After easily resolving the Wang family's troubles—physically—Li Wuyang's life in the Spiritual Stream Realm became increasingly comfortable. Everyone in the Qingyun Sect treated him like an ancestor, letting him take whatever resources he wanted—though he had no use for them—and no one dared disturb him. The Qingyun Sect's status rose along with his, and both Hundred Herbs Valley and Tiangong Workshop became far more courteous.
Li Wuyang spent most of his time in his cave dwelling, using the relatively gentle spiritual energy of the Spiritual Stream Realm to consolidate his Earth Immortal cultivation while practicing several useful minor divine abilities from the Huang Ting Jing—though their success rates remained rather tragic. At the same time, he studied the auctioned bronze fragment and the "Breathing Soil (Fake)" he had obtained while enlightening Earth Doll.
The Chaos Runes on the bronze fragment were profoundly mysterious. He could only barely sense a trace of intent related to "devouring" and "chaos." It seemed to share a faint connection with the Devour Origin Core Xuan was refining, but its exact purpose remained unknown.
As for that clump of "Breathing Soil (Fake)," Li Wuyang discovered another marvelous use for it besides automatically gathering earth spiritual energy and nurturing plants: it could slowly repair damaged magical artifacts, provided the damage was not too severe. He tossed in a damaged low-grade spiritual artifact he had "earned" from the Wang family, and when he took it out a few days later, more than half its cracks had actually healed! It was naturally nowhere near true Breathing Soil, which could create all things, but it was still an unexpected delight.
Earth Doll remained both a source of joy and a maker of trouble. With his "help," a patch of strange flowers and exotic plants had somehow sprouted around Li Wuyang's cave dwelling. At the same time, all sorts of little earth-element spirits often came visiting, turning the place into something like a zoo.
Xuan's injuries had fully recovered, and she had made preliminary progress in refining the Devour Origin Core. Her aura had become even deeper and more restrained, and the occasional hint of annihilation she leaked made even Li Wuyang's heart tremble. She still spoke little, but she did not seem to reject the "peaceful" environment of the Spiritual Stream Realm. Sometimes she would leave the cave dwelling and disappear to parts unknown, yet she always returned on time.
Peaceful days always passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, the three-year deadline was approaching.
On this day, Qingyunzi came to visit again, his expression grave.
"Fellow Daoist Li, the passage to the Sea of Falling Stars will open at Three Realms Mountain in half a month!" Qingyunzi brought important news. "According to Tiangong Workshop's observations, the spatial fluctuations within the star sea are unusually violent this time. A rare treasure may be about to emerge, but the risks will be greater as well. The three major powers have reached an agreement. Each will send an elite team inside. If you are interested, Fellow Daoist, you may travel with our sect's team."
Li Wuyang's eyes lit up. The day had finally come! The Sea of Falling Stars, the buffer zone connected to the Primordial World, Chaos relics, his scattered companions... every clue seemed to point there!
"Go! Of course I'm going!" Li Wuyang said without hesitation. "Who are you sending?"
Qingyunzi replied, "This old man will personally lead the team. There will also be two late-stage Golden Core elders and ten elite late-stage Foundation Establishment disciples. Han Li will be among them as well." He paused, then carefully asked, "Will Senior Xuan... be accompanying us?"
Li Wuyang looked toward Xuan. Xuan opened her eyes and said flatly, "Yes."
With Xuan, this super-powered fighter, traveling with them, their safety would increase greatly! Li Wuyang finally felt at ease.
Over the next half month, the Qingyun Sect busily made preparations. Li Wuyang prepared as well, mainly by sorting through the items in his Void-Concealing Pouch and taking along what he needed. He also deliberately used the "Breathing Soil (Fake)" to repair several damaged low-grade magical treasures from the Primordial World—"antiques" in the eyes of the Spiritual Stream Realm—so he could use them at a critical moment... to smash someone or trade for money.
When Earth Doll heard that Li Wuyang was leaving on a long journey, he clung to Li Wuyang's leg and refused to let go. His pebble eyes brimmed with tears—if a mud person could cry. "Daddy... don't go..."
Li Wuyang had a headache. Bringing the kid would be dangerous, but leaving him behind alone was worrying too. Alone as a lump of mud, that was.
In the end, Xuan solved the problem. No one knew what method she used, but she put Earth Doll into a hibernation-like sleep, turning him into a genuine clay statue before casually storing him in her storage space.
"This will do," Xuan said blandly.
Li Wuyang let out a breath of relief. There was no other way.
On the night before departure, Li Wuyang stood outside the cave dwelling, gazing at the false starry sky of the Spiritual Stream Realm, feeling somewhat sentimental. Without realizing it, he had spent more than three years in this low-budget version of the Primordial World. Though the spiritual energy here was flawed and the cultivators weak, it was still a decent "beginner village." It had helped him consolidate his foundation, and he had even picked up a son for free—though the son was made of mud.
Tomorrow, he would embark on a new journey. What exactly was hidden within the Sea of Falling Stars? Could he find a path back to the Primordial World? Huaihuai, Little Fire, Yingying, Treasure-Seeking Mouse Jinbao—where had all of you ended up?
He touched the bronze fragment in his robe, then looked at Xuan standing quietly beside him, picturesque as a painting. His heart was filled with anticipation and a trace of unease.
"Whatever!" Li Wuyang shook his head, recovering his usual optimism. "When the cart reaches the mountain, there'll be a road; when the boat reaches the bridge, it'll go straight through! I, Li Wuyang, am lucky and hard to kill, and with Boss Xuan watching over me, I'll definitely turn danger into safety. Maybe I'll even pick up an innate supreme treasure in the Sea of Falling Stars to play with!"
He turned and walked into the cave dwelling, intending to get a good night's sleep, restore his energy, and welcome tomorrow's adventure.
The storms of the Spiritual Stream Realm were about to rise. And the true upheaval was still waiting for him in that Sea of Falling Stars, which connected the past and the future.
The End
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