After breaking free from the thinning chaotic vortex, Shu Han didn't expect that it would be Qiu Pengxing who would come to their rescue in their life-or-death situation.

Qiu Pengxing said, "Don't look at me like that. There's a seal you placed on me; if you both die, I'll follow."

Shu Han smiled. A shimmering glob of Heavenly Creation Fluid flew from his storage pouch to Qiu Pengxing. Bowing slightly, he said, "Regardless of the reasons, you did save us both, fellow daoist Qiu. Please accept this Heavenly Creation Fluid. Let's part ways here, and if fate allows, we'll meet again."

Qiu Pengxing stared at the Heavenly Creation Fluid, visibly salivating, and murmured in disbelief, "You're really giving it to me?"

"Of course. Take care on your journey."

Shangguan Ruolin flicked her finger, sending a ray of spiritual light into Qiu Pengxing's abdomen. The seal placed in his Dantian gradually dissolved.

Having settled the matter, Shu Han glanced at the fading vortex, knowing that pursuers would soon be on their tail. He took Shangguan Ruolin into his arms, transforming into a streak of light, heading toward the teleportation array of the Purple Sun Sect.

Watching the duo depart, Qiu Pengxing thought to himself, 'The kid might be a bit ruthless in his methods, but he's not heartless. Given the gift of the Heavenly Creation Fluid, I'll let bygones be bygones. If we meet again in the future, I owe you a drink.'

He stored the precious fluid and hurriedly darted towards the teleportation array of the Rainbow Light Sword Valley.

Moments later, as the vortex thinned out, eight cultivators who were chasing Shu Han managed to break through. Seeing Shu Han heading in the direction of the Purple Sun Sect's teleportation array, they were infuriated.

"Chase him! He must be drained by now! We have to intercept him before he reaches the teleportation array!"

"Enough with the secrets! Everyone should use their trump cards. That kid took two portions of the Heavenly Creation Fluid. If we kill him, there's enough for all eight of us to share!"

"Agreed!"

Meanwhile, the battle for the mountain's heavenly pond had also come to an end.

The Fiery Cloud Instant Sect and Cloud Mist Sect proved superior, dividing the remaining Heavenly Creation Fluid. The Purple Sun Sect, having been directly hit by the fully-powered Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword earlier, found their combat abilities compromised and couldn't keep pace with the other sects.

The Purple Sun Sect cultivator couldn't help but ask, "Senior Brother Fan, if Senior Brother Cheng had already obtained two portions of the fluid, why did we not only not assist him but also attack him?"

Fan Zheyan was seething with anger, "Silence! There's a limit to one's stupidity! How could someone of Cheng Yuhuan's mid-stage caliber possibly have such combat prowess? Didn't you hear what the Green Thunder Sect said? Someone was impersonating him to take advantage!"

The sects that had secured the Heavenly Creation Fluid quickly retreated from the mountaintop heavenly pond, under the cover of their fellow sect members, heading back to their respective sect's teleportation arrays.

Fan Zheyan left empty-handed, feeling resentful thinking about how his core formation seemed even more distant now. He looked down at the cultivators of the Green Thunder Sect and was genuinely surprised; they genuinely had not made a move.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

What were these Green Thunder Sect cultivators thinking?

"Senior brother, let's go back. Not securing it was within our expectations."

"Wait!" Fan Zheyan's eyes shifted, saying, "Let's feign departure first and find a place to hide on this mountain peak. I'm curious about what these Green Thunder Sect cultivators are up to!"

Thus, Fan Zheyan led his team down the mountain, only to sneak back and find a hidden spot to hide. To his surprise, he found that the Rainbow Light Sword Valley, who also came out empty-handed, had done the same. Their intentions seemed to align with Fan Zheyan's.

"Fellow daoist Wu!"

"Fellow daoist Fan!"

The two leaders immediately recognized each other's intentions upon meeting. Without further courtesies, they concealed themselves, observing the Green Thunder Sect cultivators on the mountain peak.

After the other sect cultivators left, the group of Green Thunder Sect cultivators finally made their move. They flew directly to the already dried-up heavenly pond, aiming for the central divine stone from which the chaos light column emanated.

Just as expected!

Fan Zheyan sneered inwardly, thinking that if these Green Thunder Sect cultivators weren't after the Heavenly Creation Fluid, they must be after something even more valuable. Within this mountaintop pond, only this divine stone held greater value than the Heavenly Creation Fluid!

But how could they move this divine stone? For hundreds of years, countless cultivators had attempted to take this stone, but the conclusion was consistent: the stone was the foundation of the Immaculate Realm, and Foundation Establishment stage cultivators could not move it, no matter what. Why has the Green Thunder Sect suddenly taken an interest in this divine stone?

Fan Zheyan whispered, "Fellow daoist Wu, since the Green Thunder Sect is acting covertly, they must be confident in obtaining something from the divine stone. They outnumber us, but if our two sects join forces, we can seize the treasure together. We can't leave this mountain empty-handed, or neither of us will be able to face our sects."

"Treasures of heaven and earth belong to those capable of obtaining them! Your words resonate with me, fellow daoist Fan!"

They continued observing as fourteen Green Thunder Sect cultivators approached the divine stone. Six stood guard around the perimeter, while eight sat encircling the stone, producing silvery talismans, their purpose unclear.

Symbols, cryptic and intricate, emerged from the talismans and melded into the heart of the divine stone. Soon, these runes appeared within the radiant column that the stone projected, racing upwards and gradually spreading across the zenith of the Immaculate Realm.

Witnessing the silvery runes sprawl across the apex of the Immaculate Realm, Fan Zheyan had an ominous premonition.

"What are they trying to do?!"

Elsewhere, Shu Han, holding Shangguan Ruolin, sped towards the Purple Sun Sect. His cultivation had significantly diminished, no longer holding the might of his peak phase.

He quickly returned the Golden Core to Shangguan Ruolin and handed her a vial of the Heavenly Creation Fluid, urging, "Linlin, with the Heavenly Creation Fluid in hand, quickly refine it into your Golden Core to restore your cultivation. I have a bad feeling; if you regain your strength, I'll be at ease."

"What's wrong?"

Shu Han replied, "The mountaintop had no demonic cultivators, and the Green Thunder Sect's actions are strange. They're plotting something. We need to leave this place of trouble."

Shangguan Ruolin said, "Refining the Heavenly Creation Fluid to repair the Golden Core might take some time. I won't be of any help during this period. Let's leave first."

"Stop talking nonsense. I can't use your Golden Core right now. Plus, I'm nearing my limit. If anything happens, we might have to rely on you."

Touching Shu Han's pale face, Shangguan Ruolin vowed, "Alright, just wait for me. Once I finish restoring my cultivation, no one will be able to harm you!"

With that, Shangguan Ruolin downed the entire vial of the Heavenly Creation Fluid and retreated into a jade pendant space.

She radiated a brilliant white light, reminiscent of a celestial maiden descended from the heavens. The miraculous effects of the Heavenly Creation Fluid rapidly mended her battered Golden Core and harmonized the conflicting techniques within her.

Once Shangguan Ruolin entered the jade pendant, Shu Han couldn't hold back any longer and spat out another mouthful of blood. His situation was even worse than he'd led her to believe. He wavered, nearly plummeting from the sky.

Facing a cultivator's assault alone, detonating two avatars, and employing the Sky Palace Mysterious Secret had drained him, even though his body was reinforced by Profound Ice and Yin Spring.

Clutching a mid-grade spirit stone, Shu Han forced himself to fly towards the teleportation array by sheer will and spiritual power.