Yang Mei Appears, Spatial Talisman Gifted

The pitch-black light splashed like ink, instantly enveloping Xuan Fu's talisman body. It wasn't a physical attack, but carried a soul-binding force, as if countless invisible chains coiled around him, abruptly halting his talisman power's flow and making even the Rigid-Soft World-Breaking Talisman difficult to activate.

Xuan Fu's heart shook violently. The pressure of this conscious fluctuation was even more terrifying than the phantom within the Chaos Crystal, faintly approaching the aura of Pangu's creation era. He could feel that it wasn't targeting him specifically—more like a sleeping beast disturbed, instinctively displaying its deterrence.

The Malevolent Spirit Crystal hovered at the center of the Energy Vortex, its surface black patterns beginning to flow like a waking ferocious beast opening its eyes. The surrounding Sha Qi surged wildly toward the crystal, the black-and-white vortex spinning faster, even the Dragon Vein's essence being forcibly pulled in, wrapping around it like ribbons of spiritual energy.

Xuan Fu didn't panic. He knew any struggle now might provoke the entity, so he immediately restrained all his talisman power, disguising his aura as part of the Dragon Vein's essence while activating the Purification Talisman. A green light flowed over his body, purifying the surrounding Sha Qi and signaling "harmless" to the entity.

His talisman body sank slightly, like ordinary spiritual material swept by the vortex, showing no resistance. His Spiritual Sense, however, was highly focused, carefully perceiving the conscious fluctuations inside the Malevolent Spirit Crystal. This consciousness was ancient and chaotic, without clear hostility—more the irritation of disturbed sleep and an instinct to guard. Clearly, the Malevolent Spirit Crystal was its core vessel, not to be touched.

The battle above was getting closer and closer, the roar of collapsing rocks unending, Kongming's wild laughter mingling with the furious shouts of the Three Clans' experts. "Ao Guang, your Three Clans are spent. This Dragon Vein and Malevolent Spirit Crystal belong to this Venerable One!" Kongming's voice carried triumph, his fusion of Space Power and Sha Qi growing eerier, the resulting Energy Storm already tearing apart the valley's surface.

Xuan Fu grew anxious. The chaos above could spill into the Dragon Vein's depths at any moment. If the Energy Storm surged in, not only would he fail to seize the Malevolent Spirit Crystal, but he might be swept up and annihilated along with its consciousness.

Just then, the conscious fluctuation inside the Malevolent Spirit Crystal shifted abruptly, from irritation to vigilance. Xuan Fu keenly sensed it wasn't aimed at him but at Kongming's aura above—Kongming's Space Power carried destruction and plunder, far more threatening than Xuan Fu's "peeking."

"Roar—"

A low growl emanated from the Malevolent Spirit Crystal, not a real sound, but it made the entire Dragon Vein's depths tremble. The black light surged, the Sha Qi vortex expanding severalfold, rushing toward the Energy Storm above. Clearly, the Malevolent Spirit Crystal's consciousness chose to deal with the external threat first, temporarily ignoring Xuan Fu as a "minor nuisance."

Xuan Fu seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Instead of snatching the Malevolent Spirit Crystal, he activated his Space Talisman power, transforming into a barely perceptible talisman light, hugging the Dragon Vein's rock wall as he slowly moved upward. He knew that the Malevolent Spirit Crystal, Kongming, and the Three Clans would inevitably clash fiercely; his best victory was to slip away in the chaos.

Just as he reached the Dragon Vein's middle layer, he felt two terrifying forces collide. The Malevolent Spirit Crystal's Sha Qi vortex and Kongming's Energy Storm clashed head-on. A thunderous boom erupted, and a black Energy Shockwave spread outward, the rock walls instantly disintegrating. Countless broken stones, mixed with Sha Qi, fell like a torrential rain.

Xuan Fu activated the Rigid-Soft Talisman Array, a cyan-gold barrier shielding him tightly. Riding the shockwave's trajectory like a small boat in a storm, he broke through upward quickly. He could see Kongming's figure flickering in the Sha Qi, his face full of shock and greed: "I didn't expect such a treasure deep in this Dragon Vein! If this Venerable One refines it, my strength will reach new heights!"

Ao Guang, Feng Yao, and Qilin Cang were pale-faced, already eroded by Sha Qi and now struck by the Malevolent Spirit Crystal's impact, barely holding on. "Kongming, if you refine this treasure, nothing in the Primordial World can check your power. How can we allow it!" Ao Guang roared, not hesitating to burn his essence, summoning water vapor into a massive Water Dragon that crashed toward the Malevolent Spirit Crystal.

Feng Yao and Qilin Cang followed suit, fire and earth attribute power intertwining into a Three-Colored Light Screen, clashing with the forces of Kongming and the Malevolent Spirit Crystal. The four powers churned together, the Dragon Vein completely collapsing, countless cracks spreading. The entire valley was violently trembling, as if about to sink into the Primordial World's depths.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Xuan Fu finally burst out of the Dragon Vein, reaching the valley's outskirts. Without pausing, he activated the Rigid-Soft World-Breaking Talisman, ready to flee toward the Kunlun Mountain Range he'd chosen earlier. There, spiritual energy was rich, and an Innate Barrier made it an ideal place for secluded cultivation in this chaotic era.

Just as the talisman light was about to tear through the void, a gentle voice suddenly echoed in his mind: "Fellow Daoist, wait."

The voice carried no pressure but had a rhythm that seemed to Embrace All Things, like a spring breeze calming Xuan Fu's restless talisman power. Startled, he realized that anyone who could approach silently in such chaos and directly enter his Spiritual Sense must be an existence of unfathomable depth.

Xuan Fu didn't rashly flee or show hostility. Instead, he stopped, restrained his aura, and looked around: "May I ask which senior is here? This junior is Xuan Fu, with no intention to offend."

As the words fell, a figure in a green robe, holding a whisk, slowly emerged from the void. This person had a gentle face, eyes like deep pools, surrounded by faint spatial ripples that clashed with the chaotic energy yet perfectly blended in, as if he were part of space itself.

"I am Daoist Yang Mei." The green-robed cultivator smiled slightly, waving his whisk. The surrounding Energy Storm parted automatically, forming a stable zone. "I observed your exquisite Talisman Arts, especially your unique Space Talisman craftsmanship, so I appeared to meet you."

Daoist Yang Mei!

Xuan Fu's heart shook violently. He never expected to encounter this legendary Chaos great power here. Rumor had it that Daoist Yang Mei was born from the spirit of space, with strength comparable to Pangu, transcending the Tribulation, a rare recluse in the Primordial World.

"This junior Xuan Fu pays respects to Senior Yang Mei!" Xuan Fu quickly bowed with utmost respect. He knew this was a heavenly opportunity, far more precious than the Malevolent Spirit Crystal.

Daoist Yang Mei nodded with a smile, his gaze on Xuan Fu carrying appreciation: "As a Talisman Spirit, surviving in Chaos until now and comprehending the Rigid and Soft Harmony of Talisman Arts is truly rare. Especially your fusion of Purification Talisman and Space Talisman—quite ingenious."

Xuan Fu was inwardly surprised that his trump card was seen through at a glance. He didn't dare hide anything and spoke frankly: "This junior is dull-witted, merely lucky to pick up some opportunities in Chaos. I wouldn't dare show off before a senior."

"Opportunity is also part of strength." Daoist Yang Mei raised his whisk, and a translucent Space Talisman appeared in his hand. "I see your Space Talisman Arts have a foundation but are still immature. This is the 'Universe Folding Talisman,' containing my lifelong insights into the Great Dao of Space. I gift it to you, hoping it helps perfect your Talisman Arts."

Xuan Fu took the Space Talisman, feeling a vast flood of spatial insights pour into his mind. This talisman was far more profound than any Space Talisman he'd used before, enabling not only long-distance space folding for escape but also creating independent spatial storage, setting spatial restrictions, and even reflecting attacks with Space Power in critical moments.

"Thank you for the generous gift, Senior! This junior has nothing to repay!" Xuan Fu was deeply grateful, bowing again. With this Universe Folding Talisman and its insights, his Space Talisman Arts would achieve a qualitative leap.

Daoist Yang Mei waved his hand: "The Great Dao is merciless, yet also merciful. We are both Innate Beings related to space; mutual support is only natural." He shifted his gaze to the valley still in battle, a hint of gravity in his eyes. "The Primordial World has just emerged, the Three Clans Hegemony has begun, and Demon Ancestor Luohu stirs in the shadows. Future Tribulations will be many. Take care, fellow Daoist."

Xuan Fu's heart tightened, and he quickly asked, "Senior, what about the Malevolent Spirit Crystal..."

"It is born from the fusion of Chaos malevolence and the Dragon Vein's essence, containing both destruction and life." Daoist Yang Mei said calmly. "Its consciousness is not fully awakened yet. Disturbed by Kongming and the Three Clans, it will become a future calamity in the Primordial World. But don't worry; it won't cause too much trouble for now."

He paused, then continued: "Your strength is still shallow; it's best not to get involved in these conflicts. The Kunlun Mountain Range is the source of the Primordial World's Dragon Veins, with pure spiritual energy and an Innate Barrier for protection, suitable for your cultivation. Wait until your Talisman Arts are perfected before emerging."

Xuan Fu nodded. Daoist Yang Mei's advice aligned with his own thoughts. He knew that with his current strength, participating in any top-tier conflict would be suicide; only secluded cultivation to improve was the right path.

"This junior will remember Senior's teachings."

Daoist Yang Mei smiled, his figure gradually becoming transparent: "Go. If you face trouble in the future, activate the Universe Folding Talisman, and I might sense it." As his words faded, his figure vanished into the void, as if he'd never been there.

Xuan Fu gripped the Universe Folding Talisman tightly, his heart filled with strength. With Daoist Yang Mei's guidance and gift, his path forward was clearer. He no longer paid attention to the battle in the valley, turned, and activated the Universe Folding Talisman. Cyan-gold talisman light wrapped his body, instantly merging into space and disappearing.

The Universe Folding Talisman's speed far exceeded the Rigid-Soft World-Breaking Talisman. In just a few breaths, it crossed tens of thousands of miles, arriving at the outskirts of the Kunlun Mountain Range. The spiritual energy here was indeed astonishingly rich—towering mountains, lush vegetation, Innate Beings everywhere, all with peaceful auras, unlike the dangers elsewhere in the Primordial World.

Xuan Fu didn't rashly venture deeper. First, he set up multiple layers of Stealth Talisman Arrays on the outskirts. Only after confirming safety did he begin digesting Daoist Yang Mei's gift. He integrated the Universe Folding Talisman into his own talisman body, and the insights into the Great Dao of Space flooded into his mind like a bursting dam.

His understanding of space was no longer limited to escape or folding but rose to the level of "control." He could clearly feel the space around him as flexible as his own limbs—able to open independent storage spaces, set invisible spatial restrictions, or even turn space into a weapon for unexpected attacks.

Talisman patterns spun wildly, imprinting and digesting these insights. Xuan Fu's talisman body expanded again, reaching the size of a palm, its cyan-gold surface rippling with spatial waves, its pressure now comparable to a mid-level Demon God. He attempted to condense a new Space Talisman, using the Universe Folding Talisman's insights as the core, blending in Rigid-Soft Talisman Power. A more refined "Universe Imprisonment Talisman" took shape, capable of instantly imprisoning space for a thousand miles, with boundless power.

Just as he was immersed in the joy of breakthrough, his Spiritual Sense suddenly caught a familiar aura.

It was the Malevolent Spirit Crystal's aura!

Xuan Fu was startled. He hadn't expected the Malevolent Spirit Crystal to break free from the valley and move toward the Kunlun Mountain Range. What alarmed him more was that its aura was denser and more violent than before. Clearly, in its battle with Kongming and the Three Clans, its consciousness had awakened further, and its strength had increased.

His Spiritual Sense traced the aura, and in the distant sky, a massive black Sha Qi cloud was rapidly approaching. At its center was the pitch-black Malevolent Spirit Crystal. Around it, Kongming's figure darted like a ghost, launching attacks to seize it, while Ao Guang, Feng Yao, and Qilin Cang followed at a distance, clearly not giving up either.

All four forces were heading toward the Kunlun Mountain Range!

Xuan Fu's heart sank. The Kunlun Mountain Range was a peaceful place; if these experts barged in, it would surely spark new bloodshed. The secluded cultivation site he'd just found might be disturbed again.

He immediately restrained his aura, hiding himself completely within the talisman array, while activating his Spiritual Sense to closely monitor the distant movements. He knew a new crisis was rapidly approaching the Kunlun Mountain Range.

At that moment, the Malevolent Spirit Crystal seemed to sense the rich spiritual energy of the Kunlun Mountain Range. Its speed suddenly increased, the Sha Qi cloud sweeping in, dyeing the vast sky black.