467: Chapter 467 Runes and Laws Inscribed on the Soul of a Newborn Spirit Beast?

Su Ming nodded. He channeled the Water Spiritual Energy within his Meridians, letting it flow through his fingertips into the small seal. The deep blue spiritual power enveloped the turtle knob, but the small seal remained completely unresponsive. The Water Spiritual Energy was like a clay ox entering the sea, vanishing without a trace, failing to stir even the slightest ripple.

Su Ming withdrew his Water Spiritual Energy. "No. Water-attribute spiritual power cannot activate it."

"Try fire-attribute," Lin Yu suggested. "Try using that fire toxin you refined earlier."

Su Ming took out a drop of refined fire toxin from another Storage Pouch. Enveloping the fire toxin with spiritual power, he cautiously touched the bottom of the small seal.

The moment the crimson fire toxin touched the seal script, it was instantly extinguished. There was still no reaction.

"Even the Five Elements' mutual restraint doesn't work." Su Ming wiped the fine sweat from his forehead. "This thing has an exclusionary nature."

Lin Yu stroked his chin. "Since the Great Yan Dynasty dared to backlash against the Sect, their core Legacy must have something unique. Try Star Power."

Su Ming's expression shifted slightly. He remembered that the location of the Lantai Secret Garden happened to correspond to a certain stellar division.

He circulated the "Star Attraction Art." The liquid spiritual power within his Dantian changed its circulation path.

A wisp of pure stellar power flowed out along his Meridians. Su Ming slowly pushed it into the turtle knob of the small seal.

A sudden change occurred.

The originally dull and lusterless small seal suddenly erupted with a blinding silver-white light.

The patterns on the shell plates of the turtle knob lit up one by one, as if some ancient star map had been instantly illuminated.

The small seal hovered in mid-air. The four seal characters at the bottom broke free from the constraints of their material, turning into tangible light and shadow projected onto the stone table.

The light and shadow rapidly interlaced and expanded, forming a miniature three-dimensional Formation map about a foot wide in front of Su Ming.

Inside the Formation map, thousands of spiritual power threads were weaving and entangling according to an incomprehensible pattern.

"It really is the Star Law." A sharp glint flashed in Lin Yu's eyes.

Su Ming activated his "Micro-Observation" ability. A deep blue halo emerged in the depths of his pupils.

His vision pierced through the outer light and shadow of the Formation map, seeing the core structure within.

"Master, this Formation map..." Su Ming's voice was dry. "It's not just a key."

Lin Yu leaned closer to the light and shadow. "What did you see?"

"The spiritual power circuit lines inside this Formation map perfectly match the Nine-Lock Interlocking Formation I saw on the stone door." Su Ming pointed to several key nodes of the map. "But it has thirty-six extra reverse-running circuits."

He paused for a moment. "This is a living lock. It's constantly changing the password. Only by injecting spiritual power according to these thirty-six reverse circuits can that door truly be pushed open."

Lin Yu gave a cold snort. "What a vicious design. If someone got the key and tried to force it on directly, it would definitely trigger that door's self-destruction Restriction."

He looked up at Su Ming. "This Great Yan Royal Family has carved their schemes into their very bones."

Su Ming felt a lingering fear. He withdrew his Star Power.

Losing its energy support, the floating small seal fell onto the stone table. The light-and-shadow Formation map instantly dissipated.

The Immortal Cave returned to dimness, with only the Mysterious Shadow Egg still emitting a faint golden light.

Su Ming picked up the small seal—this unremarkable stone now felt heavy in his hand.

"The matter of the Great Yan Secret Realm involves a great deal," Lin Yu broke the silence. "What's hidden inside is the heirloom treasure of a cultivation Dynasty."

He stared into Su Ming's eyes. "But likewise, the defenses are absolutely at the Nascent Soul level. There might even be tomb-guarding monsters left behind by the Great Yan Royal Family."

"You are only at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment now." Lin Yu added emphasis to his tone. "In the eyes of those thousand-year-old monsters, you don't even count as an appetizer."

He stood straight in mid-air, his soul body emitting an unquestionable pressure.

"This key—right now, you don't even have the qualification to hold it." Lin Yu tapped his finger on the tabletop. "An ordinary man is innocent, but harboring a treasure makes him guilty."

Su Ming lowered his eyes, understanding his Master's meaning.

"Let the matter of the Lantai Secret Garden rot in your stomach," Lin Yu said sternly. "Wait until you are confident, at least after Core Formation, before considering going in to take a look. For now, you must improve your strength as quickly as possible."

Su Ming nodded and took out a specially made isolation jade box.

Placing the turtle knob small seal into the box, Su Ming applied three Advanced breath-concealing Talismans in a row.

He stuffed the jade box into the deepest part of his Storage Pouch, completely cutting off its aura.

"On the Great Dao of Longevity, the one who lives to the end is the winner." Su Ming looked directly at Lin Yu. "This Disciple will not take such a risk where there is no chance of winning."

Lin Yu's expression softened. He floated back above the prayer mat.

"It's best that you can understand this." Lin Yu slightly raised his right hand. "That access token for the Formation Peak Secret Realm—when do you plan to use it?"

Su Ming pulled out that purple starlight token. "All supplies are ready. The Materials for the Mysterious Shadow Egg's owner-recognition are also prepared. This Disciple intends to enter the Secret Realm in three months."

"Six months' time." Lin Yu held up two fingers. "Two goals."

He looked at Su Ming. "First, completely Master the three hundred plus basic runes you've learned. I want you to be able to form a Formation map with just a single thought."

Su Ming listened with a solemn expression.

"Second." Lin Yu's eyes turned slightly serious. "Utilize the high-concentration Spiritual Qi of the Secret Realm to break through the barrier to the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment. Your dao foundation is damaged, making breaking through more difficult than for ordinary people; you must rely on external pressure."

"This Disciple understands." Su Ming put the token away.

He turned to look at the Mysterious Shadow Egg in the center of the Formation; the dark gold patterns on the egg's shell flowed incessantly.

Su Ming followed Lin Yu's gaze and spoke: "Second Senior Brother Second Senior Brother Qin Yi said that this Mysterious Shadow Egg is in its final energy accumulation phase before hatching. It will be born in half a month at most. This Disciple has already gone to the Logistics Hall to exchange for spirit communication jade marrow and star pattern silk, and is ready to establish a blood contract at any time."

"That kid Second Senior Brother Qin Yi does have a sharp eye for Spirit Beasts." Lin Yu stroked his chin, his illusory beard seeming as if it were real. "However, relying solely on spirit communication jade marrow and star pattern silk can only ensure it recognizes you as Master, but it cannot squeeze its potential to the limit."

Su Ming was startled and leaned forward slightly: "What does Master mean?"

"This is an ancient exotic beast raised on Star Power," Lin Yu sneered, his tone carrying a hint of mad scientific spirit. "Although the spiritual power of your Ruoshui Art can accommodate all things, it ultimately lacks an extreme sharpness. At the moment of establishing the blood contract, I want you to not only soak the star pattern silk in your essence blood, but also forcibly brand the insights of the three high-level runes—'Sharp', 'Hidden', and 'Extinguish'—from your Divine Sense onto its newborn Divine Soul!"

Su Ming sucked in a cold breath. Carving Runic Laws on the Divine Soul of a newborn Spirit Beast? This was simply unheard of. If even the slightest thing went wrong, the Spirit Beast's Divine Soul would be directly shredded by the powerful Law energy, turning it into an idiot!

"Scared?" Lin Yu glanced at him sideways.

"No." Su Ming took a deep breath, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. "The Way of Cautious Survival is not about constant retreat. Since its future destiny is to be my Dao-protecting beast, it cannot be a stupid creature that only knows brute force. This Disciple is willing to try!"

"Good!" Lin Yu clapped his hands in satisfaction. "I will be by your side using my Divine Sense to protect its Origin. As long as you pull through, what you get won't be a pet, but an assassination weapon with its own self-awareness!"