Translator: CinderTL
Twelve years later, Song Wen emerged from beneath a stretch of flat, yellow earth.
During this time, he had been in secluded cultivation, refining his rapidly surging cultivation base.
Now, his cultivation realm was completely stabilized.
Using the Spirit Beast Contract, Song Wen sensed the Nether Fox's location, then soared into the sky, flying toward the Primordial Qi Death Zone.
As the sky filled with swirling black Primordial Qi loomed before him, Song Wen merely slowed his pace slightly before plunging into the miasma.
After traveling several thousand miles, he landed at the foot of a towering mountain beside a small lake.
"Nether Fox, show yourself!" Song Wen called out to the mountain.
A few breaths later, the Nether Fox emerged from a cave at the mountain's base.
"Master, what brings you here?"
Song Wen's gaze locked onto the Nether Fox, his expression slightly astonished.
"You've already advanced to the fourth-tier peak!"
When they had parted ways decades ago, the Nether Fox was only at the mid-fourth-tier. In just over forty years, it had ascended two minor realms—an astonishingly rapid advancement in power.
"I broke through several years ago," the Nether Fox replied, a hint of pride flashing in its eyes. "I've single-handedly slain quite a few monsters in recent years."
Song Wen asked, "Did you consume one of those monsters that can shift between tangible and intangible forms?"
The Nether Fox replied, "Its appearance differed from the one you killed, but its body could still shift between tangible and intangible states. However, the ones I killed weren't particularly strong—around third or fourth-tier strength, according to your human classification."
"Since you've slain so many monsters, you must have ventured deep into the Primordial Qi Death Zone, right?" Song Wen asked.
"I've gone as far as 500,000 kilometers," the Nether Fox said.
"Then have you seen the Sea Region?" Song Wen asked.
The Nether Fox shook its head. "I haven't reached the Sea Region yet. The depths of the Primordial Qi Death Zone are teeming with powerful monsters, Resentful Spirits, and even members of my own kind. I dare not venture too far."
Hearing this, a flicker of disappointment flashed in Song Wen's eyes.
Chi Pei had mentioned that the Eastern Profound Continent and the Qicang Domain were separated by a Sea Region only 500,000 kilometers wide.
Now it seemed that crossing this Sea Region to reach the Eastern Profound Continent would be exceedingly difficult with his current cultivation level.
"Master, do you know why Resentful Spirits are so rarely seen in the Primordial Qi Death Zone?" the Nether Fox asked.
Song Wen shook his head.
He had noticed this phenomenon the last time he entered the Primordial Qi Death Zone.
The Nether Fox explained, "Those monsters are fond of consuming Resentful Spirits. By devouring them, the monsters gain a significant boost to their strength. Except for a few exceptionally powerful spirits, most Resentful Spirits end up as food for the monsters."
Song Wen couldn't help but glance sideways at the Nether Fox, his eyes filled with scrutiny.
Resentful Spirits enhanced the monsters' power, and the monsters, in turn, enhanced the Nether Fox's power.
From this perspective, the Nether Fox stood at the apex of the Primordial Qi Death Zone's hierarchy.
Yet, astonishingly, this apex predator had been bred by the disciples of the Divine Blood Gate.
"I'm returning to Cloudveil City. You're coming with me," Song Wen declared.
"Leaving already?" The Nether Fox's expression was one of reluctance. "I've reached the fourth-tier peak and could advance to the fifth tier at any moment. Master, could you wait until I ascend before we depart?"
"No," Song Wen replied coldly.
To him, there was little difference between a fourth-tier Nether Fox and a fifth-tier one. He didn't want to waste any more time here.
Moreover, the "any time" the Nether Fox spoke of could mean many years from now.
The Nether Fox said, "Master, if you have urgent matters, why not leave alone? I'll come find you after I advance to the fifth tier."
Song Wen asked, "Are you sure you don't want to leave?"
"I'm not going," the Nether Fox replied firmly, its tone resolute.
"Since you don't want to leave, I won't force you," Song Wen said. "However, those monsters possess extraordinary intelligence and even have their own language. This suggests they communicate and coordinate within their groups. You've been entrenched here for over forty years, killing several monsters. It's possible word of this has already reached the ears of powerful monsters deep within the Primordial Qi Death Zone. You must be careful not to lose your life."
With that, Song Wen turned to leave.
"Master, wait!" the Nether Fox called out urgently. "After careful consideration, I've decided to leave with you after all."
The corners of Song Wen's lips curled slightly as he turned back and patted the Spirit Beast Pouch at his waist.
The Nether Fox cooperated perfectly, without hesitation diving into the pouch on its own.
After advancing to the Void Refinement stage, Song Wen's speed increased severalfold. It took him just over a month to return to Cloudveil City.
He stood a thousand miles outside Cloudveil City, suspended in mid-air, watching the cultivators coming and going. Yet he found himself unsure where to go.
His primary goal was to reach the Eastern Profound Continent. But apart from the Veiled Moon Hall's Teleportation Array, Song Wen knew of no other viable method.
The Veiled Moon Hall was already a dragon's den and tiger's lair. Moreover, the other end of the Teleportation Array led directly to the Divine Blood Gate. Trespassing would undoubtedly mean certain death.
Unable to devise an immediate solution, Song Wen decided to first find a place to settle down and then gradually formulate a plan.
After a moment's contemplation, Song Wen set off for the Withered Desolation Marsh.
Though the Withered Desolation Marsh was somewhat filthy and chaotic, its abundant Spiritual Qi made it a decent place to take refuge.
The distance from Cloudveil City to the Withered Desolation Marsh was merely a few million miles. Song Wen arrived swiftly, hovering above Wu Yuan Island, where he had once resided.
Ever cautious, he instinctively extended his divine sense to thoroughly scan the surroundings.
He detected no anomalies. However, upon a rock on the island, he discovered two lines of engraved text.
"Gou Jun, I am Ye Bing. Come to Cloudveil City to find me. I will wait for you there for a year." This was the content of the first line of small characters.
Judging by the weathered and mottled appearance, the first line of small characters had been carved at least fifty or sixty years ago, the script now somewhat blurred.
Song Wen guessed they had been inscribed shortly after he and Ye Bing were first pursued by Du'e.
"Gou Jun, I've returned to Cloudveil City. If you're still alive, come find me." This was the content of the second line.
This line was much clearer, likely carved recently, no more than three to five years ago.
From the message, it was evident that Ye Bing had left Cloudveil City for some time and only recently returned.
How dare Ye Bing leave such a blatant message? Isn't she afraid Du'e will discover it? Song Wen wondered inwardly.
Unlike Song Wen, who could freely alter his aura, Ye Bing could only conceal hers. If Du'e saw these characters, he could easily locate her by discreetly investigating the city's inns, restaurants, or rented cultivation caves and courtyards.
While harboring these suspicions, Song Wen began disguising himself.
In the decades since breaking through to Void Refinement, Song Wen had stopped shaving his head. His black hair had grown long and flowing.
He disguised himself as a peak nascent soul corpse cultivator and immediately set off for Cloudveil City.
(End of the Chapter)