In the space, Xiao Fei was cultivating on the mountaintop when he suddenly felt a searing pain in his soul.
He knew that the clone he had contacted moments ago had died again.
This method of death, where both soul and spirit were annihilated, caused his soul to feel waves of agony even after the connection to the space was severed.
With his soul damaged once more, he was left with only three of his four clones.
If the clone in Qingqiu City also perished, he would have only two clones left to use.
Until his soul recovered, he couldn't afford to be reckless; the risk of death was too high.
At this moment, his cultivation had reached a critical juncture. One more step forward should allow him to break through to the Earth Immortal realm and reach the True Immortal realm.
Xiao Fei picked up a jade box in front of him, which contained ten mid-grade Earth Essence Pills.
He had originally planned to cultivate and break through slowly, but now time was pressing, and he needed to reach the True Immortal realm as quickly as possible.
He truly missed the days when he could break through realms just by eating and sleeping, without even trying.
Reaching out, he took two Earth Essence Pills from the jade box, popped them into his mouth, and swallowed them in one gulp.
The pills dissolved within his body, and a surge of immortal energy rose, causing his meridians to swell. He circulated his cultivation technique with all his might to refine it into immortal power.
When the medicinal effects of those two pills began to subside slightly, he took out two more and put them into his mouth. He could feel himself getting closer and closer to the True Immortal realm…
…
In Qingqiu City, after Xiao Fei learned that the experts in the city had all departed, he and his subordinates began to plot in secret.
Although the experts from the Qingqiu City Lord's Mansion had left, many Earth Immortals remained as guards, and there were likely still True Immortal realm powerhouses present.
Xiao Fei's current total strength consisted of himself, Fei Yu, Huang Feifei, Xiao Lan, Huangfu Xuan, Fei Xin, Ji Wudi, the Howling Moon Ancestor, and his second elder brother-in-law.
His treasures included the Yellow Gourd, the Gourd Vine, the Five Elements Lotus Seed, and a malevolent blade called "Bloodthirsty."
He had never used the Yellow Gourd in the Immortal Realm before. This item was a congenital spiritual treasure, and its activation would easily alert other powerful beings.
Since he was already exposed this time, he adopted a "what's the worst that can happen" attitude and no longer feared anything.
The Yellow Gourd and the Gourd Vine were incredibly powerful, but they also consumed a great deal of immortal power. Furthermore, they could only deal with one person at a time, making it difficult to cope with a siege.
The Five Elements Lotus Seed could deal with multiple opponents simultaneously, but its destructive power was not particularly strong, and it also consumed a significant amount of immortal power.
"Bloodthirsty" was merely a spiritual treasure, but its artifact spirit was quite special, allowing it to function as a half-immortal artifact.
"According to reconnaissance, the City Lord's Mansion still has at least fifty to sixty Earth Immortals and two True Immortals."
At this moment, nine Earth Immortals, including Xiao Fei, were gathered in a secret chamber, discussing the plan for their next move.
"With the strength of just nine of us, a direct confrontation is impossible. It would be no different from seeking death. If we all lose our lives trying to rescue Teacher Xiao Hei, it would be a loss far outweighing any gain. Remember, in this operation, only I can afford to die!"
Xiao Fei said this with great seriousness as he looked at everyone. He had explained to them long ago that he was merely a clone here.
"Fei Yu, take the Yellow Gourd, and along with Huang Feifei, Second Sister, and Huangfu Xuan, the four of you will act together."
Xiao Fei handed the Yellow Gourd to Fei Yu. With the divine abilities of his second sister and Huang Feifei, they could contend with a True Immortal for a few rounds, even if they were outnumbered. Especially Fei Yu, whose speed was unparalleled. If they were outmatched and their lives were threatened, he could lead them to escape.
"Ji Wudi, take the Gourd Vine, and along with Fei Xin, second brother-in-law, and Howling Moon, the four of you will form another group and bring the 'Bloodthirsty' evil blade."
This group, armed with the Gourd Vine, was slightly weaker than Fei Yu's group, but they were invincible against a small number of Earth Immortals.
"To the west of Qingqiu City lies a Plum Blossom Manor. It is believed to house the most precious treasures of the Qingqiu Sacred Land, and it is guarded day and night. Fei Yu's group will depart immediately and attack the Plum Blossom Manor directly. Don't worry about making a scene; try to attract as much attention as possible."
"You got it! We're leaving now!"
Fei Yu stood up, picked up the Yellow Gourd, and walked out. Xiao Lan, Huang Feifei, and Huangfu Xuan followed without a word. Everything that needed to be said had been said. There was no need to dawdle; they should proceed according to the plan. Only if everyone executed the plan precisely would their chances of success be greater.
"Let's wait a bit longer. We'll make our move when the time is right."
Xiao Fei and Ji Wudi's group did not move out, remaining hidden in the secret chamber, waiting for the opportune moment.
The Plum Blossom Manor in Qingqiu City had always been a forbidden area, constantly guarded, with entry prohibited for all others. Anyone with a shred of intelligence would know that precious treasures were hidden within. During the previous chaos in Qingqiu City, someone had attempted to infiltrate the Plum Blossom Manor, but the City Lord's Mansion had quickly dispatched powerful experts to drive them away.
Today, Fei Yu and his companions walked brazenly to the entrance of the Plum Blossom Manor, their demeanor exceedingly arrogant and presumptuous.
"Plum Blossom Forbidden Area, halt!"
Two Earth Immortals at the gate glared at Fei Yu, ready to attack at the slightest provocation. Fei Yu had no patience for such individuals who relied on the power of others. He directly produced the Yellow Gourd and aimed it at one of them, unleashing a suction force.
A tremendous suction force was generated, and the Earth Immortal was immediately pulled into the Yellow Gourd.
Simultaneously, Huang Feifei and Xiao Lan also attacked. Huang Feifei's law was the law of death; wherever it spread, it extinguished all life. Xiao Lan transformed into a ghostly mist that enveloped the area. When their divine abilities receded, only a pile of decaying withered bones remained at the entrance of the Plum Blossom Manor.
The Plum Blossom Forbidden Area was indeed protected by formations and restrictions, but the attack was sudden, and the enemy had not fully activated the formations. The four of them attacked the gate simultaneously, breaking through the entrance in mere seconds.
After entering, the eight cultivators guarding the manor finally reacted, cursing as they surrounded the four.
"Who dares to come here seeking death!"
"Well, well, a few pretty girls. I'll take them all!"
"How vulgar! Only knowing how to look at women's faces! That young fellow with the Yellow Gourd is mine."
"I only want that gourd!"
Fei Yu once again unleashed the Yellow Gourd in his hand, aiming it at a freckled cultivator who appeared the most arrogant and was shouting the loudest. As he injected immortal power into the gourd, a powerful suction force emanated from it. The freckled cultivator, in the midst of his blustering, was caught off guard and sucked into the gourd by a great force.
"Congenital Spiritual Treasure!"
"This gourd is actually a Congenital Spiritual Treasure!"
"No one can snatch it from me, it's mine now!"
As the others stared at the Yellow Gourd in Fei Yu's hand, Huang Feifei and the other two were not idle. They attacked simultaneously. Huang Feifei's law domain spread out, causing even Earth Immortals with boundless lifespans to rapidly age.