The Phoenix Clan Elder wore a Flame Skirt. Sparks flew as its hem fluttered, and the Fire Origin around her was so dense that it had almost condensed into solid form. Her gaze was as sharp as a blade as it swept over Ao Guang and Xuan Fu before finally settling in the direction of the valley. "Ao Guang, this Spirit Vein Treasure Land—what gives your Dragon Clan the right to monopolize it?"
"Because I arrived first." Ao Guang's dragon robes billowed, while clouds formed from steaming water vapor gathered behind him. "Feng Yao, there are countless Primordial Spirit Veins in the Primordial Wilderness. Why cling to this one?"
The Kirin Clan Expert stood to the side. His ocher battle armor gleamed with a heavy luster as his gaze shifted through the Qi Vortex above the Spirit Vein. In a deep voice, he said, "The Spirit Vein was formed from the origin of the Primordial Wilderness. It doesn't belong to any one clan. Why don't the three parties split it evenly and each take what they need?"
"Split it evenly?" Feng Yao sneered, and the flames suddenly surged. "Qilin Cang, you certainly know how to reap the benefits without lifting a finger! The Fire Origin in this Spirit Vein is exceptionally pure. It should belong to my Phoenix Clan!"
The three parties stood on the verge of conflict. As their energies collided, the air around the valley grew scorching hot. Xuan Fu stood in the middle, feeling as if he were sitting on pins and needles, and cursed inwardly. He had intended to cultivate quietly, but he had never expected to be dragged into the vortex of the three clans' struggle over the Spirit Vein. The strength of any one of these three parties far exceeded what he could currently withstand.
His Spiritual Sense raced as Xuan Fu quickly reached a decision. He slowly retreated half a step and cupped his hands. "The three of you are tremendously powerful. This junior merely happened to be passing through and wouldn't dare take part in the struggle over the Spirit Vein. I'll take my leave now."
With that, he was about to activate the Rigid-Soft World-Breaking Talisman and flee.
"Trying to leave?" Feng Yao's eyes narrowed. The flames transformed into several Fire Blades that blocked Xuan Fu's path. "You've already witnessed us fighting over the Spirit Vein. If you leak the news, wouldn't that cause trouble for my Phoenix Clan? Why not stay until we determine the victor, then we'll decide what to do with you?"
Ao Guang also nodded in agreement. "Feng Yao is right. Fellow Daoist, stay and watch the battle for now. Once this matter is settled, this Venerable One will certainly reward you handsomely."
Xuan Fu's heart tightened. He knew they feared he would leak the news about the Spirit Vein and intended to place him under house arrest. He remained outwardly calm, but had already begun calculating inwardly. Forcing his way out was impossible. He could only compromise for now and look for a chance to escape later.
"Since the three of you have kindly invited me, this junior will wait here quietly." Xuan Fu put away the Rigid-Soft World-Breaking Talisman and retreated behind a rock at the edge of the valley. He appeared obedient, but secretly activated the Stealth Talisman to conceal his aura once more. At the same time, his Spiritual Sense locked tightly onto the three parties as he observed their every move.
He knew that the three clans each harbored ulterior motives and could not reach an agreement easily. Conflict would erupt sooner or later. All he had to do was escape amid the chaos when it began. Ideally, he could also take advantage of the opportunity to gather the three clans' Origin Runes—the Dragon Clan's Water Rune, the Phoenix Clan's Fire Rune, and the Kirin Clan's Earth Rune. They would be of tremendous help in perfecting his path of talismans.
Sure enough, it wasn't long before the negotiations completely broke down. Feng Yao struck first. The flames transformed into a gigantic Fire Phoenix and lunged fiercely at Ao Guang. Ao Guang had been prepared. Water vapor condensed into a Water Dragon that collided with the Fire Phoenix. With a thunderous boom, water and fire merged, steam filled the air, and a huge Energy Shockwave spread in all directions.
Xuan Fu activated the Defense Talisman Array. A barrier of Rigid and Soft Harmony instantly unfolded, blocking the shockwave outside. Taking advantage of the barrier's cover, his Spiritual Sense raced as he recorded the Origin trajectories produced when the Fire Phoenix and Water Dragon collided. The Phoenix Clan's Fire Rune was blazing and violent, carrying the might to burn everything away. The Dragon Clan's Water Rune was fluid and vast, containing the power to Embrace All Things. These trajectories were invaluable to him in perfecting his fire- and water-attribute talisman paths.
Seeing this, Qilin Cang did not immediately join the battle. Instead, he stood to the side and watched, clearly intending to reap the benefits after the struggle. His earth-attribute rune was heavy and steady, forming a sturdy layer of armor over his body as he warily watched the battlefield.
The battle grew increasingly fierce. Feng Yao and Ao Guang exchanged blows, while the Fire Phoenix and Water Dragon repeatedly collided, dispersed, and reformed. The Phoenix Clan's flames burned the water vapor with sizzling sounds, while the Dragon Clan's currents continuously extinguished the spreading flames. For the moment, neither side could gain the upper hand.
Xuan Fu watched in alarm. The strength of the three clans truly lived up to its reputation. The battle between just two experts already possessed such earth-shattering might. His faith in the "path of survival through caution" grew even firmer. In the Primordial Wilderness, only sufficient strength could let one control one's own fate. Otherwise, one could only become a pawn in someone else's game.
Just as the two sides were locked in fierce battle and their Origin Power had been depleted by more than half, a sudden change occurred.
The Spirit Vein beneath the valley suddenly began to tremble violently. A dense black Malevolent Qi erupted from deep within it. The Malevolent Qi was bone-chillingly cold and carried an aura of destruction and corrosion. It clashed with the Spirit Vein's pure spiritual energy, forming a black-and-white Energy Vortex.
"Not good! It's Innate Malevolent Qi!" Ao Guang's expression changed drastically. "How could such dense Malevolent Qi be hidden deep within this Spirit Vein? It must be the remnants of the Fierce Malevolent Origin from the Chaos Era!"
Feng Yao's expression also changed, and her flames immediately shrank considerably. "This Malevolent Qi is extremely corrosive. If it erodes us, even our Origins will be damaged!"
The appearance of the Malevolent Qi disrupted the rhythm of the battle. The black Malevolent Qi spread like a tide. Wherever it passed, plants withered and rocks weathered, and even the Qi in the air became polluted. The talisman array Xuan Fu had set up around the valley was also corroded by the Malevolent Qi, and black cracks appeared across the Defensive Barrier.
"Fall back!" Ao Guang roared. He was the first to activate the water vapor, forming a Water Curtain to block the Malevolent Qi's erosion. Feng Yao and Qilin Cang also retreated, each activating their Origin Power to resist the Malevolent Qi.
Xuan Fu's situation was even more critical. His talisman array was naturally less sturdy than the Origin Power of the three clan experts. Under the Malevolent Qi's corrosion, the Defensive Barrier soon reached its limit and shattered with a crack. The black Malevolent Qi surged toward him instantly, like countless tiny poisonous insects, drilling along the rune patterns and into the body of his rune.
A heart-piercing pain struck. Xuan Fu felt the rune patterns being corroded by the Malevolent Qi, throwing his Spiritual Sense into turmoil. Even the circulation of his Rigid-Soft Talisman Power became sluggish. Greatly alarmed, he hurriedly activated his Life Origin in an attempt to resist the corrosion. However, the Life Origin was gentle and mild. Faced with such violent Malevolent Qi, it was like a cup of water against a blazing cartload of fire and could not stop the Malevolent Qi from spreading.
"This can't continue!"
Xuan Fu gritted his teeth, tightening his rune, and immediately fled into the depths of the valley. He found a relatively enclosed cave, sealed all the exits, and activated all his Origin Power to refine the Malevolent Qi that had invaded his body with all his might. He pushed the Fire Origin to its limit, attempting to burn away the Malevolent Qi with flames, but the Malevolent Qi not only feared the flames—it could absorb their power and grow stronger. He then tried using the Power of Space to separate the Malevolent Qi, only to discover that it clung to the rune patterns like a bone-deep parasite and could not be detached.
The Malevolent Qi grew increasingly rampant. The light of the rune's body grew dimmer and dimmer, and his Spiritual Sense began to blur. Xuan Fu felt his Origin being corroded bit by bit by the Malevolent Qi. If he couldn't think of a solution soon, he would likely perish here.
In this desperate situation, Xuan Fu's Spiritual Sense instead became exceptionally clear. He recalled the insights into the Purification Rune that he had absorbed during the Chaos Era, as well as the gentle nature of the Life Origin. A bold idea began to take shape in his mind.
He stopped trying to forcibly expel or burn away the Malevolent Qi. Instead, he fused the Life Origin with his Rigid-Soft Talisman Power, forming a gentle yet resilient Energy Flow that slowly circulated along the rune patterns. Like spring rain nourishing all things, this Energy Flow did not clash head-on with the Malevolent Qi. Instead, it gradually nourished the rune patterns corroded by the Malevolent Qi while guiding its flow and concentrating it in one corner of the rune.
The process was extraordinarily difficult. Every act of guidance was accompanied by excruciating pain, and his Spiritual Sense was consumed rapidly. But Xuan Fu did not give up. He knew this was his only chance at survival.
Time trickled by. The Malevolent Qi outside the cave grew denser and denser, while the roars and sounds of battle from the three clan experts continued to reach him. Clearly, they too were struggling desperately against the Malevolent Qi. Xuan Fu was immersed in the process of refining it and was completely unaware of everything outside. His Spiritual Sense was intensely focused as he constantly adjusted the rhythm of the Energy Flow and guided the Malevolent Qi to gather.
After an unknown amount of time, Xuan Fu suddenly sensed that the Malevolent Qi concentrated in the corner of the rune had begun to be slowly assimilated by the Life Origin. Though the assimilation was extremely slow, it was undoubtedly a tremendous breakthrough. Delighted, he immediately increased the output of the Life Origin while drawing upon the Rigid-Soft Talisman Power to aid the assimilation.
As the Malevolent Qi was continuously assimilated, Xuan Fu discovered that his rune patterns had undergone a subtle change. The patterns corroded by the Malevolent Qi had become tougher and could even absorb a trace of the Malevolent Qi's power, converting it into their own Talisman Power. This made him realize that the Malevolent Qi did not possess only the Power of Destruction. If used properly, it could also become an aid to increasing his strength.
His Spiritual Sense raced as Xuan Fu began attempting to condense a new talisman. With the Life Origin as its core, fused with the Rigid-Soft Talisman Power and a small amount of assimilated Malevolent Qi, an emerald-green talisman slowly condensed in his hand. This talisman was called the Purification Talisman. It could purify the Malevolent Qi, demonic energy, and other evil forces that invaded the body, while also drawing upon the power of the Malevolent Qi to enhance its own might.
Activating the Purification Talisman, a flash of emerald-green light swept through him. The remaining Malevolent Qi in his body was rapidly purified and assimilated. The light of the rune's body once again became brilliant, and his Spiritual Sense regained its clarity. Xuan Fu took a deep breath, expanding his rune, and his heart filled with the joy of surviving a calamity. Though this Malevolent Qi crisis had been extraordinarily dangerous, it had unexpectedly allowed him to condense the Purification Talisman, perfect his path of talismans, and even grant his rune a slight resistance to Malevolent Qi. It could truly be said that fortune had come from misfortune.
Just then, a violent tremor came from outside the cave, accompanied by Ao Guang's furious roar. "Kongming! How dare you ambush this Venerable One!"
Xuan Fu's heart tightened. He knew Kongming had finally been unable to restrain himself and had made his move. He immediately activated the Stealth Talisman and quietly approached the cave entrance, peering outside through a crack.
In the valley, Kongming Demon God was engaged in a fierce battle with the three clan experts. He had clearly launched his sneak attack while the three clans were struggling against the Malevolent Qi and had expended more than half their Origin Power. At present, he held the upper hand. Black Power of Space combined with the Malevolent Qi, forming a pitch-black Energy Storm that swept toward Ao Guang, Feng Yao, and Qilin Cang.
Although the three clan experts were powerful, they were already struggling under the combined assault of the Malevolent Qi and Kongming, and their auras grew increasingly feeble. Feng Yao's flames had dimmed, Ao Guang's water vapor condensed more slowly, and cracks had appeared in Qilin Cang's earth-attribute armor.
"That old fiend really is sinister!" Xuan Fu cursed inwardly, but he also knew this was the perfect opportunity to escape.
Kongming and the three clans were locked in fierce battle and had no time to concern themselves with anything else. Without the slightest hesitation, Xuan Fu activated the Rigid-Soft World-Breaking Talisman and transformed into a streak of azure-gold light. Taking advantage of the Energy Storm's cover, he fled toward the outside of the valley.
His target was not a place far away, but the depths of the Spirit Vein. When the Malevolent Qi had erupted earlier, he had keenly sensed that something other than the Malevolent Qi was hidden deep within the Spirit Vein—an even purer Origin Power, and perhaps even the aura of an Innate Spiritual Treasure. Kongming and the three clans had all been drawn to the surface Malevolent Qi and the battle, giving him the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
Following the aura of the Spirit Vein, Xuan Fu dove downward, passing through layer after layer of rock and Malevolent Qi until he reached the Core Area of the Spirit Vein. The spiritual energy here was so dense that it was almost liquefied. Interwoven with the Malevolent Qi, it formed a black-and-white Energy Vortex. At the center of the vortex, a completely black crystal stone radiating a faint spiritual light floated in midair.
This crystal stone was called the Malevolent Spirit Crystal. It was an Innate Spiritual Treasure formed through the long-term fusion of Malevolent Qi and the Spirit Vein's Origin. It could absorb and control Malevolent Qi while drawing upon the Spirit Vein's Origin to enhance its own strength. Its value was immeasurable.
Xuan Fu was overjoyed and was just about to seize the Malevolent Spirit Crystal when he suddenly sensed an exceptionally strange, faint fluctuation coming from within it.
This fluctuation did not originate from the Malevolent Qi or the Spirit Vein's Origin. Instead, it was a conscious fluctuation carrying will, as if an ancient existence were sleeping inside the Malevolent Spirit Crystal.
Xuan Fu's rune patterns instantly tightened, and a powerful sense of vigilance rose in his heart.
He could sense that the master of this conscious fluctuation was far more powerful than he had imagined—perhaps even stronger than Kongming and the three clan experts combined. The other party seemed to have noticed his probing. The conscious fluctuation grew increasingly clear, carrying a trace of cold scrutiny.
At this moment, the aftershocks of the battle above had already spread into the depths of the Spirit Vein. Rocks continued to collapse as Malevolent Qi and the Energy Storm surged toward the Core Area.
Xuan Fu was caught in a dilemma. Should he seize the Malevolent Spirit Crystal immediately and flee amid the chaos? Or should he abandon this Innate Spiritual Treasure and escape this dangerous place as quickly as possible?
Just as he hesitated, the Malevolent Spirit Crystal suddenly erupted with a streak of pitch-black light, firmly locking onto the body of his rune.
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