I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

Three days later, at the mountain gate square of Qingyun Daozong.

As dawn broke and the thin mist lingered, over twenty figures had already gathered in the plaza. Though few in number, their auras were all deep and refined, the lowest being at the eighth level of Qi Refining, most at the ninth, and several Foundation Establishment stage deacons whose auras far surpassed the Qi Refining stage. At the head of the group stood three extraordinary figures—Elder Xuanjizi (mid-stage Golden Core), Elder Yun (early-stage Golden Core), and Elder Tiexing (late-stage Foundation Establishment). The three elders remained calm, but their gazes swept over the crowd with an undeniable air of authority.

Lu Zhao stood at the back of the group, alongside Hou San, Wang Tie, and Huang Ling'er. After a month of arduous training and resource allocation (thanks to Lu Zhao and some guidance from Elder Yun), Hou San and Wang Tie had both reached the seventh level of Qi Refining, while Huang Ling'er was at the peak of the sixth level. The four possessed calm auras and resolute eyes. They weren't particularly conspicuous in the group, but no one dared underestimate them—everyone knew Lu Zhao had a close relationship with Elder Yun, and although Lu Zhao hadn't publicized the battle at the Blackwater Swamp, the rumor of his "one-finger" attack on the Demon Beast had already quietly spread among the core disciples.

Li Mu and his two accomplices were also among them, standing on the other side with several elite disciples from the Inner Sect's Enforcement Hall and Battle Hall. Li Mu's gaze towards Lu Zhao remained cold, but he refrained from further provocation. Clearly, he knew how to restrain himself in front of the elders.

Lu Zhao's gaze, however, lingered more on the other disciples in the group whose auras were exceptionally powerful. A young man carrying a massive sword box, with a cold expression and an aura already at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining, was said to be a genius of the inner sect's "Sword Hall," named "Leng Feng." A woman in a light green dress, with stunningly beautiful features but icy eyes and a subtle aura of coldness surrounding her, was "Han Li," a true disciple of "Ice Soul Peak," also at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining. And then there was a burly man with bronze skin, bulging muscles, and carrying two short-handled battle axes on his back, a formidable figure from the "Battle Hall," "Shi Hao," also at the ninth level of Qi Refining, renowned for his immense strength and formidable defense.

These people are the core combat force of this exploration mission. Lu Zhao silently memorized their characteristics.

"Everyone is here." Elder Xuanjizi's gentle voice rang out, not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears. "This mission is to delve into the 'Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range' and explore the other side of the ancient passage. There are three objectives: First, to draw a map and explore the environment; second, to find possible traces of the 'Corruption Poison Cult'; and third, to collect all valuable information and resources."

"Deep in the mountains, danger lurks everywhere. Everyone must obey orders absolutely, and no one may act without authorization or fight amongst themselves. In case of danger, your first priority is to protect yourselves and pass on intelligence. Now, let's set off."

Without any further mobilization, Elder Xuanjizi waved his sleeve, and a silver-white flying boat, about ten zhang long, shaped like a shuttle, and covered with streamlined runes, appeared out of thin air and hovered above the plaza. The flying boat emitted powerful spiritual energy fluctuations; it was clearly a flying magic weapon!

"Boat."

The group boarded the flying boat in order. The interior of the flying boat was spacious, with quiet rooms and a large hall. Elder Xuanjizi, Elder Yun, and Elder Tiexing resided in the front cabin. The remaining disciples were scattered throughout the boat, some resting with their eyes closed, others conversing in hushed tones.

The airship started up silently, yet as fast as lightning, transforming into a streak of silver light and speeding southeast toward the Blackwater Swamp.

Two days later, the airship arrived at the outer edge of the Blackwater Swamp once again. However, this time it did not land, but flew directly into the gray-black, perpetually lingering poisonous miasma. The runes on the airship's surface lit up, forming a layer of silvery-white light shield, easily isolating the poisonous miasma from the outside.

Under Elder Xuanji's control, the flying boat accurately located the black metal portal deep within the ruins of the blood pool, which they had previously sealed. The seal around the portal was removed, revealing its ancient, heavy, and rust-covered true form.

"This door's seal is ancient, but it has been corrupted and opened by the 'Corruption Cult' using evil magic, leaving a crack. With a few adjustments, I can open it." Elder Xuanjizi stood before the door, observing carefully for a moment. He then formed hand seals, channeling strands of silver runes into the doorway. The rust on the doorway seemed to come alive, slowly wriggling and fading, revealing clearer, more complex patterns beneath. As the runes were injected, the crack in the center of the doorway slowly opened to both sides, revealing a deep, dark passage leading to an unknown destination. A colder, more ancient current, mixed with a faint earthy smell and a certain savage aura, surged out from the passageway.

"The situation inside the passage is unclear, and it is not convenient for the airship to enter. Everyone, disembark and enter on foot. Maintain the alert formation," Elder Xuanjizi ordered.

The group disembarked from the flying boat and put it away. Led by the three elders, they formed a defensive formation and stepped into the deep passage one by one. Lu Zhao was in the center of the formation, his [Refining Spirit Technique] already at its peak, and the [Spirit Detection Compass] in his hand, vigilantly sensing everything around him.

The passageway was far wider and higher than imagined, easily accommodating several people walking side by side. The walls weren't natural rock, but rather constructed of massive, polished, dark blue stones. Simple yet ancient patterns were carved into the stones, mostly depicting the sun, moon, stars, mountains, and animals—a style drastically different from the sinister aura of the "Corruption Cult," exuding an ancient, weathered, and weighty atmosphere. There was no lighting in the passageway, but at intervals along the walls were embedded fragments of long-dimmed luminous pearls or some kind of glowing mineral, providing a meager glimpse of light.

The air was filled with the scent of dust and the passage of time. The spiritual energy was thin but extremely pure, and it carried a faint, special fluctuation that made the dragon-shaped mark and the reverse scale in Lu Zhao's body tremble slightly. It was an extremely weak but extremely powerful pressure, as if it came from the depths of his bloodline and was related to the "dragon".

"This passage... was probably built a very long time ago. Moreover, the builders must have been incredibly powerful." Elder Xuanjizi observed the patterns on the cave walls as he walked forward, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

The passage wasn't straight, but meandered downwards, seemingly leading deeper into the mountains. Along the way, they discovered some long-weathered skeletons (some human, some beast), and scattered traces of battle, indicating that conflict had once occurred between humans and creatures. But the traces were all ancient, at least several hundred years old.

The group moved forward in silence, only the soft sounds of footsteps and breathing echoing in the passage. The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive. No one knew what awaited them at the end of the passage.

After traveling for about two hours, the passage began to slope upwards. The spiritual energy in the air gradually became denser, and the ancient, wild aura became more pronounced. Faintly, one could hear the deep roars of beasts and the howling of the wind coming from afar.

"We're almost at the exit. Be careful," Elder Xuanjizi warned telepathically.

The group's spirits lifted, and they became even more vigilant. Sure enough, after traveling for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a light appeared ahead! It wasn't the light from the luminous pearl, but natural skylight!

At the end of the passage was a huge opening hidden by dense vines and bushes. Pushing aside the vines, a breathtaking view suddenly appeared!

A primeval, vast, and vibrant forest, brimming with life and wild energy, unfolded before them! Towering ancient trees blocked out the sun, exotic flowers and rare herbs grew everywhere, and an overwhelming spiritual energy permeated the air, mixed with the aura of various demonic beasts. In the distance, rolling mountains were shrouded in mist, and occasionally, enormous bird shadows would soar across the sky, emitting long, piercing cries that seemed to split rocks.

"This... is the depths of the 'Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range'?" a disciple murmured, his eyes filled with shock. The concentration of spiritual energy here was almost comparable to that of the sect's core spiritual vein, but the primitive, wild, and law-based aura of the survival of the fittest made people's hearts tremble.

"According to the map, our current location is roughly in the deeper middle layer of the 'Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range,' still quite a distance from the core areas like the 'Dragon Bone Canyon.'" Elder Xuanjizi took out the map and checked it, then said in a deep voice, "Everyone, conceal your auras and do not use your spiritual power to fly easily, lest you attract powerful demonic beasts. We will explore towards the 'Dragon Bone Canyon' along the relatively safe route marked on the map, paying attention to gathering intelligence and resources along the way, and searching for any traces that the 'Corrupted Poison Cult' might have left behind."

Following their instructions, everyone concealed their presence and, led by the three elders, disappeared into the dense forest like ghosts.

The environment deep within the mountains was far more complex and dangerous than the surrounding area. Towering ancient trees and intertwined vines obscured the sun. The ground was covered with a thick layer of decaying leaves, soft, slippery, and teeming with countless poisonous insects and snakes. The air was filled with various strange floral and fruity scents, as well as a faint fishy odor, many of which were highly poisonous or hallucinogenic. Had the group not possessed considerable cultivation and taken the "Hundred Herbs Detoxification Pill" beforehand, they would likely have already been poisoned.

Even more dangerous are the ubiquitous monsters. Every blade of grass and every tree here could conceal a deadly threat. There are "Iron Wire Snakes" disguised as withered branches, "Rotting Poison Toads" lurking beneath decaying leaves, and "Ghost-Faced Spiders" hanging from treetops, spitting venomous silk... Most of these monsters are of low rank (lower-middle grade of the first tier), but their numbers are vast, and their attack methods are unpredictable and impossible to defend against. Slight fluctuations of magical energy and the dying screams of monsters could be heard intermittently throughout the group.

Lu Zhao walked in the middle of the group. His [Refining Spirit Technique] combined with the [Spirit Detection Compass] allowed him to sense many potential threats in advance. Often, he could eliminate demonic beasts before they could attack with silent Annihilation Finger Force or improved talismans, making him extremely efficient and causing minimal disturbance. His performance earned him even more admiration and apprehension from the elders and elite disciples.

They traveled for most of the day, penetrating over a hundred miles into the mountains. Along the way, they collected some precious spiritual herbs and ores, and encountered and killed several first-tier high-grade demonic beasts, but did not find any clear trace of the "Corruption Poison Cult".

Just as the group was crossing a relatively open ridge covered with low shrubs, something unexpected happened!

"Hey——!!"

A sharp, high-pitched cry, filled with violence and murderous intent, exploded like thunder from the sky! Wherever the sound wave passed, a gale arose, and sand and stones flew everywhere!

"Not good! It's a Wind and Thunder Falcon! At least a second-tier (Foundation Establishment)! Everyone, spread out and take cover!" Elder Xuanjizi's expression changed slightly, and he shouted sharply.

Upon hearing the sound, everyone immediately scattered and hid behind the surrounding bushes and rocks. Lu Zhao reacted extremely quickly, pulling Hou San, Wang Tie, and Huang Ling'er into the shadow of a giant rock, while simultaneously activating the [Return to Nothingness Concealment Technique] at full power.

However, it was too late.

High in the sky, a gigantic raptor with a wingspan exceeding five zhang, its entire body covered in bluish-gray feathers, a tuft of golden feathers on its head, eyes like lightning, and claws like hooks, was swooping down at an astonishing speed! Surrounding it were bluish whirlwinds and wisps of silver lightning, and the aura it emitted was clearly at the mid-stage of the second tier (equivalent to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment)**!

"boom!"

The Thunder Falcon's target wasn't any particular person, but rather the ridge where they had just stood! It seemed to regard these "little insects" that had "invaded" its territory as prey! With a sudden flap of its wings, two enormous beams of cyan-silver light, a mixture of highly compressed wind blades and lightning, slammed into the ridge like divine punishment!

"Form a defensive formation!" Elder Xuanjizi, Elder Yun, and Elder Tiexing attacked almost simultaneously! Elder Xuanjizi waved his sleeve, and a silver light screen instantly spread out, enveloping most of the disciples. Elder Yun's "Moonlight Sword" unleashed numerous sword beams, slashing towards one of the pillars of light. Elder Tiexing's giant saber, imbued with the power of wind and thunder, slashed towards another.

"Boom—!!"

A terrifying explosion erupted above the mountain ridge! The aftershocks of energy swept outwards like a tsunami, crushing countless shrubs and rocks into dust! Even with the three elders blocking the way, the silver light screen trembled violently, and the disciples inside turned pale and their blood churned.

"Damn it! This beast's attack is incredibly powerful!" Elder Tie Xing cursed. The Wind and Thunder Falcon was known for its speed and attack power, and this mid-stage second-tier falcon was even more terrifying.

"We can't let it attack indiscriminately! Leng Feng, Han Li, Shi Hao, the three of you, follow me to restrain it! The rest of you, find opportunities to attack from a distance, or retreat from this place!" Elder Yun coldly ordered. She knew that it would be extremely disadvantageous to fight this aerial overlord head-on on the ground.

Leng Feng, Han Li, and Shi Hao responded and, together with Elder Yun, transformed into four streaks of light, soaring into the sky to fight the Wind and Thunder Falcon! Sword light, frost, axe shadows, and moonlight clashed fiercely with wind blades and lightning, creating continuous booming sounds.

However, the Wind and Thunder Falcon was extremely cunning. It didn't linger with the four, relying on its speed advantage to weave nimbly through the air, frequently swooping down to unleash powerful breaths of wind and thunder upon the group on the ground, or attacking with its claws and wings, putting the disciples on the ground in grave danger. Elder Xuanjizi and Elder Tiexing had to devote most of their attention to protecting everyone.

"This can't go on! We must find its weakness or lure it away!" Lu Zhao hid behind a rock, calmly observing. His [Refining Spirit Technique] could clearly capture the flight trajectory and energy fluctuations of the Wind Thunder Falcon.

He noticed that although the Thunder Falcon was fierce, before each powerful attack (such as its Thunder Breath), a particularly intense energy fluctuation occurred in a slightly sparse area of ​​its lower chest near its abdomen, as if it were a point where its energy converged. Furthermore, during high-speed flight, especially when turning, the defense in that area seemed to momentarily weaken.

"That might be one of its weaknesses!" Lu Zhao's eyes narrowed. But the Wind and Thunder Falcon was flying too fast and at high altitude, making it difficult for him, with his Qi Refining stage cultivation, to hit it accurately. Even if he used the "Annihilation Finger," the power would be greatly reduced at such a distance, and it would easily alert the falcon.

"I need an opportunity...to make it descend, or...to cause a brief pause..." Lu Zhao's mind raced. He saw that although Elder Yun and the other three had restrained the Wind Thunder Falcon, it would be difficult to seriously injure or force it back in a short time.

Just then, the Wind and Thunder Falcon seemed enraged by Elder Yun and the other three's entanglement. It let out an even more ferocious shriek, its wings snapping shut, and its massive body, like a meteorite, swooped down at an even more terrifying speed towards an area where the disciples were relatively concentrated! Azure-silver wind and thunder power gathered frantically on its talons, clearly preparing for a devastating attack!

"Watch out!" Elder Xuanjizi's expression changed drastically. He wanted to help, but was blocked by the violent wind and thunder force field around the Wind and Thunder Falcon.

"Now!" A cold glint flashed in Lu Zhao's eyes! The moment the Wind and Thunder Falcon swooped down with all its might was the moment when it was at its fastest, but also the moment when its trajectory was relatively fixed and its defenses might have a gap!

He no longer concealed himself! His [Flowing Cloud Step] and [Burning Blood Escape Technique] were simultaneously activated to their maximum, his figure shooting out from behind the rocks like a ghost, defying the direction of the Wind and Thunder Falcon's dive, hurtling towards the top of a higher boulder to his side! At the same time, he brought his right index and middle fingers together, and the pure, annihilating spiritual power within his body, fused with the origin of the dragon-shaped mark and the aura of the Reverse Scale, frantically gathered! Furthermore, a faint but powerful will, filled with the intent of "annihilation" and "penetration," attached itself to it!

"Nirvana Finger - Piercing Clouds!"

The instant he leaped to the top of the giant rock, the massive figure of the Wind and Thunder Falcon swept past him from just a few dozen feet above, carrying an aura of annihilation! The "weak point" below its chest and abdomen was clearly visible to Lu Zhao through his [Refining Spirit Technique]!

"go!"

Lu Zhao let out a low growl, and his right arm shot forward! The extremely refined dark gray finger energy at his fingertip, with what seemed like a small gray dragon coiling and roaring within, tore through the air like a gray lightning bolt, ignoring the aftershocks of the violent wind and thunder force field, and with incredible precision and speed, struck the sparsely feathered "weak point" below the chest and abdomen of the Wind and Thunder Falcon!

"laugh--!!"

A soft sound, yet seemingly capable of piercing the soul.

That deep gray, annihilating finger force actually pierced through the powerful wind and thunder protective aura on the surface of the Wind and Thunder Falcon's body, and precisely entered its "weak point" below its chest and abdomen!

"Bah!!!!"

The Wind and Thunder Falcon suddenly let out a piercing shriek filled with extreme pain, shock, rage, and a hint of disbelief! Its swooping form abruptly froze, as if struck by an invisible giant hammer! There wasn't a large wound where it had been struck in the chest and abdomen, but a gray energy, filled with decay and annihilation, was spreading and corroding wildly within its body! Its massive body convulsed violently, the wind and thunder power around it became chaotic, and its swooping momentum was forcibly interrupted, causing it to crash erratically into the mountainside!

"boom!"

The massive body of the Thunder Falcon slammed violently against the mountainside, creating a huge crater, shattering rocks, and sending dust billowing into the air. It struggled to take flight again, but the strange, decaying power within its chest and abdomen made its movements incredibly slow and difficult.

"A golden opportunity!" Elder Yun, Leng Feng, Han Li, and Shi Hao would never let such a once-in-a-lifetime chance slip by. Four incredibly fierce attacks instantly slammed into the Wind and Thunder Falcon! Sword light pierced its wings, frost froze its claws, a battle axe cleaved its back, and the Moonlight Sword Qi aimed straight for its neck!

"Screech..." The Thunder Falcon let out a mournful cry of unwillingness and despair. Its massive body crashed to the ground, kicking up clouds of dust, and then fell silent.

The battle is over.

Everyone's gaze instinctively turned to the top of that giant rock, to the young man in a blue robe who had withdrawn his finger, his face somewhat pale, but his eyes still calm.

It's him again! Lu Zhao!

With a single finger, he severely injured the mid-stage second-tier Wind and Thunder Falcon, creating a fatal opportunity for everyone!

This time, even Elder Xuanjizi, Elder Yun, Elder Tiexing, and elite disciples like Leng Feng, Han Li, and Shi Hao looked at Lu Zhao with incredibly complex expressions.

Just how many secrets does this seemingly only Qi Refining Level 6 outer disciple still hold?