Forbidden Ground."

Li Fan nodded, his eyes filled with determination. Awakening the Mythological Figure's remnant soul was a disaster of annihilation. Protecting the Huaxia Forbidden Ground and thwarting the Evil Cultivators' conspiracy was his inescapable responsibility, and it was also the ultimate trial for his Breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage and his practice of the Dao of guardianship.

The cold wind of Changbai Mountain still howled, but the black Qi on the mountaintop had completely dissipated. A ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds, shining on everyone and bringing a touch of warmth. The cleansing squad tidied up the battlefield, carrying the good news of the Evil Pill refinement being stopped and the urgent intelligence about the Mythological Figure Forbidden Ground, and quickly returned to the Huaxia Alliance headquarters. A crisis concerning the safety of Huaxia and the awakening of the Mythological Figure's remnant soul had quietly approached, and Li Fan's path to the Golden Core would also welcome its final Opportunity in this decisive battle to protect the Forbidden Ground.