I glanced at the time; it was already morning.

Chen Yi opened the proficiency panel.

Cultivation Level: Early Foundation Establishment Stage

Skill Level 2 - Proficiency 280/400

Body Tempering Lv.3 - Proficiency 400/800

Dao Heart lv.2 - Proficiency 250/400

Movement Technique lv.2 - Proficiency 210/400

The Six Arts (Expanded)

Alchemy lv.1 - Proficiency 150/200

Crafting lv.1 - Proficiency 120/200

Talisman lv.2 - Proficiency 330/400

Formation lv.2 - Proficiency 300/400

Beast Taming Lv.2 - Proficiency 360/400

Spell Level 2 - Proficiency 279/400

As expected, after is upgraded to Lv.3, the required proficiency also increases to 800 points.

Of the remaining items, the closest to level 3 are Beast Taming and Talismans.

Because of the python and sparrow, his beast-taming skill advanced to the mid-stage, and his proficiency increased significantly.

However, to advance to level 3, they either need to wait for them to break through to the later stage, or they can only form a contract with a third monster.

They've just broken through to the mid-stage, and without a greater stroke of luck, it will take them quite some time to reach the late stage. Therefore, finding the third demonic beast will probably be much faster...

As for talismans, Chen Yi wasn't too worried. The Hidden Moon Sect was powerful and had a deep foundation, so learning some level 2 talismans wouldn't be difficult.

As long as you have enough contribution points, you can even learn level 3 talismans.

And those skills, such as Alchemy and Weapon Crafting, which are still at level 1, are much easier to improve here.

Chen Yi came to a stone table, on which were placed writing brush, ink, inkstone and paper.

He began to draw symbols.

It's both part of the plan and preparation for tomorrow's tasks.

According to Li Yun, the local magic power was difficult to gather, but the activation of the talisman only required a small amount of magic power and took very little time, so it could be effective.

However, its power will be greatly reduced.

But it's better to be prepared than not, so he still needs to prepare more for himself.

Today, I spent another day in spiritual practice.

As soon as midnight arrived, he received a message from Li Yun.

"Junior Brother Chen, everyone has arrived. It's time to set off."

Chen Yi replied with a "good" and then went out.

Following his memory from yesterday, he arrived at Cave 404 on Qinghui Peak.

Li Yun and another disciple of the Hidden Moon Sect were already waiting there.

"Junior Brother Chen, let me introduce you. Her name is Han Shan. She is my Daoist partner and a friend of Senior Sister Song Xin," Li Yun introduced.

Han Shan nodded in acknowledgment: "Junior Brother Chen, Li Yun already mentioned you to me earlier."

"When you go to the Dongtian Ruins this time, remember to stay close to the two of us."

Hearing Han Shan's thoughtful reminder, Chen Yi nodded slightly: "Thank you, Senior Sister Han."

He could sense that Han Shan's tall stature contained a formidable strength.

This person is probably quite skilled in physical cultivation.

In terms of cultivation level, Han Shan and Li Yun are both at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

However, the two seemed to have stronger auras than Su Xin, and their cultivation levels were probably deeper.

......

1300 li outside the territory of the Hidden Moon Sect, an endless expanse of mountains and fields stands on the earth.

Three figures riding swords swept across the sky.

"According to the jade pendant, Senior Sister Song's grotto should be at the top of that side peak," Li Yun said, referring to the guidance of the Pisces jade pendant.

After saying that, he and Han Shan flew rapidly toward the summit.

Chen Yi stepped on the Yangwen Sword, leaving a trail of golden rainbow light behind him, and chased after it.

His pace was neither too fast nor too slow, just enough to keep up with the two of them.

The Yangwen Sword is only a low-grade spiritual weapon. With his current strength, the Yangwen Sword can only serve as an auxiliary tool, or perhaps it will simply become a flying device.

Unless his level can be raised to lv.2 or higher, even with the addition of affixes, the Yangwen Sword cannot be upgraded.

A moment later, the three appeared on the mountaintop.

A huge eagle's nest stretched across the intersection of the two peaks, and a beam of light refracted within the nest.

It was even more dazzling in the darkness.

With the eyesight of three people, they could naturally see what it was.

“That broken bronze mirror is the entrance to the cave,” Li Yun said.

The so-called "grotto heaven" refers to the cave dwellings that some great cultivators set up in small worlds.

This broken bronze mirror contains a hidden universe, a grotto-heaven belonging to a Golden Core cultivator.

Chen Yi guessed that the immortal had died for some unknown reason, and the bronze mirror had been taken away by a demon beast.

Furthermore, because the mirror was broken, the aura of the cave was revealed, allowing Senior Sister Song Xin to find it using geomancy techniques. She then entered the cave in search of opportunities, but unexpectedly became trapped inside.

"Let's go straight in." Han Shan looked at Chen Yi, "Junior Brother Chen, you'd better stay close."

Although she and Li Yun were from the Qinghui faction, and their master's generation had some disputes with the Youxuan faction, Chen Yi was ultimately just a new junior brother. His willingness to take on this task had already impressed them.

"Bah!"

Suddenly, a cry rang out through the night sky.

A figure was seen rushing over.

Upon seeing this, Li Yun's expression changed slightly.

"Oh no, this is the great demon guarding the bronze mirror!"

Before the words were even finished, the great demon had already landed on the eagle's nest, and the ray of light produced by the broken bronze mirror was also blocked by its wings.

"A late-stage level 2 demon." Han Shan's expression turned slightly serious. "How did Song Xin get in back then?"

Chen Yi, who had studied beast control, immediately saw through the mystery: "They must have used some kind of item to lure the monster."

Beast driving is actually related to alchemy.

Some recipes record methods for refining beast-repelling medicines. Some can make demonic beasts lose control, some can make demonic beasts have a great appetite, and some can attract demonic beasts.

Observing the eagle's expression, he knew it must have been deceived by some kind of animal-repelling drug, which was why it was so angry.

"I suspect it was hiding on the main peak ten miles away, probably to see who was eyeing the bronze mirror."

As Chen Yi explained, Li Yun showed a hint of surprise.

Because that's exactly how Song Xin entered the cave.

He just didn't see the eagle and assumed it had gone out to hunt for food and happened to be away.

It now seems that the eagle demon was indeed watching from a distance.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be such a coincidence that they appeared here without making a sound...

What a cunning beast!

"Senior Sister Han, with the combined strength of the two of us, it shouldn't be a problem to hold this beast off for a while," Li Yun said.

He did not take Chen Yi into account.

After all, no matter how talented someone is in the early stages of Foundation Establishment, they can't possibly be a match for a powerful demon in the later stages.

One wrong move and you might become food for a powerful demon.

Han Shan understood Li Yun's meaning and directly rejected the idea:

"No, the situation inside the cave is unknown. We cannot let Junior Brother Chen venture out alone."