Therefore, this place is the safest haven.

A number of mid to late-stage Core Formation cultivators patrol outside the Fire Domain, naturally arranged by Shangguan Liuyun, though Li Jizhou used a Teleportation Talisman to enter the Fire Domain, avoiding contact with them.

After decades, Li Jizhou sets foot in the Fire Domain again, feeling a sense of revisiting familiar ground.

When he first entered the Fire Domain, he was only at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, barely enduring the might of the flames at the second layer.

Now, at the Middle Stage of Golden Core, Body Refining Fourth Layer, and taught by Ye Jingyu in the "True Flame Hundred Forgings," he strides into the fifth layer of the Fire Domain without any pressure.

As soon as he steps into the fifth layer of the Fire Domain, a broken humanoid form comes into view.

The black robe is already tattered, yet Li Jizhou recognizes this person at a glance.

It is Ye Jingyu.

At this moment, Ye Jingyu appears even more grievously hurt than during their encounter fifty years ago, with weak traces of life revealing he is still alive; otherwise, he resembles a corpse.

This shows how severely Ye Jingyu was injured by Shangguan Liuyun half a year ago.

Without hesitation, Li Jizhou immediately approaches and uses the boundless vitality within the age rings to heal Ye Jingyu.

Compared to fifty years ago, this time Ye Jingyu doesn’t have a grim air of death trapped inside, but is gravely injured nonetheless.

Three days later, Ye Jingyu suddenly awakes.

Seeing Li Jizhou, his long-unseen smile emerges onto his face.

"You saved me again!" No words of thanks or affectation, just a simple sentence filled with emotion.

Li Jizhou doesn’t dwell on the topic, directly asking about his encounter with Shangguan Liuyun.

At the mention, a gleam of joy flashes in Ye Jingyu’s eyes.

Years ago, during their first encounter in the Fire Domain, Li Jizhou denied and shirked everything, yet ultimately became the foremost fighter against demons, the secret benefactor supporting the world against demonic threats.

Li Jizhou’s inquiry now suggests he is contemplating Shangguan Liuyun.

"Shangguan Liuyun’s prowess is extraordinary. Five of me could barely match him, and with his various trump cards, at least ten late-stage Core Formation masters are needed to withstand him.

To kill him is extremely difficult!

A member of the Central Domain’s ten leading figures told me that unless one can present a weapon above the eighth-grade Spiritual Treasure or Profound Celestial Treasure level, it’s impossible to kill him.

Even if a Nascent Soul intervenes, it’ll be the same..." Ye Jingyu explains the situation candidly.

Upon hearing Ye Jingyu, Li Jizhou’s expression grows heavier.

"Someone from the Central Domain’s ten leading figures told you? Could it be they possess a protective artifact that withstands a Nascent Soul’s assault?"

This way, Li Jizhou feels he has underestimated the foundation of the ascending Immortal Race.

The Divine Son within their clan must not suffer any loss.

"That’s right!"

"Can we leverage those Central Domain key figures?"

"We’re merely pawns!"

"..."

Ye Jingyu speaks objectively and hopelessly.

Li Jizhou’s face gradually darkens.

If this is indeed the case, would he forever be on the run?

"I wonder what happened to the Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Shangguan family who went to the swamp? Will they continue guarding since they haven’t found me?"

Over the years in the Eastern Desolation, the greatest solace was the absence of the Nascent Soul.

This significantly boosted Li Jizhou’s sense of security.

However, now with the causality entangled with Shangguan Liuyun, it’s troubling.

Judging by Ye Jingyu’s words, his threat level is not inferior to that of the Nascent Soul True Monarch.

"Hmph! So you are a companion of Ye the thief!"

Suddenly, a cold snort echoes from the fourth layer of the Fire Domain.

While Li Jizhou conversed with Ye Jingyu, and in the midst of the Fire Domain, Li Jizhou’s age ring perception failed, unaware of someone approaching.

Looking now, he sees Shangguan Liuyun’s familiar figure standing within the Nether Flame on the fourth layer.

His gaze cold and direct, staring at Li Jizhou and Ye Jingyu.

Li Jizhou feels a chill on his back.

However, he soon relaxes, noting that although the opponent is at the Golden Core Peak, he definitely cannot enter the fifth layer of the Fire Domain.

He is already relying on a Fireproof Treasure to withstand the Nether Flame in the fourth layer.

Ye Jingyu casts him a cold glance, expressionless, even turning his head away, possibly having already cursed him enough earlier, unwilling to engage in further argument now.

"Little thief, dared to kill my servant, I will tear you to pieces and annihilate your Divine Soul!" Shangguan Liuyun stares at Li Jizhou, a trace of cruel smile emerging on his face.

Li Jizhou calmly looks at Shangguan Liuyun, internally communicating actively with Ye Jingyu.

Within the Fire Domain, Divine Sense is limited, affecting certain Divine Abilities.

Moreover, he and Ye Jingyu have a genuine advantage in the Fire Domain, and the opponent entering the fourth layer alone presents a good opportunity.

Nonetheless, Ye Jingyu’s injuries have just healed, barely reclaiming a life, his combat power less than ten percent of his prime.

With the Spiritual Treasure he once acquired here damaged, his current fighting capability is limited.

Yet upon receiving Li Jizhou’s transmission, he perceives it as a good chance.

Otherwise, given Shangguan Liuyun’s family influence, perhaps some high-tier Fireproof Treasure is currently en route.

By then, with prior preparations, surviving would become arduous.

Upon Ye Jingyu’s confirmation, Li Jizhou addresses Shangguan Liuyun, purposefully diverting his attention: "Shangguan young master indiscriminately passes judgement; despite merely traversing the mountains, your men attacked me. Such reverse slaying in self-defense, what fault is there?

Unexpectedly, young master dispatched four late-stage Core Formation masters to pursue me,

In the moment of life and death crisis, I slew them in self-preservation, what error lies there?"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Liuyun bursts into laughter: "Hahaha, interesting, interesting, originally thinking of encountering a fascinating person this time, turns out to be so naive?

Right? Wrong?

Hahaha, in the cultivation world, does right or wrong matter?"

Li Jizhou smiles lightly, nodding: "The young master speaks truthfully, in the cultivation world, there’s no right or wrong, only strength and weakness!"

"So, your Shangguan family as a dignified ascending Immortal Race, can you recklessly create chaos in the Southern Domain?"

"Hum~" Shangguan Liuyun chuckles lightly, intending to say more,

suddenly, a shadow flashes.

"Clang!" Under the eruption of flames, Shangguan Liuyun staggers.

He was unexpectedly successfully ambushed.

"Little thief, dared to attack me!" Shangguan Liuyun immediately reacts, realizing those words were merely distractions.

In the next instant, two puppets simultaneously appear,

Concealed by the dark Nether Flame, the puppet silhouettes are camouflaged, and with Divine Soul restricted, Shangguan Liuyun couldn’t discover them timely, suffering an additional blow.

Yet the puppet attacks were all deflected by his robe.

While the protective shield was broken.

"Vile fiend!" Shangguan Liuyun rages, a nine-layered Glazed Tower in his hand blooms with brilliance, emerging.

Li Jizhou says nothing, initiating several Tier Three Advanced Celestial Halberd Talismans.

Tier Three Advanced Celestial Halberd Talismans are attack talismans, embodying the full force strike of a late-stage Core Formation.

However, this strike aimed at Shangguan Liuyun is effortlessly nullified by the Glazed Tower above his head, causing no harm whatsoever.

"Hmph! Such means underestimate me too much." Shangguan Liuyun’s Glazed Tower above his head revolves, descending myriad spiritual rays, his expression arrogantly confident.

Witnessing this scene, Li Jizhou’s heart slightly clenches.

Three quasi-fourth tier puppets, plus Tier Three Advanced Talismans, caused absolutely no threat,

This result is somewhat disappointing.

His high-tier robe, equipped with at least a fourth-grade Spiritual Treasure weapon commands the Eastern Desolate Southern Domain.

Even if he exhausted all his trumps, without employing the Guanghan Seal quasi-Immortal Artifact, it would likely be futile.

However, if he unveiled the Guanghan Seal, subsequent repercussions could entail relentless pursuit from the Celestial Venerable Level.

Yet the Fire Domain imposes limitations on Shangguan Liuyun and similarly on him, within this fifth layer of the Fire Domain, Golden Cicada cannot manifest, Golden Cicada Gu fears fire, Blood Mosquito army dares not reveal itself.

At this moment, he truly lacks viable means to apply.

"Is this all you have?" Shangguan Liuyun sees Li Jizhou without further moves, a hint of contempt surfaces.

But that’s all he can do; he cannot enter the fifth layer of the Fire Domain.

Thinking he could provoke Li Jizhou to emerge, finding him unmoved. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Observing Li Jizhou showing no intent to come out, he communicates with clan members transporting the Fireproof Treasure, informed it’ll arrive in several days, thereby feeling reassured.

At that moment,

suddenly, the heavens and earth shake violently.

"Demon Dao plagues the vibrant beings, should be vanquished!" Soon, a grand voice reverberates through the heavens and earth.