Ancient Cultivation Cave

Nightmare rushed out of the Cloud Dream Great Marsh, not pausing, but following a faint sensation transmitted by the flowing cloud secret edict just before its final dissipation, speeding toward the continuous mountain ranges further south.

After completing its guidance, the secret edict turned into an ordinary token, but the final information it transmitted pointed toward a place called "Fallen Dragon Ridge." There seemed to be a hidden Immortal Cave left by Flowing Cloud, perhaps containing clues to resolve the Cultivation Technique conflict, or other Legacy.

He now possessed great treasures and knew clearly that Lin Hao would never let the matter rest. He had to increase his strength and resolve the hidden dangers of his Cultivation Technique as quickly as possible.

The Demonic Shadow Evasion Technique, combined with the essence of the evasion technique newly acquired from the Flowing Cloud Illusory Annihilation Art, made his speed faster and his figure more elusive and unpredictable, like a true ghostly phantom. The Treasure-Seeking Spirit Weasel on his shoulder also seemed increasingly miraculous, perhaps due to absorbing some of the pure energy dispersed from the sea of mist.

Several days later, a desolate and rugged mountain range, whose peaks were as grim as Dragon skeletons, appeared before him. The Spiritual Qi here was thin, Evil Qi permeated the air, and few Cultivators set foot here.

Following the sensation, Nightmare quickly found the entrance to the Immortal Cave at the bottom of a cliff, concealed by a natural illusion Formation. The method was similar to the Cloud Dream Great Marsh, but on a much smaller scale. He skillfully used Flowing Cloud's Formation insights to break through the illusion Formation and stepped inside.

The furnishings inside the Immortal Cave were simple, looking more like a temporary resting place. Aside from some Restrictions and Formations that had long since failed, there was only a Jade Slip placed on the central stone platform.

Nightmare picked up the Jade Slip and immersed his Divine Sense into it.

Inside was not a Cultivation Technique, but a final message and some records of experiences left by Flowing Cloud.

It turned out that Flowing Cloud was not a person of this realm either, but came from a higher-level Plane. He had fled here severely injured while being pursued by enemies, and eventually passed away. The Flowing Cloud Illusory Annihilation Art he left behind was not his primary Cultivation Technique, but an experimental product he created based on his own experiences, containing his insights into the Dao of "Void" and "Substance." Therefore, although its rank was high, it differed slightly from the mainstream Cultivate system.

The final message mentioned that he perceived the Heavenly Dao of this realm to be incomplete, seemingly interfered with by some powerful will. The flow of Luck was extremely unnatural, and "children of destiny" often arose to seize the Opportunities of all living beings to achieve their own success, just like raising Gu. He suspected this was related to an ancient great war and "Heavenly Dao Fragments."

Finally, he mentioned that if a successor encountered a Bottleneck in their Cultivate or a conflict in their Cultivation Technique, they could try going to the "Gui Xu Sea Eye" in the extreme west of the continent to seek Opportunity. That place was the most chaotic and closest to the void in this realm, and perhaps a chance for the Fusion of all techniques could be found, but it was also extremely perilous.

"The Heavenly Dao is incomplete... son of destiny... Gui Xu Sea Eye..." Nightmare's eyes flickered. Flowing Cloud's words confirmed many of his previous life's suspicions. Lin Hao's existence was absolutely no coincidence!

As for the Gui Xu Sea Eye, it was incredibly far from this location and extremely dangerous, definitely not a place he could go now.

He put away the Jade Slip, slightly disappointed, but quickly regained his spirits. At least the direction was clear, and Flowing Cloud's insights into Formations and evasion techniques were already priceless treasures.

He decided to rest temporarily in this Immortal Cave and comprehend the newly acquired Legacy, especially the Formation knowledge. If he could set up a few powerful Formations, they would be greatly beneficial, whether for fighting enemies or self-preservation.

However, on the third day of his seclusion.

A violent fluctuation suddenly came from the illusion Formation outside the Immortal Cave!

Someone was forcibly attacking the Formation from outside!

Nightmare abruptly opened his eyes, and his Divine Sense instantly probed outward.

Outside the Immortal Cave, Lin Hao was suspended mid-air, holding a long sword sparkling with starlight, continuously unleashing streaks of fierce Sword Qi Blasts, bombarding the Immortal Cave's protective illusion Formation! His expression was cold and stern, and his eyes were filled with hatred and confidence.

"Nightmare! Get out here! I know you're inside! You can't escape!" Lin Hao's roar penetrated the Formation.

How did he track him down here so quickly!

Nightmare's heart sank slightly. It seemed Lin Hao must have had an Opportunity and acquired some kind of powerful tracking secret treasure or technique.

The Immortal Cave's illusion Formation shook violently under the fierce attack, its light flickering erratically. Clearly, it wouldn't hold up for long.

Nightmare's eyes were icy cold. Far from panicking, he revealed a hint of grim killing intent.

"Fine, it saves me the trouble of looking for you again. This place shall be the burial ground I chose for you!"

He did not immediately show himself. Instead, he rapidly waved his hands, quickly embedding several damaged Formation Flags obtained from Flowing Cloud into various parts of the Immortal Cave. Using his own Demonic Essence as a guide, combined with the Formation insights he had just comprehended, he began temporarily reinforcing and modifying the Immortal Cave's original Formations!

He intended to give Lin Hao a "big gift" the moment he broke the Formation and entered!

Outside the cave, Lin Hao attacked ever more fiercely. The Starry Longsword in his hand was clearly of extraordinary quality, and its Sword Qi was extremely powerful. His face held satisfaction, as if he could already see the scene of Nightmare being cut down by his sword.

"Crack!"

Finally, the Immortal Cave's illusion Formation let out a wail of distress, and the light barrier completely shattered!

"Nightmare! Die!" Lin Hao let out a long cry, merging man and sword into a dazzling starry rainbow, and rushed into the Immortal Cave impatiently!

The moment he rushed into the Immortal Cave—

The scene before his eyes suddenly changed!

Where was the simple Immortal Cave? It was clearly a boundless, blood-wave-churning Netherworld Sea of Blood! Countless ferocious Demonic Shadows crawled out of the sea of blood, roaring as they lunged at him! The terrifying Blood Evil Qi almost froze his Divine Soul!

"An illusion Formation?!" Lin Hao was startled, but then sneered, "Petty trick! Break for me!"

He circulated his Cultivation Technique, and the Starry Longsword erupted with dazzling starlight, intending to break the spell with sheer force!

However, at the precise moment when his old strength had just been spent and new strength had yet to be generated—

The ground beneath his feet suddenly lit up with countless strange black runes! A powerful gravitational force instantly applied itself to him, causing his movements to abruptly halt!

Immediately afterward, from the shadow to the side, a stream of finger wind, intensely condensed and emitting an aura of annihilation, silently aimed for his temple! The speed was extreme!

The Soul Shattering Finger!

At the same time, on the other side, a blurry Demonic Shadow appeared out of thin air, a fierce claw wind ripping straight toward his back! Vicious and tricky!

The Soul Devouring Claw!

Nightmare actually launched fatal attacks from two different directions simultaneously!

Using the Immortal Cave environment and the Formations he had just learned, he set up a simple "Triple Killing Trap": the Flowing Cloud Illusion Technique confused perception, the Gravity Formation restricted movement, and finally, his true body and a realistic afterimage created using the Demonic Shadow Evasion Technique launched the decisive kill!

Lin Hao was instantly scared Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering! He never expected Nightmare's Formation attainments to be so high, or his methods so vicious and cunning!

Stimulated by the intense death crisis, a certain power within his body automatically activated! A Heart-Guarding Jade Talisman worn close to his chest suddenly exploded, transforming into a thick Starry Light Shield that protected him!

At the same time, the Starry Longsword in his hand emitted a spontaneous clear ringing sound, the sword light surged, barely managing to block the finger wind coming from the side!

Boom! Crack!

The force of the Soul Shattering Finger shattered the Starry Light Shield, and the residual shock left Lin Hao dizzy, with blood spilling from his ears and nose!

The Soul Devouring Claw wind was deflected by the longsword, but it still tore open a wound on his back deep enough to see bone, leaving him covered in blood!

"Ah!" Lin Hao let out a painful shriek, using the force of the two impacts to fly backward in a state of utter disarray, smashing heavily against the cave wall, spitting out large mouthfuls of blood.

In just one exchange, he was almost instantly killed!

Nightmare's figure slowly emerged from the shadows. Looking at the severely injured Lin Hao, a hint of pity flashed in his eyes. As expected of a son of destiny, they had endless life-saving trump cards.

"It seems your Luck hasn't run out yet." Nightmare's voice was cold as he stepped closer, his killing intent overwhelming. "However, it ends here today."

He stopped giving Lin Hao any chances, circulating his Demonic Essence at full power, preparing to launch the final decisive kill.

Lin Hao's face showed despair and madness. He fiercely slapped his Storage Pouch, seemingly intending to take out some Magic Treasure to perish together.

At this critical moment—

A sudden change occurred again!

The entire Immortal Cave suddenly began to shake violently without warning! It was more than ten times fiercer than when Lin Hao had attacked the Formation earlier!

Rumbling!

Huge rocks began to fall from above! Deep fissures cracked open in the ground! An ancient, furious, and heart-palpitating aura suddenly erupted from deep underground!

"What's going on?!" Nightmare and Lin Hao's expressions changed drastically at the same time!

This was definitely not an ordinary earthquake! This aura... far surpassed the Nascent Soul stage, perhaps even the Soul Transformation stage!

Was something else actually suppressed beneath this Ancient Cultivator's Cave Dwelling?! Had their fight accidentally triggered some Restriction, releasing it?!

"Roar—!!!"

A terrifying roar, seemingly from Primordial Antiquity, suddenly burst forth from the underground fissure, shaking the entire cave until it was on the verge of collapse!

Nightmare made a swift decision, no longer caring about killing Lin Hao. He executed the Demonic Shadow Evasion Technique to the extreme, transforming into a black streak that shot toward the outside of the cave!

Lin Hao was also scared out of his wits. Desperately urging his remaining Spiritual Qi, he dragged his severely injured body and scrambled toward the cave entrance!

The two of them had just rushed out of the Immortal Cave, one after the other—

Boom!!!

The entire cliff face collapsed with a crash! Smoke and dust soared into the sky!

Within the sky-filling smoke, dust, and crumbling rocks, a Massive Claw covered in azure scales, as large as a small mountain and emitting an aura of boundless ferocity, suddenly extended from the ground and slammed heavily onto the earth!

The earth cracked, and terrifying pressure swept in all directions!

Nightmare and Lin Hao were both flung away by the dreadful blast of air, spitting out blood once again.

The two landed far away and looked back, horrified.

They saw a colossal, hideous head, shaped like a Dragon head but possessing only a single eye, slowly rising from the smoke amidst the collapsed mountain body. That cold, vertical pupil indifferently scanned the two tiny beings... The ferocious creature, Sealed for ten thousand ages... had emerged!