: At the peak of the Golden Immortal realm, there's still some confidence.

"Imperial Dew?!"

Even though he had already expected it, Shi Yuan still couldn't help but gasp when he actually saw this scene.

The Emperor's Flowing Essence, also known as the Essence of the Moon.

Unlike the Golden Flame of the Sun, which is a manifestation of some kind of supernatural power or law, it is in no way inferior in terms of preciousness, and for most cultivators, it is even better.

This is because it is recognized as a top-tier spiritual material in the Three Realms.

A truly supreme treasure.

Its essence is the purest origin of the Taiyin star, and its effects are almost comparable to the peaches of immortality from the Jade Pool. On every full moon, just one drop can draw the essence of Taiyin into the body, adding a thousand years of cultivation.

Moreover, it has one feature that drives people crazy.

There are no barriers to entry.

Whether you are a beginner Qi Refining cultivator or a Quasi-Saint who has achieved perfect merit, you can benefit from it directly.

It can be used to nurture magical power, allowing cultivation to steadily improve; it can be used to temper spiritual treasures and supernatural abilities, adding power to all yin-based methods; and if used for alchemy, it is the core ingredient of the demon race's supreme treasure, the "Heavenly Demon Pill".

But what truly makes the imperial fluids invaluable is not these things.

Rather, it is its nourishing effect on the "true spirit".

The true spirit is the most fundamental light in the heart of all things, more mysterious than the primordial spirit and more wondrous than the soul. Even sages dare not claim to have fully comprehended it.

Even when cultivators from the Three Realms are annihilated in battle, most will still retain a wisp of their true spirit to await the future.

However, if the battle becomes extremely fierce during a great calamity, even the true spirit may be completely shattered, then there will truly be no hope of redemption.

The fall of the Holy Mother of the Tortoise Spirit during the Investiture of the Gods is the most typical example.

For this reason, treasures that can affect the true spirit are extremely rare; and the only spiritual material that can nourish the true spirit is the Emperor's Essence.

"not to mention……"

Shi Yuan's gaze grew increasingly deep.

"The moon goddess Wangshu has long since passed away."

He knew all too well what this meant.

Throughout the entire history of the Three Realms, the only one who could truly refine the Emperor's Elixir was the innate demon god born from the Taiyin Star.

Wang Shu.

She is Xihe's younger sister and the Moon Goddess.

After the Lich War, she vanished along with her true spirit, and the Emperor's Dew also disappeared.

In other words...

The Emperor's Elixir in his hand at this moment is unique in the Three Realms.

Thinking of this, Shi Yuan's breathing became a little rapid.

"Okay, okay, okay."

He said it three times, feeling extremely happy. Then, without hesitation, he carefully began to collect the drops of imperial essence.

But during the collection process, that familiar feeling resurfaced.

He looked up at the entire Moon Star, his expression gradually becoming solemn.

Like the Sun.

It feels like something is missing here.

Once might be an illusion, but twice in a row is enough to prove the point.

As the true "Lord of the World" in the Shiyuan Realm, his connection with this world is inherently deep and inseparable. The world's instinctive reminder could not have been without reason.

"Neither the Sun nor the Moon is complete."

Shi Yuan slowly exhaled.

"But... what exactly is missing?"

He couldn't think of an answer to this question right away.

But one thing is for sure.

The Shiyuan Realm is already sending him a warning in its own way.

In the end, Shi Yuan still couldn't figure it out.

In his understanding, both the Moon and the Sun had completed their most fundamental evolution, and logically, there shouldn't be anything missing. Yet, the spiritual reminder from the very origin of the world was incredibly clear, and it couldn't possibly be an illusion.

Since he couldn't figure it out, he simply stopped dwelling on it.

"never mind."

Shi Yuan made a clean and decisive conclusion about himself.

The Shiyuan Realm has now completed a crucial transformation, and the gains he has made during this seclusion have far exceeded his expectations. Continuing to dwell on minor details will only cause him more trouble.

Being too greedy can easily lead to trouble.

If we can't figure it out this time, we'll wait for the next evolution of heaven and earth.

Once he made up his mind, he decisively withdrew from the Shiyuan Realm.

When his consciousness returned to Yuanquan Mountain, he felt refreshed and relaxed like never before.

"Master, you've finally emerged from seclusion!"

As soon as I stepped out of the quiet room, I saw Yuanling skipping and hopping towards me, her little face full of joy.

Shi Yuan subconsciously released his divine sense to scan the area, but then paused slightly in surprise.

"Hmm? You little rascal, your cultivation has increased again?"

He was genuinely surprised by what he found out.

Yuanling is a celestial spirit born from heaven and earth, possessing an extraordinary origin. In fact, none of the disciples under the sages are easy to deal with. Yuanling was born with the cultivation level of Returning to the Void, and did not need to undergo tribulation, making its cultivation path inherently smooth.

The problem is...

How long has it been?

Shi Yuan knew very well that although he had stayed in the Shi Yuan Realm for a whole year, the flow of time in the outside world was different, and only a little over three months had passed in the human world.

In just three months, this little girl actually broke through the bottleneck and entered the realm of Earth Immortal.

That's a bit outrageous.

"Tell me the truth."

Shi Yuan glanced at her, his tone calm.

"You fixed it yourself?"

Yuan Ling's smugness suddenly crumbled, and her expression became awkward and hesitant.

"Well... not entirely."

She muttered to herself.

"A fairy sister who came to visit the mountain gave me a few pills."

As she spoke, she stretched out her delicate pink hand.

Shi Yuan's expression immediately became subtle as his gaze fell upon Shi Yuan.

The pills were enveloped in a pure aura, their celestial light restrained yet utterly serene, clearly indicating they were all of extremely high grade. Let alone an Earth Immortal, even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would be tempted by them.

"Are you here as a guest?"

Shi Yuan slowly raised his head.

"Is the person still in the mountains?"

"Yes, I'm here."

Yuanling nodded.

"That fairy sister has been staying at the guesthouse for over a month now."

At this moment, Shi Yuan really couldn't hold back anymore.

He set up layers of formations around Yuanquan Mountain. Logically, he should be able to sense any cultivator entering the mountain.

But even now, he hasn't noticed anything.

He knew perfectly well what this meant.

The opponent's cultivation level is probably far above his.

"You little rascal."

Shi Yuan looked at Yuan Ling helplessly.

Why didn't you wake me up?

Yuanling, however, looked completely at ease and tilted his head to ask a question in return.

"Didn't you say, Master, that you were going into seclusion to cultivate, and unless someone attacks the mountain, I'm not allowed to disturb you?"

"That fairy sister is a very nice person, not a bad person."

Shi Yuan was speechless for a moment.

Yuanling's words are absolutely correct.

Thinking about it more carefully, if the other party truly had malicious intent, they would have already made a move. Moreover, someone who can casually produce such a high-level pill is unlikely to be here to cause trouble.

More importantly...

He is no longer the person he was before he went into seclusion.

"At the peak of the Golden Immortal realm, I still have some confidence."

Shi Yuan muttered to himself.

Once the thought was made up, he no longer hesitated. He casually took the pill from Yuanling's hand and, amidst the little girl's dissatisfied exclamation, strode towards the Guest House.

really.

Inside the guesthouse, a woman sat calmly, sipping her tea.

Shi Yuangang was startled when he saw the other person's appearance clearly.

With her hair piled high, her eyebrows and eyes like paintings, her temperament clear yet dignified, and her red and white Taoist robe made her look like an immortal descending to earth.

Even just sitting quietly, she is hard to ignore.

The woman seemed to sense something, slowly put down her teacup, glanced at Shi Yuan a few times, and then revealed a faint smile.

"Junior Brother?"