51: Collect crystal cores and establish a fixed core path to block the remaining evil forces and protect the Stone Spirit Realm.

The Crystal Core Tower of the Crystal Spirit Clan shone with Origin golden light. Lin Chen put the Sublimated Crystal Spirit core crystal core into his Storage Pouch, a faint blue residual energy warmth lingering on his fingertips.

"Next, we head to the Stone Spirit Clan. Following the map, 'Stone Soul Valley' to the north is their habitat." Lin Chen unfolded the Beast Skin Map, pointing his finger at the marked red spot.

Clear Snow handed over a bottle of life dew: "We might run into Remnants of the Dark Crystal Clan on the way, so replenish your Origin first and maintain peak condition."

Lin Chen tilted his head back and drank it all. His Origin concentration rose from 30% to 35% after reaching Diamond Mid-Stage. His Divine Thought swept the surroundings—there was no dangerous aura within a hundred miles, only the vital energy fluctuations of the Crystal Spirit Clan.

Nian Xue sat on A Qing's Dragon back, holding a Crystal-made Little Rabbit gifted by the Crystal Spirit Clan. Her small head rested against A Qing's neck: "A Qing, are the Stone Spirit Clan all made of stone?"

A Qing sprayed a small puff of Dragon Breath to help dry the crystal dust on her skirt hem: "They should be! Just like the uncles of the Stone Skin Clan, hard as a rock!"

As the group departed, the Crystal Spirit Elder caught up and handed over a bag of Crystal Core Fragments: "These can be refined into origin liquid and will be useful on the journey! If you encounter danger, crush this Signal Crystal!"

Lin Chen took the bag, cupped his hands, and thanked him: "Thank you, Elder. We will return soon to report our safety."

The group advanced toward Stone Soul Valley. The Crystal Core Plain on the road gradually turned into a rocky landscape. The stones on the ground emitted a faint gray Origin light, and occasionally, fist-sized stone spirits hopped away to dodge them.

"These are Little Stone Spirits. They are not hostile; they are the young of the Stone Spirit Clan." The Star Spirit Clan Leader held up a crystal stone, its light gently sweeping over the Little Stone Spirits. "Follow them, and you can reach Stone Soul Valley faster."

Nian Xue's eyes lit up when she saw the Little Stone Spirits. She slid down from A Qing's Dragon back, wanting to chase them, but Lin Chen held her back: "Don't run far. The Little Stone Spirits will lead us."

Sure enough, the Little Stone Spirits hopped ahead, leading the way. The group followed, and their speed increased significantly. After walking for about two hours, a huge rocky valley appeared ahead—the rocks inside the valley were all carved with Stone Pattern Runes, emitting a thick gray Origin light. This was precisely Stone Soul Valley.

Just as they reached the valley entrance, they heard intense sounds of fighting. Lin Chen’s Divine Thought probed—twenty Remnants of the Dark Crystal Clan were besieging the Stone Spirit Clan. The leader's aura reached Legendary Rank Late Stage, and he was holding a Stone Weapon, trying to seize the Stone Spirit Clan's core crystal core!

"It's the Dark Crystal Clan again!" Anger flashed in Clear Snow's eyes, and the Ice and Snow Law condensed in her palm. "Stop them quickly! Don't let the core crystal core be taken!"

Lin Chen instantly teleported behind the leader, striking his core with the Anti-Heavenly Dao Rule. The opponent turned hastily, his weapon shattered by the Rule, and his body instantly turned into Crystal Fragments, leaving only a Legendary Rank Late Stage crystal core.

Seeing their leader killed, the other Dark Crystal Clan members turned to flee but were blocked by the Metal Clan's Laser Net. Wood Spirit Clan Warriors shot out Vines to entangle them, and the Dragon Guards sprayed Dragon Breath. In a moment, they were all surrounded and killed, yielding twenty Legendary Rank crystal cores.

"Thank you for saving our lives, Sir!" The Stone Spirit Clan Clan Chief stepped forward. He was a burly man entirely made of gray stone, and his aura reached Legendary Rank Late Stage. "The Dark Crystal Clan has been pestering us for three days, all wanting the core crystal core."

Lin Chen nodded: "We are here to take the Stone Spirit Clan's core crystal core. Collecting five Clan Crystal Cores can open a Transcendence Level World Entrance."

The Clan Chief immediately agreed and led the group toward the "Stone Soul Altar" in the center of the valley—a fist-sized gray stone crystal core floated above the altar, which was the Stone Spirit Clan's core crystal core, emitting a thick gray Origin light.

"This crystal core can strengthen defense, and it will be even more powerful after Sublimation." The Clan Chief handed the crystal core to Lin Chen. "Since you helped us deal with the Dark Crystal Clan, this crystal core is a gift for you, Sir!"

Lin Chen took the crystal core and activated Sublimation—the first time it reached Legendary Rank, and the second time it reached origin level. The Stone Pattern Runes on the surface of the crystal core lit up, and the defensive aura intensified tenfold. He placed the crystal core into his Storage Pouch. His Origin concentration rose from 35% to 38% due to absorbing the residual energy of the crystal core.

Clear Snow absorbed the energy from the Dark Crystal Clan Crystal Cores, increasing her Origin concentration from 90% to 93%. Her Ice and Snow Domain could now freeze rocks. Nian Xue went from 98.5% (Diamond Mid-Stage Early Stage) to 10% (Diamond Mid-Stage Middle Stage). Her Void Power could easily penetrate stone layers. A Qing also Broke Through to Legendary Rank Early Stage Middle Stage, making his Dragon Scales harder.

The Stone Spirit Clan prepared Stone Snacks and origin mineral water to entertain the group. Nian Xue picked up a piece of Stone Cake, took a bite, and opened her eyes wide in surprise: "Daddy, this snack made of stone is actually sweet!"

The Clan Chief smiled and explained: "This is 'Stone Honey Cake,' made with origin mineral water and Crystal Powder. It's delicious and can replenish Origin."

Lin Chen tasted a piece; it was indeed refreshing and sweet, and the Origin within his body stabilized further. He asked the Clan Chief: "Does the Stone Spirit Clan know the situation of the other clans? Are the Dragon Clan Branch and the Elf Clan Branch safe?"

The Clan Chief shook his head: "Remnants of the Dark Crystal Clan are scattered everywhere. The Dragon Clan Branch is at 'Dragon Ridge Mountain' in the northeast, and the Elf Clan Branch is at the Elf Forest in the southeast. We haven't been in contact for a long time."

Lin Chen nodded, taking out the map to mark it: "Next, we will go to Dragon Ridge Mountain, and then to the Elf Forest, to collect the crystal cores as quickly as possible."

The group rested with the Stone Spirit Clan for half an hour, replenishing their Stone Honey Cake and origin mineral water, and then headed towards Dragon Ridge Mountain. The Stone Spirit Clan sent five Legendary Rank Early Stage Warriors to accompany them—they were familiar with the rocky terrain and could help with vigilance.

When leaving Stone Soul Valley, the Little Stone Spirits hopped along to see them off for a long distance. Nian Xue placed the Crystal-made Little Rabbit on the ground: "This is for you to play with. We will come back to see you!"

The group advanced northeast. There were more and more rocks along the road, and occasionally, they could see huge Stone Dragon Sculptures with ancient Runes carved on their Dragon Scales—marks left by the Dragon Clan Branch.

"That's Dragon Ridge Mountain ahead!" The Star Spirit Clan Leader pointed at the mountain range in front. The mountain range looked like a sleeping Giant Dragon, its ridge emitting a faint golden Dragon Breath light.

Approaching Dragon Ridge Mountain, Lin Chen's Divine Thought suddenly tensed—thirty Remnants of the Dark Crystal Clan were hidden at the foot of the mountain. The leader's aura reached Legendary Rank Late Stage, and he was holding dragon scale fragments, clearly intending to ambush the Dragon Clan Branch.

"Ambush!" Lin Chen gave the order. The Metal Clan set up laser cannons, the Elf Clan Archers readied their arrows, the Wood Spirit Clan Warriors prepared their Vines, and the Stone Spirit Clan Warriors blocked the front of the group, forming a Stone Shield.

Seeing that they had been discovered, the Remnants of the Dark Crystal Clan simply charged out. The leader raised the dragon scale fragments: "You ruined our plan. Today, you will be buried here!"

"Just you?" Lin Chen sneered, instantly teleporting beside the leader. The Ancient Gods Pressure erupted, and the opponent's movements instantly froze.

Clear Snow's Ice and Snow Domain unfolded. The faint purple cold Qi froze the Dark Crystal Clan's weapons. Wood Spirit Clan Vines entangled their bodies. The Stone Spirit Clan Warriors' Stone Fists smashed toward their cores, and the Metal Clan's laser cannons and Elf Clan arrows fired simultaneously.

The leader tried to resist, but Lin Chen's Anti-Heavenly Dao Rule had already struck his chest. His body turned into Crystal Fragments, leaving only a Legendary Rank Late Stage crystal core and the dragon scale fragments.

Seeing the situation turn bad, the other remnants tried to flee but were blocked by the Dragon Guards of Dragon Ridge Mountain—it was the Dragon Clan Branch Patrol Team, who had rushed over after hearing the commotion!

"Thank you, Lord Lin Chen!" The Dragon Clan Branch Leader stepped forward. He was clad in Golden Scale Armor, and his aura reached Legendary Rank Late Stage. "Our Clan Chief is waiting for you in Dragon Ridge Palace!"

Lin Chen nodded and followed the Dragon Guards toward Dragon Ridge Palace. Nian Xue sat on A Qing's Dragon back, looking at the Dragon Guards beside her, and quietly asked: "A Qing, are they Dragons like you?"

A Qing nodded, puffing out his small chest: "Yes! They are my clan members. From now on, we are family!"

Dragon Ridge Palace was built on the summit of Dragon Ridge Mountain. The pillars inside the hall were Dragon-shaped Sculptures, and the Dragon Clan Branch Clan Chief sat on the Dragon Throne in the center. His aura reached Legendary Rank Perfection: "Lord Lin Chen, the Ancient God Clan has already sent word that you are collecting core crystal cores. Our crystal core has long been prepared!"

The Clan Chief handed over a faint golden Dragon-shaped Crystal Core, which was precisely the Dragon Clan Branch core crystal core, emitting a rich Dragon Breath Origin. Lin Chen took it, Sublimated it to origin level, and put it into his Storage Pouch—he had now collected three crystal cores, still lacking the Elf Clan Branch and the final one.

"Thank you, Clan Chief. Next, we will go to the Elf Forest to retrieve the last crystal core," Lin Chen said.

The Clan Chief nodded and dispatched ten Dragon Guards to accompany them: "There might be a large group of Remnants of the Dark Crystal Clan near the Elf Forest. Let the Dragon Guards assist you!"

The group left Dragon Ridge Mountain and headed southeast toward the Elf Forest. The sunlight of Dragon Ridge Mountain shone upon them, warm and bright. Nian Xue leaned against A Qing, her small eyes looking into the distance—that was the direction of the Elf Forest, the final stop for collecting the core crystal cores.