Chapter 226: The Sun Appears in the World

With True Lords Qingmu and Ling Meng overseeing, everyone felt significantly more at ease throughout the journey. Along the way, they chatted and laughed, discussing anecdotes and hidden secrets. Li Fan simply listened with a faint smile, not participating in the conversations.

During their travels, they occasionally encountered cultivators from other states. While exchanging information, Li Fan happened to learn that prophecies about the imminent return of the Medicine King Cauldron of the Medicine King Sect were already circulating in various regions. However, at this point, people still regarded these as mere jokes, not taking them seriously. It seemed Jiao Xiuyuan had begun to exert his influence and plan, but it would take a long time to create a significant public opinion impact.

Time flew by quickly. After spending another half year traveling, the group finally returned to the Cloudsea Archipelago. By then, it was Anchor Year 13. Most people had exchanged contact information. After saying their goodbyes, they each returned to their respective accommodations to rest.

The clone, using the ritual within the Sky Profound Mirror, arrived in the Bone Vanguard Realm. On a nameless desolate island, Xiao Heng, who was in the late Qi Condensation stage and cultivating diligently with his eyes closed, suddenly stirred. He activated the necklace on his chest, and his consciousness also instantly entered the Bone Vanguard Realm.

"Senior? You're awake?" he said with surprise, looking at the skull that seemed to have regained some vitality.

"Cough, cough, I've only recovered a little, barely escaping the fate of complete disappearance. I woke up this time because I have a task to entrust to you. Afterward, I'll need to heal my injuries in slumber again," the skull said in a weak voice. "While I was dormant, I seemed to sense another talented young one near you..."

Xiao Heng quickly replied, "That would be Ye Feipeng, a companion who came with me from our hometown. His cultivation speed is also very fast, and he's reliable."

The skull pondered for a moment, seemingly sensing, "Hmm, this little fatty's talent is indeed not much weaker than yours. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be the same person I sensed while dormant."

Xiao Heng was startled, then quickly replied, "Could it be my little sister? Although she's still very small, she can already run and jump, and her strength is astonishing!"

"Hiss... this little girl's talent is terrifyingly strong. But why hasn't she started cultivating yet? How can such a genius not have been absorbed into our Revival Immortal Sect? Xiao boy, why are you so negligent?" The skull grumbled reproachfully, "If you act like this, how can I trust you to fully take over the foundation of Revival Immortal Sect?"

"Ah?" Xiao Heng blushed and explained somewhat flustered, "Senior, please don't misunderstand, I just thought my little sister was too young to rush her into cultivation..."

The skull interrupted him, "An unparalleled genius cannot be measured by ordinary standards. By doing this, you've actually delayed her. Hmm, you are too young after all. It seems it was a bit inappropriate to rashly decide to entrust such a heavy responsibility to you all at once..." The skull murmured to itself.

"Senior..." Xiao Heng was at a loss for words upon hearing this.

After a long while, the skull seemed to have made a decision. "As the saying goes, a single pillar cannot support a great hall. It is indeed too difficult for you alone. How about this, I will give you another helping hand."

As it spoke, the skull flew high into the air, and a faint light shot out from its hollow eye sockets. Within the light, countless images flashed and alternated rapidly. Xiao Heng could vaguely discern images of many islands with diverse scenery. After a moment, the flashing images abruptly stopped. The skull, as if overly exhausted, fell back to the ground. Xiao Heng rushed forward but was stopped.

As he was struck by the light emitted from the skull, information about several individuals instantly appeared in Xiao Heng's mind.

"Glazed Island, Zhang Haobo...""Nightfall Island, Yin Yueting, Yin Yuzhen..."

"Senior, what is this?" Xiao Heng couldn't help but feel bewildered.

"These are the 'Children of Fortune' I found within the Cloudsea Archipelago, by activating a secret art to search the heavens and earth. These individuals either possess extraordinary cultivation talent or special abilities. They will be of great help to you in revitalizing the Revival Immortal Sect. It's a pity my injuries are too severe, and the secret art was interrupted, so I only found these few..." The skull sighed. "Boy, my power is exhausted again. From now on, it's up to your own fortune. Remember, focus on developing and improving your own strength. The Myriad Immortals Alliance is too powerful; even a Nascent Soul cultivator can hardly make a ripple. Therefore, your top priority is cultivation. Don't directly reveal the full details of the Revival Immortal Sect to these new members. Just tell them it's a rogue cultivator organization, to avoid scaring them away. As for the specifics, you decide for yourself..."

The skull's voice grew fainter and fainter, eventually becoming ethereal and vanishing into the darkness.

"Senior..." Seeing this, Xiao Heng clenched his fists tightly. After a long while, his gaze slowly regained its determination.

Waking from the Vanguard Realm, Xiao Heng was about to seek out Ye Feipeng to discuss finding the Children of Fortune. Unexpectedly, Ye Feipeng came to him first. He was sneaking around, appearing very mysterious. Pulling Xiao Heng to a quiet, secluded spot, he slowly began to speak.

"Tianyang Cave Mansion? A few Foundation Establishment cultivators went in to explore under the lead of a Core Formation cultivator. The result was heavy casualties, with only the Core Formation cultivator escaping?" Xiao Heng looked at Ye Feipeng, feeling somewhat baffled. "Why are you telling me this?"

Ye Feipeng said gravely, "The Myriad Immortals Alliance is preparing for a second expedition. This exploration team will likely be led by a Nascent Soul cultivator, with many Core Formation cultivators joining. However, it's useless! Damn it, they won't escape death! I boldly predict that the second expedition team will still be annihilated!"

Xiao Heng was stunned, "Impossible, didn't you say this was a Core Formation cultivator's cave mansion? How could even a Grand Nascent Soul cultivator die inside?"

Ye Feipeng snorted coldly, "That's because the seventeen mechanism puppets in Tianyang Cave Mansion have peculiar characteristics! They weaken when encountering the weak, and strengthen when encountering the strong!" he said slowly and gravely, emphasizing each word.

Xiao Heng narrowed his eyes, carefully pondering the meaning of those eight characters. Suddenly, he scrutinized Ye Feipeng, suspiciously asking, "How do you know all this so clearly?"

Ye Feipeng waved his hand, "Born with knowledge, born with knowledge! Have you forgotten? That's not the point. The point is, we must sneak into the cave mansion and seize the opportunities within before the second expedition team is formed!" Ye Feipeng declared resolutely. "Otherwise, if the Myriad Immortals Alliance team is annihilated again, it will cause an uproar. Then it will be impossible for us to secretly seize the opportunities!"

Seeing Xiao Heng's skeptical gaze, Ye Feipeng grew anxious and quickly said, "You don't believe me? Would I ever harm you?! We are both people from the other realm, members of Revival Immortal, and we've even signed a contract. We are intertwined; we prosper together, and we suffer together. How could I possibly act against your interests!"

In the end, Xiao Heng was convinced.

The two quietly arrived near Tianyang Cave Mansion and the undersea volcano. At this time, news of Tianyang Cave Mansion hadn't spread widely, so the surroundings were quiet, with no cultivators waiting there.

"You go in first in a bit and have a go at those puppets. See how long you can last. The Qi Condensation stage puppets have very weak attack power. Even if you're hit, it's nothing significant. I'll keep watch outside," Ye Feipeng instructed.

Xiao Heng slowly nodded, his expression serious, and flew into Tianyang Cave Mansion. After about twenty breaths, Xiao Heng rushed out, looking somewhat disheveled. He said nothing, simply closed his eyes and thought quietly. After a moment, he flew back inside. This time, Xiao Heng lasted twice as long. A third time...

Half a day later, Xiao Heng, looking a bit tired, said to Ye Feipeng, "I've pretty much figured out these puppets' attack patterns. But my spiritual energy is limited, so even with this, I can't hold out for long."

Ye Feipeng, looking confident, handed Xiao Heng a storage ring. Xiao Heng looked and saw the ring was full of spirit stones. "Where did you get these from?" he couldn't help but ask.

Ye Feipeng said proudly, "Of course, this young master has his own brilliant plan; don't worry about it. How about it, with these spirit stones, how long do you think you can last?"

Xiao Heng took out a spirit stone and sensed the concentration of spiritual energy within it. After a moment, he replied with certainty, "With enough spiritual energy to sustain me, those puppets, though numerous, shouldn't be able to do anything to me."

Ye Feipeng quickly said, "No, no, that won't do. You must appear to be at a disadvantage but not actually lose. Like this, last as long as you can, until I come out from inside."

Xiao Heng furrowed his brow, "Fatty, are you messing with me? What kind of bizarre request is that?" Then he carefully scrutinized Ye Feipeng, "Are you hiding something from me?"

"Don't be so suspicious. I'm not telling you because I'm afraid it might affect your mindset and thus reduce your combat effectiveness," Ye Feipeng said somewhat helplessly. "If we're talking about danger, aren't I in more danger inside the cave mansion? If something really goes wrong, you still have a chance to escape through the exit. I, however, won't be able to slip away."

Xiao Heng nodded slowly upon hearing this.

"Alright, without further ado. Let's make a few quick preparations and act immediately. My life is in your hands!" Ye Feipeng was a bit nervous, but he took a deep breath, and a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. "Go!"

A moment later, the two successively rushed into Tianyang Cave Mansion. Seventeen puppets blocked their path. Light glowed beneath Ye Feipeng's feet, and with a flicker, he bypassed the puppets, appearing behind them. The enraged puppets were about to give chase but were blocked by azure water swords. Water swords filled the sky, like flying dragons, erupting all at once. Xiao Heng immediately became entangled with the seventeen puppets.

Besieged, Xiao Heng looked quite disheveled. The puppets' attacks almost all grazed his body. With the slightest mistake, there was a risk of being severely wounded. Yet, he seemed exceptionally lucky, managing to narrowly evade every attack. It appeared perilous, but in reality, everything was under control.

The engagement between them continued for a period. The puppets, unable to break through after a prolonged assault, seemed to be undergoing some kind of transformation. The power of their every move gradually exceeded the Qi Condensation stage. On their reddish bodies, dark light faintly shimmered.

A sudden ominous premonition flashed in Xiao Heng's mind. He took out another spirit stone to replenish the spiritual energy in his body. He shouted into the cave mansion, "Fatty, are you done yet!" Echoes reverberated, but there was no reply. Xiao Heng had no choice but to grit his teeth and persevere.

The puppets' attacks became increasingly fierce, and Xiao Heng gradually found it harder to feign weakness. Just as he was about to be hit by a puppet, he roared, "Water Dragon Roar!" Water swords, twice the number already present, instantly surged forth. The dense Fixed Sea Divine Swords immediately swept the puppets aside. The seventeen puppets paused for a moment. Then, cracks began to gradually appear on their bodies.

"Fatty! Something's wrong!" Xiao Heng yelled.

"Heav..." An ancient, mechanical voice suddenly echoed in the cave mansion.

"Damn it! Why is there nothing at all!" Ye Feipeng's extremely frustrated voice also sounded simultaneously. He was seen transforming into a streak, rushing out from the depths of the cave mansion without looking back. "Run!" He shouted while fleeing.

Xiao Heng had never seen Fatty so terrified before. His heart trembled, and without hesitation, the spiritual energy within him erupted without reservation. The Fixed Sea Divine Swords, like a torrential rain of pear blossoms, forced back the seventeen puppets. Xiao Heng closely followed Ye Feipeng, making a clean escape from Tianyang Cave Mansion.

"Yan..." Before leaving, Xiao Heng heard the sound of something shattering into pieces.

"Keep running, run as far as you can!" Ye Feipeng's terrified voice reached his ears. Xiao Heng's heart tightened, and he frantically fled far away, following the chubby but incredibly agile figure.

Shortly after Xiao Heng and Ye Feipeng left, a small team of a dozen people happened to arrive in front of Tianyang Cave Mansion. "With True Lord Gou Xuan leading the team this time, exploring a mere Core Formation cave mansion will surely be effortless," a Core Formation cultivator in the team flattered.

"Hahahaha, let's go! I want to see if the puppets in this cave mansion are truly that miraculous!" True Lord Gou Xuan laughed heartily and led the way inside. What greeted him was a massive black palm covered in cracks.

"Tianyang's life... is not inferior to anyone!"

Billowing dark smoke shot skyward, and the undersea volcano erupted consecutively. Faced with the terrifying power of heaven and earth, the Core Formation cultivators had no power to resist whatsoever. One moment, smiles still adorned the faces of this expedition team. The next moment, they inexplicably and utterly vanished from this world.

The colossal Tianyang Puppet, towering between heaven and earth, stood with its head held high, letting out an angry roar. Confused, it reoriented itself and strode toward Myriad Immortals Island.