289: Seeking jade in the void, the sound of the tide on the other shore.

The edge of the Southern Domain, Kongming Mountain.

This was a world completely different from the Yan Realm. The sky displayed a sickly grayish-blue, as if it had been repeatedly washed and torn by an invisible force, appearing exceptionally high, distant, and fragile. The earth was not a continuous mountain range, but rather vast areas of gigantic stone forests, strange in form and mottled in color. These stone pillars soared into the clouds, their surfaces covered in honeycomb-like holes, constantly exhaling grayish-white streams of Qi and emitting wailing wind howls. The air was filled with thin and chaotic energy, and the spatial structure was extremely unstable. Wherever the eye could see, the scenery would often twist slightly, and tiny black fissures would flash into existence only to be forcibly healed by some power.

This place, named Kongming Mountain because of its abundant production of “void meditating stone” containing spatial attributes, was a dangerous area. The chaotic spatial Laws, the violent Void Realm Gang Wind, and the various dangerous creatures and Relic Fragments “tossed” here due to spatial disorder and hidden deep within the stone forest, made this a paradise for adventurers and desperate outlaws, but also the burial ground for countless lives.

A nearly imperceptible spatial ripple spread across the top of a relatively intact grayish-white stone pillar, and five figures stepped out from it. It was Li Ao and his party.

As soon as they landed, everyone felt their bodies sink slightly. This was not due to abnormal gravity, but rather the discomfort caused by the surrounding chaotic spatial pressure and the thin energy environment. A pale golden halo automatically appeared on Gu Xun'er's body. The aura of the Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame was restrained, yet it naturally isolated the turbulent Spatial Power. Medusa's Seven-Colored Dou Qi circulated, her posture remaining proud. Faint Chaos Qi flowed around Xiao Yi Xian, quietly transforming the encroaching miscellaneous energy. Elder Gu Hai, however, let out a muffled groan, his expression slightly solemn; even his Three-Star Dou Sheng cultivation felt some pressure here.

Only Li Ao appeared the calmest. He took a deep breath. The Power of Gui Xu naturally circulated within him, like an invisible vortex, drawing in all the surrounding chaotic, thin, and corrosive Spatial Energy and Void Realm Gang Wind, slowly transforming it into pure Nirvana Power to replenish his own consumption. His Guixu Great Dao seemed inherently suited to this chaotic, decaying, and entropy-bound environment; not only was he unrestrained, but he felt a sense of being completely at ease. The white strands at his temples were even more striking under the grayish-blue sky.

“The space here is indeed extremely chaotic, and the energy is thin and violent. No wonder high-level Cultivators rarely stay here permanently.” Gu Xun'er frowned slightly, looking around. “Brother Li Ao, how should we search for that kongming jade marrow?”

Li Ao took out a pale silver compass given to him by Yan Jin, specifically used to detect spatial fluctuations. A crystal clear pointer floated in the center of the compass, currently spinning wildly without any pattern. “Ordinary detection methods are almost useless here. However...”

He closed his eyes. The phantom image of the “nirvana ancient talisman” faintly appeared on his glabella. The ancient talisman vibrated slightly, emitting a unique Nirvana Fluctuation. Instead of spreading outward, it acted like radar, creating a subtle resonance with the surrounding chaotic spatial environment. From the perspective of the Power of Gui Xu, the seemingly disordered spatial folds, currents, and fissures seemed to reveal a deeper, underlying structure tending toward “Nirvana” or “end.”

A moment later, Li Ao opened his eyes and pointed northwest: “Head that way. Although the spatial structure there is more chaotic and fragmented, the ‘Void Gazer’ attribute is the most concentrated and pure, and... the sensation from the nirvana ancient talisman is slightly clearer in that direction.”

“Purity being conceived within Chaos...” Xiao Yi Xian murmured thoughtfully.

No one objected. Led by Li Ao, they flew toward the northwest region, which appeared more desolate, with more fractured and skewed stone pillars. Their flying speed was not fast; they constantly had to dodge spatial fissures that appeared without warning and suddenly intensified Void Realm Gang Wind. Occasionally, they could see traces of battle in the stone forest below, remnants of Dou Qi and the smell of blood, indicating that this place was clearly not peaceful.

After flying for about half an hour, the scenery ahead suddenly changed. The previously continuous grayish-white stone forest zone vanished, replaced by a massive, shattered plain that looked as if it had been repeatedly cut by an invisible giant blade. The plain was covered with crisscrossing ravines, which contained not soil, but surging gray “Spatial Currents,” resembling liquid mist. Countless rock fragments of various sizes and shapes floated in mid-air, slowly moving and colliding. Some even defied common sense by floating against gravity. Further away, the phantoms of several incomplete, ancient buildings of vastly different styles flickered in the distorted light like a mirage—these were Relic Fragments “swept” here by the Spatial Currents from different eras and locations.

“What dense Void Gazer Qi!” Elder Gu Hai exclaimed. Even without special methods, they could sense the pure and active spatial attribute particles permeating the air here.

“But it's also more dangerous.” Medusa's scarlet snake pupils swept over the spatial fragments and current ravines, which seemed slow but actually contained terrifying Cutting Power.

Li Ao stopped and landed on a relatively stable floating boulder. He took out the detection compass again. The pointer was still spinning chaotically, but when he injected a wisp of the Power of Gui Xu into the compass, the pointer's tremor seemed to exhibit a slight, rhythmic pause.

“The kongming jade marrow grows in the core of the Void Meditating Stone Veins. Where it resides, the spatial attributes must be highly condensed and relatively stable, forming a strange ‘node of extreme stillness within motion’.” Li Ao analyzed, “In this area of ultimate Chaos, finding that relatively stable ‘node’ is the key.”

He closed his eyes again, fully activating the nirvana ancient talisman. This time, it was more than just resonance; he attempted to use the Power of Gui Xu to simulate a certain Nirvana state of the “Void Gazer” attribute, like a miniature “Spatial Gui Xu” detector, extending in all directions.

Time passed minute by minute. Around them, there was only the wailing of the Void Realm Gang Wind and the dull thud of spatial fragments colliding.

Suddenly, Li Ao raised an eyebrow, looking about several miles to the front left, toward an area that was entangled by the convergence of three thick Spatial Currents and seemed the least likely place for a stable node to exist.

“It's there!” A sharp light flashed in Li Ao's eyes. “The three currents converge, and the Spatial Powers counteract and annihilate each other, creating an extremely small ‘Pseudo-Vacuum’ stable zone right in the center! What a classic case of hidden in plain sight!”

Everyone's spirits lifted, and they immediately followed Li Ao, cautiously avoiding the spatial traps along the way and approaching the dangerous area.

The closer they got, the more they felt the terror of the three Spatial Currents. The gray streams of Qi rolled like giant Dragons, emitting sharp shrieks. Wherever they passed, even solid spatial fragments were easily torn apart and swept away. At the point of convergence, the energy was utterly rampant, forming a grayish-black Energy Vortex hundreds of meters in diameter, swallowing all light and matter.

However, in Li Ao's perception using the Power of Gui Xu, at the very core of the vortex—the point of most intense energy counteraction—there existed a strangely calm region only about a *zhang* (ten feet) in circumference. That area was like the eye of a storm, where all the violent Spatial Energy was forcibly neutralized and annihilated, leaving behind only the most pure and condensed Spatial Origin Power, slowly settling.

“The marrow must be inside,” Li Ao affirmed. “But to go in and retrieve it, we must first break through the barrier formed by these three currents without disturbing the stable structure of the core, or the marrow might be swept away or destroyed by the currents.”

Gu Xun'er observed for a moment and said, “The attributes of these three currents differ slightly: one focuses on cutting and tearing, one on distortion and displacement, and one on swallowing and annihilation. We need to simultaneously interfere with their balance, or temporarily suppress and guide them with stronger Spatial Power.”

“I'll do it.” Medusa stepped forward, her Seven-Colored Dou Qi surging out, condensing the phantom image of a massive Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python behind her. “My Seven-Colored Dou Qi contains a trace of swallowing and assimilation power, which can be used to try and disrupt the current focused on swallowing and annihilation.”

Xiao Yi Xian also said softly, “My Chaos Poison Body can transform energy properties. Perhaps I can try to temporarily convert some of the distorted and displaced current energy into harmless or reverse energy, creating Chaos.”

Elder Gu Hai stated solemnly, “I can use the Gu Clan Secret Technique, the ‘Void Suppressing Seal,’ to attempt to briefly suppress the current focused on cutting and tearing, but the time will be limited.”

Li Ao nodded: “Good! Xun'er, use the power of the Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame to provide central support, stabilize the passage we open up, and guard against potential accidents emerging from the Relic Fragments. I will locate the core and retrieve the kongming jade marrow last. Listen for my command; we move simultaneously after three breaths!”

Everyone held their breath and prepared themselves.

"Three, two, one... Move!"

Medusa let out a sharp cry, and the phantom of the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python behind her suddenly opened its massive maw, spewing out a seven-colored beam of light. Instead of clashing head-on, it wrapped around the gray-black turbulence that emitted Devouring Power like viscous glue, forcefully changing its flow trajectory and energy frequency, causing it to temporarily fall into stagnation and internal friction.

Xiao Yi Xian gently raised her pale hand, and gray-white Chaos Qi transformed into several spiritual snakes, drilling into the silver-gray turbulence that was twisting in a spiral shape. Wherever the Chaos Qi passed, the twisting Spatial Power seemed to meet its nemesis, being rapidly decomposed and converted. Part of it dissipated as pure Spatial Energy, and part of it actually reversed into faint, stable Spatial Ripples, weakening the turbulence itself.

Elder Gu Hai formed a hand seal, and a pale golden rune, radiating an ancient, desolate aura, condensed in his palm before being fiercely pushed out. The rune swelled against the wind, transforming into a Golden Great Seal that carried the heavy will of suppressing the eight directions, pressing down resolutely onto the Cutting Turbulence, which was gray-white and sharp as a blade at the edges! The Golden Great Seal collided with the turbulence, emitting a grating friction sound, actually managing to temporarily suppress the ferocious Cutting Power!

As the three main currents of turbulence were simultaneously obstructed, the gray-black Energy Vortex at the convergence point immediately paused, creating a momentary disruption and gap!

"Now!" Li Ao shouted, his figure transforming into a gray streak, swift as lightning. He shot straight toward the Vortex Core, taking advantage of the instant Gu Xun'er established a briefly stable Golden Flame Passage across the gap using the Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame!

Upon entering the core's peaceful, ten-foot-square area, Li Ao immediately sensed the difference. The external ferocity and Chaos seemed completely isolated. Here, it was silent, with only the pure Spatial Origin Power, so dense it was almost liquefied, flowing slowly like mercury. In the center, a translucent, pale silver jade stone, about the size of a washbasin and seemingly not belonging to this dimension, floated quietly. In the center of the jade stone was a fist-sized, gelatinous substance that slowly squirmed like a living thing, emitting a dreamy Silver-Blue Halo. This was the target of their trip—the kongming jade marrow!

Scattered around the jade marrow were several clusters of high-quality void meditating stone, as well as two Metal Fragments swept in from unknown locations, emitting faint, ancient fluctuations.

Li Ao did not hesitate. The Power of Gui Xu transformed into a Gray Great Hand, gently yet firmly enveloping the kongming jade marrow and the surrounding kongming stone crystal cluster. His movements were extremely cautious, avoiding any fluctuation that might disrupt the fragile balance of the area.

Just as the Gray Great Hand was about to touch the jade marrow, an Anomaly suddenly occurred!

One of the two seemingly inanimate Metal Fragments, the more complete Triangular Fragment, suddenly and without warning erupted with a strong Nirvana Fluctuation, originating from the same source as the nirvana ancient talisman, yet older and more vast! This fluctuation was not an attack; it was more like... a resonance and a summons!

The nirvana ancient talisman within Li Ao intensely vibrated at an unprecedented frequency, emitting a scorching light. The direction it pointed to was no longer the vague south, but precisely—locked onto this Triangular Metal Fragment! Simultaneously, a fragmented yet clear Stream of Consciousness forcibly flooded into Li Ao's mind:

"bridge... of the other shore... fragment... suppressing... Southern Ruins... return path... severed..."

Images flashed: the phantom of a Broken Great Bridge spanning the Endless Void, seemingly forged from stars and skeletons; a Silent Dead Zone called the "Southern Ruins," permeated with the Aura of Termination; a "return path" forcefully severed and sinking into darkness... "This is... a fragment of the bridge of the other shore?!" Li Ao was deeply shaken. He never expected to find a clue directly related to the bridge of the other shore within the Spatial Currents of Kongming Mountain! Moreover, this fragment seemed to carry partial information about the "Southern Ruins" and the "return path"!

At the same time, this sudden, intense Nirvana Fluctuation was like a spark dropped into boiling oil, instantly shattering the fragile balance of this "Pseudo-Vacuum" stable zone!

Buzz—!

The entire peaceful area violently shook. The three major external currents of turbulence seemed thoroughly enraged, erupting with Violent Power far exceeding their previous strength, instantly breaking through the interference and suppression of Medusa and the other two, and fiercely twisting toward the Core Region! Even the Golden Flame Passage established by Gu Xun'er began to waver!

"Brother Li Ao! Come out quickly!" Gu Xun'er shouted urgently.

Li Ao instantly regained his senses, and the Gray Great Hand no longer hesitated, grabbing the kongming jade marrow, the kongming stone crystal cluster, and the two Metal Fragments all at once before rapidly retreating!

Rumble—!

The moment he left the Core Region, the three terrifying currents of turbulence violently collided, completely crushing and annihilating the "Pseudo-Vacuum" area! A ferocious Spatial Storm swept out, engulfing everything around it!

Li Ao narrowly rushed back into the Golden Flame Passage. Gu Xun'er maintained the passage with all her might, and the group quickly retreated, dodging the spreading Spatial Storm.

They only stopped retreating after traveling more than ten miles, when the residual effects of the storm gradually subsided. Looking back, the area where the three currents converged was now an Energy Ruins, more chaotic and violent than before, lacking any of its previous distinctiveness.

"That was close!" Elder Gu Hai sighed in relief, sweat beading on his forehead. If they had been even a moment slower, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian also looked at Li Ao, only relaxing once they saw he was unharmed.

Li Ao opened his hand. Suspended in his palm were the dreamy silver-blue kongming jade marrow, several crystal clusters, and the two Metal Fragments. The jade marrow was cool to the touch, containing vast and gentle Spatial Origin Power—precisely the excellent Materials needed for refining the Blade Spirit. The Triangular Metal Fragment had now returned to calm, though faint Nirvana Markings flowed across its surface, echoing the ancient talisman within Li Ao's body.

"Brother Li Ao, what was that just now?" Gu Xun'er noticed the Anomaly of the fragment and felt the strong Nirvana Fluctuation.

"An unexpected gain," Li Ao said gravely, handing the fragment to Gu Xun'er. "This object is very likely one of the fragments of the 'bridge of the other shore'."

"What?!" Everyone was astonished. The legend of the bridge of the other shore was known to everyone present to some degree; it involved the Ultimate Mystery of transcending planes!

Li Ao briefly recounted the fragmented information transmitted by the fragment: "'Southern Ruins,' 'return path severed'... It seems the Utmost Southern Land hides secrets more astonishing than we imagined. The appearance of this fragment here might not be accidental; it could have been 'sucked' here from the Utmost Southern Land by the chaotic Spatial Power of Kongming Mountain."

He put away the jade marrow and the fragment, his gaze turning south, as if he could penetrate the endless space and see the Silent Dead Zone known as the "Southern Ruins."

"We have the Materials; we shouldn't stay here long," Li Ao said. "Let's find a relatively safe place. I need to process this kongming jade marrow initially and study this fragment. After that... I'm afraid we'll have to adjust our plan."

With this fragment of the bridge of the other shore, the priority of exploring the Utmost Southern Land was raised to the highest level. Furthermore, the Hun Clan's Full-Scale Operation made time even more pressing.

Everyone nodded, quickly leaving this chaotic Broken Plain to find a place to settle.

Not long after they left, several figures shrouded in Black Robes, emanating cold auras, appeared like ghosts atop a nearby Top of the Stone Pillar, watching the direction Li Ao and the others had departed.

"Nirvana Fluctuation... correct, it's the aura of the ancient talisman, and also... a fragment of the bridge?" The Leader's voice was hoarse. "The target has acquired the Key Item and is heading south. Immediately report back to Elder Zun: the 'fish' has taken the bait and is swimming toward the 'Ruins Entrance'."

"Yes!"

The Black Shadow silently dissipated, as if it had never been there.

The wind of Kongming Mountain still whimpered, stirring up the chaotic Spatial Dust, and quietly sending a greater Conspiracy and Crisis toward the south.