This meeting involved only four cultivators at the Integration stage, including Patriarch Xiaoyue.
The Integration stage represented the pinnacle of power in the Tianyuan Realm, with a scarce population of only a few dozen individuals forming a very exclusive circle.
Rumor had it that the Tianyuan Realm also harbored cultivators at the Mahayana stage, even more powerful than those at the Integration stage. However, such formidable beings were relegated to legends, rarely seen.
The four Integration stage cultivators, all acquainted with each other, naturally engaged in boastful conversation.
"Alas, the situation deteriorates daily. Three of the four Great Spirit-Locking Arrays in the Tianyuan Realm are malfunctioning."
"Only the array in the West Sea, sealing the passage to the Demon Realm, remains intact."
"How glorious were the cultivators of the ancient Tianyuan Realm! Now, we lack even the ability to protect ourselves."
"One wonders what transpired in ancient times."
"If only a few Mahayana cultivators were still present, we wouldn't be in such a predicament."
"I heard that a while ago, an individual suspected to be at the Mahayana stage appeared in the West Sea. Unfortunately, by the time I rushed to pay my respects, they had vanished."
"Heh heh heh… I actually saw a senior expert with my own eyes not long ago!"
Patriarch Xiaoyue said with considerable pride at this point.
"Ah! Where?"
The other three Integration stage cultivators were captivated, their gazes filled with envy.
"This senior wishes to remain anonymous, so do not inquire further. I will not divulge any information."
This only intensified the envy of the others. They surmised that this old dog must have had extensive dealings with the senior.
"That senior bestowed upon me a treasure, greatly enhancing my strength," Patriarch Xiaoyue continued his boasting.
The first time, the senior had gifted him a leaf of Enlightenment Tea. After consuming it, perhaps due to his good fortune, he achieved enlightenment.
The second time, the senior gave him a bottle of Enlightenment Spring Water. The senior's jade slip stated that drinking this water guaranteed enlightenment.
Since meeting this senior expert, his luck had been exceptional, with two enlightenments leading to a significant surge in his strength.
The others could only offer their envy and jealousy.
As Patriarch Xiaoyue reveled in his pride, he surveyed the surroundings from his elevated position. His eyes suddenly fixed on a familiar figure within the crowd, and he quickly made his way towards them.
A group of Void Refining cultivators were feasting and drinking. Upon seeing Patriarch Xiaoyue approach, they were momentarily overwhelmed and flustered.
"Greetings, Patriarch Xiaoyue!"
"No need for such formalities, esteemed cultivators!"
The numerous Void Refining cultivators bowed in unison. Patriarch Xiaoyue merely waved his hand and proceeded towards Xiao Fei, who was amidst the crowd.
However, recalling the senior's admonition, he suppressed the urge to bow.
"Esteemed… Fellow Daoist Xiao!"
"This junior pays his respects to Patriarch Xiaoyue!"
Xiao Fei, however, still cupped his fists in a junior's greeting.
"This junior happens to have a matter he wishes to inquire about from a senior!"
The two then moved away from the crowd, one after the other, to a secluded spot.
"Little dog, I entrusted you with the care of two juniors some time ago. Have they sought you out?"
"This junior is ashamed. I have failed in my duty to the senior and could not properly look after them…"
Patriarch Xiaoyue then recounted the matters of Xiao Lan and Xing Wuming to Xiao Fei.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Fei fell silent for a moment. No one could have anticipated the simultaneous appearance of two giants. This was not Patriarch Xiaoyue's fault.
"Very well, I am aware of the situation. I will go and investigate tomorrow. You may attend to your duties now."
Xiao Fei maintained his air of profound mystery. After Patriarch Xiaoyue departed, he let out a cold sweat.
Impersonating an unparalleled expert was incredibly taxing. Prolonged association would inevitably reveal his true nature.
The numerous cultivators successfully convened on the Southern Wilderness Continent, and subsequently, they began deliberating on methods to repair the teleportation array and the Great Spirit-Locking Arrays.
The Great Spirit-Locking Arrays, ancient formations left from antiquity, represented the zenith of array mastery at the time and were not easily repaired.
Long-distance, cross-continental teleportation arrays were equally complex undertakings.
Estimates suggested that at least one to two years would be required.
Xiao Fei, feigning an inability to handle formations, departed the camp and flew towards Patriarch Xiaoyue's cave dwelling.
Upon his arrival, he saw two giant bodies, taller than mountains, standing at the entrance of Patriarch Xiaoyue's dwelling.
Xing Wuming was sitting on the foot of one of the giants, lost in thought. Xiao Fei's arrival was only noticed when he approached.
Xiao Fei circled the giants several times, unable to discern anything unusual.
Then, he extended a hand and placed it on one of the giant's colossal fingers.
"Disperse!"
With a loud shout, the skin on the giant's finger began to decompose slowly, its pace far from his alchemical speed.
He continuously circulated his laws for an entire day, managing to break down only a small patch of skin on the giant's finger.
The skin and flesh he decomposed had already transformed into various components, floating in the air.
There was giant essence blood, the imposing aura cultivated by the giants, and…
What most captivated Xiao Fei was a speck of black gas and a blood-red thread as fine as a hair.
Having interacted with Xiao Lan frequently, Xiao Fei was intimately familiar with her. This was a part of his second sister.
At this moment, Xiao Fei saw hope.
Xiao Lan had willingly entered the giant's body and was sealed within. Now, Xiao Fei intended to decompose the giant and extract Xiao Lan from its interior.
"Leave this place to me for now. You go and attend to your affairs!"
Xiao Fei first dismissed Xing Wuming. Then, his divine sense surged forth, fully enveloping the giant.
To collect an item into his space, he needed to envelop its entire being with his divine sense.
The giant's sheer size was immense. Only by releasing his divine sense to its absolute limit could he barely contain the giant within his space.
After Xiao Fei collected the giant, he quickly departed Patriarch Xiaoyue's dwelling and rode his flying fish back to the camp.
"Feifei! I will be entering seclusion for a period. I will not receive any visitors during this time."
"Understood!"
Xiao Fei and Huang Feifei occupied a rather spacious cave dwelling within this camp. It was sufficient for their cultivation needs.
Entering the cultivation chamber, he activated all the protective formations.
Only then did Xiao Fei enter his space.
His space now contained a colossal prison, holding the giant to prevent it from awakening and destroying the spiritual herbs within.
Upon entering the prison, Xiao Fei began to decompose the giant's body using his laws.
Useful substances like the imposing aura were meticulously categorized and stored in various containers by Xiao Fei.
Only Xiao Lan's ghost mist and blood thread were placed together, allowing them to fuse naturally.
Xiao Fei spent three consecutive days in his space, relentlessly applying his laws of gathering and dispersing. By the end, he was utterly exhausted, on the verge of collapse.
In three days, he had only managed to decompose the tip of the giant's finger.
This giant still possessed nine intact fingers and ten toes. These alone represented a monumental task, let alone the mountain-like body of the giant.
At this moment, he held a small clump of imposing aura, which was perfect for cultivating his "Overlord Body Art."