"There was nothing of the sort; I was struck by that Level 4 Fire Crocodile King and plunged deep into the magma, then stealthily attacked by several fire crocodiles. It was not without difficulty that I managed to escape with the aid of a Magic Treasure. Other than seeing that Blood Shadow, I didn't notice anything unusual," Yuan Ming shook his head as he spoke, his expression revealing not a single flaw.

As his Soul Cultivation deepened, his control over emotions and subtle shifts in his gaze became more precise and natural.

Golden Cloud Fairy stared at Yuan Ming but saw no change in his expression, so she quickly looked away.

"I also saw that Blood Shadow, and it was indeed astonishing. It must be some sort of demon beast within the secret realm. Fortunately, it didn't act against us. Given this, the deeper we go into the secret realm, the more dangerous it becomes. It would be safer for everyone to travel together," Daoist Qian Bao suggested.

"Daoist Qian Bao's proposal is kind, but we have other matters to attend to, so we won't accompany the two of you," Yuan Ming politely declined.

The secret buried within his Purple Star Nine Dragon Spear was most likely related to this secret realm, and he didn't want more people knowing about it.

"If that's the case, I won't insist. Take care," Daoist Qian Bao said with a cupped fist salute, then he and Golden Cloud Fairy flew away.

Soon, only Yuan Ming, Long Chong, and a few others remained.

"Brother Yuan, we owe you a great deal for your help earlier. I, Long Chong, will remember this kindness," Long Chong said to Yuan Ming with a sincere cupped fist salute.

"There's no need for such formalities between you and me," Yuan Ming replied with a shake of his head.

"That was truly exhilarating just now. With just a slight effort from Brother Yuan, not only did you punish Qing Tong, but you also left Huan Ling Zi half-dead with anger. I am impressed," Qiong Yun said with an admiring expression.

"Brother Yuan hasn't even used much force yet, and they are already struggling to cope," Wulu said with a laugh.

"Alright, let's not make jokes at my expense anymore. This is not a place to linger; we should hurry and leave," Yuan Ming suggested.

After a short rest, the group prepared to set out again.

Once Yuan Ming and his companions had vanished, the ground where the four of them had been standing began to tremble faintly, and a small yellow mouse emerged, the size of a palm with unusually large and long ears. It looked like an unusual demon beast, but it lacked any demonic power.

The Big-eared Yellow Rat leaped out swiftly, covering ground quickly, and soon reached a low mountain a dozen miles away.

Two figures were standing there—Golden Cloud Fairy and Daoist Qian Bao.

The Big-eared Yellow Rat jumped and landed on Golden Cloud Fairy's shoulder, nuzzling against her.

Golden Cloud Fairy played with the rat briefly before pressing a finger to its forehead, causing a golden rune to slowly emerge and then disintegrate.

A wave of demonic power emanated from the Big-eared Yellow Rat, reaching the Second Level, and it squeaked as if trying to communicate something.

Golden Cloud Fairy frowned and then placed the rat into her Spiritual Beast Bag.

"So, no useful information was gathered?" Daoist Qian Bao asked upon seeing this.

"It was all irrelevant chatter; let's hope that Long Ears wasn't discovered," Golden Cloud Fairy said as she gently stroked the rat's head.

"The Long Ear Rat can use the power of the earth to conceal its presence, and even a Nascent Soul cultivator might not detect it. You're being overly cautious, sealing away the rat's demonic power just to eavesdrop on a conversation among Core Formation cultivators," Daoist Qian Bao commented with disapproval.

"The others may be of no concern, but being cautious about Yuan Ming can't hurt," Golden Cloud Fairy retorted.

"So the person's name is Yuan Ming? You think highly of him," Daoist Qian Bao noted.

"If we truly clashed, let alone against you alone, even if we joined forces, we might not be his match," said Golden Cloud Fairy, speaking indifferently.

"Surely that's an exaggeration! Yuan Ming is only at the Early-stage Core Formation; he's only made it this far thanks to that Thunder Attribute spirit beast. How could he possibly defeat us together?" Daoist Qian Bao initially reacted with surprise, then laughed it off.

"If you don't believe me, you can try fighting Yuan Ming and see for yourself. Don't blame me if you end up dead without a warning," Golden Cloud Fairy said calmly.

"Is Yuan Ming truly so skilled?" Daoist Qian Bao, seeing the seriousness in Golden Cloud Fairy's demeanor, put away his smile and asked earnestly.

"He easily captured a Level 4 Fire Crocodile King; what do you think of his divine skills?" Golden Cloud Fairy replied.

"What did you say! Was the Blood Shadow in the Magma Lake his doing? Are you certain?" Daoist Qian Bao was taken aback.

"Of course I cannot be certain; but just now, only you, Tu Sheng, and Yuan Ming were in the Magma Lake. We know Tu Sheng's abilities; apart from Yuan Ming, who else could it be?" Golden Cloud Fairy elaborated.

"Could it be other Level 4 demon beasts? You've said before that this secret realm is enigmatic and unpredictable; any kind of demon could feasibly appear," Thousand Treasures spoke with a moment's hesitation, still unable to believe.

"If you truly think so, I have nothing more to say. Take care, Fellow Daoist Thousand Treasures," Golden Cloud Fairy said with a twist of her slender waist, transforming into a golden tunneling light that shot off into the distance.

After the golden light had completely faded, Thousand Treasures turned to look in the direction Yuan Ming and his party had left. The shocked expression on his face disappeared, replaced with suppressed excitement.

"Yuan Ming's cultivation is only in the Early-stage Core Formation; there's no way the Observation Treasure Mirror could be wrong. Someone at the early Core Formation stage capturing a Level 4 Fire Crocodile King so easily... That Blood Shadow must be an incredibly powerful Magic Treasure, very likely a replica of a Spiritual Treasure. I cannot miss this opportunity!" Thousand Treasures took out a blue, luminescent disc, with a hint of unrestrained greed flashing in his eyes.

His eyes shimmered, and a moment later he transformed into a cyan tunneling light, flying in a different direction.

A dark red bird unknowingly flew over, landing on a large rock, gazing into the distance.

"Who would have thought my real name would be known to Golden Cloud Fairy. Blood Shadow and Hong Ling have almost been exposed too. I've been cautious enough; how did she figure it out?" The bird's body was hosting a Divine Soul, which was Yuan Ming's Second Split Soul, gently undulating.

Previously, near the lake when distributing the Earth Core Fire Lotuses, Yuan Ming had a premonition about a prying gaze from below. He had his nearly recovered first soul pause its Breathing Control to scout the environment.

Although the Big-eared Yellow Rat's Concealment methods were extraordinary, there was no way to escape the detection of the Stealing Heaven Tripod. He allowed his Second Split Soul to reside in this bird to monitor the Yellow Rat's movements.

"This Golden Cloud Fairy has some tricks up her sleeve; it seems I need to be cautious with her from now on," Yuan Ming thought silently.

As for Thousand Treasures's greed, Yuan Ming didn't take it seriously. If the man did indeed make a move against him, he wouldn't be polite in response; it would make a good opportunity to gather a new batch of Magic Treasures.

In the earlier battle, Thousand Treasures had consecutively brought out several powerful Magic Treasures, truly living up to his name. Yuan Ming also couldn't help but covet them.

Yuan Ming didn't have his Second Split Soul continue to track them. This dark red bird was just an ordinary bird; it could barely keep up with the Big-eared Yellow Rat and certainly wouldn't be able to follow Golden Cloud Fairy and Thousand Treasures.

He controlled the dark red bird, flying in another direction.

...

Golden Cloud Fairy flew a hundred miles before slowing down her light of flying escape.

"Father, is it safe now?" she muttered softly.

"Mm, we've thrown off that soul-powered bird; no one is watching you now," an imposing voice emanated from within Golden Cloud Fairy.

Golden Cloud Fairy breathed a sigh of relief, unable to help complaining, "Father, although Yuan Ming is remarkable, judging from how he subdued the Fire Crocodile King, the difference in strength between them shouldn't be great. If I unleashed my Bloodline Power and with your clone, we could suppress even Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivators. Why resort to such roundabout tactics?"

"My daughter, you've kept your trump cards hidden; how can you be certain that what Yuan Ming showed before is all his strength? There are many talented individuals in the world, and although you are exceptionally gifted, you shouldn't underestimate others," the imposing voice lectured.

"Father's teaching is correct; your daughter has learned her lesson," Golden Cloud Fairy said solemnly.

"To deal with the Fire Poison in your body, endure this hardship for a bit longer. Thou hast piqued Thousand Treasures' greed, and with his temperament, he will soon help us test Yuan Ming's true strength. Just follow behind and watch," the imposing voice said.

"Yes, but Father, does Yuan Ming really possess a way to resolve my Fire Poison?" Golden Cloud Fairy asked.

"Of course, the Frost Ring he holds is powerful. If I am not mistaken, it should be a replica of the Ancient Spiritual Treasure, the Nine Palaces Cold Moon Ring. I have been searching for the method to refine this treasure for many years without a clue. I did not expect to encounter it here," the voice spoke with a tinge of excitement.

"The Nine Palaces Cold Moon Ring! The Jiugong Sect's sect-defending Spiritual Treasure; Father, are you sure you're not mistaken? Wasn't the method to refine it lost when the Jiugong Sect perished?" Golden Cloud Fairy said, her body shaking, a look of disbelief on her face.

"I do not know where Yuan Ming got that treasure, but I will not mistake the Cold Moon Profound Light triggered by that Frost Ring," the imposing voice replied.

Golden Cloud Fairy's face brightened at the words.

"Your Bloodline Power is too strong and burns your body. It has even evolved into Fire Poison. You need a vastly powerful cold-attributed treasure for Protective Body. Though I've collected several for you, none are satisfactory. The Nine Palaces Cold Moon Ring will definitely suffice. With the Frost Spiritual Materials I've gathered over the years, I dare not claim that I can elevate the replica to the level of a Spiritual Treasure, but restoring fifty to sixty percent of its power is undoubtedly possible. Then, not only will you be safe, but you will also gain a heavy treasure," the imposing voice assured.

"Thank you, Father," Golden Cloud Fairy said joyously.

"Magic Treasures are ultimately external forces. The best way to solve the Fire Poison within you is to find a man and engage in Dual Cultivation. Give birth to offspring, and I can use a Secret Technique to transfer the excessively vigorous Bloodline Power in your body to the fetus. Not only will you be free from the troubles of Fire Poison, but your offspring will also have an extremely high innate talent. Why not do it?" the imposing voice suggested.

"Father, why do you bring this up again? My future husband must be a hero, a great man who stands tall and traverses the world, just like the Shura Master of yore! Those men from Fusang Island, each one is either cowardly or sly; I do not fancy them. You promised me before that I could decide on my own marriage matters, and you cannot go back on your word!" Golden Cloud Fairy pouted, speaking somewhat discontentedly.

If the cultivators of Fusang Island saw Golden Cloud Fairy's charming and endearing expression, their eyes would probably pop out.

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