Chapter 130: Chaos

Su Chen stepped forward, lightly touched the gate, a powerful surge of spiritual power came, he knew that the final challenge was imminent, and the secret behind the gate might completely change the fate trajectory of everyone on this journey.

He took a deep breath, turned to look at his weary yet resolute companions behind him, and said, "Everyone, we have endured countless hardships along the way; now, behind this door must be the ultimate secret we seek. Victory or defeat hangs on this one move—are you all ready?" The companions all rose, gripped their weapons tightly, their eyes showing unwavering resolve, and responded in unison.

Su Chen slowly pushed the gate with both hands, a vast surge of spiritual power welled from his palms, attempting to activate the runes on the gate to open this tightly sealed palace door. As the spiritual power poured in, the runes blazed brightly, like an awakened ancient beast emitting a low hum; the gate trembled and actually opened a crack. A blinding light shot from the crack, and everyone instinctively raised their hands to shield themselves.

After the light dimmed slightly, they entered single file with caution. Before them lay an extraordinarily grand hall; its vaulted ceiling hung high, inlaid with countless gems radiating various colors, like a vast starry sky; the surrounding walls were covered with mysterious murals recording the bygone ages of this enigmatic sea and island—from the primordial chaos when heaven and earth first split, to the birth and proliferation of mysterious creatures, to later struggles of various factions over the island's treasure, each scene vivid and lifelike, leaving the group unable to look away.

Yet before they could fully absorb the shocking sight, a stone platform suddenly rose in the hall's center, upon which floated a fist-sized, crystal-clear spirit pearl, within which nebulae seemed to swirl; the spiritual power it emitted caused the surrounding air to tremble.

"Could this be the legendary Chaos Spirit Pearl?" the mysterious visitor exclaimed, eyes wide, voice trembling with excitement. Rumor held that this pearl contained the pure spiritual power of the world's creation; possessing it not only helps one break through cultivation bottlenecks, but also lets one command the spiritual flow of a realm, overturning heaven and earth.

At that moment, as everyone marveled, the ground around the stone platform suddenly split, black iron chains lashed out like spirit snakes, instantly coiling around the platform layer by layer; then a huge shadow descended from the hall's ceiling. Upon closer look, it was a dragon whose body was covered in black scales and bore three heads, each head larger than the previous nine-headed snake, eyes flashing cold and ruthless light, fixed on the group as if guarding the spirit pearl, allowing no one to touch it.

Su Chen instantly sensed danger and shouted, "Be careful, this is the guardian beast! Everyone, disperse according to our previous tactics and look for its weak point!" Having said that, he rushed forward first, his long sword tracing a fierce arc, aiming straight at one of the flood dragon's heads' eyes, trying to draw its attention.

Lin Jianran likewise did not delay; with her jade hand she lightly plucked the zither strings, playing a stirring, surging melody whose sound waves turned into tangible blades that swept over the flood dragon's body, disrupting its rhythm and creating openings in its attacks. Ling'er led the disciples to scatter quickly, laying out a grand defensive formation around them to shield against the flood dragon's powerful shockwaves, while also preparing to strike opportunistically and lend support.

The flood dragon, feeling threatened, let out an earth-shaking roar; its middle head opened a blood‑filled maw and spewed a stream of black fire that instantly scorched a deep gully wherever it touched; the left head shot bolts of black lightning that crackled in the air, seemingly aiming to cut off everyone's retreat; the right head swung its thick claws, whistling wind, and lunged at Su Chen.

Su Chen flickered aside, dodging the deadly blow; his long sword scraped along the edge of the flood dragon's claw, sending up a spray of sparks but inflicting no real damage. Seeing this, the elders all unleashed their full repertoire, concentrating powerful spell light onto the dragon's neck, abdomen, and other vital points.

In an instant, the hall flickered with spiritual light; battle cries, the booming of spells, and the flood dragon's roars intertwined, shaking the entire palace to the brink of collapse. Though they exerted their utmost, the flood dragon's hide was thick and its defense formidable; their attacks merely wounded it slightly, only serving to enrage it further.

At the crucial moment, the black cat, which had been watching from the sidelines, suddenly shouted, "The scales beneath its belly are lighter in color—that should be the weak point!" Upon hearing this, Su Chen's eyes lit up; taking advantage of the flood dragon being briefly bewildered by Lin Jianran's melody, he tapped his toe lightly on the ground and, like a ghost, darted beneath the dragon's belly, infusing his long sword with all his spiritual power and viciously stabbing at those pale scales.

The flood dragon winced in pain, its massive body shuddering violently as its three heads thrashed wildly, trying to fling Su Chen off. But Su Chen gritted his teeth, gripped the sword hilt tightly, and gave a hard twist; a jet of black blood spurted out. The dragon's strength instantly waned, and its attacks grew sluggish.

Seeing the opportunity, the group's morale surged, and they launched a fiercer assault. Under their concerted effort, the flood dragon finally could not stand, crashing to the ground and kicking up a great cloud of dust.

As the flood dragon fell, the iron chains coiled around the stone platform gradually loosened. Su Chen stepped forward and carefully lifted the Chaos Spirit Pearl; as it entered his hand, a warm yet immense power instantly spread through his body, and he could clearly feel his own spiritual power surging upward rapidly.

"We did it!" the crowd cheered, having endured countless hardships, they had finally obtained the ultimate treasure of this mysterious island. At this moment, their hearts were filled with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for the future.

Su Chen gazed at the spirit pearl in his hand, then at his companions beside him, and solemnly said, "This spirit pearl is our shared spoil; its power ought not be used for personal gain alone. When we return to our homeland, we will employ it to benefit all living beings, making this world better because of us."

The companions all nodded, their eyes flashing with determined light. In the depths of this mysterious island, they not only reaped an unparalleled treasure, but also gained deep mutual affection and the belief to protect the world. Afterwards, they set off on the return journey, laden with their harvest, ready to embark on a new chapter of life.

On the return voyage, the sea remained turbulent and cloudy, yet the group's hearts were full of peace and hope; Su Chen had properly stored the Chaos Spirit Pearl, and its faint spiritual glow, like a morning star over the sea, illuminated their path forward.

Midway through the journey, the previously calm sea surface suddenly rippled strangely, and a powerful suction rose from the seabed, causing the spirit boat to shake violently as if gripped by an invisible giant hand. Su Chen's expression changed, and he shouted, "Hold steady, everyone—there may be another disturbance down below!" The companions swiftly circulated their spiritual power to reinforce the spirit boat's defenses, while Ling'er directed the disciples to maintain the formation's balance with all their strength.

Just as they braced themselves, a colossal octopus as large as a mountain burst from the water, its tentacles thick beyond compare, each covered in sharp suckers; as it waved them, the seawater churned into murky turbidity, and spray like a downpour hammered the spirit boat. Su Chen looked closely and saw that this octopus differed from the sea beasts they had encountered before; its whole body was wrapped in a layer of strange black mist, within which faint threads of dark red light glimmered, as if controlled by some evil force.

"This evil thing is surely after the Chaos Spirit Pearl!" the mysterious visitor cried out. Su Chen's eyes narrowed, gripping his long sword: "No matter who commands it, today we cannot let it succeed. Lin Jianran, use melody to disrupt its perception; Ling'er, organize the disciples to attack its tentacles and cut off its means of offense; I will seek its vital point and deliver a fatal blow!" Having said that, Su Chen flashed forward and lunged at the octopus's head.

Lin Jianran swiftly plucked the zither strings with all ten fingers; the stirring melody surged like a raging tide toward the octopus. The creature seemed affected, its movement hesitating briefly, but it soon recovered, swinging its tentacles to lash fiercely at the spirit boat. Ling'er led the disciples without fear, various spell lights bursting forth and slamming into the tentacles. However, the octopus's tentacles were extraordinarily tough; the spells left only faint marks upon them.

At the crucial moment, the black cat shouted from the bow, "The mist beneath its eyes is thinnest—that should be the vital point!" Upon hearing this, Su Chen locked his gaze on the target, infused his sword with spiritual power, turning it into a flowing light that stabbed straight beneath the octopus's eyes. The octopus winced, letting out a sharp screech; its black mist surged wildly, trying to block Su Chen's attack. But Su Chen did not yield; he thrust hard, his sword finally piercing the mist, and the octopus's body jerked rigidly, its attacks weakening as a result.

Seeing the opening, the group's morale rose, and their attacks grew ever fiercer. Under their united effort, the octopus gradually could not withstand them; its massive body slowly sank to the seabed, and the black mist dissipated with it. The companions exhaled in relief and continued on their return journey.

After several days of sailing, the outline of their homeland finally appeared on the horizon. The group's hearts brimmed with excitement, and they quickened their pace. As they neared the port, Su Chen saw a large crowd gathered on the shore, their faces anxious, as if awaiting something. Upon landing, an old man hurried over; upon seeing Su Chen and company, his eyes filled with joy and anticipation: "You've finally returned! Lately, strange sea beasts have frequently attacked the fishing villages around our homeland, causing the people great suffering; we have been hoping you could bring a turning point."

Su Chen looked at the group, his eyes full of resolve: "This is precisely the moment to use the Chaos Spirit Pearl to benefit all beings." Having said that, he produced the spirit pearl, slowly infused it with spiritual power, and the pearl's light blazed forth, illuminating the entire coastline. Su Chen and his companions joined hands, employing the pearl's power to erect a sturdy spiritual barrier along the coast to repel the sea beasts; they also went deep into the fishing villages to treat the wounded and dispel the people's fear.

Thanks to their efforts, the sea beasts' attacks gradually waned, and the fishing village returned to its former tranquility. The brave deeds of Su Chen and his companions spread far and wide, filling the people with admiration and gratitude.