The instant the suction weakened, Xiao Yan acted without hesitation. Origin Qi surged wildly into his feet, and he braced himself against the Heavenly Flames Eternal Ruler and kicked backward!
Bang!
He shot backward like an arrow loosed from a bow and crashed heavily onto the ground several meters away, kicking up a cloud of dust. The violent impact filled his throat with a sweet taste, and he nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. He hurriedly circulated his Origin Qi to suppress the turmoil in his blood and Qi.
"That was close..." Still shaken, Xiao Yan looked at the spatial rift. It was still writhing slowly, giving off a presence that made his heart tremble, but the terrifying suction had vanished without a trace.
His gaze fell on the black jade fragment floating before him, his eyes full of confusion and shock.
He had obtained this jade fragment from Yao Lao many years ago and had always thought it an ordinary antique. Aside from its hard texture, it had never displayed anything unusual. Yet at that critical moment between life and death, it had flown out on its own and easily neutralized the spatial rift's suction, a force even he could not withstand. Clearly, it was no ordinary object.
The jade fragment gave off a soft black light as it floated silently in midair, pulsing faintly as though alive. Xiao Yan could sense that it seemed to contain a strange power that faintly resonated with the power of space.
Where exactly did this jade fragment come from? Full of curiosity, Xiao Yan cautiously reached out to take it back.
The instant his fingertips touched the jade fragment, it erupted with a blinding black light, and a vast torrent of information flooded into his mind like water bursting through a broken dam!
Buzz-!
Xiao Yan felt as if his head were about to explode. The agonizing pain made his vision go black, and he could not help letting out a muffled groan. He curled up on the ground, his whole body convulsing.
The torrent of information was vast and ancient, interspersed with countless obscure runes and shattered images: the magnificent sight of stars breaking apart, a horrific battlefield where living beings were plunged into misery, experts in ancient battle armor fighting bloody battles, and... a boundless gray space filled with the air of chaos.
The information was far too obscure and difficult to comprehend. Xiao Yan could not possibly absorb it all and could only endure it passively. After an unknown length of time, the torrent finally began to subside. The black light on the jade fragment dimmed with it, and the fragment became an ordinary piece of black jade once more and fell to the ground.
Xiao Yan gasped for breath, his forehead covered in cold sweat and his face as pale as paper, as though he had just fought a great battle. He shook his groggy head and tried to recall the information that had flooded his mind, only to find that most of it was indistinct. All that remained were a few scattered fragments and an inexplicable insight-it seemed his understanding of the power of space had deepened somewhat out of nowhere.
"This jade fragment... actually contains such an enormous amount of information..." Xiao Yan picked it up and gripped it tightly, deeply shaken. He had a faint feeling that a tremendous secret was likely hidden behind it.
He carefully put the jade fragment back into his Storage Ring and kept it close. After the terrifying scene just now, he did not dare linger and quickly left the edge of Shattered Space Cliff.
On the way back, Xiao Yan hurried along, doing his best to avoid any dangers he might encounter. After the incident with the black jade fragment, he had a deeper understanding of the dangers of the Black Wind Abyss and was also filled with awe for the Great Thousand World.
By the time he emerged from the Black Wind Abyss and returned to the vicinity of Northern Region City, two days had passed. There were still ten days before the training expedition ended, but his gains had already far exceeded his expectations, so naturally there was no need to take any more risks.
After entering Northern Region City, Xiao Yan did not return straight to Ying Inn. Instead, he first went to the Beast Hunting Pavilion and exchanged the Black Qilin Leopard pelts, claws, and beast cores he had obtained in the Black Wind Abyss, along with some low-grade Spiritual Origin Crystals he had no use for, for Origin Qi Pills.
The scarred man's eyes flashed with surprise when he saw Xiao Yan return safely with so many spoils. When he saw the materials from five Black Qilin Leopards, he could not help giving him a few extra looks.
"Looks like you made quite a haul in the Black Wind Abyss, Brother Xiao," the scarred man said with a smile as he counted the materials. "I'll give you three thousand Low-Grade Origin Qi Pills for these, plus fifty Middle-Grade ones. How does that sound?"
The price was fair, and Xiao Yan had no objections. He nodded in agreement.
After exchanging the materials for Origin Qi Pills, Xiao Yan went to the Myriad Treasures Tower and bought some medicinal ingredients for refining Spirit Concentrating Liquid. He planned to refine a bottle for the Liu Clan's eldest young lady when he got back, settling the karma between them.
By the time he returned to Ying Inn, the sky had darkened.
Xiao Yan went straight to his room, secured the doors and windows, took out the medicinal ingredients, and began refining the Spirit Concentrating Liquid.
To him, refining this kind of pill, which could be mastered at the Origin Master level, was as easy as turning over his hand. He did not use Heavenly Flames. Instead, he condensed a gentle flame with his Origin Qi and, following the formula in his memory, placed the Calming Heart Grass, Condensing Dew Flowers, and other medicinal ingredients into the pill furnace one by one.
His Origin Qi precisely controlled the temperature of the flame. The ingredients slowly melted and blended in the furnace, giving off a faint, fresh fragrance.
In less than half an hour, a clear pill chime rang out from the furnace. Three pieces of Spirit Concentrating Liquid, lustrous white all over and surrounded by a soft halo, floated above its opening. The quality of the pills far surpassed the bottle Liu Fei had owned before.
Xiao Yan placed the Spirit Concentrating Liquid in a jade bottle and nodded in satisfaction.
Over the next few days, Xiao Yan did not go out again, instead devoting himself to cultivation in his room. He consolidated his Initial Origin King realm while absorbing the scattered information he had gained from the jade fragment. At the same time, he tried to convert his Dou Qi completely into Origin Qi.
Although the black jade fragment showed no further unusual activity, Xiao Yan could sense that it seemed to be gradually improving his physique without his noticing. His affinity for Origin Qi grew stronger and stronger, and his conversion speed increased considerably.
During that time, Qian Tong visited once. Seeing that Xiao Yan had returned safely and gained a great deal, he was genuinely happy for him. The two chatted briefly about what they had seen and heard in the Black Wind Abyss. When Qian Tong learned that Xiao Yan had slain the Black Qilin Leopard leader and driven off the Liu Clan's consecrated expert, he was so astonished that his jaw dropped, and his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at Xiao Yan.
Ten days later, the Black Wind Abyss training expedition officially ended.
Xiao Yan went to the City Lord's Manor square, where quite a few expedition participants had already gathered. Most looked exhausted, and many were injured. Clearly, the expedition had been anything but easy.
Li Xuantong stood on the raised platform as before, counting the participants with an expressionless face. Nearly a third fewer had returned than had set out. Clearly, quite a few had remained in the Black Wind Abyss forever.
"Bring forward the Spiritual Origin Crystals you obtained for registration." Li Xuantong's voice was as cool as ever.
The participants lined up and handed over their Spiritual Origin Crystals one by one. The guards of the City Lord's Manor carefully counted and registered them, then issued rewards according to their quantity and quality.
When Xiao Yan's turn came, he took out fifty high-quality Spiritual Origin Crystals-he had deliberately kept some.
The guard in charge of registration showed a flicker of surprise when he saw the crystals and hurriedly reported them.
Li Xuantong walked over, picked up a Spiritual Origin Crystal, and examined it carefully. He looked up at Xiao Yan, a trace of approval flashing in his eyes. "Not bad. These Spiritual Origin Crystals are of excellent quality. According to the rules, your reward is one hundred Middle-Grade Origin Qi Pills. Also, would you be interested in a place in the City Lord's Manor guard?"
Joining the City Lord's Manor guard was tantamount to gaining a backer, and one's status in Northern Region City would rise as the tide lifted the boat. It was an opportunity many participants dreamed of.
But after some thought, Xiao Yan shook his head. "Thank you for your kind offer, Commander Li, but I'm used to my freedom. I'm afraid I'll have to decline."
His ambitions encompassed the entire Great Thousand World, and he did not want to be tied down to any faction too soon.
Li Xuantong did not seem surprised. He said calmly, "No matter. If you change your mind in the future, you can come find me anytime."
He gestured for a guard to hand Xiao Yan the one hundred Middle-Grade Origin Qi Pills, then turned to continue handling other matters.
After collecting his reward, Xiao Yan did not linger and left the City Lord's Manor square at once.
Back at Ying Inn, he packed his belongings. He planned to deliver the Spirit Concentrating Liquid to the Liu Clan, then leave Northern Region City and see more of the wider world.
Though Northern Region City was prosperous, it was ultimately only a corner of the Great Thousand World. To find Xun'er and Cai Lin, he had to go to stronger regions and make contact with more elite factions.
Following the address he had asked around for, Xiao Yan arrived outside the Liu Clan's residence.
The Liu Clan's residence was not particularly lavish, but it was still imposing, with guards stationed at the entrance.
"I'm looking for Miss Liu Fei. Please let her know I'm here," Xiao Yan said to the guards.
One of the guards looked him up and down. Seeing his ordinary clothing, the guard's eyes flashed with a hint of disdain, but he reluctantly went inside to announce him.
A short while later, Liu Fei came out with the guard. Surprise flashed in her eyes when she saw Xiao Yan. "It's you?"
She clearly had not expected the outsider who had broken her Spirit Concentrating Liquid to come looking for the Liu Clan of his own accord.
"Miss Liu, I was in the wrong last time. This is Spirit Concentrating Liquid I refined to compensate you." Xiao Yan held out the jade bottle containing it.
Liu Fei took the bottle suspiciously and opened it. The moment she looked inside, she was stunned by the quality of the Spirit Concentrating Liquid. Its color and the presence it gave off both far surpassed those of her previous bottle. It was clearly top-grade!
"You... you really can refine pills?" Liu Fei stared at Xiao Yan in astonishment, her eyes full of disbelief. She had thought he was merely saying it offhandedly and had not expected him to actually refine Spirit Concentrating Liquid of such high quality.
"I know a little," Xiao Yan said calmly. "I've repaid you for the pill, so the karma between us is wiped clean. Farewell."
With that, he turned to leave.
"Wait!" Liu Fei hurriedly called him back. "Your name is Xiao Yan, right? Spirit Concentrating Liquid of this quality would be hard to buy even at the Myriad Treasures Tower. I can't just take it from you for nothing. Tell me, what do you want? Origin Qi Pills? Or other medicinal ingredients?"
Xiao Yan shook his head. "There's no need. It's only an apology."
"How can that be?" Liu Fei frowned. Though she was somewhat spoiled and willful, she was not someone who took advantage of others for a small gain. "How about this? If you need any help in Northern Region City, just come to the Liu Clan. As long as it doesn't go against our principles, the Liu Clan will definitely help you!"
Xiao Yan glanced at her and, seeing her sincere expression, nodded. "Thank you."
This time, he did not linger. He turned and left the Liu Clan's residence.
Back at Ying Inn, Xiao Yan settled his bill and organized the things in his Storage Ring, then left Northern Region City.
Standing in the air outside Northern Region City, Xiao Yan gazed at the vast world in the distance, his eyes full of anticipation.
"Great Thousand World, here I come."
He took a deep breath, fixed on a direction, and became a streak of light as he sped away.
His first stop was Tianbei City, the largest city in the Northern Region. It was said to have spatial passages leading to other regions. Perhaps he could find some news of Xun'er and Cai Lin there.
As he flew, Xiao Yan cultivated while familiarizing himself with the use of Origin Qi. The black jade fragment occasionally gave off a faint trace of heat, and both his flying speed and his control over Origin Qi slowly improved.
Several days later, Xiao Yan crossed a barren mountain range, and a broader plain appeared ahead. At its far end stood a colossal city tens of times larger than Northern Region City. Its walls towered into the clouds, shimmering with the faint light of Origin Qi, a magnificent sight.
"Is that Tianbei City?" Surprise flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes, and he sped up toward the great city.
The closer he got to Tianbei City, the more cultivators appeared around him. People of every description traveled back and forth on all manner of flying treasures, making for a lively scene.
Xiao Yan concealed his presence and flew toward Tianbei City with the crowd.
Just as he was about to reach the city gates, the black jade fragment in his Storage Ring suddenly erupted with an intense black light without warning!
"Hm?" Xiao Yan was startled. Before he could react, he felt an irresistible force surge out of the jade fragment and envelop his body, tearing through space in an instant!
The scenery around him twisted violently. The sounds of wind and voices vanished, leaving only endless darkness and a pain like being torn apart.
What's happening?! Xiao Yan was horrified. He could feel a mysterious force forcibly teleporting him to an unknown destination!
He struggled desperately to resist, but found that the Origin Qi and Heavenly Flames within him were both suppressed by the black light from the jade fragment. He could not summon them at all.
After an unknown length of time, the tearing pain finally vanished, and the darkness around him gradually dispersed.
Xiao Yan tumbled out of a patch of distorted space and crashed heavily to the ground.
He struggled to his feet and looked around, finding himself in an unfamiliar forest.
The trees were exceptionally tall, their trunks so thick that it would take more than a dozen people joining hands to encircle them. Their luxuriant branches and leaves blotted out the sky and sun, allowing only scattered spots of sunlight through the gaps. The air was thick with the scent of vegetation and an oppressive feeling... more dangerous than that of the Black Wind Abyss.
"Where is this?" Xiao Yan frowned deeply. He could sense that although the Origin Qi in this forest was also abundant, it carried a primeval, wild quality, completely different from the Origin Qi around Northern Region City.
What alarmed him even more was that the black jade fragment in his Storage Ring had gone quiet again. No matter what he tried, he could no longer sense any presence from it, as though everything that had just happened were only a dream.
Why did the jade fragment suddenly teleport me here? Xiao Yan was full of confusion and unease. What kind of place is this?
Just then, a deep roar came from the depths of the forest. It was filled with a violent, bloodthirsty presence, and Xiao Yan's expression immediately turned grave.
He could sense a powerful presence far exceeding that of the Black Qilin Leopard leader approaching rapidly, accompanied by intense killing intent!
Xiao Yan clenched his fists, quietly circulating his Origin Qi as he watched the direction the sound had come from.
In this unknown, unfamiliar place, a new crisis had already descended.