The underground lake had grown quiet.
For seven days, the silver waters had swirled around two silent figures standing at its center.
Mo Xuan and Ling Yue had not moved.
Spiritual energy flowed continuously through the lake, spiraling like mist around their bodies. Life and death energy intertwined within the currents, drawing power from the depths of the mountain.
Now—
The flow slowly weakened.
Mo Xuan's hands, which had remained steady against Ling Yue's back, finally lowered.
The circulating spiritual vortex faded.
Ling Yue's breathing deepened.
Then her eyes opened.
For a brief moment she did not move.
Instead, she felt the power inside her body.
Her spiritual sea trembled with overwhelming strength.
Her cultivation had surged beyond anything she had experienced before.
She stepped slowly out of the lake.
The water rippled softly around her.
Ling Yue quickly put on her clothes again, her movements slightly hurried as realization returned.
Behind her, Mo Xuan also stepped out of the water.
His aura had changed.
His cultivation had advanced as well.
The spiritual pressure around him was sharper now, heavier.
Late Foundation Establishment Realm.
But Ling Yue—
Her aura surged far beyond that.
The air around her shimmered faintly.
Mo Xuan looked at her calmly.
"You broke through."
Ling Yue blinked once.
Then she suddenly realized the level of power she was releasing.
Her eyes widened.
"I… I reached Core Formation?"
Mo Xuan nodded.
"First Core Formation."
For a moment, Ling Yue stood completely stunned.
This was the first time in her life that her cultivation had advanced so rapidly.
The joy hit her instantly.
Without thinking—
She rushed forward.
"Mo Xuan!"
She hugged him tightly.
Mo Xuan froze.
His body stiffened for a second before he slowly relaxed.
Ling Yue's face was full of excitement.
"Thank you! If you didn't help me, I would never have broken through like this!"
Mo Xuan looked slightly surprised.
Then a faint smile appeared on his face.
Ling Yue suddenly realized what she was doing.
Her arms were still wrapped around him.
Her face turned bright red.
She quickly stepped back.
"I—I didn't mean—"
Mo Xuan simply shook his head lightly.
"It's fine."
Ling Yue cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Anyway… we should leave this place."
Mo Xuan looked up toward the cavern ceiling.
"Yes."
Above them stood the massive stone barrier that sealed the path back to the mountain.
They had entered through the abyss.
But to return—
They had to break the stone ceiling.
Ling Yue raised her sword slightly.
"Together?"
Mo Xuan nodded.
They stepped closer.
Their hands touched.
Life and death energy flowed between them once again.
They struck upward.
A powerful wave of spiritual force erupted.
The stone barrier trembled—
But did not break.
Ling Yue frowned.
"It's stronger than I thought."
Mo Xuan's gaze sharpened.
"Again."
Their hands tightened.
This time their energies fused more precisely.
The mountain shook violently.
Cracks spread across the ceiling.
Then—
With a thunderous explosion—
The stone barrier shattered.
Sunlight poured down through the broken opening.
Mo Xuan and Ling Yue immediately flew upward through the debris.
Outside the mountain.
Lan Jian, Lan Xue, and Han Wei had already gathered near the lower slopes.
During the week of cultivation, their strength had also increased.
Lan Jian and Lan Xue had both broken through to Late Core Formation Realm.
Han Wei had reached Middle Core Formation Realm.
But something was wrong.
The air had grown cold.
Behind them—
A slow clapping sound echoed.
"Well done."
The three disciples turned instantly.
A tall figure stood in black robes behind them.
His face was pale, his eyes dark like a bottomless abyss.
Lan Jian immediately sensed the danger.
"Who are you?"
The man smiled faintly.
"You can call me… Master Gu Ming."
Han Wei's expression hardened.
"You were behind the town?"
Gu Ming laughed softly.
"The town… the mountain… the spirit tree… all of it belongs to me."
He raised his hand slightly.
"This entire mountain feeds on life force."
Lan Xue's eyes narrowed.
"You planted the tree."
"Yes."
"And the artifact in the town?"
"A simple harvesting tool."
His smile widened.
"You cultivators walk into traps so easily."
Lan Jian stepped forward.
"You killed those people."
Gu Ming shrugged.
"They were nourishment."
His aura suddenly expanded.
The pressure was overwhelming.
Lan Xue's voice became sharp.
"Nascent Soul…"
Gu Ming chuckled.
"You're observant."
He slowly stretched his fingers.
"And now you will become my next meal."
His eyes gleamed with excitement.
"You cultivated inside my mountain for an entire week."
"That means your spiritual energy is perfect."
Lan Jian drew his sword instantly.
Lan Xue stepped beside him.
Han Wei activated several talismans.
"Then come and take it."
The battle erupted instantly.
Lan Jian launched forward with a freezing slash.
"Ice Dragon Cleave!"
Lan Xue followed.
"Frozen Lotus Domain!"
Han Wei's talismans exploded with lightning.
"Thunder Seal Array!"
But Gu Ming moved casually.
His sleeve flicked once.
Dark energy shattered their attacks.
Lan Jian was thrown backward.
Lan Xue barely held her ground.
Han Wei coughed blood.
Gu Ming's voice remained calm.
"You're strong… but still children."
He raised his hand again.
A massive wave of dark spiritual energy surged forward.
It rushed directly toward Han Wei.
Han Wei's eyes widened.
He couldn't block it.
The attack descended—
But suddenly—
A flash of silver light cut across the battlefield.
Clang!
The dark attack shattered.
Everyone turned.
Two figures stood on the mountain slope.
Mo Xuan.
Ling Yue.
Lan Jian's eyes widened.
"I knew it."
Lan Xue let out a quiet breath.
"You survived."
Han Wei laughed weakly.
"Took you long enough."
Mo Xuan stood calmly beside Ling Yue.
Their clothes fluttered slightly in the wind.
Gu Ming studied them carefully.
"So… the survivors return."
His gaze shifted to Ling Yue.
"Core Formation already?"
Then his eyes moved toward Mo Xuan.
"Interesting."
Ling Yue stepped forward.
Her sword rose slowly.
Silver spiritual energy gathered along its blade.
"You're not taking anyone's cultivation today."
Gu Ming laughed.
"Then try to stop me."
He launched another devastating attack toward Han Wei.
But Ling Yue moved instantly.
Her sword flashed across the battlefield.
"Frost Veil — Moon Guard!"
Her blade intercepted the attack.
The collision shook the entire mountain.
Dust exploded outward.
Everyone stared at the battlefield.
Ling Yue stood firmly in front of her friends.
Her sword glowing brightly.
Behind her—
Mo Xuan watched silently.
The battle had only just begun.
End of Chapter 23...