Li Er and Li Yang were cautious of the sudden appearance of the dishevelled old Taoist, as they couldn't discern his cultivation level.
Li Yang cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, senior. Since you fancy my cultivation technique, I shall bestow it upon you!"
As Li Yang spoke, he produced a jade slip and handed the cultivation method for the Blade Soul to the old Taoist. As for saving their lives, Li Yang had no intention of asking for favors. He merely hoped the old Taoist wouldn't attack them.
The dishevelled old Taoist took the jade slip, examined it, and chuckled, "Not bad, not bad. A path less traveled, quite interesting. This old man won't take advantage of you. Did you just kill someone from Dawn?"
Li Er and Li Yang were startled. They had indeed killed people from Dawn, but they had quickly covered their tracks. They hadn't expected the dishevelled old Taoist to see through it at a glance!
"Dawn is no simple organization. Although they don't rank high among the myriad worlds, their highest leader is merely an Ancestral Saint early stage. However, Dawn possesses divine artifacts and a special tracking method. All their members bear a brand, and those who kill Dawn members will exude a unique scent that ordinary people cannot smell, but their organization has means to track it!" the dishevelled old Taoist expounded at length.
Only then did Li Er and Li Yang realize that the dishevelled old Taoist wasn't bluffing; he could genuinely save their lives!
If they hadn't known this and had carelessly run into Dawn members, they would surely have perished.
"This is my unique secret recipe. Sprinkle a little on your body, and it will mask that scent!" The dishevelled old Taoist said, tossing a small jade bottle to Li Yang before flying away leisurely.
Li Er watched the dishevelled old Taoist depart and mused, "Has this old Taoist surpassed the Ancestral God realm?"
Li Yang shook his head, unable to sense anything. However, being able to contend with Dawn and know so much suggested he was likely beyond the Ancestral God realm.
Li Er promptly created a video of the recent events and uploaded it to the group space, so that these people would know to exercise caution when venturing out in the future.
Li Yang took out the jade bottle, sprinkled some on Li Er, and then on himself, saying, "This should be fine now."
Li Er nodded in agreement.
However, in the distance, the dishevelled old Taoist suddenly paused and muttered to himself, "Did this old man forget something? Ah, that medicine is only effective for a limited time, three years or five years? Did I tell those two youngsters? I think I did."
If Li Er and Li Yang had heard this, they would have cursed him to death for his deceitfulness.
Unaware of this, the two continued on their journey.
Meanwhile, in the group space, Minghe and others saw the video uploaded by Li Er and were all astonished. They never imagined there were so many methods in the myriad worlds. They would have to act with extreme caution from now on.
"These two just reached the Ancestral God realm and are already venturing out so recklessly. Aren't they afraid of getting themselves killed? If they hadn't met a powerful figure, they wouldn't have survived three days!" Minghe grumbled. He was still at the late stage of Sage and envied these Ancestral Gods.
Zhunti appeared beside Minghe, rolling his eyes. However, he still said, "Fellow Daoist Minghe, given the current situation, how about we form an alliance again? As you've seen, going solo is futile unless your cultivation is exceptionally high."
Minghe disliked Zhunti; the latter spoke abrasively, unlike Jieyin. But the reality was that they were at a disadvantage. Looking at Taiqing Laozi's cultivation, which had reached the fourth stage of Ancestral God, it was like he had rocketed to power. Minghe was envious.
"Agreed," Minghe replied, implicitly consenting.
Forming alliances was no longer optional. Despite his dislike, Minghe knew that in this group, the two from the West were the only ones he could ally with.
Another half-year passed. "Uncle-Master, this won't do. It's been so long, and nothing interesting has happened!" Kong Xuan shouted in the group chat.
Indeed, during this period, Li Er had been live-streaming his travels with Li Yang in the King of Po Jiang world. While nothing untoward happened, it was rather dull.
"Kid, are your skin itching? You haven't even reached Sage after so long, and you have the nerve to watch live streams?" Li Er retorted, scolding him directly.
Kong Xuan immediately disconnected and retreated to cultivate.
"Quickly come to the group space. A year has passed; it's time to search for new recruits!" Taiqing Laozi, who had been absent for a long time, emerged.
Many people flocked to the group space. Li Yang and Li Er also went. Upon seeing Yuanshi and Tongtian, they asked, "Did you two find anything?"
Tongtian nodded. "Recently, we arrived at a place called the Savage Divine Realm. It's very peculiar; it can suppress cultivation. Even Ancestral Gods entering only possess the realm of Sages. There are many powerful demonic beasts within. We recently heard about a Treasure Star inside, and we want to search for it."
Li Er's interest was piqued. "Treasure Star? What is that?"
Others also perked up their ears. This sounded like something significant.
Tongtian didn't conceal anything, as many were already searching, and they might not find it themselves. "It is said to be a primal star, entirely composed of primal power. Once refined, one's cultivation can advance by leaps and bounds! We don't know what it looks like specifically."
Zhunti and Jieyin exchanged glances and then signaled to Minghe. It was evident that this time, they would also try their luck. Whether they could surpass the Three Pure Ones depended on this.
"You've broken through? The fifth realm of Ancestral God?" Li Er approached Taiqing Laozi and asked.
Taiqing Laozi nodded. He had also used up his World Pearls. This item truly accelerated strength increase. Reaching the fifth realm of Ancestral God was indeed different from the previous stages. It was no wonder they said beyond the fifth realm, each level was like a different heaven.
"This is my cultivation experience. You can learn from it," Taiqing Laozi said, pointing a finger. A stream of light entered Li Er's mind.
The two were, in essence, one, so Li Er could fully utilize Taiqing Laozi's cultivation insights. Even Yuanshi and Tongtian could not.
The two could only look on enviously. They couldn't help it; after all, Li Er was the elder brother's self-corporeal manifestation.
Li Yang was also curious about the relationship between Li Er and Taiqing Laozi. They had never heard of it.
Zhang Tao quietly observed from the side, also feeling envious.
Li Er then went to Zhang Tao's side and chuckled, "Little Zhangzi, is the great battle on your end about to begin? It's within these few years. Do you need my help? Haha!"
Zhang Tao chuckled. They would discuss that when the final battle commenced.
Li Yang added, "Brother Zhang, we've observed as well. When the final battle arrives, you can find me, and I will help you deal with the Heavenly Emperor."
Zhang Tao cupped his hands in thanks. They would discuss it then. After all, he still wanted to see if he could resolve it himself.