Immortals Step into Heaven

Xiao Yuan's gaze swept over the crowd, and they scattered like scattered stars, each fleeing for their own destiny. Seeing this, his heart, which had been pounding in his throat, receded slightly, though it still felt as if an invisible hand were tugging at it, only slightly relieved. His thoughts raced. The sect's flying boat had been intercepted without warning, and this was no accident. "Was it a deliberate plot by the enemy sect, or a spy within? Or perhaps some treasure had attracted covetous eyes?" Countless thoughts raced through his mind, each possibility like a fog, burying the truth.

He knew full well that beneath this calm surface lay a turbulent undercurrent, a dangerous tsunami. The current situation was like a whirlpool, a moment's inattention could engulf him. "No more hesitation! Leave this dangerous place first, and we'll make plans later. As long as there's life, there's hope." He gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and a flicker of determination flashed in his eyes. He was ready to seize the opportunity to break through this crisis. He took the opportunity to store the flying boat in his storage bag and escape into the distance.

Zheng Yuan sped along, seemingly on the cusp of lightning. He didn't know how long he'd been running before the faint outline of Yunshan Market came into view. He carefully monitored his surroundings, but didn't detect any signs of pursuit. He secretly speculated that perhaps his Earth Escape Technique was working wonders, its mysterious ability to escape underground making it difficult for pursuers to track him.

He glanced cautiously around, his gaze fixed on a dense forest. With a flash of his own, Zheng Yuan slipped silently into the woods. Immediately, he unleashed his cartilage technique, his form seemingly kneaded by invisible hands. His bones and muscles slowly shifted, and in a short moment, his form was completely transformed. He quickly changed into the clothes he had prepared, gently tossing them. A burst of flame erupted from his fingertips, instantly reducing them to ash. After this, he strode leisurely towards the entrance of the Yunshang Market.

Entering Yunshan Market, Zheng Yuan hurried straight toward Tianbao Pavilion. Shangguan Zi greeted him upon entering. With a professional smile on her face, she said softly, "I wonder what kind of magical instruments or elixirs this fellow Daoist needs? As long as you have any needs, I will do my best to find them for you."

Zheng Yuan coughed slightly and lowered his voice deliberately, "Fellow Daoist Shangguan, it's me. May I have a moment to speak with you? Let's go inside and discuss in detail?"

Shangguan Zi was stunned at first, then she carefully distinguished Zheng Yuan's voice and couldn't help but show surprise: "Friend Zheng Daoyou, you..."

"Fellow Daoist, please come in and follow me." Shangguan Zi quickly regained her composure and led Zheng Yuan towards the side room. The two sat opposite each other in the side room, their eyes meeting. Shangguan Zi was the first to break the silence, asking with concern, "Fellow Daoist Zheng, what happened to you in such a disguise?"

Zheng Yuan sighed heavily and said slowly, "To be honest with you, Fellow Daoist Shangguan, something serious has indeed happened. This time, I am accompanying the sect to participate in the Yunlong Sect's secret realm..."

Zheng Yuan's face was solemn. After a moment's silence, he slowly spoke, "Fellow Daoist Shangguan, I was traveling with my sect to the secret realm of the Yunlong Sect this time. I thought it would be a normal training session, but I unexpectedly encountered a carefully planned ambush. Our sect's flying boat was halfway through the journey when it was suddenly and forcibly intercepted by a mysterious group. They were formidable and powerful. Although our sect members fought hard, they still suffered heavy losses. I used my all-out earth escape technique to escape, and I rushed here non-stop, fearing that they would catch up."

Shangguan Zi's face was filled with shock. She whispered, "Such a sudden change has occurred! The Yunlong Sect's journey to the secret realm has always been relatively peaceful. How could it encounter such a sudden disaster this time? What are the characteristics of this mysterious force?"

Zheng Yuan frowned as he recalled the scene. "They were all dressed in black robes and had their faces covered, so I couldn't see their faces clearly. But judging by the magic they cast, it seemed to be a fusion of unique skills from multiple sects, a power far beyond the reach of ordinary independent cultivators or small sects. I suspect there's a massive organization behind this, secretly manipulating it, and their goal isn't simply to attack our sect's flying boat."

Shangguan Zi nodded slightly, a hint of worry in her eyes. "If such a force remains dormant in the dark, it will surely stir up even greater disturbances in the future. So, Fellow Daoist Zheng, what are your plans now? Do you wish to temporarily hide in my Tianbao Pavilion, or do you have other plans?"

Zheng Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "I dare not stay in this market for long. I only hope to use the Tianbao Pavilion's intelligence network to learn the origins and goals of this mysterious group. If I can learn their next move, I can return to the sect and pass on the information so that they can prepare early." "Fellow Daoist Shangguan, do you know of any unusual movements of people or information in this area recently?"

Shangguan Zi stood up and paced around. After a moment's thought, he said, "There have been quite a few unfamiliar faces in the market recently, but most of them are in a hurry and haven't shown any particularly unusual behavior. However, I will instruct my men to keep a close eye on them and inform Fellow Daoist Zheng as soon as we have any news. However, Fellow Daoist Zheng, your current status is sensitive, so it's best to avoid public appearances as much as possible."

Zheng Yuan clasped his fists in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Brother Shangguan, for your righteous help. I will remember this favor and will repay you handsomely when this matter is resolved."

Zheng Yuan's eyes lit up as he thought of this, thinking that this spiritual medicine was crucial to his cultivation advancement. He hurriedly said, "By the way, Fellow Daoist Shangguan, I happen to have a list of spiritual medicines here." His expression was filled with a hint of anticipation and trepidation. He carefully pulled out two lists filled with the names of spiritual herbs from his storage bag. They were densely packed with auxiliary spiritual herbs for the Foundation Establishment Pill formula, as well as various spiritual herbs and spiritual objects required for the Spirit Beast Pill formula. With slightly trembling hands, he handed them to Shangguan Zi, his eyes fixed on her expression, fearing that she would be embarrassed.

Shangguan Zi reached out and gently took the list. Her slender, fair fingers slowly slid across the paper, her beautiful eyes intently examining each elixir on it. Her brows alternately furrowed and relaxed as she pondered the sources and difficulty of collecting the necessary elixirs. After a moment, she raised her head slightly, her red lips parted, and said, "Fellow Daoist Zheng, collecting these elixirs will probably take a while. A rough estimate is that it may take two full days. I wonder if you can wait that long?" Her eyes held a hint of inquiry and concern.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Yuan showed no sign of anxiety on his face. Instead, he waved his hand. He had expected this and said calmly, "It's okay. I don't have much to do. I'll just wait patiently in your pavilion for two days. I just don't know if this arrangement is convenient for you." He appeared calm on the surface, but he was actually a little uneasy in his heart. After all, he was afraid that it would be inconvenient to bother someone else for so many days.