Chapter 346

It was not an attack, nor a rejection, but a strange resonance!

Wang Ping felt his chaotic divine sense, as if it had plunged into a warm womb brimming with infinite vitality. The pure "creation," "evolution," and "harmonization" principles contained within the source qi resonated deeply with his chaotic Dao.

His divine sense was not harmed; instead, it was cleansed and nourished, becoming more agile and sharp. Even a faint, barely perceptible insight into "chaotic transformation" and "something from nothing" quietly surfaced in his mind.

"This source qi... can actually aid divine sense and Dao comprehension?" Wang Ping felt astonished. Its value far exceeded mere energy replenishment as he had imagined!

At the same time, Jiuer in his arms transmitted an even more excited and yearning thought: "Master! This source qi... feels so comfortable! It seems especially useful for Jiuer! It... it seems to be calling Jiuer!"

Wang Ping pondered briefly, then decided to let Jiuer try making contact. He carefully drew Jiuer's spiritual phantom from his embrace, letting it hover above his palm, then slowly brought it near that wisp of creation source qi.

When Jiuer's weak yet pure spiritual aura touched the creation source qi—

An anomaly suddenly erupted!

The originally slowly rotating, pale cyan source qi that had only been focused on nourishing the spiritual plants below trembled violently! Then, as if drought meeting sweet rain or a wanderer returning home, the source qi actively split off a small strand, like a lively cyan little snake, joyfully coiling around Jiuer's spiritual phantom!

Jiuer's small body trembled, then transmitted a thought of utmost comfort, dreamlike: "Ah... so warm... so... full..."

Only then did one see the split-off creation source qi rapidly merge into Jiuer's spiritual body. Jiuer's originally somewhat transparent phantom became solid and clear at a visible speed! The originally dim nine-colored radiance, as if rekindled, though still not bright, became extraordinarily pure and agile; as the light flowed, faintly visible were minute cinnabar patterns and Dao韻! His aura also rapidly stabilized and strengthened; though still far from his peak, he had already escaped weakness, restored to a state where he could normally act and even display some basic spiritual divine abilities!

"This..." Wang Ping felt both astonished and delighted. The nourishing effect of this creation source qi on Jiuer far exceeded expectations! It seemed Jiuer, as the Nine-Turn Resurrection Immortal Pill refined by the Immortal King, shared an origin with this creation source qi, possibly even being what the Immortal King attempted to simulate the creation origin while refining; now meeting, the effect was naturally extraordinary.

Just as Jiuer absorbed the source qi and rapidly recovered, that chaotic spiritual plant also seemed stimulated. The chaotic lotus seed at its tip had its natural Dao patterns faintly light up; its three crystal leaves stirred without wind, swaying gently. A clearer, more profound chaotic vitality Dao韻 spread out, resonating more strongly with Wang Ping's own chaotic aura.

Wang Ping felt enlightened, trying to send a thread of his pure chaotic spiritual power (mixed with a hint of chaotic immortal essence) slowly toward that spiritual plant.

The moment chaotic spiritual power touched the plant's leaves—

It was as if a key had entered a lock!

The entire spiritual plant suddenly blazed with radiance! The chaotic light was not dazzling, yet carried a quality of penetrating the false and true. Within the light, the nebula-like patterns on the three leaves seemed to come alive, slowly flowing and evolving, faintly forming incomplete patterns containing supreme principles—scenes of chaos initially opening, clear and turbid separating; the process of the Five Elements giving rise to all things; even a hint... utterly different from the chaotic "primordial disorder," belonging instead to "chaos" itself internally, a profound韻 of dynamic balance between order and disorder!

Simultaneously, a vast and ancient thought surge, following Wang Ping's spiritual power connection, violently rushed into his sea of consciousness! This time it was not a complete inheritance, but more like a memory fragment sealed for endless ages, carrying strong obsession and regret!

The fragment's images were blurred and jumping:

He "saw" the Chaotic Immortal King (a towering figure shrouded in chaotic radiance, indistinct) standing in the pill chamber, before him exactly that great pill furnace. The furnace fire blazed, not mundane fire, but using chaotic principles as fuel, drawing earthly fire and heavenly light, refining a furnace of indescribable "Great Medicine." The Immortal King's expression was focused yet weary, his eyes holding deep concern and a hint of... desperate resolve.

"Disorderly erosion, the celestial realm will tilt... conventional means can no longer contain it... only by evolving creation from chaos, nurturing the 'Chaotic Purifying World Azure Lotus' seed, or perhaps able to use its 'purifying world,' 'bearing,' 'transforming' abilities to find a chance for this 'disorder' to return to oblivion, or at least a temporary containment method..." The blurred thought murmured in the fragment.

Immediately after, the image shattered, becoming the Immortal King carefully placing a chaotic lotus seed, covered in Dao patterns, upon this chaotic warm jade platform, then activating the deepest creation earth veins of the immortal palace, condensing this wisp of pale cyan creation source qi for nourishment.

"The lotus seed just formed, its origin not yet solid, needs nourishment by creation source qi for ten thousand years to sprout and take root, then endure ten thousand calamities to have a faint chance of achieving the 'Purifying World Azure Lotus'... but, time waits for no one... I must first suppress 'disorder,' fearing I cannot see its completion..." The Immortal King's thought brimmed with regret and anticipation, "Later ones... if you have fate to reach here, bearing chaotic true intent, and heart holding protective thoughts... hope you can make good use of this 'Chaotic Azure Sprout' and remaining source qi... or in the future, against 'disorder,' protect all beings, gain one more hope..."

The memory fragment ended here, abruptly cut off.

Wang Ping's mind and spirit were greatly shaken, unable to calm for a long time.

Chaotic Azure Sprout! Purifying World Azure Lotus! So this spiritual plant was actually one of the Chaotic Immortal King's ultimate preparations against the "primordial disorder"! An attempt to nurture, via chaotic creation Dao, a supreme divine object capable of "purifying" or "bearing" disorder! Only the Immortal King, constrained by circumstances then, could only first suppress it, leaving behind this not yet fully matured "azure sprout" and this wisp of source qi aiding its growth.

"Against 'disorder,' protect all beings..." Wang Ping chewed the Immortal King's final instruction, a strong sense of responsibility rising in his heart. He gazed at the radiant, vibrant Chaotic Azure Sprout before him, then glanced at Jiuer beside him, absorbing source qi and rapidly recovering, a thought gradually clarifying.

The Immortal King wished to nurture the azure lotus via chaotic creation, while Jiuer himself was precisely the spiritual spirit refined by the Immortal King simulating creation through pill Dao, sharing origin with this creation source qi, even with this "lotus nurturing" concept, connected by countless threads. If only...

He suppressed his excitement, first carefully observing Jiuer's condition. After absorbing that split-off creation source qi, Jiuer's spiritual body had thoroughly stabilized, even seeming somewhat purer and more solid than before injury, the nine-colored radiance now bearing a hint of cyan Dao韻. He opened his large eyes, turning them agilely, transmitting a thought of joy and satisfaction: "Master! Jiuer feels great! It seems... it seems I can even control a bit of this source qi!"

Speaking, Jiuer's phantom hand (phantom) gestured toward that main creation source qi, and the source qi actually shifted slightly, more actively splitting off a fine stream, continuing to nourish Jiuer. Though most source qi still circled above the Chaotic Azure Sprout, clearly, Jiuer could already resonate with and guide this creation source qi to a degree.

"Excellent, Jiuer." Wang Ping felt delighted in his heart, speaking warmly, "Can you sense this little sprout?" He pointed to the Chaotic Azure Sprout.

Jiuer curiously looked over, his small face showing a thoughtful expression: "Hmm... feels... very familiar, very warm, like... like another Jiuer? But not entirely the same... it seems very hungry, needs lots and lots of this 'delicious' (referring to creation source qi) to grow big."

Wang Ping nodded. Jiuer's feeling confirmed his guess. This Chaotic Azure Sprout and Jiuer, to some extent, are "same-origin" yet divergent products. One leans toward "spiritual spirit," manifested as a living being; one leans toward "spiritual plant," containing supreme principles.

"Jiuer, try using your current strength to guide this source qi, to nourish it more evenly and efficiently, okay?" Wang Ping softly guided. He had a bold idea: if Jiuer could build a deeper connection with this Chaotic Azure Sprout, even using Jiuer as a medium to accelerate the sprout's growth, perhaps in the future, this "Purifying World Azure Lotus" the Immortal King placed high hopes on, could truly become key against "disorder."

"Okay! Jiuer will try!" Jiuer obediently focused, his phantom hand gesturing, attempting to guide and harmonize that circling source qi using his spiritual spirit origin's connection with creation source qi.

Initially somewhat clumsy, the source qi's flow merely sped up slightly. But Jiuer, due to his special origin, soon grasped some knacks. Under his guidance, the pale cyan creation source qi rotated more smoothly, its nourishing aura more evenly and gently showering upon every leaf of the Chaotic Azure Sprout and the lotus seed at its tip. The sprout seemed more "joyful," leaves unfurling, the lotus seed's Dao pattern luster seemingly brightening slightly.

Effective!

A flash of joy crossed Wang Ping's eyes. Jiuer could not only absorb source qi to recover himself, but also reverse to aid the sprout's growth! Undoubtedly a major discovery.

He no longer disturbed Jiuer, turning instead to carefully search other corners of the pill chamber. The Immortal King's memory fragment mentioned this azure sprout was one of the preparations; did the pill chamber perhaps retain other related items? Such as more detailed cultivation methods? Or descriptions of the specific powers of the "Purifying World Azure Lotus"?

He searched carefully among the broken jade racks and stone platforms. Most jade books and slips had completely weathered, crumbling at a touch. The few remaining jade slip fragments, upon spiritual sense probing, yielded only some incomplete pill formula fragments or spiritual power circulation diagrams, of little value. Conversely, at the base of an overturned jade rack, he discovered a palm-sized jade box covered in dust.

The jade box felt warm and smooth to the touch, its surface carved with simple chaotic cloud patterns, no restrictions. Wang Ping carefully opened it; inside were not pills or classics, but three seeds of different colors, yet all containing pure different attribute Dao韻...

One seed red as fire, faintly with a phantom Golden Crow circling; one seed blue as water, containing icy soul cold light; one seed yellow earth thick, emitting the沉凝of great earth.

"Is this... the Sun True Fire Seed? Lunar Icy Soul Seed? Earthly Essence Seed?" Wang Ping identified them, astonished. These were extremely rare treasures that could assist in cultivating corresponding top-tier divine abilities or nurturing special spiritual plants. Judging by quality, they might even surpass the Spirit Realm level. The Immortal King leaving them here, perhaps intending to, while nurturing the Chaotic Azure Sprout, use their five-element origin power for auxiliary harmonization?

He carefully stored the three seeds. Though currently unaware of specific uses, but being left by the Immortal King, they must hold profound meaning.

After thoroughly searching the pill chamber and confirming no other valuable discoveries, Wang Ping returned to the jade platform.

Jiuer remained focused on guiding the creation source qi, his small face solemn, quite resembling a "little gardener." Under Jiuer's auxiliary nourishment, the Chaotic Azure Sprout's vitality became even more vigorous.

Wang Ping observed a moment, then formed a plan. This creation source qi is key to sustaining the sprout's growth, cannot be easily taken. Meanwhile, the connection Jiuer and the sprout established seems beneficial to both. Perhaps Jiuer could temporarily stay here, continuing to absorb source qi to solidify himself while aiding sprout growth. Meanwhile, he himself needed to first return to the main hall, meet with Cangxuan and others, discuss next steps, and continue exploring other possible clue-holding places in the immortal palace.

He communicated his idea to Jiuer.

Though Jiuer was somewhat reluctant to leave Wang Ping's side, seeing the "little sprout" needing care before him, feeling his responsibility great, he finally nodded sensibly: "Master, rest assured, Jiuer will take good care of it! This place is very safe, Jiuer feels fine. Master, go quickly and return quickly!"

Wang Ping relievedly rubbed Jiuer's spiritual phantom's little head (though only mental contact), then carefully checked the pill chamber entrance's restrictions, confirming safety, before exiting the Chaotic Pill Chamber, returning along the original path.

When he returned to the main hall, he found the hall's atmosphere somewhat different.

Cangxuan, Yuliuli, Yunhao, and others were gathered around a previously deeply comatose refugee warrior. That warrior had now awakened, weakly saying something, his expression showing excitement and lingering fear. Meanwhile, Cangxuan and Yuliuli's faces appeared somewhat solemn.

Seeing Wang Ping return, everyone immediately went to meet him.

"Wang Brother, how was it? Any discoveries in the pill chamber?" Cangxuan asked.

Wang Ping briefly explained the pill chamber's situation, emphasizing the Chaotic Azure Sprout, creation source qi, and Jiuer's recovery and reasons for staying. Hearing this, everyone was refreshed. The Immortal King's preparations, Jiuer's recovery, and that possibly future-related "Purifying World Azure Lotus" hope were undoubtedly great news.

"Excellent! Thus, Jiuer is not only unharmed, but may also obtain a great fortune!" Yuliuli softly said.

Yunhao and the refugee warriors were even more excited, the Immortal King's benevolence reappearing, strengthening their resolve to fulfill their protective mission.

"How about you all? What happened?" Wang Ping looked toward the awakened warrior and the group's solemn faces.

Cangxuan said solemnly: "This brother just awakened; he previously guarded a relatively distant outpost at the Break-Dragon Stone direction. Before the defensive line collapsed, he last transmitted some fragmented information. He said... besides the known Netherworld Clan and fallen refugees, among the異界 cultivators attacking the immortal palace then, it seemed some... individuals with very strange auras and cultivation paths never seen before had mixed in. Their actions were mysterious, not like they came purely for treasure, but rather seemed to be... investigating, especially showing abnormal concern for areas where 'primordial disorder' aura leaked."

"Investigating 'disorder'?" Wang Ping frowned, "Besides the Netherworld Clan and fallen refugees, could other forces also be interested in this 'primordial disorder' origin? Even... know of its existence and threat?"

Yu Liuli added: "This brother also said that the power used by those people carried a... cold sense of 'order,' but different from our order, more like a... rigid, inflexible 'rule' force. They are few in number, but individual strength seems strong, silently capturing a severely wounded Netherworld Clan cultivator in the melee, then disappearing."

Wang Ping's heart sank. This was not good news. One wave hadn't settled, another rose. Though Minggu was dead, traitors and the greedy had temporarily dispersed, but it seemed a more mysterious third-party force with clearer aims had set its sights on this place, on the 'Source of Disorder'!

Outside the Immortal Palace, it was indeed not peaceful.

"We must speed up our recovery and exploration." Wang Ping's gaze swept over everyone, "The discovery of the Chaos Azure Sprout is an opportunity, but potential dangers are also increasing. We need to learn more about the 'Source of Disorder,' about possible other threats, and... about information on awakening Fellow Daoist Nether Shadow."

He looked at Yun Hao: "Yun Hao Commander, from now on, we need to quickly explore the 'Myriad Dao Corridor' and the 'Observation Platform.' Also, within the Immortal Palace, are there still places where records of the Void Forbidden Arts, or possibly related to the Void Clan, might exist?"

Yun Hao pondered for a moment, then said: "The 'Myriad Dao Corridor' and 'Observation Platform' are somewhat distant, and their seals may be stronger. As for Void-related... the Immortal Palace's richest repository of scriptures was originally the 'Myriad Phenomena Sutra Pavilion,' but it is said that during the great calamity of that year, its main structure collapsed and sank into earth fissures, making its remnants hard to locate. However, the guardian of the Sutra Pavilion was once a 'Book Spirit'; if its remnants remain, it might offer some guidance. But that place... is said to be severely polluted by 'Disorder' aura, extremely dangerous."

Wang Ping, Cang Xuan, and Yu Liuli exchanged glances, each seeing resolve in the others' eyes.

Dangerous, yet we must go. For more clues, for our sleeping companions, for future hope.

"First, focus on recovery. In three days, once we regain some strength, we will first explore the 'Myriad Dao Corridor!'" Wang Ping made the decision.

Everyone nodded, each found a place to sit, and entered deep meditation once more.

In the main hall, the new core array eye operated steadily, the seal silent. The darkness on the altar lay still like an abyss. At the entrance, the Void Eternal Confinement domain remained cold and eternal.

Within the core main hall of the Chaos Palace, time flowed with a certain tranquil and tenacious rhythm.

When Wang Ping decided to explore the 'Myriad Dao Corridor' in three days, he also realized that after enduring successive bloody battles and the ultimate seal, though the group had obtained respite, their wounded and exhausted bodies and taut spirits urgently needed thorough rest and consolidation to face unknown challenges.

Especially that newly emerged, intrigued by 'Disorder' third-party force, like a dark cloud, silently looming over everyone's hearts.

These three days, no one rushed to cultivate breakthroughs. Wang Ping, Cang Xuan, Yu Liuli, Yun Hao, and others mostly sat in meditation, repairing their physical dark wounds, soothing their spirit's wear, slowly adapting to the newfound power and consolidating their Dao realm.

Jiu Er remained in the Chaos Pill Chamber, accompanied by that 'Chaos Azure Sprout,' steadily recovering under the nourishment of Creation Source Qi, occasionally transmitting cheerful and stable thoughts, also bringing a touch of warmth to Wang Ping and others' hearts.

The area of 'Void Eternal Confinement' at the main hall entrance remained a cold, silent existence, reminding everyone of the weight of sacrifice, and spurring them forward with resolve.

Three days later, everyone's complexion visibly improved. Though not yet at peak, foundations were stable, spiritual power had recovered to sixty or seventy percent, sufficient to handle ordinary risks.

Just as they prepared to set out for the 'Myriad Dao Corridor,' Yun Hao arrived with several elders of the remnant people whose injuries had basically healed and breaths were steady, solemnly coming to the core main hall.

"Wang Ping Fellow Daoist, Cang Xuan Fellow Daoist, Yu Liuli Fellow Daoist." Yun Hao spoke first, his voice solemn, carrying the unique vicissitudes and sincerity of the ancient remnant people.

"The rebellion in the Reverse Yuan Hall has been quelled, the Chaos Palace seal reconsolidated, though relying on the Immortal King's lingering grace and your selfless sacrifices, we have today's situation. My 'Guardian Ruins Clan' has guarded this place for generations; today I finally feel worthy of our ancestors' heavy trust, my heart filled with gratitude, beyond words."

The several elders behind him, all white-haired and ancient in aura, also simultaneously bowed to Wang Ping and the three, their eyes full of gratitude and respect.

Some of them had been severely wounded and near death in previous battles, rescued and recovered, and thus felt even greater gratitude toward Wang Ping and the others.

"Yun Hao Commander, Elders, you overpraise us." Wang Ping hastily returned the salute, Cang Xuan and Yu Liuli also turned slightly aside, "Guarding the seal is a matter concerning countless beings; having encountered this, we naturally ought to do our utmost.

Moreover, if not for the remnant compatriots' desperate resistance, we could not have smoothly entered the Chaos Palace. This merit belongs to all who fought and sacrificed for it."

Yun Hao shook his head, speaking solemnly: "Merit and fault, right and wrong, my clan has its own measure in heart.

Had it not been for you Fellow Daoists turning the tide, defeating the blood sacrifice, penetrating the Chaos Palace, and resetting the core array eye, the seal would long have been shattered; our clan and this Immortal Palace fragment would likely have become food for 'Disorder.' This grace and virtue cannot be repaid by words."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Wang Ping and the three, finally settling on Wang Ping, a flash of resolve in his eyes:

"At this juncture when the seal is newly set and external threats unclear, my clan wishes to open part of the treasured 'Return to the Ruins Vault' to thank you Fellow Daoists for your lifesaving and Dao-protecting grace, and also hope it may aid you in further progress to face future changes."

"Return to the Ruins Vault?" Cang Xuan raised his brow slightly. Hearing the name, it seemed deeply related to this 'Return to the Ruins' place.

Yun Hao explained: "This vault is where, after the Immortal King and the ancients sealed 'Disorder,' they stored inconvenient-to-carry or reserved-for-later precious materials, scriptures, and treasures, taking the meaning of 'storing away the ruins, awaiting the proper time.'

The vault's core is guarded by the Immortal Palace's grand array, inaccessible without specific timing and token. Now that the seal is reconsolidated and the grand array revived, the vault's outer layer areas can be safely opened. This is not charity, but rather... making full use of things, passing on the torch."

Wang Ping, Cang Xuan, and Yu Liuli exchanged glances, each seeing the other's stirred heart. Even the outer layer of the Immortal King era's treasures, though only peripheral, is absolutely beyond comparison with ordinary treasures of the Spirit Realm. This is crucial for our strength recovery, clue-seeking, and even future battles. Moreover, this is also the sincere gratitude of the remnant people; refusing would seem unfeeling.

"Since it is so, we humbly accept." Wang Ping, representing the three, solemnly agreed.

Yun Hao's face showed relief, he turned and gestured to an elder. That elder took out an odd token resembling a key, neither metal nor jade, its surface flowing with chaotic luster, murmured words, and pressed it against an inconspicuous chaotic rune on the wall beside the main hall.

Om!

The wall rippled like water, revealing a spiral staircase downward, barely wide enough for a few, leading into unknown depths, ancient and rich treasure light and Dao resonance faintly emanating.

"Please follow me." Yun Hao led the way.

Wang Ping and the three followed closely, descending the staircase. The walls on both sides of the passage were similarly made of chaotic material, inlaid with pearls emitting soft light, illuminating the path ahead.

After descending about a hundred zhang, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a circular stone chamber, not exceptionally large but solemn and dignified.

In the center of the stone chamber, dozens of light orbs of varying sizes floated, each wrapped in a soft chaotic glow. Within the orbs, various items could be faintly seen: some were scrolls of jade slips or beast-hide ancient volumes, some were minerals or herbal spirit materials of strange color, some were law treasure fragments or complete objects with inwardly gathered radiance, even several bottles of stored pills, exuding astonishing spiritual resonance.

"This is the outer layer's treasured collection of the 'Return to the Ruins Vault.'" Yun Hao pointed at those orbs, saying, "Fellow Daoists may each take three according to your needs and affinity.

Treasure grades vary high and low, with outer barriers blocking divine sense from deep probing, relying entirely on sensation and fortune."

Hearing this, Wang Ping and the three gathered their spirits, slowly extending their divine sense, cautiously touching those orbs.

The barrier outside the orbs was indeed soft yet tenacious, only allowing a vague sense of the general category of internal items and the Dao resonance they emitted, making it difficult to perceive the full picture.

Cang Xuan was the first to sense something. His gaze locked onto a light orb in the northwest corner of the stone chamber, only fist-sized yet emitting astonishing sharpness and a lofty sword intent.

That sword intent faintly resonated with the sword heart of his own 'Law Sword,' as if calling to him.

He did not hesitate, reaching out to draw that orb into his hand. Upon entering his hand, the barrier dissipated, revealing a bronze ancient sword about three feet long, archaic in style, its blade covered in fine cracks, even the tip missing a small section. The blade was dim and lusterless, the hilt wrapped in nearly weathered silk threads.

However, when Cang Xuan's fingers touched the sword hilt——

Yin!