Within the Tian Xing Abode, the situation was exceptionally chaotic.
Outside, however, the mood among the gathered factions was one of rising anxiety, as none could locate the Abode's current position whatsoever.
Ye Xiu's party, who had initially been trapped outside the Tian Xing Abode by the Sacred Heart Gate Sect, now considered themselves fortunate for this twist of fate.
After offering a round of 'thanks' to the Eternal Sun Prefecture Divinity Transformation stage expert who had inadvertently saved them from a worse predicament, they hastily made their way back to the Azure Cloud region.
"Brother Dalong," someone advised, "I urge you not to be overly anxious. Concerning Li Yunlin's entry into the Tian Xing Abode, let us first await news and assess the developments from Eternal Sun Prefecture."
Region Prince Jiang, Jiang Chenghuan, however, made his way quickly to the Li family estate.
Addressing Li Dalong with placating words, he said, "Over the past few days, this Prince has been leveraging my network to make inquiries with various major powers. We shall see how this matter might be resolved. My fervent hope is that your grandson can emerge safely from that Tian Xing Abode."
"My deepest thanks, Your Royal Highness," Li Dalong replied, expressing his gratitude swiftly.
"If that is all, then this Prince shall depart for now."
As he departed, King Jiang heaved a long sigh, a mixture of relief and Worry in his heart.
Having occupied a lofty station for so many years, how could he be ignorant of the sheer scale of the Li family's influence? Their power was so deeply established that it was genuinely frightening.
A deeper fear now gripped Jiang Chenghuan.
It stemmed from the unsettling realization that, upon hearing Li Yunlin was trapped, a part of him had actually felt a twinge of malicious delight.
He knew that for a person in his lofty position, harboring such base thoughts was a grave error, a significant taboo.
His earlier apprehension stemmed from this: upon visiting the Li estate and seeing Li Dalong so visibly dejected, he genuinely worried that Li Yunlin being trapped would critically affect Azure Cloud region's overall war campaign.
"One can only pray the Tian Xing Abode reopens," Jiang Chenghuan mused further, "that Li Yunlin achieves his breakthrough and returns. Then our Azure Cloud region will boast yet another formidable Nascent Soul powerhouse. If the cultivators of Eternal Sun Prefecture can then be eliminated, as they decline, we will flourish. That is the proper order of things."
With Region Prince Jiang gone, back in the Li family's main hall, the deep worry in Li Dalong's eyes did not easily fade.
After all, it wasn't only Li Yunlin trapped inside that Tian Xing Abode, was it?
Seeing her father's brow still furrowed with worry, Li Yaowen offered a reassuring smile.
"Father," she said gently, "try not to worry excessively. Inside that Abode, you have Old Third's seven 'kids' (the Seven Ironclads), plus Tianyue, Tianming, and Changsheng. You know how they operate, Father; no truly major disaster is likely to befall them. Furthermore, the Old Ancestor himself has remarked on their sound and steady methods. They had the entire Nangong family practically eating out of their hands!"
"Ai." Li Dalong heaved a long sigh. "All the family's finest young ones are trapped in that Tian Xing Abode; how could I possibly not be worried? The manner in which the Tian Xing Abode sealed itself was exceptionally peculiar."
He continued. "Yaowen, you practice the arts of divining Fate, yet you sensed nothing out of the ordinary beforehand. Even the Old Tree exhausted a great deal of its vital essence, but it too failed to uncover even a shred of insight into the heavenly mechanisms at play. For some reason I cannot pinpoint, my heart remains deeply unsettled."
Even though the Old Ancestor had acquired numerous unbelievably potent secret techniques from this venture and bestowed them upon the clan, Li Dalong couldn't bring himself to feel even a shred of joy.
"Father," Li Yaowen said gently, "you're worrying too much ."
Li Yaowen offered a gentle, reassuring smile. Inwardly, however, as one who had also cultivated the Path of Fate to some extent, she felt a similar unease in her heart deep within.
She trusted her instincts; seeing her father so troubled only strengthened her own foreboding.
Moreover, with Tianyue and Changsheng now trapped, the Impacts on the Li family were substantial.
Both the command of the Azure Cloud Region Army and the execution of the Thousand-Year Grand Plan regarding Eternal Sun Prefecture now demanded Li Yaowen's personal intervention.
The incapacitation of the Seven Ironclads and the 'Three Thieves' also significantly diminished the clan's operational power, leaving many important affairs at a standstill.
Just then, Li Yaoqing burst in from outside. "Father! Fourth Sister!"
She called out. "Have you seen Rou Rou (Bai Rourou) anywhere? I need to get some beast blood from her!"
...
Azure Mist Mountain... truly a magnificent Immortal Mountain!
High above its main gates, the spiritual Qi was so thick it seemed to coalesce into a tangible mist, yet the entire place exuded an extraordinary tranquility.
From time to time, one might even spot powerful spirit beasts gliding effortlessly through the upper airs.
At the mountain's base, countless cultivators patiently waited.
For it was known that Azure Mist Mountain was home to masters who had attained the Void Refining realm!
Though the sect within its gates numbered less than one hundred souls, it was said that every last one of them was at the Nascent Soul stage or higher!
To earn the favor of Azure Mist Mountain – that alone would be enough to ascend to the heavens in a single bound!
Today, however, a different sort of visitor arrived: a powerfully built woman clad head-to-toe in armor.
Were it not for the plate covering her, one might imagine her physique to be as sleek and formidable as a black panther's – truly, a remarkable woman the likes of whom are rarely seen.
Upon arrival, this woman strode directly to the main mountain gates. Her bearing was as formidable as her physique; when she opened her mouth, it was not to speak, but to bellow:
"Bai Rourou, daughter-in-law to the Yao generation (Li family generation that includes Yaozu, Yaoqing, Yaotie, and Yaowen) of the Azure Cloud region Li family, humbly requests an audience with the Venerable Elder Baimei (Tian Xing's master)! I beseech the Venerable Elder to find and reveal the location of the Tian Xing Cultivator Abode!"
This uproar startled every bird on Azure Mist Mountain into flight and caused the people gathered at its base to knit their brows in unison, their faces etched with disapproval.
Azure Mist Mountain was, after all, the sacred ground! Never before had they witnessed anyone behave with such unbridled presumption in this revered place.
"Truly the Wife of that uncouth mountain savage," they likely sniffed.
Bai Rourou shouted, but for a long time, there was no reply.
Undeterred, she continued to call out. All seven of her 'precious' children were trapped inside that Tian Xing Abode – to hell with any damn 'sacred ground' protocols!
Meanwhile, deep within Qinglan Mountain, in a small, unassuming courtyard indistinguishable from a common farmer's dwelling, blue smoke drifted lazily from a cookfire.
An old man in simple peasant attire, apparently having heard the shouts from the mountain's base, suddenly flung open his door. He stepped outside, his fingers moving rapidly in divination. Having seemingly arrived at some conclusion, he heaved a profound sigh.
"Ai... Tian Xing, Tian Xing," the old man mourned, "what a calamity you have committed..."
Then, just as suddenly, as though he had heard nothing from the outside world, he turned and went back to his daily chores.