In an area on the outskirts of the Outer Domain battlefield, people were coming and going, making it exceptionally lively.
This area was covered by a powerful protective array. It was a stronghold established by the Xuantian Sect on the Outer Domain battlefield, serving as a place for cultivators from the Dixing Realm to rest and resupply.
It was also the location of the cross-realm teleportation array set up by the Xuantian Sect in the Outer Domain battlefield.
Right now, behind the stronghold, in a wide square, a continuous stream of people was moving in and out of two enormous spatial gates.
By the time Ye Qingxiao and Yu Xueqing exited the teleportation array and followed the crowd out of the square’s teleportation area, a figure immediately walked up to them.
Ignoring Ye Qingxiao, the person looked at Yu Xueqing with a gentle smile and said,
“Junior Sister Xueqing, you’re still at the Foundation Establishment stage. It’s too dangerous for you here in the Outer Domain battlefield. How about I team up with you later? I can protect you!”
Seeing who it was, Yu Xueqing furrowed her delicate brows and declined politely,
“Senior Brother Long, I’ve already formed a team. Sorry!”
After speaking, she tugged lightly at Ye Qingxiao’s sleeve.
Noticing her action, Ye Qingxiao glanced at the man named Long and simply gave a slight nod.
Watching Ye Qingxiao’s dismissive gesture, the man suppressed his displeasure and smiled again,
“I am Long Yunjie. And who might this Junior Brother be?”
Ye Qingxiao was starting to get impatient with Long Yunjie, but out of courtesy, he replied,
“I’m Junior Brother Ye Qingxiao. Why, do you need something, Senior Brother?”
Seeing Ye Qingxiao’s impatient look, Long Yunjie’s expression darkened, and he said coldly,
“I was just worried that Junior Brother Ye’s cultivation might not be enough to protect Junior Sister Xueqing, so I thought I’d—”
“There’s no need for you to worry about that, Senior Brother Long. I have life-saving measures given to me by my master. I can protect myself just fine.”
Long Yunjie was cut off by Yu Xueqing before he could finish.
Seeing Yu Xueqing’s stance, Ye Qingxiao said smugly,
“Don’t worry, Senior Brother Long. I’ve come thoroughly prepared this time. No need for your concern.”
Finding himself in a difficult position after both Yu Xueqing and Ye Qingxiao spoke, Long Yunjie shot Ye Qingxiao a fierce glare and was about to utter a harsh retort:
“You—”
But he only managed to get out one word before being interrupted again:
“Junior Brother Long, it’s time for us to depart.”
The one who spoke was Wu Hong, the only Golden Core realm cultivator in their group.
Since Wu Hong had spoken, Long Yunjie had no choice but to let the matter rest for now. With a cold snort, he walked away from the pair.
Afterward, their group left the stronghold and flew deeper into the outer reaches of the Outer Domain battlefield.
The Outer Domain battlefield looked incredibly desolate—and indeed, it was. Ordinary plants couldn’t survive there amidst the chaotic energies.
The desolate battlefield was fraught with danger. The energies of the Dixing Realm and the Qingmo Realm intertwined in the air, frequently causing turbulent explosions.
Besides various demonic creatures, the space was also laced with the residual狂暴 energy left behind by battles between high-level cultivators. Triggering one could lead to severe injury or even death.
The group flew swiftly at a low altitude. Looking out, the entire sky was a hazy grey; no one dared to fly directly into those grey mists.
After advancing for some distance, everyone stopped. Wu Hong spoke up,
“As planned, we’ll begin exploring from this point.”
“Work in pairs. Don’t stray too far from the other groups, and don’t be reckless. If you encounter danger, send up a signal immediately, and we’ll all come to assist.”
After Wu Hong finished, the others responded in unison,
“Understood, Senior Brother Wu!”
Then, they began spreading out in their pre-arranged teams.
Ye Qingxiao casually picked a spot in the middle and began his second expedition into the Outer Domain battlefield with Yu Xueqing.
Long Yunjie watched their figures, choosing a direction close to theirs. He thought viciously to himself,
“Ye Qingxiao, just don’t give me an opportunity. When I find one, I’ll play the hero and win back Junior Sister Xueqing’s heart.”
Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, over half a month had gone by.
Since this was his second time entering the Outer Domain battlefield, Ye Qingxiao was experienced. He led Yu Xueqing along the way, skillfully avoiding various hidden energy traps, and they hadn’t encountered any major dangers.
In fact, Ye Qingxiao was starting to feel a bit bored.
The outer sections of the battlefield had already been swept through before.
Aside from the hidden energy traps that could explode at any moment, these areas didn’t hold much danger. Newly born demonic creatures and beasts hadn’t had enough time to grow strong; most were only at the Foundation Establishment or early Zifu stage.
Ye Qingxiao could handle them himself without needing to use the Nuclear Explosion Pills. Luckily, the amount of Magical Origin they gathered wasn’t small, so it wasn’t like they were returning empty-handed.
Suddenly, a piercing demonic screech came from up ahead:
“Waaao!”
Sensing the direction of the sound and the powerful energy fluctuation accompanying it, Ye Qingxiao’s eyes lit up. He led Yu Xueqing towards the source.
Soon, they came face to face with the creature responsible for the cry—a three-headed demonic hound, wreathed in black demonic energy.
“Peak Zifu?”
Sensing the hound’s energy level, Ye Qingxiao felt a strong urge to act.
Seeing this, Yu Xueqing anxiously tried to stop him,
“Senior Brother Ye, this creature is too strong. We should leave!”
But at that moment, the three-headed hound noticed their presence. Its three pairs of eyes, filled with bloodthirsty demonic energy, fixed on them. With a chorus of snarls, it charged straight at them.
Meanwhile, Long Yunjie, who had been keeping a distance from them, sensed the commotion. A pleased look crossed his face.
“This is my chance!”
He immediately set off towards Ye Qingxiao and Yu Xueqing.
Back with the pair, watching the charging hound, Yu Xueqing gritted her teeth, ready to use the life-saving treasure her master had given her.
But Ye Qingxiao was faster. He hurled two Third-Grade Nuclear Explosion Pills towards the rapidly approaching, peak Zifu-level hound, using his spiritual power to guide them.
Seeing the objects Ye Qingxiao threw, Yu Xueqing was momentarily stunned.
“Pills?”
Without acknowledging her reaction, Ye Qingxiao grabbed her and retreated rapidly, simultaneously using his spiritual power to create layer after layer of protective shields around them.
Once the two pills were close to the three-headed hound, Ye Qingxiao detonated them instantly. A blinding light erupted.
With a continuous rumble of explosions, the peak Zifu-level three-headed hound was instantly vaporized. All that remained on the ground in a shallow crater was a thick mass of Magical Origin.
Some distance away, Long Yunjie, who was still on his way, stopped mid-air. Sensing the energy fluctuation from the detonation, he muttered,
“A Golden Core-level attack? Did he use a talisman?”
Hesitation crept into his mind. He wasn’t sure if he should still go over.
Unaware of Long Yunjie’s dilemma, Ye Qingxiao waited for the energy explosion to subside before returning with Yu Xueqing, whose eyes were now full of curiosity.
Beaming, he took out a jade vial from his storage ring and collected the mass of Magical Origin.
Finally unable to hold back her curiosity, Yu Xueqing asked,
“Senior Brother Ye… what you threw just now… were those pills?”
Hearing her, Ye Qingxiao suppressed a smug smile and said casually,
“Oh, that? They’re Third-Grade Nuclear Explosion Pills I bought at the Heavenly Fortune Shop in the sect market. Their power is comparable to a Fourth-Grade talisman. They’re just average, I suppose.”
Listening to Ye Qingxiao’s introduction, Yu Xueqing murmured to herself,
“Nuclear Explosion Pills? Heavenly Fortune Shop?”
Having witnessed their power firsthand, she felt a strong interest.
Ye Qingxiao glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Seeing her intrigued, he couldn’t help but smile smugly.
But inwardly, he felt a twinge of regret. It had been over half a month since they arrived, and this was the first time he’d used a Nuclear Explosion Pill. The only witness was Yu Xueqing.
“Looks like the mission Qingxuan gave me isn’t as easy as I thought,” he mused to himself.
At that moment, a bright light suddenly rose into the sky not far from them. After it faded, a special symbol remained, suspended in the air for a long time.
Seeing the symbol, Ye Qingxiao and Yu Xueqing spoke in unison,
“The sect’s distress signal?”
They exchanged a glance and immediately headed in the direction of the signal.
As they moved, a flash of light gleamed in Ye Qingxiao’s eyes, and an excited look appeared on his face.
He knew it.
The perfect moment to promote the Nuclear Explosion Pills had arrived.
