The terrifying sword intent that descended from Sect Master Tongtian was not a tangible attack, but a thought condensed to the extreme, containing the origin of the supreme Heaven-Severing Sword Dao!
It ignored all of Xuanwei's defenses and slashed directly into the depths of his sea of consciousness, striking the Chaos Bead fragment that had remained dormant all this time with flawless precision!
"Buzz—!!!"
Stimulated by the foreign sword intent, the Chaos Bead fragment instantly erupted with unprecedented resistance! The murky Chaos Qi churned like an enraged beast, wildly trying to grind away and devour the sword intent! His entire sea of consciousness shook violently, and Xuanwei felt as though the aftershocks of the collision between these two supreme powers were about to tear his awareness to pieces!
Master! Terror filled his heart as he could not understand why Sect Master Tongtian had suddenly attacked him! Could it be that an extraordinary treasure like the Chaos Bead could not be tolerated in a Saint's eyes?
Yet the scene he had expected, of the Chaos Bead being shattered or taken away, did not occur.
Although that Heaven-Severing Sword Intent was incomparably sharp, it carried no destructive nature. Like the most skilled craftsman, it used the supreme Sword Dao as a hammer and the Chaos Bead as a blank, carrying out a profoundly mysterious "tempering"!
With every slash, the sword intent precisely removed the unstable, chaotic strands of law produced by the Chaos Bead fragment's incompleteness, severing its impurities and baleful energy! At the same time, the supreme Dao Rhyme within the sword intent, that "seizing a thread of life," seeped into the Chaos Bead's core origin like sweet rain. It guided those shattered fragments of law to slowly reorganize and mend themselves in a more orderly fashion, one more aligned with the origin of the Great Dao!
To Xuanwei, this process was undoubtedly hellish torment! His sea of consciousness had become the battlefield of two "great powers," and every collision caused him unbearable agony. His immortal energy body trembled violently outside, its radiance flickering erratically as though it could collapse at any moment. All the disciples in the plaza stared in stunned disbelief. They could not understand why their junior brother had suddenly become so pained, much less what Sect Master Tongtian intended by this.
The San Xiao sisters looked especially anxious and worried. Bixiao even could not help rising to her feet, only for Yunxiao to sternly stop her with a look.
[Warning! The Chaos Bead core has encountered high-intensity external intervention!] [Analysis: Target energy is Saint-level Sword Dao origin. Nature: non-destructive tempering and guidance!] [The unstable structure within the Chaos Bead fragment is being removed. Core law fragments are reorganizing... Repair level is being forcibly increased!] [Warning! The repair process is generating an immense energy burden. The host's sea of consciousness and origin are about to overload and collapse!]
The system notifications rang out with extreme urgency. Amid his excruciating pain, Xuanwei caught the crucial information—tempering! Guidance! Repair!
Master Tongtian was not destroying the treasure. He was helping him! In this incomparably domineering way, he was forcibly increasing the Chaos Bead's completeness!
He instantly understood. Sect Master Tongtian had seen that he possessed a strange treasure yet found it difficult to control, and that it might even harm him in turn. Thus, he had acted, using a Saint's power to "polish" this supreme treasure for him! It was an unconventional reward and form of protection!
Having understood this, all fear vanished from Xuanwei's heart, replaced by indescribable gratitude and shock. He stopped resisting and instead opened his mind completely, circulating the Supreme Pure Immortal Method and the Chaos Heaven-Opening Art with all his strength. He guided his immortal energy and the origins of Wu Earth and Yi Wood to endure and adapt to the aftershocks of the tempering, while trying to absorb the countless times purer Chaos Dao Rhyme that spilled forth!
This was a tremendous gamble! If he endured it, the world would open before him! If he failed, both body and soul would be destroyed!
"Aaaah—!" The agony nearly forced a scream from him, but he clenched his teeth and held it back. His immortal energy body twisted and warped above the plaza, yet stubbornly remained intact. Under the sword intent's tempering, the azure, yellow, and chaotic radiance instead became purer and more thoroughly fused!
No one knew how long passed. It seemed like only an instant, yet also like ten million years.
The terrifying Heaven-Severing Sword Intent suddenly withdrew, as though it had never appeared.
The Chaos Bead fragment in Xuanwei's sea of consciousness had completely changed! Its former dull gray appearance, covered in fine cracks, had vanished. In its place was a treasure pearl about the size of a pigeon egg, perfectly round, its color as deep as chaos itself. Countless fine Dao patterns flowed naturally across its surface! Though he could still sense that it was incomplete, the aura it emitted was more than ten times stronger than before! More stable, more restrained, and more profound!
[Chaos Bead (Fragment) repair level greatly increased! Current repair level: 5%!] [New function unlocked: Primary Chaos Domain (Can deploy a Chaos Domain with a diameter of ten zhang. Within the domain, laws are distorted, perception is blocked, enemy divine abilities are weakened, and the host is enhanced. Duration and effects depend on the host's cultivation and energy.)] [New function unlocked: Mustard Seed Space (Internal space expanded to a diameter of five li. Can store living creatures. Time flow can be adjusted up to 1:15.)] [The host has successfully endured Saint-level tempering. Willpower and origin resilience greatly increased! Innate potential has slightly evolved!] [Energy level increased to 55%! Cultivation stabilized at the peak of the early Celestial Immortal realm!]
An unprecedented sense of power surged through him! Xuanwei felt as though his immortal energy body had undergone a rebirth-like baptism. Not only had his injuries completely healed and his cultivation advanced, but more importantly, his control over the Chaos Bead had reached a new level! The "Primary Chaos Domain" and expanded "Mustard Seed Space" were undoubtedly two powerful trump cards!
He slowly opened his "eyes." His aura was harmonious and restrained, and all three colors of radiance withdrew into his body. Only his gaze—the focus of his thoughts—became deeper and brighter. He bowed deeply toward the cloud dais. "This disciple, Xuanwei, thanks Master for the grace of tempering my treasure! I will not disappoint Master's great expectations. I will cultivate diligently without cease and bring glory to our lineage!"
The plaza fell silent. Everyone could sense that this junior brother's aura was utterly different from before the lecture! It carried an indescribable weight and mystery!
A hint of satisfaction rippled through Sect Master Tongtian's vast consciousness. "Good. The treasure's grade has risen, but the heart that commands it must not grow lax. This matter is concluded. You may all disperse."
With a flash of azure light, Sect Master Tongtian's figure vanished.
Only then did a huge uproar erupt across the plaza!
"Was that... Master personally tempering Junior Brother Xuanwei's magic treasure?!"
"What kind of treasure could actually prompt Master to act?"
"Junior Brother Xuanwei's aura... how terrifying!"
"This boy has truly soared to the heavens!"
Envy, jealousy, amazement, attempts at friendship... all kinds of voices rang out without end. Many Interception Sect disciples now looked at Xuanwei with unmistakable awe.
The San Xiao sisters also flew over.
Bixiao patted her chest, still shaken. "You scared me to death! I thought Master was going to... I never expected it to be such an opportunity! Junior Brother Xuanwei, your luck is just too good!"
Qiongxiao's eyes shone as she smiled gently. "Congratulations, Junior Brother. Master personally tempered your treasure, and your cultivation has greatly advanced."
Yunxiao still wore her cool expression, but the appreciation in her gaze toward Xuanwei had grown stronger. She nodded slightly. "Master's actions carry profound meaning. Conduct yourself well."
Xuanwei thanked his three senior sisters again, his gratitude toward Tongtian beyond measure. He knew that after today, his position within the Interception Sect would be completely secure. No one would dare look down on him because of his innate foundation again.
However, he could also clearly feel that cold, venomous, utterly hateful gaze coming from the Chan Sect's area—Lingxiao.
Xuanwei sneered inwardly. His strength had greatly improved, and he had gained new functions from the Chaos Bead. Why would he fear Lingxiao now? If Lingxiao dared provoke him again, he would make him taste the might of the Chaos Domain!
As the crowd dispersed, Xuanwei was preparing to return to the Medicine Garden and properly familiarize himself with the enhanced Chaos Bead and his newly acquired power when a voice called out to him.
"Junior Brother Xuanwei, please wait."
Xuanwei turned around and saw Daoist Duobao standing behind him at some unknown moment.
"Senior Brother." Xuanwei respectfully saluted him.
Daoist Duobao looked at him. There was no expression on his ancient face, but his eyes were somewhat gentler than before. "Master has high expectations of you. Do not disappoint him."
"This disciple understands."
"Mm." Duobao nodded, then changed the subject. "You have now advanced to the Celestial Immortal realm, and Master has tempered your treasure. You may be considered to have truly entered the sect. According to the sect's rules, you may enter the upper levels of the Myriad Laws Tower and select one divine ability or secret art to cultivate. In addition..."
He paused and took out a silver talisman that emitted faint spatial ripples, handing it to Xuanwei.
"This is a Minor Void Shifting Talisman. Once activated, it can instantly carry you ten thousand li away, ignoring most spatial seals. It is an item for preserving your life. I grant it to you and hope you use it well."
Xuanwei's heart jolted. This was a life-saving talisman far superior to an Evasion Talisman! It was priceless! He hurriedly accepted it. "Thank you for your generous gift, Senior Brother!"
Duobao waved a hand, and his figure slowly faded away. "Cultivate well. The tribulation is approaching. Make preparations early."
The tribulation was approaching...
Duobao's final words rang through Xuanwei's heart like an alarm bell. He understood that this referred to the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods that would sweep across the Primordial World!
Holding the Minor Void Shifting Talisman and sensing the renewed Chaos Bead in his sea of consciousness, Xuanwei took a deep breath, his gaze turning resolute.
Strength! He needed greater strength! Not only to protect himself, but also to change that predetermined tragic fate!
He turned around and walked without hesitation toward the Myriad Laws Tower, where the Interception Sect stored its more profound scriptures.
However, just as he entered the Myriad Laws Tower and prepared to select a powerful offensive divine ability, the communication jade talisman from Duobao in his robes suddenly grew warm. An urgent message entered his mind:
"Return to the Medicine Garden at once! Something has happened! An extraordinary treasure's aura seems to be leaking from beneath your Medicine Garden, stirring the earth veins!"
Xuanwei's expression changed drastically!
Beneath the Medicine Garden? An extraordinary treasure's aura? His first thought was the spirit pool, as well as the passage at its bottom leading to the mysterious space where the Chaos Bead had first been found!
Could it be... that something had gone wrong there again? Or had the Chaos Bead's tempering and enhancement triggered some chain reaction?
He no longer cared about choosing a divine ability. Transforming into a streak of light, he sped toward the Medicine Garden on the rear mountain!
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