The dazzling golden light shot straight up, brilliantly glowing, almost blinding Gu Yuan’s eyes with its intense brightness.

A golden legend!

Gu Yuan never expected that just a slight turn of his head would reveal such a magnificent scene.

Pure golden specks, without a trace of impurity, quietly suspended in the depths of the Great River, carrying a peculiar charm.

"There are golden specks!"

"This is an opportunity to defy the heavens and change fate!"

Gu Yuan couldn’t help but take a sharp breath.

He sought refuge, joined the Daoist School of the South Mountain Domain, and formed bonds with a Golden Core Ascendant, but it was just silver tinged with a hint of gold. Yet here, a pure golden opportunity lay before him—what kind of fortune could this be?

Could it be, directly benefiting from the Daoist Embryo and joining the Daoist Embryo Sect as a Direct Disciple?

Or is there a unique treasure or Immortal Seal that can defy the heavens?

Thoughts surged in Gu Yuan’s mind, his imagination running wild.

He hadn’t lost control of his heart and spirit like this in a long time.

After taking several deep breaths, Gu Yuan finally calmed his turbulent emotions and then frowned.

"The location of the golden opportunity... seems too deep?"

Although Cloud Cliff Shell Field borders the Nine Rivers Marsh, it is also a vast area in itself. In Gu Yuan’s sight, this golden speck was hidden extremely deep, seemingly penetrating the ground and delving into the earth’s depths.

The distance is indeed far-reaching.

Gu Yuan silently speculated, and an ominous feeling arose in his heart.

"It seems to have passed through the Shell Field, now in the water vein’s depths?"

If it were just within the Shell Field, Gu Yuan might still have a chance. But if it’s in the depths of the water vein, even the water pressure alone could crush a Qi Refining Cultivator; it is not an area ordinary people can enter.

"Hoo!"

Gu Yuan exhaled deeply, suppressing his anxiety, and continued to observe.

Within the Shell Field, there were numerous white specks of light, and the deeper it went, the brighter the specks became.

Among the countless white specks, there were also hints of azure light, very striking.

Gu Yuan knew these were the pearls that could enhance cultivation.

In the Shell Field, ordinary pearls could enhance a month’s worth of cultivation, hence they were white, while the King Pearl, capable of realm-breaking, was azure.

But soon, Gu Yuan made a new discovery.

Among the myriad specks of light, there was a silver glint, dazzlingly vibrant, showing a mystical hue.

Although all the specks were suppressed by the brilliant golden light, this silver light still captivated the heart and spirit.

"There is actually a half-silver speck?!"

"Is the Shell Field so abundant with opportunities?"

Looking at the scene before him, Gu Yuan couldn’t help but murmur to himself.

So rare, for both golden and silver opportunities to appear together.

"Hoo!"

As the effects of the Stone Liquid faded, the world before Gu Yuan’s eyes returned to normal, and the distant Great Marsh and Great River were invisible to the naked eye.

Yet the dazzling scenery just witnessed lingered in his mind.

If it were ordinary white or azure opportunities, Gu Yuan would surely stay on the mountain to cultivate, as it was more stable.

But for such an opportunity, how could he not go and see?

"No need to say more, Cloud Cliff Shell Field, here I come!"

Gu Yuan made up his mind, without hesitation, mounted the Cloud-Stepping Shuttle, and once again returned to the Hidden Flood Dragon Hall, leaving his name on the Red Gold Jade Register.

...

...

Three days passed in a flash.

In the Cave Mansion on Bailu Island, Gu Yuan sat cross-legged, in front of him were two copper furnaces.

One furnace emitted a fragrant aroma, with steaming hot, creamy-white fish soup that was visually and aromatically appealing, making one’s mouth water.

In the other copper furnace, gray-white powder accompanied by black Evil Qi bubbled and rolled, emitting a pungent smell.

"Glug, glug, glug!"

With a pale, balanced hand infused with Spiritual Qi, he grasped the delicious fish soup, drinking it down in one go.

The fish meat was like water, melting in the mouth, without a single bone, the scalding, delectable broth transformed into flowing mana within the Dantian, Gu Yuan’s face flushed red, and after a long time, he regained his composure.

"Senior Brother Ding is indeed generous; these three Silverfish, all of high grade, equal two months of arduous cultivation."

Feeling the surging mana within, Gu Yuan couldn’t help but smile.

With only three days left before heading to the Red Moon River, there wasn’t much to prepare.

His pockets were empty, with no means to purchase powerful Dharma Artifacts.

All he could do were two things.

The first, naturally, was these three Silverfish, equivalent to two months of cultivation, advancing his mana further.

The second was the copper furnace emitting the pungent smell in front of Gu Yuan.

"Spirit-Eroding Lime."

"This is a special lime refined from the remnants of the Demon Star Stone Ore and Demon Evil Qi, capable of eroding mana and corroding the body. That day in the Demon Star Cave, although Senior Brother Yangg was bound by the Spirit-Breaking Ring, this substance penetrated the defenses of a Qi Refining Ninth Layer, showing its uncommonness."

"Although a bit sinister, with this in hand, I have extra assurance for the journey."

As he watched the furnace continuously boil, eventually condensing into gray powder, "Spirit-Eroding Lime," Gu Yuan couldn’t help but chuckle.

The expedition to Cloud Cliff Shell Field was somewhat risky, and Gu Yuan had to prepare diligently.

Because he had to face not only the demons in the Shell Field but possibly also "fellow cultivators."

After securing the "Spirit-Eroding Lime," Gu Yuan left the Cave Mansion, mounted the Cloud-Stepping Shuttle, and flew towards the Hidden Flood Dragon Hall.

...

...

In front of the Hidden Flood Dragon Hall, nine Treasure Boats were hovering silently.

Each Treasure Boat was immensely large, covered in Spirit Pattern Restrictions, with peculiar Dao Patterns carved on the bottom, and a sharp "giant tooth" like a sword at the prow.

It is because of this giant tooth that the boat is named "Flood Dragon Teeth Treasure Boat."

But recently, it seems to have been renamed "Dragon Tooth Treasure Boat."

These nine Treasure Boats were arranged in a row, from left to right, each carrying disciples of varying cultivation levels, from the first layer to the ninth layer of Qi Refining.

According to his cultivation, Gu Yuan boarded the middle Treasure Boat.

Onboard were dozens of disciples, gathering in small groups, when they saw Gu Yuan approaching, they all looked over.

However, Gu Yuan had just joined and focused on cultivation, having no social connections, so no one on the boat recognized him. After glancing at him, everyone looked away.

The journey to the Demon Land had its risks, and non-familiar individuals would refrain from engaging in conversation.

But one person was different.

"Senior Brother Gu!"

He stepped forward, voluntarily greeting Gu Yuan.

"It’s you?!"

Gu Yuan turned to see the person before him, tall yet extremely thin, appearing malnourished, but with a hint of casual rebellion when he smiled.

It was the same Qi Refining Fifth Layer cultivator who was present when Gu Yuan contested Lan Tianlu for the Cave Mansion.

At that time, Gu Yuan played the "Golden Core Disciple," and Lan Tianlu played the "Lan Family Direct Line," neither greeting this person, directly ignoring him.

But cultivators have excellent memories, and even a glimpse from the corner of the eye is enough to remember someone.

"Who would have thought Senior Brother would also head to Cloud Cliff Shell Field? Wealthy families and Golden Core True Inheritance have their trial grounds."

"Such grueling tasks as conquering Demon Lands usually attract Humble Lineage Disciples of the Hidden Flood Dragon Institute."

"Even if the situation is unique this time, prompting Noble Family True Inheritance arrivals aboard the ’Star Cloud Treasure Boat’, how come you are here, given your introduction by Elder Fox?"

"Could it be Elder Fox’s trial?"

He said with some surprise.

Before Gu Yuan could respond to these words, a fair, jade-wearing youth behind him, upon hearing "Elder Fox," changed his expression drastically.

"You entered through Elder Fox’s introduction?"

The youth’s gaze turned sharp, looking from the tall youth to Gu Yuan, and spoke with a sneer:

"Senior Brother Yangg, if you’re looking for connections in high places, you’ve chosen the wrong person. This guy just happened to solve Junior Martial Uncle Linglong’s death mystery and received a promise from Elder Fox."

"Do you think there’s any real connection between Elder Fox and this person?"

"Just someone riding a lucky break after the destruction of a small sect!"

As he spoke, his gaze toward Gu Yuan carried a chill, as if a hint of murderous intent appeared.