55: Returning to the floating island with amethyst, exploring new island locations with crystal-refining liquid.

The wind in the sea of clouds was wrapped in light purple crystal dust as the team journeyed back toward Floating Island under the morning light. The Cloud Snow Beast's white fur was dotted with fine specks of Origin light.

"Little Beastie, we're almost home!" Nian Xue sat on A Qing's dragon back, her small hand gently patting the Cloud Snow Beast's back.

The Cloud Snow Beast turned its head to nuzzle her hand, letting out a gentle "wu wu" sound from its throat, its pace quickening slightly.

Lin Chen walked at the front of the team. The Purple Crystal and Amethyst cores in his Storage Pouch were slightly warm, and his Origin concentration had stabilized at 55% (Late Diamond Mid-Stage).

Clear Snow followed closely behind, her nine tails lightly brushing through the sea of clouds, absorbing the scattered Origin light points into her body. Her Origin concentration rose to 12% (Early Late Diamond Stage).

The Star Spirit Clan Leader held up a crystal stone, its light pointing toward Floating Island: "The aura on the island is very stable; there is no danger. The Cloud Snow Beast's companions are also there."

When the team arrived at Floating Island, several Cloud Snow Beasts were indeed lying in front of the stone house. Seeing the lead Cloud Snow Beast return, they swarmed around it, affectionately nuzzling its body.

"So Little Beastie has so many friends!" Nian Xue slid down from A Qing's dragon back and squatted among the Cloud Snow Beasts, happily stroking each of their ears.

The Metal Clan members immediately brought out the refining furnace, preparing to refine the Purple Crystal into origin liquid: "My Lord, high-purity Purple Crystal can produce 'Transcendence Level origin liquid,' which is ten times purer than before!"

Lin Chen nodded: "Refine it as quickly as possible. We will explore the floating island to the west this afternoon; there might be new Opportunities there."

The Repair Clan members helped set up the refining shed, the Wood Spirit Clan warriors gathered Spiritual Plants on the island, the Stone Spirit Clan warriors reinforced the stone house, and the Dragon Guards stood guard in the air. Everything was in perfect order.

Nian Xue and A Qing took the Cloud Snow Beasts to pick transcendence fruits on the island—the fruits at the top of the trees were the sweetest. A Qing breathed out a Little Dragon Breath, shaking the fruits to the ground, and Nian Xue bent down to pick them up and distribute them among the Cloud Snow Beasts.

"Little Beastie, this fruit is very sweet, hurry up and eat!" Nian Xue held a fruit to a small Cloud Snow Beast's mouth, watching it nibble in small bites, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she smiled.

Clear Snow leaned against Lin Chen, watching her daughter's figure. Her fingertips condensed the Ice and Snow Law to help control the temperature of the refining furnace: "Refining the Purple Crystal will take one hour. We can use this time to consolidate our Realms."

Lin Chen nodded and sat cross-legged in front of the stone house, circulating his Origin Cultivation Technique. The Origin within his body flowed like a stream. Under the nourishment of the Purple Crystal's residual energy, his 55% concentration slowly rose to 57%, and his Divine Thought range expanded to 360 kilometers.

An hour later, the Metal Clan Leader shouted excitedly: "My Lord! The refining is finished! We've produced thirty bottles of Transcendence Level origin liquid in total, each glowing with a deep purple light!"

Lin Chen stood up, took a bottle of origin liquid, and drank it down. A surge of pure energy slid down his throat. His Origin concentration soared from 57% to 60%. The aura of the Late Diamond Mid-Stage erupted, showing faint signs of a Breakthrough to the Late Stage.

Clear Snow also drank a bottle, her Origin concentration going from 12% (Early Late Diamond Stage) to 16%. Her Ice and Snow Domain could now cover twenty zhang and freeze Transcendence Level Middle Stage Origin attacks. Nian Xue drank half a bottle, her Origin concentration going from 30% (Middle Diamond Mid-Stage) to 35%, and the demon god mark on her forehead flashed with strong purple-gold light. After A Qing drank it, he broke through to the Middle of the Middle Stage of Legendary Rank, his dragon scales shimmering with a light purple glow.

The team members all drank the origin liquid, and their strengths improved to varying degrees: the Star Spirit Clan Leader broke through from the Late Legendary Rank to the Early Transcendence Level; five warriors from the Wood Spirit and Stone Spirit Clans also broke through to the Early Transcendence Level; three Dragon Guards from the Dragon Clan Branch were promoted to the Late Legendary Rank.

"Alright, let's head to the floating island in the west!" Lin Chen said to everyone, picking up Nian Xue. "Nian Xue, say goodbye to the Little Beasties. We're going to explore a new island!"

Nian Xue waved her small hand and said to the Cloud Snow Beasts, "Goodbye, Little Beasties! We'll bring back delicious food!"

The Cloud Snow Beasts circled the team twice before stopping reluctantly, watching them leave.

As the team headed west, more and more floating islands appeared in the sea of clouds. The Star Spirit Clan Leader's crystal stone flashed from time to time: "There's a large island forty li ahead. There is a 'Transcendence Level Spirit Plant Garden' on the island, and the auras of an unknown tribe. No hostility!"

Lin Chen's Divine Thought swept over—the island was brimming with rich life Origin. There were dozens of Early Transcendence Level auras. The tribe members were light green all over, with tiny leaves growing on their bodies, as if they had evolved from Spiritual Plants.

"It's the 'Spirit Plant Clan,' experts at cultivating Transcendence Level Spiritual Plants and capable of refining Origin Medicinal Pills." The Ancient God Clan Leader's voice came from the Transcendence Token. "They are very gentle. As long as you bring Spiritual Plant seeds as gifts, you can form an alliance with them."

Lin Chen nodded and took out the life fruit seeds given by the Wood Spirit Clan from his Storage Pouch: "We have Spiritual Plant seeds; they will make perfect gifts."

The team quickened their pace. As they approached the large island, the Spirit Plant Clan patrolmen were already waiting at the edge. They held rattan spears, and the leaves on their bodies glowed with light green light, their auras reaching the Early Transcendence Level.

"Welcome, friends from afar!" The leading Spirit Plant Clan patrolman bowed. "The Clan Chief is waiting for you in the Spirit Plant Garden, saying that distinguished guests are arriving."

Lin Chen was somewhat surprised: "You knew we were coming?"

The patrolman said with a smile: "The Ancient God Clan sent a message, also saying that you helped the Crystal Spirit Clan and Wood Spirit Clan resolve the Dark Crystal Clan. You are trustworthy allies."

Following the patrolmen onto the large island, the Spirit Plant Garden was vast and filled with exotic flowers and rare herbs. Some flowers could spray Origin mist, some grass leaves could make pleasant sounds, and some fruits glowed with seven-colored light.

"The Spiritual Plants here are all Transcendence Level and can be used to refine 'Origin Pills,' which help one advance through Realms quickly," the patrolman introduced, pointing to a plant with red fruit. "That is the 'Breakthrough Fruit'; eating it increases the probability of a Breakthrough."

Nian Xue's eyes lit up, and she pulled Lin Chen's hand: "Daddy, I want to eat that red fruit!"

Lin Chen nodded, picked a Breakthrough Fruit, and handed it to Nian Xue: "Eat carefully, don't choke."

Nian Xue took a bite, the sweet juice flowing down the corner of her mouth. Her Origin concentration rose from 35% to 38%, and the mark on her forehead flashed with even stronger purple-gold light—the energy of the Breakthrough Fruit was indeed powerful.

The team walked to the "Spirit Plant Hall" in the center of the Spirit Plant Garden. The hall was woven from living vines, and the "Spirit Plant Lamps" at the top were made of glowing flowers, illuminating the entire hall.

The Spirit Plant Clan Chief was already waiting in the hall. He was an old man with green hair and beard, the leaves on his body glowing with golden light, and his aura reached the Middle Transcendence Level: "Welcome, Lord Lin Chen. The Ancient God Clan said you are collecting Transcendence Level Opportunities. We happen to need some help."

Lin Chen cupped his hands: "Please speak, Clan Chief. If it's within our power, we will certainly help."

The Clan Chief sighed: "The 'Origin Tree' in the Spirit Plant Garden is about to wither. It needs a 'Transcendence Level origin crystal' to be saved, but we can't find any crystal mines. We can only ask for your help."

Lin Chen took out a piece of Sublimated Purple Crystal from his Storage Pouch and handed it to the Clan Chief: "This is a Transcendence Level origin crystal. Can it save the Origin Tree?"

The Clan Chief took the Purple Crystal, a look of pleasant surprise flashing in his eyes: "It's enough! More than enough! Thank you, My Lord! From now on, the Spirit Plant Clan is your ally. You may pick any Spiritual Plant in the Spirit Plant Garden as you wish!"

He immediately led the team to the Origin Tree deep within the Spirit Plant Garden. The tree was a hundred zhang tall, but its leaves had turned yellow, and the patterns on its trunk had lost their luster, clearly due to insufficient Origin.

The Clan Chief embedded the Purple Crystal into a groove in the trunk. The Purple Crystal's light instantly merged into the tree. The Origin Tree's leaves gradually returned to a lush green, the patterns on the trunk lit up with golden light, and a rich life Origin spread out.

"It's alive! The Origin Tree is alive!" The Spirit Plant Clan members cheered, thanking Lin Chen one after another.

The Clan Chief handed over a bag of "Spiritual Plant seeds" and a bottle of "Origin Pills": "These seeds can grow Transcendence Level Spiritual Plants, and the Origin Pills can increase Origin concentration. These are for you!"

Lin Chen took the seeds and pills, cupping his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Clan Chief. We will help you gather Spiritual Plants this afternoon, and then explore the surrounding crystal mines to help you find more origin crystals."

The Spirit Plant Clan prepared a Spirit Plant Feast. Nian Xue had a great time playing with the Spirit Plant Clan children. She gave a Breakthrough Fruit seed to a little Spirit Plant girl in a green dress: "This seed can grow delicious fruit. Let's be friends!"

The little Spirit Plant took the seed and gave her a glowing Spirit Plant Flower in return: "This flower can purify Origin. Wearing it will protect you from dark energy damage!"

The team rested for a while in the Spirit Plant Garden and then began helping the Spirit Plant Clan gather Spiritual Plants. Nian Xue wore the Spirit Plant Flower and stayed by Lin Chen's side, occasionally helping to pick ripe spirit fruits, her small face full of happiness.

Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves of the Spiritual Plants, falling on everyone, warm and bright. The exploration of the Transcendence Level world continued. New allies and new Opportunities were all waiting for them ahead.