From the moment he saw this man, Yang Linghu silently chanted “Immortal Master’s protection” in his heart, activating Chen Yang’s consciousness within his sea of consciousness.

He also gripped the diamond talisman in his other hand, ready to use it for defense at any moment.

The cave monster’s nature was unclear—it might have learned shapeshifting tricks.

Yang Linghu had already checked this person earlier using the Immortal Master’s awareness. After confirming he was a human cultivator, Yang Linghu decided not to kick him away.

Seeing Liu Qing paralyzed with fear, Yang Linghu pulled him up and placed him on a nearby rock.

“Your name?”

“Liu Qing.”

“Calm down, Liu Qing. I won’t abandon you. Tell me what happened.”

Yang Linghu’s steady tone gradually soothed Liu Qing, who began recounting the events:

“Six days ago! A half-human, half-snake monster appeared out of nowhere!”

“The hidden treasure’s realm restriction limits entry to early-stage Gathering Qi cultivators, but this monster’s cultivation level is already fourth-level Gathering Qi! It’s been hunting and eating human cultivators since it appeared!”

“Later, cultivators from powerful forces teamed up to fight it, thinking they could slay it quickly by working together.”

“But who knew this monster had terrifying vitality? Even when stabbed through, it healed rapidly by devouring flesh. Nearly impossible to kill!”

“It also has a split ability—after eating enough, it spawns smaller monsters from its body.”

He pointed at the shattered remains nearby: “Like this one. These split monsters all have second-level Gathering Qi cultivation. Their bodies are super tough and crazily aggressive. Regular cultivators can’t handle them. The main body went into hiding after the ambush.”

“I was traveling with over a dozen fellow cultivators, led by two third-level Gathering Qi seniors. But we got ambushed by small monsters. I got separated and ran here blindly.”

After Liu Qing finished explaining, Yang Linghu understood the hidden treasure’s current state.

“Shouldn’t the sects and families be organizing groups for safety? Why didn’t you join them?”

Liu Qing laughed bitterly: “They scorn loose cultivators. They demand spiritual crystals and materials for protection. Otherwise, they tell us to fend for ourselves.”

“They’re still doing this now?!”

Yang Linghu frowned. These people clearly didn’t grasp the danger.

The monster kept growing stronger by eating flesh.

If everyone stayed scattered, the creature would pick them off one by one.

Though its fourth-level cultivation was manageable now for sect elites, the secret realm wouldn’t open for seven more days.

With countless loose cultivators still here, if the monster kept feeding unchecked—reaching fifth-level, sixth-level, or higher—what then?

“How many major cultivator settlements exist here? Know their locations?”

“Five total! I know one—got chased out from there myself.”

“Lead me.”

After two hours of travel, they reached a makeshift cultivator settlement. En route, snake people attacked twice. Yang Linghu ripped them apart, finding no organs—just clumps of spiritual power sustaining them.

“Halt! No entry without an identification badge.”

A gatekeeping cultivator blocked the two individuals.

Initially only noticing Liu Qing at the front, his tone carried impatience.

“How many times must I say this? Pay with spiritual crystals or materials. You think you can beg for shelter empty-handed? You—”

Mid-sentence, he spotted Yang Linghu emerging from behind Liu Qing.

Third-level Gathering Qi!

First shocked by the cultivation level, the guard nearly collapsed when their eyes met.

The bloodlust and killing intent radiating from Yang Linghu’s gaze left no room for doubt.

“Move,” Yang Linghu stated flatly.

“Y-yes…”

The man’s legs shook as he scrambled aside.

Yang Linghu entered the cultivator settlement, immediately drawing stares.

Soon two sect cultivators at third-level Gathering Qi approached.

“Greetings, friend. Which sect do you hail from?”

“Who leads here? Take me to them.”

Yang Linghu ignored their question, turning it back on them.

His dismissive tone darkened their expressions.

“What’s your meaning, friend? Seeking trouble here?”

“State your business to us first. No need to bother our Senior Brother.”

_Whoosh—_

A punch’s windblast whipped their faces before they registered Yang Linghu’s movement.

“Will you take me now?”

“Er…”

“Yes! This way, friend!”

They hadn’t even seen his strike. Though equal in cultivation level, his combat strength dwarfed theirs. They hastily guided him to the central tent.

Yang Linghu faced their Senior Brother – a small sect disciple at the peak of third-level Gathering Qi.

After two brief exchanges, the leader lunged first in anger.

Two punches later, the man saw ancestral visions and promptly agreed to admit loose cultivators.

“Elder Brother! I get it, but my faction alone can’t change things. Without others cooperating, this plan fails.”

The settlement leader named Jin Qiang now hunched submissively beside Yang Linghu, his pride shattered after their… enlightening discussion.

“Hence you’ll take me to them.” Yang Linghu nodded. “That monster’s growth threatens everyone here. No survivors if it matures.”

“Right away!” Jin Qiang bobbed his head, leading the procession.

Yang Linghu kept Liu Qing close to explain matters to wandering cultivators. By their arrival at the second major settlement, dozens trailed behind.

The local leader assumed an invasion force approached. Yang Linghu’s negotiations met stubborn resistance, forcing him to employ… persuasive reasoning.

This leader, peak third-level cultivator capable of rivaling Fourth-Level opponents, had felt secure against the monster.

But Yang Linghu’s cold pool ordeal had elevated his Force Technique to the staggering Fifth Level. Three bone-crunching punches settled the debate.

Two settlements now welcomed loose cultivators, but three tougher challenges remained.

“Elder Brother,” Jin Qiang whispered, “Next come two noble family outposts and one major sect branch.”

Though aware of Yang Linghu’s power, Jin Qiang fretted about provoking these well-connected factions.

“I know the risks. Keep leading.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep