Over a month ago.

The sky above the Eastern Domain remained unchanged, but for some, the world had been irrevocably altered.

The five great Demonic Sects—the Yin Ruins Sect, Blood Fiend Sect, Heart Corroding Gate, Heavenly Demon Ridge, and Desire Wonder Palace—had formed an unprecedented alliance.

Each sect dispatched at least one Soul Formation Patriarch—legendary figures who were usually as elusive as divine dragons. Using supreme Mana, they veiled the heavenly secrets and sealed the void.

Lone Goose Palace, a sect of sword cultivators that had stood in the Eastern Domain for countless eras, faced a cataclysmic disaster. Under the surprise assault of more than five Soul Formation Patriarchs, they were crushed before a single distress signal could be sent.

In just half a month, under absolute, overwhelming power, the Lone Goose Palace was reduced to a Shura Blood Prison. Corpses littered the mountains, swords were broken, and souls were extinguished.

One of the eleven great sects of the Eastern Domain was thus erased from history.

In Zhou Kai’s simple understanding, the eleven sects of the Eastern Domain were factions guarded by Nascent Soul old monsters.

Soul Formation? Those were legends.

The ruins of Lone Goose Palace. Scorched earth. Dead silence.

In the shadows, dozens of figures lay in wait. Demonic Qi roiled around them, and their eyes held a predatory, mocking glint as they stared fixedly at the white-clad figure kneeling amidst the rubble.

Shen Hanyi!

These ambushers came from Heavenly Demon Ridge. They were waiting here like hunters by a stump, hoping to catch any Lone Goose Palace disciples who had been away during the attack, or any other cultivators coming to scout for news.

Over the past few days, quite a few blind fools had stumbled into their trap. Without exception, they had all become prey.

“Senior Brother, we’ve searched the area. She’s the only one,” a demonic cultivator sneered, his gaze raking over her form. “And what a beauty, tsk tsk…”

“Capture her alive! We’ll present her to the Young Sect Master!”

Battle was imminent.

However, it ended almost as soon as it began.

Twenty days passed in the blink of an eye.

Calamity Abyss Valley, Taiji Peak.

Zhou Kai had long since stabilized his Foundation Establishment cultivation. He was currently immersed in the profundities of the Lawless No Word Heavenly Scripture when the Restriction outside his cave dwelling was gently tapped.

Knock, knock, knock.

Zhou Kai’s brow twitched. Who would be looking for him at this time?

He stood up, dispelled the restriction, and opened the stone door. A petite, nimble figure bounced into view.

She wore light red robes, and a fluffy rabbit-shaped Storage Bag was tied at her waist. Who else could it be but Fish Baibai?

“Junior Brother! Junior Brother!” Fish Baibai shouted, her words muffled by the half-eaten Spirit Fruit clutched in her hand.

“What’s the emergency?” A faint smile touched Zhou Kai’s lips.

Fish Baibai stuffed the last of the fruit into her mouth, her cheeks bulging like a chipmunk’s. “The Miss… The Miss orders you to leave seclusion immediately and head to the Aurora Cave on Yantian Peak!”

“The Aurora Cave?” Zhou Kai’s heart stirred.

He had heard about the Aurora Cave from Fish Baibai before. It was an incredible cultivation holy land within Calamity Abyss Valley.

Back when Li Qiwen and Li Youci were bickering, Li Qiwen had mentioned that the cave contained a spiritual rhythm capable of cleansing a cultivator’s Mana and Vitality, tempering both body and soul. The benefits were immense.

But why was Li Youci summoning him there so urgently? Had something happened?

“Did the Miss say what it was about?” Zhou Kai asked.

Fish Baibai shook her small head. “She didn’t say, just told me to fetch you. Aiyah, it’s definitely a good thing! Hurry up and go, don’t keep the Miss waiting!”

“Alright, I’m going.”

Zhou Kai didn’t delay. After bidding farewell to Fish Baibai, he headed straight for Yantian Peak.

Yantian Peak was one of the primary peaks of Calamity Abyss Valley. It towered tens of thousands of feet high, piercing the clouds. Its upper half was perpetually shrouded in dense spiritual mist, radiating an immortal aura and majestic atmosphere.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, Zhou Kai’s travel speed had increased dramatically. It didn’t take long for him to reach the foot of the mountain.

He kept in mind that this opportunity to enter the Aurora Cave was arranged by his future brother-in-law, Li Qiwen. Both emotionally and logically, he owed the man a visit of gratitude first.

After inquiring about the location of Li Qiwen’s cave dwelling, Zhou Kai went to find him.

“Zhou Kai? Out of seclusion?” Seeing Zhou Kai, Li Qiwen showed no surprise. He merely sized him up and nodded.

“Thank you for your concern, Young Master,” Zhou Kai said, cupping his hands in a formal salute. “This subordinate has come, firstly, to thank you for the opportunity to cultivate in the Aurora Cave, and secondly…”

“Spare me the empty formalities,” Li Qiwen said, waving his hand to cut him off. “Coming to thank me first shows you have some manners. If you had run recklessly to the Aurora Cave, the guarding Elder would have likely slapped you off the mountain.”

“After all, you are not yet a disciple of Calamity Abyss Valley. Places like the Aurora Cave are strictly regulated sect grounds.”

As he spoke, he pulled a pitch-black token from his Storage Bag.

“This is a token for a Registered Disciple. Keep it safe. To outsiders, say your master is Elder Yunmian, and that she accepted you as a registered disciple by chance during her travels.”

“Thank you, Young Master, for the thorough arrangement!” Zhou Kai bowed deeply again.

Li Qiwen gave a noncommittal hum. His gaze lingered on Zhou Kai for a moment before he suddenly changed the subject. “What cultivation art were you practicing before?”

Zhou Kai paused, surprised by the abrupt question.

However, there was nothing to hide about a common street-stall manual like the Azure Spirit Qi Gathering Art.

He replied immediately, “Reporting to Young Master, this subordinate previously cultivated the Azure Spirit Qi Gathering Art.”

“The Azure Spirit Qi Gathering Art…”

A barely perceptible light flickered in Li Qiwen’s eyes. He asked Zhou Kai to produce the manual, glanced through it, nodded, and said no more on the topic.

“Go now. Do not miss the window. The eruption of spiritual rhythm in the Aurora Cave is a rare opportunity.”

“Yes, this subordinate takes his leave.”

Zhou Kai felt something was slightly off, but he could only bow and withdraw.

Once he was gone, a tall, slender figure slowly walked out from the inner chamber of the cave dwelling.

It was Li Youci.

She cast a cool, indifferent glance in the direction Zhou Kai had departed.

Li Qiwen pulled a yellowed ancient tome from his robes. He flipped to a specific page and pointed at the illustrations and text, speaking to Li Youci with suppressed excitement.

“Youci, it is confirmed. It is the Creation Spirit Yang Body.”

“It matches the ancient records exactly! This constitution is one in ten thousand. Those who possess it naturally nurture a Spirit Root Lotus Platform within their Dantian.”

“Initially, the Lotus Platform will gestate a Spirit Root corresponding to the attribute of Spirit Qi the host is most compatible with.”

He paused, the light in his eyes intensifying.

“The most critical point is this: If he cultivates a technique of a certain attribute and then engages in the union of Yin and Yang with a woman’s Primordial Yin, he can absorb that power to nourish the Lotus Platform. This, in turn, upgrades the quality of his own Spirit Root.”

“Furthermore, as the Lotus Platform grows, it emits pure Creation Qi. This Qi is profound and miraculous. It feeds back into the partner he shares a deep emotional bond with during Dual Cultivation, improving their cultivation and aptitude. It can even cleanse their Dao Foundation. The benefits are endless!”

Li Qiwen’s eyes shone with a sharp, calculating light.

“Zhou Kai previously cultivated the Wood-attribute Azure Spirit Qi Gathering Art, which corresponds perfectly to his current Heaven-grade Wood Spirit Root.”

“Gao Feiyang swore a heavy oath, confirming that when he tested Zhou Kai originally, his Wood Spirit Root was merely Upper-grade! To make such a leap in such a short time is extraordinary!”

“And that mortal woman from the Chen family, Chen Ziyi… after becoming Zhou Kai’s Concubine, she stepped onto the path of immortality in mere days and progressed with astonishing speed. If that isn’t because of Zhou Kai, I’ll eat my own head!”

All signs pointed to the special constitution recorded in the ancient text.

Li Youci listened quietly. She remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking.

“Elder Brother, since his constitution is confirmed, what comes next?”

“A great war is approaching. Ordinary Dual Cultivation will likely offer limited assistance,” Li Qiwen said, his voice dropping to a pragmatic whisper. “I will find a way to procure some high-quality Cultivation Vessels for him—women with cultivation no lower than the peak of Qi Condensation and abundant Primordial Yin…”

Before Li Qiwen could finish, Li Youci’s eyelashes fluttered.

Her voice carried a tone that was half-mocking, half-playful.

“Oh? Cultivation Vessels?”

Li Qiwen looked at his sister, seeing a complex, unreadable light swirling in her eyes.

“Youci, you…” He wasn’t entirely sure what she was thinking.

Li Youci let out a soft, cold laugh.

“Elder Brother, you are too considerate. However, such a ‘good thing’ isn’t something just any random cat or dog can handle. His constitution is so special; if we find some trashy, third-rate Cultivation Vessels that taint his foundation, wouldn’t that be a pity?”

“Elder Brother should just find a proper, orthodox Dual Cultivation method.”

With that, she turned and drifted away.