The ancient sect Cold Ice Palace within the secret realm of the Guixu Sea was torn away during the ancient cataclysm, becoming an independent space.
According to Ling Yunhe, when it was torn away, there were still disciples alive within the Cold Ice Palace. Unfortunately, the lifespan of humans is far shorter than that of demonic cultivators. Moreover, the force that tore the space was too powerful, causing immense destruction. Only a few survivors remained, and they ultimately perished. As for the demonic beasts, due to their long lifespans and great numbers, the most powerful among them managed to survive.
The Jiuyan Sect obtained many storage pouches within the Cold Ice Palace, among which were the relics of the survivors. These happened to fall into Ling Yunhe's hands. After returning from the Guixu Sea, Ling Yunhe immediately entered seclusion. It was only after forming his Nascent Soul that he saw that jade slip, and by then, the great changes in heaven and earth had already occurred, and conflicts had erupted.
However, Ling Yunhe did not immediately think of that aspect, mainly because everything in Yunzhong was peaceful, unlike Tianji which had already been plunged into the flames of war. It wasn't until he began traveling, venturing far to Xiaoyang, searching for the current location of Yuanzhou, and later even risking journeys to the newly discovered continents of ghost cultivators or demonic cultivators...
Over several decades of traveling everywhere, witnessing the chaos under heaven, did he finally consider that the events recorded in that Cold Ice Palace jade slip might be happening once again. Great chaos under heaven, the destruction of the mortal world—the jade slip did not describe it in great detail, but he was an exceptionally intelligent person. Combining what he had seen with what he had learned from the jade slip, he had already begun to form an idea in his heart. Returning to the Jiuyan Sect, Ling Yunhe buried himself in the library, scouring through the sect's collection of ancient texts, gradually uncovering this secret.
As the number one sect in Yunzhong, the Jiuyan Sect had extremely deep roots in the region and possessed a vast collection of texts. From the Primordial Era to the present, although not many records remained, there were always some traces. Ling Yunhe pieced them together, thus arriving at this conclusion.
Now that conflicts were erupting across the various continents, it might very well be the great chaos under heaven. The end of this great chaos would be the destruction of heaven and earth.
However, when he reported this conclusion to his seniors, it did not receive much attention. Perfected One Yuanmu believed that these fragmented words were insufficient to prove that this was the cause of the destruction in the Primordial and Ancient Eras. Even if it were, the great chaos under heaven might not necessarily arrive. Cultivators of the human, demon, and ghost paths were inherently hostile to each other. For the past hundred thousand years, there had only ever been brief periods of peace, never eternal reconciliation.
Ling Yunhe knew that Perfected One Yuanmu's words were reasonable, but he was still deeply worried. His travels over the years had given him a deeper sense of the chaotic state of the world. Yet, no one believed his words, so he could only keep them buried in his heart.
Hearing these things, Mo Tiange couldn't help but think, compared to Ling Yunhe, how fortunate was she? The various Dao Lords of the Xuanqing Sect trusted her unconditionally, even devoting the sect's full strength to assist her. If not for that, she would be just like Ling Yunhe today—even with a heart full of worries, she could only rely on herself.
After finishing his account, Ling Yunhe looked at them and said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Mo, since you asked that question, you must surely know more than I do. I have no other request. I only wish to ask you, if this is indeed that matter, please allow me to become your companion."
Nie Wushang and Jing Xingzhi listened in confusion. Jing Xingzhi said, "How long has it been since we last met? Have you two gotten yourselves into trouble again?"
Nie Wushang kicked him. "If you stay quiet, no one will think you're mute."
Mo Tiange and Qin Xi exchanged a glance. Qin Xi sent a voice transmission: "It's not unacceptable. This isn't just a matter for the two of us."
Mo Tiange nodded, indicating she understood. Great chaos under heaven, the apocalypse approaching—this was a matter for all under heaven. The reason they hadn't made it public was because it hadn't been confirmed yet. Recklessly announcing it without certainty would inevitably cause panic. Besides, all the clues were in their hands. Not going to investigate the truth themselves was something they couldn't accept, but asking the two of them to shoulder the fate of the world alone—they weren't that noble.
"Actually, even if Fellow Daoist Ling hadn't spoken, we would have told you about this matter," Mo Tiange sighed. "On the Immortal Path, I've met many people, but few are trustworthy. If Fellow Daoist Ling is willing to travel with us, I would welcome it."
As she spoke, her gaze fell upon Jing Xingzhi and Nie Wushang. "The same goes for you two."
"Tian Ge," Nie Wushang couldn't help but ask, seeing her grave expression, "is everything Fellow Daoist Ling said true?"
Mo Tiange nodded slowly and began to tell them about the events at the Six Paths Palace at the bottom of the East Sea not long ago. In connection with that, she no longer concealed the matter of the Five Sacrificial Temples, recounting everything completely and in detail.
These matters were no longer just opportunities for the two of them; they were responsibilities concerning life, death, and survival.
Nie Wushang and Jing Xingzhi were so shocked they were at a loss for words. Ling Yunhe, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief. What Mo Tiange said confirmed his speculations, allowing his heart to settle. At the same time, it let him know he was not alone; there were others to travel with.
"So it is indeed so. I, Ling, shall naturally do my humble part."
After a long while, Jing Xingzhi said, "If what you two are saying is true, then there's no need to say more. I'll definitely help." This kind of thing wasn't the responsibility of just one or two people. Saving others was saving oneself. He was selfish, but he wasn't stupid.
Nie Wushang also didn't hesitate. "Me too."
"Would we lie to you about something like this?" Qin Xi paused, then said to Jing Xingzhi, "After we come out of the Xuanwu Ritual Temple, you'd best return to the Ancient Sword Sect. In these extraordinary times, don't worry about face. We need the Ancient Sword Sect's assistance. Senior Yuanying will surely believe your words."
Jing Xingzhi glared at him, missing the point entirely. "Who's worried about face?"
Qin Xi ignored him, sweeping his gaze over everyone. "If none of you have any objections, then it's settled. Whether for self-preservation or to protect what we hold dear, we advance and retreat together, find the Five Sacrificial Temples, and uncover the truth of the matter."
The others had no objections, and so the matter was decided, seemingly rather rashly.
The magical treasure ship sailed slowly for a few more days before finally reaching the northern coast.
They did not set off immediately. Instead, they used this time to either heal injuries, cultivate, or refine magical treasures, taking a good rest. Over these past days, Nie Wushang had been frantically pursued by Demon Lord Yueying. Although she hadn't suffered serious injuries, minor wounds were unavoidable. It took half a month before they were fully prepared.
Afterward, everyone disembarked. Ling Yunhe put away his magical treasure ship, and the five of them hurried towards the Carefree Valley.
The flight speed of Nascent Soul cultivators was extremely fast, and the Carefree Valley wasn't far from here. In just a day, the five arrived at Mount Jialing.
However, the scene within Mount Jialing shocked them.
Scattered around the periphery of Mount Jialing sat many cultivators, ranging from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation.
Nie Wushang stared, dumbfounded. "Is this... a market fair?"
Ling Yunhe frowned and summoned a Foundation Establishment disciple wearing Jiuyan Sect attire.
That Foundation Establishment disciple, seeing Ling Yunhe, grew nervous. "Disciple Ji Tian pays his respects to the Grand Elder."
"At ease." Ling Yunhe didn't waste words, getting straight to the point. "Why are there so many cultivators here? What are they staying here for?"
Ji Tian replied respectfully, "Reporting to the Grand Elder, they are all here to seek treasures in the Carefree Valley."
"Seek treasures?" Ling Yunhe was even more astonished. The Carefree Valley was quite famous in Yunzhong, but its location was rather secretive, not something just anyone could find. It wasn't like now, where it had practically turned into a market fair.
"The Grand Elder may not know," Ji Tian reported, "not long ago, a treasure map circulated in the major city market fairs. The location marked on the map was precisely the Carefree Valley. Now, whether it's Yiyedao or Beijidao, both have been abandoned. Resources are tight. So, even though everyone thinks it might not be real, they still came to investigate."
Ling Yunhe glanced at Nie Wushang, seeing her look utterly bewildered. After a moment's thought, he took out a small pouch from his robe and said to Ji Tian, "Whether it's real or fake, the Carefree Valley is not a place for Foundation Establishment cultivators. Take these and distribute them among your companions, then leave early."
Ji Tian was overjoyed, repeatedly saying, "Thank you, Grand Elder! Thank you, Grand Elder!"
With gifts from a Nascent Soul cultivator, why would they risk entering the Carefree Valley? Naturally, they would leave sooner.
Watching Ling Yunhe's actions, Mo Tiange felt that he had indeed changed a great deal, his conduct vastly different from before.
After Ji Tian left, everyone remained silent for a long while and did not immediately enter the Carefree Valley.
This was clearly not right. The Carefree Valley had existed for so many years, and Yiyedao and Beijidao had been abandoned for decades. How could it be such a coincidence that a map of the Carefree Valley circulated just when they were about to enter it?
After a long silence, Ling Yunhe asked slowly, "Fellow Daoist Tian Can, could the person who gave you the message have leaked this matter?"
Nie Wushang shook her head in denial. "Impossible. He couldn't leak it. I let him go, but naturally, I used some methods."
Ling Yunhe nodded and said no more. That Starfall City elder was only at the Core Formation stage. With the methods of a Nascent Soul cultivator, making it so he could never leak the matter again wasn't difficult.
"Then who exactly leaked the location of the Carefree Valley? Was their target the Carefree Valley itself, or the Xuanwu Ritual Temple within it?" Mo Tiange said, both asking them and asking herself.
"Regardless, let's go in first," Ling Yunhe said, taking the lead towards the entrance of the Carefree Valley. Passing through the jagged, rocky terrain, they reached the entrance at the ancient tree. Ling Yunhe summoned the God-Restricting Bead and easily broke the entrance restriction.
Mo Tiange noticed that the God-Restricting Bead in Ling Yunhe's hand shone with a deep, bright light, much purer than the imitation one from the Ling family. She knew this was the genuine God-Restricting Bead left by Dao Sage Guizhen. Although this God-Restricting Bead was a treasure passed down through the Jiuyan Sect for generations, it had already recognized Ling Yunhe as its master. Keeping it in the sect held little meaning anymore, so it now belonged to Ling Yunhe.
The surrounding cultivators had been watching them ever since they arrived but didn't dare approach to disturb them. Now, seeing them break the cave entrance restriction, their eyes lit up.
Ling Yunhe turned and announced clearly to the assembled cultivators, "Everyone, what kind of place the Carefree Valley is, I don't need to tell you. We won't forcibly stop you from entering the valley, but you'd best listen: Foundation Establishment cultivators should not enter the valley, or you can forget about coming out alive. Core Formation cultivators should enter in groups of six or more. Disciples of the Jiuyan Sect are absolutely forbidden from entering the valley, regardless of your cultivation level. Do you hear me?"
After only a few moments of silence, the remaining Jiuyan Sect disciples responded in unison, "Yes! We respectfully obey the Grand Elder's command!"
He had once served as the Jiuyan Sect's Sect Master and was the one recognized by the sect's ancestral sacred artifact. His prestige within the Jiuyan Sect far exceeded that of ordinary Nascent Soul elders. Although these Jiuyan Sect disciples were somewhat unwilling, no one disobeyed.
"Let's go," Ling Yunhe said, turning and leading the way into the valley.