Sha Qi Invades the Body, Purification Talisman Forged

The Phoenix Clan Elder, clad in a Flame Skirt whose hem flickered with sparks as it billowed, had Fire Origin so dense around her it nearly solidified. Her gaze was sharp as a blade, sweeping over Ao Guang and Xuan Fu before settling on the valley direction: "Ao Guang, what right does your Dragon Clan have to monopolize this Spirit Vein Treasure Land?"

"By virtue of this Venerable One arriving first." Ao Guang's dragon robe billowed, mist formed by vapor gathering behind him. "Feng Yao, there are countless Primordial Spirit Veins in the wilds. Why cling to this one?"

The Kirin Clan Elder stood to the side, his earthen-yellow battle armor gleaming with a heavy luster. His gaze drifted across the Qi Vortex above the spirit vein as he spoke in a deep voice: "Spirit veins are gathered from the Primordial origins, not the possession of a single clan. Why not split it three ways, each taking what they need?"

"Split three ways?" Feng Yao sneered, her flames suddenly surging. "Qilin Cang, you sure know how to reap the benefits without lifting a finger! The Fire Origin of this vein is the purest, and it should belong to my Phoenix Clan!"

The three sides were at daggers drawn, and as their qi clashed, the air around the valley grew scorching hot. Xuan Fu stood in the middle, feeling like he was sitting on a bed of nails, silently lamenting his misfortune. He had wanted to cultivate quietly, yet found himself caught in the vortex of the three clans fighting over the spirit vein. The strength of any one of these sides far exceeded what he could currently contend with.

His Spiritual Sense spinning rapidly, Xuan Fu quickly made a decision. He slowly retreated half a step, cupped his hands, and said: "Three fellow daoists possess formidable strength. This junior is merely passing through and dares not involve himself in the dispute over the spirit vein. I take my leave now."

Saying this, he prepared to activate the Rigid-Soft World-Breaking Talisman and flee.

"Think you can leave?" Feng Yao's eyes narrowed, her flames transforming into several Fire Blades blocking Xuan Fu's path. "Since you've witnessed our struggle for the spirit vein, if word gets out, won't it cause trouble for my Phoenix Clan? Better stay put until we've settled the outcome, then we'll decide what to do with you."

Ao Guang also nodded in agreement: "Feng Yao speaks sense. Fellow daoist, stay and watch for now. Once matters are concluded, this Venerable One will surely reward you handsomely."

Xuan Fu's heart tightened. He knew they feared he would leak news of the spirit vein and wanted to keep him under house arrest. He kept his expression calm, but his mind was already calculating. Forcing his way out was impossible; he could only temporarily comply and seek an opportunity to escape.

"Since three fellow daoists so kindly invite me, this junior will wait here." Xuan Fu put away the Rigid-Soft World-Breaking Talisman and retreated behind a rock at the valley's edge, appearing obedient while secretly activating a Stealth Talisman to further conceal his aura. At the same time, his Spiritual Sense locked onto the three parties, observing their every move.

He knew that the three clans each had their own agendas and would not easily reach an agreement. Conflict was bound to erupt sooner or later. What he needed to do was slip away amid the chaos when it broke out, and if possible, pick up some scraps—collecting the Origin Runes of the three clans: the Dragon Clan's Water Rune, the Phoenix Clan's Fire Rune, and the Kirin Clan's Earth Rune. These would be immensely helpful in perfecting his talisman system.

Sure enough, before long, negotiations broke down completely. Feng Yao struck first, her flames condensing into a massive Fire Phoenix that lunged at Ao Guang. Ao Guang was already on guard, his vapor gathering into a Water Dragon that collided with the Fire Phoenix. With a thunderous boom, water and fire merged, steam filled the air, and a massive Energy Shockwave spread outward.

Xuan Fu activated his Defense Talisman Array, and a barrier of Rigid and Soft Harmony instantly expanded, blocking the shockwave. Shielded by the barrier, his Spiritual Sense worked frantically, recording the Origin trajectories of the Fire Phoenix and Water Dragon's collision. The Phoenix Clan's Fire Rune was blazing and violent, carrying the might to incinerate all things; the Dragon Clan's Water Rune was agile and vast, containing the power to Embrace All Things. These trajectories were invaluable for perfecting his fire and water attribute talisman systems.

Qilin Cang, seeing this, did not immediately join the fight but stood aside watching, clearly waiting to reap the benefits. His Earth Rune was heavy and steady, forming a solid armor on his body surface as he warily eyed the battlefield.

The battle grew fiercer. Feng Yao and Ao Guang traded blows, the Fire Phoenix and Water Dragon constantly colliding, dispersing, and reforming. The Phoenix Clan's flames hissed as they vaporized the water vapor, while the Dragon Clan's currents continuously extinguished the spreading flames. For a time, neither side could gain the upper hand.

Xuan Fu watched with alarm. The strength of the three clans was indeed as renowned—just the battle between two experts already had such world-shattering power. He became even more steadfast in his belief in the "path of survival"—in the Primordial wilds, only by becoming strong enough could one control their own fate; otherwise, they would merely be pawns in others' games.

Just as the battle was at its peak and Origin Power was half-depleted, a sudden change occurred.

The spirit vein deep beneath the valley began to tremble violently, and a thick black Malevolent Qi erupted from its depths. This qi was icy and piercing, carrying an aura of destruction and corrosion, clashing with the pure qi of the spirit vein to form a black-and-white Energy Vortex.

"Not good! It's Innate Malevolent Qi!" Ao Guang exclaimed in shock. "Such dense Malevolent Qi hidden deep in this spirit vein—it must be a remnant Fierce Malevolent Origin from the Chaos Era!"

Feng Yao's expression also changed, her flames instantly shrinking: "This 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 qi spread like a tide, withering plants and weathering rocks wherever it passed, even polluting the qi in the air. The talisman arrays Xuan Fu had set up around the valley were also eroded, black cracks appearing on the defensive barrier.

"Fall back!" Ao Guang roared, taking the lead in summoning water vapor to form a Water Curtain against the qi. Feng Yao and Qilin Cang also retreated, each activating their Origin Power to resist the qi.

Xuan Fu's situation was even more dire. His talisman array was not as sturdy as the Origin Power of the three clan experts. Under the qi's erosion, the defensive barrier soon couldn't hold and shattered with a crack. The black Malevolent Qi surged in instantly, like countless tiny venomous insects, burrowing along the rune patterns into his talisman body.

A piercing pain shot through him. Xuan Fu felt his rune patterns being corroded by the qi, his Spiritual Sense thrown into chaos, and the flow of his Rigid-Soft Talisman Power becoming sluggish. Panicked, he quickly activated his Life Origin to resist the erosion, but the Life Origin was gentle and mild. Facing such violent Malevolent Qi, it was like trying to put out a blazing fire with a cup of water—utterly unable to stop the qi's spread.

"I can't let this continue!"

Xuan Fu gritted his teeth (runes tightening), immediately dove deeper into the valley, found a relatively enclosed cave, sealed all exits, and activated all his Origin Power to refine the qi invading his body. He pushed his Fire Origin to the limit, trying to burn the qi away, but the qi not only feared the flames but absorbed their power to strengthen itself. He then tried to use the Power of Space to strip the qi away, only to find it clung to his rune patterns like a Bone-attached Sore, impossible to remove.

The Malevolent Qi grew more rampant, the light of his talisman body dimmed further, and his Spiritual Sense began to blur. Xuan Fu felt his Origin being slowly corroded. If he couldn't think of a way out, he might fall here.

In this desperate situation, Xuan Fu's Spiritual Sense became unusually clear instead. He recalled the insights on the Purification Rune absorbed during the Chaos Era, remembered the gentle nature of Life Origin, and a bold idea sprouted in his mind.

He no longer tried to forcibly expel or burn the qi. Instead, he fused Life Origin with Rigid-Soft Talisman Power, forming a gentle yet resilient Energy Flow that slowly coursed along his rune patterns. This flow was like spring rain nourishing things, not directly clashing with the qi, but gradually moistening the corroded rune patterns while guiding the qi's movement, concentrating it in one corner of his runes.

The process was excruciatingly difficult. Each guidance was accompanied by intense pain and massive consumption of Spiritual Sense. But Xuan Fu did not give up. He knew this was his only chance at survival.

Time passed drop by drop. Outside the cave, the Malevolent Qi grew denser, and the roars and sounds of battle from the three clan experts continued—clearly, they too were struggling against the qi. Xuan Fu was immersed in the process of refining the qi, oblivious to the outside world. His Spiritual Sense was highly focused, constantly adjusting the rhythm of the Energy Flow and guiding the qi's convergence.

After who knows how long, Xuan Fu suddenly sensed that the qi concentrated in the corner of his runes was beginning to be slowly assimilated by Life Origin. Though the assimilation was extremely slow, it was undoubtedly a huge breakthrough. Overjoyed, he immediately increased the output of Life Origin while drawing on Rigid-Soft Talisman Power to assist the assimilation.

As the qi was continuously assimilated, Xuan Fu found that his rune patterns had undergone subtle changes. The patterns eroded by the qi had become tougher, even able to lightly absorb the qi's power and Transform It into his own talisman power. This made him realize that Malevolent Qi was not purely a Power of Destruction—if used properly, it could also become a boost to strength.

His Spiritual Sense spinning rapidly, Xuan Fu began attempting to condense a new talisman. With Life Origin at its core, infused with Rigid-Soft Talisman Power and a small amount of assimilated Malevolent Qi, a cyan-green talisman slowly took shape in his hand. This talisman was named "Purification Rune"—it could both purify invading Malevolent Qi, demonic qi, and other evils, and also borrow the qi's power to enhance the talisman's might.

Activating the Purification Rune, a flash of cyan-green light passed, and the remaining Malevolent Qi in his body was quickly purified and assimilated. The light of his talisman body shone brightly again, and his Spiritual Sense regained clarity. Xuan Fu took a deep breath (runes expanding), filled with the joy of surviving a calamity. This crisis with the Malevolent Qi, though extremely perilous, had unexpectedly allowed him to condense the Purification Rune, perfect his talisman system, and even grant his runes a slight resistance to Malevolent Qi—a blessing in disguise.

Just then, a violent tremor came from outside the cave, accompanied by Ao Guang's roar: "Kongming! How dare you ambush this Venerable One!"

Xuan Fu's heart tightened. He knew Kongming had finally made his move. He quickly activated the Stealth Talisman, quietly approached the cave entrance, and peered through a crack.

In the valley, the Kongming Demon God was locked in fierce battle with the three clan experts. He had clearly launched a sneak attack while the three clans were troubled by the Malevolent Qi and their Origins were half-depleted, and now held the upper hand. Black Power of Space intertwined with the Malevolent Qi, forming a pitch-black Energy Storm that swept toward Ao Guang, Feng Yao, and Qilin Cang.

Though the three clan experts were powerful, under the dual assault of the Malevolent Qi and Kongming, they were already struggling, their auras growing weaker. Feng Yao's flames dimmed, Ao Guang's water vapor condensed more slowly, and Qilin Cang's earthen armor showed cracks.

"That old fiend, truly treacherous!" Xuan Fu cursed inwardly, but he also knew this was his perfect chance to escape.

Kongming was fully engaged in battle with the three clans, with no attention to spare. Without a moment's hesitation, Xuan Fu activated the Rigid-Soft World-Breaking Talisman, transforming into a cyan-gold streak of light that fled toward the valley exit, using the Energy Storm as cover.

His target was not to get far away, but to go deeper into the spirit vein. When the Malevolent Qi had erupted earlier, he had keenly sensed that deep within the vein, besides the qi, there was an even purer Origin Power hidden, possibly even the aura of an Innate Spiritual Treasure. Kongming and the three clans were all drawn to the surface qi and battle, giving him the perfect opportunity.

Following the spirit vein's aura, Xuan Fu dove downward, passing through layers of rock and Malevolent Qi, arriving at the Core Area of the vein. The qi here was so dense it was nearly liquefied, intertwining with the Malevolent Qi to form a black-and-white Energy Vortex. At the center of the vortex, a pitch-black crystal emitting a faint spiritual light Was suspended in mid-air.

This crystal was called a "Malevolent Spirit Crystal," an Innate Spiritual Treasure formed by the long-term fusion of Malevolent Qi and spirit vein Origin. It could both absorb and control Malevolent Qi and, by borrowing the vein's Origin, enhance one's own strength—priceless.

Xuan Fu was overjoyed and was about to seize the Malevolent Spirit Crystal when he suddenly felt a faint but eerily strange fluctuation from within it.

This fluctuation did not come from the Malevolent Qi or the spirit vein Origin, but from a conscious wave carrying intent, as if an ancient being slumbered inside the crystal.

Xuan Fu's rune patterns instantly tightened, a strong sense of vigilance rising in his heart.

He could feel that the owner of this conscious wave was far more powerful than he could imagine, perhaps even stronger than Kongming and the three clan experts combined. The other party seemed to have sensed his probing, and the conscious wave grew clearer, carrying a trace of Ice-Cold scrutiny.

At that moment, the shockwaves from the battle above had already reached the depths of the spirit vein. Rocks were collapsing, and the Malevolent Qi and 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 abandon this Innate Spiritual Treasure and escape this dangerous place as quickly as possible?

Just as he hesitated, the Malevolent Spirit Crystal suddenly burst with a pitch-black light, firmly locking onto his talisman body.