Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi

"Boom!"

A massive black plume of smoke surged through the vast cavern.

"Be careful! It’s a substream of the Black Tide!"

The Nether Abyss Ancestor promptly issued a warning, and numerous Golden Core Cultivators turned their Escape Light, flying along the side and avoiding the Black Tide substream.

Strictly speaking, the Black Tide doesn’t have substreams, but rather, the space is partitioned off by the distortion of Primordial Magnetic Power.

This means these substreams possess the same terrifying power as the Black Tide they’ve witnessed. Being caught in one by accident could lead to perilous situations, and even a Golden Core Ancestor risks falling.

"Let’s go!"

After putting some distance behind, the Nether Abyss Ancestor called out, and everyone hastened their Escape Light, steering clear of the Black Tide substream behind them.

It wasn’t just the Black Tide substreams:

In this vast and boundless underground space, various kinds of dangers were abundant.

There’s drifting black fog with no trace, shadow vortices imperceptible to Divine Thought, underworld miasma capable of contaminating Magical Power and Divine Soul, and many others...

Throughout the journey, under the leadership of the Nether Abyss Ancestor, the group avoided numerous hazardous areas, delving deeper into Mo Yuan.

A mere distance of ten thousand feet, under normal circumstances for a Golden Core Ancestor, would pass in just a few breaths, but within the twisted and overlapping depths of Mo Yuan, it became a considerably long journey.

"Stay alert!"

After some time flying, the Nether Abyss Ancestor’s face slightly changed, and he spoke abruptly:

"There are Black Death Beasts ahead, and there are two of them!"

With these words, everyone’s expression immediately turned serious.

Various terrain dangers, for Da Mo’s indigenous Golden Core Cultivators proficient in exploration, were not considered real threats.

In Mo Yuan, the true dangers that could cause a Golden Core’s downfall typically came in two forms—the shattered spatial zones and the Black Death Beasts.

The shattered spatial zones, as the name suggests, were spaces distorted beyond recognition under the power of Earth’s Magnetic Force, fragile as broken mirrors, with a disastrous fate for those who ventured in.

The Black Death Beasts are peculiar lifeforms; no one knows where they come from, but it’s confirmed they are related to the Black Tide. Their strength is formidable, and they possess various extraordinary abilities, more challenging than many cultivators’ Divine Communication Skills.

"Aow..."

A faint roar was heard, but Divine Thought couldn’t locate the sound’s origin.

"These Black Death Beasts are truly not to be underestimated,"

Zhang Yao’s Divine Thought scanned for a long time without finding the direction of the sound, his expression turning grave.

Actually, there’s no air in Mo Yuan, and the sound relies entirely on Primordial Magnetic Power to transmit. This means the Black Death Beasts, to some extent, could manipulate or harness the power of the Earth’s Magnetic Field.

However, despite the many Golden Core Cultivators’ serious expressions, there was not much fear, like ordinary people encountering a ferocious wild dog—not unbeatable, just fearing injury.

"Go! Quickly kill these two beasts!"

The Nether Abyss Ancestor gave the order, transforming into a shadow, wielding his Magical Treasure to strike first.

The other Golden Core Cultivators followed closely, with Zhang Yao cautiously falling to the rear, ready to observe how they would handle the Black Death Beasts.

Soon:

"Boom!" "Boom!"...

Under the collective assault of numerous Golden Core Cultivators, the two calf-sized black shadow beasts died miserably without the strength to resist.

Zhang Yao squinted, seeing through the technique behind it.

The Nether Abyss Ancestor and others were prepared, initially collaborating to restrict the Black Death Beasts’ range of movement. Subsequently, the Black Death Beasts repeatedly charged but couldn’t escape, with people specifically intercepting and stopping them in all directions.

Their counterattacks were also gradually absorbed by many Golden Core Cultivators, unable to pose a fatal threat, thus unable to break through.

In the end, the two formidable Black Death Beasts were effortlessly slain by the Nether Abyss Ancestor and others, with not even a ripple stirred in the process.

"No wonder a large-scale Black Tide eruption draws only external Golden Core Cultivators who practice Dark Attribute Techniques..."

A trace of understanding appeared in Zhang Yao’s mind.

Although the Black Death Beasts could harness a wisp of Earth’s Magnetic Force, their essence was still comprised of the power of Dark Skills, their bodies resembling animated shadows.

Cultivators who practice Dark Attribute Cultivation Techniques can restrain them, and being naturally more suited to the Black Abyss’s environment, their survival skills are greatly enhanced.

Before the Tide of Alliance erupts, many Golden Core Cultivators, brimming with confidence, chose to act alone, and this was the root cause.

Other attribute cultivators, however, face more severe limitations in strength and lack means against the Black Death Beasts, having difficulty foreseeing dangers like the shadow vortexes and underworld miasma, making survival here extremely challenging without exceptional strength, and the risk of demise very high.

"Perhaps, long ago, other attribute Golden Core Cultivators came to join the excitement, but too many perished, and gradually, no one dared to come..."

Thoughts raced rapidly in Zhang Yao’s mind.

The large-scale eruption of the Black Tide became a grand feast for Dark Attribute Cultivators because of the dangerous environment in Mo Yuan.

This means that in his actions here, he faces more challenges than other Golden Core Cultivators and must be extremely cautious.

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu."

The Nether Abyss Ancestor called out.

He showed no anger at Zhang Yao’s observant demeanor but smiled and said:

"Fellow Daoist, you’re quite cautious, but in Mo Yuan, being cautious is wise."

"Fellow Daoist Mingyuan is right,"

Zhang Yao replied politely:

"I noticed your coordination was seamless; if I were to recklessly join in, I might disrupt your synergy, which would indeed cause more harm than good."

"Moreover, your techniques have greatly broadened my horizons."

"You flatter us,"

The Nether Abyss Ancestor shook his head and said:

"Which Golden Core Cultivator daring enough to venture into Mo Yuan doesn’t have means against the Black Death Beasts?"

```

The two exchanged only a few words before regrouping and pressing deeper.

Along the way, besides avoiding various dangers, the further they ventured into Mo Yuan, the group also discovered quite a few good things.

Most of the third grade Spiritual Objects were temporarily collected by the Nether Abyss Ancestor for subsequent distribution.

A few specific Spiritual Objects and some treasures were allocated to the members most in need according to previously agreed details, such as Zhang Yao receiving over two ounces of Endless Yin Earth.

"Not bad, the quality of this Endless Yin Earth is very high..."

Zhang Yao showed a hint of satisfaction after a careful investigation.

The Endless Yin Earth in his hand resembled pitch-black mud lumps, yet emitted a distinctly peculiar fluctuation, as if ready to merge into the shadows at any moment.

In fact, if not for the seasoned experience of the Nether Abyss Ancestor and others, this Endless Yin Earth would have been difficult for him to obtain, as it naturally obscures Divine Thought scanning.

This rare Heaven and Earth treasure is useless to most Golden Core Cultivators practicing dark attribute cultivation techniques, but it is extremely valuable for cultivating Divine Communication Skills like External Incarnation and Soulless Shell.

"Endless Yin Earth is only born in the extreme depths below thirty thousand feet."

"Discovering it in the first section shows it has been heavily swept up by the Black Tide, suggesting a considerable scale."

"The Nether Abyss Ancestor’s judgment is still mostly correct..."

Such thoughts floated in Zhang Yao’s mind.

The Nether Abyss Ancestor previously judged that Endless Yin Earth could be gathered between twenty to thirty thousand feet, apparently a reasonable deduction based on past experience.

"Rumble..."

The group moved forward, approaching the second Magnetic Barrier, when distant rumbling sounds were faintly heard.

"Someone is engaged in combat!"

The group exchanged a glance, a hint of caution appearing in their expressions.

"This is only the first section, where the treasures are limited in value; surely no one would be foolish enough to engage in senseless fighting."

The Nether Abyss Ancestor listened carefully before speaking:

"More likely someone has encountered a Black Death Beast."

Deep within Mo Yuan, the space remains exceedingly vast, and despite traveling for so long, they only encountered another group of Golden Core Cultivators, still far away.

After a brief discussion, they decided not to join the commotion for opportunistic plunder, but instead continued pressing onwards, aiming to enter the second section sooner.

Shortly:

"Buzz!"

The familiar sensation returned, as everyone felt a tremor around them, their minds buzzing at the moment of traversing the second Magnetic Barrier.

Thanks to the terrifying might and destructive force of the Black Tide, the usually indestructible Magnetic Barrier appeared dilapidated, its power reduced to less than a tenth, easily penetrable like thin paper.

The space shifted again, prompting the group to swiftly stabilize their Escape Light.

"This time, the duration of the tremor seems slightly longer..."

After stabilizing his Escape Light, Zhang Yao calmly reflected in his mind, arriving at this conclusion.

Similar to the remnants of power after being overwhelmed and shattered, the residual strength of the second Magnetic Barrier distinctly surpassed the first.

"Everyone, be careful!!"

Suddenly, his Divine Thought captured the urgent warning of Black Abyss Ascendant.

"Not good!"

Without time to turn around, Zhang Yao’s Divine Thought detected a ferocious and terrifying Black Death Beast instantly attacking from behind.

Simultaneously, several Black Death Beasts also struck, assaulting the Nether Abyss Ancestor, Black Abyss Ascendant, Jiuhua Ancestor, and others, the scene descending into chaos.

"Rip..."

The claws of the Black Death Beast swooped by, emitting a sound akin to tearing fabric, glowing with sinister black light and venomous aura.

"Swoosh!"

In an instant, Zhang Yao’s body scattered and transformed into formless Qingfeng, leaving the beast’s claws swinging at empty air.

"?"

Clearly shocked, the Black Death Beast hadn’t yet grasped the situation.

With its intelligence, it couldn’t comprehend what transpired yet instinctively sensed danger; it howled and attempted to flee.

Regrettably, its action was conspicuously too late.

"Sizzle!"

Zhang Yao’s Qingfeng incarnation directly enveloped the Black Death Beast, and soon, amidst the azure airflow, intense sparks started to rise!

"Boom!"

In the blink of an eye, countless tiny arcs converged into frenzied purple thunder, the Black Death Beast issuing a sudden, piercing shriek twice, abruptly silenced.

A Black Death Beast comparable to Golden Core strength was annihilated by Annihilation Divine Thunder, leaving not even a fragment behind.

"Swoosh!"

The Qingfeng regrouped, revealing Zhang Yao’s sombre countenance.

"This beast is truly troublesome to handle..."

After achieving Perfection with Celestial Wind Formless Body, he could maintain transformation into Qingfeng nearly indefinitely as long as his Magical Power was uninterrupted, granting him greater tactical options.

This cooperation of Wind and Thunder Two Great Divine Techniques is one of his refined accomplishments over many years.

But don’t mistake the ease of killing one Black Death Beast for simplicity; should several attack at once, he’d be overwhelmed and potentially forced to retreat.

"Swish!"

Suddenly, a dazzling white brilliance surged forth, illuminating the entire cavern like daylight.

"This is..."