18: Upon first entering the Silver Realm, seeking opportunities, the conspiracy of Heaven begins to unfold.

Morning light filtered through the window lattice of the bronze-grade house, falling upon the gold-grade carpet and casting Nian Xue's stumbling shadow. The little one was holding the yanjie pearl, her fingertips tapping lightly against it.

Inside the Qingqiu world within the pearl, the little white foxes circled her phantom projection, and Nian Xue giggled, "Xiao Bai, come here."

Qingxue sat on the gold-grade sofa, watching her daughter with a smile. Her nine tails swept gently across the floor, creating a soft rustling sound. "Play slowly, don't tire yourself out."

Lin Chen walked out of the kitchen carrying two bowls of spirit fruit soup and handed one to Qingxue. "Drink some to pad your stomach first; we are entering the mission world soon."

[Rest Time Limit: 0 days]

[silver-grade mission world "Desolate Plains" is about to open. Remaining teleportation time: 10 minutes.]

Qingxue took the bowl and sipped it slowly. "This is Nian Xue's first time entering a mission world, so we need to be extra careful."

Lin Chen patted Nian Xue's head. The little one looked up and called out in her milky voice, "Daddy, Nian Xue isn't afraid."

His heart warmed. He opened the panel for the three of them to confirm their status:

[Name: Lin Chen]

[Race: Perfect Ancient God (Tier 2)]

[Rank: 58]

[Talent: Sublimation (Unique Rank · Concept Rank)]

[Talent Effect: Can sublimate and advance anything touched or perceived by Spirit (Tier 1). After Sublimation, the target is permanently bound to the owner, cannot be plundered, and requires no consumption.]

[Talent Limitation: A single object can be sublimated twice (current form limit; cannot be sublimated again).]

[Attributes: Strength 400470, Agility 400470, Physique 400470, Spirit 400620]

[Skills: Ancient Gods Body (Enhanced), Ancient Gods Pressure (Enhanced), Ancient Gods Divine Sense (120 km)]

[Trait: Law Affinity (Major Achievement)]

[Name: Lin Qingxue]

[Race: Ice and Snow Nine-Tailed White Fox (Transcendence Level)]

[Rank: 58]

[Talent: Heart of Ice and Snow (mythical-grade) — Control of Ice and Snow Law efficiency increased by 300%; immune to low-temperature damage.]

[Attributes: Strength 610000, Agility 830000, Physique 610000, Spirit 1130000]

[Skills: Ice and Snow Divine Power (Perfection), Nine-Tails Power (Perfection), Charm (Perfection), Shapeshifting (Perfection), Ice Arrow (Perfection), Ice Domain (Perfection)]

[Name: Lin Nianxue]

[Race: Ancient Demon God]

[Grade: void-rank]

[Rank: 1]

[Talent: Void Immunity (void-rank) — Immune to all concept-type, rule-type, and Karma-type attacks.]

[Attributes: Strength 5000, Agility 5000, Physique 5000, Spirit 5000]

[Skills: Not Awakened (Unlocked with growth)]

The teleportation countdown ended, and white light enveloped the three of them. In the next instant, they landed on the Desolate Plains.

Withering yellow grass reached above their ankles, and craggy rocks stood in the distance. The sky was a dull grayish-purple, with neither sun nor moon in sight.

[silver-grade mission world "Desolate Plains"]

[Mission Objective: Survive for 30 days]

[Mission Time: 30 days remaining]

"It's so cold here." Nian Xue shrank her neck and grabbed the corner of Lin Chen's clothes with her small hand.

Lin Chen channeled the Law of Fire, and a warm halo appeared around him. "Daddy is here, so you won't be cold."

Qingxue expanded her Ice Domain, but instead of releasing cold air, she used it to isolate the biting cold wind from the surroundings. "This is more comfortable."

The three of them had just steadied themselves when heavy footsteps approached from the distance. Lin Chen's Divine Thought swept over, revealing ten gold-grade Demonic Oxen charging over with their heads lowered, their horns gleaming with a metallic luster.

[Monster Name: Ground-Splitting Demonic Ox]

[Rank: 5 (Gold)]

[Attributes: Strength 800, Agility 300, Physique 1000, Spirit 100]

"Husband, let me try." Battle Intent flashed in Qingxue's eyes as her nine tails unfurled and the power of ice and snow condensed.

"Be careful," Lin Chen cautioned, holding Nian Xue as he stepped aside.

Qingxue tapped her fingertips, and dozens of Perfection-level Ice Arrows pierced through the air, accurately penetrating the Demonic Oxen's eyes and going straight into their brains. The Demonic Oxen fell to the ground with a loud crash and dissipated into specks of light.

[Ding — Lin Qingxue's Rank has increased to 59!]

[Attributes Updated: Strength 620000, Agility 840000, Physique 620000, Spirit 1140000]

Nian Xue clapped her little hands. "Mommy is amazing!"

Lin Chen walked up with a smile and ruffled Qingxue's hair. "Great job. Are you tired?"

"Not tired." Qingxue shook her head and looked into the distance. "There is an energy fluctuation over there; it looks like a treasure chest."

The three of them followed the fluctuation and found a treasure chest gleaming with a diamond-like luster in a crevice between rocks.

[diamond treasure chest]

[Quality: Common]

[Note: Contains diamond-level items]

"Sublimation." Lin Chen touched the treasure chest with his fingertip, and the power of Law flowed.

[Ding — diamond treasure chest → epic treasure chest → legendary treasure chest]

The legendary treasure chest bloomed with golden rays of light, and its patterns transformed into phantom images of a Dragon and Phoenix, appearing exceptionally sacred. Lin Chen opened the chest, and inside lay an ice crystal sword.

[Obtained: Legendary Rank · ice crystal sword]

[Effect: Contains Ice and Snow Law, adds freezing effect upon attack]

He did not stop and sublimated the sword again. "This is perfect for you to use."

[Ding — Legendary Rank ice crystal sword → mythical-grade ice crystal sword → eternal-grade ice crystal sword]

The longsword instantly grew by a foot, its blade wreathed in Grandmist purple Qi, and when swung, it could actually stir the powers of ice and snow in heaven and earth.

[eternal-grade · ice crystal sword]

[Effect: Control of Ice and Snow Law efficiency increased by 500%; attacks include Absolute Freezing (cannot be dispelled by those below Transcendence Level)]

Qingxue took the longsword and gently stroked the blade with her fingertips, her eyes full of joy. "Thank you, husband."

They continued forward, and at noon, they encountered a team of human Survivors. Upon seeing Qingxue's stunning beauty and Nian Xue's extraordinary appearance, greed flashed in their eyes.

"That woman and child look good, catch them!" The burly man leading them brandished a giant axe and charged over with his five men.

Lin Chen's eyes turned cold, and his Law Affinity triggered the power of space. The burly man charging in front was instantly crushed into meat paste by spatial pressure, and the remaining four turned and fled in terror.

"They have hostility, they cannot be left alive." Lin Chen said softly, tapping his fingertip. The bodies of the four men suddenly disintegrated, turning into fly ash.

Nian Xue hid in Lin Chen's arms and asked in a small voice, "Daddy, why did they want to catch us?"

"Because they are bad people." Lin Chen said gently, "In the future, if you meet people like this, just hide behind Daddy."

In the afternoon, the three of them arrived at a valley where dozens of legendary-grade wind wolves were coiled around an injured Unicorn.

[Monster Name: Howling Wind Wolf]

[Rank: 9 (Legendary)]

[Attributes: Strength 1200, Agility 1500, Physique 800, Spirit 300]

The Unicorn was snow-white all over, but its horn was broken, and blood had stained its fur red; it was whimpering weakly.

A flash of pity appeared in Qingxue's eyes, but she didn't speak, merely looking at Lin Chen.

"It has no hostility." Lin Chen sensed the Unicorn's goodwill. "Let's help it."

He triggered the Law of Thunder, and purple lightning formed a net that instantly enveloped all the Howling Wind Wolves. The wolves didn't even have time to scream before they turned into charred remains.

The Unicorn struggled to its feet, bowed its head slightly to the three of them as if to express its thanks, and then turned and ran into the depths of the valley.

[Ding — Lin Chen's Rank has increased to 59!]

[Attributes Updated: Strength 400480, Agility 400480, Physique 400480, Spirit 400630]

In the evening, the three of them found a cave to rest in. Lin Chen used the Law of Fire to light a bonfire, while Qingxue combed Nian Xue's hair. The little one played with the yanjie pearl, and the little white foxes inside the pearl also rested.

"Husband, the monsters here are much stronger than those in the bronze-grade world." Qingxue said softly.

"Mhm, they will be even stronger later on." Lin Chen nodded, spreading out his Divine Thought to remain vigilant of their surroundings. "But with us here, don't be afraid."

Nian Xue yawned and leaned into Qingxue's arms. "Mommy, Nian Xue is sleepy."

Qingxue held her in her arms and hummed a lullaby gently, and the little one soon fell asleep.

Late at night, there was a disturbance outside the cave. Lin Chen's Divine Thought probed out and discovered a heavenly dao grade Shadow Leopard, which was approaching silently, its eyes full of ferocious light.

[Monster Name: Shadow Leopard]

[Rank: 15 (heavenly dao grade)]

[Attributes: Strength 5000, Agility 8000, Physique 4000, Spirit 2000]

Lin Chen got up, signaled for Qingxue to stay where she was, and quietly walked out of the cave.

Seeing that its tracks were exposed, the Shadow Leopard lunged fiercely, its figure turning into a blur, its sharp claws carrying the aura of tearing space.

Lin Chen did not dodge; his Law Affinity triggered the Law of Light. Dazzling light erupted instantly, and the Shadow Leopard let out a shrill scream as its body began to dissolve.

Just as the Shadow Leopard was about to dissipate, a cold consciousness suddenly intruded into Lin Chen's mind: "Ant... how dare you ruin my affairs... sacrifice... Origin..."

The consciousness vanished in an instant, and the Shadow Leopard completely turned into specks of light. Lin Chen furrowed his brows; that consciousness just now definitely did not belong to an ordinary monster.

"Husband, what's wrong?" Qingxue heard the commotion and came out.

"That monster was abnormal." Lin Chen said in a deep voice, "I sensed a consciousness that didn't belong to it, mentioning 'sacrifice' and 'Origin'."

Qingxue's expression changed slightly. "Could it be..."

"It might be the Heavenly Dao of the Myriad Races of the Heavens." Lin Chen's eyes were solemn. "It seems to have developed self-awareness and wants to promote the Heavenly Dao world to the origin level by sacrificing the living beings of the myriad races."

This speculation made them both silent. If this were true, then all Survivors were merely nutrients for the Heavenly Dao's promotion.

"No matter what it is, we just need to protect Nian Xue." Lin Chen squeezed Qingxue's hand, his tone firm. "If it dares to come, I will destroy it."

Qingxue nodded and leaned into his arms. "Mhm, with you here, husband, I'm not afraid."

Returning to the cave, Nian Xue was still fast asleep, a sweet smile on her little face. Lin Chen and Qingxue sat by the bonfire, softly discussing countermeasures.

[Mission Time: 29 days remaining]

The next morning, the three of them continued to advance on the Desolate Plains. Lin Chen was more observant when killing monsters, attempting to find more clues about the Heavenly Dao consciousness.

On the way, they encountered a group of elves. They had no hostility, merely looking at the three of them vigilantly before leaving in a hurry. Lin Chen did not make things difficult for them; it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.

After killing several waves of legendary-grade monsters, Lin Chen and Qingxue finally reached Rank 60.

[Ding — Lin Chen's Rank has increased to 60!]

[Ding — Lin Qingxue's Rank has increased to 60!]

[Note: After Rank 50, attributes double every 10 Ranks (including Rank 50)]

Their attribute panels updated instantly:

[Lin Chen Attributes: Strength 800960, Agility 800960, Physique 800960, Spirit 801260]

[Lin Qingxue Attributes: Strength 1240000, Agility 1680000, Physique 1240000, Spirit 2280000]

"Our attributes have doubled!" Qingxue said with pleasant surprise, feeling the surging power within her body.

Lin Chen nodded with a smile and looked at Nian Xue. "Nian Xue will be leveling up soon too."

Nian Xue blinked her big eyes. "Nian Xue wants to be as amazing as Daddy and Mommy!"

The three continued forward, and the atmosphere in the depths of the plains became increasingly oppressive. Lin Chen knew that they were perhaps getting closer and closer to the core area of the Heavenly Dao consciousness.

He squeezed Qingxue's hand, held Nian Xue with his other arm, and his gaze was firm. No matter how many dangers lay ahead, and no matter how vast the Heavenly Dao conspiracy was, he would protect his family well.

Transcendence, Origin, Chaos, Grandmist, Void