"Futile effort!" snarled the newcomer, eyes ablaze with murderous intent. Mana surged through his body, channeling into the Demon Extermination Crossbow cradled in his arms. With a forceful exertion, he activated the weapon. Zing! The crossbow bolt shot out like a streak of lightning. Boom, boom, boom! The tremendous force struck the wielder of the Demon Extermination Crossbow, delivering a blow that was so powerful, it felt like mountains were collapsing and oceans were overturning, making one's heart tremble with fear.

He stumbled backward suddenly. The shockwaves were immense, even hurling the Ten Beasts that rushed forward through the air. Though they were uninjured, the immense power of the strike was clear to see. Fortunately, a flash of fire on the person's body resisted the brutal force, leaving him unharmed.

Looking ahead, he exclaimed, "This is bad!" The arrow had been released, and the Ten Beasts Vajra finally sensed it. In just a moment, a chilling terror descended upon him, as his gaze met the Demon Extermination Arrow. It was apparent that the power of this projectile far exceeded that of a regular Demon Extermination Crossbow. It was swift. And merciless. He didn't dare to hesitate.

The Ten Beasts Vajra quickly circulated his mana, pushing off the ground with powerful force to dodge. At the same time, his mana surged, activating the Xuan Technique, reinforcing his body while a black and white hue appeared before him. The two colors intertwined and spun. It was the deeply concealed Yin Yang Revolving Seal of the Ten Beasts Vajra.

Ten Beasts, Mountain Guardian, Yin Yang – the three Wheel Seal Techniques were in fact the true methods of the Ten Beasts Vajra. He had tempered his body rigorously using the Yin Yang Revolving Seal, treating his body as a magic artifact, forging and tempering it with this technique. His physical form became incomparably strong, almost impossible to shake.

In the face of the arrow, the Ten Beasts Vajra was genuinely scared. Not only did he exert every effort to dodge, but he also revealed his deeply hidden trump card. The hands that dealt with it were surely not in vain. The arrow was swift and bore down with the weight of a mountain, making it hard for the Ten Beasts Vajra to move and impossible to dodge.

Fortunately, the Yin Yang Revolving Seal was unleashed, with the black and white colors stretching out before him to meet the arrow. The technique was indeed formidable. And it was perfectly positioned to guard him. However, alas, the power of the Demon Extermination Arrow was too great. With a single shot, swift and ferocious, it shattered the Yin Yang Revolving Seal in an instant, striking the Ten Beasts Vajra directly in the chest.

Boom! The formidable physical form of the Ten Beasts Vajra, which had made him famous, could not withstand even a split second before the arrow pierced right through. The sturdy bolt, before penetrating the Ten Beasts Vajra, made his flesh seem as fragile as tofu, with more than half his chest cavity blown through, flesh and blood turned to dust. As the arrow vibrated through his body and sped into the distance, his entire being was scattered into dust by a mere gust of wind.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! A gust of wind arose, clouds billowed. Dust flurried everywhere, and all that remained was a faint soul dissipating, without an opportunity to reconstruct the body, left to reincarnate for another life. In the next life, to once again attain the status of a True Immortal, who knew if the opportunity would arise again, not to mention the numerous hardships and unexpected twists that were bound to occur.

Chirping, hissing, and roaring, with the death of the Ten Beasts Vajra, the Ten Beasts lost their master and instantly turned into ten shadows that entered the Ten Beasts Wheel Seal. The person who fired the Demon Extermination Crossbow stepped forward, collecting the Wheel Seal and examining it briefly before pocketing it, then approached Zhu Yang.

"Thank you, Brother Doutian, for saving my life!" Zhu Yang, witnessing how effortlessly the Ten Beasts Vajra was slain, hurried forward without time to be shocked and bowed deeply in gratitude to the newcomer. He had been watching for a long time and recognized him immediately - this was none other than the Doutian Daoist, with whom he had once collaborated in the Lower Realm.

Though the newcomer's appearance and aura were different, his demeanors were not concealed. With Zhu Yang's extraordinary perception, recognition was not difficult.

"Brother Zhu is too courteous," Lu Qingfeng laughed heartily, feeling delighted at encountering an old friend upon his arrival in this unfamiliar land. Three months ago, he had fled from the Three Mountains and Nine Waters into the Meteorite Sea. Using Dutian City, he had left the Meteorite Sea in just a few days. Following the trail of spiritual energy, guided by the indications of Ascension, he finally reached the Spirit Domain after three months.

Unexpectedly, the moment he stepped in, he encountered Zhu Yang, the 'Ghost Immortal.'

"I wonder if it's coincidence or the work of his 'Dayan Treasure Mirror'?" A thought flashed through Lu Qingfeng's mind, guessing correctly yet showing nothing on his face. Looking at Zhu Yang, Lu Qingfeng spoke, "In the Lower Realm, I made many enemies, so my ascension wasn't done with my True Body. Brother Zhu, you can simply call me 'Brother Eight Desolates.'"

Ascension was perilous, as was the Spirit Domain. Lu Qingfeng did not dare to let his true self risk danger lightly. This 'Eight Desolate Daoist' avatar was cultivated using the Quasi-Immortal Device 'Eight Desolate Mysterious Fire Mirror,' possessing considerable Divine Skills and an extremely resilient body. Just like earlier, when he wielded the enhanced Demon Extermination Crossbow to withstand the huge impact without any harm. Meanwhile, the Ten Beasts Vajra couldn't bear it and was killed instantly.

As for initially seizing the 'Mountain Guardian Wheel Seal' empty-handed, it was through the use of the Two Realms Ten Directions Vajra Great Treasury Mantra. As an artifact avatar, he couldn't learn the essence of Divine Skills, but channeling mana to wield some of the Divine Skills' power was no problem. This 'Two Realms Ten Directions Vajra Great Treasury Mantra' was a secret transmission from the Buddhist Sect of the Immortal Qin Realm that he had combined and enhanced with the 'Vajra Mountain Shifting Technique.'

Once deployed, it could change mountains and rivers, or even invert two realms and move to ten directions. With a subtle shift, it could prevent immortals, demons, or devils from entering. The Vajra, rooted in mountains, served to relocate peaks, subdue demons, and suppress evil – its profound efficacy was beyond words.

The Mountain Guardian Wheel Seal wielded the power of mountains, and in an instant, it crumbled to pieces.

Effortlessly snatched away by Lu Qingfeng.

"Brother Eight Desolates."

Zhu Yang understood immediately upon hearing this.

He also knew that the person before him was the very existence who had single-handedly slaughtered the entire Green Wood Valley lineage. And over the centuries since ascending to the Little Dragon Tiger Realm, Zhu Yang had long learned what colossal entity lay behind Green Wood Valley.

It was best to avoid exposing one's identity if possible.

Such was the wise course of action.

"This place is not safe to linger in for long. I am new to these parts. Brother Zhu, do you know where nearby might be suitable for settling down?" Lu Qingfeng asked, turning to Zhu Yang.

New to the Spirit Domain,

survival came first, along with familiarizing oneself with the environment and waiting for the opportune moment.

"Nine thousand li to the north, there's a region where mountains and rivers interlace, called 'Qingming Mountain'. Devoid of true immortals, it is a gathering place for loose cultivators, filled with all sorts—the best place to hide."

Zhu Yang explained.

...

The Little Dragon Tiger Realm, set within the sprawling scope of the Nine Nether of the Spirit Domain, was imbued with spiritual energy that surpassed the Lower Realm at every turn.

The heavens were lofty, the earth profound.

The differences in rank were stark.

And this was made evidently clear—

like in the art of flight.

In the Lower Realm, with Lu Qingfeng's Primordial Spirit cultivation level, he could traverse millions of li in a day without resorting to Divine Skills or techniques like the 'Cloud Summit Step'.

But once in the Little Dragon Tiger Realm, even as the 'Eight Desolate Daoist' with True Immortal cultivation, he could only manage thirty to fifty thousand li in a day.

A reduction by more than a thousandfold.

This was one of the bindings of the more powerful celestial rules in place.

Secondly,

In the Lower Realm, a Primordial Spirit level cultivator could easily tear through the barriers of the realms, move freely in and out. With a simple gesture, one could shatter the void and devastate thousands upon thousands of li.

Moving mountains, shifting peaks, all within the realm of possibility.

However, within the Little Dragon Tiger Realm, even true immortals found it hard to come and go as they pleased. Once ascended, unless one had other methods, the help of a true immortal, or achieved the Earth Immortal Dao Fruit, one might spend their entire life confined to a single realm.

In every aspect,

things were markedly different.

But fortunately, though there were constraints, there was no sense of oppression, and the benefits were plentiful.

One could sense the substantiality of heaven and earth, the clarity of the Great Dao, and it was much easier to comprehend the Immortal Mechanism and divine the profound mysteries compared to the Lower Realm, making cultivation faster.

Furthermore, from time to time, there were immortal mountains where true immortals would expound on the Dao, and with someone to show the way, it was far better than wandering aimlessly in the mortal world.

Within the Three Mountains and Nine Waters, many cultivators called the Spirit Domain the 'Immortal Realm', which was quite fitting in reality.

The Spirit Domain did indeed provide an easier path for cultivation, rich with opportunities.

Lu Qingfeng followed Zhu Yang toward Qingming Mountain.

Along the way,

the two exchanged pleasantries, with Zhu Yang knowing that Lu Qingfeng had just ascended, and he took the initiative to introduce him to the environment and various rules of the Spirit Domain or the Little Dragon Tiger Realm.

He also explained much about the various powers within the Little Dragon Tiger Realm that he knew of.

As Qingming Mountain came into view, Lu Qingfeng had already gained a basic understanding of the realm he had ascended to.

...

Qingming Mountain.

The land was a continuous expanse of mountain ranges and water systems weaving intricately, manifesting an almost serene and profound atmosphere, fittingly called 'Qingming Mountain'. Once, a true immortal had expounded on the Dao here, leaving behind a poem—

'Above Qingming, a sliver to heaven spies, Below the roaring white rapids, a thousand rivers it defies.'

Praising the mountains and rivers of the place.

Lu Qingfeng, with his vast experience and knowledge, found the mountain landscapes here quite ordinary. But for the likes of Zhu Yang and other average cultivators from the Lower Realm, ascension to a place like Qingming Mountain would surely be a marvel far surpassing any that the mortal Three Mountains and Seven Gorges or Immortal Sects could offer.

"Brother Eight Desolates."

"This is Qingming Mountain."

Zhu Yang pointed to a lush mountainous area ahead and said, "Qingming Mountain has twelve main peaks, each occupied by a True Immortal cultivating, who also serve as the twelve spokespeople of Qingming Mountain. They seldom bother with worldly matters, instead pursuing a life of carefree bliss. Therefore, many loose cultivators who seek the Dao or yearn for such freedom often settle here. Over time, it has become renowned in the nearby areas as a gathering spot for loose cultivators."

As Zhu Yang introduced the place, he led Lu Qingfeng into the heart of Qingming Mountain.

"Zhu has been to the Little Dragon Tiger Realm only recently, spending some time adventuring outside, but most of it in seclusion, cultivating on a minor peak within Qingming Mountain," Zhu Yang spoke, and soon they landed on an unremarkable mountain peak.

Qingming Mountain had numerous odd, perilous, and towering peaks, most of which were occupied by top-tier Primordial Spirits, aside from the twelve True Immortals. Although Zhu Yang was not weak in strength, since he had ascended not long ago and kept a low profile, he chose to settle on an ordinary mountain peak.

But this did not hinder his cultivation.

"Feiniao Mountain Blood Flame Cave."

Zhu Yang led Lu Qingfeng into the mountain, guiding him through the large array of the cave dwelling and into the Blood Flame Cave.

Upon entering the dwelling,

Zhu Yang straightened his robe, saluted with folded hands, and then bowed deeply to Lu Qingfeng: "I owe Brother Eight Desolates a life-saving grace!"

The recent ordeal.

Had it not been for Lu Qingfeng's intervention, even if Zhu Yang could have detonated the Blood Flame Saber and executed the 'Blood Flame Escape Heaven Technique' to escape, it would have severely damaged his foundational strength, indefinitely postponing the opportunity to ascend to True Immortal status, perhaps even rendering it an impossible dream.

Therefore,

his gratitude was genuine.

"Brother Zhu is too kind,"

Lu Qingfeng said as he hastily helped Zhu Yang to his feet, chuckling, "I'm new to the Spirit Domain, and meeting Brother Zhu is surely no coincidence. My previous assistance was but a small effort; please, think nothing of it."

Listening to this, Zhu Yang said no more, simply making a mental note of the kindness.

Both took their seats.

A flicker of emotion crossed Zhu Yang's face, and with a wave of his hand, a fierce and ferocious beast fell from the sky.