Chapter Thirty-Six: The Emergence of the Extraordinary Treasure

“I heard that the scale of this spiritual tide is immense. That extraordinary treasure—my feeling is that it must be at least of immortal artifact level.”

“If that's true, then the disciples of our Great Creek Sect at the Blood and Body Tempering stages are truly fortunate.”

Bored by the journey, Liu Guang struck up a conversation. He was quite impressed by his junior brother; though his talent was lacking, his luck was undeniably good.

“Senior Brother Liu, when we enter the spiritual tide, how can we absorb more spiritual energy?” Xu Chen asked.

“In the Body Tempering stage, you cultivate the art of building your foundation through blood and energy.”

Hearing this, Xu Chen glanced around. Thousands of flying spirit beasts and hundreds of streaks of light, as if traveling together, crowded the sky in a spectacular display.

“Don’t worry, there’s more than enough space.”

“The spiritual tide covers at least several hundred miles in every direction.”

“If it’s some special immortal artifact, there might even be a small world. Entering it would make cultivation much more convenient.” Liu Guang saw through Xu Chen’s concern.

“Thank you, Senior Brother Liu, for clarifying.”

“Haha, no need to be so formal.”

The flying vessel accelerated, gradually joining the vanguard.

Xu Chen looked into the distance; faintly, he could see a pillar of spiritual light piercing the heavens.

“We’re almost there. I hope there’s a small world,” Liu Guang said, his eyes ablaze with enthusiasm.

As the flying vessel drew nearer to the pillar, Xu Chen felt the surrounding spiritual energy grow denser.

Moreover, the energy here was especially gentle; as it entered Xu Chen, it flowed smoothly into his body.

The spiritual power became a warm current, nourishing Xu Chen from head to toe.

“Judging by the might of heaven and earth and these phenomena, this is no ordinary immortal artifact.”

“If I dare say, it might even be a spiritual treasure.”

“If that's so, I might just break through to the Void Returning stage here!”

Liu Guang absorbed vast amounts of spiritual energy, converting it into his own power.

“Let me congratulate you in advance, Senior Brother Liu, on reaching the Void Returning stage.”

“Then I’ll borrow your good wishes.”

Outside the pillar, a newly opened area had gathered a multitude of disciples.

An elder of the sect stood suspended in midair, guiding the Great Creek Sect disciples to assemble.

“The extraordinary treasure is in a crucial stage of gestation. Entry is forbidden for now—please wait patiently.”

“The spiritual energy here is already gentle and well-suited for cultivation. You may begin your training here.”

A profound and mysterious voice echoed throughout the realm.

The flying vessel landed in the newly opened area.

“Junior Brother Xu, let us cultivate here for now. Once the treasure emerges, we’ll head for the core,” Liu Guang said impatiently.

“Don’t worry about me, Senior Brother Liu.”

Xu Chen felt that Liu Guang was truly reliable.

“Very well. When the spiritual tide ends, let’s reconnect.”

With that, Liu Guang hurried off to a secluded spot, set up an array, and sat cross-legged to cultivate.

Xu Chen stood among the crowd, observing. Thousands had already gathered in the area.

From the sky came occasional terrifying auras as various immortal artifacts and treasures appeared overhead.

“Another grand event,” he thought.

A colossal palace materialized in the sky, from within resounded celestial music.

A giant twelve-petaled lotus, nearly equal to the palace in size, bloomed from the void, condensing in the heavens.

A massive immortal vessel, ten thousand feet long, broke through space and stopped outside the pillar of light.

A terrifying sword intent shattered the void, and a white-robed sword immortal descended.

Witnessing the arrival of these great figures, Xu Chen’s excitement grew. In that moment, he found yet another reason to devote himself to cultivation.

“If cultivation isn’t for the sake of impressing others, it has no meaning,” Xu Chen murmured, watching the grand entrances overhead.

High above, undetectable to most disciples, several divine senses clashed.

“At least a heavenly-grade immortal artifact, possibly even a postnatal spiritual treasure.”

“How should we decide the ownership of this extraordinary treasure?” a lazy voice sounded.

“If you ask me, let’s not debate. Invite the Dragon Elephant Grand Sovereign of Lei Province to judge.”

“Think carefully. If he doesn’t come, the treasure will be claimed by our five major sects. If he does, it might end up in the Lei Province treasury.”

“If it goes to the treasury, at least we can borrow it as needed.”

“Friend of Spirit Stream, this treasure appeared in your territory. What do you say?”

“Do as you wish; I can’t compete with you. But if anyone tries to seize the treasure-nurturing land, I’ll fight them,” came a voice old and resolute.

“Spirit Stream friend, is that all you’ve got?”

“Heh.”

Meanwhile, in Xu Chen’s area, some clever disciples began to disperse, carving out secluded spots in the mountains and forests to cultivate.

Xu Chen looked left and right, then entered a dense forest. He drew his war blade and cleared a square plot about an acre in size.

Feeling the gentle spiritual energy, Xu Chen took a deep breath and began to practice the Twelve Layered Wave Body Forging Method.

Each movement was engraved in his soul.

After completing one round, he repeated it again.

Spiritual energy entered his body like water absorbed by a dry sponge.

He practiced the Twelve Layered Wave Method over and over, gradually reaching a state of selflessness.

He tirelessly cultivated in this small world.

When his mind finally cleared, he realized he had trained for three days and nights.

Xu Chen gazed at the pillar of spiritual light in the distance.

Without pausing to savor his progress, he hurried back to the gathering place.

By now, a transmission array had been erected in the plaza, guarded by sect officials.

Xu Chen approached to inquire, but the official frowned. “Don’t ask—just enter. We need a hundred people, and you’ll be sent into the small world to train.”

Inside the transmission array, over eighty disciples waited.

“Brother, fate brings us together!” came a delighted voice.

Xu Chen turned and saw Li Chengfu, the immortal-born he’d watched battles with before.

“Senior Brother Li, it’s been a while,” Xu Chen replied with a smile.

Soon, a dozen more disciples entered the array, bringing the total to exactly one hundred.

A flash of spiritual light, and all appeared in a place of enchanting beauty.

“Quickly, spread out and find your own spot to cultivate.”

“You have one month—when your disciple token reminds you, leave this small world,” came an impatient voice.

The disciples hurried out of the array, scattering in all directions.

“Xu Chen, shall we train together?” Li Chengfu asked with a smile.

“Senior Brother Li, my abilities are humble. I’ll train alone,” Xu Chen declined with a wave.

“Very well.”

The two parted ways. Xu Chen ran toward the distant mountains, preferring solitude for his cultivation.