The days after breaking through to the High-level Chaos realm were full and busy for Lin Yue.
Every morning, he first spent an hour cultivating beside the Innate Spirit Spring, using its energy to stabilize his newly advanced cultivation. A pale golden vortex turned steadily in his dantian, growing more solid with every rotation. In the mornings, he took a stone pick and cleared the Stone Shattering around the cave, carrying the sharp-edged rocks that might disrupt his cultivation to a distant ravine. The work seemed simple, but it was an excellent way to practice controlling his newly acquired strength. The power of the High-level Chaos realm was far greater than that of the middle tier. The slightest mistake could make him use too much force and cause needless damage.
In the afternoons, Lin Yue went to the energy-rock field east of the cave to gather resources. Many rocks there were infused with Chaos Energy. Some were dark purple, while others gleamed silver, and each held a different energy attribute. Following Pangu's earlier advice, he picked only rocks with relatively gentle energy that suited his current needs. He carried them back to the cave in a specially made stone basket and stacked them neatly in a corner. These rocks were a valuable aid to his cultivation: they could replenish his energy when the spring fell short, and serve as a reserve source of power if danger arose in the future.
In just a few days, the area around the cave had been completely transformed. The scattered Stone Shattering had been cleared away, revealing level ground. The energy rocks were sorted into neat piles, each giving off a faint glow. Lin Yue had even scrubbed the flagstones beside the spring until they were spotless. Pangu said nothing, but Lin Yue noticed that the spot where his senior sat in meditation seemed to be a little closer to the spring than before.
That afternoon, Lin Yue was busy in the energy-rock field. He had just pried a reddish rock from the cliff with his stone pick. It held a faint Fire Attribute. Though unsuitable for direct absorption, it could help him gather energy for offensive spells. Suddenly, a strange light flashed in the Chaos Airflow at the edge of his vision.
He sprang upright and looked toward it. His heart skipped a beat.
Hundreds of zhang away, in the chaotic clouds, a wisp of pale violet treasure light was slowly drifting toward him. It wasn't dazzling, but it held an indescribable allure, as if it contained the primordial essence of the world's beginning. Stranger still, wherever it passed, the raging Chaos Airflow parted to either side like subjects yielding to their sovereign, opening a clear path before it.
"Is that... Innate Treasure Light?" Lin Yue's breathing quickened. He remembered what Spirit Wood Daoist had once told him: "When a supreme treasure appears in the Chaos, it is often accompanied by Innate Treasure Light. The light contains the aura of laws and can make the energy of heaven and earth retreat. It's a rare opportunity that one may never encounter again."
Spirit Wood Daoist had also said that anything capable of drawing forth Innate Treasure Light was at least an Innate Spirit Treasure. It might even be a wondrous Chaos treasure containing a complete law. Such treasures could greatly improve a cultivator's strength and help him comprehend laws, making them crucial aids to breaking through to a higher realm.
Lin Yue's heart pounded, and his palms began to sweat. Instinctively, he wanted to rush after the treasure light, but he had barely taken a step when he stopped short.
"Wait..." He forced himself to calm down. "The Chaos is full of danger. A treasure light this conspicuous is bound to attract other beings. I may have reached the high tier, but I'm not necessarily a match for other powerful beings. Besides, my senior warned me to act cautiously and never let ambition carry me too far."
He thought of the Chaos Demonic Wolf he had encountered before. If Pangu hadn't intervened, he would already be dead. The treasure light this time covered an even wider area, so the beings it attracted would only be stronger. Acting recklessly would be tantamount to throwing his life away.
"I'll go back and tell my senior!" Lin Yue decided at once. He took another look at the slowly moving treasure light, memorizing its direction and speed, then quickly gathered his tools and raced back toward the cave.
When he returned, Pangu was still seated in meditation. Lin Yue hurried over and respectfully reported, "Senior, I found a wisp of Innate Treasure Light in the rocky area to the east. It's drifting this way. It looks like a remarkable treasure!"
Pangu slowly opened his eyes and looked in the direction Lin Yue had indicated. Though thick clouds of Chaos lay between them, he seemed able to see through every obstacle and discern the treasure light's true nature. After a moment, he turned back to Lin Yue, nodded slightly, and uttered two words: "You may go."
With his senior's permission, Lin Yue's misgivings vanished. Since Pangu had agreed, he must have a way to handle any danger and at least ensure Lin Yue's safety.
"Thank you, Senior!" Lin Yue replied excitedly. He turned to leave, but Pangu stopped him with a look. Lin Yue paused, then saw his senior raise a finger and gently tap him between the brows.
A gentle yet weighty energy flowed into Lin Yue's brow, passed through his meridians, and spread across his body before finally merging with the Chaos Imprint in his dantian. Lin Yue immediately felt lighter and more keenly aware of his surroundings. He could even faintly "hear" the Chaos Airflow moving in the distance.
"Senior, did you just empower me?" Warmth filled Lin Yue's heart. He bowed once more, then hurried out of the cave.
This time, he didn't rush in recklessly. Instead, he circulated his Chaos Energy and concealed himself within the surrounding Chaos Airflow. Like a wary leopard, he crept toward the treasure light. He moved quickly, but remained alert to his surroundings, missing not even the slightest unusual fluctuation of energy.
As he drew nearer, the treasure light grew clearer. At its center, Lin Yue could make out the shape of some slender object, seemingly a sword. When he came within a hundred zhang of it, a sharp aura struck him. It was as if countless invisible swords were whirling around him, their edges prickling his skin.
"The Sharpness Law..." Lin Yue's thoughts stirred. "Could it be the nascent form of an Innate Sword-type Spirit Treasure?"
Sword treasures were perfectly suited to the Sharpness Law. If he could obtain this one, his offensive power would surely increase by leaps and bounds.
As he considered how to claim the treasure light, a few dark figures flashed through the Chaos Airflow in the distance. They were moving extremely fast, heading straight for the treasure light. Their energy fluctuations were faint, but their hostility was unmistakable.
"Just as I thought. Other beings were drawn here!" Lin Yue tensed and wasted no more time. He quickened his pace, gathering Chaos Energy in his palm and preparing to fight at any moment. No matter what, he had to try for the treasure. It wasn't just a chance to grow stronger; it was also a way to prove worthy of Pangu's trust.
The treasure light continued to drift slowly. It was now less than fifty zhang away. Lin Yue took a deep breath, determination flashing in his eyes, then shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Before you continue