Chapter 546: Shocking News of a Spiritual Treasure

Chapter 546: Chapter 546: Shocking News of a Spiritual Treasure

Pu Yu was instantly wet.

From terror.

"..."

Divine Sky Peak returned to its usual tranquility. Only the muffled rumble of thunder occasionally echoed from deep within the mountain.

Xu Yunfan sat cross-legged and began to assimilate the pure Primordial Qi he had harvested over the past few days.

The Heaven and Earth Interchange Yin Yang Separation and Reunion Scripture, brought by Liuu Yunhua, had been logged into his Attribute Panel. It showed great promise.

He reached out and retrieved an ancient scroll from his Sumeru Mustard Seed.

Of course, this ancient scroll had been plundered from Liuu Yunhua’s Sumeru Mustard Seed. The ’spiritual trauma’ he had suffered over the past few days naturally required significant compensation in the form of spiritual materials and resources.

And this ancient scroll detailed the Spiritual Treasure that the Divine Sky Nine Heavens True Monarch had forged to achieve his Dao Attainment Fruit Position.

The Divine Sky Sword.

Xu Yunfan’s expression was calm. Regardless of its authenticity, he had no intention of investigating it now.

What he needed to do now was spend a great deal of time stabilizing his Grotto Heaven. Then, he had to raise his Purple Mansion from his Qi Sea Dantian to connect with the heavens above.

By doing so, he would enter Late-Stage Foundation Establishment. Once he built enough momentum, the rank of Great Daoist Master would be within his reach.

As for the so-called news about the Divine Sky True Monarch’s Spiritual Treasure, he made a mental note of it, but now was not the time to investigate.

’Besides, how likely is it that someone would just eagerly deliver a treasure to my doorstep the moment I switched to cultivating the Divine Sky Nine Heavens Profound Vault Undying Scripture?’

’I don’t even have to think about it. It’s obviously bait.’

At this thought, Xu Yunfan couldn’t help but curse aloud.

’These dogs.’

’Who knows what they’re even after, setting their hooks everywhere.’

Besides, without a stable foundation, everything else was just empty talk.

He needed time to consolidate his gains, polish his Grotto Heaven Embryo to Perfection, and further refine his Magical Power.

His aura grew completely still, like the waters of a deep, ancient well.

「Several days later.」

「Hundred Desires Peak.」

Liuu Yunhua staggered, each step an immense struggle.

She dragged her body and Divine Soul—which Xu Yunfan had ridden to the brink of collapse—back to her palace chambers deep within Hundred Desires Peak.

The elegant fragrance permeating the magnificent palace was a stark contrast to the aura of decay clinging to her now.

Instead of returning to her jade bed to recover, she endured the bone-deep weakness and excruciating pain, her steps heavy as she made her way toward a Quiet Chamber deep within the palace, a place veiled by layers of restrictive seals and gauze curtains.

Two female cultivators with impressive auras stood guard outside. Seeing Liuu Yunhua’s state, their expressions changed dramatically. They rushed forward to help, but a terrifying glare from Liuu Yunhua stopped them in their tracks.

Alone, and with immense effort, she pushed open the heavy jade door of the Quiet Chamber and stepped inside.

The light inside was dim, and the Spiritual Qi was so dense it was almost tangible. A figure stood with his back to the entrance, facing a window, seemingly gazing at the swirling mists below Hundred Desires Peak.

"Senior Brother..."

Liuu Yunhua’s breath was shallow, her voice barely a whisper, laden with an unspeakable weariness.

No longer able to support her weakened body, she collapsed. THUD. She fell stiffly to her knees behind the man, her forehead pressed to the floor.

"I... have completed it..."

She spoke with the last of her strength, her tone respectful. Her voice carried a hint of relief, but it was drowned in endless venom and bitterness.

This ’completion’ came at the cost of her Daoist Cultivation being stunted, her very essence as a Human Cauldron plundered, and all hope for this lifetime likely extinguished...

The Quiet Chamber was deathly silent.

A moment later, the figure with his back to her slowly turned around.

The man was handsome, but his gaze was as deep as an abyss. His aura was seamless and perfect, yet it carried a faint, heart-stopping pressure. Judging by his aura, he was a Great Daoist Master at Foundation Establishment Perfection.

It was none other than the current Sect Leader of the Primordial Sect, Celestial Derivation Daoist Master.

His gaze fell upon Liuu Yunhua—haggard, prostrate on the floor, her aura utterly depleted—but he did not speak immediately.

The silence lasted for the space of several breaths, and the very air seemed to freeze.

Liuu Yunhua’s body trembled slightly, whether from fear or pain, it was unclear.

"You have endured much."

Celestial Derivation Daoist Master finally spoke, his voice calm and deep, betraying no joy or anger.

He gently raised a hand. A stream of Magical Power—gentle and deep, yet vast and boundless—flowed out. Like a warm spring, it instantly enveloped Liuu Yunhua’s ruined body.

This Magical Power carried a peculiar Vitality and nourishing energy. It wasn’t meant to heal, but rather to forcibly preserve the last thread of her life force, stabilizing the remnants of her Dao Foundation—which threatened to collapse at any moment—so she wouldn’t simply perish on the spot.

At the same time, a pure Spiritual Liquid materialized in front of Liuu Yunhua.

"Take this drop of Jade Marrow and stabilize your foundation. I will not forget the injustices you have suffered. We both serve the True Monarch; some situations require us to put ourselves in harm’s way."

His tone was calm, placating the tormented Liuu Yunhua.

There were no warm pleasantries, no recriminations for her failure. His tone and demeanor showed only a condescending sense of control, like a master soothing a pawn.

It was as if he viewed all of creation as sacrificial straw dogs.

Liuu Yunhua knew this was her only lifeline. Without daring to hesitate, she struggled to cup the drop of glowing Jade Marrow and greedily drank it down.

A vast spiritual energy spread through her, nourishing her depleted meridians and temporarily halting the terrifying spread of weakness. But it was only enough to keep her alive.

Recovering her former power would be next to impossible.

Celestial Derivation Daoist Master withdrew his hand, his gaze seeming to pierce through the palace walls toward the distant Divine Sky Peak. An unreadable glint flashed through his deep eyes, followed by a faint smile as he spoke.

"Alright, go and recuperate. This little test has already borne fruit.

"Xu Yunfan... no, I should call him Peak Master Xu now. The man is indeed exceptionally talented, his foundation far deeper than expected. To think he could suppress you so easily..."

His voice took on a hint of amusement. "He obtained a part of the true meaning of the Heaven and Earth Interchange Yin Yang Separation and Reunion Scripture, and even plundered the foundation of a Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator...

"Heh, let’s just see if Xu Yunfan can handle what comes next, now that he has the Scripture and that ethereal clue."

His rhetorical tone was filled with the calm of someone in complete control and a cold, calculating intent.

Clearly, Liuu Yunhua’s crushing defeat and Xu Yunfan’s dominance were all within his expectations, and perhaps even a part of his plan.

「Divine Sky Peak.」

Xu Yunfan finished a round of cultivation and slowly opened his eyes.

Divine Sky Thunderbolt transformed into Magical Power and surged through his body, seeming endless.

The illusory Grotto Heaven Embryo bobbed in his Sea of Consciousness, absorbing the vast Primordial Qi and growing a fraction more solid.

Most of Liuu Yunhua’s lifetime accumulation of Primordial Yin, combined with his initial insights into the Heaven and Earth Interchange Yin Yang Separation and Reunion Scripture, had allowed his Cultivation to take a great leap forward.

Mainly, with his high-level foundation, plus the boons from his Attribute Panel and the Pu Yu pendant, he progressed rapidly in his cultivation of this scripture.

He didn’t know, nor did he currently want to know, what sort of waves this conflict had stirred up in the outside world, what had become of Liuu Yunhua after she returned to Hundred Desires Peak, or whether news of the Divine Sky True Monarch’s treasure had begun to spread.

He knew none of this, and for the moment, he didn’t want to.

After he finished his cultivation, Pu Yu remained in a corner of the grotto, curled up like an exquisite jade statue. Her eyes were dull with terror, as if she had already accepted her fate.

Xu Yunfan paid her no mind. His Divine Thought delved into his own body as he perceived the Essence Qi that had been drawn in by the forceful convergence with heaven and earth—a convergence born from his comprehension of the Laws of Yin and Yang.