Immortal Conference

"What kind of magical artifact is this?" Zi Xuan was shocked.

He could clearly feel that his opponent's spiritual power cultivation was lower than his own, yet he could use a strange energy to suppress his Corroding Spirit Net, just like clear water washing away ink stains, clean and efficient.

"An artifact to take your life." White Night's voice was icy. The long whip suddenly split into countless branches, with the poisonous spiritual power of the Green-Scaled Python's demon core condensed on them, shooting toward all the vital acupoints on Zi Xuan's body like a rainstorm.

This toxin had a powerful paralyzing effect on a cultivator's spiritual power; it was a new move he had created by combining demon beast techniques with the energy of the Laws.

Zi Xuan hurriedly waved his horsetail whisk to defend, but he could not attend to everything at once. His left leg was struck by a branch, and he immediately felt a numbness spreading along his meridians, his spiritual power circulation instantly becoming sluggish.

In this split second of vulnerability, the Wind Howling Silver Wolf pounced in front of him, its wolf claws condensing the wind-attribute spiritual power of the Rending Wind Beast bone, slamming fiercely into his chest.

"Pfft!" Zi Xuan spat out a mouthful of blood, his seventh-level Qi Refining spiritual power collapsing like a floodgate, and the jade pendant at his waist cracked into two with a "click."

He looked at White Night in terror: "You... you are not at the third level of Qi Refining..."

"Now you know, but it's too late." White Night retracted his long whip, the green branches wrapping around Zi Xuan's wrists, "Hand over all the spiritual items you've plundered."

Seeing his companions either dead or injured, Zi Xuan finally showed fear. Trembling, he took a pile of spiritual herbs out of his storage bag, among which were three stalks of Dew Condensing Grass; it was clear he had already robbed other cultivators before this.

White Night divided the spiritual herbs and gave half to the injured Liu Ruyan. When the young woman took the herbs, her eyes were filled with gratitude: "Many thanks for your help, Fellow Daoist. This humble one is Liu Ruyan, from Luoxia Peak."

"White Night." He nodded faintly, his gaze sweeping over Zi Xuan and the others, "If you dare to commit evil again within the secret realm, don't blame me for being impolite."

Zi Xuan scrambled to escape with his companions, clearly terrified.

Watching their retreating figures, Liu Ruyan said softly: "Zixia Valley has become increasingly overbearing in recent years. It is said that their Valley Master practices the 'Spirit Devouring Art' and needs to devour the spiritual power of a large number of low-level cultivators to advance. I fear these disciples have learned a bit of it."

White Night's heart stirred. The "plundering" characteristic of the Spirit Devouring Art was somewhat similar to the Chaos Law of the Multiverse, but it lacked the "conversion" ability of the Chaos Law, making it purely draining the pond to catch the fish. No wonder there was black energy in Zi Xuan's spiritual power—that was the distortion of the Dao heart caused by long-term consumption of others' spiritual power.

"Is Luoxia Peak good at alchemy?" He noticed the medicine pouch at Liu Ruyan's waist, from which emanated the fragrant scent of various mixed spiritual herbs.

"I know a little." Liu Ruyan's cheeks flushed slightly, and she took a small jade bottle from her medicine pouch, "This is a 'Rejuvenation Pill'; it can repair meridian damage. Many thanks for your life-saving grace just now, Fellow Daoist."

White Night took the jade bottle. The medicinal pill inside swirled with gentle green spiritual power; it was clearly refined using Dew Condensing Grass as the main ingredient.

He poured out one and swallowed it. The pill melted upon entering his mouth, and a cool energy traveled along his meridians, instantly dispersing the sluggishness of his spiritual power caused by the fight with Zi Xuan.

"Fellow Daoist Liu's alchemy is far superior to those of the same rank." White Night praised sincerely.

This technique of converting the spiritual power of herbs into medicinal energy had a similar effect to the "energy compression" technology of the Multiverse, but it focused more on "harmonizing medicinal properties," embodying the Immortal Dao's philosophy of "balance."

The three traveled together (Liu Ruyan insisted on repaying the favor), encountering many demon beasts and cultivators in the secret realm along the way.

White Night's fusion energy became increasingly proficient. He could use the Source Laws to break through the innate supernatural powers of demon beasts, and also use Immortal Dao spiritual power to perform "spiritual power manifestation," often resolving battles in one or two moves.

The Wind Howling Silver Wolf, relying on its keen intuition as a demon beast, could always find hidden spiritual herbs and safe paths. Liu Ruyan's alchemy played a major role; every time they encountered injured cultivators, she used her pills to treat them in time, forging many good connections.

By the "Cold Pool" deep in the secret realm, they discovered a rare "Ice Soul Lotus."

This spiritual herb needed to grow in Extreme Cold Spiritual Power and could directly temper the purity of a Qi Refining cultivator's spiritual power, making it the key to breaking through the eighth level of Qi Refining.

However, on the stone platform in the center of the Cold Pool, an "Ice Flood Dragon" was coiled. Its body was covered in blue scales, and its aura had reached the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining, several times more powerful than the previous Green-Scaled Python.

"The Ice Flood Dragon's inner core contains 'Extreme Cold Spiritual Power,' which is perfect for neutralizing the irritable energy of the Blood Spirit Fruit." White Night looked at the Ice Flood Dragon flicking its tongue in the pool, a flash of fighting spirit in his eyes, "I will distract it. Silver Wolf, circle around from the left, and Fellow Daoist Liu, get the 'Bewitching Incense' ready."

With the plan set, White Night struck first. The green long whip, carrying the burning spiritual power of the Blood Spirit Fruit, lashed fiercely at the Ice Flood Dragon's scales—this elemental suppression could irritate the demon beast to the maximum extent.

The Ice Flood Dragon was indeed enraged. Its massive tail slapped the water surface, kicking up ice shards several zhang high that shot toward White Night.

"Now!" White Night stepped on the phantom of the Source Laws, his figure nimbly weaving between the ice shards, while simultaneously injecting his fusion energy into the ground, triggering the earth vein spiritual power at the bottom of the pool.

The earth vein spiritual power clashed with the Ice Flood Dragon's Extreme Cold Spiritual Power, and the pool water instantly began to boil. Amidst the swirling white mist, the Ice Flood Dragon's vision was greatly obstructed.

The Wind Howling Silver Wolf seized the opportunity. Its silver figure darted onto the stone platform like an arrow released from a bow, its wolf claws, carrying Rending Wind spiritual power, slashing fiercely at the Ice Flood Dragon's eyes.

The Ice Flood Dragon, in pain, let out a deafening roar. Its massive body rolled violently on the stone platform, happening to crash into the Bewitching Incense formation that Liu Ruyan had prepared in advance.

"It worked!" Liu Ruyan quickly pinched a spell seal. Purple smoke emerged from the incense formation, and the bewitching spiritual power contained within the smoke seeped into the Ice Flood Dragon's body through its nostrils.

The Ice Flood Dragon's movements gradually slowed, and the fierce light in its eyes began to dim.

"Final strike!" White Night gathered all his spiritual power. The green long whip transformed into a sharp spear, the spear tip flashing with the fused light of the Green-Scaled Python's toxin and the Source Laws, precisely piercing the Ice Flood Dragon's vulnerable spot.

"Awooo—!" The Ice Flood Dragon let out a final mournful cry, its massive body slowly sinking into the Cold Pool, leaving only a fist-sized blue inner core on the stone platform. The Extreme Cold Spiritual Power condensed on the inner core caused the surrounding air to frost over.

Liu Ruyan carefully stored the Ice Soul Lotus in a jade box, while White Night handed the Ice Flood Dragon's inner core to Silver Wolf: "This inner core is suitable for you; after refining it, you will be able to master Extreme Cold Spiritual Power."

Silver Wolf nuzzled his palm with its nose, then carried the inner core to the side to refine it.

White Night looked at his reflection in the pool water and suddenly noticed that his white jade pendant had, at some point, begun to glow with a faint cyan color—this was a sign that his spiritual power was about to break through to the sixth level of Qi Refining.

"The secret realm will close in three days." Liu Ruyan looked at the purple celestial phenomenon on the horizon, "It is said that the 'Enlightenment Cliff' in the depths has Dao traces left by predecessors, which might help us break through our realms."

White Night nodded. He could feel that the fusion energy in his dantian had reached saturation, and he was only one opportunity away from completing the breakthrough. And the Dao traces of the Enlightenment Cliff might just be the key to completely fusing the Multiverse Laws with Immortal Dao spiritual power.

The three walked toward the depths of the secret realm, the light and shadows of the dense forest flowing over them, weaving into a wondrous scene—cultivators and demon beasts from different factions, brought together by chance, supporting each other in the perilous secret realm; this was perhaps the most precious "karmic connection" in Immortal Dao cultivation.

On the distant Enlightenment Cliff, a blurry phantom was overlooking their figures, holding a yellowed bamboo scroll in its hand, on which were written four ancient seal script characters: "The Great Dao is simple."

When the figures of White Night and the others arrived at the foot of the cliff, the bamboo scroll suddenly turned into a streak of golden light, merging into the Dao traces on the cliff wall.

... The outline of the Enlightenment Cliff became increasingly clear under the purple sky. This thousand-ren high cliff was composed entirely of grayish-white "Enlightenment Stone," and the rock surface was covered with carvings of varying depths.

These carvings were not man-made, but naturally formed Dao traces—whenever the spiritual energy tide of the Xuantian Immortal Domain passed by, the cliff wall would automatically record the trajectory of the spiritual energy flow, and over time, these imprints containing the ultimate truths of the Immortal Dao were formed.

"What dense Dao charm..." Liu Ruyan stood at the foot of the cliff, gazing at the winding carvings, her eyes filled with fascination.

She could feel that the spiritual power flowing within the carvings was astonishingly similar to the circulation of medicinal properties of the herbs in her alchemy furnace, as if she could comprehend more exquisite alchemy techniques from them.

The Wind Howling Silver Wolf walked straight to the left side of the cliff wall, where the Dao traces presented the shape of claw marks, faintly resonating with the spiritual power trajectory it had left behind at the Spirit Washing Pool earlier.

It gently brushed its wolf claw over the carvings, and a pure wind-attribute spiritual power surged into its body through its claw tips, merging with the energy of the Rending Wind Beast bone, further increasing the power of its "Rending Wind Claw."

White Night's gaze fell on the most complex Dao trace in the center of the cliff wall.

This carving was shaped like a vortex, with rounded arcs on the outside, but a sharp edge hidden at the core, looking exactly like the spiritual power in his dantian that had fused with the Source Laws.

When his fingertips touched the carving, a stormy sea suddenly surged in his sea of consciousness—countless trajectories of spiritual energy flow exploded in his mind; some of these trajectories were straight lines, some were curves, some were parallel, and some were intersecting and intertwining.

But in the end, all trajectories converged into a single center point, forming the same vortex shape as the carving.

"So that's how it is..." A knowing smile appeared on the corner of White Night's mouth.

Immortal Dao cultivation does not require completely abandoning the Multiverse Laws, but rather, like this carving, allowing rigid Laws to integrate into rounded spiritual power, forming a balance of "round on the outside, square on the inside."

Just as the outer part of a vortex needs gentle arcs to guide spiritual energy, the core must have firm, sharp edges to support the structure.

He sat cross-legged at the foot of the cliff and began to circulate his spiritual power according to the trajectory of the carvings.

The fusion energy in his dantian seemed to be guided; the previously chaotic Law fragments began to arrange themselves in an orderly fashion, forming a perfect vortex—the outer part of the vortex was a "spiritual energy layer" composed of Immortal Dao spiritual power, responsible for guiding the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into his body; the core was a "Law core" condensed from the Source Laws, responsible for tempering the purity of the spiritual power.

This structure increased the efficiency of his spiritual power circulation several times over.

A major circulation that previously took half an hour to complete now only required the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn.

When the first wisp of fusion energy broke through the barrier of the fifth level of Qi Refining, White Night's white jade pendant suddenly erupted with a dazzling cyan light; the cracks on the jade pendant repaired themselves automatically, and the words "Sixth Level of Qi Refining" appeared.

"You broke through?" Liu Ruyan looked over in surprise. She could feel that although the spiritual power fluctuations on White Night were still gentle, they carried an unfathomable sense of weight, far exceeding that of an ordinary sixth-level Qi Refining cultivator.

White Night did not stop his cultivation; the Dao marks on the Enlightenment Cliff seemed to hold endless mysteries waiting to be unearthed.

He could see the vortex within the etchings rotating slowly; with every rotation, a new spiritual energy trajectory merged into it.

This reminded him of the Multiverse's network of laws, where different laws were like different trajectories, all ultimately converging into the core of the universe.

Three days later, when the teleportation array of the Qingling Secret Realm was about to open, White Night's spiritual energy finally stabilized at the peak of the seventh level of Qi Refining.

The vortex in his dantian had condensed into shape; the outer layer of spiritual energy was like a solid wall of jade, while the core—the law core—flickered with a pale golden light. The two energies were interdependent, neither dispensable.

The Wind Howling Silver Wolf also broke through to the sixth level of Qi Refining. The silver spiritual energy covering its wolf body was more solidified than before, to the point where it could leave afterimages while running.

What was most surprising was Liu Ruyan; she had comprehended the "Pill Pattern" technique from the Dao marks on the Enlightenment Cliff, allowing her to inscribe simple spiritual energy runes onto the surface of pills, increasing the efficacy of the Rejuvenation Pill by thirty percent.

"It is time to go back." White Night looked at the teleportation array in the distance, which was beginning to flicker with white light.

Many cultivators preparing to leave were gathered there, including the Zixia Valley disciples led by Zi Xuan—it was clear they had gained something in the secret realm, as Zi Xuan's aura had recovered, and there were even faint signs of him breaking through to the eighth level of Qi Refining.

When the three of them reached the vicinity of the teleportation array, Zi Xuan suddenly led his disciples to block their path.

His gaze was fixed tightly on the Ice Flood Dragon inner core at White Night's waist, his eyes flickering with greed: "Hand over the Ice Flood Dragon inner core, and our previous grievances will be wiped clean."

"You? Based on what?" White Night's voice was icy, and a green long whip quietly appeared in his hand.

After being tempered by the Enlightenment Cliff, the law core on the long whip was more solidified, and a light flick could stir the surrounding spiritual energy fluctuations.

Zi Xuan was choked until his face flushed red, then he sneered: "Don't think that breaking through to the seventh level of Qi Refining makes you amazing. My Zixia Valley has subdued five rogue cultivators in the secret realm this time, and adding our own people, there are fully ten cultivators at or above the sixth level of Qi Refining. There are only three of you; if you really want to fight, you will be the ones at a disadvantage!"

Ten figures immediately stepped out from behind him, including both Zixia Valley disciples and rogue cultivators in various attire. The spiritual energy fluctuations of these rogue cultivators all bore traces of being suppressed; they had clearly been forced to submit.

Liu Ruyan's face turned slightly pale, and she gripped the pill furnace in her hand tightly: "Fellow Daoist White Night, perhaps we should..."

"Taking a step back will only make them push for more." White Night shook his head, his gaze sweeping over the rogue cultivators.

"Are you willing to be enslaved by Zixia Valley? The secret realm trial is meant to be a fair competition; cultivation gained by plundering the fruits of others is ultimately a castle in the air."

A rogue cultivator couldn't help but speak up: "We don't want to either, but Zi Xuan's Corroding Spirit Net is too overbearing, and we..."

"I can break his Corroding Spirit Net." White Night's voice clearly reached everyone's ears. "As long as you join forces to resist, you can break free from his control today."

Zi Xuan's expression changed drastically: "Stop spouting nonsense! Take them down for me!"

Among the ten cultivators, five hesitated and did not move, clearly persuaded by White Night.

The remaining five had just rushed up when they were intercepted by the Wind Howling Silver Wolf; its silver claw radiance, combined with Extreme Cold Spiritual Power, instantly injured two of them.

"Now!" White Night's green long whip shot out like a spirit snake, and the law core on the whip erupted with pale golden light, striking precisely on Zi Xuan's horsetail whisk.

This time, the energy fused with the Dao marks of the Enlightenment Cliff directly pierced through the defense of the Corroding Spirit Net, shattering most of the threads of the horsetail whisk.

"Impossible!" Zi Xuan's face was full of disbelief; his Corroding Spirit Net had never been broken by a cultivator of the same level.

Taking advantage of the moment Zi Xuan was stunned, those five hesitant rogue cultivators suddenly turned against them, each unleashing their divine abilities to attack the Zixia Valley disciples.

The area around the teleportation array immediately fell into chaos; the original ten-against-three turned into eight-against-five, and the situation was instantly reversed.

Liu Ruyan took out some hypnotic incense and scattered it toward the Zixia Valley disciples amidst the chaos. The purple smoke caused their spiritual energy circulation to become sluggish, which gave the rogue cultivators the perfect opportunity.

"A bunch of trash!" Seeing this, a madness flashed in Zi Xuan's eyes. He suddenly bit the tip of his tongue and spat out a mouthful of essence blood.

The essence blood landed on the broken horsetail whisk, actually causing the Corroding Spirit Net to re-condense, and it was even darker than before, carrying a thick, bloody stench—this was a secret technique triggered by burning essence blood.

"No one is leaving today!" Zi Xuan's spiritual energy fluctuations surged to the eighth level of Qi Refining, and the pitch-black Corroding Spirit Net shrouded down towards White Night.

Within the meshes of the net, one could even see countless vengeful spirits struggling; it was clear that this secret technique required the sacrifice of a large amount of a cultivator's spiritual energy to be unleashed.

White Night took a deep breath and pushed the vortex in his dantian to the limit.

The outer layer of spiritual energy and the core law core erupted simultaneously; the green long whip transformed into a massive spear of light.

The tip of the spear condensed the Extreme Cold Spiritual Power of the Ice Flood Dragon inner core and the toxic spiritual energy of the Green-Scaled Python, while the shaft of the spear was entwined with pale golden patterns formed by the origin laws.

"Immortal Dao - Law Spear!" This was a new technique he had comprehended at the Enlightenment Cliff, perfectly combining the agility of Immortal Dao spiritual energy with the domineering nature of the Multiverse's laws.

The moment the spear of light collided with the Corroding Spirit Net, the entire teleportation array trembled violently.

The Extreme Cold Spiritual Power froze the expansion of the Corroding Spirit Net, the toxic spiritual energy disintegrated the black mist, and the pale golden law patterns, like sunlight dispelling haze, purified those struggling vengeful spirits one by one.

"Pfft!" Zi Xuan spat out another mouthful of blood, this time caused by spiritual energy backlash.

The Corroding Spirit Net completely collapsed under the impact of the spear of light, and he himself was sent flying, crashing against the edge of the teleportation array, his aura withered to the extreme.

"It is over." White Night retracted the spear of light and looked at the Zixia Valley disciples who were kneeling and begging for mercy. "Return the plundered spiritual items and get out of the Qingling Secret Realm."

Zi Xuan glared at White Night unwillingly, but in the end, he left in a sorry state with his disciples.

The five rogue cultivators stepped forward one after another to express their gratitude. The leading cultivator took out a jade slip: "Fellow Daoist, your righteous help is something we cannot repay. This is a map of the 'Black Wind Mountain Range'; there is an undeveloped spiritual vein there, which might be helpful for your cultivation."

White Night accepted the jade slip and expressed his sincere thanks.

He could feel that although the spiritual energy of these rogue cultivators was impure, it possessed a resilience that the Zixia Valley disciples lacked, clearly gained through their own hard work. Such cultivators were the foundation of the Xuantian Immortal Domain.

The white light of the teleportation array grew brighter and brighter. White Night and the others bid farewell to the rogue cultivators and stepped into the light gate together.

When the familiar sensation of dizziness faded, they had returned to the valley at the entrance of the Qingling Secret Realm.

In the direction of the Azure Cloud Temple, Azure Cloud Master was standing on the clouds waiting. Seeing White Night and the others return safely, he stroked his beard and smiled: "It seems your trip to the secret realm this time was quite fruitful."

"I am fortunate to have succeeded." White Night took out the Ice Flood Dragon inner core and the Ice Soul Lotus. "These spiritual items might be useful for your cultivation, Temple Master."

Azure Cloud Master waved his hand: "For those who cultivate the Dao, opportunities are predestined. These are all yours to keep. However, Fellow Daoist White Night, your spiritual energy seems to have gained some aura of 'Dao Bone'; I assume you had some realizations at the Enlightenment Cliff?"

White Night nodded: "I have gained a little, and I have understood the principle of 'being round on the outside but square on the inside'."

"What a wonderful 'round on the outside, square on the inside'!" Admiration flashed in Azure Cloud Master's eyes. "This is precisely the foundation upon which my Azure Cloud Temple is established. If you are willing, you may stay at the temple as a guest elder and contemplate the ultimate truths of the Immortal Dao with me."

Liu Ruyan also invited him: "The Pill Hall of Luoxia Peak happens to be short of a protector. If Fellow Daoist White Night is willing to come, I am willing to teach you my lifelong alchemy techniques without reservation."

White Night looked at their sincere gazes, and warmth welled up in his heart. But he knew that his Dao was not only in the Xuantian Immortal Domain but also in the fusion of the Multiverse and the Immortal Dao.

"Many thanks for your kind intentions." He cupped his hands and said, "But I have companions waiting for news, and I must return to reassure them first. If fate allows in the future, I will certainly come to visit again."

Although Azure Cloud Master and Liu Ruyan were reluctant to see him go, they understood his choice.

Liu Ruyan took out a pill furnace: "This is a 'spirit gathering furnace'; it can accelerate the condensation of spiritual energy in spirit herbs. Consider it a parting gift."

Azure Cloud Master then gave White Night a "Communication Talisman": "The Xuantian Immortal Domain will be hosting an 'Immortal Dao Conference' in a few days, and all major sects will attend. This talisman can reserve a spot for you."

White Night expressed his solemn thanks, then turned and stepped into the golden passage with the Wind Howling Silver Wolf.

When the familiar multiverse time core appeared before his eyes, the Captain of the Explorer and the leaders of various races immediately gathered around, their eyes full of concern.

"You have finally returned!" the Captain said excitedly. "The passage was closed for three whole months; we were nearly driven crazy with worry."

White Night smiled and raised the spirit gathering furnace in his hand: "I brought back some new things; perhaps they can bring new possibilities to the Multiverse."

He briefly recounted his experiences in the Xuantian Immortal Domain. When he mentioned the cultivation system of the "Immortal Dao," the leaders of various races all showed expressions of curiosity.

The Mechanical Emperor was even more excited: "Able to excavate energy from within oneself? This is far more efficient than absorbing the laws of the universe! Perhaps our Mechanical Race can draw inspiration from this system and develop a brand-new energy core!"

White Night's gaze fell upon the multiverse time core; the core's light was softer than before, evidently having been influenced by the Immortal Dao spiritual energy.

He knew that a new transformation was quietly brewing—the law system of the Multiverse and the Immortal Dao system of the Xuantian Immortal Domain might be able to form a perfect balance of being round on the outside but square on the inside, just like the vortex in his dantian.

The Wind Howling Silver Wolf lay at his feet, its wolf eyes reflecting the Xuantian Immortal Domain on the other side of the passage.

The Azure Cloud Temple, Luoxia Peak, and Qingling Secret Realm there had all become precious fragments in its memory. But it knew even more clearly that a new adventure had only just begun.

White Night stroked the wolf's head; the Communication Talisman at his fingertips felt slightly warm.

The invitation to the Immortal Dao Conference was like a new horn call, summoning him to explore the vast world of the Immortal Dao. And the connection between the Multiverse and the Xuantian Immortal Domain might, starting from this conference, turn a brand-new page.

On the observation deck of the multiverse time core, a brand-new star map was slowly unfolding.

On the star map, the location of the Xuantian Immortal Domain was marked with a golden point of light. Between this point of light and the various star regions of the Multiverse, faint connecting lines were gradually emerging—these lines would be the bridge for the exchange between the two cosmic civilizations, and also the direction of White Night's future path of cultivation.