Chapter 362

The fierce battle deep in the Xuan Po Abyss ended with two dead and one fleeing among the Netherworld cultivators, and the Silver Radiance puppets completely destroyed.

When Wang Ping and Ling Qingxue dragged their exhausted bodies, supporting each other as they floated up from the abyss mouth, Xue Yin and the two elders guarding outside the Ice Po Pavilion could hardly believe their eyes. They saw not only two living figures returning, but also the fundamental change in Wang Ping's Taiyin aura—deep, 沉凝, carrying a trace of "freezing" essence that even a Nascent Soul Great Completion cultivator would instinctively feel palpitations from.

On the return journey, Ling Qingxue remained silent. She occasionally glanced at the gray-robed youth beside her, whose steps were still steady though his face was slightly pale; in her pale ice-blue eyes, complex emotions surged like the abyss's misty sea, endless and restless.

She had witnessed all of it with her own eyes.

The Xuan Ming True Soul had actively thrown itself into her embrace, the power of Order was devoured and transformed, the terrifying might of that "Frozen Space" technique, and……he had stood before her, taking the fatal light beam head-on with his back.

In three hundred years, she had never felt such emotions toward anyone. It was not admiration, not gratitude, but something deeper and harder to name—almost as if, in that moment, she first truly understood the weight of the two words "guard."

And Wang Ping was completely unaware of this.

At this moment, his entire mind and spirit were immersed in the newly fused Taiyin Jièe Hántide within his body. That strand of Xuan Ming True Soul fused with the power of Order was slowly and firmly reshaping the law structure of the Hántide's origin deep in his dantian. With each breath, his understanding of "Taiyin," "Jièe," "Hanbing," and even "Order" deepened at an astonishing speed.

After returning to the Qing Tian Ice Peak, the Ice Po Immortal personally received them.

In the Han Po Hall, this palace master, cold as ancient ice for myriad years, after hearing Ling Qingxue's detailed report, her transparent eyes rarely showed a ripple. She gazed at Wang Ping, silent for a long time.

"Xuan Ming True Soul actively chooses its master." Her voice remained icy, yet carried a trace of indescribable emotion, "For ten thousand ages, you are the first."

Wang Ping replied calmly: "Junior also does not know the reason; perhaps it is merely a coincidence of fate."

"Fate knows no coincidence." The Ice Po Immortal slightly shook her head, "You bear the Chaos Inheritance, also gained Taiyin Jièe, and fused the power of Order……the breadth of your path is something I have only seen in my life. But a wide path means many diverging roads; may you keep your heart like an abyss, abide in the one and be steadfast."

She paused, then raised her hand and lightly waved; an ice-blue jade talisman slowly drifted toward Wang Ping:

"This is the Xuán Bīng Palace Guest Elder Elder's Token, its authority equal to that of an Inner Sect Elder. In the future, if you have need, the Northern Realm Xuán Bīng Palace can lend aid."

Wang Ping was slightly startled, then solemnly received it, bowing in salute: "Thank you, Palace Master."

The Ice Po Immortal gave a slight nod, saying no more. She turned her gaze to Ling Qingxue, her eyes holding a trace of relief and……an extremely faint softness:

"Qingxue, your performance this time does not disgrace the name of my Xuán Bīng Palace. Return and rest well, thoroughly digest this insight."

Ling Qingxue lowered her head in acknowledgment. But as she lifted her head, her gaze involuntarily swept over Wang Ping's side profile.

The Ice Po Immortal took all this in, yet merely waved her hand calmly:

"Go. The Alliance side has already sent word, urging you two to return swiftly."

Three days later, the Ninth Dao Institute.

In the Xuán Wēi Peak cave dwelling, Wang Ping sat quietly before the Spirit Plant Garden, gazing at that Jian Mu seed.

The green sprouts were still lush and verdant, the two tender leaves swaying slightly, the nebula of chaos in their veins flowing endlessly. But Wang Ping could clearly sense it was more active than when he left. That strand of fused Taiyin Hántide seemed to have stimulated its growth—the leaf edges faintly revealed a trace of extremely pale azure pattern, something never seen before.

"Indeed, extreme environments benefit you as well." Wang Ping's fingertip lightly touched the leaf, transmitting a strand of gentle divine thought.

The Jian Mu seed swayed slightly, as if responding.

At this moment, the Chaos Star Command at his waist trembled slightly, a golden seal insignia projecting outward——another urgent summons from his master Jiang Mingyuan.

Wang Ping's brows furrowed slightly, but he was not surprised.

The struggle for the Xuan Po core, the simultaneous appearance of Netherworld and Silver Radiance, those captured puppet remnants and death-energy samples……once this news returned to the Alliance, it would inevitably trigger greater upheaval.

He did not delay, carefully storing the Jian Mu seed into his dantian, tidying his robes, and transformed into a gray escape light, shooting straight toward Ming Dao Peak.

Ming Dao Peak, Jia Yi Secret Hall.

The hall doors closed silently as Wang Ping stepped inside. He glanced around, discovering today's formation far surpassed any previous occasion.

In the hall's center, that enormous Warm Spirit Wood desk had been put away, replaced by a circular conference table temporarily constructed from materials of a nine-tier formation. Thirteen seats were set upon it, nine already occupied.

On the main seat sat an old man Wang Ping had never seen before. His beard and hair were all white, his face gaunt, clad in a deep purple Dao robe covered with patterns of the Zhou Tian stars, his aura immeasurably deep——he had clearly reached late-stage Unity, even stronger than his master Jiang Mingyuan by a notch. When his eyes opened and closed, it seemed as if countless stars were born and extinguished, making one dare not stare directly.

To the old man's left was Jiang Mingyuan. His master still wore a deep gray Dao robe, his expression沉凝, and upon seeing Wang Ping enter, he gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

To the right was an old man Wang Ping knew——the Deputy Pavilion Master of Wanxiang Pavilion, Tianji Zi. This great adept of divination and calculation was now closing his eyes, focusing, his fingers constantly calculating, starlight flickering uncertainly around his body.

Further to both sides sat four men and one woman, all with deep auras and wearing different attire, cultivators. Though Wang Ping did not know them, from their沉凝 bearing and the occasional gleam of sharpness in their eyes, he judged they were at least core figures of the major powers, their cultivation all at Unity stage or above.

But the most eye-catching was the area outside the circular conference table, where two……projections floated in midair.

They were two nearly transparent humanoid light-shadows condensed from pure law power. One was a deep profound black, faintly showing flowing spatial undulations; the other was a blazing gold-red, its scorching aura even through the projection causing the temperature of the entire secret hall to rise slightly.

Projections, not true bodies.

Those who could participate in such a meeting via projection across endless void must have their true selves at least at the Divine Transformation stage, and come from……other great worlds.

Wang Ping's heart jolted, yet his face remained unchanged. He walked steadily to behind Jiang Mingyuan, bowed and saluted: "Disciple Wang Ping, arrived upon summons."

Jiang Mingyuan nodded, gesturing for him to stand behind him. The old man in deep purple Dao robe on the main seat glanced lightly at Wang Ping, a fleeting trace of scrutiny in his eyes that was hard to notice, then withdrew it.

"All are present." The old man spoke, his voice aged yet full of vigor, echoing in the secret hall: "Old man Tianji Ge Zhu 'Xing Yuan Zi', entrusted by the Alliance's Highest Council to preside over this emergency meeting. Those present are all representatives of various sides, or persons directly related to this matter. Those two projections are Divine Transformation Dao friends from the 'Xuan Huang Great World' and the 'Fen Tian World', interested in this matter, thus attending via law projection."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembly:

"Let us dispense with idle talk. Dao friend Tianji Zi, please share your latest analysis with everyone."

Tianji Zi opened his eyes, gave a slight nod. He waved his hand, and a huge three-dimensional star chart slowly unfurled above the conference table.

At the center of the star chart was a region shrouded in thick mist, faintly revealing several dim stars. Along the mist's edge, countless fine silver runes flowed, forming an unimaginably vast sealing formation.

"Please observe, everyone." Tianji Zi's voice was aged yet each word clear: "From the silver-robed puppet remnants captured at Mo Yan Star, and from the Netherworld cultivators slain and one improved-type puppet destroyed in this battle at the Xuan Po Abyss in the Northern Realm, Wanxiang Pavilion jointly with the 'Xun Tian Si', 'Zhen Fa Dian', and seven other institutions, working day and night, finally extracted from them a series of scattered but extremely crucial coordinate information and memory fragments."

He lightly pointed his finger, and the mist on the star chart gradually receded by one layer, revealing a clearer outline of the starfield within.

"The coordinates point——to here."

A crimson light point lit up at the center of the star chart.

"This place lies at the junction of the Southeast, Northwest, and Central great star domains of the Spirit Realm, a 'Law Disruption Band' that has long been shrouded by ancient formations, impenetrable by conventional detection methods. The Xun Tian Si searched through millions of years of archives and found that as early as the Primordial Era, this place had a record——'Law Corridor'."

As the four words "Law Corridor" were spoken, the hall immediately buzzed with low discussion. The two projections also flickered slightly, obviously listening intently.

Tianji Zi continued: "According to surviving classic records, the 'Law Corridor' was built by an ancient civilization called the 'Wan Xiang Guan Xing Zhe' during the Primordial Era. This civilization was neither human, nor demon, nor any known race; its members took 'observation', 'recording', and 'deduction' of the laws of all heavens and myriad worlds as their duty, participating in no conflicts, transcending the mundane."

"However, at the end of the Primordial Era, an unknown catastrophe swept across all heavens, and the 'Wan Xiang Guan Xing Zhe' vanished without a trace overnight, their remains also concealed by powerful formations, disappearing from the river of history thereafter. Later generations have sent several expeditions to seek it, all returning empty-handed."

Tianji Zi paused, his voice becoming even more solemn:

"Yet from the information we have parsed this time, we have discovered three key points."

"First, both the Netherworld clan and the Silver Radiance Council are seeking the 'Law Corridor'. Their memory fragments repeatedly show phrases like 'the Seed of Gui Xu needs law verification', 'the Guiding Light needs coordinate calibration', 'Silver Radiance Council decree: prioritize locating the corridor entrance', etc."

"Second, the 'Law Corridor' likely preserves the complete records left by the 'Wan Xiang Guan Xing Zhe' concerning the laws of all heavens and myriad worlds. Within these, perhaps——"

He swept his gaze across the hall, speaking slowly and deliberately:

"The origin, characteristics, and... countermeasures of the 'Chaos Primal Source'."

The hall fell into instant silence.

The fluctuations of the two projections suddenly intensified, and a low voice emerged from the dark black light and shadow: "Is this true?"

Tianjizi looked at the projection, shaking his head slightly: "Cannot be one hundred percent certain. But according to information from the remaining memory fragments, the 'Myriad Phenomena Stargazers' once conducted long-term observation and recording of 'High-Dimensional Disasters', and the 'Chaos Primal Source' is very likely one of the 'High-Dimensional Disasters' they recorded."

"Third," he continued, "in the core of the Silver Radiance Puppet, we also parsed a term—'Purification Court'."

"Purification Court?" Xingyuanzi frowned slightly.

"Yes." Tianjizi raised his hand, and on the star map appeared a line of ancient symbols belonging to no known writing system, which was then translated into the universal language of the Spirit Realm: "This seems to be a higher decision-making body of the Silver Radiance Council, or perhaps the true controllers behind it. In the puppet's memory, there is such an instruction—'Purification Court Order: Any information involving the Chaos Primal Source must be reported immediately. Anyone attempting to obtain such information shall be executed without exception.'"

The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly solemn.

Xingyuanzi pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly: "Based on the above information, the Alliance High Council has concluded after deliberation—that the 'Law Corridor' is very likely the key to unraveling many current mysteries. It may contain methods to counter the 'Chaos', or perhaps the true purpose of the 'Purification Court' and the Silver Radiance Council, and may even relate to the safety of all realms."

His eyes flashed like lightning as he swept over everyone present:

"Therefore, the Council has decided—to form an elite expedition team, to immediately proceed to the 'Law Corridor', investigate the ruins, and obtain records."

"The team should not be too large, to avoid drawing unnecessary attention or triggering the ruins' restrictions. Tentatively six members, needing to include high-level cultivators from different systems to cope with possible various law trials within the corridor."

He turned to Jiang Mingyuan: "Dean Jiang, do you have suitable candidates?"

Jiang Mingyuan nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Wang Ping: "My worthless disciple Wang Ping, inheritor of the Chaos Legacy, also versed in Taiyin, Jièmiè, Order, and multiple other laws, and having faced the Netherworld and Silver Radiance head-on twice, rich in experience. He can serve as one."

Xingyuanzi nodded, then turned toward the other representatives.

A middle-aged cultivator in a cyan sword robe, his aura sharp as a sword, spoke in a deep voice: "I am Cangxuan, the current top pride of the Tiancang Clan, late Nascent Soul, my sword Dao has reached the 'Sword of Laws' realm, and can be of use. He once fought side by side with Wang Ping in the Qingming Heavenly Domain, with seamless coordination."

Another cultivator, clad in seven-colored feather robes, her face stunningly beautiful yet carrying an air of detachment, spoke softly: "Yuliuli of the Luoxian Clan, late Nascent Soul, her Divine Soul through Music Dao has reached the 'Divine Music Enters the Soul' realm, and can also join. She likewise participated in the Qingming Heavenly Domain expedition, coordinating seamlessly with Wang Ping and Cangxuan."

Xingyuanzi nodded, then looked toward the other seats.

An elder in a yellowish-brown long robe, his face ancient and simple, beard and hair like rocks, spoke: "Since we need a formation master, I recommend 'Tianyuan Shangren'. This old man, though only at Nascent Soul Great Perfection, in the field of ancient formations, few in the present age can match him—no more than can be counted on one hand. Moreover, he is skilled in deduction and can be of great use."

Another, a burly man with bare arms, his ancient bronze skin covered in strange markings, grinned: "Since we need to face various law trials, then this old Stone will join the fun. 'Moving Mountain Old Ancestor', Nascent Soul Great Perfection, his fleshly body can traverse the void, able to withstand and strike, best suited for scouting ahead."

Lastly, there was the woman seated in the corner, wearing plain white palace attire, her face alluring yet carrying a hint of languid air. She gently fanned herself with a fan woven from unknown feathers, her eyes glancing about, carrying a hint of clever liveliness.

"I am unworthy, but favored by your esteem, so I count as one." Her voice was soft and sweet, yet inexplicably carried a flavor that made one dare not underestimate her, "Fox Spirit Clan, 'Fox Spirit Lady'. Nascent Soul Great Perfection, skilled in perception, illusion, and... some petty tricks not fit for the table. If encountering strange and unfathomable matters, perhaps I can be of use."

Xingyuanzi swept his gaze over these nominees, nodding slightly:

"Wang Ping (Way of Chaos, combat experience), Cangxuan (Sword Dao breaks laws), Yuliuli (Music Divine Soul), Tianyuan Shangren (Formation deduction), Moving Mountain Old Ancestor (Fleshly defense), Fox Spirit Lady (Perception illusion)... six persons each with their strengths, the combination is reasonable. Any objections?"

The people in the hall pondered for a moment, all shaking their heads to indicate approval.

Xingyuanzi looked at the two projections: "Esteemed Dao friends, any additions?"

From the dark black light and shadow came a low voice: "These six are acceptable. But I remind you—Law Corridor, dangerous and unknown. If encountering irresistible force, retreat decisively, do not make meaningless sacrifices. The Alliance should prepare at least three sets of response and retreat plans."

The crimson-gold light and shadow also spoke for the first time, voice blazing like molten lava: "I also have no objections. If needed, the Blazing Heaven World can provide a batch of 'Blazing Heaven Fire Essence', to break through some extreme ice seals or order seals."

Xingyuanzi nodded: "Many thanks to you two. Then it is so decided."

He turned to Jiang Mingyuan and others: "After you return, immediately notify your nominated persons to make preparations. Three days later, gather at the 'Void Hall' of the Ninth Dao Institute for departure. At that time, the Patrol Heaven Bureau will provide the latest star maps and 'Boundary-Breaking Talismans' to counter possible spatial seals."

He paused, his gaze falling on Wang Ping, speaking to him directly for the first time:

"Young friend Wang Ping, though you are not the leader this time, among these six, only you have clashed most with the Netherworld and Silver Radiance, having personal insight into both 'Chaos' and 'Order'. At critical moments, your judgment may be more important than any cultivation level. Hope you do not disappoint the trust placed in you."

Wang Ping clasped his hands: "This junior will surely exert his utmost effort."

Xingyuanzi nodded slightly, sweeping his gaze over the hall:

"If there is nothing else, the meeting is adjourned."

Three days later, Ninth Dao Institute, Void Hall.

This hall, dedicated to ultra-long-distance transmission, today had exceptionally strict defenses. Three layers of restrictions fully activated, twelve Nascent Soul attendants stationed around the four sides, any rustle of wind or grass would be detected immediately.

In the center of the hall, a giant transmission array over twenty zhang in diameter emitted a stable silver-white light. The array diagram was composed of countless fine runes, its edges inlaid with ninety-nine eighty-one supreme Void Dark Stones, each worth a fortune.

Before the array, six figures had already arrived.

Wang Ping still wore his ink-green Dao robe, hands behind his back. At his side was a familiar figure sharp as a sword—Cangxuan. This top pride of the Tiancang Clan, compared to the last meeting, his sharpness was more inwardly restrained, but when his eyes opened and closed, faint traces of law flow could be seen, obviously having advanced further in sword Dao.

"Wang Brother." Cangxuan clasped his hands, as always concise, but on his usually stern face, a rare hint of a smile appeared.

"Cangxuan Brother." Wang Ping returned the salute, his eyes also carrying the joy of reunion after a long separation.

On another side, a figure ethereal as an immortal drifted over. Yuliuli today wore a light green Liuxian dress, a jade hairpin askew in her hair, her body surrounded by a faint trace of immortal sound Dao rhythm. Seeing Wang Ping, her beautiful eyes flashed with a hint of delight, she nodded slightly:

"Wang Ping Daoist, long time no see."

"Yuliuli Fairy." Wang Ping returned the salute.

After the three exchanged a few words, the other three figures arrived one after another.

First, was an old man in a moon-white Dao robe, beard and hair all white, face gaunt. He held a whisk, its threads made of some silver metal refined, each thread flashing with faint formation pattern light. Exactly Tianyuan Shangren.

His steps were steady, his aura inwardly restrained, those eyes calm as an ancient well, yet seeming able to see through all formation falseness.

Second, was a burly man with bare upper body, wearing only an animal hide waistcoat. His ancient bronze skin bore those strange markings, now faintly glowing, emitting a heavy aura like mountains. Exactly Moving Mountain Old Ancestor.

He strode forward, each step causing the ground to tremble slightly, he grinned and shouted in a voice like a great bell: "Old Stone has come! Which one is Young Brother Wang Ping? Let me take a look, what's so special about the person Dean Jiang personally named?"

Wang Ping clasped his hands: "Moving Mountain Senior overpraises me, this junior Wang Ping."

Moving Mountain Old Ancestor looked him up and down, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes: "Not bad, not bad, solid foundation, inwardly restrained aura, a fighter!"

Lastly, she arrived late.

A figure in plain white, like a night-blooming cereus quietly blossoming under moonlight, appeared soundlessly at the edge of the transmission array. Exactly the Fox Spirit Lady.

Today she changed into a simpler white dress, the hem embroidered with a few barely visible silver fox patterns, her waist tied with a cord made of tiny fox tails. She still gently fanned herself with that fan, her eyes glancing about, carrying a hint of languidness and cleverness.

"Ah, I have come late, making everyone wait." Her voice soft and sweet, yet inexplicably carrying a hint of allure, "On the road I met a blind little demon, casually dealt with it, causing a slight delay."

Her gaze swept over the five present, lingering slightly on Wang Ping, a hint of extremely faint, thoughtful light flashing in her eyes, then she moved her gaze away.

The six gathered together.

Beside the transmission array, the Patrol Heaven Bureau official in charge of this operation stepped forward, handing over the six specially made 'Boundary-Breaking Talismans' and a jade slip loaded with the latest star map, one by one to each of the six persons.

"Everyone, this talisman can forcibly tear open a rift in a spatial blockade for escape or ambush. Each person gets only one—use it wisely." The steward said in a deep voice, "The star chart has marked the general area of the 'Law Corridor' entrance, but the mist is thick; the exact location must be found by you upon arrival. Remember, once you enter that star region, contact with the outside world will become extremely unstable, possibly even completely severed. If there is no word within seven days, the Alliance will activate the second plan."

Tianyan Shangren took the jade slip, extended his spiritual sense into it, studied it carefully for a moment, and nodded slightly: "The formation is indeed ancient, but not without traces. I have seventy percent confidence I can find the way in and out."

Xianyuanzi and Jiang Mingyuan, among others, now appeared outside the hall, watching this scene.

Jiang Mingyuan's gaze fell upon Wang Ping, he gave a slight nod, said nothing more, but the expectation and entrustment in his eyes needed no words.

Xianyuanzi then said in a deep voice: "Everyone, this journey is perilous, far beyond any previous secret realm. The Alliance can provide only this much. The rest depends on you. Remember, if the task cannot be done, preserving life comes first. Only by returning alive do you have the right to speak of the future."

The six responded in unison.

The light of the teleportation array grew ever brighter, silver-white spatial ripples spreading like tidewater, layer upon layer.

Wang Ping took one last look at his master outside the hall, at the familiar Daoist academy scenery, then turned around, his gaze falling upon the silver light gate about to open, leading to the unknown star region.

At his side, the Cangxuan sword qi stood sharp and clear; the Yuliuli immortal melody lingered; Tianyan Shangren's horsetail whisk swayed lightly; the Mountain-Moving Old Ancestor rubbed his fists and palms; the Xianhu Lady's eyes flashed with a cunning yet profound light.

The six figures stepped into the teleportation array simultaneously.

Silver light surged, swallowing everything.

When the light faded, the Void Hall was empty of anyone.

Only the lingering spatial disturbance remained, slowly rippling back and forth, as if speaking of yet another journey now begun.

Jiang Mingyuan stood with hands clasped behind his back outside the hall, watching the fading light of the teleportation array, silent for a long time.

After a long while, he let out a soft sigh, turned, and departed.

His silhouette stretched long and long in the lingering glow of the setting sun.

And in the distant, mist-shrouded unknown star region, six streaks of light pierced the void, racing toward the ancient relics said in legend to hold the mysteries of heavenly laws.

The Law Corridor, silently awaiting arrivals.

And the scales of fate, about to tilt once more.