The Nine Dragon Universe Cauldron hovered in midair, trembling violently, with cracking sounds echoing from within.
Gu Sheng could clearly feel that some inexplicable transformation was occurring inside the cauldron.
"Is this cauldron... refining the Southern Emperor’s Seal on its own?"
Gu Sheng’s eyes sparkled with a sharp light, and he decisively sat cross-legged on the ground, placing both palms against the cauldron as a continuous stream of True Qi poured in.
"Since you wish to refine, let me lend you a hand!"
As the True Qi was injected, the dragon patterns on the Nine Dragon Universe Cauldron’s surface became clearer, and nine dragon shadows swam along the cauldron’s body, emitting a deep dragon roar.
The brilliance inside the cauldron grew intensely, and the Southern Emperor’s Seal could be vaguely seen floating within, with its surface patterns being gradually stripped away.
"This... is the Daoist Rhythm becoming tangible!"
Gu Sheng’s pupils contracted.
Golden threads peeled from the surface of the Southern Emperor’s Seal interwove inside the cauldron, gradually forming a mystical scripture.
Each character contained the profound truth of the universe, and just a glance made Gu Sheng feel dizzy.
"No, my realm isn’t enough; forcibly comprehending it will harm my Divine Soul!"
Gu Sheng gritted his teeth and continued to pour in True Qi, sweat appearing on his forehead.
The Nine Dragon Universe Cauldron seemed to sense his struggle, and the nine dragon shadows suddenly detached from the cauldron, swirling around Gu Sheng to form a peculiar array.
"Is this... a support array?"
Gu Sheng was surprised to find that his True Qi consumption drastically reduced, while the refining speed in the cauldron increased several fold.
Time passed second by second, and the brilliance in the cauldron gradually dimmed.
Gu Sheng knew this signified a lack of energy, so he immediately bit his tongue, spitting a mouthful of Essence Blood onto the cauldron.
"Keep refining for me!"
The Essence Blood melded in, and the Nine Dragon Universe Cauldron emitted a deafening hum, with its brilliance surging once more.
The Southern Emperor’s Seal’s surface had already begun to crack, with more golden Daoist Rhythm threads being extracted.
Suddenly...
"Ah!!"
An extremely piercing scream exploded from within the cauldron, causing Gu Sheng’s eardrums to ache.
A blurry humanoid shadow struggled out from the Southern Emperor’s Seal, rushing chaotically inside the cauldron.
"Is this... a residual soul?!"
Gu Sheng inhaled sharply with shock.
The blurred features of the humanoid shadow exuded an imposing pressure that made Gu Sheng feel as if he were in an icy abyss.
If not for the suppression of the Nine Dragon Universe Cauldron, this pressure alone would have been enough to obliterate his Divine Soul!
"Release... me... out..."
The shadow emitted a fragmented mental wave, filled with resentment and unwillingness.
The Nine Dragon Universe Cauldron seemed enraged, and the nine dragon shadows simultaneously returned to the cauldron, transforming into nine chains of light that firmly locked the shadow.
The shadow let out even more heart-wrenching screams, its form twisting gradually.
Gu Sheng attempted to communicate using Soul Power.
"Who are you? Why are you within the Southern Emperor’s Seal?"
"In...sect...not worthy...to know..."
The struggling shadow responded, filled with disdain.
Gu Sheng sneered.
"Being refined now, what use is your stubbornness?"
He increased the output of his True Qi, and the refining speed of the Nine Dragon Universe Cauldron increased yet again.
"Xinglan, what on earth happened?"
Miao Muqing frowned deeply, her slender fingers unconsciously rubbing the Jade Pendant at her waist, which was faintly glowing with ancient rune patterns.
Nangong Xinglan was kneeling on one knee, her black outfit outlining her agile figure, a few strands of hair damp with sweat, indicating she had just experienced a fierce battle.
"Reporting to the Holy Daughter, the King Realm elder of the Purple Mist Divine Sect suddenly acted, fully preventing the Grotto Heaven from opening. He... he seems to have already suspected my identity."
"Oh?"
A cold glint flashed in Miao Muqing’s eyes, and the Jade Pendant in her hand cracked with a "snap".
"That old fellow has been in seclusion for a hundred years, why did he suddenly emerge?"
"That’s not all."
Nangong Xinglan looked up, her eyes solemn.
"Recently, several new faces have appeared in the Purple Mist Divine Sect, their auras deep and boundless, at least at the King Realm. Moreover..."
She paused briefly.
"These people are definitely not originally from the Purple Mist Divine Sect."
Miao Muqing walked slowly to the window, outside of which the sky was filled with a purple mist, signaling the impending activation of the Purple Mist Cave Heaven.
Her slender silhouette appeared particularly aloof in the glow of the mist."
"Can the Grotto Heaven still open on time?"
"Although we have infiltrated most of the high ranks of the Purple Mist Divine Sect, these suddenly appearing King Realm powerhouses..."
Nangong Xinglan’s voice was low.
"If they join forces, we might be facing more than ten King Realm opponents."
"Ten King Realm..."
Miao Muqing chuckled lightly, a cold smile curling on her lips.

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