Bai Xuanling is on the way

Chen Mouguang’s gaze remained fixed on the direction of Mist Mystic Temple.

At this moment, the pale green beam of light slowly dissipated.

This was good news—after the light faded, there were no longer the terrifying spiritual energy fluctuations as before, nor were there any incomprehensible ultimate techniques being unleashed recklessly.

This battle had likely reached its conclusion.

By now, Mist Mystic Temple had been reduced to sheer cliffs, and the surrounding forests were utterly devastated.

But for Chen Mouguang, this could also be bad news—had their own Chu Xingchen managed to hold his ground?

"Stay here and wait for Elder Bai. I’ll go ahead to assess the situation."

After instructing his two disciples, Chen Mouguang set off toward Mist Mystic Temple, simultaneously extending his divine sense in that direction.

Ye Antao watched Chen Mouguang’s actions with surprise.

Though the battle seemed to be over, no one truly knew the reality. That last move—who had unleashed it?

If it was some backup plan from the Path of Divine Worship, charging in now would be no different from courting death.

Still, it was understandable. Several cultivators who appeared to be disciples of Taidao Sect were also rushing toward Mist Mystic Temple.

A prodigy-level cultivator like that was a treasure among treasures to any sect.

Hadn’t even Bai Xuanling of Tianyan Sect, despite the distance, chosen to come personally upon hearing the news?

How many years had it been since anyone in the Central Plains witnessed Bai Xuanling take action?

As for Taidao Sect, which was closer, there was no doubt—upon sensing a beam of light surpassing even the Nascent Soul realm, their elders must have already raced here.

They would likely arrive soon.

"Tsk…" Wang Ling rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. What kind of mess was this? How was he supposed to write his report?

With the battle escalating to this degree, and Taidao Sect’s reinforcements arriving—at least at the elder level—there was no more room for opportunistic gains.

This time, they’d probably just end up being the early bird catching no worm.

Though they’d agreed on sharing intelligence beforehand, and Tianyan Sect had a powerhouse involved, the inevitable disputes would still arise.

And it was just a verbal agreement—utterly unreliable.

The most frustrating part was that, judging from the current situation, the Path of Divine Worship truly had some unique research depth… and the one who’d been most involved here likely wouldn’t escape responsibility.

At Mist Mystic Temple—

Chu Xingchen calmly observed the pure white crystalline fragment before him.

A surge of pure Dao essence radiated from it.

[Submit mission target?]

This thing was downright eerie. The assimilation it induced—and the authority it held—was likely a fragment of the Heavenly Dao that had fallen due to some circumstance.

Resisting this assimilation would probably require clashing with the Heavenly Dao itself in a battle of divine sense.

Not to mention the excessive negative effects of using it.

More importantly, through two additional missions, Chu Xingchen had vaguely sensed something amiss.

Most of the tasks issued by his system seemed to involve cleaning up the Heavenly Dao’s esoteric messes—whether it was fate or scattered fragments of authority.

Did this mean the Heavenly Dao was already in a rather dire state?

After all, judging by the current situation, the Heavenly Dao seemed far too careless—the frequency of encountering its fragments was unusually high.

Chu Xingchen pondered briefly before sighing. "Submit."

In the end, he might not even have a use for this thing. Better to exchange it for a reliable system weapon.

As soon as he spoke, the white crystalline fragment vanished before his eyes.

[Mission complete.]

[Reward issued: Myriad Forms.]

[Reward has been placed in the system inventory.]

Myriad Forms? What kind of weapon was this?

Chu Xingchen opened his system inventory and retrieved [Myriad Forms].

A translucent, brick-like object appeared in his hand. At its core was a tiny speck resembling the earlier crystalline fragment, emitting a faint white glow—though it was far smaller, barely the size of a fingernail.

Yet the moment he held it, Chu Xingchen understood its function.

Myriad Forms—capable of taking on countless shapes.

His third disciple’s Azure Sky Treasure Ring could be manipulated to transform and slash enemies, but that was only because the ring itself was indestructible. Even when taking the form of a sword, it wouldn’t enhance sword-based techniques.

The ring’s attitude was more like—"I’ll humor you by turning into a sword, but don’t expect me to actually function as one!"

However, the moment Myriad Forms appeared, the Azure Sky Treasure Ring reacted the most.

It subtly pressed closer to Chu Xingchen’s arm, as if trying to avoid the Myriad Forms in his hand.

Without hesitation, Chu Xingchen stored Myriad Forms away and gently patted the Azure Sky Treasure Ring in reassurance.

The ring had arrived just in time and with the right attitude—docile, like Bai Qing herself. Since it was Bai Qing’s spirit treasure, he’d naturally favor it first.

As for Myriad Forms, he could study it later.

The ring responded by nuzzling against him affectionately.

Satisfied, Chu Xingchen nodded before turning his gaze to Daoist Yuyang nearby.

The Daoist was frowning deeply, staring at empty space on the ground with a hint of resignation.

"Cool? What’s so cool about it… You weren’t this bold at the start."

Chu Xingchen nodded again, pleased. The Bai Qing-style persuasion technique, enhanced by the Azure Sky Treasure Ring, was indeed effective.

Daoist Yuyang was effortlessly handled.

The Daoist rose, supporting himself against the air, before surveying the wreckage of Mist Mystic Temple’s main hall.

"This Path of Divine Worship… something’s seriously off. How could they be this strong?"

Chu Xingchen strolled leisurely to his side.

"Who knows? Mist Mystic Temple did send you intel. Now it’s reduced to ruins, Zhang Daotan turned to ashes—nothing left."

Daoist Yuyang shot him a sidelong glance. "You didn’t do this on purpose, did you?"

Chu Xingchen frowned, feigning offense. "Are you joking? With that thing? Nothing’s more important than my life."

Daoist Yuyang said nothing more, instead scanning the area with his divine sense for any remnants.

Not to be outdone, Chu Xingchen did the same—though he knew nothing remained.

Moments later, both turned westward simultaneously.

Streaks of light shot across the sky, covering vast distances in an instant before landing beside them.

The fastest among them rushed straight to Daoist Yuyang, pulling him into a tight embrace.

"My dear disciple, are you unharmed?!"

A middle-aged Daoist—wearing traditional robes, his eyes slightly clouded with age—fretted over Daoist Yuyang, patting his back and examining him anxiously.

The other figures landed as well, men and women alike, immediately casting protective barriers.

One woman, her voice cool, remarked,

"I told you not to panic. What could possibly happen to Yuyang? He’s perfectly fine."

The Taidao Sect’s leader whirled around, glaring.

"Easy for you to say—he’s not your disciple! There are countless trials in this world. Did it have to be this one?"

The woman snorted coldly and turned her gaze toward Chu Xingchen:

"And which faction do you belong to? Don’t you know this is Taidao Sect’s territory?"

Before Chu Xingchen could respond,

Chen Mouguang’s urgent voice cut in:

"We’re from the Tianyan Sect! Elder Bai is on his way!"

"Bai Xuanling?!"

The woman seemed taken aback, her eyes scrutinizing Chu Xingchen more carefully.

Yet no matter how she looked, Chu Xingchen didn’t strike her as the kind of cultivator who killed without blinking.