Upon hearing the words of Nether Abyss Ancestor, Zhang Yao also fell silent, unable to think of any strategy for the moment.

This is an absolute gap in hard power. No matter how seamlessly the two collaborate, they cannot match the cunning and fearsome Ascendant Tianying.

If they were in the second district, with so many Golden Core Cultivators as assistance, defeating Ascendant Tianying wouldn’t be hopeless.

But the problem is:

Ascendant Tianying won’t give them this chance.

If Zhang Yao’s guess is correct, given his level of experience, he would likely retreat and immediately dive into the deepest layer for recuperation, lying in wait.

"Hoo!"

Nether Abyss Ancestor took a deep breath and said in a solemn tone:

"It seems this time, I’m destined to face disaster."

"But regardless, I cannot possibly surrender. No matter how slim the chance of victory, I must strive to fight!"

As he spoke, he glanced at Zhang Yao with a hint of sincerity in his tone:

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, you don’t need to accompany me further. Escort Black Abyss and Jiuhua back."

"The Mitian Sand and Sun Burning Celestial Sunflower we’ve obtained are extremely hot commodities. With you overseeing, it can eliminate many minor threats."

The magic contract signed by the two did not forcibly stipulate that Zhang Yao had to enter the deepest layer but only required him to assist Nether Abyss Ancestor to the best of his ability.

But the current situation is that Zhang Yao has already done his utmost, even acquiring the Sun Burning Celestial Sunflower, and still can’t reverse the passive situation, which naturally doesn’t count as breaking the contract.

So, Nether Abyss Ancestor can’t escape, but Zhang Yao has the opportunity to retreat in time.

"This..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao’s expression showed a hint of hesitation.

It’s not that he is reluctant to miss the ’Earth Milk Bathing Body’ opportunity, as he has an everlasting body and doesn’t lack time for cultivation breakthroughs.

What he truly cares about is something else.

In fact, right after hearing the secret tales from Nether Abyss Ancestor of the Zhuoxiu Tribe and Soul Tamers, he immediately realized it was a never-before-seen chance—a chance to pave a new path!

The Celestial Master Lineage of Array Refining Body, compared to other schools, emerged later, having only a prototype during the most brilliant ancient times and was only perfected during the Middle Ages.

The Celestial Master Lineage, seemingly perfect and heaven-reaching, but it has two fatal flaws:

First, the cultivation threshold is too high; second, there’s no hope for future paths.

Zhang Yao’s cultivation of the "Scripture of All Transformations and True Nature" is a top level Technique aimed directly at Nascent Soul Level, at most able to cultivate to the early stage of Nascent Soul, but this realm is ’unable to breakthrough.’

Because to breakthrough the Nascent Soul Stage as per the True Scripture Technique would mean walking into a dead end, with practically no subsequent techniques, cutting off hopes to ascend further in the Immortal Dao.

Any cultivator with a bit of ambition would not make such a choice.

To give a simple example:

Back in the day, Liu Cang, the Five Elements Wanderer, with Golden Core Perfection and commanding the world with the Nine Colored Celestial Wheel, had profound accumulations, capable of leveraging the True Scripture Technique anytime to breakthrough the Nascent Soul Stage.

But he deliberately didn’t move towards entering the Nascent Soul Stage throughout his last battle of life, preferring to fight to the death rather than make that move.

As for initially going down someone else’s path, using the True Scripture Technique to breakthrough the Nascent Soul Stage, and then creating follow-up techniques, that would be a foolishly clever idea.

Based on Zhang Yao’s current insights to judge:

The True Scripture Technique of the "Scripture of All Transformations and True Nature" is incredibly profound, integrating the Buddhist Sect’s secret transmission and Daoist Sect’s orthodoxy, and combining the Demon Race’s Grand Array, Evil Path Technique, Body Refining Schools...etc., along with numerous ingenious concepts and enlightenment.

The creator of this top level Technique must be of a high realm, widely knowledgeable, possessing talents that span the heavens, their wisdom and knowledge exceeding in the Cultivation Realm, likely at least being a Divinity Transformation True Monarch.

Just ask:

Even a Divinity Transformation True Monarch who mastered both Buddhist and Daoist schools and extensively incorporated the Demon Race’s secrets couldn’t create subsequent techniques along this path, how could you believe yourself to be more capable than a Divinity Transformation True Monarch?

The only hope is not to use the True Scripture Technique but rather to create a path based on one’s own situation to breakthrough the Nascent Soul Stage.

Switch to a new track, perhaps walk out into a completely new bright avenue, at least not utterly hopeless.

"Back then, the ancestors who created the ’Scripture of All Transformations and True Nature’ amalgamated strengths of various schools and referenced numerous Immortal Dao scriptures, yet couldn’t create subsequent techniques."

"It proves that typical cultivation techniques are useless to me, to truly pave a new way forward, one must break conventions and carve out a unique path..."

Thoughts swiftly spun in Zhang Yao’s mind.

His initial plan was to deploy a dual strategy after achieving Golden Core Perfection, on one side searching for other Celestial Master Schools’ texts, on the other side pursuing some special powers beyond the Five Elements and Five Phases, such as Stars, Primordial Magnetism, Taiyin and Taiyang, Wish Power of All Living Beings...etc.

However, the emergence of the Underworld and Zhuoxiu Tribe offered him a new direction.

Between heaven and earth, all cultivation schools and techniques are based on Spiritual Qi; whereas Zhuoxiu is entirely different, seemingly based on Muddy Qi.

"Immortal Dao scriptures left, right, and center, I am not supremely intelligent, may not walk out of predecessors’ boundaries."

"But the Path of Zhuoxiu Technique, being distinct from Immortal Dao, offers much greater hope for paving a new path than referencing orthodox Immortal Dao..."

Upon such thoughts, Zhang Yao immediately ceased hesitating.

The Path of Zhuoxiu Technique and its secrets provide him unique reference value, potentially crucial for the future self-created path.

Unless truly driven into a corner, he must not give it up—who knows when the next Black Tide will erupt on a large scale? What unforeseen changes will arise then?

"Fellow Daoist, have you made up your mind?"

Nether Abyss Ancestor hadn’t urged, only asked after noting the change in Zhang Yao’s gaze.

"Hmm."

Zhang Yao gently nodded, maintaining a calm demeanor, and spoke:

"We’ve already gained immensely in this Black Abyss, secretly arousing envy in many people’s hearts, in my view it would be better to return to the surface first."

"I will personally take action to reinforce the Sect Array for Li Yuan Sect, and with a few Golden Core Cultivators overseeing, even if faced with a dozen Golden Core Cultivators besieging us, we won’t fear a breach in a short time."

"At least we can hold out until Jiuhua Ancestor has fully refined the Sun Burning Celestial Sunflower, it should not be a problem."

"In this way, firstly, we can gain some precious buffer time, and secondly, we can ease some tensions with other Golden Core cultivators."

Upon hearing this, the Nether Abyss Ancestor’s eyes flickered, and he couldn’t help but ask:

"Then, Fellow Daoist..."

"Of course, I’m willing to risk my life with a gentleman."

Zhang Yao smiled faintly:

"With the two of us teaming up, we can venture even into the most dangerous lairs!"

He is not merely a Golden Core cultivator; he’s also an Array Master with expertise approaching level four!

If enough opportunities are secured, allowing him to successfully set up the array and then lure Ascendant Tianying into it, there’s indeed a chance.

Of course, the risks are extremely high, and he is even prepared for the possibility of dying in the profound depths.

"...Alright!"

The Nether Abyss Ancestor gave him a deep look and slowly nodded in agreement.

"If this endeavor succeeds, you will become a life-and-death companion of mine!"

"If we fail... With a fellow like you accompanying me, even the road to the underworld would not be lonely."

"Hahaha..."

Zhang Yao laughed freely and remarked:

"Fellow Daoist, no need to be so pessimistic. I’m willing to accompany you, which means I have some confidence."

"Oh?"

The Nether Abyss Ancestor’s eyes brightened upon hearing this, and his thoughts began to turn.

If there truly is hope of defeating strong adversaries, he certainly wouldn’t take a desperate gamble and immediately asked:

"Please enlighten me, Fellow Daoist."

Zhang Yao’s smile faded as he pondered for a moment before speaking:

"Here’s the plan, I intend to..."

The two engaged in a secret conversation, deliberating various tactical simulations and ideas, discussing carefully for over half an hour until someone urged them to pause temporarily.

Soon:

They announced their decision to return to the surface, and Jiuhua Ancestor, Black Abyss Ascendant, Ying Mo Sect Leader, and others heard it and all expressed agreement.

This group indeed had made a significant profit on this venture, to the extent that other Golden Core cultivators harbored intentions of teaming up against them. Staying further would likely lead to trouble, so it’s better to secure the gains early.

Especially Jiuhua Ancestor, who had obtained the long-desired Sun Burning Celestial Sunflower, was eager to return early.

Moments later:

"Are you all preparing to leave?"

When Zhang Yao, the Nether Abyss Ancestor, and their group announced their decision, many Golden Core cultivators were surprised.

After all, traditionally, only half of the search period had passed, with at least twelve more hours remaining, and to give up now would mean a significant loss.

However, many cultivators, upon reconsideration, seemed to understand the deeper meaning behind their actions. They sighed with relief and appeared more relaxed in demeanor.

Anyhow, with such a strong group of competitors gone, each remaining cultivator could gain more benefits.

After a few breaths:

"Boom! Boom!"...

The two groups went separate ways, with Zhang Yao and the others retracing their steps, preparing to break through the second and first areas to return to the surface.

The remaining Golden Core cultivators formed a smaller group to continue exploring the second area, scavenging numerous rare treasures and spiritual objects.

They were unaware of the enmity and disputes between Ascendant Tianying and the Nether Abyss Ancestor.

Thus, under the threat of Ascendant Tianying, they quickly banded together for warmth, even if individual rewards were lesser, the safety and stability prevailed.

......

Above Mo Yuan.

The Black Tide had erupted continuously for over ten hours, with the black smoke covering the entire sky.

"Rattle rattle..."

The sky poured down torrential rain; these raindrops were as inky black as ink, exuding a sinister aura.

Upon landing, these black raindrops quickly formed widespread pollution, eradicating vitality, which is the source of large barren regions around Mo Yuan.

Numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators and Qi Refining cultivators stayed inside their temporary caves and palaces, avoiding the black rain.

Their occasional glances toward Mo Yuan were filled with anticipation and excitement.

Generally speaking, within the next two to three days, the strongest among the Foundation Establishment cultivators could descend for exploration.

Considering their lifespan, this might be their one-and-only great opportunity in life. How could they not be thrilled?

However, what most Foundation Establishment cultivators hadn’t noticed was:

At this moment, a middle-aged Daoist in a dark green long robe, wearing the Black Jade Crown, was gazing at the endless abyss before him with furrowed brows.

Upon closer inspection:

His skin showed hints of a bluish hue, unlike normal human complexion, and among his hair and temples, new branches and leaves of bright green emerged.

These bright green branches and new leaves seemed to be not manifestations of magical power or divine techniques but actually sprouting from within his body, appearing quite eerie.

"My true self is truly dead..."