115: Chapter 115 The Expedition Begins, Danger Encounters in the Void

During the final month, Lin Wan dedicated almost all his time to his Family.

He strolled with Su Wanqing, Su Wanyi, and Su Wanxin through the meticulously arranged pavilions and Spirit Medicine gardens of the Samsara Residence, listening to them recount the trivial matters of the past three years in the Eastern Wasteland, the changes in the Lin Family, and their wonder and adaptation after arriving at Samsara Immortal City. He also personally guided the cultivation of Lin Jingyun, Lin Jingfeng, and Lin Jinyu, pouring out all his insights into the Dao of Reincarnation and Chaos, as well as his extensive combat experience. Furthermore, he even spent Contribution Points to exchange for numerous Cultivation Techniques, Medicinal Pills, and Magic Treasures suitable for their cultivation levels, ensuring they would have sufficient resources to improve their strength and live securely in Samsara Immortal City after he departed.

"Wanqing, after I leave, the Family will be in your hands." Lin Wan held Su Wanqing's hand and said softly, "Jingyun, Jingfeng, and Jinyu have all grown up, and their cultivation levels are improving steadily; they can share your burdens. The Alliance has been very supportive of our Family. If you encounter any difficulties, you may use my token to go to the Merit Hall or Guanghan Palace for help. I have also spoken to Fairy Yaoxi, and she will look after you."

"Don't worry, Husband. I will take care of everything at home." Su Wanqing snuggled into Lin Wan's arms. Although her eyes were filled with reluctance and worry, her tone was exceptionally firm. "Go and do what you must; do not worry about us. I only hope that you… take care and return safely."

"Father, we will also Cultivate diligently and strive to be of help to you as soon as possible!" Lin Jingyun, Lin Jingfeng, and Lin Jinyu said in unison, their eyes filled with admiration and determination.

"Good, good." Lin Wan felt a warmth in his heart and patted his children's heads. "Remember, in the path of cultivation, one must balance tension and relaxation, and the Dao Heart is paramount. When I am away, listen to your mother and look after the Family."

"We understand, Father!"

On the eve of his departure, Lin Wan also sent messages to bid farewell to Seniors and friends such as Dan Dingzi, Tian Shu Zi, Sword Master Jian Wuming, and Great Master Liaoyin. He learned that the expeditionary forces from the Western Desert, Southern Region, and Northern Plains had also largely completed their preparations and would set sail soon. The entire Samsara Immortal Alliance, and indeed the entire Tiannan Realm, was shrouded in a tense atmosphere, as if a storm were about to break.

Finally, the three-month deadline arrived.

This morning, at the central plaza of the Ziwei Enclosure.

A massive silver flying ship, crafted entirely from Void Metal and engraved with countless complex spatial Dao patterns, hovered in mid-air. The ship was about a thousand zhang long and a hundred zhang high, with nine levels. Its hull lines were smooth, emitting powerful spatial fluctuations and defensive spiritual light. This was none other than the top-tier war Magic Treasure used by the Samsara Immortal Alliance for cross-domain and even cross-realm travel—the void-breaking god boat!

At this moment, below the void-breaking god boat, the plaza was packed with Cultivators clad in battle armor, exuding powerful auras. There were tens of thousands of them, the lowest being at the Late Stage of Nascent Soul. Soul Transformation Cultivators made up nearly thirty percent, and there were even dozens of Void Refining powerhouses whose auras were as deep as the sea and whose Dao resonance faintly echoed with the Void Realm, standing at the very front of the Formation!

This was the expeditionary force led by Fairy Yaoxi, heading to the border between Central Province and the Eastern Wasteland, to that most dangerous Void Rift suspected to lead directly to the lair of the end! Its lineup was so luxurious that it could be said the Alliance had sent out all its elite forces!

Lin Wan was dressed in the dark gold star robe unique to the core Elders of the Alliance, with the reforged chaos dao sword hanging at his waist. His aura was restrained. He stood side by side with Elder Tianji and Tian Shu Zi, positioned just behind Fairy Yaoxi. Behind them were dozens of Void Refining Elders and the most elite squads of the Demon-Slaying General Corps. Lin Wan's former teammates, such as Lu Ming, Bai Ling, Shi Hao, and others, were also among them. They had now all broken through to Soul Transformation and had become the core backbone of their squads.

Today, Fairy Yaoxi had changed into a moon-white battle armor outlined with silver star patterns. Her dark hair was simply tied up with a jade hairpin. Her beautiful face lacked some of its usual coldness and instead held a touch of sternness and majesty. She stood at the bow of the void-breaking god boat, her cold gaze sweeping over the army below. Her voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Fellow Cultivators, today, by the order of Emperor Yan, we embark on an expedition to the Void Rift to purge the enemies of the end and safeguard the peace of our Tiannan Realm!"

"Ahead lies an unknown, dangerous land, the minions of the end, and a threat capable of overturning an entire realm! But we Cultivators seek the Dao and eternal life, and protect the common people. What is there to fear in a battle?"

"This journey may bring sacrifice or separation. Yet, behind us lies our homeland, our families, and our Legacy! There is no retreat; there is only battle!"

"I hope that you will all work together with one heart, purge the demons, uphold the prestige of our Samsara Immortal Alliance, and defend the peace of our Tiannan Realm!"

"Set out!"

Fairy Yaoxi waved her jade hand, her voice decisive.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The tens of thousands of Cultivators below roared in unison, the sound shaking the heavens. Their majestic Battle Intent and Killing Intent surged into the sky, scattering even the clouds above.

"Board the ship!"

At Fairy Yaoxi's command, the Cultivators turned into streams of light and flew into the void-breaking god boat in an orderly fashion. Lin Wan nodded to Su Wanqing and the others who had come to see him off, as well as to Dan Dingzi and the others in the distance. Taking one last look in the direction of Samsara Immortal City, he also turned into a stream of Chaos light and, together with Elder Tianji and Tian Shu Zi, flew into the command cabin on the top level of the god boat.

"Set sail!"

With Fairy Yaoxi personally controlling it, the massive void-breaking god boat trembled slightly. Countless spatial Dao patterns on the hull lit up, and the Void Realm in front rippled like water, revealing a deep, dark passage that led to an unknown destination.

The void-breaking god boat emitted a low hum and slowly sailed into the passage, disappearing from sight. The Void Rift passage closed behind it, as if it had never appeared.

On the plaza, the crowd seeing them off gradually dispersed. Su Wanqing and the other two women gazed in the direction where the god boat had disappeared, unwilling to leave for a long time, their eyes filled with lingering worry and hope.

Inside the void-breaking god boat, the space was far more vast than it appeared from the outside. The nine-level cabin, with each level resembling a small Immortal Cave, was fully equipped. It even possessed powerful gathering-Qi Formations, with Spiritual Qi concentration no less than that of Samsara Immortal City. With tens of thousands of Cultivators stationed inside, it did not appear crowded in the slightest.

The command cabin was located on the top level of the god boat, with a wide field of view overlooking the outside. Fairy Yaoxi, Elder Tianji, Tian Shu Zi, Lin Wan, and three other powerful Peak Void Refining masters sat around a huge round table formed of starlight. These three were: a burly man wearing black armor with a cold expression and carrying a giant axe, named "Zhan Qiong", who was a well-known Body Cultivator expert in the Alliance with astonishing combat power; a middle-aged scholar holding a jade flute with a refined temperament, named "Wen Yuan", who was skilled in the Dao of music and Formation Restrictions; and finally, a mysterious Cultivator shrouded in pale purple mist, with an unrecognizable face and an elusive aura, codenamed "Shadow", who was the leader of the "Dark Division", the most mysterious and adept at assassination and stealth in the Alliance.

Including Fairy Yaoxi, Elder Tianji, Tian Shu Zi, and Lin Wan, these eight people formed the highest decision-making body of this expeditionary force.

"The god boat has entered the 'Void Realm shipping lane' and is expected to arrive at the peripheral area of the 'Void Rift' in three days." A star map condensed from starlight floated in front of Fairy Yaoxi, with a silver line pointing to an area flashing with dangerous red light.

"The target rift this time is located deep within the 'Nirvana Star Belt' at the border between the Central Province and the Eastern Wasteland. The 'Nirvana Star Belt' is a death zone filled with chaotic energy, Void Realm storms, and various dangerous celestial debris. Even for Void Refining Cultivators, one must be extremely careful when traveling through it. And that rift happens to be located near a 'Void Realm vortex' in the center of the star belt where the energy is most violent. The environment is extremely harsh and very easy to conceal one's tracks, which is also the reason why the 'Void Church' chose this place to open a passage." Elder Tianji pointed to the star map and said in a deep voice.

"According to the latest intelligence sent back by the 'Dark Division', that rift has now been stabilized and expanded by a powerful force of the end. There is a faint aura of a 'King'-level existence lurking within, and there are a large number of the end creations and corrupters active around the rift, which have initially formed a defensive system. After we arrive, our primary goal is to destroy or severely damage its defenses, establish a forward base, and then attempt to Seal or at least delay the expansion of the rift." Tian Shu Zi added.

"Is there a specific battle plan?" Zhan Qiong's voice was loud and clear, like the clashing of gold and iron.

"The plan is divided into three steps," Fairy Yaoxi said. "First, Fellow Daoist 'Shadow' will lead the elites of the 'Dark Division' to infiltrate the 'Nirvana Star Belt' to conduct preliminary reconnaissance, determine the enemy's specific troop deployment and defensive weaknesses, and attempt to clear the outer sentries."

"Second, after the god boat arrives, we will use the 'All-Heaven Star Formation' (simplified version) in coordination with the god boat's own defenses to launch a fierce attack on the outer defensive nodes of the rift. Fellow Daoist Zhan Qiong, Fellow Daoist Tian Shu Zi, and Fellow Daoist Wen Yuan will each lead an army to attack from three directions, drawing the enemy's main force."

"Third, once the enemy's main force is pinned down, I, Fellow Daoist Tianji, and Fellow Daoist Lin Wan will lead an elite squad to thrust directly into the core of the rift, attempting to destroy its stabilization core or kill the 'King'-level existence sitting in command. If successful, the rift will become unstable, and the main army can destroy it in one fell swoop. If it cannot be done, we must retreat immediately and reconsider."

"Fellow Daoist Lin Wan, you possess the power of 'Purification', which is the key to dealing with the power of the end. The mission to thrust into the core is the most dangerous. You need to keep close to me and Fellow Daoist Tianji at all times. Your power of 'Purification' will be the Sharp Weapon to break through the defenses of the end and interfere with the 'King'-level existence." Fairy Yaoxi looked at Lin Wan, her gaze filled with gravity and entrustment.

"This Junior understands and will definitely do my best." Lin Wan nodded solemnly. He knew that although he had only just entered Void Refining, the restraint his 'Purification Fragment' had on the end gave him an irreplaceable strategic value in this team.

"Good. If there are no objections, we shall prepare according to this plan. Fellow Daoist 'Shadow', you and the 'Dark Division' shall depart immediately." Fairy Yaoxi looked at the "Shadow" shrouded in purple mist.

"Understood." Shadow's voice was elusive, and then his figure turned into a faint purple smoke and disappeared.

Three days passed in a flash amidst the tense preparations.

The "void-breaking god boat" traveled through the chaotic "Void channel", occasionally encountering small groups of Void creatures or energy turbulence attacks, but under the ship's powerful defensive and offensive Formations, these were easily neutralized.

The Cultivators on board were either meditating to adjust their breath, polishing their Magic Treasures, or practicing combined attack Formations, creating a solemn and heavy atmosphere.

On the third day, the god boat shuddered slightly, and the view ahead suddenly opened up. However, what followed was a chaotic, violent energy fluctuation carrying a thick, corrupting aura of "the end".

"We have arrived." Fairy Yaoxi's cool voice rang in everyone's ears.

Lin Wan and the others came to the command cabin and looked outside through the massive crystal porthole.

Before them lay a bizarre and indescribable Star Domain.

Countless shattered stars, twisted spatial rifts, violent energy storms, and strangely colored nebular dust composed this death zone known as the "Silent Extinction Star Belt".

In the deepest part of the belt, a massive "Void Rift"—resembling a hideous wound, constantly twisting and exhaling pitch-black mist—suddenly came into view!

The rift was hundreds of miles wide, spanning across the Void Realm. At its edges, pitch-black mist that seemed to devour everything constantly churned and dissipated.

Inside the rift, it was dark and profound, with faint outlines of twisted, unnatural buildings visible, along with densely packed figures emitting the aura of "the end" moving about like a swarm of insects.

Around the rift, it was filled with various fortifications made of bones, twisted metal, and energy crystals. Several powerful, heart-palpitating auras emanated from deep within the rift and from those fortifications.

Near the rift, in the chaotic Void Realm, some massive, hideous monsters—seemingly pieced together from various biological remains and emitting a thick aura of "the end"—were prowling.

These were the twisted creations formed after "the end" eroded the Void Realm and devoured living beings—the "Void Aberrations".

"Void Aberrations vary in strength; the weak are equivalent to Nascent Soul, while the strong are comparable to Void Refining. They have tenacious vitality and do not fear death. They are the common cannon fodder and vanguards of the 'the end' legion," Elder Tianji said in a deep voice.

"It seems the 'Void Church' values this rift far more than we estimated. This defensive force is three parts stronger than what the intelligence indicated," Tian Shu Zi frowned.

Just then, a communication talisman condensed from starlight appeared out of thin air in the command cabin, transforming into the flickering voice of "Shadow": "Seventeen outer guard posts have been cleared. Three energy nodes were discovered, suspected to be the keys to stabilizing the rift. However, there are powerful Restrictions in the core area, and the 'Shadow Division' cannot penetrate deeper. Additionally, at least three 'Lord'-level auras and one... suspected 'King'-level powerful aura have been detected, sitting deep within the rift. The enemy has already noticed us and is mobilizing troops."

With the news confirmed, the atmosphere became even heavier.

"The plan remains unchanged. Full frontal assault!" Fairy Yaoxi's eyes were sharp. With a wave of her jade hand, she commanded, "God boat, activate the 'Zhou Tian Star Formation'! All combat units, strike according to the plan!"

"Hum—!"

On the hull of the "void-breaking god boat", countless star patterns lit up. Brilliant starlight converged, forming a massive, slowly rotating phantom of a star Formation around the ship!

Within the Formation, starlight was like swords, and star rays were like arrows, emitting destructive fluctuations.

At the same time, the side of the god boat opened, and streams of light surged out like a swarm of bees.

Zhan Qiong, Tian Shu Zi, and Wen Yuan each led thousands of Cultivators, divided into three routes, forming battle Formations, and charged fiercely toward the three key energy nodes on the periphery of the rift!

"Kill!"

"Exterminate the demons!"

Shouts of killing, the roar of Magic Treasures, and the explosions of Spells instantly resounded throughout this dead Star Domain.

The "the end" faction was clearly well-prepared. Countless "Void Aberrations" poured out of the rift like a tide, colliding with the three armies.

At the same time, the fortifications around the rift spat out pitch-black energy beams, corrosive toxic mist, and various bizarre curse attacks.

The great battle was on the verge of breaking out!

"Let's go!" Fairy Yaoxi nodded to Lin Wan and Elder Tianji. The three of them turned into three streams of light, silently leaving the god boat, avoiding the main battlefield, and thrusting like three sharp knives toward the core area of the "Void Rift"!

Their goal was to destroy the rift's stability core or kill the "King"-level entity sitting in command! This was the key to deciding the outcome of this battle!

Lin Wan followed closely behind Fairy Yaoxi and Elder Tianji. Chaos Qi circulated around him, the reforged "chaos dao sword" was hidden in his sleeve, and the "Purification Shard" at the center of his brow grew slightly warm, ready to deal with the erosion of the power of "the end" at any moment.

The closer they got to the rift, the more intense the chaotic, decaying, and nauseating aura of "the end" became.

The surrounding space also became more unstable, with tiny spatial rifts flashing occasionally, devouring everything.

"Careful, there is spatial turbulence ahead!" Elder Tianji suddenly warned.

Before the words fell, a previously calm area of the Void Realm ahead suddenly twisted and shattered, turning into a violent turbulent zone filled with spatial blades, sweeping toward the three of them!

"Hmph!" Fairy Yaoxi snorted coldly. A flash of moonlight appeared in her hand, and a phantom of a cool crescent moon emerged, casting water-like moonlight that enveloped the three of them.

Wherever the moonlight passed, the violent spatial turbulence was briefly "frozen" and calmed.

"Moonlight Stabilizes the Void"—one of Fairy Yaoxi's signature Divine Abilities.

The three of them did not slow down and instantly passed through the turbulent zone. However, the moment they passed through the turbulence, an unexpected change occurred!

"Chi!"

A thread as black as ink, without the slightest energy fluctuation, as if it could devour all light, shot out silently from the shadows behind the three of them, aimed directly at Lin Wan's back!

The timing of this attack was grasped to perfection, precisely at the moment when the three of them had passed through the spatial turbulence and their minds were slightly relaxed!

Moreover, the attack contained a terrifying power of an extreme, life-Origin-targeting nature, carrying the Concepts of "wither", "decay", and "the end"!

It was the assassination of the "King of Shadows"! And, from the very first move, it was a lethal strike! The target was Lin Wan, who had the strongest suppression against "the end"!

"Lin Wan, watch out!" Fairy Yaoxi and Elder Tianji shouted simultaneously, wanting to rescue him, but they were already a beat too slow!

The attack was too bizarre, rapid, and seemed capable of penetrating space, directly locking onto Lin Wan's Divine Soul!

At the moment the attack reached him, Lin Wan also felt a fatal crisis! His hair stood on end, and his Divine Soul shook violently!

He did not expect that the assassination by this "King of Shadows" would come so quickly and so stealthily that even Fairy Yaoxi and Elder Tianji had not detected it in advance!

At the critical moment of life and death, Lin Wan's combat instincts and the powerful reactions of a Void Refining Cultivator exploded instantly!

"Chaos Samsara, all laws cannot invade!"

He roared lowly. The "Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit" at the center of his brow shone brightly.

A wisp of Chaos Qi intertwined with the Dao rhyme of Samsara, turning into a thin layer of protective divine light that seemed to contain the Samsara of the heavens and the Concept of being untouched by all laws, covering his entire body!

At the same time, his body twisted forcibly at an incredible angle, and the "chaos dao sword" in his hand was raised backhand in an impossible manner.

A streak of Chaos sword light arrived first despite starting later, slashing toward that pitch-black thread!

"Chi la—!"

The pitch-black thread collided with the Chaos sword light. There was no earth-shattering roar, only a bizarre, subtle sound as if space were being corroded and matter was being ended.

The Chaos sword light was actually being "corroded" and "withered" by the pitch-black thread at a speed visible to the naked eye!

The Concept of "the end" contained within that pitch-black thread was terrifyingly powerful! Even the sword light containing the power of Chaos and Samsara could hardly fully resist it!

"Purification!"

Lin Wan's eyes sharpened. The "Purification Shard" at the center of his brow suddenly erupted with a gentle yet incomparably pure white light, instantly merging into the Chaos sword light!

"Chi—!"

Like boiling oil poured onto snow, the pitch-black thread encountered the white light of "Purification" and instantly let out a sharp, pained wail.

The Concept of "the end" upon it faded and dissipated like melting ice! The pitch-black thread itself also dimmed in radiance, its power greatly reduced!

"Clang!"

Finally, the greatly weakened pitch-black thread was barely deflected by the Chaos sword light, grazing past Lin Wan's ribs, corroding a large hole in his Dharma robe and revealing the inner armor flashing with dark golden light beneath.

A deep mark, carrying the aura of decay, was left on the inner armor!

"Oh?"

A light, flickering sound of surprise came from the shadows behind the three of them. A figure shrouded in thick shadows, whose face could not be seen and who seemed to merge with the Void Realm, slowly emerged. It was the "King of Shadows"!

"To think you could resist this King's 'Shadow Erosion Sting'... The power of 'Purification' is indeed worthy of its reputation. However, this is the end."

The "King of Shadows"'s voice was cold and hoarse, like metal rubbing against metal, carrying a chill that penetrated directly into the Divine Soul.

He slowly raised his hand, opening his five fingers. In his palm, a deep shadow vortex that seemed to devour all light slowly rotated, emitting an even more terrifying and heart-palpitating aura of "the end".

Fairy Yaoxi and Elder Tianji finally reacted at this moment, protecting Lin Wan in the middle from left and right, their expressions extremely heavy.

"King of Shadows... It really is you!" Fairy Yaoxi's beautiful eyes were filled with murderous intent. Her Moonlight Battle Armor shone brightly, and a long sword condensed from moonlight appeared in her hand.

"You rat hiding your head and showing your tail, today, I will make you stay here forever!"

"Big talk." The King of Shadows sneered. The shadow vortex in his palm suddenly expanded, turning into a shadow canopy that covered the sky and the sun, enveloping the three of them!

Wherever the shadow passed, the Void Realm twisted, light disappeared, and even Divine Sense perception was devoured and corroded!

"Attack together, finish this quickly! We cannot let him drag us out!" Elder Tianji said in a deep voice.

He pinched a Seal, and profound star runes flew out, intertwining in the Void Realm, forming a massive star chessboard, attempting to stabilize this Void Realm covered by shadows.

The great battle erupted in advance in the core area of the "Void Rift"! And Lin Wan truly faced the terrifying assassination of a "King"-level entity!