Mi Xiaojing said, "How strange, I succeeded in a daze."
Everyone was speechless for a moment. Then Yong Ji laughed, "In a daze? I've never heard of anyone forming a Golden Elixir like that. Today is truly an eye-opener."
Thousand Poisons Qian said sinisterly, "That must be an Ancient Cultivator technique, am I right?"
"Ancient Cultivator!"
Yong Ji exclaimed, "There are still Ancient Cultivator techniques?"
Thousand Poisons Qian replied, "What's so strange about that? You just haven't seen much!"
Yong Ji knew nothing about Ancient Cultivators. Cultivators who haven't ventured out often have limited knowledge, confined to their sects. Even in sects with deep foundations and vast collections of ancient texts, disciples might only know a bit about ancient knowledge if they pay attention. But even in well-established sects, if a cultivator doesn't focus on it, they often remain ignorant.
To modern cultivators, Ancient Cultivators are quite foreign, especially to low and mid-level cultivators. Only some high-level cultivators, who have explored many ruins, pay attention to Ancient Cultivator techniques. However, by that time, they often have lost the possibility of becoming Ancient Cultivators themselves.
After advancing, Mi Xiaojing hid in the manor to cultivate quietly. Although he formed his Golden Elixir in a daze, he still needed to stabilize his cultivation level to avoid regressing.
Any cultivator must stabilize their cultivation after advancing, or they risk regressing. Once they fall back, it's extremely difficult to regain their previous level. Mi Xiaojing was well aware of this.
For a month, Mi Xiaojing stayed in the manor, cultivating. In his spare time, he either practiced alchemy or explained his understanding of cultivation to a group of young disciples. During this time, Yong Ji, Yang Shan, and even Thousand Poisons Qian gave lectures at Mi Xiaojing's request, answering various questions.
They also shared common knowledge about the cultivation world and survival skills, teaching these inexperienced kids many valuable lessons and skills that could save their lives when they ventured out alone.
Mi Xiaojing also learned many things for the first time, such as information about demons, ghosts, spirit beasts, and various traps and deceptions. They even discussed skills like reading people's expressions. Everyone listened intently, completely absorbed.
Although Wang Weijun often scoffed, saying that in the face of absolute power, all schemes and tricks were worthless, this was a lesson he had learned the hard way.
One day, Wan Bao brought Mo Yuer to the manor.
Yang Shan and Yong Ji went to greet them. Yang Shan had told them about this place. Since Mo Chentian had gone missing, the two had waited for a long time without any news. Wan Bao had no choice but to contact familiar friends, and Yang Shan was one of them, so they came to the manor.
Mi Xiaojing knew Mo Yuer, so he didn't object to taking them in. However, he noticed that Mo Yuer looked very haggard and melancholic, completely different from before. Back in the Heart Sect, Mo Yuer was always confident and surrounded by people.
Recently, Mo Yuer seemed to have changed a lot. When she saw Mi Xiaojing, she was quiet and indifferent, showing a cold demeanor.
Mi Xiaojing arranged accommodations for them and didn't pay much attention afterward. To him, Mo Yuer was just an acquaintance, not a companion.
For acquaintances, as long as they were well taken care of, that was enough. Besides, Yang Shan was there to look after them.
As more people arrived, the number of outsiders increased. Many low-level cultivators and mortals began to flood into the market area. Recently, frequent earthquakes had caused many old houses to collapse and even triggered several fires.
The sky was also strange, often filled with beautiful clouds that locals said had never been seen before.
Tianyuan Market had a strange atmosphere. Everyone seemed anxious, and even Mi Xiaojing sensed it. He felt something was wrong but couldn't pinpoint what it was. Yong Ji, Yang Shan, and Thousand Poisons Qian felt the same unease, but no one could figure out the problem. It was just a vague sense of foreboding.
The longer someone had been cultivating, the stronger this feeling was. This intuition was often very accurate.
Such unease usually meant something was about to happen, but what it was, no one could guess. Unless someone was skilled in divination, it was hard to figure out.
One day, a shocking piece of news spread.
The Cang River had collapsed. It was said that the surrounding area had turned into a swamp, and a huge crack had split the river. Strange rumors spread, leaving people in the market bewildered.
Soon, a large number of flying boats arrived at Tianyuan Market, bringing many cultivators and mortals. Even Mi Xiaojing's manor became a target. However, Mi Xiaojing's group was strong, especially with Thousand Poisons Qian, who drove away several groups of people.
Some wanted to buy the manor, while others tried to take it by force. It was exhausting. Finally, Thousand Poisons Qian lost his temper and killed two groups of intruders, bringing some peace.
But the peace lasted less than half a month before another wave of cultivators flooded the market.
One day, a group of people sat by the lake discussing the increasingly chaotic situation. Mi Xiaojing's group needed to find a solution.
Anyone with a certain level of cultivation felt an impending storm. The sense of foreboding grew stronger, and no one could guess what was wrong. Tian Cang had been gathering information in the market and had just returned.
Everyone was used to sitting on the grass by the lake. It was already evening.
As they watched the sunset, Tian Cang shared the news he had gathered.
The Cangliu Sect, a sect upstream of the Cang River, had been destroyed by an eruption of underground fire. The entire sect collapsed without warning, just like the destruction of the Heart Sect, killing many people.
Tusi City was flooded, causing countless mortal casualties.
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The Xueqian Sect, located on the highest peak of Cangmin Star, the Larrya Snow Peak, had been destroyed. The entire mountain collapsed, with few survivors.
The cultivators of the Luojian Sect and Hailian Island fought, resulting in the sinking of Hailian Island for unknown reasons.
Everyone listened in shock, unable to believe that Cangmin Star had fallen into such chaos.
Thousand Poisons Qian looked thoughtful. Yong Ji asked, "Why is it so chaotic? Is there a reason?"
Tian Cang shook his head, "It's unclear. There are all sorts of rumors, but none are reliable. However, one piece of news has been confirmed: the Sea of Flames is in a massive upheaval, with lava spewing thousands of meters high. No one knows what's happening there, but even Golden Elixir Stage cultivators don't dare to approach. It's terrifying, and the Sea of Flames is expanding rapidly."
Thousand Poisons Qian muttered, "The Sea of Flames?"
Tian Cang confirmed, "Yes, the Sea of Flames!"
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas