The upper segment of Middle Peak belongs to the Great Elder's residence and is a forbidden area for Inner Sect disciples. After all, all four peaks are reserved solely for Foundation experts.

Inner Sect disciples like Nightcrypt are restricted to the area defined by the hand's back.

As for the upper segment, ordinary elders and Dharma Protectors aren't even allowed entry.

This is one reason why Nightcrypt, impersonating someone he's not, can't even approach the relics, and why he desires to enter the Foundation. Only then can he choose one of the four peaks.

"Establishing the Foundation is the first step," thought Yan Xiaobao. "I will choose Middle Peak, then move to the second step, becoming a Dharma Protector. Unfortunately, I can only pretend I'm at the Mortal-Dao Foundation. Reaching Earthstring Foundation Establishment would be a step too far. Otherwise, I could become an elder.

"After becoming a Dharma Protector, I need to become a Brother Elder. This is the third step, the final one. At that moment, I'll be able to acquire the eternal indestructible relic, which lies beneath the Great Elder's Immortal Cave at Zhongshan Peak." Yan Xiaobao took a deep breath. He knew that achieving his goal would take time. Rising from an ordinary Inner Sect disciple to the position of the Middle Peak patriarch would be a long road. However, nothing is impossible.

With his goal in mind, Yan Xiaobao closed his eyes and began to cultivate. Temporarily ignoring the Violet Qi Heavenspan Incantation, he focused on the Immortal Eternal Life Skill that is the Immortal Heavenly King.

He was very curious to see how cultivating this skill here compared to doing so in the Spiritual Flow Sect.

He released the Immortal Heavenly King, and his body trembled. Back at the Spiritual Flow Sect, practicing the Immortal King of Heaven led to terrifying life energy depletion. Without precious materials and a large amount of medicinal pills, it was almost impossible.

But cultivating here, Blood Qi rose from the ground and poured into his body, rapidly replenishing his life energy, allowing him to cultivate faster.

The next day, oscillations ran through him, accompanied by a pulsing sensation. He could already say he was stronger than before.

His eyes opened, gleaming with joy.

"This place is like Heaven!" He ran his hand along the ground as if running it across the giant's Immortal Skin. His heart swelled with excitement.

"The Immortal Eternal Life Skill is truly impressive. This giant never cultivated it to the absolute peak, and that's why he died. Nevertheless, even after his death, his flesh remained countless years later. It didn't rot or anything; it ultimately became the foundation of a sect.

"It just shows you how incredible the Immortal Eternal Life Skill is!" He continued to cultivate.

Time flew by. Four days passed, and Yan Xiaobao would venture out in the dimness to familiarize himself with the Blood Flow Sect. As he did so, he gleaned more information from the imposter Nightcrypt and began memorizing the faces of Inner Sect disciples.

He also practiced his facial expressions, making them appear fiercer and fiercer. Soon, he realized that exuding a ferocious aura required a bit of talent, and he immediately began to study it. He rehearsed his laughter until it sounded more sinister and terrifying than before.

However, Nightcrypt had already achieved a height achievable by Inner Sect disciples and was only one step away from Foundation Establishment. To most people, he was almost as strong as cultivators at the Mortal-Dao Foundation and was someone other Inner Sect disciples dared not provoke.

Several days passed without incident.

One day, Yan Xiaobao was cultivating the Immortal Heavenly King in his Immortal Cave when his expression suddenly flickered. He looked up, wearing the fiercest and most sinister expression he could muster. With eyes flashing a piercing light, he gazed out from the entrance of the Immortal Cave.

Not long after, a voice could be heard outside.

"Little Brother Nightcrypt, it's me, Zhao Wuchang. Please come out for a moment."

Yan Xiaobao immediately inquired about impersonating Nightcrypt and learned he was one of the other disciples who had ventured to the Fallen Sword World. He continued to appear as cold and ruthless as possible, emerging from the Immortal Cave with a bloodthirsty aura. A middle-aged man stood a few meters away from the entrance.

"What do you want?" Yan Xiaobao asked coldly. He vaguely remembered Zhao Wuchang as one among the Blood Flow Sect disciples who had attempted to assassinate him, only to be terrified after he began killing them.

Zhao Wuchang's face was pale and savage, much like a wolf ready to pounce at any moment. He looked Yan Xiaobao up and down, then offered a cursory smile, saying, "Little Brother Nightcrypt, I trust you've been well since we last saw each other.

"I'm not here for anything particularly important. Those of us who failed in the Fallen Sword World are gathering to exchange information and discuss reaching the Mortal-Dao Foundation. Since you've returned too, Little Brother Nightcrypt, I thought I might invite you to join us." Zhao Wuchang, along with everyone else who failed in the Fallen Sword, found themselves in an awkward position. Trapped between Inner Sect and Foundation, they had little hope of reaching Earthstring Foundation. Therefore, they had no choice but to pursue Mortal-Dao Foundation Establishment.

Unfortunately, the Mortal-Dao Foundation requires a Foundation Establishment Pill, and acquiring such a pill at the Blood Flow demands disciples pay a bitter price. Thus, the survivors of the Fallen Sword World have formed an alliance, and Zhao Wuchang's purpose in coming here was to ask Nightcrypt to join them.

"Oh, really?" Yan Xiaobao replied. After some thought, he nodded. Joining this group would likely provide him with more information, which would certainly be helpful in the days to come.

Seeing Yan Xiaobao had agreed, Zhao Wuchang smiled and led him through the sect to the gathering point. As they walked by, he occasionally observed Yan Xiaobao, noting that this Nightcrypt was vastly different from his memory of Nightcrypt. His bloodthirsty aura was much stronger; his sinister expression was much deeper.

"Nightcrypt may not have successfully undergone Earthstring Foundation Building," Zhao Wuchang thought, "but escaping Yan Xiaobao alive is no easy feat." While they walked, they chatted about various casual matters. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

When they were about halfway to the gathering, suddenly, the sky thundered like booming thunder!

A blood-colored fog surged into the area like tidal waves. Above, some Foundation Establishment Cultivation Personnel flying past stopped in their tracks, clearing the road and expressing their respect.

Yan Xiaobao looked up in shock. Not far away, within the blood mist, appeared a blood-colored palanquin. It stood 30 meters tall, surrounded by countless vengeful spirits, silently screaming.

Carrying the palanquin on their shoulders were eight three-meter-high Stone Statue Ghost-like spirits, exuding dark mist. Their skin was green, and they emitted fluctuations akin to Foundation Establishment cultivators and emanated a sinister chill.

On either side of the blood palanquin was a row of palace maids dressed in blood-colored clothing. They were beautiful, but entirely expressionless, carrying burning lanterns in their lovely hands. They seemed to be clearing the path for the blood palanquin as it passed through the mist.

It was truly a surprising sight.

Even Yan Xiaobao was completely shaken, his immediate assumption being that a Clan Leader was arriving. However, he soon realized that a young woman was sitting within the blood palanquin.

She wore a deep crimson dress, her long hair rustling in the breeze. Seeing her face was impossible as she donned a blood-colored mask adorned with plum blossoms!

Her chin rested on her hand as she gazed far off.

As for her cultivation base, she was at the Foundation Establishment stage, and the pressure from her spiritual power contained traces of multiple tides, causing the blood mist to surge and flow.

This meant this young lady had reached Earthstring Foundation Establishment!

Yan Xiaobao's eyes were filled with envy. He couldn't strut around in such a manner in the Spiritual Flow Sect! The fact that Blood Flow Sect Foundation Establishment cultivators received such treatment left him breathless.

When Zhao Wuchang saw Yan Xiaobao staring at the blood palanquin, his heart flipped.

"Hey! You have a death wish?" he whispered. "Lower your head! If you're not careful, Miss Xue Mei will gouge out your eyes! She reached 9 Tideflows in the Lone Hell Pocket Realm!"

If he wasn't interested in Yan Xiaobao joining his alliance, he wouldn't have said anything.

...