Ji Yuan carefully pondered and spoke.

"Rest assured, I will first detonate the spirit vein. If the demon cultivators near the Water Dragon Sect are drawn away, we will act. If not... we will devise another plan. After all, as you pointed out, Junior Brother, even if I were to die, I should not die in vain."

Ran Kui rubbed his hands together as he spoke.

"Just as Master said, only by surviving can more demon cultivators be slain. I definitely understand this principle."

Seeing Ran Kui’s realization, Ji Yuan felt slightly relieved.

"Alright, what about Senior Brother Qinghe and the others? When do we take action?"

"They are currently waiting in an underground cave near Black Mountain City, just waiting for us to join them. If you have no preparations, Junior Brother, we can head there now to meet them."

Ran Kui spoke with a bit of excitement.

Ji Yuan quickly recalled his situation: the isolated islands overseas had already been evacuated completely, with nothing left at the Hundred Insects Cave in Profound Crystal Mountain, except for the mountain protection array gifted by the Hundred Insects Old Immortal that wasn’t taken.

"Everything is ready."

"Alright, then let’s set off now."

Ran Kui had been eagerly anticipating this, so upon hearing these words, he immediately stood up.

After a mere moment, an escape light flew out from the Clear and Deep Cave, skimming the ground as it headed northwest.

Since the Clear and Deep Cave was to the south of the Water Dragon Sect, Ran Kui only needed to fly with the escape light for about ten days to successfully reach the vicinity of Black Mountain City.

At that location, in an underground cave, he met the other three people.

Qinghe still looked the same, except there was more white hair on his head.

It seemed he had endured quite a few hardships during this period.

As for Su Huaimin, this was Ji Yuan’s first time meeting him.

However, the disciples of the Sword Ruins all gave off a similar impression: immortal demeanor, sword hanging at the waist, looking like a green-robed sword cultivator.

As for Sheyan of Corpse Transporting Mountain, he appeared ordinary, but the corpse following him, seemingly made of magma... looked rather unusual.

"This is..."

Qinghe looked curiously at the unfamiliar old man in green robes in front of him and couldn’t help but ask.

Ji Yuan had already discussed this with Ran Kui on the way here; initially, he did not reveal his true identity.

When it came time to fight with all his strength, he would reassess.

Thus, he used a Transformation Talisman to take on the appearance of this old man in green robes. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Ran Kui fully agreed with Ji Yuan’s caution; in this world, one could never be too careful.

"Oh, this is a loose cultivator friend I met earlier, surnamed Li, given name Changshou. Upon hearing of our endeavor, he voluntarily came to assist us."

Ran Kui introduced him.

Su Huaimin took a step forward upon hearing this and bowed to Ji Yuan.

"Friend, you are selfless."

Ran Kui then introduced Ji Yuan to the others, and once everyone exchanged greetings, they gathered together.

This operation was orchestrated by Ran Kui, and with him possessing the highest cultivation present, he was naturally the person in charge.

"According to the prior strategy, I will first detonate the spirit vein of Dongyu Mountain. Once the Core Formation Demon Cultivators near the Water Dragon Sect are lured away, Brother Su and I will infiltrate the Demon Prison to release the captive friends."

Ran Kui spoke, his gaze sweeping over Ji Yuan, Sheyan, and Qinghe.

"At that time, I’ll trouble the three of you to provide support outside. Once we break through, we will jointly intercept the demon cultivators inside the Demon Prison."

"Alright."

Ji Yuan responded in a deep voice.

Sheyan followed with, "Then we’ll proceed as before: Brother Wu Dao will handle the mid-stage Core Formation Blood Nightmare Old Fiend, while Su and I will take on the early-stage Core Formation Granny Xuan Sha and Venomous Flood Dragon Venerable."

"As for those Fake Pill cultivators... it depends on how many righteous comrades you can release inside, Brother Wu Dao, and we might also have to trouble Brother Changshou to make more effort."

After speaking, Sheyan turned to Ji Yuan, speaking in a serious tone.

Originally, Ji Yuan was ready to take on a Core Formation Demon Cultivator himself, but upon hearing Sheyan say this...

"Fine, my friend Changshou’s strength is not bad; if Brother Sheyan finds himself at a disadvantage, he can try seeking his assistance."

Ran Kui had already agreed to it.

Regardless, having Ji Yuan face a Core Formation demon cultivator made him nervous.

Should anything happen to his junior brother here, it would be more painful than if he himself had died.

"Him?"

Sheyan glanced at the "Li Changshou" who was only at the peak of Foundation Establishment and thought; Could this Foundation Establishment peak withstand a Core Formation cultivator?

What a ludicrous idea.

At that time, if he doesn’t turn to me for help, I’d count that as good enough.

Yet, based on the principle of not slapping faces, Sheyan still nodded and cupped his hands towards Ji Yuan.

"Then at that time, I’ll have to trouble Friend Changshou for assistance."

"No problem at all."

Ji Yuan stroked his beard and smiled.

"Hmm."

Seeing everyone agree, Ran Kui focused his attention on the person with the lowest cultivation, Isle Master Qinghe.

"Junior Brother, your cultivation is not sufficient. If it truly comes to fighting, remember to keep your distance, just focus on ensuring your own safety."

In this battle where even the lowest was at the peak of Foundation Establishment, Isle Master Qinghe’s late-stage Foundation Establishment was indeed quite low.

"Heh, rest assured Senior Brother, over the years, I haven’t picked up much else, but survival techniques, I’ve mastered completely."

As Qinghe spoke, the smile on his face gradually faded, "But friends, please be careful."

He cupped his hands towards them as he continued.

"Hmm, there’s no time to lose. Everyone rest for one more day; tomorrow evening, we’ll make our move!"

Ran Kui made his decision.

Afterward, the group took a brief day in the cave to adjust their breathing and restore themselves to peak condition.

"..."

The next evening.

The group crawled out of the cave and quietly headed nearly a hundred miles northeast, finally stopping far away at the edge of a large marsh.