The howling sound reverberated through the cloudy and misty void, startling countless creatures in the valley. The disturbance radiated outward from where Yu Ci stood. The impact of the sound waves was negligible, but on the Divine Soul level, the shock waves bursting from Yu Ci's "Soul Source" swept across the entire void.

Wherever the shock reached, the "Soul Source" of all surrounding creatures trembled slightly. At this moment, Yu Ci was like a sun, radiating intense light and heat. While it didn't cause any harm, all creatures within its range felt discomfort, their cries and screams echoing incessantly.

The impact on the Divine Soul level seemed to expand infinitely, and Yu Ci, with an unrestrained attitude, "surveyed" everything around him. He thought this situation could continue indefinitely, but at this moment, a chill suddenly arose in his heart.

"Danger!"

A sharp alarm rang in his heart. At this instant, amidst the unlimited expansion and inflation, a cold spike was thrust into his euphoria. It was the instinct to perceive danger and avoid death at the brink of life!

Yu Ci absolutely trusted his instinct, which was honed from countless struggles between life and death. It had saved his life numerous times before and guided him towards victory. It had been so in the past, and it would certainly be so in the future!

Without any thought, his previously scattered ideas suddenly found a focus, converging instantly on the "spike".

With a "pop", an endlessly expanding "balloon" burst.

Yu Ci was stunned.

The howl was cut off, all the expansion and inflation abruptly halted at this moment. The strong sense of control seemed like a dream, shattered in an instant,

Because it was merely built on expanding air. When the "spike" punctured the balloon, the only vehicle was ruined. His rationality, which had been pushed to the clouds, fell heavily, causing a painful throb in his heart.

Rationality brought a completely different perception, but before Yu Ci could grasp it, more straightforward information was transmitted back from afar.

It was the "little fellow" that had flown far away just now.

Through the implanted Divine consciousness starlight, a strong stimulus appeared in the surrounding void and flew directly towards him without any hesitation. Yu Ci knew that the Divine Soul impact he had just forced out with a howl had caused that person to react.

What a fast approach!

Due to his previous daze, by the time he noticed this person, it was a bit late. Before Yu Ci could identify the newcomer, the person arrived, riding on a fragrant breeze:

"Daoist friend Yu, it's been a while, have you been well?"

The night was not yet over, and there was no daylight in Sky Rift Valley. After the commotion, it was still dark. But the arrival of this person brought a bright glow to the darkness.

In the night wind, Yu Ci first saw two long flowing ribbons. These were the light silk scarves wrapped around the newcomer's jade arms. The person had come riding the wind, the scarves flowing like smoke, sometimes spreading like wings, sometimes wrapping around the body, perfectly embodying a graceful and elegant feel. It made the large-sleeved palace dress she wore seem less flamboyant, like a cloud lifting her up, ethereal as a fairy.

At this moment, this enchanting woman was smiling at him.

Yu Ci was startled but recognized the small mole at the corner of her lips due to her smile, confirming the identity of the newcomer.

"Master Bi Chao?"

He was genuinely surprised.

The newly appointed leader of Xuan Yin Sect had indeed left a deep impression on Yu Ci. However, her attire had changed. Besides the usual elegance and grandeur, she now had an ethereal aura, like a fairy princess, captivating and unforgettable. Such a transformation made it difficult to recognize her at first. But once he recognized her, Yu Ci felt that this attire suited her even better. It didn't dilute her usual demeanor but rather enhanced her radiance.

It was rather peculiar. Upon seeing such an exquisite beauty, Yu Ci's previously chaotic thoughts suddenly settled, and even the discomfort in his body was momentarily suppressed. At this moment, he felt as though he had awoken from a dream, clear-headed and rational.

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He seemed to have forgotten the three corpses lying around him, and treated the situation as though it was the most ordinary of encounters. "What a coincidence, the Sky Rift Valley is vast and boundless, to meet Master Bi Chao here must be fate."

In the void, Bi Chao slowly descended, her delicate feet touching the ground, no more than seven or eight feet away from Yu Ci. Although she carried herself with an elegant demeanor, her figure was petite. Now, she slightly tilted her head up, looking directly into Yu Ci's eyes and smiling, "Although it is fate, it may not be a coincidence. Yu, my Daoist friend, I came here specifically to find you."

"Oh?"

"My sect has a matter that requires your assistance. There's a lot to explain, shall we discuss it in the carriage?"

"Carriage?"

Yu Ci paused for a moment, then looked into the distance as he sensed something. He saw a beam of light piercing through the dark clouds, spreading out towards him. As the distance closed, the light beam became more concentrated, but it did not directly hit his face. Instead, it brushed past him, followed by a soft jingling sound.

From within the clouds, two pairs of Step Cloud Beasts appeared, moving at a slow yet urgent pace, pulling a fragrant carriage behind them. A lantern burning with blue-white flames hung at one corner of the carriage, the light beam just now had shot out from it.

The exterior of this carriage was very familiar to Yu Ci. It was the vehicle that Red Yin used to ride. After Bi Chao arrived, she also used this carriage, but when did this carriage gain the ability to travel in the void without any support?

Looking at the Step Cloud Beasts that walked on the clouds as if they were on flat ground, Yu Ci was somewhat puzzled and felt that Bi Chao's skills were unfathomably profound. However, his attention was quickly diverted as he saw a figure in black holding the reins, sitting quietly on the driver's seat in front of the carriage. If not for the strange attire that did not reveal any skin, this person would look just like a coachman.

Bi Chao extended her hand in invitation, "Yu, my Daoist friend, please!"

When the moment arrived, Yu Ci no longer thought too much and boarded the carriage with a smile.

************

The sky was already bright. Yu Ci was sitting cross-legged on the couch, closing his eyes in meditation.

The entire carriage was transformed from a luxurious step bed, originally the favorite of Red Yin Immortal. The carriage was divided into four layers, each with a corridor space for attendants. The innermost layer was the master's resting couch, which was currently shared by Yu Ci and Bi Chao.

Yu Ci sat upright while Bi Chao, on the other hand, was tired and was leaning against the bed rail, dozing off.

It had to be said, no matter what posture a female cultivator took, there was always a sense of composure. Even when resting, she looked extremely attractive. However, this was a bit too casual.

Opening his eyes, Yu Ci looked openly at Bi Chao's elegant figure revealed by her leaning posture, but his mind was occupied with other matters.

Bi Chao's request last night had taken him by surprise.

Bi Chao had asked him to lead the way. Their destination was the mountain peak where he had fought the Ghost Beasts. Of course, Bi Chao did not know the situation there, she just wanted him to lead her to the nest of the Ghost Beasts. For this, she offered a reward that Yu Ci found difficult to refuse.

The reward was now nestled in Yu Ci's possession.

It was a "Wishful Jade Pendant" that, although otherwise useless, could be exchanged for fifty thousand Ruyi Money in the Random Heart Pavilion.

This was an astronomical sum, striking right at Yu Ci's vulnerability. With the date of the agreed upon search for the Merit-less Fish-Dragon drawing near, he could not afford to miss any opportunity to obtain the life-extending treasure.

Of course, the loose-lipped Elder Chu would certainly have to answer for her indiscretion when he returned!

With a faint smile, Yu Ci continued to scrutinize the posture and figure of the female cultivator beside him.

To be honest, he was far from being indifferent.

However, he was well aware that this was a form of illness.

As the night passed, the sensation of a "melting furnace" persisted, its core ablaze with roaring flames, providing him with a never-ending and ever-increasing surge of power.

As for the fuel, Yu Ci was not certain, but he could feel the scorching "furnace" was closely connected to his limbs and bones. As such, every increase in his "power" intensified the sense of unease in his heart.

At this point, Yu Ci realized that the effects of the "Burning Jade Incense" had not yet subsided. The human "furnace" was indeed a result of this poisonous fragrance.

What would happen if this continued?

An image suddenly flashed in Yu Ci's mind:

A fierce flame was burning in the void. Within it, his flesh body was being incinerated into ashes, and his Divine Soul was struggling and wailing.

That's right, the fuel for the "furnace" was himself.

The "furnace" would first burn all potential within him. During this phase, he would feel a great increase in Merit, his confidence would inflate, and he would recklessly use power far beyond his limit. This would further intensify the internal pressure of the "furnace" and accelerate the burning speed. Unbeknownst to him, he was already breeding a Heart Demon.

The Heart Demon would cause one's heart to inflate endlessly, like a "bellows", pumping air to make the "furnace" burn more wildly, until it exhausted his potential, incinerated his life force, his Primordial Qi, until it consumed everything he had.

Yan Chu's intentions were undeniably sinister. She used blood as a catalyst, releasing the Burning Jade Incense during Yu Ci and Fu Long's fierce battle, stimulating their potential. No matter who won, she planned to seduce them with her charm, using the union of Yin and Yang to further stimulate the effects of the poisonous fragrance. Not only could it lead to death, but she could also take advantage of the opportunity when the "furnace" was boiling with life, to replenish her essence and greatly enhance her Cultivation Level.

However, at this moment, the poisonous woman had already been strangled to death by him on a lonely peak amidst the clouds, consumed by boundless fear. Only the troubles she left behind lingered in Yu Ci's body, refusing to leave.

Indeed, it was a nuisance. But after a night of deep thought, Yu Ci felt that he had found a solution.

Or rather, an unexpected gain.

Just then, the enigmatic man in black knocked on the outside of the carriage.

They had arrived at their destination.

**********