54: Follow the Cloud Snow Beast to visit the Transcendent Island and form an alliance with the Transcendent Clan to explore crystal mines.

The sea of clouds shimmered with a faint purple light. The Cloud Snow Beast's white fur was dotted with tiny specks of Origin light as it walked submissively at the front of the group, leading the way.

"Little Beastie, how much further is the big island?" Nian Xue lay in Lin Chen's arms, her small hand gently stroking the Cloud Snow Beast's ear.

The Cloud Snow Beast turned its head and nuzzled her hand, making a "wu wu" sound in its throat, as if saying "we're almost there."

Clear Snow walked by his side, her nine tails lightly sweeping across the sea of clouds. The wind she kicked up was wrapped in pure Origin. "The big island is fifty li ahead. The aura of the Transcendence Clan is very peaceful."

The Star Spirit Clan Leader held up a crystal stone, its light pointing directly toward the big island. "The crystal mines on the island are glowing deep purple. It's Transcendence Level 'Origin Amethyst,' and its purity is extremely high."

The group quickened their pace. As the distance closed, the outline of the big island became clearer and clearer—the island floated above the sea of clouds, its surface covered in pale purple crystal mines, with Transcendence Clan members patrolling the cliffs at the edge.

These Transcendence Clan members were pale purple all over, with bodies similar to humans. Origin energy flowed through them, and their auras were all at the Early Stage of the Transcendence Level. Holding crystal tools, they were harvesting the amethysts along the cliffside.

"Outsiders, halt!" The leading Transcendence Clan patrolman raised his tool, his tone wary but not hostile. "Who are you? Why have you come to Transcendence Island?"

Lin Chen pulled out the Transcendence Token given by the Ancient God Clan and handed it over. "We come from a Legendary Level World. Guided by the Ancient God Clan, we wish to visit the Transcendence Clan Chief and perhaps harvest some amethysts."

The patrolman took the token and pressed his fingertip against it. The token glowed with a golden light—it was the Origin Mark of the Ancient God Clan. His expression softened, and he put away his tool and bowed. "Forgive my rudeness. The Clan Chief is waiting for you at the Crystal Mine Palace."

Following the patrolman onto Transcendence Island, the ground beneath their feet shimmered with pale purple light. With every step, a tiny amount of Origin energy seeped into their bodies—Lin Chen's Origin concentration rose from 50% (after Diamond Mid-Stage) to 52%, and his Divine Thought range expanded to 358 kilometers; Clear Snow's went from 100% (after Diamond Mid-Stage) to 5% (Early Stage of Late Diamond Stage), and her Ice and Snow Law gained a hint of Transcendence aura.

Nian Xue slid down from Lin Chen's arms and ran with the Cloud Snow Beast toward a cluster of amethysts by the roadside. Her little finger poked at the crystal mine. "Daddy, this stone is so bright, like a purple star!"

"Don't touch it. Unprocessed amethysts have energy fluctuations that can burn you." Lin Chen teleported over, picked up a piece of amethyst, and activated Sublimation—the first time turned it to Legendary Rank, and the second time reached the origin level. The amethyst's glow became softer, and its temperature dropped.

He handed the Sublimated amethyst to Nian Xue. "You can hold it now. Be careful not to drop it."

The group reached the Crystal Mine Palace in the center of the island. The palace was built of pure amethyst, and the 'Crystal Mine Lamps' at the top were formed from Origin light points, illuminating the entire hall.

The Transcendence Clan Chief was already waiting in the hall. He was an old man with purple-tinged hair and beard. The Origin energy in his body flowed exceptionally smoothly, and his aura reached the Middle Stage of the Transcendence Level. "Welcome, Lord Lin Chen. The Ancient God Clan has already sent word that you would be coming."

After they were seated, the Clan Chief handed over a cup of pale purple liquid. "This is 'Amethyst Dew,' which can stabilize Transcendence Level Origin. Please try some."

Lin Chen took it and drank. A cool sensation slid down his throat, and the Origin consumed by Sublimation was instantly refilled, making his 52% concentration more solid. After Clear Snow drank it, her Origin concentration went from 5% (Early Stage of Late Diamond Stage) to 8%, and her Ice and Snow Blade shimmered with pale purple light. Nian Xue drank half a cup, and her Origin concentration went from 20% (Mid-Stage of Diamond Mid-Stage) to 25%, the mark on her forehead flashing with a soft purple-gold light.

"We wish to form an alliance with the Transcendence Clan to explore the Transcendence Level World together. We also want to harvest some amethysts to refine into origin liquid," Lin Chen said, getting straight to the point.

The Clan Chief immediately agreed. "We couldn't ask for more! We are short on manpower to explore the surrounding islands. You may harvest amethysts as you please, as long as you help us clear the 'Dark Cloud Beasts' outside the island."

"Dark Cloud Beasts?" Lin Chen asked.

"They are Transcendence Level Vicious Beasts that live by devouring Origin. They often come to steal our amethysts." The Clan Chief sighed. "Their nest is in 'Dark Cloud Valley,' thirty li west of the island. There are twenty of them, and their leader is at the Middle Stage of the Transcendence Level."

Lin Chen nodded. "We will help you clear the Dark Cloud Beasts, but we need you to provide guides to take us to the areas richest in crystal mines."

The Clan Chief summoned two Transcendence Clan warriors, both at the Early Stage of the Transcendence Level. "They are familiar with the distribution of crystal mines and can help you sense the aura of the Dark Cloud Beasts."

The group rested for a moment before setting off for the crystal mine area with the guides. On the way, a guide pointed to the amethyst clusters by the road. "These are 'Low-Purity Amethysts.' In the 'Amethyst Cave' ahead, there are high-purity ones that can be directly Sublimated."

When they arrived at the Amethyst Cave, the interior glowed with a deep purple light. The walls were embedded with fist-sized amethysts, and the aura was three times stronger than before—these were high-purity Origin Amethysts.

"Everyone, harvest carefully. Don't touch the energy lines on the cave walls, or it will trigger the defense array," the guide warned, leading the way into the cave and using a tool to carefully pry loose a piece of amethyst.

The Metal Clan members took out specially made crystal mine shovels and began harvesting the amethysts. The stone spirit warriors used stone shields to protect everyone from accidents. Clear Snow expanded her Ice and Snow Domain to freeze the energy lines in the cave, making harvesting easier.

Nian Xue and the Cloud Snow Beast played outside the cave. She stacked the Sublimated amethysts into small towers, while the Cloud Snow Beast helped by bringing her scattered crystal pieces in its mouth. A Qing stood nearby, using Little Dragon Breath to dry the moisture on the crystal blocks.

"Little sister, the tower you built is so pretty! It looks like a little castle!" A Qing clapped in praise.

Nian Xue nodded and picked up a piece of amethyst to give to the Cloud Snow Beast. "Here, let's build the castle together!"

The harvesting inside the cave went smoothly. In half an hour, they had harvested fifty full bags of high-purity amethysts. Lin Chen picked up a piece and activated Sublimation—the first time turned it to Legendary Rank, and the second time reached the origin level. The amethyst's Origin aura became ten times stronger, allowing it to be directly absorbed to increase strength.

He distributed them for everyone to absorb and absorbed one himself—his Origin concentration rose from 52% to 55%, and his aura after the Diamond Mid-Stage drew closer to the Late Stage. Clear Snow's went from 8% (Early Stage of Late Diamond Stage) to 12%, and her Ice and Snow Domain could now cover eighteen zhang. Nian Xue's went from 25% (Mid-Stage of Diamond Mid-Stage) to 30%, and her Void Power could now penetrate the defenses of the Early Stage of the Transcendence Level.

"Time to clear the Dark Cloud Beasts!" Lin Chen put away the amethysts and said to everyone, "Metal Clan, set up the laser cannons; Elf Clan, ready your arrows; Dragon Guards, prepare your Dragon Breath. We'll finish this quickly!"

The group advanced toward Dark Cloud Valley. A guide held a crystal detector. "The aura of the Dark Cloud Beasts is getting stronger. They are sleeping in the valley; now is the best time to strike."

Dark Cloud Valley was filled with a faint black mist. Twenty Dark Cloud Beasts were sleeping on the rocks in the center of the valley. The leader was twice the size of the others, with an aura at the Middle Stage of the Transcendence Level, and its black fur shimmered with a dark purple light.

"Attack!" At Lin Chen's command, the Metal Clan's laser cannons fired in unison, sending pale gold lasers toward the sleeping Dark Cloud Beasts. The Elf Clan's arrows flew, accurately hitting the beasts' eyes. The Dragon Guards unfurled their dragon wings, and golden Dragon Breath fell like a rainstorm.

The Dark Cloud Beasts were startled awake. The leader roared and spat out a black Origin mist, trying to trap the group. Clear Snow's Ice and Snow Domain instantly expanded, its pale purple cold freezing the mist. Wood Spirit warriors shot out vines to bind the beasts' limbs, and stone spirit warriors' stone fists smashed into their heads.

Lin Chen teleported behind the leading Dark Cloud Beast and slammed the Anti-Heavenly Dao Rule toward its core. The opponent turned to resist but was pierced through the throat by Clear Snow's Ice and Snow Blade. Its massive body crashed to the ground, turning into a cloud of black mist and leaving behind a Middle Stage Transcendence Level crystal core.

Seeing their leader killed, the other Dark Cloud Beasts tried to flee but were blocked by the Transcendence Clan warriors. Coordinating with the group, they were all hunted down, yielding twenty Transcendence Level crystal cores.

"Thank you, Lord Lin Chen!" The Clan Chief arrived in the valley and said gratefully, "The Dark Cloud Beasts will never come to steal our amethysts again!"

Lin Chen picked up the leader's crystal core, Sublimated it to the origin level, and handed it to the Clan Chief. "This crystal core is for you. It can increase the strength of your clan members."

The Clan Chief could not refuse and accepted the crystal core, then handed over a bag of 'Amethyst Cores.' "These are our core crystal cores. They can help you unlock the deeper areas of the Transcendence Level World. Please take them!"

Lin Chen took the Amethyst Cores and put them into his Storage Pouch. "Thank you, Clan Chief. From now on, we are allies. If you need anything, contact us anytime!"

The group headed back to the previous floating island with the harvested amethysts and Amethyst Cores. The Cloud Snow Beast walked in front, occasionally looking back at Nian Xue as if to make sure she was keeping up.

Nian Xue sat on A Qing's dragon back, playing with a Sublimated amethyst in her hand, her little face full of happiness. "Daddy, can we come back to Transcendence Island to harvest amethysts in the future?"

"Yes. Once we finish exploring the surrounding islands, we'll come to harvest crystal mines and play with the Transcendence Clan," Lin Chen said with a smile, his Divine Thought scanning the distant sea of clouds—the floating islands there were like purple gems, waiting for them to explore.