Storm Approaches, Eve of the Sea of Falling Stars Opening

After easily (physically) resolving the Wang family's troubles, Li Wuyang's life in the Spiritual Stream Realm became even more comfortable. The Qingyun Sect treated him like an ancestor, granting him access to any resources he desired (though he didn't care for them), and no one dared to bother him. Consequently, the Qingyun Sect's status also rose significantly, with both the Hundred Herbs Valley and Tiangong Workshop becoming much 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 and practice several practical minor Spiritual Powers from the Huang Ting Jing (though the success rate was still disheartening). He also studied the bronze fragment he'd acquired at auction and the "Breathing Soil (Imitation)" he'd obtained when enlightening the Earth Doll.

The chaotic runes on the bronze fragment were extremely profound. He could only vaguely sense a trace of meaning related to "devour" and "chaos," which seemed to have a weak connection to the Devour Origin Core that Xuan was refining. However, its specific use remained unclear.

As for the "Breathing Soil (Imitation)," besides its ability to automatically condense earth spiritual energy and promote plant growth, Li Wuyang discovered another useful application: it could slowly repair magic tools that were not severely damaged. He tossed a damaged low-grade spiritual tool, "earned" from the Wang family, into it. A few days later, when he retrieved it, the cracks had mostly healed! While it was far from the true Breathing Soil's ability to create all things, it was still an unexpected bonus.

The Earth Doll remained a source of joy and a creator of trouble. With his "help," a small patch of strange flowers and exotic plants had inexplicably sprouted around Li Wuyang's cave dwelling. Various small earth-elemental sprites also frequently visited, turning the cave into something resembling a zoo.

Xuan's injuries had completely recovered, and the refinement of the Devour Origin Core had made initial progress. Her aura became even deeper and more restrained, with occasional glimmers of annihilation that made Li Wuyang's heart palpitate. She still spoke little, but she didn't seem to reject the "peaceful" environment of the Spiritual Stream Realm. Occasionally, she would leave the cave dwelling, her destination unknown, but she always returned on time.

Peaceful days always passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, the three-year deadline was approaching.

One day, Qingyunzi visited again, his expression grave.

"Fellow Daoist Li, the passage to the Sea of Falling Stars will open in half a month at Three Realms Mountain!" Qingyunzi delivered important news. "According to Tiangong Workshop's observations, the spatial fluctuations within the star sea are unusually violent this time. It is rumored that rare treasures may appear, but this also comes with greater risks. The three major powers have reached an agreement to send a team of elites each. If you are interested, you can travel with our sect's team."

Li Wuyang's eyes lit up. Finally, the day had arrived! The Sea of Falling Stars, a buffer zone connecting to the Primordial World, chaotic relics, scattered companions... all clues seemed to point there!

"Go! Of course, I'll go!" Li Wuyang said without hesitation. "Who are you sending?"

Qingyunzi replied, "I will lead the team personally, accompanied by two elders in the late Golden Core stage and ten elite disciples in the late Foundation Establishment stage. Han Li is among them." He paused and asked cautiously, "Is Senior Xuan... also going?"

Li Wuyang looked at Xuan. Xuan opened her eyes and said faintly, "Yes."

With Xuan, a super-powered ally, accompanying them, safety increased greatly! Li Wuyang felt completely reassured.

Over the next half month, the Qingyun Sect prepared busily. Li Wuyang also made some preparations, mainly organizing the contents of his Void-Concealing Pouch and packing what he needed. He even specifically used the "Breathing Soil (Imitation)" to repair several damaged low-grade magic tools from the Primordial World, which were considered "antiques" in the Spiritual Stream Realm, intending to use them at critical moments to... smash people or exchange for money.

The Earth Doll heard that Li Wuyang was going on a long trip and clung to his leg, tears welling up in his pebble eyes (if mud people could cry): "Daddy... don't go..."

Li Wuyang felt a headache coming on. Taking the child would be dangerous; not taking him would mean leaving him alone (a lump of mud?).

In the end, Xuan solved the problem. Using some unknown method, she put the Earth Doll into a state of hibernation, turning him into a true clay figurine, and then casually placed him into her spatial storage.

"This is better," Xuan said faintly.

Li Wuyang breathed a sigh of relief. He still had no solution.

The night before departure, Li Wuyang stood outside his cave dwelling, gazing at the fake starry sky of the Spiritual Stream Realm, feeling a touch of emotion. Unknowingly, he had spent over three years in this low-spec version of the Primordial World. Although the spiritual energy here was flawed and the cultivators' levels were low, it had served as a decent "novice village" for him to consolidate his foundation and even gain a son (albeit a muddy one).

Tomorrow, he would embark on a new journey. What secrets did the Sea of Falling Stars hold? Could he find the path back to the Primordial World? Huaihuai, Little Fire, Yingying, Jinbao, where had you all ended up?

He touched the bronze fragment in his embrace, then looked at Xuan, who stood beside him like a painting, his heart filled with anticipation and a hint of unease.

"Whatever!" Li Wuyang shook his head, regaining his usual optimism. "The cart will find its way when it reaches the mountain, and the boat will naturally straighten when it reaches the bridge! I, Li Wuyang, am blessed with great fortune and protected by the mighty Xuan, so I will surely turn misfortune into good fortune, and perhaps even pick up a Primordial Supreme Treasure in the Sea of Falling Stars to play with!"

He turned and entered the cave dwelling, preparing to get a good night's sleep and gather his strength for the adventure tomorrow.

The winds and rains of the Spiritual Stream Realm were about to stir. But the real storm awaited him in the Sea of Falling Stars, connecting the past and the future.