Re-entering Treasure Apportionment Cliff, Chaos Brick Appears

Three days' journey, and they arrived at Kunlun.

The Queen Mother of the West was already waiting at the Jade Pond. Upon seeing Lu Chen, she dismissed her attendants and immediately cast a soundproof barrier.

"Young friend, let's cut to the chase," the Queen Mother of the West said with a serious expression. "Your theft of treasures from Treasure Distribution Cliff has been discovered by Jieyin and Zhunti. They used their divine abilities to backtrack through time and found evidence—a wisp of your aura and a... brick chip."

Lu Chen's heart jolted.

A brick chip? Could it be from Black Brick hitting the restrictions?

"However, I've managed to suppress it for now," the Queen Mother of the West continued. "In exchange, I need you to do me a favor."

"Please, senior, tell me."

The Queen Mother of the West produced an ancient-looking scroll: "These are the last three missing pages from the Kunlun Mirror Crafting Manual. Although my Kunlun Mirror is already an Innate Spiritual Treasure, if this manual can be completed, it can be upgraded to an Innate Supreme Treasure, possessing supreme power to glimpse the past and future, and stabilize time and space."

She looked at Lu Chen. "According to my deductions, these three pages are hidden within the most core restrictions of Treasure Distribution Cliff. Since you were able to infiltrate the third level, perhaps you can retrieve them."

Lu Chen gave a wry smile. "Senior, I'm currently wanted by the demon race. Wouldn't going to Treasure Distribution Cliff again be walking into a trap?"

"Not so," the Queen Mother of the West replied. "Every three hundred years, the restrictions of Treasure Distribution Cliff experience an 'Absolute Stillness Period' due to the Chaos Tide, lasting for three breaths. During these three breaths, all restrictions become ineffective, and even the Dao Ancestor's divine sense will be blocked. The next stillness period is in three months."

She took out a jade pendant. "This is the 'Time-Space Calibration Talisman.' It can instantly teleport you to the core of Treasure Distribution Cliff during the stillness period and then teleport you back. However, it can only be used once, and you only have three breaths. You must find and retrieve those three pages within those three breaths."

Lu Chen took the jade pendant and fell into thought.

The risk was immense, but the reward was also tempting—if he could help the Queen Mother of the West complete the Kunlun Mirror, it would be equivalent to earning the favor of a peak Quasi-Saint, a mighty being wielding an Innate Supreme Treasure.

"Alright, I'll go," he finally nodded.

"Wise choice," the Queen Mother of the West showed a slight smile. "For these three months, you will stay at Kunlun Mountain, and I will teach you some secret arts of time and space, which will be beneficial for your journey."

"Thank you, senior."

For the next three months, Lu Chen entered seclusion at Kunlun Mountain.

The Queen Mother of the West, as the foremost female immortal, surpassed ordinary understanding in her comprehension of time and space. Lu Chen learned the '[Eternal Instant]' secret art she taught, which could accelerate his perception a hundredfold—one breath in the outside world would feel like a hundred breaths to him, enough to accomplish many things.

Simultaneously, he began to grasp the 'Strength Pierces the Primordial Era' technique from the Pangu's Spine Fragment he had recently acquired. This move specialized in breaking restrictions and, combined with Black Brick, possessed astonishing power.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

On the eve of the stillness period, the Queen Mother of the West sent Lu Chen to a teleportation array on the peak of Kunlun Mountain.

"Young friend, remember: three breaths, only three breaths. Regardless of success or failure, you must return."

"This junior understands."

Lu Chen gripped the jade pendant and stepped into the array.

As midnight struck, the jade pendant glowed, and time and space distorted.

When he opened his eyes again, he was standing in the most core area of Treasure Distribution Cliff—there was only a stone platform, upon which three items floated:

To the left was a Jade Slip (precisely the missing three pages of the manual).

In the middle was a bead of chaotic color (its aura ancient).

To the right was a... black brick?

Lu Chen was stunned.

That brick was almost identical to the Black Brick in his hand! It was just larger, its aura more ancient, and four Great Dao runes were carved on its surface:

[One Brick to Kill]

What the heck?!

But time did not allow him to think further.

First breath: he grabbed the Jade Slip.

Second breath: he looked at the chaotic bead—his instincts told him this was something more precious than the manual! Gritting his teeth, he took it as well!

Third breath: he rushed towards the black brick.

The moment his finger touched the brick—

"Buzz!"

The brick actually flew up on its own and merged into the Black Brick in his hand!

The two bricks became one. Black Brick erupted with an unprecedented dark light, its body expanding to three feet long, runes flowing across its surface. Its weight increased tenfold, and its grade directly leaped from Innate Spiritual Treasure to Innate Supreme Treasure!

At the same time, a message flooded into his mind:

[Chaos Brick (Innate Supreme Treasure) · Brick used for building a stove by Pangu during Sky-Opening. Contains the origin of the Law of Strength. Can grow.]

[Current Abilities: 1. One Brick Breaks All Laws (Ignores most restrictions). 2. Brick Escape (Wherever the mind wills, the brick goes). 3. Brick Clone (Can split into up to nine pieces, each with 30% of the main body's power).]

Lu Chen was overjoyed.

But at this moment, the three breaths were up!

The jade pendant activated, forcibly teleporting him back to Kunlun Mountain.

The moment he disappeared, the core restrictions of Treasure Distribution Cliff were restored.

A phantom image of Hongjun slowly appeared. Looking at the empty stone platform, it remained silent for a long time.

Finally, it shook its head, and the phantom image dissipated.

Kunlun Mountain, Jade Pond.

Lu Chen stumbled out of the teleportation array, covered in cold sweat.

Queen Mother of the West quickly stepped forward, "Young friend, did you succeed?"

Lu Chen took out a Jade Slip, "The diagram is here."

Queen Mother of the West rejoiced, took the diagram, and put it away without even looking at it. "Thank you, young friend! I will remember this kindness!"

She paused, then lowered her voice, "Furthermore, I just received news—Jieyin and Zhunti were in a chaotic battle in the west with Kunpeng, Minghe, and Taiyi, resulting in mutual destruction. Jieyin is severely injured, Zhunti lost an arm, Kunpeng was taken away by Taiyi, and Minghe fled back to the Sea of Blood. However, after the battle, they insisted that you stole the treasure and presented... that piece of brick dust as evidence."

Lu Chen's heart tightened.

"However, the Dao Ancestor has not expressed his stance," Queen Mother of the West said meaningfully, "It seems... he tacitly approved?"

Tacitly approved?

Lu Chen was stunned.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun tacitly approved his theft? How was that possible?

Unless...

"Unless the Dao Ancestor originally intended to use me to 'distribute' certain treasures?" he murmured.

Queen Mother of the West gave a noncommittal response, "This matter is profound, beyond our speculation. Young friend, it is best for you to remain in hiding for a while. The demon race's wanted order has not been lifted, and Jieyin and Zhunti hate you to the bone. Though the Primordial Era is vast, it may not be enough to hide you."

Lu Chen nodded, "This junior understands."

Just as he was about to take his leave and return to Wuzhuang Temple, Qingfeng suddenly flew over urgently:

"Your Highness! This is bad! Wuzhuang Temple is under attack—a demon army has surrounded the mountain, and Taiyi himself has arrived, breaking the formation!"

What?!

Lu Chen and Queen Mother of the West's expressions changed simultaneously.

"Zhen Yuanzi and fellow Daoist Hongyun..." Queen Mother of the West said anxiously.

Without a word, Lu Chen summoned the newly acquired Chaos Brick.

"Brick Escape!"

His mind locked onto Wuzhuang Temple, the Chaos Brick flashed with dark light, and he instantly vanished.

Queen Mother of the West stared, dumbfounded, "This escape speed... is faster than the Kunlun Mirror?!"

She dared not delay and also transformed into a stream of light, rushing towards Wuzhuang Temple.

Meanwhile, outside Wuzhuang Temple—

Ten thousand demons pressed in, their banners obscuring the sky.

Eastern Emperor Taiyi hovered in the air, the Chaos Bell had already rung its first chime.

The Earth Element Great Array was on the verge of collapse!

Lu Chen returned via Brick Escape, only to see that a corner of Wuzhuang Temple's formation had already been broken. Qingfeng and Mingyue were severely injured, Zhen Yuanzi's Earth Book was stained with blood, and Hongyun was fighting three Demon Saints alone! Taiyi was about to ring the second chime of the Chaos Bell—if this chime sounded, Wuzhuang Temple would be annihilated!

At the critical moment, Lu Chen hurled the Chaos Brick at the Chaos Bell, shouting fiercely:

"Taiyi, your bell—it's mine now!"