Of course, this was just the feeling conveyed by the East Spring Undying Bone. But precisely because of this, Wen Jiu became even more apprehensive. Anything that could make the East Spring Undying Bone wary must not be underestimated; it must be a great evil.

Immediately, Wen Jiu searched for the secret of the statue within the memory of the Fake Pill Demon Soul, and indeed, he found it. Just as Yue Yinrong and Feng Jue said, this Ancient Evil Cultivator’s Cave Mansion was indeed related to the Blood Demon Sect.

The statue is called the Six-armed Yin God, a true deity statue, but not a righteous god, rather a Yin Spirit. During the era of the Blood Demon Sect, the cultivation space of the Righteous Cultivators was compressed to a very narrow margin, so they developed the Divine God Technique, erecting god statues, gaining incense and offering, and enhancing their cultivation through the Incense and Candle Dao.

However, this method had significant drawbacks; once the believers died, their cultivation would plummet. Thus, after the Blood Demon Sect’s annihilation, the Righteous Cultivators reverted back to practicing the Qi Cultivation Technique. And when the cultivation space of the Blood Demon Sect remnants was compressed even further, those remnants also developed this Yin Spirit Technique.

The statue hence is a Yin Spirit, fundamentally different from the Divine God Technique. The Yin Spirit Technique truly creates a Yin Spirit, a conscious, thoughtful, and even cultivatable Yin Spirit. However, since the Yin Spirit’s growth requires the lifespan, not incense, the remnants of the Blood Demon Sect were thoroughly eradicated by the Righteous in three hundred years after they wantonly slaughtered mortals.

The Fake Pill Demon Cultivator lived through that era and witnessed the true power of a Yin Spirit, realizing that the Yin Spirit he cultivated with the Yin Spirit Technique was worlds apart.

If the statue in the cave is indeed a real Yin Spirit, no one below the Fake Pill level could have a chance of escape. But the Demon Soul knew the Blood Demon Sect’s God Worshiping Technique, and by revering it with the God Worshiping Technique and nurturing it with lifespan, one could avoid the Yin Spirit.

"This Blood Demon Sect is truly wicked; no wonder those who obtained their opportunities could soar even if they were mediocre," Wen Jiu marveled in Lengxi Mountain, still controlling the East Spring Undying Bone to remain behind the group.

"Foster father."

Meanwhile, after probing carefully for a while, Shangguan Yingxian was indecisive and hurriedly returned to the Flying Ship to respectfully invite Qi Guan Mountain.

But just as Shangguan Yingxian landed, Qi Guan Mountain flew out from the Flying Ship, evidently having been keeping an eye on the Stone Peak. Even Qi Guan Mountain showed signs of apprehension towards the statue. After casting a few ghost techniques with no result like stones sinking into the ocean, he dared not rashly enter.

He then turned to threaten Yun Ni and the others, "You go in first, break the double array and the statue, and I will allow each of you to take one item out."

As soon as he finished, the ghostly aura around Qi Guan Mountain surged like flames, a pressure waved forth, causing Yun Ni and the others’ expressions to change again.

Upon witnessing this, Wen Jiu in Lengxi Mountain felt a surge of killing intent among his previously idle thoughts, "That old thing sure has a good scheme, making others do the dirty work. If that’s how it’s going to be, I can’t be blamed for striking first."

"Those who don’t want to die, get in there now." Shangguan Yingxian’s angry voice followed, borrowing power from a tiger. The other Foundation Establishment Cultivators exchanged smiles, as having someone scout ahead was perfect. Luckily, Elder Qi didn’t wipe them all out earlier but left them alive.

Yue Yinrong, Yun Ni, and Meng Lang’s faces abruptly changed, not daring to step forward, but with Qi Guan Mountain’s threat of "enter or die," they couldn’t resist either. At that moment, Meng Lang suddenly spoke, "Elder Qi, do you still need a godson?"

With those words, Yue Yinrong and the others were taken aback, seemingly not expecting Meng Lang to come up with such a statement out of nowhere.

"Fellow Daoist Meng!"

Yun Ni exclaimed in shock.

Shangguan Yingxian and the others watched with interest, and Qi Guan Mountain’s mouth curled into a satisfied smile, "You are indeed perceptive. I do like people who are discerning such as yourself....come over."

"Thank you, foster father." Meng Lang sighed in relief, ignoring Yun Ni and the others’ calls, and naturally stood by Shangguan Yingxian’s side, "Fellow Daoist Yue, since you don’t accept my feelings and even part ways with me for an outsider, then indeed, a man must look out for himself."

Witnessing this, Yue Yinrong remained silent, prepared to enter the array. Although she vaguely guessed Meng Lang wasn’t as loyal as he seemed, she didn’t expect he would betray for survival.

As Yun Ni and the others hesitated, Qi Guan Mountain coldly spoke again, "You have ten breaths left. Anyone not entering will be left as material for the Three Ghosts."

Once the words fell, Qi Guan Mountain’s sleeves billowed, ghostly aura surged, gradually forming the Three Ghosts. The first seemed human yet not, its eyes filled with curse power. The second was a massive ghost aura, weak but akin to ordinary black smoke. The third was merely a hand, soaked in fresh blood, burning with black and red Yin Fire. The presence of the Three Ghosts emanated, powerful even to Wen Jiu.

Compared to Yan Zhen, they were undeniably stronger, worthy of being among the best in the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment. Witnessing this, even Feng Jue lost confidence, hurriedly transmitting a message to inquire with Wen Jiu.

"Brother Han, what shall we do?"

Wen Jiu replied through the transmission, "For now, ignore them. The statue seems to be a Yin Spirit made by the remnants of the Blood Demon Sect. If it truly is, even Fake Pill Cultivators couldn’t handle it, but I have a God Worshiping Technique to enter. It will require paying some lifespan, at least ten years, at most a hundred."

"Brother Han recognizes this being and knows the God Worshiping Technique." Feng Jue was surprised, as even the thousand-year-old being within him wasn’t aware.

Wen Jiu did not control the East Spring Undying Bone to transmit further explanations, only asking, "To safely pass, some lifespan needs to be prepared. The lifespan needed by the Yin Spirit is indifferent to who offers it, as long as it’s a cultivator’s lifespan." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Ten years is acceptable, but a hundred, no one might be willing." Feng Jue glanced over Yun Ni and the others, then Qi Guan Mountain and his group, his heart ignited with some intent.

Wen Jiu considered for a few breaths, then transmitted again, "A few days have passed, and no other cultivators seem to be observing secretly, essentially ruling out others waiting to benefit. However, since it’s confirmed to be related to the Blood Demon Sect, we must act quickly, lest we draw in a Golden Core Cultivator, and that would cause us more loss than gain. Brother Feng, later you attract Qi Guan Mountain’s attention with any method, and I will handle Qi Guan Mountain."

"Brother Han!"

Feng Jue’s eyes lit with surprise and joy; he never expected Han Li to be unafraid of Qi Guan Mountain, seeing now that letting Gu Qiao leave unharmed the other day was clearly for show to Yan Zhen in the Little Demon Realm. If Han Li wasn’t a Corpse Cultivator, rejected by Undead Ghosts, he might have suspected Yan Zhen was slain by Han Li.

Seeing Han Li’s confident determination, Feng Jue ceased pretending, stopping Yun Ni and the others from entering the great array, "Fellow Daoist Qi, it’s said you’re undefeated among the Late Stage Foundation Establishment; today, I’ll boldly try. If you withstand my full force, I’ll follow Meng Lang and recognize you as a foster father on the spot."

Qi Guan Mountain didn’t agree and coldly replied, "If you withstand the combined might of my Three Ghosts, I will acknowledge you."

With these words, the Three Ghosts around Qi Guan Mountain suddenly moved. The Curse Ghost opened its eyes wide, its cursing power surging with its ghostly speech, instantly affecting Feng Jue, causing his aura to rapidly decline, wilting like a withering flower.

The Black Shadow and Blood Hand Ghosts lunged immediately. The Black Shadow, covering a thousand feet in an instant, forced Yun Ni and the others to hastily retreat, while Wen Jiu, controlling the East Spring Undying Bone, feigned panic and rapidly retreated.

Meanwhile, the Blood Hand’s Ghost Claw swiftly left a fiery red claw mark in the sky. The mark instantly struck Feng Jue, not harming the flesh but hitting his soul.

"Damn, this is strong." Feng Jue’s soul trembled violently, sending him flying back thousands of feet, his eyes turning white instantly. Had he not practiced the Divine Soul Technique, the Three Ghosts’ united attack might have killed him.

He placed his trust in Han Li, otherwise, he’d never risk himself.

Brother Han.

It’s up to you.

[Two updates complete.

See you tomorrow.]