Immortality and Cultivation: This old man seeks enlightenment through mere survival.

"Hmph, treasures may be good, but you have to be alive to get them!"

A sinister voice echoed from a corner of the cave. A black-robed old man stood alone, his aura alternating between cold and fiery, incredibly eerie, undoubtedly a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Someone recognized him and couldn't help but exclaim:

"It's the 'Old Man of Demonic Flames'! Wasn't he in seclusion for decades? It's said that he once single-handedly wiped out a family with three Foundation Establishment experts..."

"I never expected an old monster like him to come."

"Hmph, my Blackwater Sect must have a share of this Sword Spirit Grass!"

boom!

A heavy aura pressed down, and a burly man nearly nine feet tall with bulging muscles strode in, holding a giant axe the size of a door panel that emitted a dark luster.

His entire body was covered in an eerie black color, as if a viscous black liquid was constantly flowing and covering it.

"It's Hei Hong, a body-refining expert from the Blackwater Sect!"

Everyone recognized the burly man with the giant axe; after all, it was hard not to notice his appearance and physical characteristics.

It is said that their sect's secret technique involves tempering the body with black water, making the skin and flesh incredibly tough and able to absorb and neutralize external forces, as if covered by a layer of flowing heavy armor.

On the other side, a graceful and elegantly dressed female cultivator chuckled and stepped forward.

"Hehe, this is quite lively. It seems that this Sword Spirit Grass has attracted more than just small fry."

Those who dare to show their faces and speak at this time are undoubtedly all late-stage Foundation Establishment experts.

The female cultivator is Zhang Lingwei, the current head of the Zhang family at Thousand Peaks.

The fact that a woman could govern a family so effectively speaks volumes about her strength and skill. She was also surrounded by several Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Zhang family, making for a formidable force.

Zhang Lingwei's eyes sparkled as she looked at everyone and giggled:

"In my opinion, those without the strength of the late Foundation Establishment stage should withdraw from the treasure hunt as soon as possible, otherwise we will not hold back..."

To the west, the Jin Guang Men faction.

A middle-aged cultivator with an ancient sword on his back and a cold expression stepped forward with a sword step, agreeing:

"Indeed, swords have no eyes; the weak have no right to compete for the Sword Spirit Grass!"

Sonorous! !

An invisible sword aura emanated from his body, directly forcing back a group of low-level cultivators.

Even the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators felt their hair stand on end, as if they were being pricked by thorns!

A clear sense of apprehension flashed in the eyes of Zhang Lingwei, the Black Flame Elder, and the burly man with the giant axe, Hei Hong.

"This is—Xiao Wujian! The number one swordsman below the Core Formation stage in the Northern Sky Domain, he's actually emerged from seclusion?"

"But isn't he a rogue cultivator? Why would he appear in the camp of a newly established Foundation Establishment power—the Golden Light Sect?" someone wondered.

"I have heard a rumor about this:"

It is said that the leader of the Golden Light Sect is his grand-disciple, and this expedition specially invited him, regarding him as the Supreme Elder, and following his lead without question..."

"I see."

"It seems we're not destined to have this Sword Spirit Grass. These big shots are going to clear the area outright; without late-stage Foundation Establishment strength, there's no way we can get involved..."

Many people felt they lacked the strength and lamented missing out on the treasure.

Some people, their eyes gleaming, boldly began to make their own plans:

"I don't think so. There are still a few late-stage second-tier mist demons lingering in that sword tomb—we just need to take advantage of their fighting and distraction before we make our move... hehehe..."

The burly man with the giant axe, Hei Hong, took the first step forward and said in a deep voice:

"Let's join forces to deal with those beasts first, then each of us can use our own abilities to pick the Sword Spirit Grass, how about that?"

Several late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanged glances.

"Alright." The Black Flame Elder spoke sparingly.

"Hehehe, we'll do as you say, Big Guy." Zhang Lingwei covered her lips and chuckled.

"Then let's make our move!" Xiao Wujian's sword intent grew even stronger, bursting forth.

But at this time.

Because Jiu You and Jiang Feng, who were the first to enter this sword tomb, were standing at the very front of the group.

It looks incredibly conspicuous right now!

"Hey! You two, get out of here! You early Foundation Establishment cultivators want to die?!" the burly man with the giant axe, Hei Hong, roared.

Seeing this, everyone began to mock them:

"Hey! You two early Foundation Establishment stage guys, get to the back! Standing so far in front, do you have a death wish?"

"How laughable! Early Foundation Establishment cultivators dare to covet the Sword Spirit Grass? The aftershocks of the battle could severely injure them!"

"They must be desperate for money to even get involved in something like this."

"Even if you want to take advantage of the chaos, you should at least stay in the back..."

In the crowd, Elder Liu He of the Golden Light Sect squinted and carefully examined Jiu You's back, suddenly feeling that he looked somewhat familiar.

He suddenly remembered that this was the rogue cultivator he had publicly mocked at the Qingming True Person's Core Formation Ceremony.

This person made him embarrass himself in public, causing him to lose a flying sword without gaining any benefit. Liu He has held a grudge ever since.

A sneer of schadenfreude curled at the corner of Liu He's lips:

"Hmph, what a small world! I've run into a few late-stage Foundation Establishment experts trying to clear the area. Let's see how you die!"

However, Jiang Feng, standing beside Jiu You, remained calm despite the ridicule from the crowd and the pressure from several late-stage Foundation Establishment experts, showing no sign of backing down.

He slightly turned his head to look at Jiu You beside him and whispered:

"senior?"

Jiang Feng knew that this senior's strength was definitely not simple.

The Golden Eyes of Truth grant Jiang Feng the ability to discern good and bad fortune, and will automatically warn him when he encounters a powerful cultivator.

Previously, when he encountered Jiuyou within the ruins, the warning from his Golden Eyes of Truth was stronger than ever before—

It resembled a ferocious beast draped in human skin, its aura likely second only to two Core Formation cultivators.

Even the other late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators present couldn't give Jiang Feng this feeling...

Black Flood raised his giant axe and roared impatiently again, "Are you two deaf? Get out of the way!"

The Nine Netherworlds finally moved.

He slowly turned around, his sharp gaze fixed on Hei Hong, and he uttered each word with a smirk:

"Are you talking to me?"

As he uttered the first word, something within him seemed to awaken, a surge of powerful blood energy began to flow, and the air around him slightly distorted!

As the second word fell, a powerful pressure suddenly spread out, and his cultivation level jumped from the early stage of Foundation Establishment to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment!

A chorus of soft exclamations arose from the onlookers, abruptly ending the mocking remarks.

The third word, the fourth word... With each word uttered, Jiu You's aura surged!

The qi and blood surged like a raging tide, spreading intensely, as if an invisible blazing sun was scorching the surroundings, causing nearby cultivators to feel a stinging sensation on their skin and difficulty breathing!

"Mid-Foundation Establishment... No! Late-Foundation Establishment!!" someone exclaimed in shock.

"What terrifying energy and blood! It's probably not far from reaching perfection!!"

boom!

The aura of the Nine Netherworlds was fully unleashed, and the vast and boundless blood energy erupted like a tangible volcano!

Even Hei Hong, standing to the side, felt a pang of fear and subconsciously tightened his grip on the giant axe. The viscous black liquid on his black skin was forced to flow faster by this scorching blood and qi.

The whole place fell silent for a moment.

Elder Liu He, who had just been all smiles and sneers, stared wide-eyed, his mouth slightly agape. His gloating expression froze completely, replaced by incredulous horror.

"He...he's actually a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator?! He concealed his cultivation level and even fooled a Core Formation cultivator? How is that possible?!"

"Hiss... Another late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator! And he seems to be a complete stranger!"

"Are there any masters?"

"When did such a powerful body-refining cultivator emerge in the Northern Sky Domain? I've never heard of him before!"

"The strength of his qi and blood seems to be even stronger than that of the one from the Blackwater Sect! He's close to the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage!"

Under countless shocked, puzzled, and awe-inspiring gazes, Jiu You's eyes swept over Hei Hong and the others, and he slowly asked:

"Now, do I have the right to stay here?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable power, echoing through the silent cave.