After this brief contact, aside from Tu Yuan, because of their earlier conflict, Lin Zheyu had a fairly good impression of the others.

Lei Yongtao tossed over a Spirit Resonance Sphere and said with a grin, "Then it is settled. Here, this is my Spirit Resonance Sphere. Contact me when the time comes."

"I do not have any spare Spirit Resonance Spheres on me right now. Once I replenish them later, I will give you one." Lin Zheyu put away the Spirit Resonance Sphere and said.

"Once this matter is over, what does Fellow Daoist Xiao plan to do?" Ji Zitong asked.

Lin Zheyu pondered for a moment and said slowly, "I will go with Fellow Daoist Bai to take a look at the Martial Alliance. The farther one goes on the martial cultivation path, the harder it becomes. Shutting oneself away and reinventing everything alone will not work. Only by joining a martial cultivation force like the Martial Alliance can one go farther in the future."

From Bai Lin's description, the Martial Alliance was more like a martial cultivation association, an alliance of martial artists committed to the path of Immortal Martial Cultivation. The organization as a whole was rather loose, with little strict control. Joining it should not pose any problem.

"Indeed. The farther one goes on the martial cultivation path, the harder it becomes. Without like-minded fellow Daoists to study and exchange insights with, it is difficult to make major progress." Ji Zitong nodded in agreement.

She knew a little about martial cultivation and understood how difficult and thorn-filled this path was. Yet though martial cultivation was difficult, it had its unique strengths. Otherwise, it could not have flourished so greatly or carved out the Shackles realm, a level comparable to the Golden Core realm.

After their brief exchange, the three fell quiet again. The surroundings were filled with the roars of yaos, battle cries, and the thunder of collisions, but none of it affected Lin Zheyu and the others. The energy fluctuations produced by the battle were isolated by the formation laid out on the ground.

Lin Zheyu calmed his mind and rapidly absorbed the spirit liquid's energy, restoring his blood qi. The mysterious aura coiling around him was terrifyingly dense. Under the blessing of this aura, Lin Zheyu felt his spirit clearer than ever before. As he settled down, he realized his perception of the fluctuations of spatial power in the void had become much sharper as well.

"Oh? This mysterious aura has this effect as well!" Lin Zheyu was greatly surprised.

This mysterious aura surrounding him was like a Heavenly Dao buff. It not only increased the chances of obtaining rule fragments, but it also blessed Lin Zheyu and enhanced his state. No wonder he had fought for so long without feeling the slightest fatigue.

Lin Zheyu thought, Interesting. If only this mysterious buff could last for a long time.

Under the blessing of this buff, his comprehension of spatial rule fluctuations in the void was at least three times faster. But even without much thought, he knew such a state could not last forever. Once the demon god barrier was completely transformed into demon-tainted soil and this place became a beachhead of the demonic realm, the rule fragments would descend, and this state would disappear.

Lin Zheyu opened his eyes and asked curiously, "Oh, right, Miss Ji, if one is lucky enough to obtain rule fragments, are those rule fragments random?"

There were countless Heavenly Dao rules. If it were random, drawing a rule of little use to oneself would be a huge loss.

Ji Zitong opened her eyes and said with a smile, "No. The rule fragments one obtains are generally closely tied to a cultivator's innate talent, cultivation technique, compatibility, and the like. For example, Fellow Daoist Lei is most likely to obtain lightning-aspect rule fragments, while Fellow Daoist Tu Yuan would likely obtain earth-aspect rule fragments."

"Hehe, this time we killed far more yaos than last time, and even slew a dragon yao comparable to the Golden Core realm. I reckon we'll all obtain rule fragments. As for the size of those fragments, and how much one can comprehend from them, that depends on the individual." Lei Yongtao opened his eyes, excitement in his gaze. This was far from his first time joining a hunt for yaos to compete for rule fragment opportunities. He was well-versed in such matters.

Lin Zheyu froze for a moment and asked in surprise, "One has to comprehend them personally? They do not simply fuse into the divine soul automatically and become one's own understanding?"

"Of course, you have to comprehend them yourself. Where in this world is there gain without effort? Fellow Daoist Xiao, you truly are joining this kind of event for the first time." Lei Yongtao stared at Lin Zheyu as if trying to see through him.

"Mm. I devoted myself entirely to martial practice before coming out, gaining experience only a few years ago. This truly is my first time participating." Lin Zheyu admitted it directly. He knew far too little about rule fragments, the demon god barrier, and the like. It would be hard to pretend otherwise.

Oh? Could it be that this Xiao Yu is the heir of some hidden, esteemed family, or a reclusive powerhouse?

This thought flashed through the minds of both Lei Yongtao and Ji Zitong. They did not press further, but merely smiled and let the matter pass.

"Fellow Daoist Lei, when you return this time, you should be able to achieve the Six Thunder-Pattern Golden Core, yes?" Ji Zitong looked at Lei Yongtao and asked with a smile.

"The Six Thunder-Pattern Golden Core is a bit difficult, but the Five Thunder-Pattern should be no problem," Lei Yongtao said with a grin, his face full of pride.

It was as if attaining the Five Thunder-Pattern Golden Core were some extraordinary achievement. Lin Zheyu watched in silence, keeping his curiosity to himself.

"Enough talk. I need to keep working. I absolutely cannot lose to Fellow Daoist Xiao." Lei Yongtao grinned and cocked a brow at Lin Zheyu. With that, he rose with battle axe in hand and strode outward.

Lin Zheyu stood too and said with a smile, "Wait for me. I feel I have recovered almost enough as well."

"Huh?" Lei Yongtao looked over in astonishment, wearing a clear are-you-kidding-me expression. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"You are a human-shaped ferocious beast, aren't you? Recovering this fast?" Lei Yongtao could not help saying.

"I cultivate a special technique. My recovery is a bit faster than that of ordinary martial artists." Lin Zheyu answered ambiguously.

"A bit faster? This is way faster," Lei Yongtao muttered, not wanting to bother with this freak Xiao Yu any further.

Terrifying lightning burst from his body. Raising his battle axe high, he shot forward explosively and cleaved toward the distant yaos. Lin Zheyu was not to be outdone. Purple-black energy spread from him, his figure swayed slightly, and he vanished from the spot.

Sounds of roars and clashes could be heard all over. Within the demon god barrier, the battle between the beings of this world and the yaos entered its fiercest stage. Even the cultivators on the outer perimeter of the demon god barrier were drawn into grueling combat. Large numbers of yaos poured from the space-time rifts, but a great many were intercepted by genius powerhouses outside the rifts. Another large batch was intercepted again by the Foundation Establishment realm experts in the middle region.

Only a small portion of the yaos actually reached the outer perimeter, but their numbers were still not to be underestimated. After all, most cultivators on the perimeter were of lower strength, having come along with elders from their clans or sects to try their luck. Fortunately, they had protection from powerful figures in their sects or clans, so they were not in much danger.

A golden blade-light flashed, and a terrifying yao shaped like some alien monstrosity was split in two.

Lin Zheyu looked toward Ji Zitong, not far away, and asked curiously, "The aura coming from the space-time node is becoming more stable. Is this hunting event about to end?"

He had expected it to be dangerous, but up to now, aside from encountering yaos comparable to the Golden Core realm several times, he had not faced any true crisis.

Ji Zitong looked toward Shi Mulan, who was breathing hard at the side, and asked with concern, "It is indeed nearly over. Fellow Daoist Mulan, can you still hold on?"

By now, most of them were deeply fatigued. Only Lin Zheyu, Bai Lin, and Lei Yongtao still looked to be in relatively good shape. Lin Zheyu was in the best condition, followed by Lei Yongtao, with Bai Lin after him. Though Lei Yongtao was a cultivator, he walked the body-refining path, and his physique was exceptionally powerful. Combined with the support of powerful dharma artifacts, his consumption had not been as great.

Shi Mulan let out a long breath and said, "I can hold on a little longer."

She specialized in the Dao of formations and rarely killed yaos directly, relying instead on controlling the formations on the ground for offense and defense. Manipulating formations placed enormous strain on the spirit.

Ji Ziyang walked over and said, "Leave the next part to me. Fellow Daoist Mulan can rest for a while."

Ji Ziyang was still in decent condition, not nearly as fatigued as Ji Zitong and Shi Mulan. The mysterious aura surrounding him was also terrifyingly strong, only slightly weaker than Lin Zheyu's.

"Alright." Shi Mulan did not insist. Her spirit truly was nearing its limit.

"I thought it would be far more dangerous. I did not expect it to end this quickly," Lin Zheyu muttered softly.

Lei Yongtao's hearing was extremely sharp, and he could not help rolling his eyes as he said, "That is because you are strong enough. An ordinary cultivator would have been worn to death long ago. Look at Fellow Daoist Tu Yuan and Fellow Daoist Zitong. Do you think everyone is like you? You are freakish beyond reason."

Not far away, Tu Yuan, Ji Zitong, Shi Mulan, and even Bai Lin all showed expressions of agreement. Their faces were full of fatigue. Their spirit power was heavily depleted, and their spirits had been greatly drained as well. If this did not end soon, they would have no choice but to change strategy, shift from offense to defense, and hold out behind the formation until this upheaval passed.

"This time, we owe much to Fellow Daoist Xiao. If he had not slain so many yaos, we would have long since been forced to activate the formation's defensive functions and hunker down behind it," Ji Zitong said with a smile.

Among the seven of them, Ji Ziyang was the strongest. Lin Zheyu could tell Ji Ziyang had already grasped some form of rule power, and his strength was terrifying. Of everyone present, Ji Ziyang had slain the most yaos, Lin Zheyu came second, Lei Yongtao ranked third, and Ji Zitong fourth. If not for Lin Zheyu's exceptional performance this time, killing a vast number of yaos, the others would never have been able to hold out this long.

"It is almost over. Everyone, push a little harder. Damn, after joining so many of these events, this is the first time I have lasted from start to finish. This time, we owe it to Fellow Daoist Xiao. Haha, I feel the Six Thunder-Pattern Golden Core is secured this round!" Sensing the immense mysterious aura brewing within the formation, Lei Yongtao could not help bursting into laughter.

The number of yaos slain this time was astonishing. Once the flesh of so many yaos and the Annihilation Wraiths were offered in sacrifice, the rule fragments obtained would be remarkably rewarding.

"Then let me congratulate Fellow Daoist Lei in advance." Tu Yuan emerged from the demon-tainted soil and cupped his hands toward Lei Yongtao with a smile.

"Hehe, you are not far off yourself. Fellow Daoist Tu Yuan, do you plan to return and attempt the Golden Core realm this time, or chase one more opportunity for rule fragments?" Lei Yongtao asked with a grin.

They all knew one another well. They had remained at the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm for decades. Even if they delayed further, it could not be for much longer.

Tu Yuan shook his head and said, "No. I prepared the qualifications for advancing to the Golden Core realm long ago. I also plan to begin my Golden Core realm breakthrough once I return this time."

With that, his figure blurred and sank back into the demon-tainted soil.

Not far away, the battle axe in Lei Yongtao's hand erupted once more with dazzling lightning, splitting the nearest yao in two. Seeing this, Lin Zheyu prepared to continue fighting as well. By chance, he lifted his head and looked toward the space-time node, where the golden begging bowl and the enormous Buddhist hand still remained.

"Perhaps this is, after all, a man-made yao hunting event under deliberate control," Lin Zheyu murmured softly.

He felt that the Buddhist sect, Great Wei, the Nine Nether Sect, the ancient yaos, and even the barbarians were not as irreconcilably opposed as he had imagined. Compared to the grudges between them, the invading yaos from another world were the true enemy of the living beings of this world.