As they spoke, something happened in the retreat cave. The pressure of a foundation-establishment cultivator emerged, and the foundation was unexpectedly completed. The speed was so rapid that it was hard to believe.

Li Tianyan felt that although Cheng Qi’s aura was still somewhat unstable, there was nothing inappropriate, and a relieved smile spread across his face. Then he noticed a spiritual consciousness enveloping him and couldn’t help but shake his head in amusement. “Naughty.”

Cheng Qi’s spiritual consciousness lingered on Li Tianyan for a moment, as if intimately greeting him, before withdrawing to concentrate on consolidating his cultivation.

When Wei Yang saw that the foundation was completed, he sent a message to Li Tianyan, “Congratulations to Fellow Cultivator Li. Fortunately, Fellow Cultivator Li rescued us today. After we get out of the secret realm, we will visit in person.”

Li Tianyan received the message and glanced in the direction of Haoyue Immortal Sect’s group, nodding to acknowledge Wei Yang.

Wei Yang then led the disciples of Haoyue Immortal Sect to leave the area, intending to find a safe place to tend to Xie Haocui’s injuries.

“Senior Brother Wei, are we really leaving like this?” asked the cultivators beside Wei Yang, their expressions conflicted. They were uneasy about the responsibility for losing the divine fire chisel.

“Since Fellow Cultivator Li mentioned having Elder Yue Huo retrieve it in person, I trust he will keep his word,” Wei Yang reassured them. Li Tianyan wouldn’t have made that statement if he didn’t intend to return the artifact.

The other disciples felt somewhat reassured after hearing his words.

.

“What’s wrong?” Cheng Yu asked as he noticed the sudden surge in aura from the ghost slave who had been following him. He turned around curiously.

“That brat has built his foundation.” Tan Eyu and Cheng Qi shared a bond due to the Ghost Control Order. When Cheng Qi built his foundation, Tan Eyu’s remaining soul merged with her, instantly elevating her aura to the early stage of foundation establishment.

“Xiao Qi built his foundation so quickly?” Cheng Yu was surprised. It had only been two months since he last saw Cheng Qi, and he had already found an opportunity for a breakthrough.

“You’re about to advance too,” Tan Eyu observed Cheng Yu’s saturated aura, indicating signs of advancing to the ninth level.

Cheng Yu smiled, “Now that I’ve found the Musculoskeletal and Bone Refining Grass, I should find a place to retreat. I’ll rely on you to protect me.”

Tan Eyu looked at the shuanger who resembled Cheng Qi in front of her and shook her head, wondering why their personalities were so different despite being born from the same mother.

.

After the disciples of Haoyue Immortal Sect left, Li Tianyan returned to his original spot to meditate. He held the divine fire chisel in his hand, studying it curiously. Sensing the flame aura of the Red Luan bird within the magic weapon, Li Tianyan couldn’t help but smile slightly, “No wonder the flower demon fears this magic weapon.”

Li Tianyan waited another three days until he heard the sound of a large stone being pushed aside in the cave. A figure fell from the sky and into his arms. Li Tianyan effortlessly caught the figure.

“Young master, look, I’ve successfully built my foundation,” Cheng Qi said, wrapping his arms around Li Tianyan’s neck, smiling up at him.

“Not bad,” Li Tianyan checked and found that Cheng Qi’s aura had completely stabilized, nodding in approval.

“Did anyone come here while I was in seclusion?” Cheng Qi asked, scanning the area with his consciousness, noticing figures nearby.

“People from Haoyue Immortal Sect entered the valley,” Li Tianyan informed Cheng Qi, summarizing the situation in the valley at that time.

“Is it the Shura Sect again?” Cheng Qi looked surprised upon hearing this. If Li Tianyan hadn’t intervened, most of Haoyue Immortal Sect disciples who entered the secret realm would have been lost in the valley.

“Yes,” Li Tianyan nodded. “This time, the Shura Sect’s plan was thwarted. Those disciples are now alerted. It won’t be easy for the Shura Sect to sow discord again.”

Li Tianyan fell silent, and Cheng Qi, not knowing what had happened next, eagerly asked, “Has young master found the true form of the flower demon? When are we entering the valley?”

Now filled with fighting spirit, Cheng Qi was prepared to return and confront the flower demon again, and also to see if there were any changes in his Yin fire after advancing to the Foundation Establishment.

“Found it,” Li Tianyan replied. He took out the light mirror to check on the flower demon’s situation, but his brows suddenly furrowed.

“What’s wrong?” Cheng Qi tilted his head, peering closely at the mirror. He saw the flower demon resembling a ghost-faced flower bud, regurgitating several sets of bones that had been picked clean. These bones were still stained with fresh blood before gradually sinking into the soil, becoming fertilizer for the flower demon.

Cheng Qi deduced that these were likely the disciples of Haoyue Immortal Sect who had been captured by the flower demon and couldn’t be saved in time. His expression darkened upon seeing their remains. It was a stark reminder of the dangers on the path of spiritual cultivation. One misstep could lead to such a fate.

Looking again into the light mirror, Cheng Qi noticed an earthy yellow light group emerging from the soil, hovering around the flower demon as if patrolling its territory.

Seeing this ball of light, Li Tianyan’s eyes widened in surprise. He didn’t expect the spiritual creature that drew his attention to be…

“Young master, what is this little ball of loess?” Cheng Qi asked with curiosity, his eyes fixed on the light group.

“The Spirit of Earthly Essence,” Li Tianyan muttered. Such spiritual creatures were unheard of in his original world. It was unexpected to find them here and possessing spiritual intelligence.

“Could it be the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil from the Five Elements Divine Object?” Cheng Qi’s eyes sparkled upon hearing this. If an earth cultivator acquired this, they could continuously summon forth streams of sand.

However, the benefits of the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil were far more extensive. If Li Tianyan could harness it, its potential would prove invaluable.