78: Establish a base to explore the realities and weaknesses within the territory, prepare supplies, and await the acquisition of the source.

The faint light from the melted peak crystal dissipated, the residual warmth in Lin Chen's palm had not faded, and his Divine Thought swept toward the entrance's stone lion, detecting no intent to attack.

Clear Snow retracted the Ice and Snow Domain and suggested, "Let's first establish a temporary Stronghold. After resting, we'll enter the Realm and proceed step by step."

Lin Chen nodded, "The Metal Clan will build barracks, the Wood Spirit Clan will plant sacred plants, and the Stone Spirit Clan will set up defenses!"

The Metal Clan melted peak crystals to forge the barracks, embedding Crystal Patterns into the walls: "They can withstand an impact from the Supreme Realm Early Stage, and house thirty people per room."

The Wood Spirit Clan scattered sacred plant seeds and used origin liquid to stimulate growth: "They will grow ten feet tall in half an hour, able to block beasts and replenish energy."

The Stone Spirit Clan stacked crystal shields into a formation and mounted Crystal Cannons: "Cannon power is increased by sixty percent. They will automatically fire upon encountering an enemy, preventing sneak attacks."

The Sea Spirit Clan channeled a water source into the camp. The pool shimmered with Origin light: "The water is pure and can replenish energy, and it can also sustain Origin Fish."

The Spirit Plant Clan set up Pill Furnaces and threw in crystal core fragments: "We are refining Peak Energy Replenishment Pills. Taking one replenishes thirty percent of Origin."

Nian Xue squatted by the pool, watching the fish swim: "A Qing, the fish scales look like little mirrors. Can I catch one?"

A Qing spread his wings and scooped up a fish: "Be careful! Don't fall into the pool!" The fish jumped onto the bank, shimmering with golden light, and Nian Xue gently hugged it.

Lin Chen stroked the fish's back: "This is an Origin Fish. Keep it in the pool; it can purify the water quality and replenish energy."

Nian Xue released the fish back into the pool: "Little fish, swim quickly! I'll feed you sacred plant leaves tomorrow!" The fish flicked its tail, seemingly in response.

Clear Snow inspected the barracks: "The walls are thick enough, the Crystal Patterns are stable. It's safe to stay here tonight."

The Star Spirit Clan Leader held up a crystal stone: "There is an Origin Core aura ten miles inside the Realm, and beside it is a Peak Beast, at the Supreme Realm Middle Stage!"

Lin Chen frowned: "The beast is not weak. We need to prepare sufficient combat power. The vanguard team will scout the path first to gauge the situation."

The Dragon Clan Dragon Guard Leader requested to fight: "I will lead the vanguard team! With Lord Clear Snow commanding the formation, we will be stable!"

Clear Snow nodded: "Prepare ten healing pills and twenty Light Arrows. Send a signal if you encounter a powerful beast."

The Spirit Plant Clan handed over pills: "These are Rapid Healing Pills. Take one to instantly stop bleeding and replenish ten percent of Origin!"

The vanguard team prepared: ten Dragon Clan Dragon Guards, five Elf Clan Archers, and five Supreme Clan warriors.

Clear Snow led the team out, activating the Ice and Snow Domain: "I will use Freezing Fog to clear the path. Everyone follow closely and don't scatter!"

Lin Chen instructed: "Use Divine Thought to communicate. If you exceed three miles, call me, and I will instantly teleport for support!"

The vanguard team entered the Realm. The fog gradually thickened. Clear Snow used the Freezing Fog: "Visibility is expanded to thirty feet, enough to see the path."

The sacred plants left by the Wood Spirit Clan marked the path, their leaves glowing green, guiding the direction.

After traveling three miles, they encountered three small beasts, covered entirely in silver crystal, with auras at the Transcendent Late Stage Peak.

"Clear the obstacles!" Clear Snow ordered. A Dragon Guard struck a beast with his golden wings: "Take this!" The beast staggered and fell, and Dragon Breath burned its core.

Elf Clan arrows shot the beast's eyes. The blinded beast stumbled wildly. a Supreme Clan staff struck the beast core, and the beast dissolved into points of light, leaving behind three crystal cores.

Clear Snow absorbed half a crystal core, increasing her Origin from 73% (Origin Realm Early Stage) to 74%; the Dragon Guard Leader increased from 35% to 36%.

Continuing for five miles, the fog dispersed, revealing a plain covered in sacred plants, shimmering with Origin light.

The Star Spirit Clan crystal stone transmitted a message: "There is a pack of five beasts ahead, Transcendent Late Stage Peak, with no malicious intent."

Clear Snow ordered a detour: "Don't alarm them. First, scout the direction of the Origin Core. Don't cause unnecessary trouble."

Traveling eight miles, they encountered an Origin River. The water shimmered with golden light, and origin pearls lay on the riverbed, radiating faint light.

A Sea Spirit Clan warrior dove to retrieve the pearls: "The pearls can be used in alchemy to replenish Origin concentration by 1%. Retrieve ten!"

After retrieving the pearls, they continued for nine miles. The crystal stone suddenly brightened: "The Origin Core is a hundred zhang ahead, and the beast is dozing beside it!"

Clear Snow ordered a stop: "A hundred zhang away, observe the beast's state—lion body, golden mane, claws pressing the core, stable aura, seemingly in a light sleep."

She transmitted a message to Lin Chen via Divine Thought: "The beast is lightly sleeping, the core is under its claws. We can try a sneak attack, or wait until it wakes to fight."

Lin Chen replied: "Don't sneak attack. Its combat power might decrease after it wakes. Wait for the main force team to arrive, and we'll fight together!"

Clear Snow agreed: "Alright! We will retreat five miles, set up an ambush, and wait for the main force team."

The vanguard team retreated five miles. The Dragon Guards set up an arrow formation, the Elf Clan notched arrows, and the Supreme Clan gathered light with their staffs.

Lin Chen led the main force team out: ten Metal Clan laser cannons, twenty Stone Spirit Clan crystal shields, and three Spirit Plant Clan Alchemists.

Nian Xue sat on A Qing's Dragon back, holding an origin pearl: "Daddy, can we get the core? I want to quickly integrate into the Realm!"

A Qing exhaled Little Dragon Breath: "Definitely! I'll help Daddy fight the beast and burn its mane!"

Traveling five miles, they met the vanguard team. Clear Snow approached: "The beast is lightly sleeping, the core is under its claws. There might be a fight after it wakes."

Lin Chen nodded: "Set the formation—the main force team attacks the front, the vanguard team harasses the flanks, and the Support Team replenishes energy!"

The Metal Clan set up the cannons, aiming the muzzles at the beast: "The cannons are fully charged and can shatter the beast's scales!"

The Stone Spirit Clan arranged the shield formation, shield connected to shield: "It defends against the beast's charge and can block its breath!"

Smoke rose from the Spirit Plant Clan's furnace: "The Energy Replenishment Pills are almost ready. We'll replenish everyone's strength shortly!"

Nian Xue squatted on A Qing's back, clutching the Void Light Orb: "Daddy, I'll smash the beast's eyes so it can't see clearly!"

A Qing spread his wings: "Little sister, hold tight. I'll circle behind, burn its tail, and distract it!"

Lin Chen gathered the Anti-Heavenly Dao Rule in his palm: "Wait for the beast to wake. I will strike the core first. Everyone follow closely and don't panic!"

The Star Spirit Clan crystal stone glowed: "The beast is about to wake! Its aura is rising, prepare quickly!"

The Peak Beast raised its eyes, its golden pupils glowing. It stretched its claws, the core still pressed beneath them: "Outsiders, trying to steal the core?"

"Attack!" Lin Chen instantly teleported to the beast's side and struck the core with the Rule: "Bang!" The Origin Core rippled with patterns, and the beast roared in fury.

Clear Snow activated the Ice and Snow Domain, freezing the beast's legs: "Freeze!" Thick ice armor condensed. The beast struggled, but its legs were difficult to move.

A Dragon Guard struck the beast's head with his golden wings: "Take this!" The beast swayed. Dragon Breath burned the beast's mane. The mane scorched, and its aura dropped.

Elf Clan arrows shot the beast's eyes. Blinded, it shook its head wildly. The Stone Spirit Clan shields blocked, and the Metal Clan cannons blasted the Origin Core.

A Supreme Clan staff struck the beast's abdomen. In pain, the beast loosened its grip on the core. The core rolled away, and Nian Xue rushed forward: "I'll get it!"

A Qing protected Nian Xue, sweeping the beast with Dragon Breath: "Don't touch my little sister!" The beast roared in anger and whipped its tail at A Qing. A Qing blocked with his wings and retreated two steps.

Lin Chen seized the opportunity, grabbed the core, and instantly teleported back to the formation: "We got the core! Everyone retreat!"

Everyone retreated with Lin Chen. The beast pursued. The Metal Clan cannons blasted the beast's legs: "Stop it!" The beast's legs were injured, and its pursuit speed dropped.

The Spirit Plant Clan threw sacred plant seeds. Long vines grew upon landing and wrapped around the beast: "Wrap it tightly! Don't let it chase us!"

The vines wrapped around the beast. The beast struggled and broke the vines, but it was slowed down, allowing everyone to retreat to the Stronghold.

Lin Chen closed the camp gate and aimed the Crystal Cannons at the entrance: "Fire the cannons! Don't let the beast get close!" Cannon light hit the beast. In pain, the beast retreated.

"We won! We got the Origin Core!" Nian Xue held up the core. The core shimmered with golden light, reflecting her smiling face.

Lin Chen took the core. It was warm: "This is the key to activate the Realm Gate. After resting, we will activate the gate and enter the Peak Realm!"

Clear Snow wiped her sweat: "The beast didn't follow. Let's replenish energy first, integrate the core to raise our Realm, and then enter the next Realm!"

The Spirit Plant Clan handed over Energy Replenishment Pills: "Everyone take the pills, absorb the residual energy from the core, and stabilize your Realms!"

Lin Chen absorbed the core's residual energy, increasing his Origin from 30% (Origin Realm Late Stage) to 32%, and expanding his Divine Thought to 870 kilometers.

Clear Snow increased from 74% to 75%; Nian Xue from 54% (Post-Diamond Middle Stage) to 55%; A Qing from 32% to 33%.

The Star Spirit Clan Leader increased from 34% to 35%; the Dragon Clan Dragon Guard Leader from 36% to 37%; the Supreme Clan Leader from 47% to 48%.

The Spirit Plant Clan Chief increased from 1% (Origin Realm Early Stage) to 2%; the Stone Spirit Clan Leader from 93% (mid-transcendence) to 94%.

The Sea Spirit Clan Leader increased from 88% to 89%.

After taking the pills, everyone sat inside the camp. The scent of medicine wafted from the Spirit Plant Clan's furnace, and Origin Fish swam in the pool, presenting a scene of stabilized Realms.

Lin Chen looked at the core, then at the entrance: "Tomorrow we activate the gate and enter the Supreme Peak Realm to obtain the Legacy and break through to the Peak Realm!"

Nian Xue leaned against A Qing, touching the core: "A Qing, will we be able to see stars after entering the Realm? I want to pick one!"

A Qing nodded: "Yes! I'll take you flying to pick the biggest and brightest one!"

Moonlight spilled over the camp, crystal lamps glowed, and everyone gradually rested, leaving only the warriors on night watch standing outside the camp holding their staffs.