44: Seeking the traces of the Heavenly Dao on the battlefield, discussing a new journey in the Returning Dragon Realm.

The setting sun dyed the Puppet wreckage on the battlefield a golden red. Lin Chen held the fast-asleep Nian Xue, a faint golden halo condensing at his fingertips as he swept over the scattered origin crystal cores.

Clear Snow squatted to the side, her Ice and Snow Blade lightly picking up an eternal-grade crystal core as she wiped away the dust: "These crystal cores can refine a lot of pure origin liquid."

The Repair Clan Leader arrived with his clansmen, pushing a grandmist rank refining furnace: "Lord, we will begin refining now. Everyone can replenish their Origin tonight."

The Dragon Guards were clearing the edges of the battlefield when a Scarlet Scale Dragon Guard suddenly shouted: "Lord Lin Chen! There is a black fragment here!"

Lin Chen walked over and picked up the fragment—it emitted a faint Heavenly Dao aura, with blurred patterns engraved on it that read "Healing in Meteorite Valley."

"It was left by the heavenly dao main body." Clear Snow leaned in, ice and snow cold Qi emanating from her fingertips, making the patterns on the fragment clearer. "It hid in Meteorite Valley after being injured."

Lin Chen gripped the fragment tightly, his gaze darkening: "Record the location first. Once everyone has recovered, we will go deal with it."

The Elf Clan Archers finished collecting their arrows and came over to report: "Lord, we have collected a total of thirty eternal-grade crystal cores and five Heavenly Dao Origin Stones."

Lin Chen took the crystal cores and activated Sublimation: the first time turned them to Legendary Rank, and the second time reached mythical-grade. The Origin aura became three times denser as he distributed them to the core members of the allied forces.

After absorbing them, Lin Chen's Origin concentration rose from 65% to 70%, and his Divine Thought expanded to 300 kilometers; Clear Snow went from 48% to 53%, and her Ice and Snow Domain expanded by another half-zhang; Nian Xue absorbed the fragments in her sleep, going from 61% to 66%, the mark on her forehead glowing with a soft light.

A Qing stood guard by Nian Xue's side, her small hand gently patting her back like a little guardian: "Little sister is sleeping so soundly, I'll watch out for the bad guys for you."

When night fell, the Repair Clan refined ten bottles of heavenly dao grade origin liquid. Lin Chen distributed them to everyone after Sublimation and drank one himself—his Origin concentration rose by another 5%, reaching 75%.

"We will return to the Azure Dragon Realm first to rest for two days before making further plans," Lin Chen said to the various Clan Chiefs while holding Nian Xue.

The allied forces journeyed back under the cover of night, the Dragon Guards holding dragon fire to light the path ahead. Nian Xue rolled over in Lin Chen's arms, mumbling in her sleep: "Daddy, the light spots are so bright..."

After walking for about an hour, a faint cry for help suddenly came from ahead. Lin Chen's Divine Thought swept out—it was five Machine Race Survivors being besieged by three Heavenly Dao Puppets.

"It's the Machine Race members who escaped earlier!" the Metal Clan Leader shouted, being the first to charge forward.

Lin Chen teleported behind the Puppets, his Void Power sweeping across. The Puppets instantly shattered, and the Machine Race members hurriedly stepped forward to thank him: "Thank you, Lord! We encountered Heavenly Dao Remnants, and many of our clansmen were captured!"

"Where are the remnants?" Lin Chen asked, his tone serious.

The Machine Race leader pointed toward the valley on the right: "Right there. There are twenty eternal-grade Cultivators, and they've captured many Survivors from various clans!"

Lin Chen and Clear Snow exchanged a look, and he said decisively: "Dragon Guards and the Elf Clan, take Nian Xue back to the Azure Dragon Realm first. We are going to rescue the people!"

"Daddy, I want to go too!" Nian Xue was woken by the noise, rubbing her eyes and clenching her small fists. "Nian Xue can help you!"

Lin Chen stroked her head: "Be good, Nian Xue. You and A Qing go back first; Daddy will be back soon."

A Qing also nodded: "Little sister, I'll protect you while we wait for Lord Lin Chen to return!"

After arranging things for Nian Xue, Lin Chen took Clear Snow, the Metal Clan, and the Stone Skin Clan—ten people in total—and rushed toward the valley. The Heavenly Dao Cultivators in the valley were surrounding a campfire with dozens of Survivors tied up nearby, clearly resting.

"They didn't set any traps; it seems they think no one would dare come," Clear Snow said softly, the Ice and Snow Law condensing in her palm.

Lin Chen nodded and teleported behind the Cultivators. His Ancient Gods Pressure erupted, and the Cultivators instantly froze, not even having a chance to resist.

Clear Snow's Ice and Snow Blade shot out, the Metal Clan's laser guns fired in unison, and the Stone Skin Clan stepped forward to untie the Survivors. In moments, all twenty Cultivators were killed, yielding twenty eternal-grade crystal cores.

Among the rescued Survivors were members of the Wood Spirit Clan and Emerald Clan, as well as several Dragon Clan Cubs. They all knelt to offer their thanks: "Thank you, Lord, for saving our lives!"

Lin Chen helped them up: "Quickly, come with us. It's not safe here."

When they returned to the main road with the Survivors, the Dragon Guards and Elf Clan were already waiting. Seeing Lin Chen, Nian Xue immediately pounced on him: "Daddy! You're back!"

Lin Chen picked her up and kissed her cheek: "Mm, Daddy chased all the bad guys away."

The group set off again and finally returned to the Azure Dragon Realm at dawn. The guards of the Azure Dragon Realm saw them and immediately opened the shield. The clansmen also came out to welcome them, bringing warm spiritual porridge.

Nian Xue drank the spiritual porridge, her little face full of satisfaction. A Qing sat beside her, sharing the spirit fruit from her own bowl: "Little sister, this is delicious, have some more."

Lin Chen and the various Clan Chiefs were discussing matters in the main hall. The Dragon Race Chief took out a map: "Meteorite Valley is a thousand miles to the west. It contains a Heavenly Dao Origin Mine, and the main body might be healing there."

The Elf Clan Chief added: "We have also scouted that there is an entrance to a 'Legendary Level World' near Meteorite Valley. Perhaps we can find items to Breakthrough to the mythical-grade."

Lin Chen looked at the map with a determined gaze: "Rest for two days, then we will split into two groups. One group will clear out the Heavenly Dao Remnants, and the other will go to Meteorite Valley to find the main body!"

Clear Snow nodded: "I will lead a team to clear the remnants, and you take a team to Meteorite Valley. It will be safer for Nian Xue to stay by your side."

"Alright." Lin Chen took her hand. "Be careful. If you encounter anything you can't handle, use the communication crystal to contact me."

Over the next two days, the Azure Dragon Realm was a hive of activity: the Repair Clan reinforced the defenses, the Metal Clan forged new weapons, the Elf Clan nurtured spiritual plants, the Dragon Guards trained new recruits, and the Survivors helped organize supplies.

Every day, Nian Xue played with A Qing in the Azure Dragon Realm, sometimes helping the Wood Spirit Clan water plants, sometimes watching the Metal Clan forge iron. Her days were very lively.

On the morning of the third day, the allied forces finished assembling: Clear Snow took fifty people to clear the Heavenly Dao Remnants in the east; Lin Chen took thirty people, including Nian Xue, A Qing, and the Star Spirit Clan Leader, to set out for Meteorite Valley.

"Husband, take good care of Nian Xue. We will meet at Meteorite Valley." Clear Snow helped Lin Chen straighten his collar, her eyes full of concern.

Lin Chen nodded and picked up Nian Xue: "You be careful too. We'll see each other soon."

The team set off in the morning light. Nian Xue sat on A Qing's dragon back, her small hand waving: "Goodbye, Mommy! We will find the bad Heavenly Dao!"

Clear Snow waved goodbye until the team disappeared from sight, then turned to lead her own team toward the east.

The sunlight in the Azure Dragon Realm was warm, yet carried a hint of urgency—the heavenly dao main body had not been completely dealt with, and the entrance to the Legendary Level World was full of unknowns. But everyone in the allied forces was filled with confidence.

Lin Chen looked at Nian Xue by his side and then toward the direction of Meteorite Valley. In his Divine Thought, that valley filled with the aura of the Heavenly Dao was getting closer. A new challenge was waiting for them.