Now that the Qilin Sacrificial Temple had been located, it was time to prepare for departure.
Mo Tiange and Qin Xi both believed that they had grasped the basics of refining the Chaos Crystal, and should first complete the magical treasure. Nie Wushang stated that she needed to make a trip to Langtu Mountain to see if Venerable Songfeng had left anything else behind. Jing Xingzhi had nothing pressing to do, so he took on the task of contacting Yang Chengji and Ling Yunhe.
The four of them went their separate ways, agreeing to meet up and head to Xiaoyang together once their respective matters were concluded.
The process of refining the Chaos Crystal was fraught with difficulties. Perhaps the Chaos Qi was too profound and mysterious; the crystal would occasionally shatter during refinement, leading to an enormous consumption of Spirit-Absorbing Powder. The magical treasure had just taken shape when their supply was completely exhausted.
After discussing it, the two decided to make another trip to the Abyss of Fallen Gods to collect more Spirit-Absorbing Powder.
Having been there once before, they were now familiar with the route. The Abyss of Fallen Gods remained unchanged—a desolate landscape of chaotic yellow rocks, devoid of any vegetation, with fierce gales sweeping through carrying immense force.
Descending into the abyss, they were once again caught in the vortex, but this time they were prepared and suffered minimal effects.
Following the canyon, they slowly entered the cave where they had previously discovered the Spirit-Absorbing Powder. Using Spirit-Tempering Water, they gradually extracted the powder from the bluish-grey rock. The Spirit-Absorbing Powder came in larger pieces the size of a finger, resembling milky white jade, and smaller pieces like fine dust.
After spending several days at it, having almost melted the entire rock face, Mo Tiange suddenly stopped. "Come look at this quickly!"
Hearing her, Qin Xi turned to look.
Deep within the rock wall, a trace of metal was exposed, though it was impossible to discern exactly what kind of metal it was.
"What is this?"
Qin Xi touched it. "Let's dig it out and see."
"Alright." Mo Tiange entered the Void Heaven Realm, fetched a large bucket of Spirit-Tempering Water, and without hesitation, splashed it onto the rock wall. Under the effect of the water, all the Spirit-Absorbing Powder was collected, and finally, a round object fell out.
This object was roughly three feet in diameter, of a dull, dark color. One side was a circular frame, the other side slightly arched like a tortoise shell, with a base resembling intertwined branches beneath.
Qin Xi flipped it over, brushed off the dust, and saw that the arched side was carved with incredibly intricate patterns...
Mo Tiange stared at it for a while, feeling that these patterns were profoundly mysterious, seemingly containing endless variations—yin and yang, the five elements, life and death, even the myriad affairs of the mortal world, and countless karmic threads...
"Tian'ge!" A stern shout sounded in her ear, and Mo Tiange jolted awake.
"What happened?" Qin Xi asked.
Mo Tiange patted her chest, feeling a bit shaken. "This thing is extraordinary. It definitely doesn't belong to our world."
"Oh?" Qin Xi examined it carefully. Although he also found it mysterious, he didn't feel it as deeply as she did.
Mo Tiange pointed at the patterns and explained, "Look, these patterns contain yin and yang, the five elements, karma, the mortal world, and even the six paths of reincarnation..."
As she explained each point, Qin Xi's expression grew increasingly grave. "It's actually this profound?"
"You don't know much about formations, so you don't feel it as deeply. I can say for certain that even in the Ancient Era, there couldn't have been something this profound. This must be the work of an Immortal, or even a higher deity!"
Mo Tiange's tone was resolute. Her knowledge of formations was inherited from the Mysterious Mechanism Formation Manual and Mo Yaoqing—both representing the pinnacle of formation arts achievable in the present world. Furthermore, the Void Heaven Realm contained many books from the Ancient Era and even the Primordial Era. It could be said she was the person in the current world most knowledgeable about Ancient Era formation levels. She was certain these patterns were not the handiwork of a cultivator; at the very least, they were the work of an Immortal.
Qin Xi recalled the legend of the Abyss of Fallen Gods and said softly, "Two heavenly deities fought fiercely in the far west. One of them slashed down with his sword, creating the Abyss of Fallen Gods... I'm afraid the 'heavenly deities' in the legends of the far west were not cultivators, but true Immortals."
"...As long as humanity doesn't perish, events that once happened will be passed down through various legends," Mo Tiange said, staring at the object on the ground. After a long pause, she added, "Look, doesn't this resemble a mirror?"
Qin Xi nodded, then suddenly smiled. "It's just a bit too big. This is clearly the shape of a hand mirror. For someone to use a mirror this size, how large would they have to be?"
Mo Tiange smiled faintly. "Since it's a magical treasure, it can naturally change size according to one's will. This mirror was likely damaged during Dharma Combat, which is why it remains at the size used during the fight."
Qin Xi, of course, knew this principle; he was just joking. After the jest, he pondered, "So it seems the Abyss of Fallen Gods truly was a battlefield between two Immortals. The so-called Spirit-Absorbing Powder is actually the material of this magical treasure."
"Yes... No wonder we searched through countless texts but couldn't find out what Spirit-Absorbing Powder was. It turns out it belongs to an Immortal's treasure." As she spoke, Mo Tiange's imagination ran wild. "Since this is a place where Immortals fought, could there be other treasures? Quick, let's go look!" She pulled Qin Xi, ready to dig three feet into the ground.
Qin Xi chuckled. "What do you think Immortal treasures are? That they're lying around everywhere?"
"Let's just look. It doesn't hurt to try."
"Alright." Passing up this opportunity would indeed be a pity.
The Abyss of Fallen Gods was filled with strange, fierce gales, and they couldn't use their spiritual sense to its full extent. Apart from digging three feet deep, there seemed to be no other method. Mo Tiange simply released all four spirit beasts from the Void Heaven Realm, along with Stone.
"Dig?" Hearing this, the four spirit beasts had varied expressions.
Xiaofeng reacted quickly and immediately said, "Then I'll go over there."
Xiaofan obediently replied, "Oh, where should I dig?"
Feifei's face darkened slightly. He looked at Xiaofeng, then at Xiaofan, and held back. "Stone, let's go!" Ever since the spirit beasts had taken human form one after another, he had lost his unique dominant position. Fortunately, he had Stone. No matter what they did, Stone was his most steadfast supporter.
Xiaohuo, however, said, "Master, I'm not cut out for this kind of work. How about I follow you instead?" His pitch-black eyes darted around, his face pleading.
Mo Tiange's eyebrow twitched. "You go with Xiaofeng. Remember, listen to Xiaofeng."
"Oh..." Xiaohuo's face fell. When Mo Tiange wasn't looking, he shot Xiaofeng a glare. "Let's go."
Xiaofeng smiled as if she hadn't seen it and led Xiaohuo away. Turning around, she clenched her fists slightly.
How could Mo Tiange not know about the undercurrents among the spirit beasts? Xiaohuo loved to play, and Xiaofeng was always disciplining him. So, after reaching the eighth rank and taking human form, Xiaohuo would occasionally play tricks. Unfortunately, his skill level was too low, and he was no match for Xiaofeng. It was predictable that he would come back crying and complaining later.
"Xiaofan, you come with us."
"Oh." In comparison, Xiaofan was an obedient child, doing exactly as told.
Two people, four spirit beasts—no, five—scraped a layer off every accessible area of the Abyss of Fallen Gods but found no remnants of any other magical treasures, only some traces of Dharma Combat.
"Tian'ge, do you feel something is off?"
Mo Tiange didn't understand his meaning. "Is there? What seems off?"
Qin Xi thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Maybe it's just an illusion. I just feel this place is too clean. Apart from this treasure embedded in the rock wall, nothing else seems to have been left behind."
"...Are you suggesting someone else has been here?"
"Hard to say." Unable to make sense of it, Qin Xi dropped the subject. "Forget it. Even if someone has, we have no way to investigate. Let's go back."
Recalling all the spirit beasts to the Void Heaven Realm, the two set off back to the Xuanqing Sect.
A few days earlier, Nie Wushang had returned from Langtu Mountain, stating she had made significant gains and needed to go into brief seclusion to prepare some life-preserving techniques.
Yang Chengji and Ling Yunhe had just been contacted and also said they needed some time before they could come. This opportunely left them with time to refine their magical treasure.
Without delay, the two also entered brief seclusion, tirelessly refining the treasure.
This time, things went relatively smoothly. With sufficient Spirit-Absorbing Powder and the inspiration Mo Tiange gained from the patterns on the mirror frame, after several months, the new magical treasure was finally completed.
After testing it in the Void Heaven Realm, both were very satisfied with the new treasure. It could attack and defend, was formless and intangible, making it impossible to guard against. Based on its material alone, this treasure could be considered top-tier in the world.
"This treasure suits your combat style very well. With it, your strength will be no less than mine." Qin Xi placed the treasure, named the Chaos Transmutation Heaven Box, into her hands.
Mo Tiange didn't decline politely. She knew her advancement to the mid-stage was largely due to Amber's favor; her actual strength hadn't improved that much. In terms of cultivation realm, she was now on the same level as Qin Xi, but in terms of Dharma Combat, she was still inferior to him. Moreover, Qin Xi had always been focused. For him, having the Vermilion Bird Bow was enough; more treasures would only divide his energy.
Emerging from seclusion, news came from the Ancient Sword Sect that Yang Chengji and Ling Yunhe had arrived.
Mo Tiange and Qin Xi immediately went to Dao Lord Zhenyang's cave abode to inform him. They had mentioned this matter before, and Dao Lord Zhenyang was already aware. At this moment, he said, "Shoujing, Qingwei, when you went to Yunzhong last time, the sect couldn't spare any manpower. Now the situation is more favorable. I intend to have Lingxi accompany you. Are you willing?"
"Naturally willing," Qin Xi said. "Our journey this time isn't for treasure hunting. The more people, the better."
Dao Lord Zhenyang nodded. "Actually, I'm somewhat uneasy about all three of you going out. But Xuan Yin and Miao Yi have been busy with sect affairs for decades and are currently in seclusion. It wouldn't be right to disturb them. Lingxi is currently at a breakthrough point. Going out with you to gain experience will benefit him as well."
Qin Xi bowed. "Yes, we will definitely work together with Junior Brother Lingxi in unity and mutual support."
Dao Lord Zhenyang smiled gently. "Over the tens of thousands of years since our sect's founding, the Xuanqing Sect may not have always been the strongest, but we have always been the most harmonious. This is the foundation of our sect. I believe you will all return safely."
After offering some encouragement, Dao Lord Zhenyang added, "Junior Brothers Jinghe and Huayan have sent some things back from Kunzhong City. Also, I have some things for you."
With that, he handed them a Qiankun Bag.
Qin Xi took it and glanced inside, exclaiming in surprise, "Senior Brother Zhenyang, this..."
"Accept it with peace of mind," Dao Lord Zhenyang said, smiling at them. "You are the new hope of the Xuanqing Sect. Having contributed so much to the sect's future, you deserve this."
"...Yes." A thousand words were condensed into one sentence. "We will all return safely."