After leaving the secret realm, Lin Wudao found a secluded valley and went into seclusion to heal. He sat cross-legged in a cave, circulating the Mystic Heaven Creation Instruction. The black jade fragment floated above his head, radiating a soft glow as wisps of energy seeped into his meridians, hastening his recovery. Yet the calm on the surface could not conceal the undercurrents surging across the continent. News of the black jade fragment and the ancient clan's secrets spread like wildfire.
Within the Heavenly Mysteries Sect, Tianxuzi sat upright in the elders' council hall, his expression dark as stagnant water. "Lin Wudao must die! The black jade fragment must never fall into his hands!" He slammed his palm onto the table, sending tea splashing from the cups. "Pass down my orders. All disciples outside the sect are to keep a close watch on Lin Wudao's movements. Report immediately if he is sighted!"
Within the Netherworld Sect, Youmingzi gazed at the damaged Jade Slip in his hand, his eyes filled with venomous resentment. "Jade Void Palace... Lin Wudao..." he muttered through gritted teeth. "Sooner or later, our Netherworld Sect will settle this debt!" He summoned a trusted subordinate and murmured a few instructions. After accepting his orders, the subordinate transformed into a streak of black mist and vanished.
Meanwhile, within the mysterious Jade Void Palace, the mysterious man in white stood before a great hall wreathed in clouds and mist, gazing thoughtfully into the distance. "To think this Lin Wudao could survive one deadly crisis after another. Rather interesting." An amused smile curled his lips. "Keep a close watch on his movements. Perhaps he can bring us an unexpected surprise."
Lin Wudao remained in seclusion in the valley for more than half a month before his injuries finally healed. He took out the black jade fragment and tried to unravel its mysteries, only to find the runes on it obscure and difficult to comprehend. Just as he was racking his brains, a system notification suddenly sounded: "Ding! Resonance detected between the black jade fragment and nearby ancient ruins. The ruins may contain a crucial clue to deciphering the runes."
Something stirred in Lin Wudao's heart, and he immediately decided to explore the ancient ruins. Riding his sword, he crossed mountain range after mountain range and arrived at a barren stretch of desert. Guided by the black jade fragment, he found an ancient palace buried beneath yellow sand. Its gates were tightly shut, their surfaces covered in runes similar to those on the black jade fragment.
Lin Wudao channeled spiritual power into the black jade fragment. It blazed with light, resonating with the runes on the gates. The gates slowly opened, and a breath of something long sealed away washed over him. He cautiously stepped into the palace. Inside, it was pitch-black and terrifyingly silent. He took out a lighting artifact to illuminate his surroundings and saw that the walls were covered in murals depicting the ancient clan's former glory and destruction.
Just as he was examining the murals closely, he suddenly heard faint footsteps. He immediately tightened his grip on the Chaos Sword and looked warily around. "Who's there? Come out!" he shouted.
A soft laugh drifted from the darkness, and a figure slowly emerged. It was a woman dressed in red gauze robes, her beauty exquisite, yet her eyes held a trace of something uncanny. "Little fellow, you certainly have some nerve, daring to venture in here alone." Her voice was as lovely as a nightingale's song, yet it sent a chill through the bones.
"Who are you? Why are you here?" Lin Wudao demanded sharply.
The woman laughed sweetly. "Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is the black jade fragment in your hand." Before she finished speaking, she suddenly struck, sending a streak of red light shooting toward Lin Wudao. He sidestepped and swung his sword in retaliation. The Chaos Sword collided with the red light, erupting in a dazzling flare.
As they exchanged blows, Lin Wudao discovered that the woman was extraordinarily powerful. Her moves were uncanny and unpredictable, every strike carrying a potent corrosive force. Not daring to be careless, he circulated the Mystic Heaven Creation Instruction at full power. Lightning flickered over the Chaos Sword as he unleashed Thunder Dragon Roar. An enormous lightning dragon flew from the sword and lunged at the woman.
A flicker of surprise crossed the woman's eyes at the sight. She immediately formed hand seals, chanting under her breath. Raging flames suddenly ignited around her, engulfing the lightning dragon. Lin Wudao seized the opening to close in, thrusting the Chaos Sword straight at her throat. Yet the woman remained unhurried. With a light wave of her hand, an invisible barrier sent Lin Wudao flying.
"It seems you won't obediently hand over the black jade fragment unless I show you some real skill." A cold gleam flashed through the woman's eyes, and her presence instantly surged. An enormous red phantom appeared behind her, holding a curved saber wreathed in flames.
Lin Wudao felt immense pressure bearing down on him. He knew this was a battle of life and death. Drawing a deep breath, he poured all his spiritual power into the Chaos Sword, and the lightning along its blade grew ever more dazzling. "Mystic Heaven Creation Instruction: Thunderous Might!" he roared. Countless bolts of lightning descended from the sky, striking toward the woman and the phantom behind her...