Chapter 158 The Western Wilderness Frontier, Ancient Cultivation Cave

Nightmare took Su Wanqing and did not pass through the city gates. Instead, he found a secluded corner of the city wall. The power of Rule Fragment slightly distorted space, and the two of them merged into the shadows, silently passing through the Heavenly Derivation City's protective grand array and appearing outside the city.

Looking back at the massive city that was still in a state of martial Law and chaos, Nightmare felt no attachment. Following the map on the Jade Slip provided by Mo Cheng, he transformed into a nearly invisible streak of light and sped off toward the southwest.

His current speed far exceeded the past, and his mastery over the Power of Space had become increasingly refined; often, with a mere thought, he could instantly cross thousands of mountains and rivers. In less than half a day, he had traveled hundreds of thousands of miles away from Heavenly Derivation City, and the landscape beneath his feet had gradually changed from bustling plains to desolate mountains.

The Central Province was vast and rich in resources. The southwest direction bordered the Western Wilds Desert. This area was sparsely populated, and the Spiritual Qi was relatively thin; it was mostly a gathering place for small Sects or Loose Cultivators.

After flying for about two more days, a massive mountain range appeared ahead, rolling and undulating like the spine of a giant Dragon. The mountain range displayed a dark red hue with sparse vegetation, exuding an ancient and desolate aura. Although the Spiritual Qi here was not dense, it was exceptionally violent, mixed with a scorching Evil Qi of Fire. If ordinary Cultivators stayed here for too long, their Meridians would likely be damaged.

"Red Dragon Mountain Range..." Nightmare checked the Jade Slip map and confirmed the location. According to Mo Cheng, this mountain range was the place where a Red Blood Devil Dragon had fallen in ancient times. The Dragon blood had soaked the earth, forming a unique landscape and a violent environment of Spiritual Qi, which in turn bred many peculiar Yao Beasts of fire-based Evil Qi. Ordinary Cultivators were unwilling to step foot here lightly.

And that hidden location was situated deep within the Red Dragon Mountain Range.

Nightmare concealed his aura and brought Su Wanqing down, landing within the mountain range. The power of Rule Fragment spread out, easily perceiving the Yao Beasts lurking in the mountains that emitted violent auras. Most were equivalent to the Golden Core or Nascent Soul level and posed no threat to him.

Following the instructions on the Jade Slip, he avoided several large pits of Evil Qi marked as dangerous areas and ventured deep inside.

The further in they went, the more intense the Evil Qi of Fire in the air became, even condensing into pale red mist visible to the naked eye, scorching one's Divine Soul. Su Wanqing had to circulate her mana to protect herself, her pretty face turning slightly pale. Seeing this, Nightmare slightly expanded his Annihilation Domain, isolating and annihilating all that Evil Qi of Fire outside.

Finally, Nightmare stopped in front of an unremarkable mountain col covered by a massive reddish rock wall.

"This is the place." His gaze swept across the rock wall, and the Rule Fragment clearly perceived that behind the rock wall, there were extremely sophisticated illusion arrays and Restrictions that blended almost perfectly with the surrounding environment. This method of Restriction was ancient; if one did not know the exact location and the activation mantra in advance, even a Peak Spirit Transformation Cultivator passing by would find it difficult to discover any clues.

Nightmare pinched incantations with both hands, casting out the special dharma seals provided by Mo Cheng. The dharma seals merged into the rock wall, and the rough surface of the wall immediately rippled like water, revealing countless dense and complex runes. It slowly parted to both sides, revealing a deep, downward-extending entrance that could only accommodate one person.

A burst of pure and gentle Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, completely different from the violent Evil Qi of Fire outside, surged out from the cave, refreshing the spirit.

Nightmare stepped in first, with Su Wanqing following closely behind.

After the two entered, the ripples on the rock wall behind them fluctuated again, quickly closing and returning to its original state, leaving no trace at all.

The inside of the cave was not pitch black as imagined; the stone walls on both sides were embedded with a type of self-illuminating Moonstone, emitting a soft glow. The passage wound downward, twisting and turning, but the air was fresh and the Spiritual Qi became increasingly dense.

After walking for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the path ahead suddenly opened up.

A massive underground Immortal Cave, artificially excavated, appeared before their eyes.

The ceiling of the Immortal Cave was embedded with dozens of massive night-luminescent pearls, casting a clear radiance like stars. Below, there were pavilions and towers, small bridges and flowing water, and even a small herb garden planted with some shade-loving Spiritual Plants and Spirit Medicine. Although the scale was not large, it was arranged with extreme refinement and elegance. All living and cultivation facilities were complete, and it was spotless, as if someone had always been maintaining it.

The most eye-catching feature was a small pool of water in the center of the Immortal Cave. The pool water was clear to the bottom, emitting astonishing Spiritual Qi and a faint chill; it was actually a high-quality cold-attribute Spiritual Eye Spring! The existence of this spring perfectly neutralized the Earth Fire Evil Qi that might permeate the depths of this place, making the Spiritual Qi inside the Immortal Cave abundant and peaceful.

"What a wonderful blessed land!" Su Wanqing could not help but sigh in admiration. The concentration of Spiritual Qi here was almost not inferior to some core cultivation rooms of the Ice Soul Immortal Palace, and it was even more hidden and safe.

Nightmare's Rule Fragment swept through the entire Immortal Cave, confirming there were no hidden traps or surveillance methods. Mo Cheng had not played any tricks this time; this place was indeed an excellent place for secluded cultivation.

"The Spiritual Qi here is suitable. You may Cultivate here with peace of mind, thoroughly eliminate the hidden dangers of the Supreme Art of Forgetting Emotion, and stabilize your cultivation." Nightmare said to Su Wanqing. That cold spring was particularly beneficial for her recovery.

"Yes, Master." Su Wanqing replied obediently.

Nightmare walked toward a quiet room deep in the Immortal Cave. Inside the quiet room, there was nothing but a meditation cushion, but the concentration of Spiritual Qi here was the highest in the entire Immortal Cave; clearly, the main Spiritual Vein passed through here.

He sat cross-legged and did not immediately begin deep seclusion. Instead, he first took out the black Jade Slip obtained from Mo Cheng.

His Divine Sense sank inside, first carefully browsing the path regarding the core secret treasury of the Ice Soul Immortal Palace and the vital points of the Profound Ice Path of Forgetting Emotion. The Rule Fragment rapidly deduced and simulated, and soon he understood it completely. This information was indeed precious; if he were to deal with the Ice Soul Immortal Palace again in the future, it would be enough to seize the initiative.

Subsequently, his attention focused on the speculation regarding the source of the old injury on his left shoulder.

The Jade Slip recorded that Mo Cheng, based on the characteristics of the Power of Annihilation that Nightmare had previously revealed (Nightmare had slightly leaked a trace of pressure during the transaction), as well as fragments from the ancient records of the Ghost Mansion, speculated that the extreme cold evil thoughts remaining in the wound that could resist the Power of Annihilation might originate from an ancient Forbidden Ground called "Nine Nether".

Legend had it that "Nine Nether" was not in this Realm, but rather a fractured fragment space leading to the true Netherworld, filled with the most original Yin Evil Death Qi, and even breeding some terrifying existences. In ancient times, there were mighty figures cultivating evil techniques who attempted to break into the Nine Nether to obtain power, but most never returned. Those who occasionally managed to escape by luck were often eroded by the Nine Nether Death Qi, becoming insane and powerful, eventually bringing disaster to the world.

The evil thoughts in the wound on Nightmare's left shoulder were of an extremely high nature, carrying pure Death and Decay Law within the coldness, somewhat similar to the Nine Nether aura described in the records.

"Nine Nether..." Nightmare's eyes flickered. This was an unexpected clue. Although it was still slim, there was at least a general direction. When his strength was sufficient in the future, he might explore it to thoroughly eradicate this final hidden danger, or even... glimpse the mysteries of the Law of Life and Death from it.

Putting away the black Jade Slip, Nightmare took out the ice-blue Jade Slip containing the complete Cultivation Technique of the Profound Ice Path of Forgetting Emotion.

He had little interest in the technique itself, but its core lay in "forgetting emotion," in being extreme in emotion and then forgetting it, using extreme emotions as fuel to eventually sever all bonds and reach a state of absolute rationality, approaching the Heavenly Dao. The manipulation and transformation of "emotions," "obsessions," and "consciousness" involved in this, as well as the alternative cognition of "rules," had great reference significance for him to perfect his own "Annihilation Rules."

Annihilation was not heartlessness, but rather the inclusion of the end of all things, including the annihilation of emotions.

He immersed himself in the comparative comprehension of the two Cultivation Techniques, with the Rule Fragment acting as the most efficient bridge and processor, constantly absorbing the essence of the Profound Ice Path of Forgetting Emotion and integrating it into his own understanding of Annihilation.

Time passed quietly in the secluded cultivation.

Inside the Immortal Cave, there was complete tranquility.

Su Wanqing meditated by the cold spring every day. With the help of the pure Spiritual Qi here and the Medicinal Pill left by Nightmare, the hidden dangers in her body were gradually removed, and her damaged Divine Soul and dao foundation slowly recovered. Her cultivation even improved a bit due to a blessing in disguise. She would occasionally look toward the quiet room where Nightmare was in seclusion, her eyes quiet and dependent.

As for Nightmare, he entered a deeper level of enlightenment.

After the Rule Fragment was completed, the vast insights of the Divine Lord of Heavenly Derivation regarding stars, space, deduction, and even the Annihilation Rules were like a massive Treasure Trove, waiting for him to excavate and absorb. This was a process that required patient effort and could not be rushed.

The aura around his body became increasingly profound and restrained; at times it was like the eternal starry sky, vast and boundless; at other times it was like the end of all things, emitting a Dao Rhyme of Annihilation that made everything return to nothingness.

Unknowingly, several months passed in a flash.

On this day, Nightmare's heart stirred slightly, and he awakened from his deep-level enlightenment.

He had not completely broken through his Realm, but his Late-Stage Transformation Spirit cultivation had been thoroughly consolidated. His understanding and application of the Annihilation Rules had reached a higher level, and his strength had improved significantly compared to when he first left the Star Palace.

He sensed that the Natal Soul Talisman left in the outside world for contacting Mo Cheng had sent a faint fluctuation.

There was news.

Nightmare walked out of the quiet room and found that Su Wanqing was still in seclusion by the cold spring. Her aura was rounded and harmonious, clearly recovering extremely well, and she had reached a critical period. He did not disturb her and went to the entrance of the Immortal Cave alone.

Activating the Soul Talisman, Mo Cheng's hoarse voice immediately came from it, carrying a trace of gravity and urgency:

"Fellow Daoist Ye, sorry to disturb you. The situation has changed! The royal Family seems to have used some secret treasure and traced some clues from the Vermilion Bird Long Street that day. Although they have not yet locked onto you, they have narrowed the scope of suspicion to all the Soul Transformation Stage Cultivators who were present at that time, and are conducting 'Heart Inquiry' investigations one by one! The Soul Transformation Cultivators in Heavenly Derivation City and even the surrounding areas are under strict surveillance!"

"In addition, another matter is more urgent! I have found reliable news that the royal Family's secret plan seems to have reached a critical stage. They urgently need a large number of Cultivators with special Divine Souls or Bloodlines as 'sacrifices'! Recently, there have been multiple cases of missing Loose Cultivators and even small Sect Disciples, suspected to be related to them! Their next target is likely an ancient Hidden Family located in the 'Black Wind Domain' — the 'Jiang Family of Heavenly Secrets'! This Family inherits a special divination Bloodline, which might be of great use to their plan!"

"Royal experts are likely to take action in the coming days! If you are interested in this, or want to stop the royal Family, or... profit from it, this is a golden opportunity! The location is..."

Mo Cheng quickly reported a detailed address located in the northwest direction of the Central Province.

The information transmission was completed, and the light of the Soul Talisman dimmed.

Nightmare's eyes flickered slightly.

He was not worried about the royal Family's investigation; his methods far exceeded the level that "Heart Inquiry" could probe. It was the "Jiang Family of Heavenly Secrets" and the royal Family's secret plan that aroused his interest.

Divination Bloodline? Sacrifices? Extraterritorial Devils?

The Rule Fragment vibrated slightly, sending a faint sense pointing toward the northwest, as if there was something there that had an affinity with him.

"Heavenly Secrets... perhaps it can help me deduce the exact location of the 'Nine Nether', or even... the future situation?" Thoughts turned in Nightmare's mind.

He glanced at Su Wanqing, who was still in seclusion, pondered slightly, and left a Divine Thought message and several powerful defensive Restrictions.

"Cultivate here with peace of mind. This Sovereign is going out to handle some matters. I will return in as short as a few months or as long as a few years."

The next moment, his figure had disappeared from the Immortal Cave.

When he appeared again, he was already outside the Red Dragon Mountain Range.

After determining the direction, Nightmare transformed into a void streak of light and headed straight for the Black Wind Domain in the northwest of the Central Province.

A new storm had already been stirred up.