Lin Wudao stepped out of the secret realm with the black jade fragment. Night had completely shrouded the land. He found a secluded cave, sat cross-legged, and tried circulating the Mystic Heaven Creation Instruction: Advanced Chapter. As he circulated the cultivation method, the black jade fragment floated into the air, emitting a mysterious light, and obscure, incomprehensible runes appeared one after another in his sea of consciousness.
Just as he immersed himself in the cultivation method's mysteries, faint footsteps suddenly came from outside the cave. Lin Wudao's gaze sharpened. He instantly concealed his presence and tucked the black jade fragment into his robes. Shadows shifted at the entrance, and three figures slipped silently inside. The burly man leading them wore a Heavenly Mysteries Sect token at his waist.
"Here he is, just as expected! Elder Tianxuzi said that brat would find somewhere to regulate his breathing after leaving the secret realm. He was right." The burly man sneered, and the two behind him immediately spread out to flank Lin Wudao.
Lin Wudao slowly rose, drew the Chaos Sword, and said coldly, "The Heavenly Mysteries Sect really does haunt me like a lingering ghost."
"Hand over the black jade fragment and Great Emperor Xuantian's inheritance, and I'll spare your life!" Greed filled the burly man's eyes as he pointed his longsword straight at Lin Wudao. "You think breaking through to the Tribulation Transcendence Realm means you can oppose the Heavenly Mysteries Sect? What a fool's dream!"
Before his words had faded, all three attacked at once. Lin Wudao darted through the cave like a phantom, the Chaos Sword weaving layer upon layer of sword shadows. Facing their combined assault, he remained unhurried, skillfully using the cave's narrow terrain to neutralize their attacks one by one.
"Mysterious Heaven Creation Instruction: Gale Break!" Lin Wudao shouted. Sword Qi turned into a hurricane, driving all three back. Yet just as he prepared to press his advantage, an enormous boom suddenly came from outside the cave. A pillar of golden light shot into the sky, its mighty pressure making the entire earth tremble.
"This is..." Shock appeared on the faces of Lin Wudao and the three Heavenly Mysteries Sect disciples at the same time.
"This is bad! Another secret realm has opened!" The burly man's expression changed drastically. "Go! We must report to the elder first!" Not daring to linger in battle, the three hurried away on their flying swords.
Lin Wudao gazed toward the pillar of light, a powerful premonition rising within him. The system notification sounded at that moment: "Ding! Disturbances detected in other ancient clan secret realms. The remaining two black jade fragments are highly likely to emerge."
Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Wudao flew toward the pillar of light on his sword. Along the way, he noticed powerful figures streaking across the sky from time to time, clearly drawn by the disturbance. As he approached the pillar's location, he saw an enormous floating island slowly emerge from the clouds. Densely packed restriction runes surrounded the island, emanating an ancient, mysterious presence.
"Is this the entrance to the secret realm?" As soon as Lin Wudao approached the island, an invisible barrier stopped him. He circulated the Mystic Heaven Creation Instruction, trying to break through the barrier, only to discover that the runes actually resonated with it.
"Ding! Black jade fragment presence detected. Special entry access unlocked." The instant the system notification sounded, a crack opened in the barrier, and Lin Wudao entered the island without trouble.
Thick mist blanketed the island, leaving visibility extremely low. Lin Wudao advanced cautiously. Suddenly, a shrill scream tore through the silence. He hurried toward the sound and saw a rogue cultivator surrounded by several monsters covered in sharp spikes, already on his last breath.
"Help... help me..." At the sight of Lin Wudao, a glimmer of hope flashed in the rogue cultivator's eyes.
Lin Wudao swung the Chaos Sword. Sword Qi swept across, instantly slaying the monsters. The rogue cultivator struggled to pull a torn map from his robes and said weakly, "This is... a clue to the black jade fragments... I'll give it to you. Please avenge me... Those people... were from the Netherworld Sect..." Before he could finish, he breathed his last.
Lin Wudao took the map, killing intent surging within him. The Netherworld Sect, a sect infamous for its evil techniques, apparently had also joined the struggle for the black jade fragments. Following the map's directions, he headed deeper into the island.
Along the way, he encountered quite a few cultivators from other factions. Some tried to rob him openly, while others launched sneak attacks. Relying on his formidable strength and the Chaos Sword's might, Lin Wudao overcame each crisis. When he reached the location marked on the map, however, he found it already in complete disarray. Several corpses lay on the ground, some dressed in Netherworld Sect robes.
"Looks like someone beat me here." Just as Lin Wudao prepared to search for clues, a sinister wind suddenly blew past. The corpses on the ground actually opened their eyes simultaneously, eerie green light flickering within them.
"The Netherworld Sect's Corpse Control Technique!" Lin Wudao's expression grew grave. The presence emanating from these corpses was extremely powerful. Clearly, they had all been experts in life.
The corpses let out low growls and lunged at Lin Wudao. He brandished the Chaos Sword, lightning flashing along its blade as he repeatedly hacked the corpses apart. Yet after the pieces fell to the ground, they quickly reassembled, their attacks growing ever fiercer.
Just as Lin Wudao became locked in a bitter struggle, a black figure emerged from the shadows. This person wore black robes and a bronze mask, holding a staff of white bone.
"Hand over the black jade fragment, or you will die here today!" The black-robed figure's voice was icy. With a wave of the staff, more corpses burrowed out of the ground, surrounding Lin Wudao on all sides.
Lin Wudao's gaze sharpened as he silently considered his options. He knew the black-robed figure before him possessed unfathomable strength. With these troublesome corpses added to the mix, the slightest misstep would plunge him beyond all redemption. But he could never give up the black jade fragment, for it concerned the secrets of Great Emperor Xuantian's inheritance, as well as whether he could uncover the truth behind the grievances between the ancient clans and Great Emperor Xuantian...