Both beasts were massive, each over three and a half meters in length, their ferocity and malevolence clear. Now, their bodies lay entwined, a pool of blood spreading rapidly around them. Their deaths had been swift and brutal.

Yu Ci knew his own abilities well. His Earth Escape Technique was rudimentary at best. It could penetrate thick layers of rock, albeit slowly. Yet, when he emerged from the Central Docking Array just now, his movement was smooth as if passing through a layer of water, encountering minimal resistance. This must be the effect of the "Light Extinguishing Escape Method."

Moreover, there was another matter that warranted Yu Ci's attention. He crouched down, his fingertips probing the wound torn open by the Sword Energy. After a moment's exploration, an understanding seemed to dawn on him.

Once Yu Ci had dealt with the beasts, people from inside the mountain came out to help clean up. Leading the group was Zhao Xi Qiao. No one on the entire dock was more experienced in handling the bodies of demonic beasts. Yan Hao also came out, intent on assessing the damage to the Jue Valley Docking Formation.

While Zhao Xi Qiao and others were busy, Yu Ci was engrossed in studying his blood-stained finger. It wasn't until Yan Hao noticed his strange behavior and came over to inquire that he broke his concentration.

"Nothing, I'm going to scout around," Yu Ci replied with a smile. He flicked the blood off his finger and took off. This time, he deliberately used the "Light Extinghishing Escape Method." His ascent might not have been fast, but the sound of his clothes slicing through the air gradually diminished until it disappeared entirely when he reached the sheer cliff. Even his figure became blurred in the shadows.

"So it is," he murmured, standing atop the valley. He let out a long sigh, the sound like a sharp whistle piercing through a narrow gap. The warm breath, no more than two inches wide, shot out three feet before gradually dissipating.

Using this method, Yu Ci relieved the sudden increase in pressure within his body. When he had used the "Light Extinguishing Escape Method" to penetrate the thick rock layer earlier, he had felt a similar sensation. This inward force naturally formed when using the Escape Technique, creating a subtle fluctuation outside the body that minimized the sound of breaking through the air, possibly reducing resistance as well. However, it also put tremendous pressure on his body, even subtly affecting his Divine Soul.

But the pressure was not what concerned Yu Ci. What intrigued him was the possibility that this method could enhance the power of his sword. He had no interest in the Heaven Escape Sect's "Strike and Flee a Thousand Miles" Escape Technique. But if this Escape Technique could increase the lethality of his sword, even slightly, it would certainly pique his interest.

Over the past two months, Yu Ci had been working hard to hone his swordsmanship, aiming to align it with his own path. As he adjusted and restructured his Sword aura, his sword's killing intent grew stronger, its explosive power and lethality increasing significantly. However, he had reached the peak of his Cultivation Level, and any further progress would be ten times more challenging than before.

Unexpectedly, while using the "Light Extinguishing Escape Method", the basic stances naturally formed an "internal pressure". This pressure not only squeezed the organs but also drove the Primordial Qi, making the Qi that flowed through the meridians even more fierce. It seemed that each stance was preparing for the subsequent onslaught, making the sword strike more lethal, with a noticeable increase in destructive power.

Named the "Escape Technique", Yu Ci thought it more like a highly sophisticated method of storing power. He couldn't help but marvel at the Heaven Escape Sect, undoubtedly a significant sect of the era. Any technique they casually produced was not to be underestimated. With this in mind, he wondered what kind of divine abilities would the higher-level "Escape Techniques" possess?

At this point, Yu Ci couldn't help but think of the Mirage Jade Scroll that Elder Chu had mentioned. If this item was indeed ten times stronger than the "Light Extinguishing Escape Method", he was becoming quite restless.

Brushing aside these sprouting thoughts, Yu Ci stood atop the valley.

The top of the secluded valley was considered a high point within a radius of dozens of miles. Standing atop, the layers of mountains were vast, the green python-like landscape stretched on, and the setting sun scattered its residual glow, occasionally illuminating a few beasts in mid-fight. The night curtain had already descended on the eastern mountain range, the edge where the setting sun could no longer reach, and it was steadily expanding its territory.

Unknowingly, a day had passed. The surroundings of the dock were not entirely peaceful, but the situation was much better than expected. Most of the Birds of Prey that had flown east in the commotion had not returned, and while there were animal fights near the dock, they were far less intense than previously estimated.

Seeing this situation, Yu Ci felt somewhat relieved. He wasn't just standing idly, but was using the only stationary stance among the nine basic movements of the "Light Extinguishing Escape Method". When he was practicing indoors, he had focused most of his energy on this stance, but had not noticed anything unusual. Now, with some insights, he indeed found that this stance could also generate "internal pressure", but it was much more gentle.

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The power was layered on, lacking the explosive force of the previous stances, but the accumulated combined force actually exceeded them by quite a bit. When the "internal pressure" reached its peak, Yu Ci vaguely felt a corresponding external force, but before he could delve deeper, a hawk's cry sounded above him.

The lingering scent of blood from the dead beasts in the secluded valley, even after prompt disposal, was highly attractive to various Birds of Prey, and could even attract demons. Yu Ci had been standing at the top of the valley for a short while when two or three hawks or vultures started circling above him. However, the terrain of the secluded valley was not conducive to birds swooping down for food, so they had been holding back.

Perhaps due to lingering too long, these Birds of Prey became somewhat agitated and suddenly erupted in a small conflict. Immediately after, these damned beasts flapped their wings and flew high, chasing after the trace that had disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Awakened abruptly, Yu Ci knew it was not the time for diligent effort, yet he was somewhat puzzled by the changes above. As he was pondering, the ground beneath him quivered slightly. He stepped aside just in time to see Elder Chu's bald head emerge from the soil of the valley peak, and with another push, he pulled himself up.

The old man's Earth Escape was executed smoothly. Excluding the previous occasion, Yu Ci could only look on in awe.

Yu Ci chuckled and asked, "Elder Chu, are you also here for fresh air?"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than he realized something. Looking again at the now much clearer sky, he clapped his hands and laughed, "So it was Elder Chu who took action, no wonder those Birds of Prey fled so disgracefully!"

Elder Chu's cultivation level was exquisite, reaching the pinnacle of the Nature-Connecting Middle Stage. In terms of cultivation level, he was stronger than Yu Ci. He had devoted his life to studying the Way of the Divine Soul, and had considerable research on the Bewitching Divine Technique. To unexpectedly influence a few Damn Beasts was not a difficult task. The old man was more than five times his age, and Yu Ci occasionally paid him a compliment, which was considered respectful. Unfortunately, Elder Chu ignored him, only staring at him, and said:

"You used the Light Extinguishing Escape Method, so you must know its benefits. But compared to the Mirage Jade Scroll in my hand, it's insignificant."

The old man had received some news from somewhere, and hurried over to inquire again, obviously not giving up. Yu Ci had already explained his reasons earlier, and now he could only give a bitter smile. Clearly, after being refused last night, Elder Chu had come up with a new idea. Seeing his expression, he said:

"I am quite discreet and have no desire for your treasures. As long as you lend me that item for study during your stay at the dock, I will let you see the Mirage Jade Scroll. This way, we can exchange them back before you leave."

This was actually a good idea, and Yu Ci was somewhat tempted upon hearing it. However, he was certain that the old man would not get a glimpse of the Qi of the Heavenly Dragon True Form, and the True Purple Smoke Warm Jade was someone else's sect treasure. If word leaked out, perhaps Murong Qingyan, that inscrutable woman, would come to argue. Yu Ci was quite wary of her, and if she really demanded it, he would not be able to find a reason to refuse.

After some thought, Yu Ci ultimately shook his head.

Elder Chu was momentarily frustrated, but seeing Yu Ci's hesitation, he did not want to give up just yet. He snorted and stayed on top of the valley, refusing to leave.

Yu Ci smiled and paid him no mind, focusing instead on observing the situation on all sides.

The forest's twilight fell swiftly. As the sunset sank behind the misty horizon of the Sky Rift Valley, the woods were veiled in a layer of black gauze that rapidly deepened. As if to join in the fun, the heavens drew in thick clouds from nowhere, obscuring stars and moon, casting a blanket of darkness over the land at an astonishing speed.

Zhao Xi Qiao and his team had completed their tasks. Yan Hao's progress, however, was less satisfactory. But the repair of the Docking Array was a meticulous job and could not be rushed.

Yu Ci felt it was about time to wrap things up. With the arrival of darkness, the level of danger in the forest escalated dramatically. The sounds of beasts howling and owls hooting echoed from near and far. The inevitable return of the beast tide was imminent.

Perhaps the accumulation of dark clouds was too great, as the rumble of thunder echoed from the sky.

This year’s spring thunder arrived rather late, Yu Ci thought, entangled with his earlier musings. He turned to Elder Chu and said, "Let's descend, Elder Chu. We can discuss the matter later."

The old man didn't respond, but instead stared blankly at the sky.

Yu Ci followed his gaze upward, but he could see nothing through the thick clouds. The thunder continued to rumble, yet there was no flash of lightning. It was eerily bizarre.

As the echoes of thunder rolled away, Yu Ci turned to Elder Chu again, intending to speak. Suddenly, he saw the old man's face turn ghastly pale, with beads of sweat popping out on his bald head. Yu Ci was startled and reached out to support him. Just then, another thunderclap exploded in the clouds, this one without warning, as if the sound was being driven directly into his ears.

Elder Chu cried out, blood spurting from his facial orifices, and collapsed backward.

Yu Ci felt a shockwave pass through his forehead, his eardrums ringing. But beyond that, there was a surprising lack of sensation. At least he had no idea why Elder Chu had ended up in such a state!

With his ears still ringing, Yu Ci's hearing was affected. He didn't dare to delay, holding Elder Chu and leaping backward. Below was a hundred-foot cliff. Yu Ci bounced off the cliff wall a few times and made it down. But while he was descending, the cliff seemed to shake, and a foul smell wafted through the chaotic wind and invaded his nostrils.

Yu Ci felt a jolt through his body and looked up sharply.

Atop the high cliff, a massive beast stood proudly, its head raised in a roar that echoed like thunder.

Under the dark clouds, in the darkness, Yu Ci could only see the beast's dark silhouette. But the familiar stench, carried on the whistling cold wind, became increasingly familiar, accumulating in his heart like the dark clouds overhead.

Yu Ci landed firmly and turned around, only to see several cultivators, including Yan Hao, collapsed on the valley floor, unconscious or worse.

The brightness above was increasing, not because the dark clouds were dissipating, but because a layer of fire and smoke was swirling around the beast on the cliff top. At first, there were only sparks, but then they connected into a sheet of flame.

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