"That Li Zhuanqing from Joy Palace, his methods are too strange. If we were women, it wouldn't be a problem, but we're both men, and we're at a disadvantage."

"Hu Fu from Corpse Transporting Mountain isn't an option either. His zombie beast doesn't have a grade, but it has genuine Foundation Establishment strength. It's too dangerous for us to take action."

Feng Yichen nodded repeatedly, "In that case, it's either Huang Tian from Spirit Control Sect, or still Liu Duan from Medicine King Valley."

"Understood."

Han Feiyu said deeply, "Huang Tian has made his name only recently, and regardless of whether he has Tier Two Spirit Beasts, even if he does, he wouldn't dare release them here. Two late-stage Tier One Spirit Beasts—we should be able to handle them if we're careful."

"As for Liu Duan from Medicine King Valley, his identity has been exposed; he's fallen from Foundation Establishment back to Qi Cultivation. He has strength, but after falling back to the Qi stage, he's actually inferior to seasoned individuals like Brother Feng. If we join forces to take him down, it shouldn't be too difficult."

"Indeed..."

Listening to Han Feiyu's analysis, Feng Yichen realized that they're essentially choosing between Huang Tian and Liu Duan.

After a brief silence, Feng Yichen spoke, "Brother Han, did you notice that there's always a man by Liu Duan's side? He's also at the peak of Qi Refining but has never made a move."

"The man with the scar on his face wearing yellow robes?"

Han Feiyu recalled.

"Yes, I suspect he's also a Qi Cultivator who's fallen from Foundation Establishment... Medicine King Valley's methods are bizarre; some specialize in these Exotic Elixirs. If they can bring one Foundation Establishment down to Qi Cultivation, they can surely do it twice. We must be cautious."

Feng Yichen said steadily.

"Indeed... then we'll kill the one from Spirit Control Sect!"

Han Feiyu didn't hesitate and made his decision immediately.

"Alright."

Feng Yichen replied, "With only half a month left, let's act quickly. After killing Huang Tian, we'll see if there's an opportunity to take a Magical Treasure back."

"If we can't get what the Sect Leader wants, then getting another Magical Treasure will at least fulfill the task."

"Alright, give me half a day to recover, and we'll set off immediately."

"Alright."

Half a day later, two Dharma Ships silently broke through the water.

Although flight isn't possible here, the Dharma Ships can move smoothly on the water surface. As for going underwater... that's possible, as long as you're not afraid to die.

The two joined forces to navigate through Ghost Flood Dragon Lake, encountering people from Sword Ruins but didn't engage.

Feng Yichen knew Zhao Dun among them and socialized for a bit, incidentally learning Huang Tian's location from Spirit Control Sect.

Everyone knew immediately what Feng Yichen intended.

As they were about to leave, He Ruoyao from Sword Ruins advised, "Huang Tian isn't as easy to deal with as you think; he's a disciple secretly prepared by Spirit Control Sect for this Nine Nether Cave Heaven journey."

"Thanks for the advice, Miss He."

Danger, to kill anyone is dangerous.

Or rather, there's no safety once inside Nine Nether Cave Heaven.

Therefore, Feng Yichen didn't change his target, still opting to kill Huang Tian.

With Zhao Dun providing the location, Han Feiyu and Feng Yichen followed it and found this formidable disciple from Spirit Control Sect.

Killing was their intent, so there was nothing left to say upon meeting—it's kill!

The two teamed up to kill one person, yet this one person raised two late-stage Tier One Spirit Beasts... a late-stage Tier One Water Arrow Turtle, and a late-stage Tier One Sky-split Falcon.

One darted through the lake waters, the other flew in the sky.

Both extremely difficult to deal with.

With this, they confirmed that Huang Tian was Spirit Control Sect's preparation for this Nine Nether Cave Heaven journey. Specifically, preparation for Ghost Flood Dragon Lake—a flying demon beast and a water demonic beast, maximizing combat power.

Even with Feng Yichen and Han Feiyu joining forces, they had great difficulty.

After battling for half a day, neither party gained much; all sustained significant injuries.

Towards the end, Feng Yichen and Huang Tian both used Talisman Treasures for a fierce confrontation.

Unexpectedly, perhaps due to the immense disturbance, a Tier Two demon beast from Ghost Flood Dragon Lake was drawn in, swallowing the Water Arrow Turtle and seizing the chance to kill Huang Tian amidst the backlash from his spirit beasts.

Han Feiyu seized the opportunity to drag the dying Feng Yichen away.

While leaving, Han Feiyu also took Huang Tian's Storage Bag.

Half a day later.

Gravely injured, the two rested on a small island, lying behind a giant boulder with bloodstains scattered. Feng Yichen took half a day to recover a trace of Spiritual Qi.

He intended to retrieve a Tier Two Elixir from his Storage Bag to save himself.

But upon scanning with his Divine Sense, he found his Storage Bag... missing from his waist.

Both having rolled between life and death countless times, Feng Yichen immediately understood everything when a thought flashed through his mind. He looked at Han Feiyu who sat up, speechless, only communicating mentally:

"Brother Han, since you've decided this, why go to the trouble of bringing me back? Why not just kill me on the spot?"

"The Sect Leader made us all swear the Great Dao Oath not to harm each other... I don't want my cultivation path to end here."

Han Feiyu sighed.

"So Brother Han means to leave me here to fend for myself?"

Feng Yichen smiled bitterly, yet felt somewhat relieved.

To stand by a brother, yet stab him at a critical moment—Feng Yichen had done it before, and his ruthless approach is what helped him rise.

So, ending up in this situation might just be karmic retribution.

"No, no, actually I brought Brother Feng back for another reason, a... major reason."

Han Feiyu said as he turned, his face streaked with blood, expressionless: "If I remember correctly, Senior Brother Feng also has the Spirit Root of gold, wood, water, and fire, right?"

As Han Feiyu spoke, he placed his hand on Feng Yichen's Dantian.

Instantly, Feng Yichen felt immense pain, groaned, and Han Feiyu quickly stuffed a Tier Two lifesaving Elixir into his mouth.

This time... he cannot die.

Feng Yichen couldn't speak but felt terrifying dread.

He clearly felt his Spirit Root slowly disappearing.

To be precise, it was being... absorbed!

...

Outside the Alchemy Room on Four Corners Island.

The Qi Cultivation Stage disciple on duty was napping, but suddenly he sensed a powerful aura sweep past and then vanish.

He paused, then immediately realized what was happening.

A senior brother... or rather, a senior uncle is establishing the Foundation here?!

Inside the Alchemy Room.

Sitting in silence for months, Ji Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp light flashed in them, and all the Mid-grade Spirit Stones around him turned to ashes.

They weren't necessary initially, but as his spiritual energy began to liquefy in his Dantian, Ji Yuan didn't spare any effort, absorbing one Mid-grade Spirit Stone after another.

Closed for a year.

Age of twenty-three.

Ji Yuan finally achieved Foundation Establishment.

——

PS: Three-in-one, ten-thousand-word chapter, not a filler. One chapter to achieve Foundation Establishment and finish Nine Nether Cave Heaven storyline. So... please support with monthly and recommendation votes!

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