Shi Feng felt lost and had no intention of looking for any spiritual herbs. He just walked along the lakeside, away from the dense forest, traveling during the day and sleeping at night, for two days.
One day, he saw a flash of light on the magic disk, indicating a large group of Taiji Sect members ahead. Shi Feng looked up and saw the entire beach ahead, but no one was in sight. Just as he was wondering, he suddenly saw a giant sword whistling down from the sky. At the head of the sword was a figure in white clothes as white as snow: Qin Bing. Behind her stood a dozen or so disciples, including Gu Mingcheng and Liu Suifeng.
When Qin Bing saw Shi Feng, she didn't say anything, but stretched out her hand. Shi Feng felt a strong force pulling him off the ground and onto the flying sword.
Shi Feng said respectfully, "Greetings, Uncle Qin." Qin Bing nodded and said nothing. Shi Feng chatted with Gu Mingcheng and the others for a few more words, then sat cross-legged to the side without saying a word.
Seeing that he looked listless, Gu Mingcheng thought that this trip would not yield any results.
The opportunities gained during the cave trials are each person’s secret, so it’s not advisable to inquire about them casually.
Qin Bing flew around on her sword and found three or five Tai Chi disciples. The disciples breathed a sigh of relief when they saw her. In the past few days, most of them had experienced many dangers, but now following this capable uncle, their lives were finally safe.
Looking down at the cave from the air, the view was all azure blue water, dotted with verdant mountains. The scenery was truly breathtaking. The Star Sword flew only a short distance, only thirty or forty feet above the lake. From time to time, foolish aquatic monsters would recklessly break out of the water, attempting to snatch the cultivators aboard the flying sword. Without even a glance, Qin Bing flicked his sleeve, and a stream of sword energy emanated from the Star Sword, severing the monster in two.
On one occasion, a monster like a python suddenly jumped out from the bottom of the lake. It had a thin neck and a head like a hound. It jumped up to a height of more than forty feet, with a mouth full of fangs, and it actually wanted to swallow the flying sword whole in one gulp.
Qin Bing made a hand gesture and the flying sword suddenly accelerated, flying past the monster's mouth. Then two cold lights flashed, and the monster's head flew up. Blood spurted out from the neck, illuminating the entire sky. The headless corpse fell heavily into the water, stirring up waves several feet high.
All the disciples were extremely excited and cheered in unison, thinking to themselves, "So the power of a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Stage is so great. From now on, I must work hard to cultivate and advance, so as to live up to my life's aspirations."
Shi Feng was the only one among the group who looked dejected and listless. Qin Bing glanced at Shi Feng casually, thinking that this boy was quite strange.
After flying for another half a day, a silver light suddenly flashed in the air and disappeared into Qin Bing's hand. Qin Bing scanned it with his spiritual sense, frowned slightly, stopped the flying sword, pondered for a moment, and then turned the sword head and headed straight for the center of the cave.
After flying for another hour, I saw the endless waters beneath my feet. It was the largest lake in the center of the cave, covering an area of 100 miles. The water here was very deep and there were monsters everywhere. No one dared to come here to hunt for treasure.
Qin Bing was much more cautious this time. He no longer flew close to the water surface, but flew directly through the clouds in the air. After flying for a while, he saw a small island exposed below, standing alone in the huge central lake.
Someone on the island shouted, "Junior Sister Qin, you came so quickly." It was Wei Yunfei, the senior brother from Yantailing of Taiji Sect. Behind him were a dozen Qi-refining disciples of Taiji Sect. In addition, there were actually two groups of people on this small island. Judging from their attire, they were cultivators from Xuqing Temple and Lingxiao Pavilion respectively.
Qin Bing released her flying sword and landed on the island, greeting Wei Yunfei. Wei Yunfei pointed to the middle-aged Taoist priest at the head of Xuqing Temple and said, "Junior Sister Qin, this is Master Jizhen of Xuqing Temple, renowned in Yan State." Qin Bing scanned the area with her spiritual sense and discovered that Jizhen had reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment, reaching the Great Perfection stage. She solemnly said, "Greetings, Senior Brother. Your cultivation is profound, and you'll be advancing to the Golden Core stage soon."
Ji Zhen bowed his head and smiled, "I've heard the name of the Ice Fairy like thunder. Her Nine Spirit Ice Body is truly worthy of its reputation. Before she even reached her twenties, she's already reached the initial stage of Foundation Establishment. Her future is limitless. I've been stuck in the late Foundation Establishment stage for over fifty years. Haha, it's not that easy to achieve a breakthrough in the Golden Core stage." He pointed at the two cultivators from the High Heaven Pavilion and said, "I'm sure Fellow Daoist Lin and his wife know the Ice Fairy."
Taiji Sect and Lingxiao Pavilion have always been on good terms. Qin Bing did know this couple in their thirties. The husband, Lin Tai, and the wife, He Erniang, were fellow disciples who were skilled in teamwork and both had reached the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. She nodded and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother Lin and Madam Lin."
Lin Tai was a dull person and just nodded, but his wife He Erniang was talkative and said with a giggle, "Sister Bing is becoming more and more outstanding. There are so many young talents in our Five Sects who are talking about you and thinking about you. It's a pity that you always have a bodyguard with you." Wei Yunfei smiled slightly, and it was unknown what he was thinking.
Qin Bing clearly didn't want to dwell on this. She said, "Mrs. Lin, please forgive me for making a scene." Turning to Ji Zhen, she said, "Just now, Senior Brother Wei sent a message saying that Senior Brother Ji Zhen sent a letter to summon you. I wonder what it is about?" Taoist Ji Zhen said, "Don't worry, Fairy Han Bing. All three of us are here now. We're still short of Fellow Daoist Lei from Lei Family Fort and Fellow Daoist Tu from Myriad Beasts Villa. Once they're all here, the five of us can discuss it."
Qin Bing was stunned, having not expected him to invite people from Leijiabao and Wanshou Villa. She was aloof, and though curious, she didn't ask, nodding and stepping aside. Wei Yunfei whispered, "This Taoist didn't say anything before, just that he had something important to do, and that everyone would benefit greatly from its completion." Qin Bing nodded.
The three parties did not speak, but sat cross-legged in meditation, keeping a distance from each other intentionally or unintentionally.
After a meal, a whistling sound was heard in the sky, and two dark clouds came together. Taoist Jizhen called out, "Friends Lei and Tu, I have been waiting for you for a long time."
When Shi Feng saw this, his heart immediately turned. Fellow Daoist Lei was the Scarlet Man who had killed the Rhino Dog and the Earth Wolf and snatched the Sky Rain Grass.
The other Daoist friend Tu was a white-haired old woman. After hearing Ji Zhen's words, she said coldly, "Since Taoist Ji Zhen of Xuqing Temple has invited me, how could I not come? I just don't know what advice you have for me."
She was secretly shocked when she saw that there were people from Taiji Sect and Lingxiao Pavilion below. Xuqing Temple was the most powerful among the five sects. If they joined forces with Taiji Sect and Lingxiao Pavilion, she and Lei Kui from Lei Family Fort would definitely not be able to handle it alone.
Therefore, she was polite in her words but did not dare to descend from the clouds. The scarred man Lei Kui also had the same idea. Neither of them brought any disciples with them. The other side had five foundation-building cultivators and disciples, and they were outnumbered. If a fight broke out, they would obviously be no match for them.
Ji Zhen didn't reveal their thoughts and said, "I invited the masters of the four sects to gather together today because I want to do something big with you. Everyone will benefit after the success of this matter." Old Lady Tu snorted coldly, "I wonder what big thing it is? You actually want the seven of us Foundation Establishment cultivators to take action together?"
Ji Zhen said, "Haha, even if the seven of us attack together, we may not be its match." Lei Kui's face changed, "Could it be that you, Daoist, want to deal with that cold dragon?"
Taoist Jizhen said, "Exactly!"
Lei Kui said, "Fellow Daoist, are you kidding me? That cold dragon is the overlord of this cave heaven and is said to have reached the Jindan stage. We, a few cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage, are actually trying to kill a Jindan stage dragon. Do you think your life is too long?"
Taoist Jizhen said, "Everyone, don't worry. Although this cold dragon has formed a pill, it was only more than ten years ago and has never stabilized its cultivation. Among the seven of us, Fellow Daoist Lei and I are both in the late Foundation Establishment stage, and Madam Tu is also in the late Foundation Establishment stage. The rest of the team, including Fairy Hanbing, Fellow Daoist Wei, and Fellow Daoist Lin and his wife, are equivalent to late Foundation Establishment masters. With such a lineup, we are more than capable of fighting the cold dragon."
Old Lady Tu shook her head and said, "Even so, it's hard for us to save our lives, so how can we kill this cold dragon?"
Lin Tai of Lingxiao Pavilion had remained silent until he suddenly spoke up, "Master, why did you kill the dragon?" Taoist Jizhen resentfully said, "Over a hundred years ago, my mentor, Taoist Shouzang, was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. He led a team to the Cave Heaven for training, but unfortunately, he was killed by this cold dragon. I have always wanted to avenge this great vengeance."
Old Lady Tu shook her head again and said, "What does your revenge have to do with me? I'm sorry I won't accompany you." As she said that, she pushed away the black jade spider under her feet and turned to leave.
Taoist Jizhen said, "Wait a minute, Madam Tu, listen to what I have to say before you leave. If I succeed this time, I will take nothing but the cold dragon's inner elixir. The dragon's hide, flesh, spirit, horn, and everything else will belong to you all."
After hearing this, the other six foundation-building cultivators were all excited, and even Qin Bing's eyes lit up.
The Jiaolong is an extremely powerful monster in the world. Although it is not a real dragon, it also has dragon blood. Needless to say, its inner elixir, even its scales, skin, horns, etc. are all treasures.
Lei Kui said, "Fellow Daoist, it seems that you haven't told me how to kill this dragon?" Taoist Jizhen flipped his hand, and a small mirror appeared in his palm. Lei Kui took a glance at it with his spiritual sense, his face changed immediately, and he suddenly retreated in the air within an arrow's reach, and said, "Could it be the Kunzhao Moon Mirror?" Taoist Jizhen nodded.
The Kunzhao Moon Mirror is a genuine magic weapon. Magic weapons are divided into many categories, and the Kunzhao Moon Mirror is a rare inherited treasure among them. It is a magic weapon that has been passed down in Xuqing Temple for thousands of years.
This mirror is also known as the "fixed-shape mirror". Once illuminated by the light of the mirror, one cannot hide, and the movement becomes slower, and the loss of magic power accelerates. It is also very famous in Xuqing Temple.
Taoist Jizhen said, "I borrowed this treasure from my master this time with the determination to burn my boats. Everyone, I swear an oath to my inner demons. As long as you join hands, I will own everything except the Cold Dragon Inner Core."
Lei Kui said, "Fellow Daoist, you've even borrowed the mirror, so we can certainly give it a try. But if we succeed, how will we divide the remaining items?" Taoist Jizhen said, "Naturally, whoever contributes more will get more. What do you think, everyone?"
Lei Kui, despite his rough appearance, possessed a meticulous mind. He asked, "How do you plan to deal with this cold dragon?" Taoist Jizhen replied, "I'll lure out the cold dragon and immobilize it with the Shadow Mirror. Fellow Daoist Lin and his wife have already set up the 'Nine Star Eclipse Moon Formation.' I didn't invite Fellow Daoist Han from your clan this time, but instead invited Fellow Daoist Lin and his wife, because you two are more proficient in this Nine Star Eclipse Moon Formation. It will complement the precious mirror in my hand perfectly. The cold dragon will be engulfed by the light of the formation, preventing it from diving underwater and significantly reducing its strength. Fairy Han Bing possesses a water-attributed cultivation method, while Fellow Daoist Wei employs an earth-attributed cultivation method. Neither are afraid of the cold dragon. Fellow Daoist Lei possesses a fire-attributed cultivation method, and water and fire counteract each other. Combined with Madam Tu's Black Jade Spider and poison technique, even if this cold dragon were a third more powerful, it would be no match for us."