32: Fragment Resonance and Treasure Hunt Melee

A few days of rest in the underground rift allowed The core five people of D-7 Courtyard to undergo a complete transformation. Zhao Iron Pillar's injuries were fully healed, and his muscles and bones seemed even stronger; everyone's Divine Souls grew robust under the nourishment of the starlight moss, and their control over the "Inner Network" became increasingly proficient; more importantly, the Ancient Cultivator Relic Carving pointed out the path ahead for them, eliminating their confusion and leaving only firm goals.

"Brothers, let's go!" Wen Youyi, full of vigor, led the team back into the desolate lands of the Ancient Ruins.

This time, they were no longer searching aimlessly. Wen Youyi tried to focus his Mental Energy on the concepts of the "Star Core" and "fragmentation" he had comprehended from the Ancient Cultivator Relic Carving, while fully operating the "Inner Network" to try and sense a faint resonance in the ethereal void.

This method was like searching for a needle in a haystack, but after his Divine Soul was strengthened, he actually managed to capture an extremely faint, almost imperceptible pulling sensation, originating from the deeper parts of the Ancient Ruins—the core area where the energy fluctuations were the most chaotic and powerful!

"We have a direction!" Wen Youyi's spirits lifted. "Follow my sense!"

The core five people maintained the "Inner Network," moving as a single unit, quickly traversing through strange rocks, fissures, and ruins, avoiding obvious energy storms and suspicious areas, heading straight for the source of the sensation.

The closer they got to the core area, the more perilous the environment became. Space grew unstable, occasionally producing tiny spatial rifts that swallowed everything; violent Spiritual Qi streams of various attributes erupted from the ground fissures; there were even some irrational "Elemental Essence Spirits" wandering around, formed from pure chaotic energy.

They had to be more careful, and their speed slowed down.

Along the way, they also spotted other Cultivators in the distance. Some looked exhausted, clearly having poor harvests; others had fierce auras and carried a murderous Qi, having clearly gone through intense battles. Everyone was rushing toward the core area; clearly, the true Opportunities and conflicts lay there.

"Looks like quite a few people are eyeing the 'good stuff'," Wang Wu whispered.

"As expected." Wen Youyi's expression remained calm. "In front of Opportunity, everyone relies on their own ability. Our goal is clear; we just need to stay steady."

After traveling for most of another day and passing through an area composed of massive crystal clusters that refracted distorted light, the scene before them changed once more.

Ahead was a massive circular depression. In the center of the depression, dozens of fragments of various sizes floated, emitting lights of different colors! Some fragments were scorching like a blazing sun, some were cold like a secluded moon, some were heavy like a mountain, and some were light like flowing wind... They rotated slowly, emitting a powerful energy field that repelled the surrounding chaotic Spiritual Qi, creating a relatively "clean" but far more dangerous area!

"Secret Realm Fragments! Treasures from the core of the Ancient Ruins!" Senior Brother Li's voice trembled with excitement. These fragments were rumored to be the essence left behind after ancient Secret Realms or powerful Magic Treasures had shattered, containing a trace of the Origin Law, making them excellent Materials for refining Magic Treasures and comprehending Divine Abilities!

Around the depression, twenty to thirty Cultivators had already gathered, belonging to different forces, maintaining a vigilant standoff. The Five Elements Courtyard disciples of the Qingxuan Sect, Lin Feng, Chen Jian, and others were conspicuously present, as were people from the Blazing Sun Sect, the Mysterious Water Sect, and other Sects. Everyone's gaze was fixed on the dazzling fragments in the center of the depression; the air was thick with greed and tension.

Wen Youyi's gaze, however, bypassed those dazzling ordinary Secret Realm Fragments and locked onto the deepest part of the depression: an unremarkable, fist-sized gray stone that was entirely dull, covered in cracks, and looked as if it might shatter completely at any moment.

That's it!

The operation of the "Inner Network" within him spontaneously accelerated the instant he saw the gray stone! The concept he had comprehended from the Ancient Cultivator Relic Carving also produced a strong resonance!

This must be the star core fragment mentioned by Yun Zhi! It looks ordinary, but it is the highest-ranked existence among all the fragments! It is the key to constructing the Primal Array and resisting the net!

However, he was not the only one eyeing this "ordinary" stone.

Wen Youyi noticed that The core five people of the Five Elements Courtyard, as well as the Lone Cultivator Lin Feng, had also intentionally or unintentionally glanced at the gray stone. Although they concealed it well, the gravity and determination in their eyes did not escape Wen Youyi's keen observation.

"Trouble..." Wen Youyi's heart sank. His competitors were the two strongest groups present.

In the midst of this tense standoff, someone finally couldn't hold back, and a flash of Spell light shot toward a fiery red fragment in the depression!

Like a fuse being lit, the peace was instantly shattered!

"Grab it!"

"Attack!"

Dozens of Cultivators lunged like hungry wolves; flashes of various Spells and Magical Artifacts erupted as they frantically rushed into the depression, instantly dissolving into a chaotic battle! Everyone's eyes turned red with desire to seize the Secret Realm Fragments.

The melee erupted!

The core five people of the Five Elements Courtyard formed an arcane array; the Five Elements circulated, integrating offense and defense. No one could stop them as they charged directly toward several fragments matching their attributes.

Lin Feng transformed into a sword light, moving at an incredible speed, avoiding most attacks, and heading straight for a fragment emitting sharp Metal Qi.

Chen Jian, meanwhile, led his teammates to specifically target weaklings and isolated Cultivators, using ruthless methods, clearly intending to kill people and seize their treasures.

People from the Blazing Sun Sect, the Mysterious Water Sect, and others also displayed their Divine Abilities, making the battle extremely fierce.

Wen Youyi and his core five people did not immediately join the main battle group. Like phantoms on the battlefield, they utilized the concealment and tacit coordination of the "Inner Network" to maneuver along the periphery.

"Our target is the gray one, don't get greedy for more!" Wen Youyi transmitted via the "Inner Network." "Wait for the Opportunity!"

They waited patiently, like the most experienced hunters.

The Opportunity arrived quickly.

To seize a water-blue fragment, the Five Elements Courtyard entered into a fierce conflict with the Mysterious Water Sect disciples, and their array was momentarily tied down. Lin Feng was also attracted by two top-grade fragments, his sword light crisscrossing, temporarily unable to disengage.

Now!

"Charge!"

Wen Youyi roared softly. The core five people were like arrows shot from a bowstring, maintaining a tight formation and operating the "Inner Network" to its peak. Like a sharp dagger, they bypassed the main battle group and plunged straight toward the inconspicuous gray stone in the deepest part of the depression!

Their movement immediately drew attention!

"Stop them!" Chen Jian was the first to notice. Although he didn't know what the gray stone was, seeing Wen Youyi head toward it with such a clear purpose meant it had to be a treasure, and he immediately led his people to intercept.

At the same time, the Five Elements Courtyard and Lin Feng also noticed the disturbance here, and their gazes instantly locked onto Wen Youyi and the gray stone!

In an instant, Wen Youyi and his core five people became the target of all attacks!

Treasure ahead, powerful enemies behind!

"Iron Pillar, clear the path! Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Li, cover the flanks! Senior Brother Zhang, prepare the Talismans!" A ruthless glint flashed in Wen Youyi's eyes, and his speed did not diminish!

The battle for the treasure instantly entered a white-hot phase!

(End of Chapter)