Thirty years later, Chaotian Peak.

The door of the Seclusion Room burst open, and Yuan Ming stepped out at a slow pace, his step firm and powerful, his eyes flashing with spirit light. However, that light quickly receded with his breath, turning into a depth.

After long and arduous cultivation, he had finally reached the late-stage of Nascent Soul, only a step away from Returning Void.

Yet, this step of breakthrough was far more difficult than surpassing the lesser realms.

Therefore, Yuan Ming's heart wasn't filled with much excitement. He had emerged from seclusion simply wanting to take a brief rest and adjust his state.

Yuan Ming pondered the next phase of his cultivation plan, casting his gaze to the Void Communication Array in his Cave Mansion.

He pondered for a moment before suddenly casting a spell towards the Stone Pillar of the Array.

A flicker of black light passed over the pillar, and after a short wait, Xi Ying's face appeared amidst the blood-colored flames.

"You've come out of seclusion?" Xi Ying exclaimed with joy.

"Yes, I've just broken through to the late-stage Nascent Soul. I've come out to clear my mind temporarily. Do you have anything that needs my help? I plan to continue in seclusion until I reach Returning Void, and I fear it will be a long time before I pay attention to external affairs again," Yuan Ming inquired.

"Now that Yunhuang is unified, there really isn't much that requires our intervention. You don't need to worry; continue your cultivation in peace. I will also arrange for supplies to be delivered to your Cave Mansion periodically, striving to help you break through to Returning Void sooner so that we can start preparing to venture Overseas," Xi Ying said.

"Alright, but the resources needed for breaking through to Returning Void are vast, won't your cultivation be affected if I take them all?" Yuan Ming expressed concern.

"No matter, my strength is now enough to preside over Yunhuang. When your cultivation is complete, take me to the Overseas World, and I can amass resources for my breakthrough then. As for the dangers of the journey, isn't there the Sky-reaching Demon Pillar? I can hide in the Stealing Heaven Tripod Space for the entire sea crossing, so it doesn't matter if my cultivation level is lower," Xi Ying had already planned.

Hearing this, Yuan Ming said no more. After exchanging a few more words and learning of the current situation in Yunhuang, he prepared to enter seclusion once again.

"When it's time for your breakthrough, I'll transplant more Gathering Spirit Objects here; they are sure to be of help to you," Xi Ying suddenly suggested.

Yuan Ming naturally had no objection. The two chatted idly for a few more moments before ending their communication.

Yuan Ming returned to the Seclusion Room. With a sweep of his sleeves, the door closed firmly behind him, and there was silence once more.

...

A hundred years later, Yuhua City.

This Immortal City, once ravaged by war, was now completely rejuvenated.

The scale of the city had expanded several times compared to before, with countless pavilions and towers blooming like colorful flowers in every corner of the city.

Among these, the most eye-catching was the Combat Arena in the city center.

"...It is said that the Combat Arena was personally designed by the Xi Yue God and constructed with the collective effort of Array Masters from the Five Regions of Yunhuang. Not only is the area massive, but the countless Formations arranged inside can simulate thousands of realistic illusion scenarios for Cultivators to train and compete," a young man with a cloth turban explained to onlookers in front of the Combat Arena.

In front of him stood a young man and a young woman, both dressed in short robes woven from brocade, styled like the Southern Border People.

The three of them had low levels of cultivation, all at Foundation Establishment. However, judging by their age, they seemed to be only about fifteen or sixteen, truly outstanding among their peers.

"How amazing! Brother Fang, are we going to compete here later on?" The female cultivator, excited after hearing the introduction, tugged at her senior brother's sleeve.

"Are you two here to participate in the Immortal Elite Conference? My apologies, I failed to introduce myself. I'm Liu Mao, representing Black Wind Desert in the competition. If we meet later, I hope you will be lenient," the turban-headed youth bowed.

He had just met the brother and sister, and seeing their curiosity about the Combat Arena, he couldn't help but join the conversation to offer some information. * is the home% of t&his* ch.ap$te+r

"Our apologies as well. I am Fang Shuang, and this is my junior sister Mei Xiao, and we represent the Southern Border and Northern Territory," Brother Fang returned the greeting.

The so-called "Immortal Elite Conference" was a grand event proposed by Xi Ying after unifying Yunhuang, aiming to select outstanding talents. Held every ten years, it was stipulated that only those under Core Formation and under thirty could participate. Preliminaries were first held across the Five Domains, with each branch selecting five to ten people as regional representatives, culminating in the final competition in Yuhua City.

"Meeting here is fate. It seems it is your first time, why don't I show you two around?" Liu Mao offered with a smile.

"Yes, please!" Before Fang Shuang could answer, Mei Xiao nodded her head repeatedly, her face full of excitement.

"Junior sister, it's getting late, we shouldn't wander too much. Otherwise, if Master returns and finds out we sneaked out, she will definitely punish us," Fang Shuang said with an embarrassed smile, quickly discouraging her.

"Hmph! All she does is make me cultivate. It's so rare for us to come to the Central Plains, and she wants me to stay indoors and seclude myself. Is this how life should be lived?" Mei Xiao complained indignantly.

"She does it for your own good," Fang Shuang shook his head.

"Enough, enough, Brother Fang, don't speak so much, okay? Do I not know what kind of person my mother is? She's an old witch, always looking for excuses to boss us around, like the last time..." Mei Xiao pouted.

"For example, what?" However, just at that moment, a voice filled with coldness came from behind Mei Xiao.

Mei Xiao's body instantly stiffened, and then she turned around stiffly like a puppet, her face switching to a forced smile in an instant.

"Mother, I was just joking, you're the best," she said insincerely.

Standing in front of her was an ethereal-looking woman in light cyan palace attire, her arms crossed over her chest, staring at Mei Xiao with a face full of coldness. On her shoulder, a fiery little marten was grinning and squeaking, as if mocking Mei Xiao.

If Yuan Ming were here, he would definitely recognize that this little marten was none other than Huo Chan'er, whom he had once cared for.

And the refined-looking woman shared some resemblance to Li Zhui and Ling Songhua.

Putting the two together, the identity of the refined woman was self-evident.

She seemed to have just finished some business at the Combat Arena, and there were many Core Formation cultivators nearby, but they showed respect for her, merely glancing over before voluntarily leaving, with no intention of meddling in her family matters.

"Hmph, you always neglect your Cultivation, but now with the Immortal Elite Conference coming up, you still haven't mastered the Secret Techniques I taught you, how do you expect to achieve good results?" Li Yu said with a cold face, but what she cared about wasn't the fact that her daughter had called her an old witch.

"Mother, but I really want to go out and see the world, just for today, one day, okay?" Hearing this, Mei Xiao couldn't maintain her fake smile and immediately pleaded with a sorrowful face.

"No! You're already sixteen. If you miss this Immortal Elite Conference, you'll be close to the age limit next time. And if you achieve a ranking in the conference, you will be able to cultivate at the main temple of the Double Moon Alliance. Then, you can wander around Yuhua City as you please, but for now, you must go back to seclusion obediently!" Li Yu scolded sternly.

Mei Xiao pursed her lips, her face full of dissatisfaction.

And at that moment, a Core Formation cultivator with a burn scar on his left face came out from the Combat Arena. Noticing the scene, he took the initiative to approach and exchanged a look with Liu Mao, who was quietly standing aside, and then greeted Li Yu with a cupped fist.

Coincidentally, this man was Zhang Xiu, whom Yuan Ming had once rescued in the Black Wind Desert.

"Fellow Daoist Li, what's the matter? Did my worthless disciple offend you all?" Zhang Xiu asked.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang has misunderstood. It's my unruly daughter, nothing to do with your disciple," Li Yu then noticed Liu Mao beside her and immediately turned around and shook her head.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiu pulled his disciple over. He hadn't intended to interfere with Li Yu's family affairs, but then Liu Mao suddenly transmitted to him the causes and consequences of the dispute.

After learning about the argument, Zhang Xiu couldn't help but glance at Mei Xiao.

"Fellow Daoist Li, please forgive my presumption, but as the saying goes, 'it is better to direct than to block.' Your beloved daughter is at a lively age. Allowing her one day off to explore the world might be beneficial. If you push her too hard, she might become rebellious and even less willing to practice Cultivation," Zhang Xiu thought for a moment and offered his advice.

Li Yu seemed somewhat hesitant upon hearing this, and Mei Xiao seized the opportunity to grab her mother's arm, her large watery eyes blinking pitifully like a little puppy.

"Sigh, just one day, but afterwards you must concentrate on your Cultivation," Li Yu sighed, her heart softening as she finally agreed to Mei Xiao's request.

"Yes!" Mei Xiao cheered.

"Don't be too happy just yet. You're still young; there are places you can't go. Huo Chan'er, you follow Xiao'er, don't let her wander too far, understand?" Li Yu was worried and suddenly turned her head to instruct the marten on her shoulder.

Huo Chan'er immediately stood up, patted its chest with its front paws, and then jumped forward onto Mei Xiao's shoulder.

"Ah, no, Mother, Huo Chan'er is such a glutton, whenever you're not around, it always extorts me for treats; please find someone else to keep an eye on me, Brother Fang Shuang would do!" Mei Xiao became anxious at once.

"Don't talk nonsense," Li Yu flicked Mei Xiao's forehead and reprimanded, not very pleased.

Huo Chan'er also nodded repeatedly, tapping lightly on Mei Xiao as if to complain.

"It's getting late, Fellow Daoist Li, I have urgent matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now," Zhang Xiu said, preparing to leave.

However, his disciple Liu Mao stayed behind.

Having heard of Zhang Xiu's reputation, Li Yu was at ease with his disciple and did not interfere with her daughter's socializing, merely admonishing her with a few words before leaving.

No sooner had she left than Huo Chan'er immediately acted all high and mighty, climbing atop Mei Xiao's head and waving its paws in front of her eyes.

"Ugh...that's all I have..." Mei Xiao pouted, reluctantly dug out a few Fire Crystal Stones from her Storage Bag, holding them in both hands like making an offering above her head.

Huo Chan'er was delighted, vanished in a flash of motion to gobble up the Fire Crystal Stones, and then complained with dissatisfaction, seemingly finding them insufficient, indicating that Mei Xiao should find more.

On the other hand, Fang Shuang was no stranger to these antics, turning his head directly toward Liu Mao, who was happily watching the drama unfold.

"May I ask Fellow Daoist Liu, is not your master the one known as the Lord of the Black Wind Desert?" he asked, curious.