53: Discussion at Meteor Cliff

The night wind at Meteorite Cliff grew a bit cooler. The cold moon by the cliff stretched their shadows long, intertwining with the shadows of the rugged rocks, giving it a solemn feel reminiscent of their ancestors guarding the Spirit Locking Array. Lin Yang caressed the concentric dragon vine pendant in his hand, Chaos True Essence flowing at his fingertips, subtly resonating with the ancient runes on the jade pendant. He finally couldn't help but voice his cultivation doubts: "Miss Shen, my Chaos Swallowing Heaven Art can devour all energy, but every time I devour the Immortal Palace True Qi or the aftershocks of Chaos, I always feel a restless sensation in my True Essence. If not for the chaos star core automatically suppressing it, I fear I would have already suffered a backlash — is there a possibility of mutual complementarity with your Shen Family's 'Heart Cleansing Spirit Seeking Art'?

Upon hearing this, a hint of brightness flashed in Shen Shuanghua's eyes. She walked to a flat bluestone by the cliff, condensed a pale green Wood Element True Essence at her fingertips, and drew the basic runes of the Heart Cleansing Art on the stone: "You are right. The power of Chaos is inherently chaotic and disordered. Although the Chaos Swallowing Heaven Art can devour it, it lacks the 'guidance' step, which is precisely the strength of my Shen Family's techniques. Look at this 'Heart Cleansing Rune'; it uses the vitality of the Wood Element as a guide, flowing along the meridians of True Essence, capable of smoothing out restlessness like a stream — back then, my Shen Family ancestors used this technique to guide your Lin Family ancestors through Chaos backlash."

The runes at her fingertips lit up, and a pale green glow spread along the bluestone, resonating with the grey-gold True Essence at Lin Yang's fingertips. Lin Yang tried to probe the runes with a wisp of Chaos True Essence. The previously slightly restless energy, upon touching the green light, instantly became docile, as clear as if washed by a spring. "It actually works!" Lin Yang rejoiced, "Then if the Heart Cleansing Art is integrated into the Chaos Swallowing Heaven Art, wouldn't it be safer to devour the chaos origin?"

"Theoretically feasible, but it's missing a crucial step." Shen Shuanghua withdrew her True Essence, a hint of regret in her expression, "The lost part of my Shen Family's 'Dragon Vine Meridian Guiding Art' is precisely the 'Spirit Transference Art' that can integrate the Heart Cleansing Art with other Cultivation Techniques. If we had the Spirit Transference Art, you could even use the Wood Element vitality to nourish the chaos star core, allowing your True Essence to retain its devouring power without losing its stability. However..." She changed the subject, looking at Lin Yang, "The Five Elements dantian core within you is an unexpected surprise. The rotation of the Five Elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth inherently possesses balancing power. Although not as subtle as the Spirit Transference Art, it can temporarily suppress the restlessness of Chaos. This is where you are more fortunate than your ancestors."

Lin Yang nodded, recalling the scene of perfecting his Five Elements dantian core in the Five Elements Spirit Pool, where the chaos star core had indeed stabilized significantly. He tried to circulate his Five Elements True Essence, intertwining it with his Chaos True Essence. Five-colored flickers appeared within the grey-gold Qi flow, and the lingering restlessness completely dissipated. "What about the Lin Family's Crimson Sun Art?" Lin Yang pressed, "If the 'Spirit Suppressing Chapter' is lost, will we never be able to suppress the Spirit Locking Array like our ancestors did again?"

"Not necessarily." Shen Shuanghua walked beside him, her gaze falling towards his Dantian. "Your internal chaos star core already contains supreme Yang power. If you can combine the basic Body Refining methods of the Crimson Sun Art with the supreme Yang attribute in your Chaos True Essence, you might be able to deduce a new 'Spirit Suppressing' method. For example, the Sharp Metal Sword Qi you previously condensed with Metal Element True Essence, if wrapped in a layer of Chaos supreme Yang power, might be able to temporarily stabilize the scattered energy of the Spirit Locking Array, just like your ancestors' Crimson Sun Art."

Under the moonlight, the two discussed for nearly half an hour, conversing back and forth. Lin Yang spoke of his insights after devouring tianluo molybdenum gold and space stone, while Shen Shuanghua shared records about the power of Chaos from Immortal Palace ancient texts. Lin Yang demonstrated the balance method of Water and Fire True Essence in Thunder Blast Kill, and Shen Shuanghua guided him on how to use the Heart Cleansing Art to optimize the efficiency of True Essence circulation. The wind by the cliff gradually softened. The heavy feeling that arose from the decline of their two families had, through these discussions of Cultivation Techniques, transformed into hope for revitalization.

"Unfortunately, empty talk is useless now." Shen Shuanghua suddenly stopped, her expression becoming solemn. "Whether it's completing the Crimson Sun Art, finding fragments of the Spirit Transference Art, or stabilizing the Spirit Locking Array, all require stronger strength and more clues — and only the Trial of the Heavens can give you these. Only by participating in the trial can you grow faster and have the opportunity to access the 'hidden clues' I mentioned. The Forbidden Ground is heavily guarded, but with internal coordination (referring to herself), it's not entirely without opportunity. Remember, the key to rescuing your mother lies not only in your strength, but also in your understanding and application of the power of Chaos, and your utilization of the Immortal Palace's rules."

Lin Yang's gaze swept over the Star Moon Sect below the cliff, then looked towards Qingmeng Mountain. His tone was firm: "I understand. I will definitely go to the Trial of the Heavens three months from now. Not just for my mother, but also to recover the lost Legacies of both families and fulfill the ancestral alliance."

Shen Shuanghua looked at the light in his eyes, a relieved smile appearing at the corner of her lips: "Good. During these three months, try your best to solidify your Xiantian Realm cultivation and become more familiar with the coordination of Five Elements True Essence and the power of Chaos. I will secretly make arrangements in the Immortal Palace to help you investigate the terrain of the trial Secret Realm and the changes in the defenses around the Forbidden Ground."

She took a step back and nodded slightly to Lin Yang: "It's getting late. If I stay too long, I might be noticed by the Immortal Palace people. Three months from now, at the entrance to the Immortal Palace Secret Realm, I will wait for you."

Before her words faded, Shen Shuanghua's figure had transformed into a pale purple stream of light, silently disappearing into the shadows along the cliff, leaving behind only a faint wisp of Wood Element Spiritual Qi, lingering on the concentric dragon vine pendant.

Lin Yang stood alone on Meteorite Cliff, tightly clutching the jade pendant. The chaos star core and Five Elements dantian core within his Dantian slowly rotated, resonating with the jade pendant's runes and the space stone in his embrace. The night wind brushed past, bringing the roars of Yao Beasts from the distant mountains, but it no longer made him feel cold — although the path ahead was perilous, his Cultivation Technique had a direction, allies were in the shadows, and clues to his mother were within reach.

He turned and walked towards Wangyue Courtyard, his steps more steady than when he arrived. The Trial of the Heavens three months from now was not just a challenge, but his first step to revitalize both families and rescue his mother.

This step, he must take steadily, and he certainly will.