Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi

Under the witness of more than twenty Golden Core Cultivators from both sides, Zhang Yao held Sima Yan’s Storage Bag and prepared to open it under the scrutiny of numerous Divine Thoughts.

"Buzz!"

Sima Yan had already died, and the residual imprint left behind quickly crumbled under the powerful washing of magical power and Divine Thought.

The Storage Bag was swiftly refined by Zhang Yao, who gained control over it. Without hesitation, he opened the Storage Bag and poured everything out:

"Crash!"

Low-grade and middle-grade Spirit Stones piled into mountains, and there were even hundreds of top-grade Spirit Stones.

The remaining second-grade and third-grade Spiritual Objects, dozens of Spiritual Artifacts, along with the dazzling Magical Treasures, Treasures, and Spirit Pills, made many Golden Core Cultivators’ hearts stir with desire.

But everyone’s attention remained focused on a clump of sand that gathered together and looked like black mud.

"This is the Mitian Sand..."

While everyone’s eyes were red with longing, the division of spoils was swiftly completed.

The sixty percent portion that belonged to their side was temporarily entrusted to Zhang Yao for safekeeping, to be divided later since trust still existed between them.

However, the other side was different; after Sima Yan’s incident, no one trusted Yin Flame Ancestor’s integrity, and they refused to let him hold the Mitian Sand.

A dozen or so Golden Core Cultivators fought fiercely for even the smallest share, and if not for Zhang Yao and Nether Abyss Ancestor’s party on the side keeping watch, they would have nearly started fighting again.

"Wealth stirs the heart indeed."

Zhang Yao thought to himself, musing quietly.

As long as there are living beings and desires, there will always be conflicts over interests, both in the mundane world and the Cultivation Realm.

A moment later:

Yin Flame Ancestor and the dozen or so Golden Core Cultivators finally reached a compromise, adopting a division plan that everyone could reluctantly accept.

And just after they completed the distribution, Nether Abyss Ancestor stepped forward and said:

"Yin Flame Ancestor, Fellow Daoists!"

"You all saw just now, the threat that monster poses to us cultivators is too great. If we do not remove it early, I fear it will result in many Fellow Daoists dying prematurely!"

Saying this, he proposed:

"Why don’t we join forces and eliminate this scourge as soon as possible!"

Yin Flame Ancestor, upon hearing this, nodded continuously in agreement with Nether Abyss Ancestor’s proposal, both reaching an instant tacit understanding.

The others were initially hesitant, but after Yin Flame Ancestor’s constant persuasion, they eventually agreed one by one.

It was apparent:

Yin Flame Ancestor’s plans were long-term; he was certainly intending to delve into the very deep layers. It would be extremely dangerous for him to encounter the Black Tide monster there while being isolated.

If he could take advantage of the opportunity now with more than twenty Golden Core Cultivators united to eliminate the Black Tide monster, it would also benefit him.

But unfortunately:

The two sides united, using sea-like Golden Core Magical Power to intercept a tributary of the Black Tide momentarily, conducting a grand search, yet they couldn’t find any trace of the mysterious black shadow.

Even those Black Death Beasts had vanished without a trace, seemingly having long fled with the Black Tide currents.

Having no choice, after some polite exchanges, everyone dispersed.

......

"Boom!" "Boom!" ...

The Escape Light traversed through the dark cave.

Nether Abyss Ancestor’s face was gloomy, clearly in a foul mood.

This was the best opportunity to eliminate formidable enemies, but the contention over the Mitian Sand delayed it, allowing the monster to escape.

Next time, such a good opportunity would probably not present itself again, and the risk would increase significantly.

"Let’s rest for a while, we’ve been exploring for nearly twelve hours."

After a short while, Nether Abyss Ancestor called out, and everyone found a secluded spot to rest.

First, they distributed the Mitian Sand and the many Spiritual Objects and Treasures they had collected along the way according to the previously agreed-upon proportions. After celebrating excitedly for a while, everyone took Spirit Pills to restore their magical power and nourish their Divine Thoughts.

At this time:

Nether Abyss Ancestor found Zhang Yao in a corner and with a wave of his hand, used magical power to block and isolate external connection.

"Fellow Daoist Mingyuan, you’ve finally come."

Zhang Yao sat cross-legged, revealing a faint smile.

"It’s time for me to fulfill my promise."

Nether Abyss Ancestor, saying this, also sat down cross-legged, looking solemn.

Without beating around the bush, he spoke directly:

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, how much do you know about the extreme depths beneath thirty thousand feet of the Mo Yuan?"

"Almost nothing."

Zhang Yao shook his head and said:

"I deliberately collected information on Mo Yuan before, but there was hardly anything about the extreme depths."

"And most of it was either vague or simply unfounded rumors, even just wishful speculation."

"Of course."

Nether Abyss Ancestor chuckled:

"Every cultivator who has been to the extreme depths generally keeps this secret spontaneously."

"The reason I’m telling you now, besides owing you a favor, is also because you were going to choose to enter the extreme depths anyway."

"Oh?"

Zhang Yao raised an eyebrow, showing timely interest, and gestured:

"Please continue, Fellow Daoist."

After pondering for a moment, Nether Abyss Ancestor continued:

"Contrary to what most people imagine, the Magnetic Barrier isn’t strictly organized by layers of ten thousand feet each."

"Below thirty thousand feet, and as deep as sixty to seventy thousand feet into Mo Yuan, you’ll find the fourth Magnetic Barrier, and within this vast area, an entirely different Underworld is nurtured."

"... Wait!"

Zhang Yao, perceiving the key point keenly, exclaimed in surprise:

"An Underworld... you mean there are living beings reproducing in the extreme depths?"

By living beings, he meant actual life forms such as plants and moss, not Black Death Beasts, which are black tide derivatives that leave no bodies when dead.

"Yes."

Nether Abyss Ancestor stated frankly:

"Below the extreme depths, the Underworld is vast and magnificent, nurturing an endless number of life forms."

"Such a vast world, under the influence of reproduction and external human intervention, has even developed a civilization entirely different from the outside world!"

"The Underworld also inhabits the Human Race, who call themselves ’Unclean Cultivators,’ possessing the terrifying power to harness the Black Tide, and they have always lived in the Underworld..."

Zhang Yao’s expression changed several times as he listened, deeply shaken inside.

The Human Race in the Underworld? A civilization different from the Immortal Dao? Unclean Cultivators?

There’s no denying, Nether Abyss Ancestor’s brief words completely overturned his previous understanding, causing him great shock.

"Unclean Cultivators..."

Zhang Yao’s mind wandered over this term, and he couldn’t help asking:

"Then why is there not a single underground living being visible above the extreme depths?"

"The reason is simple."

Nether Abyss Ancestor replied in a calm tone:

"Because they cannot leave the environment of the Underworld, much like fish cannot leave rivers, lakes, and seas."

"Actually, with every Black Tide eruption, it’s not uncommon for underground life forms to be swept up to the surface. Most of them become part of the Black Tide, while a small portion absorb excessive Black Tide Power, undergoing mutations..."

When Zhang Yao heard this, he immediately understood:

"So, that is the origin of the Black Death Beasts!"

"Correct!"

Nether Abyss Ancestor’s eyes were profound as he slowly said:

"Not only that, those Unclean Cultivators possess strange abilities, control unimaginable resources, and are extremely knowledgeable about the Earth Surface Cultivation Realm."

"Any Earth Surface Cultivator entering the extreme depths will inevitably deal with them, and once you get used to the benefits they bring, it will be very hard to get rid of them..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao frowned slightly, sensing an offbeat atmosphere, he asked in a serious tone:

"What does Fellow Daoist mean by this?"

Nether Abyss Ancestor smiled faintly and said leisurely:

"I’m just speaking the truth."

"Perhaps you’ve already guessed; I’ve also entered the Underworld and cooperated with those Unclean Cultivators, gaining enormous benefits from it."

"How else could a free Golden Core cultivator from the Southwest Border like me call the shots in Celestial Continent and achieve Late Stage Golden Core all the way? It’s all because of the fortune with the Unclean Cultivators in the Underworld centuries ago!"

Upon saying this, his expression suddenly turned grim:

"I once believed I was the only one who had ever left the Underworld."

"But unexpectedly, just before this large-scale Black Tide eruption, I sensed another ’Soul Tamer’..."