Earth Eye Peak!
Tao Bai soared to a height of over a hundred zhang above Earth Eye Peak, riding a seven-turn purple sandalwood lightning-forged wooden sword.
Glancing down...
It bore an uncanny resemblance—so much alike—to the Hei Feng's dark fissure.
Several exquisite scenes from moments past flashed through Tao Bai's mind, a faint smile curling his lips.
He then retrieved the sect master's jade slip, using the faint trace of Yu Fanxi's soul left behind to pinpoint his location.
Tao Bai descended slowly from the peak's "eye," stowed the flying sword into his storage pouch, and proceeded inward, jade slip in hand, encountering no resistance along the way.
The subterranean passage was a long, sloping staircase flanked by handrails, comprising 3,000 steps.
This number symbolized "ascending to immortality by day after bedding 3,000 women" and "making love 3,000 times."
Within Earth Eye Peak lay three tiers of dual cultivation chambers—large, medium, and small—
Each numbered according to the sixty-cycle cycle（六十甲子）.
Like Ding Tian Peak, each level housed three chambers per tier, totaling one hundred and eighty chambers.
Qi Refining cultivators could only use the small chambers, accommodating a maximum of three practitioners.
Foundation Establishment cultivators could use the medium chambers, accommodating up to five practitioners.
while Core Formation cultivators may use the large chambers, accommodating up to seven individuals...
For a sect master, up to ten individuals are permitted.
However, such extremely dangerous group cultivation requires prior notification to the sect's Supreme Elders and the Celestial Enchantress.
Those discovered engaging in this practice without authorization will face severe punishment, including removal from the sect master position or outright execution.
Before a grand Jiazi chamber, a jade slip drifted through the narrow slit above the doorway.
*Rumble...*
The stone door emitted a low hum, slowly sliding open to the right.
Inside, a row of naked bodies lay strewn haphazardly, each jade-like hand clutching the limp form of Yu Fanxi.
After Tao Bai entered, the stone door behind him closed slowly.
Two early-stage Core Formation female cultivators clad in light purple robes served as the Chamber Masters.
They stood motionless in the corner, like silent, cold-hearted bodyguards.
Four young maidens with skin as smooth as jade and delicate features still wore expressions of unfulfilled desire.
"Chen Qi, come."
Yu Fanxi fiddled with his manhood, but it refused to rise.
He could only chuckle awkwardly.
"I've just sampled these delicacies, but only half. The other half, I'll bestow upon you."
"Chen dares not accept."
Tao Bai refused.
"Does the Sect Master summon a subordinate for urgent matters?"
By rights, an outer sect elder had no business entering the Grand Hall Chamber, nor should urgent discussions occur in such a place.
A sense of foreboding rose within Tao Bai, though a sliver of hope lingered.
"This is the urgent matter!"
Yu Fanxi's face remained smiling.
"Look at them—
Each one is as beautiful as a flower.
How could you bear to let them go hungry?"
"This subordinate has no surplus provisions at present.
Perhaps the Sect Master should seek another person?"
Tao Bai protested.
"Hmph!"
Yu Fanxi's face darkened instantly.
"You dare defy my orders!? Yuehen, Chilian, seize him!!"
In the blink of an eye, a white spiderweb and a crimson chain shot out from the corner, sweeping toward Tao Bai like a storm.
Tao Bai couldn't dodge in time and was tightly bound, unable to move.
"What business does the Sect Master have with me?"
Tao Bai asked while struggling.
Every second bought is a moment's delay.
After all, his last shred of hope had vanished.
Seeing Tao Bai securely bound and no longer a threat, Yu Fanxi spoke leisurely:
"I'd heard of your exceptional bed skills and intended to observe and learn.
Alas, your foolish display just now has changed my mind.
Why not surrender your life to me?
I'll feed them for you.
Hahahaha!"
Yu Fanxi flicked at the limp thing between his legs once more, erupting into maniacal laughter.
"Isn't there that blue pill I invented in the Sect?"
Tao Bai shouted.
"You still have the nerve to mention that thing?
That thing only works for a short while, and it just drains my vital energy!"
Yu Fanxi roared angrily.
"Master, everything has its limits.
Even with top-tier kitchenware, you can't just stir-fry recklessly!"
（就算拥有顶级的厨具,也经不起乱炒啊!）
Tao Bai tried to reason.
"Enough, enough.
I won't waste my breath on you.
Don't bother.
Rest assured, you'll live on within my flesh!"
Yu Fanxi waved his hand dismissively.
This scene felt strangely familiar.
Seven years ago, he'd been immobilized by Qidiao Wuyan's immobilization technique.
Now, he was bound by Yu Fanxi's guards with spider silk restraints.
To be targeted for parts by two successive sect masters, then subjected to binding techniques—
Such misfortune was truly unprecedented.
Tao Bai now found himself utterly passive.
"Master, do you truly intend to fight me to the death?"
"Fight to the death? Hahahaha!"
Yu Fanxi found the phrase rather amusing:
"Hehehe, you're merely at the Foundation Establishment stage.
To use the term 'fight to the death' in front of three Core Formation elders?
You're utterly audacious and arrogant!!!"
"If you show no mercy, don't blame me for showing none in return!"
As Tao Bai spoke, a flash of white light erupted from his chest, and a golden cicada-shaped insect crawled out.
Two runes, perfectly formed, shimmered with golden light on their outer wings.
"A Level 6 Spirit Pet, the Wind-Devouring Bug!
Equivalent to mid-Dan Formation strength!
How could you possess such a high-tier Spirit Pet!?"
Yu Fanxi paled in shock.
No wonder he possessed such audacity!
Wait...
Could this very spirit pet have killed my predecessor?!
Before he could dwell on it, the Wind-Devouring Bug swung its forelegs.
Two flashes of golden light sliced through the spiderweb and crimson chain, shredding them to tatters.
…
Half an hour later.
Tao Bai first seized the storage pouches from the waists of two female guards, then rushed to the ground beside the stone bed where a pile of clothes lay scattered.
He bent down, searching through Yu Fanxi's storage pouch.
Faced with the Wind-Devouring Bug's devastating Wind Feather Blade attack, Yu Fanxi had actually used several naked girls as human shields!
Yet they still met a death beyond death.
Just as Tao Bai searched the sect master's storage pouch, two overwhelming spiritual pressures rapidly closed in!
No time left!
Tao Bai slapped the storage pouch, opened the Yin-Yang Umbrella, formed seals with his right hand, and chanted incantations.
The earlier battle's commotion had drawn the two Senior Elders guarding the sect and several other Core Formation elders.
Tao Bai teleported incessantly, yet found himself unable to shake off the relentless pursuit of Di Wanshan, a late Core Formation cultivator.
The silver lining was that Di Wanshan was being held back by Shuang Yan.
After all, Shuang Yan's precious granddaughter had fallen for Tao Bai, and since she was his only grandchild, he naturally had to tie up Di Wanshan's hands.
Di Wanshan's grandson, Di Ruochuan, had a minor grudge against Tao Bai.
Seizing this opportunity, Di Wanshan would relentlessly pursue Tao Bai.
Each time Tao Bai teleported, he found Di Wanshan just a dozen miles behind him.
He had no choice but to teleport continuously, desperately racing toward the teleportation array!
Now, Tao Bai was like a wild hare sprinting for its life—
Without a frantic escape, survival was impossible.
After sixty consecutive teleports covering six hundred li, he finally reached the teleportation array.
He tapped his storage pouch, sending five small array flags shooting out in five different directions.
He then retrieved a Great Teleportation Order from his pouch, embedded it into the array's focal point, and tossed twelve golden-orange mid-grade spirit stones into the twelve recesses within the array.
Golden light erupted from the teleportation array, a pillar of radiance shooting straight into the heavens!
It seemed as though a new passage through time and space had materialized out of thin air.
As Tao Bai stood within the array, swiftly ascending toward the passage, Di Wanshan wielded a golden sword, striking downward with all his might.
Sword energy surged wildly!
Sand and stones flew wildly!
The ground caved in, forming gullies ranging from several feet to tens of feet deep!
The teleportation array suffered severe damage!
Mid-transmission, Tao Bai felt the world spin violently as he was sucked into the spatial rift...