Chapter 471: Council Split, the Second Heaven and Earth Origin Fragment

Lin Xuan let out a long breath and released his control over Bing Gong. After the fierce battle, Bing Gong was in a state of disarray, with cracked ice layers and ice shards everywhere. The Beibing Shizhe had lost seven or eight Bingyan Shou, and the remaining ones were also mostly injured. Fortunately, Xiao Yuan was safe and sound, though she appeared somewhat exhausted from consuming a large amount of spiritual power.

"We must leave as soon as possible," the Beibing Shizhe said in a deep voice, "The Void Council will not let this go; they will return with more manpower soon."

Lin Xuan nodded: "We will set off for the second forbidden area immediately. Beibing Shizhe, will you be coming with us?"

The Beibing Shizhe shook his head: "We have become one with Han Yuan and cannot leave. But do not worry, without the Primordial Cold, this place no longer has any value to them."

Xiao Yuan asked with concern: "Then what will you do?"

"We will continue to guard this land," the Beibing Shizhe said with a firm gaze, "This is our mission. As for you, may the power of the Primordial Cold help you find the other fragments and prevent the descent of the Void Sovereign."

Lin Xuan bowed deeply to the Beibing Shizhe: "Thank you for your help and guidance. We will not betray this trust."

The Beibing Shizhe also lowered his head to show respect: "Remember, Lin Xuan, true power comes from balance, not from a single source of strength. The Primordial Cold has already recognized you; it will protect you on your journey."

After bidding farewell to the Beibing Shizhe and the pack of Bingyan Shou, Lin Xuan and Xiao Yuan returned along the path they had come. With the blessing of the Primordial Cold, the extreme cold environment of Han Yuan no longer posed a threat to Lin Xuan; he could even travel safely with Xiao Yuan without using a protective barrier.

When they finally returned to the surface, the five Nascent Soul experts immediately came to meet them. Seeing the change in Lin Xuan's aura, everyone showed expressions of surprise.

"Did you succeed?" the team leader asked.

Lin Xuan nodded and briefly described his experience in Bing Gong and the ambush by the Void Council: "They will return with more manpower soon; we must leave immediately."

"The destination is...?"

"Wu Xiang Yan Gu," Lin Xuan said with a firm gaze, "The place where the second Heaven and Earth Origin fragment is located."

The offensive of the Void Believers became increasingly fierce. Although Lin Xuan held the upper hand by relying on the power of the Primordial Cold, he also began to feel the strain. Xiao Yuan and the Beibing Shizhe led the Bingyan Shou pack to engage the enemy on the other side, and the battle was equally intense.

"Xiao Yuan, watch your back!" Lin Xuan suddenly sensed a cold aura and shouted out loud.

Xiao Yuan turned around in a hurry upon hearing this, but it was too late. A black-robed Xintu had snuck behind her at some point, with a mass of lethal Void Energy condensed in his palm, aiming directly for her vital heart. At the critical moment, a purple light suddenly swept in from the side, deflecting the black-robed Xintu's attack.

"Hmm?" Lin Xuan's gaze sharpened as he noticed that the purple light had actually come from the Void Council's camp.

During the battle, he gradually discovered more anomalies: there seemed to be internal discord within the Void Council; the attack power of some Xintu was clearly held back, and there were even a few times when their attack trajectories seemed to deliberately avoid vital points.

"Interesting," Lin Xuan thought to himself, "It seems the Void Council is not of one mind."

The leader, Great Elder Muerxiu, sensed the anomaly and shouted angrily: "Helian Zigui! What are you doing? Focus on the fight!"

The man called Helian Zigui was a tall, slender middle-aged man with a purple mark on his forehead as well, but his aura was much gentler than that of the other Void Believers. He nodded expressionlessly, yet his hand movements still appeared reserved.

Lin Xuan seized the opportunity; taking advantage of Muerxiu's distraction, he unleashed the power of the Primordial Cold, instantly lowering the surrounding temperature to the limit. Ice crystals rose from the ground one after another, attacking Muerxiu like countless sharp blades.

"Damn it!" Muerxiu barely managed to put up a defense, but he was still grazed by several ice blades; his dharma robe was torn in several places, revealing the wounds underneath.

Just as Lin Xuan was preparing to press his advantage, an unexpected turn of events occurred. Helian Zigui suddenly flashed in front of Muerxiu, blocking Lin Xuan's attack. But to everyone's surprise, he did not immediately counterattack, but instead turned to face Muerxiu.

"Muerxiu, that's enough!" Helian Zigui's voice was steady and firm, "Our internal differences can no longer be reconciled; let's have a showdown here today."

The battle in Bing Gong suddenly came to a standstill, and both sides were stunned by this sudden turn of events. Muerxiu's face was gloomy, his gaze like a knife: "Helian Zigui, are you going to betray the Council?"

"It is not betrayal, but a return to the original intent of the Council's establishment." Helian Zigui looked around and raised his voice, "The Eternal Void Council has already split into two camps: the 'Awakening Sect' and the 'Balance Sect'. The Awakening Sect is obsessed with awakening the Void Sovereign and restoring the dominance of Void Power; while we, the Balance Sect, agree with the philosophy of balance between void and reality, hoping to find a way for the two powers to coexist harmoniously."

"Heresy!" Muerxiu was furious, "The only meaning of the Council's existence is to restore the glory of the Void! Balance? That would only keep Void Power forever subordinate to Nature energy!"

"You are wrong," Helian Zigui shook his head, "The essence of the universe's existence is balance. Leaning too far towards either side will lead to destruction."

Lin Xuan and Xiao Yuan looked at each other, both seeing shock in the other's eyes. They had never imagined that such a serious division already existed within the Void Council.

Muerxiu sneered: "A fine 'Balance Sect', today I will purge the house!" With that, he struck out violently, and a purple-black energy pillar headed straight for Helian Zigui.

Helian Zigui remained calm and unhurried; his right hand traced a strange arc, and the purple-black energy pillar actually disintegrated automatically upon touching his front, turning into countless tiny energy particles that dissipated into the air.

"You forgot, in the application of Void Power, no one in the Council can surpass my right hand." Helian Zigui's tone was calm, "Muerxiu, take your people and leave; let today's matter end here."

Muerxiu's expression changed several times before he finally waved his hand: "Retreat!" The Void Believers took to the air one after another and flew toward the crack at the top of Bing Gong. Before leaving, Muerxiu stared viciously at Lin Xuan: "Kid, we will meet again!"

After the enemies left, Helian Zigui turned to Lin Xuan and Xiao Yuan and bowed slightly: "Apologies for letting you encounter such danger."

Lin Xuan put away his Long Sword and asked vigilantly: "Who exactly are you? Why help us?"

"As I said, I am a representative of the 'Balance Sect' of the Eternal Void Council, Helian Zigui." He answered candidly, "As for why I helped you, it is because I saw hope—the Void Power and Nature energy flowing in your body simultaneously, as well as your comprehension of the Primordial Cold, all prove that balance is possible."

Xiao Yuan asked curiously: "You just mentioned the 'Balance Sect' and the 'Awakening Sect'; how long has the disagreement between these two factions lasted?"

"Thousands of years," Helian Zigui sighed, "But recently the differences have grown larger, almost to the point of being irreconcilable."