Still in the depths of Refining Cloud Mountain!

Two silver-robed figures advanced together, striking down a gigantic Vein Demon on the spot, then they found a Lingzhi mushroom as large as a millstone inside a cave, their faces unwittingly breaking into satisfied smiles.

"Senior brother, it looks like our mission can be completed soon!"

These two are naturally the two Thunder Sons of Sky Thunder Valley, Xu Changgui and Lu Zhang. The one speaking is the latter, and hearing the excitement in his voice, it seems the half-month spent in the Refining Cloud Mountain has yielded considerable rewards.

As genius demons from Sky Thunder Valley, Xu Changgui and Lu Zhang are Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Masters, possessing their unique methods of finding Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, undoubtedly searching for medicinal materials much faster than ordinary Meridian Refining Masters.

"I wonder how many medicinal materials that boy Yun Xiao has found?"

Xu Changgui spoke with some resentment, evidently still bearing a grudge over being shamed by Yun Xiao at the trade fair.

"I've heard the boy has no real background, only his means are rather strange. In terms of finding medicinal materials, he surely can't compare with us brothers!"

Lu Zhang's expression also turned somewhat gloomy, and as he finished speaking, he suddenly noticed his senior brother listening intently to the sounds outside the cave.

"Haha, it seems Protector Yao has found us. This time, I wonder what waves that boy Yun Xiao can stir up?"

When Xu Changgui turned back to see a middle-aged man also wearing a silver robe entering the cave, he couldn't help but laugh heartily twice, his voice filled with extreme excitement.

...

With nearly ten thousand Meridian Refining Masters in Refining Cloud Mountain, Yun Xiao naturally couldn't know every movement, nor aware of the approaching danger. He only knew that in the past half month, he had barely found three medicinal materials, still far from the ten required to complete the mission.

In the following days, Yun Xiao fought numerous fierce Vein Demons and grabbed many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, some even reaching Earth Rank Middle Level as precious medicinal materials, yet none matched those on his scroll.

This situation left Yun Xiao somewhat frustrated. He had insight and was well-ranked in Meridian Refining Technique, but if he were to lose due to sheer luck, it would truly be heartbreaking.

Swish!

One morning, a figure clad in coarse clothing leapt smoothly onto a large tree, soon after, a group of cultivators with not-so-weak aura passed beneath, discussing something.

"Hey, did you hear? Many strong contestants seem to be heading towards 'Xuan Yun Peak', do you know what's going on?"

"I heard that too. Apparently, many of the medicinal materials on the scroll are over there at Xuan Yun Peak!"

"Brother Leng, you only know half of the story. Though Xuan Yun Peak has many materials from the scroll, obtaining them is easier said than done."

"Brother Yu Wen, it seems you know some inside information, could you share with us?"

"Sure thing. They say there's an Eighth Level Advanced Evil Demon on Xuan Yun Peak, and these rare medicinal materials have been hoarded by it!"

"..."

The group below, moving not too fast, let many discussions reach Yun Xiao's ears as he remained perched in the tree, worried about finding the right direction, now finally having a target.

"Eighth Level Advanced Vein Demon?"

As for the fierce demon mentioned below, Yun Xiao didn't worry too much, because generally Vein Demons don't possess Waist Storage. Acquiring those materials doesn't necessarily require a life-and-death battle with the Vein Demon; sometimes, taking advantage of situations is also a method.

Immediately, Yun Xiao leapt down from the tree and quietly followed a short distance behind that group. It seemed they were highly wary of the Eighth Level Advanced Evil Demon, yet still intending to try their luck.

After all, this news has spread, and when the time comes, many might rush to Xuan Yun Peak, and once a battle breaks out, who knows if these bystanders might luckily snag a share.

But what Yun Xiao didn't know was that besides the powerful Eighth Level Advanced Evil Demon, there might be other dangers awaiting him on Xuan Yun Peak, which will soon become clear.

...

In the depths of Refining Cloud Mountain, below Xuan Yun Peak!

Refining Cloud Mountain is a vast mountain range stretching tens of thousands of miles, naturally featuring many towering peaks, among which Xuan Yun Peak is quite renowned.

In recent days, Xuan Yun Peak suddenly became lively, all because of that news, as only by obtaining the ten herbs on the scroll could one pass the first round of the Refining Cloud Mountain disciple selection.

Those herbs are quite hard to find. With Yun Xiao's keen eye, he only found three in over twenty days, not to mention those other low-rank Meridian Refining Masters, so they all wanted to try their luck at Xuan Yun Peak.

After all, word of the Eighth Rank Advanced Evil Demon at Xuan Yun Peak hoarding many herbs had already spread. With a little luck, there might be a chance.

However, when a few Meridian Refining Masters arriving together just reached the entrance to Xuan Yun Peak, they were blocked by a dozen cultivators with unusual auras in front.

"What are you doing? Why aren't you letting us into Xuan Yun Peak?"

One of those blocked, whose strength had reached the Middle Stage of the Qi Seeking Realm and whose Meridian Refining Technique showed signs of breaking through to the Earth Rank Low Level, glared and asked with extreme dissatisfaction.

"Hmph, why? You ants, who haven't even reached Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Masters, also want to pass this first round? Aren't you dreaming too much?"

One of those guarding the entrance of Xuan Yun Peak, speaking arrogantly, made the blocked individuals show strange and indignant expressions.

"Haven't you also not reached Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Masters? Why are you blocking us?"

The person speaking earlier, having sensed the Meridian Qi Cultivation and Meridian Refining Levels of the dozen people blocking them, retorted. Both parties were similar in level, so what was the difference?

"Haha, we're just guarding the entrance, preventing you ants from causing trouble. After all, aren't you heading to your deaths with the Eighth Rank Advanced Vein Demon on Xuan Yun Peak?"

The leader of those guards laughed triumphantly, his words carrying an inexplicable implication, sounding rather odd to others.

As it turns out, these people guarding the entrance weren't acting domineeringly but were being menaced by someone powerful. When one's life is threatened, many choose to ensure their survival first.

So although these people also wanted to try their luck at Xuan Yun Peak, they were threatened and had to block others wanting to ascend the mountain, being diligent under someone's coercion.

Since they weren't destined to pass the first round of Refining Cloud Mountain's selection, blocking more people from the second round became their main goal.

After some commotion, one person couldn't hold back and rushed towards the entrance of Xuan Yun Peak, only to be sent flying moments later, crashing heavily on the stone ground several zhang away, unable to stand for a long while.

"You... you dare to hurt people?!"

Others were furious at the sight, but seeing the person's fate, they were somewhat intimidated, as the leader of those blocking was at least at the Half-step Origin Seeking Realm.

Nobody knew why this Meridian Refining Master at the Half-step Origin Seeking Realm was willing to guard the entrance of Xuan Yun Peak, didn't they want to try their luck and pass this first round?

"Who else dares to force their way will end up like him!"

After casually injuring a Meridian Refining Master at the Middle Stage of the Qi Seeking Realm, the person seemed to regain some of his previously suppressed superiority, displaying a look of pride with a hint of dominance in his tone.

As time went by, more and more people gathered at the entrance of Xuan Yun Peak, reaching several hundred in the end, but strangely, more than a hundred of them had joined the ranks of those guarding the mountain, appearing very peculiar.

As the half-step Origin Seeking Realm leader said earlier, as long as a Meridian Refining Master had reached the Earth-rank Level or the Origin Seeking Realm Early Stage, they would not be blocked.

But those not meeting these requirements wouldn't step into Xuan Yun Peak's entrance as this hundred seemed united, while other cultivators were disorganized, and their combat strength was incomparable.

These guards tacitly understood; they had more or less connections with those entering Xuan Yun Peak's higher figures. Because of such relationships, they certainly couldn't ascend Xuan Yun Peak.

Given this, why not take the opportunity to gain a favor from the prominent figures? At the very least, they shouldn't offend them, or else it would be disastrous for themselves and their families.

So while Refining Cloud Mountain's disciple selection seemed fair, there were subtle manipulations based on individuals' willingness, and even Refining Cloud Mountain's elders couldn't say much.

Whoosh!

Amidst the crowd's commotion, a figure suddenly dashed out from the side, moving extremely fast, about to slip through the hundred blockers and enter Xuan Yun Peak.

"Courting death!"

The half-step Origin Seeking Realm leader sensed that the figure's aura was only at the Middle Stage of the Qi Seeking Realm, and his eyes filled with extreme anger.

Did they really think he was a decoration? Any random person dared to attempt the challenge, so he made up his mind to set an example once and for all, ensuring others wouldn't act recklessly afterward.