31: Chapter 31 The Broken Sword of the Void

The sword hum was low, yet it seemed to resound through the Divine Soul.

The moment Lin Wan stepped into this shattered land, the gray-white broken sword embedded in the base of the Chaos stele seemed like an ancient soul that had slumbered for endless years, suddenly awakening. An indescribable, vast, desolate, sharp, yet terrifying Sword Intent filled with endless sorrow and unwillingness erupted from the broken sword like a bursting dam, instantly sweeping across the entire space fragment!

"Ah—!" Black Shark bore the brunt of it. He felt an invisible sharpness, as if it were going to slice his Divine Soul into fragments, slam violently into his Sea of Consciousness! He let out a miserable groan, blood streaming from his seven orifices. Clutching his head, he stumbled backward, his eyes full of pain and fear. If not for the Restriction Lin Wan had placed to protect part of his mind, he would have suffered severe damage to his Divine Soul, or perhaps even been annihilated directly.

Lin Wan's body also shook violently, his face turning even paler. The strength of that Sword Intent far exceeded his imagination, as if it carried the life's Dao, Law, and will of a peerless Sword Cultivator, as well as... the endless hatred and regret of exhausting the blue sea and staining the blue sky with blood. Even the budding five elements sword Intent he had initially condensed was like a firefly before the bright moon in the face of such a vast Sword Intent, instantly suppressed and trembling.

But he was not as pathetic as Black Shark. Although his five elements sword core was dim, it still rotated stubbornly, releasing a faint Five Elements spiritual light to protect his Divine Soul core. The Great Five Elements True Scripture was profound, and his mastery of the Five Elements power was deep in his bones. Yet, the vast Sword Intent before him, while primarily focused on killing and sharpness, also contained a hint of the supreme Dao rhyme of the Five Elements rotation and the returning-to-ruins annihilation. It resonated faintly with his five elements sword core and the Concept of "Five Elements Returning to Ruins."

More importantly, the void five elements token in his arms erupted with unprecedented brilliance at this moment, as if echoing with the broken sword, conveying an indescribable longing, sadness, and... the joy of returning home.

The third fragment of the void five elements token was indeed this broken sword, or rather, some kind of core sealed within the broken sword.

"Hum—!"

The broken sword trembled again. From the fine cracks on the sword body, a grayish, strange radiance that seemed capable of cutting through the Void Realm suddenly burst forth. The radiance condensed, slowly outlining a vague phantom above the broken sword.

It was a figure wearing a tattered green robe, tall and straight, with a blurred face, but a pair of eyes as sharp as cold stars, as if they could pierce through the ages. He stood with his hands behind his back in the Void Realm. Although it was only a residual phantom of his will, he possessed a supreme spirit of looking down on the world and sweeping across the eight wildernesses with his sword, as well as a bone-deep loneliness and sorrow.

"Latecomer..." The phantom spoke, his voice like grinding metal, carrying the vicissitudes of eternal years, echoing in this silent space. "To be able to find this place, touch the 'Return-to-Ruins Sword Intent' I left in the 'Sea-Suppressing Stele', and possess the 'void five elements token'... you have a connection with the Five Elements Sect."

Five Elements Sect! It really was related to the Five Elements Sect! This phantom called himself "this seat" and left behind the "Return-to-Ruins Sword Intent." Could he be a great power of the ancient Five Elements Sect? Or perhaps, a Sword Cultivator powerhouse of the Five Elements Sect?

"Junior Lin Wan, by chance, obtained the Legacy of a Senior from the Five Elements Sect, cultivated the Great Five Elements Sword Art, and condensed a Golden Core. I entered this place by mistake and disturbed you, Senior. I hope Senior will forgive me." Lin Wan endured the pressure of the Sword Intent and his injuries, bowing respectfully. Facing the will of such an ancient great power that had existed for who knows how many tens of thousands of years, maintaining reverence was necessary.

"Great Five Elements Sword Art... five elements sword core... Hehe, so you are a fellow Sect member...?" The phantom muttered to himself, his blurred face seeming to fluctuate. Those cold star-like eyes fell on Lin Wan, as if they could see through everything. "Your Foundation is damaged, your Lifespan is depleted, your Five Elements are incomplete, and your Sword Intent is just born... In such a state, to be able to find this place, you have some Luck and resilience. Do you have two fragments of the void five elements token in your hand?"

"Yes." Lin Wan frankly took out the fused void five elements token. In front of the phantom, the token's light became even brighter, conveying feelings of admiration and sadness.

"Two pieces... not enough." The phantom shook his head, his voice carrying a hint of regret. "Only by collecting all five pieces can you truly open the door of 'Five Elements Returning to Ruins', control the Five Elements Cave Heaven, obtain the true Legacy of my Five Elements Sect, and make up for the deficiency of the Heavenly Dao. Since you have come here, it is fate. I will give you this third fragment. But, you must pass my test."

"Please speak, Senior." Lin Wan's heart tightened. A test? In his current state...

"It is very simple." The phantom raised his hand and pointed to the gray-white broken sword. "This sword is named 'Guixu'. It was my sword back then, accompanying me to fight in the heavens, slaying great enemies, and also accompanying me... as I fell and my Dao dissipated. The sword spirit is shattered, the sword body is broken, leaving only a wisp of unyielding Battle Intent and the true meaning of the Return-to-Ruins sword Dao, sealed in the 'Sea-Suppressing Stele', suppressing the core of this shattered Bishui Palace to prevent it from collapsing completely, and also to prevent something within it... from causing harm to the world."

"Your test is to use your own Sword Intent to communicate with and incite this wisp of Battle Intent and true meaning in the 'Guixu' sword. If you can gain its recognition, you can take this sword and obtain the third void five elements token. If you cannot... you will be backlashed by the Sword Intent, your Divine Soul will be destroyed, and you will turn into dust in this Void Realm."

Incite the Battle Intent and true meaning in the guixu sword? Gain its recognition? Lin Wan looked at the gray-white broken sword. Even broken, and even without a sword spirit, the Sword Intent it emitted still made him feel suffocated. With his heavily injured body and weak Sword Intent, trying to communicate with and incite Battle Intent of this level was no different from an ant shaking a mountain, seeking his own death.

But he did not retreat. His gaze swept across the towering "Sea-Suppressing Stele", the surrounding broken palaces, and the gravel floating in the Void Realm. This was the core fragment of the Bishui Palace, the remains of an ancient water-element Sect. And a great power of the Five Elements Sect had actually used his own sword and the "Sea-Suppressing Stele" to suppress "something" here to prevent it from causing harm... What was the connection between this Bishui Palace and the Five Elements Sect? And what was that "something"?

Perhaps the answer lay in this guixu sword, after this test.

Moreover, he needed the third void five elements token. This was not only about the Legacy of the Five Elements Returning to Ruins, but it might also be the key to restoring his Foundation, making up for his Lifespan, and even his future path.

"Junior is willing to try." Lin Wan took a deep breath, mobilized all the remaining spiritual power in his body, along with the medicinal power from the pill he had just taken, and slowly walked toward the "Sea-Suppressing Stele" and the "Guixu" sword.

With every step, the pressure of the vast Sword Intent grew stronger, like billions of invisible Sword Qi cutting his Physical Body and Divine Soul. His skin cracked, blood seeped out, and his gray hair danced wildly in the Sword Intent. His already severe injuries were triggered again, his internal organs felt like they were shifting, and the pain was piercing.

But his eyes were firm, and his pace did not stop. The five elements sword core was spinning crazily, releasing faint Five Elements spiritual light to resist the erosion of the Sword Intent. In his Dantian, the budding five elements sword Intent, under the immense pressure, did not collapse. Instead, like refined iron tempered a thousand times, it was forcibly compressed and solidified, emitting a purer and tougher light.

Finally, he walked to the front of the "Sea-Suppressing Stele", only three steps away from the "Guixu" sword.

At this moment, he could clearly see every crack on the broken sword and feel the unyielding, battle-hardened, yet endlessly lonely will contained within it. That will was too vast, too ancient, as if it carried the glory and ending of an era.

"With my Sword Intent, I communicate with your battle soul..." Lin Wan closed his eyes, no longer observing with his physical eyes, but sinking all his consciousness into his own weak five elements sword Intent, and attempting to extend it slowly, like the gentlest tentacle, carefully touching the gray-white broken sword.

"Hum—!"

The moment his five elements sword Intent touched the guixu sword, the gray-white broken sword suddenly erupted with blinding gray light! A more violent, domineering, and terrifying Battle Intent full of destruction and slaughter, like a sleeping Vicious Beast being awakened, backlashed along Lin Wan's Sword Intent!

"Puff—!"

Lin Wan was hit hard, spraying a large mouthful of blood into the sky, which actually contained fragments of internal organs! His body swayed, his vision went black, and he felt his own wisp of Sword Intent, under the impact of this terrifying Battle Intent, like a candle in a gale, ready to be extinguished at any moment. Even more, a cold, deathly, and silent Return-to-Ruins true meaning, which seemed to want to assimilate him into nothingness, eroded along his Sword Intent, wanting to erase all traces of his existence and return them to zero.

No! Cannot give up!

The faces of his wife and children, the expectations of the Sect, Mo Xuan's entrustment, the unfinished path... Countless images flashed through his mind. A strong desire to survive and obsession supported his consciousness which was on the verge of collapse.

"Five Elements... rotation... mutual generation and mutual restraint... Annihilation is not the end, Returning to Ruins... is also... rebirth!"

He roared in his heart, no longer resisting the eroding Return-to-Ruins true meaning, but instead using his own five elements sword Intent as a guide, actively accepting, understanding, and fusing with it!

The Five Elements generating each other can evolve all things. The Five Elements restraining each other can destroy all living things. And the Five Elements Returning to Ruins is to push the end of destruction to the extreme "nothingness", and from "nothingness", nurture a glimmer of the Opportunity for "existence"! The end of destruction is not necessarily the beginning of rebirth! This is the glimmer of the supreme true meaning about "Returning to Ruins" in the Great Five Elements True Scripture!

He forcibly urged the five elements sword core, making the Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth Five Elements spiritual power no longer guard the balance, but in a way that was almost self-destructive, crazily colliding, annihilating, and returning to ruins! In his own Dantian, he simulated a glimmer of the miniature "Five Elements Returning to Ruins" scene!

"Boom—!"

It seemed to trigger some resonance in the dark. The terrifying Battle Intent and Return-to-Ruins true meaning that backlashed from the guixu sword, upon sensing the weak but real "Five Elements Returning to Ruins" Dao rhyme in Lin Wan's body, suddenly paused. Then, the cold and deathly erosion retreated like a tide, replaced by a trace of... recognition? Curiosity? Even... gratification?

Immediately after, the vast Battle Intent no longer violently impacted, but turned into a pure, ancient, yet much gentler sword Dao torrent, flowing into Lin Wan's body along his Sword Intent, washing his Meridians, tempering his sword core, and nourishing his broken Foundation and Divine Soul!

"Ah—!"

The feeling of indescribable pain and comfort intertwined made Lin Wan unable to help but let out a low roar. That sword Dao torrent was too huge, even if it was just a tiny part, it far exceeded the limit his body could bear at this moment. His Meridians felt like they were being pierced by countless thin needles, his Dantian felt like it was going to explode, and his Divine Soul felt like it was being torn apart and reorganized.

But he gritted his teeth, crazily operating the Great Five Elements True Scripture, guiding this torrent to run according to the trajectory of the Return-to-Ruins Sword Intent, while fusing and refining it with his own five elements sword Intent.

He could feel that his own five elements sword Intent, under the tempering of this ancient Battle Intent and Return-to-Ruins true meaning, was undergoing earth-shaking changes. It became more condensed, sharper, more restrained, yet contained a supreme Dao rhyme of all things returning to ruins and the sword slashing the world. Although it was still far from the true "Five Elements Returning to Ruins Sword Intent", it undoubtedly laid an extremely solid Foundation with infinite future potential.

What surprised him even more was that with the washing and nourishment of this sword Dao torrent, his five elements sword core, which was originally full of cracks and dim, had its cracks slowly healing, and the Dan-essence was recovering and strengthening at an astonishing speed! Although the loss of Origin and Lifespan could not be made up, at least the injury of the Golden Core was improving rapidly! Even his gray hair showed a faint trace of extremely weak black luster.

This was the gift of the residual Sword Intent of the ancient great power! It was the recognition of the guixu sword for him!

Do not know how much time passed, perhaps an instant, perhaps a long time.

When Lin Wan opened his eyes again, there seemed to be a gray sword light flashing and disappearing in his pupils, as deep as an ancient well, yet as sharp as a heavenly sword. The aura around him, although still weak, had lost most of its withered and deathly feeling, replaced by a temperament that was calm, heavy, yet contained endless sharpness. His cultivation had actually recovered to the level of the early Golden Core stage under this tempering, and his Foundation seemed to be a bit more solid.

And the gray-white broken sword "Guixu" was now quietly floating in front of him, the light of the sword body restrained, no longer having the terrifying pressure of before, but instead conveying a docile and intimate intention. The third fragment of the void five elements token had already recognized him, or rather, recognized the trace of the "Five Elements Returning to Ruins" Dao rhyme within him.

"Good." The green-robed phantom seemed to have become even thinner, and his voice was much more ethereal. "Your Dao Foundation has been initially cleansed by the 'Return-to-Ruins Sword Intent', and the future is promising. This sword is for you. The thing suppressed under the Sea-Suppressing Stele is of great importance and is not something you can touch at present. After taking the sword, leave this place quickly. Wait until you have collected all five void five elements tokens, achieved the Nascent Soul, or even Soul Transformation, then come here again to fulfill your promise and complete my unfinished business..."

The voice gradually lowered, and the phantom slowly dissipated, finally turning into little starlight and merging into the "Sea-Suppressing Stele". The huge "Suppress" character on the stele flashed, then returned to its ancient simplicity.

"Senior..." Lin Wan bowed respectfully to the Sea-Suppressing Stele. Although he did not know the name of this ancient Five Elements Sect Senior, he would keep his gift and entrustment in his heart. The "something" suppressed under the Sea-Suppressing Stele was so important that even this Senior was so solemn about it, so he would naturally not touch it now.

He reached out and grasped the hilt of the broken guixu sword. It felt cold to the touch, yet there was no longer any rejection. The blade trembled slightly, conveying a hint of joy. He could feel that although this sword was broken, its essence was extremely high. Its material seemed to be of the same Origin as the void five elements token, and it contained a sliver of the true "Five Elements Returning to Ruins" Sword Dao Law fragment. Its power was infinite, but it was now broken, with less than one-tenth of its former strength remaining. If he could find the right Materials and carefully nurture and repair it, it might one day regain its former edge.

More importantly, the moment he grasped the guixu sword, the void five elements token in his embrace suddenly flew out and gently touched the guixu sword. At the hilt of the guixu sword, the incomplete mark suddenly lit up, turning into a speck of chaotic light, detaching from the sword body, and merging into one with the void five elements token.

The third fragment, Fusion successful!

The new token after the Fusion was a size larger, its entire body exuding a richer chaotic luster, and the map patterns on its surface were clearer. The light spot representing the fourth fragment appeared, surprisingly, in... the Northern Plains! And the fifth one pointed to the "Guixu Sea" shrouded in gray mist.

At the same time, the System's notification sound rang out:

[Ding! Obtained the third fragment of the "void five elements token", Fusion successful!]

[Obtained rewards: 8000 Fortune Points, 1 Opportunity to comprehend the "Five Elements Guixu Sword Scripture" (Heaven Rank incomplete edition, Sword Intent chapter), and 1 wisp of Five Elements Origin Qi (weak).]

[Triggered new mission: Repair the guixu sword (Phase 1). Mission requirements: Find one portion each of "star gold", "void crystal essence", and "ten-thousand-year sunken silver", and use Golden Core True Fire to initially refine the guixu sword to repair some of its cracks and awaken a sliver of sword spirit. Mission rewards: 10000 Fortune Points, upgrade the guixu sword to High Grade Tier 3, and unlock some guixu sword Divine Abilities. Failure penalty: The guixu sword will be completely destroyed, and the third fragment will be reclaimed.]

Eight thousand Fortune Points! A chance to comprehend a Heaven Rank Sword Scripture! Five Elements Origin Qi! And a mission to repair the guixu sword!

The harvest was immense! Lin Wan suppressed the excitement in his heart, carefully stored the guixu sword into his Dantian, and began to nurture it with his own Pill Origin. He then put away the newly fused void five elements token.

At this moment, the sounds of water and people came from behind. Feng Yushu, leading the others, had also passed through the azure light gate and entered this space fragment. Seeing that Lin Wan was safe and sound, and that his aura seemed to have recovered quite a bit, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. But upon seeing the towering "Zhenhai Stele" and the surrounding ruins, they all revealed expressions of shock.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, are you alright? That Sword Intent just now..." Feng Yushu asked with concern, his eyes filled with uncertainty. They had all felt the terrifying eruption of Sword Intent while underwater and had feared the worst for Lin Wan.

"It is nothing. I have passed the test of the Senior here and obtained some opportunities," Lin Wan said briefly, without mentioning the guixu sword or the void token. "This place is the core fragment of Bishui Palace, but it has been sealed and suppressed by the supreme magical power of an ancient great expert. The true Legacy and treasures are likely not here, or they have already been taken. We need to explore other areas as soon as possible and then leave. The thing suppressed here is not something we can touch."

Hearing about the "suppressed object", everyone shuddered. Linking this to the terrifying Bishui Mysterious Octopus outside and the terrifying Sword Intent remaining here, they all believed what Lin Wan said. This Bishui Palace ruin likely hid great secrets and also contained great dangers.

"In that case, let us explore this land separately to see if there are any overlooked treasures or clues. Let us gather here in half an hour and then retreat," Feng Yushu decided decisively.

The group dispersed and searched carefully among the ruined palaces and pavilions. Lin Wan also pretended to explore, but in reality, most of his attention was on familiarizing himself with the guixu sword nurturing in his Dantian and digesting the profound mysteries of the Sword Intent chapter of the "Five Elements Guixu Sword Scripture" he had just obtained.

This land was indeed severely dilapidated, and there were not many valuable items. The group only found some scattered, Low Grade water-element Ores, a few incomplete Jade Slips (with incomplete information), and some fragments of Magical Artifacts that had lost all their spirituality. The biggest harvest was perhaps in a side hall, where they found a small pool of undried "Bishui Spirit Liquid", which was a top-grade auxiliary material for refining High Grade water-element Medicinal Pills, and it was carefully collected by Feng Yushu.

Half an hour later, the group gathered. Although the harvest was not bountiful, being able to enter the core fragment of this ancient Sect and witness such a scene was already a rare experience. More importantly, Lin Wan had passed the test, and his strength seemed to have recovered, which greatly increased the team's sense of security.

"Let's go, this place is not suitable for a long stay." Lin Wan sensed that the sealing fluctuations emitted by the "Zhenhai Stele" seemed slightly unstable. Perhaps it was because he had taken the guixu sword just now, triggering a ripple in the energy.

The group did not delay any longer, returned along the original path, passed through the azure light gate, returned underwater, gathered with Array Master Zhao and the others who were left behind, and then quickly surfaced, returning to that white square.

The bibo ship was still anchored at the shore. Everyone boarded the ship and counted heads. Apart from the Cultivator surnamed Wang who had fallen initially, everyone else returned safely and had gained something.

"Set sail, leave this place!" Feng Yushu ordered.

The bibo ship turned its bow and headed in the direction they had come from. Perhaps because the guixu sword had been taken, or perhaps because the Bishui Mysterious Octopus was dead, the return journey was exceptionally smooth. Those mists, undercurrents, and reefs seemed to have lost some core control and had become much more docile. Just one day later, the bibo ship sailed out of the misty area and saw the sunlight and the azure sea again.

Standing on the deck, looking back at the sea area that was gradually moving away and shrouded in gray mist, everyone felt as if a lifetime had passed.

"This exploration, although we did not obtain the core Legacy of True Lord Bishui, being able to enter the core fragment of the ancient Bishui Palace and witness such a scene is already a rare Opportunity. Furthermore, getting to know a person like Fellow Daoist Lin is truly my good fortune," Feng Yushu said to Lin Wan, cupping his hands sincerely. "What are your plans for the future, Fellow Daoist? If you have nowhere to go for the time being, would you be willing to return to Golden Cloud Island with me? The Feng Family will surely treat you with the courtesy of an honored guest."

Lin Wan pondered for a moment. He needed to find a safe place to go into seclusion to digest what he had obtained, especially the comprehension of the "Five Elements Guixu Sword Scripture", and to attempt to repair the guixu sword. The Feng Family had significant influence in the Inner Sea and might be able to provide some convenience, such as collecting information on repair Materials. Moreover, he still had some questions about Bishui Palace and the Five Elements Sect, which might be answered with the help of the Feng Family's intelligence network.

"Very well, then I shall trouble you, Fellow Daoist Feng," Lin Wan nodded and agreed.

Feng Yushu was overjoyed. With a strong ally like Lin Wan, the Feng Family's position in the Inner Sea would be even more secure.

Ten days later, the bibo ship returned to Golden Cloud Island.

Feng Yushu indeed received Lin Wan with the highest specifications, arranging for him to stay in the "Tingtao Cottage", the quietest place in the Feng Family's inner courtyard, where the Spiritual Qi was dense and guarded strictly. He also announced to the outside world that Lin Wan was a Guest Elder invited by the Feng Family, with a respected status.

Lin Wan settled down in Tingtao Cottage and immediately began his seclusion.

First, he spent three days initially comprehending the Sword Intent chapter of the "Five Elements Guixu Sword Scripture". This Sword Scripture was incomparably profound, leading directly to the Great Dao of Five Elements Returning to Ruins, and its Sword Intent chapter was even more exquisite, far surpassing the "Great Five Elements Sword Art" he had practiced before. Although it was only an incomplete edition, and with his current Realm, he could only grasp the surface, it still raised his understanding of the five elements sword Intent to a higher level, making his Sword Intent more condensed and doubling its power.

Next, he began to try to nurture and repair the guixu sword using his own Pill Origin combined with that wisp of "Five Elements Origin Qi". The Five Elements Origin Qi was the most original Five Elements power between heaven and earth, and it had a miraculous effect on repairing Magic Treasures with Five Elements attributes. Although there was only a weak wisp, it made his connection with the guixu sword even closer, and the several tiny cracks on the sword body, under the nourishment of the Five Elements Origin Qi, actually showed a faint, extremely weak sign of healing. However, to truly repair it, he still needed those three rare Materials.

"star gold, void crystal essence, ten-thousand-year sunken silver..." Lin Wan pondered. These three Materials were all Tier 4 or even Tier 5 treasures, extremely rare. star gold was mostly found in extraterrestrial meteoritic iron or certain special star Ore veins. void crystal essence was produced in void cracks or space nodes. Ten-thousand-year sunken silver required being in the deep sea or deep in the earth's veins, having undergone ten thousand years of water pressure or earth fire tempering to form. Any one of them was worth a fortune and was priceless.

"It seems I must ask the Feng Family for help in inquiring. Perhaps there will be clues at the large-scale auctions in Qiandao City," Lin Wan decided in his heart.

After coming out of seclusion, he found Feng Yushu, listed these three Materials, and asked for clues about them, while also expressing his willingness to exchange them with Spirit Stones or other treasures.

Feng Yushu gasped upon seeing the list: "Elder Lin, these three Materials are all rare treasures. As for star gold, my Feng Family treasury does have a fist-sized piece in stock, which was accidentally obtained by an ancestor many years ago and has not been used. It can be gifted to the Elder. As for void crystal essence... I have heard that the 'Thousand Islands Alliance' might have a collection in their secret treasury, but that is a precious treasure of the Alliance and will not flow out easily. As for ten-thousand-year sunken silver, it is said that a piece the size of a fingernail was once auctioned at the main pavilion of the 'Duobao Pavilion' in the 'North Sea Market', and it was bought by a Nascent Soul True Lord at a sky-high price. Wanting to obtain it is as difficult as ascending to heaven."

The Feng Family actually had star gold? This was a surprise. void crystal essence was in the Thousand Islands Alliance secret treasury, and ten-thousand-year sunken silver had appeared in the North Sea Market... Although they were all extremely difficult to obtain, at least there were clues.

"Fellow Daoist Feng, could you part with the star gold? I am willing to exchange it for items of equal value," Lin Wan said.

"What are you saying, Elder? A piece of star gold, to gain a favor from the Elder, is the Feng Family's honor. The material will be sent to the Elder's residence later," Feng Yushu smiled, then lowered his voice, "As for the void crystal essence and ten-thousand-year sunken silver... perhaps, there is an Opportunity."

"Oh? Please speak, Fellow Daoist Feng."

"Half a year from now, the Thousand Islands Alliance will host the 'once-in-a-century' 'Heaven-Sea Grand Assembly'. At that time, some major forces from the five major regions and even the Central Province will send people. During the Grand Assembly, not only will there be many top-tier auctions, but the 'Tianhai Secret Realm' will also open. It is said that within this Secret Realm, there is an ancient 'void node', which may produce 'void crystal essence'. And the main pavilion master of the Duobao Pavilion in the North Sea Market will also personally attend the Grand Assembly; perhaps we can find out news about the ten-thousand-year sunken silver through him," Feng Yushu said.

Heaven-Sea Grand Assembly? Tianhai Secret Realm? Void node?

Lin Wan's heart stirred. This was a good Opportunity. He could inquire about the Materials, perhaps gain something in the Secret Realm, and witness the top event of the overseas cultivation world.

"I am interested in this Grand Assembly. Does the Feng Family have any quotas?" Lin Wan asked.

"As a major family in the Inner Sea, the Feng Family naturally has quotas. If the Elder is interested, you can go with our Feng Family team at that time. With the Elder's strength, you might be able to win an Opportunity for our Feng Family in the Secret Realm," a glimmer of expectation flashed in Feng Yushu's eyes. With a strong ally like Lin Wan, the Feng Family would surely shine brightly in this Grand Assembly.

"Very well, let us settle on that. For these six months, I need to go into seclusion to consolidate my cultivation and deal with some private matters. I will trouble you to arrange the matters for the Grand Assembly, Fellow Daoist Feng," Lin Wan said.

"Rest assured, Elder, leave everything to me," Feng Yushu guaranteed, patting his chest.

During the following months, Lin Wan kept a low profile. He continued to nurture the guixu sword with his Pill Origin and Five Elements Origin Qi, consolidated the newly comprehended Five Elements Guixu Sword Intent, and attempted to refine some useful Talismans and Formation Plates. At the same time, he used the Feng Family's channels to exchange some unused harvests for Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills, preparing for the Grand Assembly.

During this time, he also took time to return to New Moon Island. Under the management of Island Master Chen Song, Black Shark, and others, the island had recovered its vitality and was even more prosperous and stable than before. Lin Wan left some unused water-element Materials and Medicinal Pills obtained from the Bishui Palace ruins to Island Master Chen Song to help him improve his strength and reinforced the island's Formations. Island Master Chen Song and the others were grateful and became even more loyal.

After finishing his chores, Lin Wan returned to Tingtao Cottage to go into seclusion again. In half a year, with abundant resources and dedicated cultivation, his injuries were finally basically healed. The five elements sword core regained its luster, his Pill Origin was abundant, and his cultivation stabilized at the Peak of the Early Stage Golden Core, only a thin line away from the Middle Stage. The Five Elements Spirit Body also had some progress. More importantly, the Five Elements Guixu Sword Intent was initially stabilized; although it was still far from Major Achievement, it could barely be unleashed, and its power far exceeded the past. Under the Fusion of star gold and continuous nurturing, the several main cracks on the guixu sword had mostly healed, its grade had recovered to Low Grade Tier 3, and it was in tune with Lin Wan's mind, like an extension of his own arm.

On this day, Feng Yushu came to visit.

"Elder Lin, the Heaven-Sea Grand Assembly will open in 'Qiandao City' in three days. We will set off tomorrow, how about that?"

"Very well." Lin Wan opened his eyes, and a gray, misty sword light flashed and disappeared in his pupils.

Qiandao City, Heaven-Sea Grand Assembly.

A new stage, new opportunities, and perhaps new challenges were waiting for him.

And his overseas immortal destiny would also turn to a new chapter.