203: An unusual event occurred in the Eastern Region; the Region Lord extended an invitation.

Three days after Fairy Yaoguang left the Hongmeng Divine Palace, daily life within the palace remained stable. Every day, Lu Chen and The Five Women guarded the cosmic origin stone, studied the "record of chaos strange beasts," and refined their cultivation to build strength for the upcoming Chaos Tide and the journey to find the seals. The afternoon sun pierced through the chaos qi of the divine palace, turning into fragmented golden light that fell upon the ancient texts in the main hall. Yu Lan was bowing her head to organize scattered records regarding the five domain god seals, attempting to find more clues. Lu Chen sat nearby, golden-black Origin Power swirling at his fingertips as he slowly communicated with the origin stone, sensing energy anomalies throughout the Divine Realm.

Suddenly, a streak of green spiritual light sped in from outside the palace gates. Upon landing, the light transformed into a Cultivator dressed in a plain-patterned green Daoist robe. The Cultivator had a solemn expression, and his body was surrounded by the pure Eastern Domain divine essence. A jade pendant engraved with the words "Grandmist" hung from his waist—he was a messenger sent by the Eastern Domain Lord, Hongmeng Heavenly Venerable. "Junior Qing Xuan greets the Origin Guardian and the five Divine Queens." The messenger knelt on one knee and bowed respectfully, his voice steady. "By order of my Domain Lord, Hongmeng Heavenly Venerable, I have come to deliver an invitation, inviting Heavenly Venerable Lu Chen to the Eastern Domain's main peak for discussion."

Lu Chen raised his hand to signal the messenger to rise, and Yu Lan took the invitation handed over by the messenger. The invitation was made of the Eastern Domain's unique profound wood, its cover carved with intricate Grandmist runes that emitted a faint Origin aura as they flowed. Upon opening it, the handwriting inside was bold and powerful, clearly stating that the Eastern Domain had recently detected abnormalities. An ancient Secret Realm near the main peak had revealed a chaos fragment of the same Origin as the cosmic origin stone. The fragment contained eerie energy fluctuations suspected to be related to the Chaos Tide. Lu Chen was specifically invited to investigate together and discuss countermeasures.

"The Eastern Domain actually discovered a chaos fragment of the same Origin as the origin stone?" A flash of gravity appeared in Lu Chen's eyes. He exchanged looks with Yu Lan, the Sea Cultivation Saintess, and the others; they all knew this was no coincidence. It was highly likely related to the precursors of the Chaos Tide or the remnants of the Extraterritorial Evil Clan. "Trouble Fellow Daoist Qing Xuan to pass on the word: I will bring my Dao Companions to the Eastern Domain's main peak shortly to meet Hongmeng Heavenly Venerable." Lu Chen's tone was modest yet firm, acknowledging the importance of the matter and stating his stance on going together. The journey to find the seals required visiting all five domains; this trip to the Eastern Domain could both investigate the chaos fragment and perhaps find clues to the Eastern Domain's god seal, killing two birds with one stone.

Upon hearing this, the messenger hurriedly cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you for agreeing, Heavenly Venerable Lu Chen. I have already prepared a spirit boat outside the divine palace; we can depart at any time." Lu Chen nodded, gave a few brief instructions to The Five Women, and after they had packed, they followed the messenger to the spirit boat outside. The spirit boat was constructed entirely from Eastern Domain profound wood, its hull covered in defensive and speed-enhancing runes. It was surrounded by a soft divine essence light, traveling smoothly and silently at extreme speed through the mountain ranges of the Eastern Domain.

Along the way, they saw the grand scenery of the Eastern Domain: towering mountains and ancient trees with spiritual vines containing divine essence wrapped around their trunks. Spiritual mist swirled in the mountains, with occasional immortal cranes and spirit deer darting through. The divine essence here was even richer than in the Southern Domain, faintly echoing the Origin Power of the Hongmeng Divine Palace. The five of them stood at the bow of the spirit boat, admiring the Eastern Domain's scenery while keeping an eye out for energy anomalies. The Sea Cultivation Saintess had Star Water Power swirling at her fingertips, constantly sensing subtle changes in the air. The Ice Clan Saintess restrained her cold aura, spreading her spiritual sense to stay alert for hidden dangers. The Immortal of Luo Water circulated her Yaochi Immortal Power, occasionally purifying the faint traces of chaos qi in the air to protect everyone.

After traveling for about an hour, the spirit boat arrived at a mountain path near the Eastern Domain's main peak. The path was rugged, paved with ancient Divine Stones, and flanked by steep cliffs where rare divine plants grew, emitting faint spiritual light. The messenger Qing Xuan led the way. "Heavenly Venerable Lu Chen, Divine Queens, the main peak's Council Hall is at the end of this path. The divine essence here is dense, but you must be careful; due to the recent Secret Realm disturbances, Chaos Strange Beasts occasionally appear."

Just as he finished speaking, a piercing roar erupted from the cliffs on both sides. Several pitch-black figures lunged from caves in the cliff faces toward the group. These beasts were as black as ink, shaped like wolves but much larger, with limbs covered in sharp claws. They were surrounded by dense chaos qi, their auras violent and eerie. Wherever they passed, the divine essence in the air was rapidly devoured, forming tiny energy vortices. These were indeed Chaos Strange Beasts, and they were even more powerful than those seen in the Southern Domain, with an even more prominent ability to devour divine essence.

"Careful! These beasts can devour divine essence; do not let them get close!" A sharp look flashed in Lu Chen's eyes as he instantly activated the Universe Origin Art. Golden-black Origin Power condensed in his palm, forming a sharp blade of light that slashed toward the leading beast. Wherever the blade passed, the chaos qi dissipated like melting snow. The beast let out a shrill roar as its body was sliced in half, turning into wisps of Chaos mist.

"Five Directions Unified Heart Formation, Trap!" Yu Lan shouted lightly. The five of them instantly took their positions. Yu Lan's wood-attribute Holy Spirit Power, the Sea Cultivation Saintess's Star Water Power, the Ice Clan Saintess's Ice Origin, and the Immortal of Luo Water's Yaochi Immortal Power intertwined with Lu Chen's golden-black Origin Power. Five-colored spiritual light soared into the sky, forming a sturdy light screen that firmly trapped the remaining Chaos Strange Beasts. The runes on the screen flowed, emitting powers of purification and binding. The beasts slammed frantically against the screen but could not break through; instead, they were continuously eroded by the purification power within, their auras growing weaker.

The Sea Cultivation Saintess formed hand seals, drawing water from the stream beside the mountain path and turning it into sharp water blades that sliced toward the trapped beasts. The Ice Clan Saintess's cold aura surged, her Ice Origin turning into a sky full of frost that froze the beasts' limbs, rendering them immobile. Yu Lan activated her Sacred Word Art, and golden sound waves spread out, striking the beasts' Divine Souls and throwing them into Chaos. The Immortal of Luo Water stimulated her Jade Pool Immortal Light, enveloping the screen in soft white light to further enhance the purification and erode the chaos qi within the beasts.

Lu Chen seized the opportunity, once again activating the Universe Origin Art. The golden-black Origin Power condensed into a massive pillar of light that blasted toward the trapped beasts. The pillar pierced through the screen and heavily struck the pack. The chaos qi was completely purified, and the beasts let out one final roar before collapsing and dissipating into mist. After the battle, the divine essence around the mountain path gradually stabilized and was no longer being devoured. A streak of golden light flew out from the dissipating mist and landed in Lu Chen's hand, transforming into a simple ancient booklet—the Chaos Purification Art.

The booklet recorded purification methods specifically targeting Chaos energy and Chaos Strange Beasts. It was more specialized than the Universe Origin Art, capable of precisely stripping Impurities from divine essence, rapidly purifying the violent energy within Chaos Strange Beasts, and even resisting the erosion of the Chaos Tide to a certain extent. It would be a massive help in dealing with future Chaos crises. Lu Chen handed the booklet to The Five Women and said with a smile, "I didn't expect that defeating these beasts would yield such a practical technique; it's quite a pleasant surprise." The Five Women took the booklet and flipped through it carefully, their eyes full of joy as they marveled at how they had gained rewards just as their trip to the Eastern Domain began.

They continued along the mountain path and soon arrived outside the Council Hall of the Eastern Domain's main peak. The main peak was majestic and towered into the clouds. The Council Hall sat at the summit, built from ancient Grandmist Divine Stones and surrounded by faint Chaos currents. It felt very similar to the Hongmeng Divine Palace but appeared even more majestic and heavy. Outside the hall, an old man in a golden Daoist robe was already waiting. His face was ancient, and his brow carried the majesty of one who looked down upon all living beings. He emitted a boundless divine essence aura that far surpassed ordinary divine Cultivators—it was the Eastern Domain Lord, Hongmeng Heavenly Venerable.

"Little friend Lu Chen, you have traveled far; it has been hard on you." Hongmeng Heavenly Venerable stepped forward proactively, his tone friendly yet majestic. His gaze fell on Lu Chen, his eyes full of praise. "I heard you handled the Chaos Strange Beasts on the mountain path with ease and even learned the Chaos Purification Art. You truly live up to the name of Origin Guardian; your strength and intellect are both top-tier." Lu Chen quickly cupped his hands in greeting. "The Heavenly Venerable overpraises me. I am merely doing my small part; protecting the Divine Realm is my responsibility." Yu Lan, the Sea Cultivation Saintess, and the others also stepped forward to pay their respects with modest and polite manners.

At that moment, a woman in a pale purple gauze dress stepped out of the Council Hall. Her face was beautiful, her eyes filled with a touch of spirit and charm. She was surrounded by pure Eastern Domain divine essence, and a purple jade pendant hung from her waist. She was the Eastern Domain Saintess, Zi Xia. As soon as Zi Xia's gaze fell on Lu Chen, she couldn't look away. A flash of amazement and admiration crossed her eyes as she walked up quickly, her voice charming: "This must be Heavenly Venerable Lu Chen? I have long heard of your great name; seeing you today, you truly possess an extraordinary bearing." Having said that, she proactively extended her hand, wanting to lead the way for Lu Chen. "Spiritual tea is already prepared in the Council Hall. Heavenly Venerable and the sisters, please follow me inside to rest."

Seeing this, Yu Lan stepped forward unobtrusively and naturally stood by Lu Chen's side, smiling as she said to Zi Xia, "Thank you for your trouble, Saintess Zi Xia. Please lead the way." Her movements were gentle and natural, yet they perfectly separated Zi Xia from Lu Chen. Without being impolite, she subtly conveyed her intent to protect him. The Sea Cultivation Saintess, the Immortal of Luo Water, and the others shared a knowing smile and followed. Although the Ice Clan Saintess remained silent, she also intentionally or unintentionally stood on Lu Chen's other side, forming an invisible protective barrier.

Zi Xia noticed this, and a trace of imperceptible disappointment flashed in her eyes, but she knew her limits and did not press further. She simply smiled and turned to lead the way, occasionally looking back at Lu Chen with an undeniable look of admiration. Lu Chen didn't pay much attention to this, focusing instead on the upcoming discussion. However, a strange sensation lingered in his heart—it seemed as if a faint consciousness was continuously calling for help, and the aura of this consciousness faintly resonated with his own Origin Power. It likely came from that chaos fragment.

After entering the Council Hall, they found the interior solemn and grand. On the central discussion table lay a pitch-black fragment about the size of a palm. It was surrounded by faint chaos qi, and its surface was engraved with blurred Origin runes. This was the chaos fragment found in the Eastern Domain. The moment Lu Chen's gaze fell on the fragment, the resonance in his heart grew stronger, and the consciousness calling for help became clearer, carrying a faint sense of ancient sorrow and exhaustion.

Seeing this, Hongmeng Heavenly Venerable smiled and said, "Little friend Lu Chen, this is the chaos fragment we found in the Eastern Domain's Secret Realm. This fragment shares the same Origin as the cosmic origin stone, yet it is mixed with eerie energy fluctuations and frequently emits faint conscious ripples. We have studied it for many days but have been unable to decode it. Thus, we specially invited you here; surely with your Origin Power, you can sense the fragment's secrets."

Lu Chen nodded and walked slowly to the fragment, his fingertips lightly touching its surface. Instantly, a familiar Origin aura surged into his body, and the consciousness calling for help clearly entered his mind, filled with endless exhaustion and urgency, as if it had been trapped for countless ages. Lu Chen's heart jolted; he was now certain this chaos fragment was anything but simple. It definitely hid important secrets related to the Chaos Tide and the five domain god seals, and the owner of this consciousness might be the key to unlocking those secrets.

The Five Women gathered around, their eyes full of curiosity and alertness. Yu Lan asked softly, "Lu Chen, what did you sense?" Lu Chen slowly withdrew his hand, his eyes showing gravity and contemplation. "A remnant soul is hidden within this fragment, calling for help. Its aura shares the same Origin as my Origin Power, so it must have a great connection to the ancient Origin protection. As for the specific secrets, further investigation is required."

Upon hearing this, Hongmeng Heavenly Venerable's eyes flashed with surprise and anticipation. "So the fragment really isn't simple! Little friend Lu Chen, I will trouble you to investigate it thoroughly. If you need anything, the Eastern Domain will fully cooperate." Lu Chen nodded in agreement, having already resolved to uncover the chaos fragment's secrets, find the reason for the remnant soul's plea, and search for clues to the Eastern Domain's god seal to add another boost toward gathering all five seals and facing the Chaos Tide.

The divine essence in the Council Hall flowed slowly as the chaos fragment's aura intertwined with Lu Chen's Origin Power. Faint conscious ripples permeated the air. An investigation concerning ancient secrets and the Chaos crisis was about to officially begin. Meanwhile, Zi Xia stood to the side, watching Lu Chen's focused expression with growing admiration, planting a subtle foreshadowing for the investigation to come.