Chapter 347

A clear, resonant sword cry rang out from within the broken sword, filled with endless vicissitudes and unyielding resolve! Though faint, it pierced straight into the soul!

At the same time, a vast and pure sword intent of 'Severing Falsehood, Only I Am True' surged into Cangxuan's sea of consciousness like sweet dew poured upon the crown! This was not a complete inheritance, but rather like an ancient sword immortal, upon falling, imprinting their sword essence and unyielding battle will upon the sword!

Cangxuan's body shuddered violently, his eyes suddenly bursting forth with brilliant sword light, his whole person seeming to transform into an unparalleled ferocious sword drawn from its sheath, sharpness fully exposed! Only after more than a dozen breaths did he slowly retract his aura; sword light still lingered in his eyes, but his entire demeanor seemed refined and sharpened by a few degrees, faintly touching upon a certain sword dao bottleneck.

He reverently held up this broken ancient sword, bowing deeply toward the empty stone chamber and toward Yunhao and the others: "Many thanks! This sword... is named 'Lone Blade'."

Yunhao and the others nodded, their eyes showing no surprise, as if they had long expected it.

Yuliuli's sensation, however, leaned toward a sphere emitting warm, moist soul fluctuations and pure Dao rhythm. She drew it into her hand; the seal dissipated, revealing a palm-sized mutton-fat jade purification vase. The vase body was warm and moist, inside seemingly holding several longan-sized, pale golden pills, their surfaces bearing nine natural cloud patterns. As soon as the stopper was opened a crack, a fragrance that made the soul and spirit feel at ease, as if washed by the purest spiritual spring, spread out; merely smelling a trace made one feel mental tranquility, and the divine sense subtly increased.

"Nine-Revolutions Nourishing Soul Immortal Pill!" Yuliuli's beautiful eyes flashed with repeated astonishment. This pill is the supreme holy product for nourishing and strengthening the soul, and for her foundation damaged by overexerting immortal soul power, it has immeasurable restorative and beneficial effects, possibly even helping her immortal soul quality rise to another level! For the path of musical soul, it is nothing less than sending charcoal in the snow.

"This pill is exactly suited for Fairy Yuliuli's use." Yunhao said with a smile.

Lastly was Wang Ping. His chaotic divine sense swept over the many light orbs, sensing myriad things. There were crystals containing vast chaotic energy, jade slips recording profound divine abilities, and nascent forms of spirit treasures radiating light... but ultimately, his attention was drawn to two light orbs.

One orb was larger, inside seemingly having countless tiny golden runes flowing and colliding, emitting a strange Dao rhythm of 'creation', 'deconstruction', and 'reconstruction', which vaguely resonated with the sensation he had when refining the Eight Trigrams Purple Gold Furnace and first coming into contact with the path of artifact refinement.

The other orb was relatively simple, inside seemingly a heap of minerals and spirit wood of various colors and forms, yet all emitting pure primordial qi, numerous in quantity and extremely high in quality; several of them, Wang Ping faintly felt, could be used to repair or upgrade his own natal treasure, the Heaven-Overturning Seal, and even... combined with the newly acquired Chaos Immortal King's artifact refinement insights, attempt to forge new treasures more in tune with the Chaos Dao?

A thought moved him; he first drew in the orb emitting the artifact refinement Dao rhythm. The seal dissipated, revealing three scrolls neither silk nor cloth, made of an unknown material, ancient in age. The scrolls unfurled slightly on their own, revealing countless tiny, ant-sized yet brilliantly golden runes, accompanied by a vast, exquisite influx of artifact refinement thought, as if directly pointing to the source of creation, surging into Wang Ping's sea of consciousness—《Chaos Immortal King Artifact Refinement Insights·Fragment》! Though merely a fragment, and its content profound and mysterious, far beyond Wang Ping's current ability to fully comprehend, the insights it contained on material essence, the application of law imprinting, and the pioneering approach of combining 'Chaos' characteristics with artifact refinement already made him feel as if he had obtained a priceless treasure, his horizons greatly expanded!

Suppressing his excitement, Wang Ping then drew in the orb of materials. The orb dispersed, revealing piles of rare immortal materials stacked like mountains; though most were merely raw ore or rough blanks, the quantity was enormous, the varieties complete, not lacking some that had long vanished from the Spirit Realm, existing only in legend, such as 'Chaos Yuan Magnetic Crystal', 'Five Elements Source Root Wood', 'Void Star-Patterned Iron', and so on.

"What Fellow Daoist Wang Ping has obtained: one is the essence of the Immortal King's artifact refinement path, the other is part of the basic immortal materials accumulated by the Immortal Palace. The former is guidance from the Great Dao, the latter is the foundation for practice; they complement each other perfectly." Yunhao stroked his beard, his eyes full of expectation, "May Fellow Daoist inherit the Immortal King's legacy, and with the Chaos Dao, forge instruments of protection."

Wang Ping solemnly stored the scroll and materials, and said respectfully: "I will not disappoint the trust placed in me."

The division of treasures complete, Yunhao did not yet end. He walked to a corner of the stone chamber, where lay a coffin carved entirely from a certain warm, white jade, within which flowed seven-colored rosy light, sculpted into shape. The coffin was not large, its style ancient and simple, emitting a strange aura of tranquility, soul-soothing, and soul-nourishment.

"This is the 'Nourishing Soul Immortal Jade Coffin'." Yunhao's voice sank, carrying a hint of sorrow and hope, "This jade is made from the essence of the Chaos Immortal Palace's special product 'Nourishing Soul Immortal Jade', possessing the miraculous effect of nourishing the soul, stabilizing spirituality, and delaying dissipation. Though it cannot reverse 'Eternal Void Imprisonment', it might... provide a future 'vessel' and 'anchor point' for Fellow Daoist Youying's soul imprint merged into the void, should there be a turning point, to which it can return and be nourished. My clan knows not when we shall find a salvation method; we can only offer this humble object as a token of our hearts, hoping... that in the future, a miracle may occur."

Wang Ping, Cangxuan, and Yuliuli heard this, their hearts all giving a jolt. Gazing at the quietly emitting warm jade coffin, they seemed to see, beneath Youying's icy countenance, a faint, elusive possibility of a future. This gift, more precious than any divine weapon, carries the weight of life and undying hope.

"Leader Yunhao, the refugees' kindness, we... are endlessly grateful!" Wang Ping's voice slightly hoarse, together with Cangxuan and Yuliuli, he bowed deeply toward Yunhao and the refugee elders. This bow is both for the gift and for this sentiment of remembering sacrifice and holding hope.

Leaving the Gui Xu Treasure Store, returning to the main hall, everyone's hearts felt heavy, yet also a little more grounded and warm.

In the days to come, Wang Ping continued to consolidate his cultivation while repairing his natal treasure, the Heaven-Overturning Seal (using the newly obtained immortal materials), and began to study the 《Chaos Immortal King Artifact Refinement Insights·Fragment》 with ravenous eagerness; though he could only grasp the surface, he already felt the artifact refinement path suddenly enlightened, and his use of chaotic power gained new ideas. Cangxuan then spent day and night with the 'Lone Blade' broken sword, resonating with his own sword heart, drawing upon the ancient sword immortal's legacy, his sword dao cultivation steadily progressing. Yuliuli took a 'Nine-Revolutions Nourishing Soul Immortal Pill', combined with the Spirit Sound Bell to nourish her soul, her soul injuries rapidly healed, and her immortal soul light grew ever purer and brighter.

About half a month later, just as Wang Ping was immersed in the profundities of the artifact refinement insights, Yunhao visited again, bringing another piece of news.

"Fellow Daoist Wang Ping, Fellow Daoist Cangxuan, Fellow Daoist Yuliuli." Yunhao's expression carried a hint of relief, "By the Immortal Palace's great formation autonomously drawing chaotic earth vein energy, and with the seal stabilized and energy circulation smooth, the 'Silver Return Stone Gate' reserved by the Immortal King years ago, leading to a relatively stable area of the Spirit Realm, has its energy fully stored and can be opened at any time."

Silver Return Stone Gate! Wang Ping recalled when he first entered the Immortal Palace, that door requiring five immortal keys to gather to briefly open. It turned out it was not one-way; when the Immortal Palace's energy was sufficient, it could also serve as a return passage.

"However," Yunhao shifted his tone, his brows slightly furrowed, "due to the impact of the previous Reverse Element Hall blood sacrifice and seal turmoil, the spatial structure of this Immortal Palace fragment's location has developed more instability. Although the new core formation eye has stabilized the seal, the 'anchoring' between the fragment and the Spirit Realm has loosened somewhat. If the stone gate is opened directly, violent spatial fluctuations might exacerbate this loosening, possibly even... triggering premature collapse of the fragment's edge regions, with unpredictable consequences."

He looked at Wang Ping, his eyes holding expectation and plea: "Fellow Daoist Wang Ping, I have heard you possess the 'Fusang Tree Seed', a supreme divine object for stabilizing space. Our clan also possesses a hereditary immortal artifact, the 'Boundary-Fixing Compass', which can survey and temporarily reinforce spatial nodes. Might Fellow Daoist delay your return, and help our clan first stabilize this fragment's space? Once the space is preliminarily stabilized, we can then open the stone gate, which would be the safest strategy."

Wang Ping almost had no hesitation. The Fusang Tree Seed was originally a gift from the Chaos Immortal King (or rather, the remnant root of the Fusang Tree), given to stabilize space and communicate heaven and earth. Now using it to stabilize the Immortal Palace fragment is precisely making full use of it, and also a repayment for the refugees' generous gifts and protection. Moreover, Youying slumbers here, Jiu'er and the Chaos Azure Sprout also grow here, and he himself hopes to contribute more effort to this land that has borne so much sacrifice and hope.

"It is only right." Wang Ping nodded in agreement.

Cangxuan and Yuliuli likewise had no objection. They similarly cherish this place and wish to contribute their modest efforts.

Thus, in the coming time, Wang Ping together with the spatial formation experts among Yunhao and the refugees began to busy themselves. Wang Ping used his own chaotic spiritual power to communicate with the Fusang Tree Seed, drawing forth that faint yet extremely high-quality spatial stabilizing power within it; Yunhao and the others then manipulated that ancient, mottled 'Boundary-Fixing Compass', locating spatial weak points and fissures.

The process was not easy. The Immortal Palace fragment, having endured calamity, has a complex and fragile spatial structure. They needed to carefully guide the Fusang Tree's power, like the finest microsurgery, point by point mending minute cracks and reinforcing key nodes. At the same time, they had to avoid areas possibly contaminated by residual 'chaos' pollution, as well as unstable zones about to naturally vanish due to energy exhaustion.

This work consumed much time and energy, a considerable trial for Wang Ping's spiritual power and mind. Yet he found joy in it. Each time he successfully stabilized a node, watching the 'Boundary-Fixing Compass' show the unstable light points dim, he could feel a hint of 'ease' and 'gratitude' coming from this ancient land. In this process, the Fusang Tree Seed seemed to also absorb a hint of the Immortal Palace's unique chaotic spatial Dao rhythm, becoming more solid and lively.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, nearly three months had passed.

Through everyone's joint effort, the spatial structure of the Immortal Palace fragment's core area and main passages had been significantly reinforced, basically restored to stability. Although some unrelated broken areas on the periphery continued to slowly vanish, they no longer affected the main body's safety, nor would they cause a chain collapse upon opening the return stone gate.

This day, in the main hall.

The Silver Return Stone Gate had been moved by the refugees from its hidden place and installed in a corner of the main hall. The stone gate was ancient and simple, silver runes flowing along its frame, emitting stable spatial fluctuations, poised and ready.

Cangxuan and Yuliuli stood before the gate. After months of rest and hidden cultivation, their strength had recovered to eighty or ninety percent of peak, and each had made progress. Cangxuan's sword aura was more inwardly restrained, yet faintly bore the aspect of laws moving with him; Yuliuli's immortal soul was pure, her musical Dao rhythm flowing around her, her aura becoming ever more ethereal.

They decided to return to the Spirit Realm first. First, they needed to bring back news of what happened in the Immortal Palace, especially that the 'Chaos-Primal Source' though resealed still poses a threat, and that a mysterious third-party force might be eyeing it, to prepare early. Second, their respective sects (Star Palace, Fallen Immortal Clan) likely worried due to their long absence, needing to return to report safety and seek more aid and information. Third, Wang Ping temporarily did not wish to expose his possible return via other means (such as the Transcendence Gate), to avoid unnecessary suspicion and trouble.

"Wang Brother, take care." Cangxuan clasped his hands, his eyes like swords, firm and sincere, "We shall meet again in the Spirit Realm. Regarding Youying's matter, after I return to the Star Palace, I will surely exhaustively search the ancient texts, seeking the void forbidden arts and awakening methods."

"Fellow Daoist Wang Ping, Yuliuli will also pay attention to related records and news in the Fallen Immortal Clan." Yuliuli spoke softly, her eyes bearing reluctance and blessing, "Jiu'er and that Chaos Azure Sprout, I hope Fellow Daoist will take extra care of them."

"Rest assured, the two of you." Wang Ping returned the salute, his heart also holding parting sorrow, but more so his resolve for the road ahead, "Affairs here are temporarily concluded. But the path to oppose 'Chaos-Primal' and rescue Youying has only just begun. The Spirit Realm is vast, or there may be clues. We shall keep in touch, exchange what we have."

Yunhao led a group of refugee elders and warriors forward to see them off. They had prepared a simple fulfillment ritual, once again expressing gratitude.

"May your journey of years find you three Daoists with ever-flourishing Great Dao. The Refugee Clan of the Gui Xu, forever grateful for your great kindness. If you have any use for our clan, just send word." Yunhao said solemnly, handing over three specially crafted Chaos Transmission Talismans that can, under specific conditions, penetrate the Immortal Palace barrier to transmit simple messages.

Cangxuan and Yuliuli received them, again expressing thanks.

"Open the stone gate." Wang Ping nodded to Yunhao.

Yunhao himself stepped forward, activating the stone gate with a specific formula. Silver light blazed, runes flowed and accelerated, the gate's center gradually forming a stable, vortex-like silver light gate; opposite, familiar Spirit Realm aura faintly transmitted.

Cangxuan and Yuliuli exchanged a glance, no longer hesitating, they stepped into the light gate one after another. Their figures were swallowed by the silver light, vanished without trace.

The silver light gate persisted for several breaths, then slowly closed, the stone gate returning to calm, only the surface runes' light slightly dimmed, obviously having consumed much.

In the main hall, a moment of silence fell. Only Wang Ping, Yunhao and the refugees remained, along with that eternally silent Eternal Void Imprisonment region.

"Fellow Daoist Wang Ping, what are your plans next?" Yunhao asked. He knew Wang Ping did not intend to return through this gate.

Wang Ping gazed at the illusory space at the entrance, then toward the direction of the pill chamber, fell silent for a moment, and said: "I wish to remain here for a while longer. Jiu'er and Qinghua's growth needs attention, the Immortal King's artifact refinement insights also need time to comprehend. Moreover... I wish to try, with my current understanding of the Chaos Dao, combined with the Fusang Tree Seed and the newly obtained artifact refinement insights, to add another layer of safeguard to this core seal, and also make more preparations for possible future crises."

Yunhao and the others, upon hearing this, were all moved. Wang Ping was binding himself more deeply to this land.

"Fellow Daoist's lofty righteousness, our clan up and down will surely cooperate fully!" Yunhao bowed deeply.

Wang Ping waved his hand, indicating no need for much ceremony. He alone walked to the main hall window (a repaired observation port after damage), gazed outward at the desolate yet stable scene of the Immortal Palace ruins, his thoughts myriad.

In the following days, besides his daily fixed-time visits to the pill chamber to see Jiu'er and Qinghua (Jiu'er in excellent condition, Qinghua under continuous nourishment, the first leaf's veins noticeably thickened a bit), he immersed himself in studying the 《Chaos Immortal King Artifact Refinement Insights》 and refining his own chaotic immortal essence. He faintly felt that after breaking through to late Nascent Soul, his realm had become completely stabilized, even touching the threshold of late Nascent Soul perfection, lacking only an opportunity or deeper accumulation.

He also contemplated how to use those immortal materials to refine some practical items for himself and this seal location.

One day, he sat silently beside the formation hub, deducing a complex chaotic rune combination, attempting to combine part of the 'Zhen' character divine text's suppressing true intent with it, to create a temporary empowerment talisman that could be affixed to the seal formation.

Suddenly, the space before him, without any omen, rippled with circles of transparent ripples.

Wang Ping instantly became alert, his chaotic domain faintly appearing, his divine sense locking onto that ripple.

At the ripple's center, a point of silver light suddenly appeared, then rapidly expanded, forming a silver light ring stable beyond comparison, just large enough for one person to pass through. Within the ring was not the Immortal Palace scene, but a piece of profound, boundless darkness, as if containing endless starry skies. An ineffable, transcendent, indifferent aura, yet seeming to comprehend all things, emanated from within.

A blurred figure, seemingly condensed from starlight and law, stepped out of the light ring and stood before Wang Ping.

The figure's face was indistinct, its body wrapped in a faint silver glow, its aura elusive and shifting, yet it gave the impression of immense weight, like an abyss, as if bearing the laws of myriad heavens. Its gaze—or perception—fell upon Wang Ping, carrying scrutiny and also a hint of... barely perceptible approval?

"Extra-realm visitor, order guardian, chaos new star." A neutral, calm, emotionless voice rang directly in Wang Ping's sea of consciousness: "Your deeds in this realm have been observed by me."

Wang Ping's heart shuddered violently! This aura, this manner of appearance, this direct interaction with the sea of consciousness... absolutely not an ordinary cultivator! Possibly even surpassing Nascent Soul, reaching a level he could not comprehend! Moreover, the other party had revealed his identity as an "extra-realm visitor" (transmigrator?) in a single sentence!

"Senior...?" Wang Ping suppressed the storm in his heart, remained composed, and clasped his hands in inquiry.

"I am the 'Transcendence Guide,' also called the 'Guide Envoy.'" The figure's voice remained calm, "Bound by the 'Transcendence Covenant,' I guide qualifying 'variables' across realms. Your task—'to uncover the secret of the Qingming Heavenly Domain's collapse and assess potential apocalyptic threats'—has been completed, and you have exceeded expectations in 'reinforcing the core seal.' According to the covenant, I will guide you back to your original coordinates—near the Ninth Dao Institute, Qingyun Prefecture, Spirit Realm."

Transcendence Guide? Guide Envoy? Transcendence Covenant? Variable?

Countless thoughts flashed through Wang Ping's mind. He recalled the initial sense of "covenant" and "mission" upon his transmigration, and the mysterious "Transcendence Gate." So, behind all this, such an existence truly did exist! A "guide" seemingly transcending myriad worlds!

"Task... completed?" Wang Ping repeated instinctively. Is it really done? It feels... too sudden.

"The threat of the 'Primal Chaos' has been resealed, assessed to last at least three thousand Spirit Realm years. Information on potential external interfering forces has been partially obtained. Your contributions have been recorded." The Transcendence Guide stated emotionlessly, "You may choose to return immediately, or delay briefly to attend to unfinished affairs. But delay must not exceed three days, otherwise the covenant's power will enforce your return."

Wang Ping drew a deep breath. The other party clearly possessed power and information far beyond his imagination. The so-called "covenant" and "mission" seemed not compulsory, but more like... an exchange? He completed the task, and the other party offered a return service?

He quickly weighed his options. The affairs of the Immortal Palace were indeed temporarily settled. Jiu'er and Qingya were safe here, with refugees watching over them. Staying here would yield no major breakthroughs in the short term. Returning to the Spirit Realm to meet his master, using the resources of the Ninth Dao Institute and the information brought back by Cangxuan and Yuliuli, perhaps he could enhance his strength more quickly, explore ways to rescue the Nether Shadow and completely resolve the "Chaos," and also learn the details of that mysterious third-party force.

"I choose to return." Wang Ping steadied his mind and spoke in a deep voice.

"Good." The Transcendence Guide seemed unsurprised, "The return coordinates are locked. Do you have any items or companions to bring?"

Wang Ping glanced toward the elixir chamber, communicated with Jiu'er via mind-link, and briefly explained the situation. Though reluctant, Jiu'er understood Wang Ping needed to return to the Spirit Realm to grow faster, and obediently said she would take good care of Qingya and wait for his return.

"Nothing. I can return immediately." Wang Ping shook his head. Jiu'er staying here was safer, and the treasures and materials he had gathered were already on his person.

The Transcendence Guide said no more, raised a hand and pointed. The silver light ring blazed brightly, enveloping Wang Ping.

Wang Ping took one last look at the main hall, at the eternally imprisoned void, at the direction where Yunhao and others might be, and silently bade farewell in his heart.

"Everyone, take care. I will return."

Light flashed, and Wang Ping's figure vanished within the silver light ring. The ring rapidly shrank into a point of silver radiance, then disappeared into the void, as if it had never existed.

The hall returned to silence.

Only the newly formed core array eye rotated silently; the darkness on the altar lay in eternal stillness; the void at the entrance remained frozen and cold.

Deep within the Chaos Elixir Chamber, the three-inch-tall Chaos Qingya gently swayed its leaves. Beside it, Jiu'er's spiritual form radiated pure rosy light, as if sensing something, she lifted her gaze upward, her small face showing a hint of pure smile, then lowered her head to continue carefully guiding the primordial source qi, nurturing this tender shoot bearing hope and future.

The fragments of the Immortal Palace returned to their billions of years of solitude and guardianship.