Chapter 472: Headquarters Crisis, the Awakening Sect

Beibing Shizhe stepped forward and cautiously scrutinized Helian Zigui: "He truly possesses an aura different from other Void Believers; it is more... harmonious."

Lin Xuan pondered for a moment and decided to trust his intuition: "We can continue talking, but not here. Beibing Shizhe, is there any safe place?"

Beibing Shizhe led the group to a hidden cave deep within Bing Gong, where the temperature was relatively mild and there was enough space for everyone to converse comfortably. The Bingyan Shou stood guard at the entrance, alert to potential threats.

It was in this relatively safe environment that Helian Zigui revealed more inside information to Lin Xuan.

"The Eternal Void Council has existed for one hundred thousand years," he said slowly, "The original purpose of its establishment was indeed to maintain cosmic balance. The council members at that time understood the essence of Void Power and knew the importance of balance."

"But as time passed, some Elders were corrupted by power and turned to extremes. They forgot the initial philosophy and instead pursued absolute dominance of Void Power." Helian Zigui's tone carried regret, "Yage's failure only exacerbated this extreme ideology."

Lin Xuan asked: "How powerful is Muerxiu's 'Awakening Sect'?"

Helian Zigui's expression was grave: "Far more powerful than what you saw today. Behind the Awakening Sect are eight beings at the level of Void Venerables, whose cultivation has already surpassed the Nascent Soul Stage, reaching the Transformation Stage or even higher realms."

"What?" Both Lin Xuan and Xiao Yuan were shocked. The Transformation Stage was already recognized as the pinnacle of the current cultivation world, and very few Practitioners could reach this realm.

"Worse still," Helian Zigui continued, "they have already activated three ancient altars in Nanji, the Bermuda Triangle, and the depths of the Amazon, accelerating the awakening process of the Void Sovereign."

"Time is running out," Xiao Yuan said, filled with worry, "We must find the remaining Heaven and Earth Origin fragments as soon as possible."

Helian Zigui nodded: "That is precisely why I decided to stand out and help you. Although the Balance Sect is not as strong as the Awakening Sect, we have layouts in all major forbidden lands. I can provide important intelligence regarding Wu Xiang Yan Gu."

"The Heaven and Earth Origin fragment in the Yan Gu is known as the 'Hun Dun Flame', representing the vitality and power of change at the beginning of the universe, forming a complement to the Primordial Cold. Obtaining it will take your power of Void-Reality balance to the next level."

Lin Xuan's heart stirred: "Primordial Cold and Hun Dun Flame, one cold and one hot, one still and one moving, they are indeed a perfect complement."

Helian Zigui took an ancient Jade Slip from his robes and handed it to Lin Xuan: "This records the detailed terrain and entrance location of Wu Xiang Yan Gu, as well as the dangers you may encounter. The Balance Sect will clear obstacles for you as much as possible, but the core trial must be faced by yourselves."

Lin Xuan took the Jade Slip and thanked him solemnly: "I will keep today's events in my heart."

Helian Zigui smiled slightly: "No need for thanks. For the sake of the universe's balance, this is what I should do." He looked outside the cave and continued: "I must leave; the Awakening Sect will soon notice my betrayal. Future contact will be conducted through other Balance Sect members."

Before leaving, Helian Zigui left one final piece of advice: "Remember, Lin Xuan, obtaining the Heaven and Earth Origin fragments is only the first step. The true challenge lies in how to control these powers without being consumed by them. The Primordial Cold has already begun to change your constitution; this change will accelerate as you obtain more fragments. Be careful and cautious, and maintain the balance of your heart."

"I understand," Lin Xuan nodded, "I will not let power corrupt my original heart."

Helian Zigui looked at Lin Xuan with satisfaction and transformed into a streak of purple light, disappearing at the cave entrance.

Beibing Shizhe pondered for a moment and said to Lin Xuan: "The internal division of Void Power might be a turning point. But regardless, your situation remains dangerous."

"Indeed," Lin Xuan sighed, "but at least we know we are not fighting alone on this path."

Xiao Yuan looked at Lin Xuan with concern: "What should we do next?"

"Return to the Cultivation Science Headquarters first," Lin Xuan said decisively, "Share today's findings and the intelligence provided by Helian Zigui with Xu Feng and the others, then set off for Wu Xiang Yan Gu immediately. Time waits for no one; we must collect the three Heaven and Earth Origin fragments before the Awakening Sect."

Beibing Shizhe bid a solemn farewell to Lin Xuan and Xiao Yuan. This guardian of Han Yuan promised to continue monitoring the movements of the Void Council and maintain contact with the Cultivation Science Headquarters through special channels.

On the way out of Beiming Hanyuan, Lin Xuan could clearly feel the Primordial Cold within his body slowly changing his constitution. That change was not a superficial increase in power, but a deeper transformation, causing his physical structure to gradually evolve in a direction more compatible with the characteristics of the Heaven and Earth Origin.

Whenever he circulated his cultivation art, the Primordial Cold would automatically merge into his meridian cycle, purifying his energy and making the Zhuanghua of Void Power and natural energy smoother. At the same time, his control over the cold became increasingly proficient; he could even perceive temperature changes in the surrounding environment without deliberate guidance.

"This change... is both miraculous and somewhat worrying," Lin Xuan confessed to Xiao Yuan, "I feel like I am becoming some kind of unprecedented existence, between a traditional Practitioner and a vessel for the Heaven and Earth Origin."

Xiao Yuan held his hand, offering silent support: "No matter what you become, you are always Lin Xuan. As long as your heart does not change, the external form is not important."

Lin Xuan looked at her gratefully, his inner doubts slightly diminished. Yes, no matter how his power changed, as long as he held fast to his original heart, he would not lose his way.

"Next is Wu Xiang Yan Gu," Lin Xuan looked into the distance, "What kind of changes will the combination of the Primordial Cold and the Hun Dun Flame bring?"

Under the sky of the Cultivation Science Headquarters, the "Honghu" aircraft landed slowly. Lin Xuan and Xiao Yuan stood by the porthole; what should have been the joy of returning was replaced by an inexplicable sense of oppression.

"Something feels wrong," Lin Xuan frowned, "The headquarters' defensive Array is somewhat chaotic."

Xiao Yuan nodded: "I feel it too; the air is permeated with an indescribable aura of chaos."

As soon as the aircraft landed, Xu Feng hurried over with a grave expression. Without the usual pleasantries, he said briefly: "Follow me, and don't make a sound."

Lin Xuan and Xiao Yuan exchanged glances and followed Xu Feng silently. They did not take the regular route, but instead passed through a hidden path, crossing several secret doors that almost no one knew about, and finally arrived at a secret conference room deep underground at the headquarters.

Although the conference room was not large, the protection was extremely strict; the walls were engraved with Runes that blocked perception, and the air was filled with faint spiritual power fluctuations, clearly having activated multiple defensive Arrays. Several people were already waiting in the room, all core members of the Cultivation Science Headquarters, each with a face full of exhaustion and worry.