Immortality begin with Alchemy Grandmaster Chapter 2504 - 920: Dream Bubble Shadow, Entering the Dao with Talismans_2

With great effort, she pushed herself to her feet: "I am Gu Xiaorou. Might I ask for your name, fellow cultivator?"

Suddenly, the man placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

In the midst of Gu Xiaorou's bewilderment and flush of embarrassment, the man grinned and spoke, "Stay still. I'm a Pill Refiner with some knowledge of healing arts. It seems your muscles are torn and bones cracked already. If you're not careful and harm your Sea of Qi, that could spell trouble."

"Allow me to provide basic care first!"

Gu Xiaorou parted her lips, her cheeks burning red, yet in the end, she accepted this thoughtful offer.

The striking man wasted no time, adjusting her bones back into place and straightening her meridians, while employing methods to dispel the bruises across her form.

He shared his identity as well.

"I'm Shang Hu; feel free to call me Little Shang. As for age... we're probably around the same."

"Mmm."

As the pair conversed, a distant cry rang out abruptly.

A fierce blizzard roared in once more from the Great Snow Mountain!

Within its fury, a crimson glow flashed, radiating an intense presence that forbade a direct gaze.

Was yet another Demon King descending upon them?

Cang Long positioned herself sword in hand before the group, her expression mixing astonishment and doubt.

At her back, a junior sister prepared to activate her Magic Tool, only for Cang Long to halt her.

"Senior sister?" The junior sister looked confused.

Cang Long shook her head, stepping ahead amid the gathering tension and fears of the others.

"Is that you?"

Through the howling gale and flakes, a massive red hound advanced.

Spotting the arrival, Cang Long's face lit up with a joyful, long-missed reunion grin.

"Big doggie, you've returned at last!"

…

Atop Tianshan, Chi Quan crouched low, eyes fixed on the throng of lives far down the slope.

Behind him, inside a Cave Mansion, Cang Long sat beside the bed, engaging in deferential talk with a stunning yet frail woman.

"Master, thanks to the Sect Stabilizing Magic Item you granted, this disciple has averted the Beast Tide disaster."

The woman regarded Cang Long with deep fondness and murmured gently, "Even sans the Moonlight Ice Castle, your prowess alone could easily vanquish those three Demon Kings."

"Master flatters me too much."

The woman let out a sigh, "It's no flattery. Your Divine Soul Endowment stands as a rare marvel across the lands. Even the once-in-a-century prodigy Han Zhan from the Luo Yun Sect pales beside you. In Golden Core Spell Battles, one first assesses Qi Power, then Divine Consciousness. You've mastered the Completion Stage of the 'Ten Directions Freeze Extreme Dao,' your vast Qi Power surpassing all rivals. Paired with this vast Divine Consciousness you've somehow nurtured, our Ice Castle at last glimpses a promising horizon."

Cang Long swelled with a touch of pride at first, but these words soon left her uneasy.

"Master, you and the other senior uncles remain hale and hearty—why speak of the future so abruptly?"

The woman clasped the girl's soft, slender hand, coughing lightly as she replied, "The Yu Ding Sword Sect nurses wicked schemes, luring us with the Sky-reaching Secret Realm expedition, which led to heavy casualties among the powerhouses of the six sects—including your Uncle Wen's death within. Over the next century, the Sword Sect likely intends more aggressive moves."

Cang Long's eyes widened in shock, "Yet they are a lofty Nascent Soul Ascendant Sect—how could they stoop to such vile deeds?"

The woman chuckled softly, "Not every Nascent Soul Ascendant Sect is equal. Though the Yu Ding Sword Sect dominates the Yu Ding Realm with its unbeatable might, against ancient, entrenched Ascendant Sects, it lacks true might. Even in plotting to seize this realm's gains, they can't spare sufficient forces, so they turn to sly ploys to erode the power of our Golden Core Great Sects."

Cang Long parted her lips, absorbing these novel yet oddly resonant revelations.

Those cunning strategies—be it stirring strife or outright oppression—aimed to pit them against one another, allowing the Yu Ding Sword Sect to seize the Yu Ding Realm effortlessly over time.

"Master, what course should we take?" she inquired with urgency.

The woman sighed once more, "What choice remains? We must strengthen our inner bonds and forge ties abroad."

She proceeded to outline prospective allies for Cang Long.

"The Luo Yun Sect in particular!"

"During this Sky-reaching Secret Realm venture, they minimized losses through their puppets, retaining the bulk of their forces. In the younger ranks, they boast prodigies like Han Zhan and Linghu Jie. One might say the Luo Yun Sect's ascent is all but assured ahead."

"An alliance with them would spare our Ice Castle from standing alone and vulnerable."

"Word just reached me that Han Zhan has successfully formed his Core and intends to journey through the Eastern Wasteland's realms. Join him on that path to build stronger bonds."

Cang Long felt a bit dazed—she had encountered Han Zhan previously.

He seemed straightforward, yet harbored profound cunning.

Back in the Foundation Establishment Realm, he had sought to use her Ice Castle's Ice Prison for Divine Soul Secret Art practice, but she denied him since she required it then for her own Soul Cleaving Technique cultivation.

"Journey alongside him?"

The woman smiled warmly, "It's time you ventured out and broadened your horizons. No matter your talents, without wisdom and worldly savvy, you'll stumble into traps. Only when you've matured fully in every way will I feel secure passing the Ice Castle to you."

Hearing her master's faith in tomorrow's burdens, the girl's heart ached with bitterness.

"Ranran gets it."

"Ranran?"

The woman paused in surprise, "You've recalled the old days?"

Cang Long nodded affirmatively, "Upon breaking through to Golden Core, it all flooded back. My family name is Xie, given name Ran. Hailing from Guangling County, I set forth on the immortal path to seek cures for my mother's ailment."

These words stirred a tangled expression on the woman's face.

She extended a hand to caress the young girl's face.

"Dear child!"

"With things as they are, on this journey, return to your roots and pay a visit!"

Cang Long agreed with a nod, lingered in further conversation, then bowed out respectfully so her master could recuperate.

Exiting the Cave Mansion, the weight pressed heavily on the girl's spirit.

Only upon beholding the vivid scarlet hound in its squat did her spirits lift somewhat.

"Big dog, now that you're here again, you won't depart once more, will you?"