Chapter 348

On the seventh day of Wang Ping's return.

Deep within the Ninth Dao Institute, inside the main hall of "Mingdao Peak" shrouded in chaotic clouds and rosy mists, a high-level core meeting was being held.

Only nine seats were set in the hall. Besides Institute Head Jiang Mingyuan seated in the main position, the eight core elders of the institute sat on either side, all having achieved perfected cultivation in the Void Refinement realm, among whom three had auras deep and obscure like an abyss, already half a step into the Unity realm, separated from Unity by only a hair's breadth.

At this moment, these nine powerhouses capable of shaking Qingyun Prefecture and even several neighboring prefectures, all had their gazes fixed upon the youth standing solemnly in the center of the hall.

Wang Ping wore the common blue robes of the Dao Institute, his aura fully restrained, leaving only the spiritual power fluctuations expected of a late Nascent Soul cultivator, standing quietly. But what kind of eyesight did those present possess?

Hidden within the fluctuations of that spiritual power, a faint circulation of chaotic intent could be seen, naturally merging with the surrounding space, as if it could at any moment merge into heaven and earth's Dao rhythm, all of which clearly indicated the extraordinariness of the youth before them.

Especially those eyes, calm beneath the surface, seemed to flash with visions of the birth and death of the universe and the return of all things to their source.

This was the aura that could only be nurtured after experiencing a true great calamity and great opportunity, undergoing a dual transformation of Dao heart and power.

"Everyone," Institute Head Jiang Mingyuan spoke, his voice deep and steady, yet carrying a hint of admiration that could not be concealed.

"Wang Ping, upon his return this time, has reached the late Nascent Soul realm in cultivation, his foundation extraordinarily solid and his Dao rhythm profoundly deep, truly a rare sight in ten thousand years of our Dao Institute. Even more rare is that, in the foreign ruins, facing danger he accepted the mission, protected fellow Daoists, thwarted the great calamity, and exalted the name of our Dao Institute in the absolute extremes. Merit, cultivation, and mind-nature—all are already sufficient to bear great responsibility."

He swept his gaze over the two sides of elders, none had any objection, all slightly nodding their heads. Regarding Wang Ping's experiences in the fragments of the Chaos Immortal Palace, Jiang Mingyuan had already communicated with Wang Ping through secret arts and knew of the "Primordial Source of Disorder," the "Guardians of the Ruined Clan," the "Sorrow of the Nether Shadow," and other absolute secrets, and also understood that Wang Ping now bore part of the Chaos Immortal King's inheritance and the affinity with the Fusang Tree. This matter is of great importance, limited to only the nine people present knowing the outline.

"After discussion between this institute and the eight core elders," Jiang Mingyuan's voice turned solemn, subtly invoking the resonance of the hall's laws, "we now formally confer upon Wang Ping the status of a First-Rank Instructor of the Ninth Dao Institute!"

As the words fell, Jiang Mingyuan raised his hand and drew in the void. Above the hall's vaulted ceiling, the eternal flowing chaotic clouds and rosy mists suddenly split into a strand, which descended into the hall, the mist surging and condensing into a sandalwood tray, hovering before Wang Ping.

On the tray lay two objects, still and quiet.

On the left, was a token. The token's entire body was a deep, profound black, neither metal nor jade, its material seeming like stone and like iron, warm to the touch yet with a hint of icy coolness. On the front of the token, the words "Ninth Dao Institute" were engraved in ancient cloud seal script in intaglio, the strokes vigorous, containing Dao rhythm.

On the back, was a simple yet infinitely meaningful pattern—a chaotic cloud sea with nine stars arranged according to mysterious trajectories, the central star especially bright.

This pattern was not still; looking closely, the chaotic cloud sea was actually flowing slowly, the nine stars alternating between light and dark, like a miniature, endlessly operating chaotic star universe. The edge of the token was inlaid with a circle of fine silver lines, which was the array imprint of the highest authority.

"This is the 'Chaos Star Token,'" Jiang Mingyuan introduced, "made by mixing the 'Chaos Star Core Fragments' fallen from beyond the heavens with 'Nine Nether Deep Black Iron,' it is itself a fifth-rank upper-grade strange treasure.

Holding this token, within the Dao Institute, one can freely pass through the majority of restricted areas, including some nodes of the mountain-protection grand array. One can mobilize the power of the Dao Institute's arrays within a certain range to assist in cultivation or resist enemies.

By means of this token's aura, one can receive courteous treatment in most forces within Qingyun Prefecture that are on good terms with the Dao Institute. More importantly, after this token is bound to your divine soul, it is also the core credential in the Dao Institute's merit system; accumulated merit and changes in permissions will all be manifested upon it."

Wang Ping received the token with both hands. The token felt slightly heavy in his hands, and the slowly flowing chaotic star pattern actually produced a faint resonance with the chaotic Nascent Soul in his dantian, the Fusang Tree seed cradled in the Nascent Soul's embrace also gave a slight tremor, as if with delight.

He sent out a strand of divine sense to imprint it upon the token, whereupon the token instantly released a faint radiance, the central star on its back suddenly flaring up with a steady clear light, connected to his aura.

On the right, was a book that was neither silk nor paper, a jade tablet. The tablet's cover was a pale blue, warm and smooth like jade, yet thin as silk, inscribed with four ancient Dao characters—"Dao Institute Secret Pivot." Jiang Mingyuan gestured for Wang Ping to open it.

Wang Ping opened the jade tablet; inside was not text, but a hazy light curtain. As his divine sense entered it, vast information like a smoke sea, categorized and sorted, surged into his perception:

The "Secret Realm Scroll": Lists seventy-three top-secret realms controlled by or with access rights to the Ninth Dao Institute. Each secret realm has a brief introduction, covering the realm's attributes, native special products, potential opportunities, danger level, entry conditions, time flow speed differences, and corresponding spatial coordinates and opening secret arts. Among those listed first are the "Chaos Cloud Sea," "Nine Heavens Thunder Pool," "Ten Thousand Swords Burial Mounds," "Time Fragments," and "Return to the Abyss Sea Eye (Imitation)"—secret lands whose names alone indicate their extraordinariness.

The "Forbidden Land Scroll": Records details of seventeen forbidden lands within the Dao Institute. Including the "Hidden Truth Ancient Cave" that guards the Dao Institute's foundation (storing important legacies of generations of sages and forbidden objects), the "Creation Medicinal Garden" that cultivates rare innate spiritual roots, the "Demon-Subduing Abyss" that imprisons and seals evil demons and dangerous experimental subjects, and the "Pivot Secret Hall" that involves the Dao Institute's fundamental grand array and spiritual vein core, etc. Entering these forbidden lands, even instructors, require specific conditions or permission from the institute head or the council of elders.

The "Scripture Scroll": This scroll does not directly list techniques and divine powers, but rather marks the distribution of restrictions and unlocking methods for the core area of the Dao Institute's "Myriad Phenomena Scripture Pavilion." The core area stores, since the founding of the Dao Institute, collected or self-created scriptures that directly reach the root of the Immortal Dao, ancient lost solitary editions, and the Daoist insight notes left by generations of sages. Guided by this jade tablet, Wang Ping can bypass the outer complicated areas and directly reach the three core side halls—"Taichu," "Return to the Abyss," and "Myriad Phenomena"—most compatible with his own "Chaos" attribute.

The "Secret History Scroll": Records many fragments of absolute secret history from the spiritual realm, considerations of the rise and fall of ancient powers, a catalog of heavenly and earthly strange objects, and some cosmic secrets that even ordinary Mahayana cultivators may not know. Some of these records actually correspond vaguely to what Wang Ping heard in the Immortal Palace fragments about the "Ancient Final Battle" and "Disorder Erosion," though they are more blurred and fragmentary.

The "Resource Scroll": Lists in detail the catalog of top-tier resources exchangeable for first-rank instructors within the Dao Institute, from rare ninth-rank spiritual materials and immortal pill embryos, to "Dao-Contemplation Stones" that assist in comprehending laws, to even the opportunity to request personal guidance from a Supreme Elder, all clearly priced (calculated in contribution points). The variety is so rich that even Wang Ping, accustomed to the treasures of the Immortal Palace ruins, could not help but inwardly gasp.

Although the information in the jade tablet was vast, with Wang Ping's current divine soul strength, he soon organized it clearly. He closed the jade tablet and put it away respectfully. These two things represent not just identity and permissions, but also a weighty trust and expectation.

"Thank you, Institute Head, thank you, all elders," Wang Ping bowed in salute.

"No need for thanks," an elder with a ruddy complexion, white hair but youthful face, stroked his beard and smiled, he was the chief elder of the Transmission Hall, Dao name "Lingxu," "Wang Ping, you, as a first-rank instructor, by regulation should have a dedicated cave dwelling, a quota for listening-to-the-Dao disciples, and corresponding annual salary resources. These trivial matters will be handled by the stewards after the meeting. Now, do you have any urgent needs?"

Wang Ping pondered slightly, then said: "Disciple... junior has a request. I have long heard that the 'Chaos Cloud Sea' is the foundation of our Dao Institute's establishment, and I yearn for it.

Now that my realm has initially stabilized, I wish to enter and retreat in seclusion for a period of time, first to thoroughly consolidate my foundation, second to comprehend the marvelous laws of Chaos, hoping the Institute Head and all elders will grant permission."

Jiang Mingyuan and Lingxu and several other elders exchanged a glance, all showing smiles of "as expected."

"Good," Jiang Mingyuan nodded, "the Chaos Cloud Sea is exactly suited to your Dao. The method of entry is already in the jade tablet; you may go at any time with your token. The 'Questioning Dao Platform' in the depths of the cloud sea is where generations of sages comprehended Chaos and left imprints of laws, which will benefit you. However, you must know, although the cloud sea is a treasure land, it also has its dangers. The chaotic qi is ever-changing and unpredictable; even with the protection of the 'Chaos Immortal Scripture,' one must not be greedy for merit and rashly advance, but proceed step by step, taking one's own primordial source as the root."

"Junior will keep it in mind," Wang Ping responded.

After the meeting simply outlined some instructor duties and recent affairs of the Dao Institute, it concluded. Wang Ping received the cave dwelling token and the storage bag of resources, and did not immediately go to his new cave dwelling, but instead, following the guidance in the "Dao Institute Secret Pivot" jade tablet, went straight to the deep part of the forbidden land behind the Dao Institute's rear mountain.

Passing through layer after layer of light curtains of arrays, crossing several floating spiritual mountains, the surrounding spiritual energy became increasingly dense and ancient, gradually diffusing a sense of vastness and primality. Finally, he stopped before a seemingly ordinary gray-brown cliff face. The cliff was covered in moss, with nothing remarkable about it.

Wang Ping took out the Chaos Star Token, infused a strand of chaotic immortal essence. The star pattern on the back of the token shone with flowing clear light, shooting out a pillar of chaotic-colored light, striking a certain spot on the cliff.

In soundless silence, the cliff face rippled open like water, revealing a rotating, gray-misty mouth of a cave. Beyond the mouth was not the interior of the mountain, but an endless, boundless, surging without cease sea of clouds.

Chaos Cloud Sea!

The moment he stepped into the cave mouth, a vast, boundless, pure beyond compare chaotic aura rushed toward him. This aura differed from the chaotic qi in the Immortal Palace fragments that had endured calamity, carrying decay and remnants of "Disorder"; it was more primordial, gentle, full of vitality and infinite possibilities. The cloud sea was not truly water vapor clouds, but rather the liquefaction of highly condensed chaotic spiritual energy, presenting an intertwined and flowing state of gray-white, profound black, pale gold, and dark purple, within which there were specks like starlight of legal spiritual light floating and flickering.

Wang Ping, at the edge of the cloud sea, could feel his pores naturally opening, the chaotic Nascent Soul in his dantian leaping with joy and accelerating its operation on its own, the route of the "Chaos Immortal Scripture" faintly resonating. He did not linger, but following the central method indicated in the jade tablet, his form turned into a stream of light, flying toward the depths of the cloud sea.

The deeper he went, the denser the chaotic qi became, and the pressure also increased. Ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators reaching this point, without special protective treasures or techniques, would likely have been assimilated or crushed. But for Wang Ping, this pressure was like sweet spring water for tempering the flesh. His body surface naturally manifested a thin layer of chaotic immortal essence, which completely absorbed and transformed the invading chaotic qi.

After flying for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, ahead the cloud sea suddenly opened up. A stone platform of gray-white color, about ten zhang in square, floated silently in the center of the cloud sea. The platform was ancient and unadorned, yet its surface was covered with countless naturally formed, profound and unfathomable Dao patterns, completely integrated with the aura of the entire Chaos Cloud Sea. In the center of the platform, there was only a simple futon.

This was the "Questioning Dao Platform."

Wang Ping landed on the platform, and immediately felt different. The surging chaotic cloud sea around here became unusually gentle and compliant, as if paying homage to a king. The Dao patterns on the platform faintly brightened, producing a clear resonance with his chaotic immortal essence. Even more stirring to his mind and spirit was that, around this platform, the specks of legal spiritual light floating in the cloud sea were especially dense. Each speck of spiritual light faintly emitted a different Dao rhythm: some blazing like the sun, some icy cold like the moon, some sharp like a sword, some heavy like a mountain…… and some more, carrying a chaotic intent rhythm that shared his origin but was more ancient and profound.

Each speck of spiritual light represented the purest comprehension of laws left by a sage who once comprehended the Dao here!

Wang Ping walked to the center of the platform, sat cross-legged on the futon, and his mind and spirit instantly calmed. He did not rush to absorb the surrounding chaotic qi, but first turned his vision inward.

Although he had achieved the late Nascent Soul realm, in the last three months of the Immortal Palace, his main focus had been on stabilizing space and initially studying insights on artifact forging, and his cultivation had not been deliberately refined. Now, upon careful inspection, the Nascent Soul was solid, chaotic immortal essence filled the meridians, but during operation there remained fine points of coarseness, an inevitable "floating qi" after rapid advancement. In his sea of consciousness, the "Suppressing" character divine text shone with stable radiance, the Fusang Tree seed in his dantian fused with the Nascent Soul, providing an endless source of vitality and spatial affinity.

His condition was sound, exactly the best time for seclusion to consolidate the foundation.

He first operated the entire "Chaos Immortal Scripture." As soon as the technique was activated, the chaotic Nascent Soul in his dantian instantly opened its eyes, small hands forming seals. All over his body, pores seemed to become countless tiny vortices, beginning to actively inhale and exhale the pure chaotic qi around the Questioning Dao Platform.

But this inhalation and exhalation was not simply taking in and refining in the dantian. Wang Ping used his chaotic immortal essence, tempered by the Fusang Tree seed and fused with a trace of true intent from the Immortal King's inheritance, as a "template" and "primer," to screen, purify, and reconstruct the inhaled primordial chaotic qi.

The process was like precision forging of iron. The incoming chaotic qi, though pure, had an internal structure and proportion of law fragments that differed from the chaotic immortal essence he himself cultivated, which was most suitable for his Dao body. Wang Ping used his own immortal essence as "fire," his divine sense as "hammer," to "forge out" the overly violent parts, impurities, or biased attributes in the inhaled chaotic qi, leaving only the most balanced and harmonious part, containing the primordial source of creation, then, following his own technique's route, perfectly integrating it into his existing immortal essence circulation.

This was a slow and meticulous process, demanding extremely high control of divine sense. Only in this core of the Chaos Cloud Sea, where the supply of chaotic qi was practically infinite and inexhaustible and the quality extremely high, could he dare to conduct such a lavish "purification-style" cultivation.

As strand after strand of even purer, even closer-to-the-source power merged in, Wang Ping's chaotic immortal essence became visibly more condensed, weighty, and lively to the naked eye.

The meridians, washed time and again, widened and strengthened, the form of the Nascent Soul also became increasingly clear, between the brows actually having a trace of Wang Ping's own original spirit's charm, the posture of embracing the Fusang Tree seed also becoming more natural and harmonious.

At the same time, his divine sense was not idle. Part of his mind and spirit maintained the operation of the technique, another part immersed in the sea of consciousness, began to repeatedly deduce the foundational chapters of the "Chaos Immortal King's Artifact Forging Insights·Remnant Scroll."

The content of the artifact forging insights was vast, even the foundational chapters involved understanding of the essence of matter, construction of energy channels, inscription of law imprints, and many other profound fields. Wang Ping's first study was the chapter titled "All Things Return to the Origin."

This chapter opens with a clear statement: Chaos is the beginning of all things, and also the end of all things. Chaos forging is not limited to firing and hammering as the sole methods; it primarily emphasizes "deconstruction" and "reconstruction." One must clearly discern the intrinsic properties, energy flows, and legal tendencies of the materials.

By infusing and analyzing with the intent of Chaos, one transforms the form without destroying the nature, then, according to the blueprint of the artifact in one's mind, uses Chaos as the furnace, divine sense as the tool, and laws as the threads to reshape its form, elevate its quality, and even bestow upon it "spirit" and "Dao."

Among these, insight into the intrinsic nature of materials is the foundation. The notes introduce a secret method of "microcosmic inner vision" using Chaos divine sense, which can penetrate the surface of matter to directly perceive its finest internal structure, energy nodes, and residual laws. Wang Ping attempted to apply this method to several ordinary forging materials he carried, and indeed he "saw" minute flaws and energy blockages previously undetectable.

Next is the "return to origin" step. That is, using one's own Chaos power to gently permeate the material, temporarily "decomposing" it into an energy and legal particle state closer to the origin, while preserving its most core characteristic imprint. This step carries extremely high risk; excessive force may completely destroy the material's properties, while insufficient force fails to achieve purification and reconstruction. Wang Ping repeatedly simulated and deduced this in his divine sense, combining his experience in controlling Chaos power, and gradually grasped a hint of the technique.

Finally is "reconstruction." According to the preset artifact structure (even if only a rough concept), the origin of the material after "return to origin" is, under the enveloping and guiding influence of Chaos power, recombined and shaped, while in this process, one infuses one's own Dao resonance, legal understanding, and even a strand of divided spirit, laying the foundation for the artifact to ascend to spirituality and even spiritual intelligence. This step, in its subtle resemblance to a cultivator forming a Nascent Soul and establishing their own Dao foundation, reveals a wonderful similarity.

Wang Ping immersed himself in the profound theory of "all things returning to origin," combining insights gained from contemplating the immortal palace fragments and practical experience from forging the illusory Chaos Immortal Sword. Countless sparks of inspiration collided in his sea of consciousness. Though he did not engage in hands-on practice, his theoretical foundation was rapidly solidified. He faintly felt that, with this method as a base, provided sufficient materials and his mastery of Chaos power and Dao realm comprehension keep pace, forging a fifth-tier treasure (corresponding to the Divine Transformation stage) is no longer unattainable, and even the path to exploring a sixth-tier treasure (corresponding to the Void Refinement stage) has begun to show direction.

Cultivation knows no passage of time. On the Dao Inquiry Platform, Wang Ping's figure was gradually enveloped by ever denser Chaos qi, transforming into a hazy gray light cocoon. Countless minute Chaos runes on the cocoon's surface flared and faded ceaselessly, expanding and contracting, gradually synchronizing with the rhythm of the entire Chaos sea of clouds.

The imprints of ancient sages' laws floating within the cloud sea seemed also drawn by this unique aura. Several specks of light bearing clear traces of Chaos, creation, and spatial意韻 drifted over slowly, encircling the light cocoon as it rotated, scattering droplets of insightful radiance that merged into Wang Ping's cultivation field.

One day, two days, three days.

On the third day at dusk (within the cloud sea there is no sun or moon, this being Wang Ping's own perception), the hazy gray light cocoon suddenly trembled, then, like a great whale sucking water, instantly absorbed all the Chaos cloud energy within a hundred-zhang radius!

Countless fine lines split across the cocoon's surface, it shattered with a boom, turning into pure energy that was completely absorbed by the central figure.

Wang Ping slowly opened his eyes.

In the opening and closing of his eyes, the occasional startling visions from when he first entered the cloud sea were gone, leaving only a piece of profound tranquility, like an ancient well without ripples, or like a vast starry sky. The sharp aura that once drew attention now fully retracted inward, serene as a deep pool, majestic as mountain peaks. His breath flowed smoothly and unobstructed, harmonizing and growing with the surrounding Chaos cloud sea, as if he were originally part of this cloud sea.

The late Nascent Soul realm was now completely stabilized, with no trace of浮躁. The Chaos Immortal Core condensed like mercury slurry, surging and circulating within his body, silent yet containing immense power. His divine sense, after three days of intense high-intensity deduction and cultivation, became even more resilient and sharp; though its coverage did not greatly increase, its microscopic insight and precise control far surpassed before.

He lightly clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within his body and a deeper understanding of the Chaos Dao. Especially his initial grasp of the "all things returning to origin" forging concept gave him more ideas for applying his own power.

Standing up, he bowed solemnly toward the lingering imprints of ancient sages' laws that still circled around, seemingly carrying a hint of approval and affection. Though these insights from the ownerless imprints were fragmentary, they were like lamps, offering him much precious inspiration and verification during his forging contemplation and Dao foundation consolidation.

Turning around, he gazed toward the direction from which he came in the cloud sea. It was time to leave. Three days of closed-door cultivation, excellent results. Next, he would familiarize himself with his tutor duties, digest what he had gained, utilize Dao Institute resources, and step by step transform theory into actual combat strength, while accumulating more substantial capital for the distant future—whether to face potential "chaos" threats, seek a way to rescue the nether shadows, or explore the end of his own Chaos Dao.

His body moved, transforming into a stream of light not dazzling but nearly blending with the cloud sea, returning by the original path. Passing through the hazy gray cave mouth, he returned to the cliff behind the Ninth Dao Institute's rear mountain.

Looking back, the cliff had already closed, restored to its ordinary state. But Wang Ping knew that the Chaos cloud sea, that Dao Inquiry Platform, had already left a deep imprint on his Dao path.

Holding the Chaos Star Command, the clear radiance of the central star on the reverse of the token seemed to have become more moist and steady. He lifted his foot, heading toward the new cave dwelling assigned to him by the Dao Institute, walking neither too fast nor too slow. His steps were steady, his shadow lengthening in the lingering sunset glow, gradually merging into the layered halls of the Dao Institute and the misty clouds of the spiritual mountains, profound and steadlike, initially bearing the气象 of a grand master.

Chaos initially consolidated, the road ahead still long. Yet the new chapter has quietly opened as he formally assumed his post as tutor.

The three-day retreat in the Chaos cloud sea allowed Wang Ping's understanding of his own power and the Chaos Dao to reach a new level. Without the slightest delay, he went straight to the Dao Institute's "Hall of Earthly Fire and Heavenly Craft," specially provided for high-level cultivators to forge artifacts and refine pills.

The Hall of Heavenly Craft is located in the southwest corner of the Dao Institute, built relying on a massive fire vein deep into the earth's veins. The palace is magnificent, constructed mainly of black obsidian and red-flame steel, year-round enveloped in a faint sulfur scent and spiritual fire fluctuations.

Many cultivators come and go, mostly at the Golden Core or Nascent Soul stages, either hurrying with materials in hand, or exiting with joy while holding treasures.