Facing Yuan Ming's question, Mao Yi flicked his sleeve, and a stack of fiery red Array Flag Array Plates appeared inside the room, the Array Flags engraved with complex runes, emitting bursts of scorching heat.

Everyone felt a wave of heat rushing towards them, as if they were standing at the mouth of a volcano.

Immediately afterward, Mao Yi tossed several Jade Scrolls containing Formation information, which flew into the hands of each person.

Yuan Ming released his Divine Sense into the Jade Scroll in his hand, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.

The Formation Mao Yi had given was a top-tier Fire Attribute Level 5 Array Formation. In terms of sophistication, even amongst Su Yingxue's collection of Level 5 Formations, it held a ranking.

However, the structure of this Formation was quite peculiar. It didn't seem meant for attack or defense. Many of the rune combinations used had a certain specificity, seemingly designed to break a certain Forbidden area.

Yuan Ming harbored some suspicions and discreetly observed everyone again.

The other people's expertise in formations weren't as profound as Yuan Ming's, so they didn't notice the strange aspects of the Formation, merely considering them as Mao Yi's treasures.

Yuan Ming had no intention of alerting them, swallowing the matter silently.

In the following days, Yuan Ming and the others, under Mao Yi's supervision, continually practiced this special Formation. Due to its complexity, it took them a full half month to master it.

Once Mao Yi noticed this, he didn't delay further and immediately led everyone and his other subordinates out of the underground, summoning the black Long Gui, and rode it swiftly in the deep sea.

Throughout the journey, Mao Yi did not shield the group's perception, so they quickly realized their destination this time was the Abyss Dead Land, deep within the Dongji Sea.

Unease grew in everyone's hearts at this realization, even Yuan Ming found it difficult to maintain his composure, agitation stirred within.

Half a month later, the black Long Gui finally came to a stop.

Everyone on the turtle's back gazed ahead, the distant sea seemingly calm and peaceful, yet the seabed was filled with deep darkness. Neither eyesight nor Divine Sense could discern its depth, like a Bottomless Abyss.

The surrounding seawater also appeared pristine, without fish or shrimp, and absent of any sound, akin to a sea of dead silence.

"So this is the Abyss Dead Land..." Yun Luo Fairy murmured, seemingly having never been here before.

Huangfu Jue, the bald elder, and the white-faced scholar were no different.

Yuan Ming also looked forward, a trace of unusual color flashing in his eyes.

Mao Yi didn't lead everyone directly into the Abyss but stopped at the edge and moved no further, nor did he explain, appearing to wait for something.

The others followed suit, quietly waiting.

Approximately half a day later, everyone viewed from afar a giant Flying Boat, shadowing the skies like a floating island, arriving swiftly and stopping not far away.

Mao Yi noticed this and also flew up from the giant turtle alone, gazing at the massive boat, his robe flapping despite no wind.

"Palace Master Ouyang, you've come from afar, I've been waiting here for quite some time." He slowly spoke, his voice echoing through the heavens and earth.

"Humph."

Then, everyone heard a loud, clear scoff, like thunder from the Nine Heavens erupting out of nowhere, a terrifying pressure instantly descended all around, suppressing the sea into stillness, the clouds into serene.

However, the Qi Force and pressure couldn't touch Mao Yi in the slightest, as if a Qi Shield protected him, disconnecting everything.

"I didn't expect you to be a member of the Three Realms Sect, Mao Yi. I, Ouyang Qiang, must be truly old, not realizing a rat sneaking right under my nose." A figure appeared in mid-air, confronting Mao Yi from afar.

The person revealed was a woman, around thirty years old, skin whiter than snow, black hair like clouds, clothed in a fiery red palace attire resembling flames and blood, exuding a domineering aura that defies direct gaze.

She stared at Mao Yi, her eyebrows raised, eyes glaring, anyone could discern her overwhelming rage.

"Hehe, Palace Master Ouyang has praised me too much. In the letter, I stated clearly my intentions for inviting the Palace Master here, seeking a negotiation. With such an imposing stance, could it be you're eager for a fight first?" Mao Yi chuckled lightly.

"Do you think I dare not?" Dongji Palace Master Ouyang Qiang coldly retorted.

With those words, her silhouette flashed, suddenly appearing inches before Mao Yi, a fair hand already pointed at his forehead.

Yet Mao Yi's stance never shifted from start to finish, the expression on his face unchanged.

"With Palace Master Ouyang's boundless Divine Skills, not to mention a duel, even outright killing me wouldn't be difficult. But the Nine Revolutions Divine Sky Technique holds earth-shattering power, and if its aftermath were to harm your dear son here, it might leave the Palace Master with deep regret." Mao Yi gestured at Huangfu Jue on the turtle's back, then tucked his sleeves, smiling.

An unknown yellow halo surrounded Huangfu Jue, he opened his mouth, seemingly about to speak, yet uttered no sound.

Witnessing this, Ouyang Qiang's expression grew increasingly gloomy, yet she retracted the extended hand.

"...Tell me, what do you want?" After a moment of silence, Ouyang Qiang flashed back to her original position and asked.

"Just as I mentioned in my letter, I hope that Palace Master Ouyang can bring the Emperor Yan's Ruyi Scepter and open the Emperor Yan's Mausoleum with me." Mao Yi smiled slightly.

"The story of the Emperor Yan's Tomb has been passed down for so many years, yet no one has ever found its exact location. Judging by what you said, have you discovered something?" Ouyang Qiang's sullen face was moved. He&lp us cont-i!n%ue by r-e$ad%in@g at the s.o+ur%ce^: *&.

"That's right, I've already discovered that the tomb is in this Abyss Dead Land. As for the exact location, I've personally confirmed it, and there will be no mistake." Mao Yi said proudly.

"But even knowing the location, it's said that three Emperor Yan's Ruyi Scepters are needed to open the tomb. You and I each have one. Have you found the last one?" Ouyang Qiang frowned slightly.

"No, I only have one in my hand, and as for the remaining one, I have searched every corner of the Dongji Sea for so many years but never found any clues. I suspect it might not even be in the Dongji Sea." Mao Yi shook his head.

"Then what use is there in inviting me?" Ouyang Qiang appeared displeased.

"Palace Master need not worry. Since I dare to invite you, I have a way to open the tomb with two Emperor Yan's Ruyi Scepters. To be honest, if I could find the whereabouts of the third Emperor Yan's Ruyi Scepter, I wouldn't have wanted you to join." Mao Yi said with a regretful expression.

Ouyang Qiang carefully observed the subtle changes in Mao Yi's expression, silently weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

If the other party wasn't holding any chips, as a Demon Cultivator, Ouyang Qiang wouldn't even have given him a chance to speak.

Mao Yi wasn't in a hurry. He believed that even if it wasn't for Huangfu Jue's safety, Ouyang Qiang wouldn't refuse when it involved Emperor Yan's Immortal Mansion.

"Alright, I agree with you, but you must release Huangfu Jue first." After some thought, Ouyang Qiang made a decision.

"That's impossible, Palace Master Ouyang. You should know that before entering the Emperor Yan's Tomb, I won't release Huangfu Jue. This is our basis for mutual trust." Mao Yi decisively refused.

"Then how can I believe you won't betray me after getting what you want?" Ouyang Qiang retorted.

After a bout of sharp exchanges, the two sides eventually compromised, with Mao Yi swearing to release Huangfu Jue upon opening the tomb.

After the discussion, Ouyang Qiang turned and flew back to the giant boat.

Mao Yi didn't linger in mid-air either and flew back to the turtle's back.

"You all heard my conversation with Palace Master Ouyang just now. Next, we will enter the Abyss Dead Land. You should be aware of the two major dangers in the Abyss—Demon Song and Abyss Giant Beast. I won't say more than necessary. As long as you listen to what I say when danger arises, you can keep your lives. If you don't follow orders, don't blame me if you die." Mao Yi said to Yuan Ming and the five others.

The group exchanged glances but, constrained by their situation, no one dared to voice any objections.

After a brief rest, Mao Yi signaled towards the Dongji Palace's Flying Boat, and the two groups set out together, stepping into the Abyss Dead Land.

Not long after they left, a large mass of white cloud quietly flew by in the sky, occasionally flashing with spirit light inside, clear evidence that it was not a natural cloud.

On the cloud stood two or three dozen figures in white, exuding a majestic aura, among whom were Returning Void beings.

"Did you see clearly? Are you sure it was indeed Ouyang Qiang?" asked a middle-aged man in the center of the crowd.

This man stood tall, with features like exquisite jade, and wore a piece of purple jade around his waist, appearing as if a refined scholar from the mundane world.

"Reporting to the Mountain Master, I saw very clearly. It was indeed Ouyang Qiang herself. The Thunder aura from her is unmistakeable. As for the other group, they are indeed the Demon Cultivators from the Black Evil Sect, with Mao Yi at their head." Answered a sturdy, blond man beside him, gazing into the distance.

This man's eyes were bright and occasionally shot out several feet of retractable Golden Light, resembling some Spiritual Eye Divine Power.

"Good, it seems this trip won't be in vain. To think that the Emperor Yan's Tomb truly has a day of emergence," the middle-aged scholar remarked with a gentle smile.

"Then let's quickly catch up. The situation within the Abyss Dead Land is unpredictable, unlike the Dongji Sea. If we lose them, it will be troublesome," a gray-clothed elder suggested in a voice.

If Yuan Ming were here, he would certainly recognize this person—it was none other than Dian Xiaosan, who appeared at the Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip.

"No need to be anxious, Master Dian. With Gao Feng here, they won't be lost, and there's another matter at hand." The middle-aged scholar mentioned.

"What matter?" Dian Xiaosan was taken aback.

"Brother Zhu Yu, we're about to enter the abyss. How long do you plan to hide?" The middle-aged scholar glanced below with a soft smile.

The sea water beneath the white cloud suddenly surged, and a gigantic sea beast with a fearsome shape emerged. It resembled a shark but was a hundred times larger than ordinary shark demon beasts, with four massive beast claws under its ribs, glistening with a chilling light.

On the back of the sea beast stood a dozen Returning Void entities. Though they were humanoid, their eyes carried the fierce quality unique to the Demon Clan.

"Demons from the Azure Dragon Pond!" Dian Xiaosan exclaimed in surprise.

The shark sea beast seemed very displeased with the group in the air, raising its head to let out a silent roar into the sky. The surging waves resembled a storm, seemingly about to strike the cloud's tip.

Meanwhile, the white cloud in the sky roiled, and several Returning Void cultivators inside grasped their Magic Treasures, ready and vigilant.

"Tsk tsk, Brother Bai Yuan, your Spiritual Sense is quite sharp. I've already used the Water Concealing Divine Ability on Guo Sha, yet you still detected us." A blue-robed man atop the shark sea beast shot forward, appearing in front of the white cloud in a blur, moving at terrifying speed akin to Instantaneous Movement.

This man's face was broad, with an enormous mouth extending to his ears, a flat nose, and faint blue scales on his arms, carrying some Demon Clan traits.