However, in this blood pool, the injuries on his body were visibly healing at a rapid pace.

"Hehe, first you provoked Xuanqing Gate, then Tingtao Pavilion, and even Tiangong Valley. You didn’t spare Soul Refining Hall, and now you’ve come here to provoke Celestial Killer Mountain... I must say, I admire your ability to stay alive."

A sinister voice echoed through the cave.

The man in the blood pool chuckled, "Without some pressure, how could a disciple break through so quickly?"

"Besides, it’s only Soul Refining Hall and Xuanqing Gate that I’ve provoked the Nascent Soul monsters; the others were merely Core Formation cultivators, nothing to worry about."

As he spoke, he waved his hand, "With some more time to cultivate and successfully reach Core Formation, it won’t be a problem then."

Saying this, he brushed his waist, and a golden Treasure Armor appeared in his hand.

"There are truly many treasures on this Celestial Killer Mountain. Besides, wasn’t it your idea, Master, to come here and rob Celestial Killer Mountain? Why are you blaming me now?"

Gray mist appeared in the cave, and out of it walked a skeleton.

This skeleton paced back and forth beside the blood pool, speaking slowly:

"This time, even the Black and White Impermanence of the Black and White Divine Hall have gone to the Cangluo Continent. The teleportation array connection is sure to succeed, and Celestial Killer Mountain won’t want to miss this opportunity. Their full attention will be on array formation at present, so long as you don’t overdo it, they won’t bother you."

"Heh, I, Qiu Qianhai, certainly understand that. And besides, I’ll need to use their array to return to the Cangluo Continent."

As he spoke, Qiu Qianhai rose from the blood pool, and as he stepped forward, he was already draped in a noble blood-colored magic robe.

Blood hair, blood robe, and a blood-colored vertical mark added to his brow, giving him a particularly sinister appearance.

He raised his right hand, lifting a finger, and a blood-colored flame ignited at its tip. He casually tossed it backward, and the flame fell into the blood pool.

The entire blood pool transformed into a sea of fire.

He walked slowly to the stone wall, reaching out and writing two words.

"Forty-eight."

After writing it, he stared at the words, lost in thought.

Behind him, the skeleton looked at his back with satisfaction.

After staring for a moment, Qiu Qianhai wiped the words away.

"I’ve been out for forty-eight years now, and within three more years at the latest, I can return to the Cangluo Continent. Then..."

Qiu Qianhai said, clapping his hands, "Zengtou City Qin Family? Hah, after killing Ji Yuan, I’ll extract the entire family’s divine souls and refine them for forty-nine years!"

Though his words were filled with venom, he remained extremely calm outwardly.

The skeleton laughed, "Never mind the Qin Family, when you return, even in the Water Dragon Sect, few will be stronger than you."

"So what? Lao Ji is still dead."

Saying this, Qiu Qianhai finally showed a slight change of expression.

"Alright, once you return and avenge Ji Yuan’s blood feud, it will be time for you to peacefully reach Core Formation."

The skeleton paced the cave with his hands behind his back, continuing:

"You’ve made too many enemies here, preventing peaceful cultivation. After you return to the Cangluo Continent, cultivate in peace and strive for early Nascent Soul condensation."

At the mention of Nascent Soul condensation, Qiu Qianhai paused, then solemnly replied:

"Yes."

"When you reach Nascent Soul, it will be time to avenge me, disciple. What do you think?"

The skeleton slowly turned his head, the neck creaking, finally looking at Qiu Qianhai.

"Rightfully so, and surely so."

"Keekeekee."

The skeleton emitted a pleased laugh from its throat.

"..."

"Damn it, why can’t I raise this last bit of proficiency?"

Inside the cave, Ji Yuan looked at the stone wall before him, feeling somewhat agitated.

[Canglan Nine Tribulations Sword Manual]

[Proficiency: 99/100]

This last bit of proficiency should, at most, take three months to comprehend, but after nearly four months, he still hadn’t grasped it.

His cultivation had hit a bottleneck.

However, the Enlightenment Room itself had a property: when encountering a bottleneck, it provided a 20% comprehension boost.

So why, with heightened comprehension, could he still not understand it?

It could only be said... the Enlightenment Room’s level was too low. In any case, he wouldn’t admit that his own comprehension was lacking.

Since the arduous study bore no fruit, Ji Yuan decided to go out and unwind.

During this time, Hu Li had ventured out twice and had likely gathered a wealth of information.

It was high time to learn about the world’s current state.

Ji Yuan flew out from the Cave Mansion.

At the summit of Profound Crystal Mountain, a Frost Serpent that was resting lazily perked up and quickly flew over.

It swayed and bobbed, displaying readiness for Ji Yuan’s command.

Ji Yuan didn’t even need to look to know it was Monday.

As for Tuesday, Ji Yuan saw it as well, currently playing with fish and shrimp in a small stream.

A tier three serpent could be big or small.

Large enough to fly through air, small enough to hide in rivers and streams.

Ji Yuan leapt onto Monday’s back, letting it carry him across the mountains. Only after a lengthy jaunt did he arrive at the foot of Profound Crystal Mountain and locate Hu Li living in a simple hut.

At this time, Hu Li... had truly embarked on a path of arduous cultivation.

Yet his cultivation had progressed; Ji Yuan’s divine sense detected he had reached the threshold of the Peak of Foundation Establishment.

It seemed it wouldn’t take long for him to break through.

Seeing Ji Yuan arrive, Hu Li immediately cupped his hands in salute.