The Heavens: From Film and Mythology to Conquering Myriad Realms

Starting from Huangfeng Valley, Lu Yao traveled back to Yanyue Sect in just three days.

After reporting the attack on the mine by the rogue cultivators to the sect and handing over the mid-grade spirit stones, Lu Yao went to see Old Monster Qiong.

"Not bad, this attack by the rogue cultivators has given you some experience."

After listening to Lu Yao's explanation of the mine's situation, Old Monster Qiong nodded in satisfaction.

"What if I hadn't discovered the attack by the rogue cultivators beforehand? I would have been dead there."

Lu Yao was speechless upon hearing this and rolled his eyes at Old Monster Qiong.

"Hahaha, all the Foundation Establishment cultivators from the seven major sects are here. They might lose, but they definitely won't die."

Old Monster Qiong laughed loudly and said nonchalantly.

"I only have a month to go. I need to rest and recuperate before heading back to the mine."

Lu Yao shook his head and stopped arguing with Old Monster Qiong.

He planned to buy some pill formulas and medicinal materials, mainly spirit-feeding pills and pills to enhance magical power.

The Qi Condensation Pill is a pill used in the Qi Refining stage, and it has long been ineffective for Lu Yao, so he needs to refine another pill.

"You don't need to go on this mission. The sect will send another Foundation Establishment disciple instead. You have another mission."

After a moment of contemplation, Old Monster Qiong told Lu Yao that he didn't need to go back.

"Huh? Isn't the mining mission supposed to last five years? Let me make this clear, I won't refund the spirit stones for the first six months."

Lu Yao was taken aback. The mining mission was for five years, and he had only been there for half a year. If he took the benefits and then stopped going, that seemed a bit inappropriate.

Even with Lu Yao's shamelessness, he thought this was too disgusting and that it would take at least a year or two to maintain.

"Would the sect even care about your few spirit stones? The sect will compensate the disciples who went to guard the mine, so you don't need to worry."

"But you need to be prepared, this mission within the sect is not simple."

Old Monster Qiong chuckled and cursed, somewhat speechless at Lu Yao's miserly appearance.

"What exactly is the mission?"

Lu Yao frowned. The sect's decision to offer several thousand spirit stones to appease him meant that this task was clearly unusual and likely quite difficult.

"You'll find out sooner or later anyway, so I'll just tell you."

"In two months, the Crimson Forbidden Land will reopen, and the materials for your Foundation Establishment Pill will come from here."

"However, this Blood Trial is somewhat different from the past. The seven major sects have jointly discussed that the spiritual herbs in the Blood Forbidden Land have been over-exploited many times and the supply is insufficient. They will close the Blood Forbidden Land for fifty years after six years."

Old Monster Qiong slowly recounted the details of the mission to Lu Yao.

"But what does this have to do with me? Only Qi Refining cultivators can enter that forbidden area, and I'm already at Foundation Establishment."

Lu Yao knew what it was about as soon as he heard it.

The Crimson Forbidden Land opens once every five years, allowing disciples of various sects in the Qi Refining stage to enter and harvest spiritual herbs. There are countless spiritual herbs that are hundreds or thousands of years old, and most importantly, there are herbs that can help one establish a foundation. Therefore, the opening of the Crimson Forbidden Land is a major event for the seven major sects every time.

However, from the moment Han Li joined Huangfeng Valley, the seven major sects decided that the Crimson Forbidden Land would only be opened twice, and then again fifty years later.

Han Li entered the penultimate round and reaped a great harvest.

"Don't worry about that. The sect will naturally have a way to let you in. They will suppress your cultivation to the Qi Refining Perfection stage. Your task is to protect someone."

Old Monster Qiong smiled mysteriously, clearly indicating that Lu Yao's Foundation Establishment cultivation was nothing to worry about.

"A protection mission? Why me? There are plenty of late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators in the sect, why do they need me?"

Lu Yao's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately realized who he needed to protect—who else could it be but Nangong Wan?

"Sigh, it has to be you. Have you forgotten what your spiritual root is?"

Old Monster Qiong slapped his thigh, looking like he'd won the lottery.

"Lightning Spirit Root?"

Lu Yao's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately understood what Old Monster Qiong meant.

The Thunder Spirit Root is different from other Spirit Roots; it is extremely adept at combat. Since it is to enter the Crimson Forbidden Land with the cultivation of the Qi Refining stage, there is no difference between the early and late stages of Foundation Establishment.

"I understand."

Lu Yao frowned, knowing that he couldn't refuse this task and had no choice but to agree.

"Don't look so gloomy. This mission has many benefits. Although we can't give you all the spiritual herbs, you can still choose one or two. The sect will also compensate you with some resources, enough for you to cultivate to the late Foundation Establishment stage."

Seeing Lu Yao's furrowed brows, Old Monster Qiong thought Lu Yao was unwilling, and quickly pointed out all the benefits.

"Hehe, Master, you misunderstand. How could I be unwilling? I'm just thinking about what to prepare."

Lu Yao was not unwilling at all; on the contrary, the Crimson Forbidden Land was a treasure to him.

Disciples entering the Crimson Forbidden Land are not allowed to bring their own storage bags. All the spiritual herbs they collect must be handed over, and in the end, they can be given priority in the distribution of Foundation Establishment Pills based on the amount of spiritual herbs they have.

But Lu Yao didn't need to. He just threw the spiritual herbs into his Origin Space. Who could say he embezzled the spiritual herbs?

Furthermore, in the original work, the Crimson Forbidden Land contains the key to the Heavenly Origin Pagoda and the Six Ding Heavenly Armor Talisman, one of the three great secret talismans of the Heavenly Talisman Sect.

It's right there in the Ink Dragon Cave, so it's extremely easy to obtain. The only problem is how to avoid Nangong Wan.

After all, Nangong Wan was also after these things. Lu Yao guessed that Nangong Wan had learned about the contents of the golden treasure chest from somewhere and was determined to take it.

I just don't know if the sect knows what's inside the golden treasure chest.

"That's good. This is the Mortal Transformation Pill, which can suppress your cultivation back to the Qi Refining Perfection stage without damaging your foundation. It was specially prepared for you."

Old Monster Qiong took out a pill and handed it to Lu Yao.

"There are such pills? Wouldn't it be safe to prepare more?"

Lu Yao was taken aback. He hadn't expected there to be such a pill that could lower one's cultivation level. If he took a few more, all of them would allow Foundation Establishment cultivators to lower their cultivation level and enter the Crimson Forbidden Land. Wouldn't that guarantee success?

"You think these pills are as common as cabbages? These are ancient pills, very precious."

Old Monster Qiong laughed and cursed, giving Lu Yao a disdainful look.

"Haotian Pearl! Appraisal!"

Just to be on the safe side, Lu Yao still used the Haotian Pearl to examine it.

Item: Mortal Transformation Pill

Rank: Mid-grade Xuan

Effects: Releases cultivation power until Qi Refining is perfected. The medicinal power can protect the foundation from damage. When breaking through to Foundation Establishment again, it will increase the difficulty of the breakthrough. Once the breakthrough is achieved, the magic power will become more solid.

Lu Yao immediately understood that this pill would indeed not damage his foundation, but it would increase the difficulty of breaking through again, which is why the others cursed loudly.

However, Lu Yao is different. His cultivation level is different from that of ordinary cultivators. With the help of the Haotian Pearl, he can break through the Foundation Establishment stage again at any time and does not have any so-called bottleneck.

"Then I'll go back and take the pills to prepare for my journey to the Crimson Forbidden Land."

Lu Yao accepted the pills, then bid farewell to Old Monster Qiong and left the cave.