As Yun Xiao was the last to enter the Ancestor Immortal Grotto, a tumultuous flow of celestial energy, like a riotous sea, enveloped him.

This chaotic force was incredibly strong. In an instant, Yun Xiao lost track of the others. Despite his best efforts to stabilize himself, he was tossed around helplessly, clueless about where he might end up!

"Ahhhh!"

From the Mortal Dust Devil Seed, there came the panicked shrieks of Feng Yao.

Sometimes she was just a silly girl, and her screams were particularly loud. But Yun Xiao knew she was fine; controlling half of her body with the Mortal Dust Devil Seed, he could clearly feel everything she experienced... which was pretty much the same as his own situation!

In any case, they were being swept in different directions by this violent, dense surge of power.

The whole ordeal didn't last long.

Soon, Yun Xiao was washed ashore. He quickly steadied himself and swept his eyes around, taking in everything in his vicinity.

At this moment, he seemed to be in the midst of chaos, surrounded by a sort of dark brown ink-like airflow, endless and infinite.

This countless ink-like airflow moved much slower, naturally not sweeping people up in chaos as before.

Before Yun Xiao, these streams of ink continuously transformed, at times into animals, trees, flowers, and occasionally into palatial buildings...

So, the entire world of the Ancestor Immortal Grotto appeared like an ink painting, with Yun Xiao himself becoming a part of this ink-painted realm.

"This ink-like airflow is a stable form of celestial energy; the Ancestor Immortal Grotto is like a realm even more fragmented than the Heavenly Deity Stellar River or the Million Starlight Palace... but shattered even more thoroughly."

More thoroughly shattered, yet its core area was so calm. What power was there, pacifying this chaotic celestial energy?

"There’s no immediate danger, but this ink-like celestial energy obscures the vision, making it hard to see far."

Yun Xiao could have his spirit leave his body to explore. After absorbing Meng Huan's Seed of Creation, his spirit could split into nine clones, which would undoubtedly enhance his ability to explore.

However, he chose not to do so for now.

"Come this way."

He closed his eyes, sensing Feng Yao’s position, with the Mortal Dust Devil Seed acting almost like a body double.

Although the ink-like torrents of the Ancestor Immortal Grotto continually changed, they couldn't obscure the connection between Yun Xiao and his half-double.

After all, his true body double, Moon Fairy, was far away in the Six Paths of Reincarnation. Yet, Yun Xiao was still in control... currently frolicking around with Qiqi, the Qilin.

Yun Xiao parted these ink-like clouds immaculately, making his way towards Feng Yao.

Meanwhile, Feng Yao was slightly anxious, cursing this bizarre place, hoping to feel more at ease once she truly saw Yun Xiao.

Fortunately, they hadn't been separated too far upon entering. It wasn't long before Yun Xiao arrived in a particular area.

This place had several rock-like formations which were oddly shaped. These rocks took the form of long strips, resembling demonic claws that interlocked with each other to form a net resembling a rock web.

Yun Xiao tested it and found this dark and eerie rock web to be quite hard, the material suitable even for forging celestial treasures.

Thankfully, although these demonic claw spiderwebs were everywhere, their large gaps didn't hinder Yun Xiao's movements.

At the same time, Feng Yao also entered this area and saw these demonic claws.

"Where exactly are you?" Feng Yao's tone was clearly coquettish, as if she had become incredibly needy just after a short separation.

"I see you now."

As this voice sounded in her ear, a white figure suddenly appeared behind her, delivering a sharp slap to her protruding rear.

SMACK!

A crisp sound with an echo followed.

"Are you crazy?" Feng Yao was startled, but after turning and seeing him, she just rolled her eyes.

Their meeting in white and red attire, respectively, seemed to relax their moods.

Yun Xiao's gaze then fell on the surrounding peculiar terrain.

Feng Yao looked around as well and asked, "What do we do next? Where do we go?"

Yun Xiao pulled several flying talismans from his robes and said, "There’s no rush, there’s been no word from my senior sister yet."

While talking, he released the flying talismans.

"She should be fine."

Remembering Zhao Xuanran, Feng Yao wasn't sure what to say—perhaps this was the enduring allure of a man's first love?

Since she hadn't interacted much with Zhao Xuanran, she naturally didn't know her charm or what she represented.

Feng Yao asked, "Did you send a flying talisman to that little white rabbit?"

She was well aware that Yun Xiao had teased Yun Lingchen, Shen Nanyin, and Shi Feifei in the past. She was especially irritated by the two Young Dragon Consorts, who were similar to her type but noticeably more substantial.

Fortunately, she knew these two were already married, and Yun Xiao probably wouldn't be interested in them.

But Yun Lingchen, who seemed like a more gentle version of Divine Dawn, annoyed her somewhat.

What Feng Yao was unaware of was that while she was guarding against outsiders, Si Ji had swooped in right under her nose.

"Zu Xi, Mu Xihe, and others—I've sent to all of them," Yun Xiao said indifferently, ignoring the jealousy in her tone.

"Oh." Feng Yao gave him a curious look and asked, "Aren't you usually fond of acting alone, freely and leisurely? Why are you actively contacting them? Are you really planning to lead them on this trip to the Ancestor Immortal Grotto?"

"Can't I?" Yun Xiao said while waiting.

"It's fine, but it's not your style. I always feel like you have an ulterior motive!" Feng Yao huffed.

Yun Xiao couldn't help but smile wryly, "You don't understand. Zu Xi and Yun Lingchen have the backing of two old prestigious families from the Heavenly Deity Stellar River. By looking out for them, I can alleviate a lot of pressure on the Harmony Divine Palace.

"After all, the Harmony Divine Palace's only real enemy is the Southern Divine Dragon Realm. The Ancestral Land and Elysian Immortal Palace have no grievances with us, and they hold sway and moral authority in the Heavenly Deity Stellar River... In short, a little effort from me can help the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm a lot."

"But what about before, when you humiliated Zu Wei and castrated Zhao Canglan? You’ve offended them all, and now you want to make amends? Weren't you the one who seemed ready to take on the Heavenly Deity Stellar River alone?" Feng Yao pouted.

Yun Xiao knew she didn't grasp the intricacies… Since they were waiting anyway, he explained, "Zhao Canglan is aligned with Gong Tianjian, who's in cahoots with the Southern Divine Dragon Realm, meaning that part of their power is already corrupt. Treating Zhao Canglan and Yun Lingchen differently is meant to sever Gong Tianjian from the Elysian Immortal Palace."

"What about Zu Wei then? She and Zu Xi are siblings! And she’s even more favored," Feng Yao retorted.

Yun Xiao shrugged and said, "When dealing with the Ancestral Land, we need to use both carrot and stick. First, hit them with the stick to make them take us seriously, it's all harmless; then offer them the carrot. Only then can we truly respect each other."

𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Yun Xiao's response to Feng Yao's misgivings about his strategic choices was dismissive. He was too adept with words, and a change of subject seemed futile with him. At that moment, however, his attention shifted as he began receiving responses to the flying talismans he had sent out.

After reviewing the messages, Yun Xiao casually mentioned, "They've all replied, telling me to stay put; they'll come to us."

"How can they find their way here in such chaos, with everything so mysterious?" Feng Yao asked, her curiosity piqued like a child's.

"They've been preparing for the Ancestor Immortal Grotto for a long time and have studied its internal layout. I just described our surroundings to them, and they recognized it as the Spider Stone Area, they seem to know where it is," Yun Xiao explained.

"Oh, I see… Well then, we wait! Wait for your little white rabbit," Feng Yao huffed.

"Why are you so jealous? Don't forget who you are, little maid," Yun Xiao teased with a laugh.

"Maid, my foot," Feng Yao turned away.

"Why are you upset now?" Yun Xiao asked, his voice tinged with exasperation.

"I'm not," Feng Yao replied, forcing a laugh.

Yun Xiao could only shake his head, amused yet bewildered by her theatrics.

Yet, this was part of her charm.

He genuinely enjoyed their playful banter; the vast path of immortality would be incredibly lonely without someone to spar with verbally. Life might bring many passersby, but due to the ties of Mortal Dust Devil Blood and Blood Base, she was destined to be by Yun Xiao's side forever.

Unless she died…

"Hey, don't be mad. Here's a gift for you." In this ink-like flow of the world, Yun Xiao reached out and gently tugged on her arm.

"I don't want it! Take it away!" Feng Yao snapped, shaking off his hand and scowling.

"You sure? They're Upper Burying Heaven grade artifacts. That's the pinnacle of the Nine Heavens Celestial Grades. They're considered treasures capable of anchoring stars. Their last owner was one of the eight Dragon Emperors of the Southern Divine Dragon Realm, the Blood Dragon Emperor..."

Yun Xiao hadn’t even finished speaking when Feng Yao suddenly spun around. Her dragon horns quivered and eyes sparkled with anticipation. She quickly asked, "Where? Where's the gift?"