Misty Cloud Sect, forbidden area in the rear mountains.
An ancient-looking old man with white hair is cultivating, fully operating the Qi Method, absorbing the spiritual energy between heaven and earth. A huge energy vortex appears above his head, accompanied by bursts of lightning and thunder.
The power belonging to the peak of Dou Emperor is rapidly rising, but when it reaches a certain point, it seems to encounter an insurmountable bottleneck, no matter how it is attacked, it cannot break through.
"Hmph!"
He spits out a mouthful of old blood, making the already frail old man's breath even more feeble, as if he were about to die.
Just then, a strange laughter sounded from behind.
"Jie jie jie~"
"Yun Shan, I advise you to give up."
"Relying solely on your Black Rank High-level Qi Method, coupled with this aging body, breaking through the Dou Ancestor realm is almost impossible!"
Eerie black mist wafts in the air, the sinister words faintly carrying a bewitching and mesmerizing effect.
"Protector Wu! Get out of Misty Cloud Sect! This is not where you belong!"
In Yun Shan's old eyes, a strange black light flickers, but he quickly uses his green Dou Qi to drive it away.
"Jie jie jie~"
"Such arrogance. This protector comes and goes as he pleases. What can you do to stop me?"
"Behave like a dog for my Hall of Souls, that's your only way out!"
Protector Wu laughed recklessly, emitting more black mist from his body, attempting to invade Yun Shan's body further.
"Never!"
Yun Shan shouted angrily, concentrating all his Dou Qi to form a large green sword in the sky.
"Submerged Wind Braking Blades!"
"Your Black Rank High-level Dou Technique doesn't even reach Earth Rank. What makes you think you can contend with this protector?"
Faced with Yun Shan's powerful strike, Protector Wu simply shoots out a chain from the black mist with ease. Though it seems like an ordinary attack, it causes distortions in space.
"Bang!"
With a loud cracking sound, the chain almost effortlessly shatters the large sword and continues its momentum, crashing towards Yun Shan.
Yun Shan was sent flying hundreds of meters away, his back heavily hitting the mountain, causing him to spit blood once again.
"Swoosh!"
Before Yun Shan can retaliate, Protector Wu's elusive figure appears in front of him, stomping heavily on him.
"Yun Shan! You've worn out what little patience this protector had!"
His words carry a chilling intent, rendering Yun Shan immobile.
"Cough~ Even if you kill me, I won't yield!"
Yun Shan grits his teeth, responding defiantly.
"Oh~ quite stubborn, then how about risking the entire Misty Cloud Sect?"
Protector Wu threatened without restraint.
"You!"
Yun Shan's resolute heart was suddenly pierced.
For him, his own death doesn't matter much, but if the millennium-old Misty Cloud Sect were to be destroyed because of it, he would be the culprit!
"What exactly do you want?"
"Swallow it! You can break through the coveted Dou Ancestor realm!"
Protector Wu tossed a pill shrouded in black mist, emanating a strong stench, making it obvious it's no ordinary pill.
Yun Shan knows well that there's no such thing as a free lunch. Once he accepts the Hall of Souls' pill, even if he truly advances to Dou Ancestor, he would essentially be selling his soul to them, and Misty Cloud Sect would likely become a puppet of the Hall of Souls.
"Hmph! The sacred medicine of my Hall of Souls isn't something just anyone can obtain. Don't underestimate it!"
Protector Wu continued to exert force, further suppressing Yun Shan.
As a lackey of the Hall of Souls, or facing the destruction of the sect upon death, what other choice does he have?
Under the dual impact of physical and spiritual assaults, Yun Shan's aged and frail body gradually succumbs, his will wavering, and the black light began to reclaim his eyes.
Power!
Power!
Power!
I need mighty power! Without it, I'm just meat for the slaughter!
With a grimace, Yun Shan grabbed the pill before him. Amid the last shreds of his sanity, a flash of pain and struggle crosses his brow.
"Jie jie jie~ Once you ingest it, power will surge!"
"Yun Shan, who are you…?"
Protector Wu was about to continue brainwashing Yun Shan when suddenly, from the Sect Master's Residence on Misty Cloud Mountain, a majestic and awe-inspiring aura emerged, like an ancient king awakening, carrying unparalleled pressure that swiftly enveloped the entire Misty Cloud Sect!
"The aura is so frightening, could it be that the Sect Master has broken through?"
"This Dou Qi... Dou Emperor? No!"
At this moment, all the disciples and elders of Misty Cloud Sect looked towards the direction of the Sect Master's Residence in utter shock.
"Swoosh~"
"Swoosh~"
"Swoosh~"
Invisible streaks of light swiftly flew towards the forbidden area in the rear mountains.
"This aura... is it Yun'er?"
The sudden overwhelming momentum brought a hint of clarity to Yun Shan's eyes, and astonishment fills his aged face.
"What?!"
Protector Wu's face changes abruptly, suddenly turning to strike towards a certain direction.
A distortion in space appeared, and a sharp sword qi shot out from it.
"Bang!"
With just this one strike, Protector Wu was sent flying hundreds of meters away.
"A Dou Ancestor powerhouse... it's impossible!"
Protector Wu's face paled in shock, staring incredulously at the stunning young woman before him.
"Yun'er? You... you've broken through to Dou Ancestor?!"
Yun Shan's face was filled with delight as he sized up the familiar disciple before him. It's been over a decade since they last met, yet instead of aging, she seemed to have become even younger. Could breaking through to Dou Ancestor have such benefits?
"Master, are you alright?"
Yun Yun raised her jade-like hand, using her Dou Qi to support the weakened Yun Shan. Her sharp gaze, however, locked onto the eerie black mist figure not far away.
"Who are you? How dare you trespass into the forbidden area of our Misty Cloud Sect!"
In half a month, Yun Yun has successively consumed the enhanced versions of the Mighty Huang Pill and the Zong Breaking Pill. With these enhancements, coupled with her Earth Rank Qi Method, she smoothly ascended to the realm of Dou Ancestor. With her increased Soul Power, she quickly sensed the abnormal aura emanating from the forbidden area of Misty Cloud Sect.
"Please calm down, miss. I've come to discuss cooperation with Misty Cloud Sect."
Faced with another Dou Ancestor-level powerhouse, Protector Wu abandoned his previous arrogance and adopted a much gentler tone.
"Don't trust him, Yun'er! This person has sinister intentions, aiming to secretly control the entire Misty Cloud Sect and make us his lackeys!"
Yun Shan gritted his teeth, feeling a mix of anger and shame. If it weren't for Yun Yun's timely arrival, he might have succumbed to the pressure and taken the Hall of Souls' pill, becoming their lackey.
"Master, I understand."
Without further ado, Yun Yun took a deep breath and fully activated the Wind Manipulation Mantra Qi Method. The energy between heaven and earth erupted instantly, and dozens of violent hurricanes appeared out of nowhere.
"Earth Rank Qi Method? Misty Cloud Sect actually possesses an Earth Rank Qi Method?"
Protector Wu's expression darkened. As a protector of the Hall of Souls, he had paid a great price to obtain a low-level Earth Rank Qi Method. How could a small sect like Misty Cloud Sect, confined to the Jia Ma Empire, possess an Earth Rank Qi Method?
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