After parting ways with Ye Qingxian, Shen Xian flew eastward, his only companion the single Purple Immortal Ganoderma in his storage ring.

The God Burial Valley lay in that direction, and the legendary Great Ascension God Corpse might bring unexpected opportunities. Since it was on the way, he decided to investigate.

As he journeyed, the air grew heavy. Baleful energy surged between heaven and earth like a bloody mist, thickening with every passing hour.

Shen Xian knew that soon, this energy would reach a critical mass. Anyone still lingering within would suffer, their minds fracturing until they degenerated into mindless, walking corpses.

Nearly half a month had passed since the Godfiend Battlefield opened.

Many cultivators had already secured their fortunes, while others had withdrawn early, defeated.

Shen Xian flew like a golden comet, releasing the full pressure of his Golden Core Perfection aura without restraint. He had no need for subtlety here. In this lawless land, the weak became prey, and only the strong earned the right to vie for power.

His aura was a warning: Stay away.

Occasionally, when passing peculiar terrain, he would pause and activate the Void Reflecting Spirit Mirror. His Divine Sense, amplified to the Soul Transformation level, spread out like an invisible tide, scanning for anomalies.

The Mystic Turtle Treasure-Seeking has only one use left, he thought. If I can intercept an opportunity along the way, or reap benefits from someone else’s conflict, that wouldn’t be a bad strategy.

On this battlefield, the true winners were rarely the ones who found the treasure first—they were the ones who survived to carry it out.

He continued until he reached a desolate range of hills.

Below, he sensed erratic waves of spiritual energy. Faint flashes of cyan light pierced the gloom—someone was fighting.

He initially intended to fly past; conflicts in the Godfiend Battlefield were as common as the blood-soaked soil.

However, just as he accelerated, a familiar phantom appeared in the air below—a wine cup, swirling with cyan light and immense pressure.

“Hmm?”

Shen Xian’s brow raised slightly. He killed his momentum and drifted down into the canopy, moving as silently as a falling leaf.

In a clearing among the bushes, two figures were locked in fierce combat.

One was an early-stage Golden Core cultivator, wielding a talisman sword with lethal proficiency. His opponent, surprisingly, was Wang Yu—a mere half-step Golden Core cultivator.

Yet, the battle was nearing its end in Wang Yu’s favor.

Although his cultivation was inferior, the Nine Cycles Wine Warming Cup floating before him erupted with brilliant cyan light, suppressing his opponent with the raw power of an ancestral treasure.

The Golden Core cultivator’s face was ashen. He clearly hadn’t expected to be pushed to such a desperate state by a lower-level opponent.

“Hmph!”

Gritting his teeth in humiliation, the cultivator realized further fighting was pointless. With a resentful glare, he sheathed his sword and transformed into a streak of light, fleeing into the distance.

“It seems this guy has grown quite a bit.”

Shen Xian’s gaze fell on the slightly disheveled Wang Yu, a flicker of approval in his eyes.

He remembered the last time Wang Yu had activated this ancestral treasure; the man had nearly collapsed from exhaustion. Now, he remained standing, vigilant and ready for more. His control had improved significantly.

Shen Xian drifted out of the shadows, landing soundlessly on the grass.

“Who’s there?!”

Wang Yu whirled around, his spiritual energy flaring.

When he recognized the face, the hostility vanished, replaced by stunned joy.

“Young Master!”

He hurried forward and performed a solemn, deep bow. “I never expected to encounter you here, Young Master.”

“Any gains?” Shen Xian asked with a faint smile.

Wang Yu beamed, unable to hide his excitement. “Thanks to the Young Master’s fortune, I have obtained the opportunity recorded in my family’s records.”

He had secured the legacy only moments before the Golden Core cultivator had ambushed him. With his new power, he had managed to turn the tables.

Shen Xian nodded. “Good.”

“You must have reaped quite a harvest yourself, right?” Wang Yu asked.

“Modest gains,” Shen Xian said dismissively. “I plan to go take a look at the God Burial Valley.”

“God Burial Valley?” Wang Yu’s pupils contracted. “That place is notoriously dangerous. They say it holds many opportunities, but countless perils as well.”

He paused, then relaxed. “But with Young Master’s strength, you certainly have the qualifications to explore it.”

Then, a look of shame crossed his face. “This subordinate’s cultivation is lowly. I’m afraid…”

“It’s fine,” Shen Xian interrupted, waving his hand. “Are you planning to leave now?”

“Yes, Young Master. I intend to head for the exit.”

The exit was located beneath a patch of red clouds, not far from their current location.

Shen Xian pondered briefly, then casually tossed a storage pouch to him.

“Take this for protection.”

Wang Yu caught it, stunned. The pouch was heavy with elixirs, talismans, and several magical treasures Shen Xian had looted along the way. They were useless to Shen Xian—trash, really—but they would significantly increase Wang Yu’s chances of survival.

“Young Master, how could I dare—”

“Take it when I tell you to take it.”

Wang Yu swallowed his refusal and bowed deeply. “Thank you for your generous gift, Young Master!”

He straightened up, seemingly remembering something.

“By the way, earlier I encountered Senior Sister Wei. She seemed to be heading to the Bronze Blood Hall.”

Bronze Blood Hall.

A glint flashed in Shen Xian’s eyes.

Back in the ruins, the Ghost King True Spirit had pointed him toward that location. He hadn’t expected Wei Zhaoli to go there before him.

Is she also after that humanoid puppet? Or perhaps there are other opportunities?

According to his map, the Bronze Blood Hall was located north of the God Burial Valley, a relatively short detour.

His original plan was to hit the valley first, then the hall. But this news changed things.

Wei Zhaoli was only at the mid-Golden Core stage. Venturing alone into such a dangerous place was reckless. If she met with misfortune, it would be inconvenient—she was, after all, his political shield and Dao Companion.

Furthermore, he needed that humanoid puppet.

Remembering Ye Qingxian’s warning about the God Burial Valley, he made a quick calculation.

If I get the puppet first and use the System to upgrade it into a higher-grade treasure, exploring the valley afterward will be much safer.

“I see,” Shen Xian said, his voice calm. “When did she go?”

“Three days ago,” Wang Yu replied. “I only saw her briefly.”

“Mm.”

“Well then, Young Master, I’ll take my leave. Take care!” Wang Yu cupped his hands respectfully.

Shen Xian nodded. He watched until Wang Yu disappeared into the distance, then turned north.

He transformed into a streak of light, tearing through the sky toward the Bronze Blood Hall.