Earth Flame Island, Stone Cave.
On a cyan meditation mat, a handsome young Daoist sat cross-legged. In his palm, a Seven-Layer Exquisite Jade Tower flickered, wrapped in thick mana, continuously being refined.
After a long while, the Seven-Layer Jade Tower trembled slightly, seemingly with a cry of joy. The tower gleamed brightly as if forming a mystical connection with the young man.
"Go!"
The young Daoist opened his eyes and softly murmured, and the jade tower suddenly expanded with the wind, transforming into several zhang in size, gleaming with spiritual light, floating restlessly in the air.
"Roar!"
With a wave of his hand, a red flame Flood Dragon phantom roared as it surged towards the jade tower.
Yet the tower merely shuddered lightly, and the spiritual energy of the area seemed to shatter. The dragon phantom instantly dissolved into streams of light and vanished.
Afterward, the young Daoist employed all his methods, the mana roared continuously, but the jade tower only flashed with spiritual light, suppressing all techniques completely.
Seeing this, the young Daoist couldn’t help but reveal a smile of satisfaction.
"As expected, with an Upper-class Spiritual Artifact like this, ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators can do nothing to me at all..."
Today marked the seventh day since Gu Yuan returned from Jade Pot Peak.
In these seven days, he tirelessly refined the Seven-Phase Exquisite Tower without rest.
The tower, made of Forbidden Spirit Jade, is specifically effective against spiritual techniques, produced only by Tier Three Spiritual Veins, strongly constraining mana. Even during refining, mana gets naturally suppressed, requiring considerable effort.
But fortunately, it’s all worth it.
With just a preliminary test, Gu Yuan felt the immense power of this treasure, and this was only the defensive capability. If he could capture an Earth Demon Essence, the treasure’s power would further rise.
"The only downside is that the mana required for a High-grade Spiritual Artifact is immense. Even though my mana far exceeds my peers, wielding this treasure is strenuous and can’t be sustained long."
Yet, feeling the endless drain of mana from his Dantian, Gu Yuan couldn’t help but sigh deeply.
But everything has its pros and cons; ultimately, it significantly enhances his strength.
"Having this treasure does indeed increase the odds of conquering the Red Moon River Valley, but the most crucial is the connection with the Ascendant..."
Storing the tower away, Gu Yuan couldn’t help but reminisce about the events seven days ago.
The journey to Jade Pot Peak was a monumental gain.
Not only did he acquire a High-grade Spiritual Artifact and top-tier Sword Seal, but most importantly, the bond with the Ascendant deepened.
During the last two encounters, he had seen the Ascendant but only received a side glance due to serendipitous circumstances with Stone Liquid.
But this time was different; being at the Foundation Establishment stage, and with six Foundation Establishment disciples under him, he finally earned the Ascendant’s recognition and could act as his proxy.
Having nothing to do is not as dreadful as having no recognition and support.
With a Golden Core Ascendant backing him, he finally feels grounded and can act confidently.
This is something Gu Yuan has relentlessly pursued.
After all, the Cyan Peak Daoist School isn’t a minor sect: a Foundation Establishment Cultivator can’t command absolute authority. Without strong backing, many matters become fraught with constraints and worries.
But this time, he finally gained some confidence.
"Heart-breaking Island..."
However, all this came with a price.
Gu Yuan must seize Heart-breaking Island during the conquest of the Red Moon River Valley.
Gu Yuan has gone through the records and knows the origins of Heart-breaking Island.
Heart-breaking Island, within the Red Moon River, is a Spirit Island with a Tier Two Spiritual Vein, rich in resources and numerous spirit fields. But most crucially, it’s abundant in a peculiar spirit grass named Heart-breaking Grass.
This grass severs dust and abstains nature, eliminating distractions and desires, hence named ’Heart-breaking.’
The Ascendant didn’t elaborate, but Gu Yuan knows it’s why he covets the island.
And Gu Yuan understands; it’s his knowledge of secrets unknown to others that gained him favor, allowing him this task.
"Back then, the opportunity from the Bluestone Book on Silverfish Island is still yielding benefits..."
Gu Yuan chuckled softly, feeling somewhat nostalgic.
This was a secret between him and the Ascendant.
However, to maintain the relationship with the Ascendant, he needed to keep this secret and endeavor to complete the task.
But from the Ascendant’s hints, Gu Yuan realized that the conquest of the Red Moon River Valley isn’t as simple as he thought; the mission isn’t easily accomplished.
He must strive to enhance his strength.
Closing his eyes to settle his mind, he cleared away distractions, taking out the "Boundless Sword Seal" to begin his comprehension.
...
...
"Boundless means infinite!"
"The heavens and earth are boundless, likewise the sword light is boundless..."
"A single split of sword light is mundane; ten splits make the outstanding; a hundred splits dominate the world; a thousand splits cleave mountains and rivers; endless sword light, thus the Dao is boundless..."