The aura of destruction!
Having settled Luo Lingxi, Li Yingzhang hurried toward Mount Dan.
Along the way, he could not help looking repeatedly at the increasingly violent tornado of spiritual energy, trembling with terror down to his marrow.
Descending from the void, the tornado seemed to tear right through the Alchemy Saint Blessed Land.
If that were all, it might not be so dire, but it had swept in a portion of the Ming Water and golden flames from the outside world as well.
As the spiritual energy tornado grew larger, those elements were spreading out of control; sooner or later, everyone in the Luotian Sect would be caught in the catastrophe!
'Could the Supreme Elder's cultivation have gone awry?'
Li Yingzhang firmly believed Luo Chen held deep affection for the Luotian Sect. Otherwise, he would not have looked after the faction he had built with his own two hands at every turn.
From the humble beginnings of the tiny Luotian Association, to the gradual emergence of Foundation Establishment True Cultivators, then abolishing the association to establish the sect, it had grown step by step into the prestigious Luotian Supreme Sect renowned across the Eastern Desolation!
It was only because the Luotian Sect was an organization rather than an actual person; otherwise, compared even to Luo Lingxi, this sect would truly be considered Luo Chen's own flesh and blood.
Yet what Luo Chen was doing now looked frighteningly like it would destroy the entire sect!
Li Yingzhang was frantic with worry. He flew atop his Chilong Sword, pushing his flight speed to the absolute limit.
Yet before he could draw fully close to Mount Dan, a stern shout halted him.
"Sect Master Li, turn back!"
"Elder Wang Yuan?"
"No cultivator below the Nascent Soul realm is permitted near Mount Dan! The upheaval here is beyond anything you can withstand. Sect Master Li, swiftly organize the entire sect and prepare to evacuate the Alchemy Saint Blessed Land!"
"Has it truly come to this?"
This time, Wang Yuan offered no explanation.
Li Yingzhang cast an unwilling glance in the direction of Mount Dan, then turned back immediately to rally personnel and prepare the evacuation of the Alchemy Saint Blessed Land.
A hundred li away from Mount Dan, Wang Yuan, Lingfengzi, and several others stared at the tornado with grave expressions.
"What in the world is this monstrous thing?"
The water-fire tornado, brimming with boundless primordial energy, connected heaven and earth. Wherever it passed, everything was reduced to fine powder.
The so-called Mount Dan had been obliterated into nothingness the instant the water-fire tornado appeared.
Only a blurry silhouette remained within the tornado, rising and falling, tossed violently without pause.
A large grey cauldron floated beneath him, supporting his body while exuding a hazy grey light that enveloped him.
The surging water-fire tornado washed relentlessly over the silhouette, pouring steadily into the Hunyuan Cauldron.
It was precisely because of this that the water-fire tornado had not completely expanded outwards.
Lingfengzi swallowed hard and stated emphatically, "Something must have gone wrong with his cultivation! Otherwise, why would he put himself in such mortal peril?"
Fairy Canglong's eyes held deep worry. "Buffeted by water and fire, scoured by primordial energy—if this continues endlessly, Luo Chen won't be able to hold on."
Lingfengzi suggested with fear written across his face, "How about... we pull back first as well? Senior Brother Luo Chen has remarkable methods and fortune on his side; perhaps he will resolve it on his own."
Fairy Canglong glared fiercely at him.
"Lingfengzi, think carefully about what you are saying!"
Lingfengzi smiled wryly. "What if he fails? Once such vast heavenly might spreads outwards, which of us could possibly survive it?"
Right then, Wang Yuan stepped forward.
His towering figure inspired immense confidence.
"If he succeeds, all will be well. If he fails, I will bring him out no matter what!"
Lingfengzi was not optimistic. "How do you plan to save him?"
Without hesitation, Wang Yuan said, "If we combine our efforts, there will be a slim chance of survival. When the time comes, Canglong will drive the White Tiger Puppet, exhausting all its power to strike the water-fire tornado and blast open a gap. You will cast a wind cavern to pull Luo Chen outward. I will gauge the situation and charge in to drag him out by force."
At that point, without turning his head, he added, "If I fail to bring him out, it won't be too late for you to flee. Yu Jiaolong, see to the preparations for retreat."
Fairy Canglong gasped in shock, "Elder Wang..."
Wang Yuan raised a hand to cut her off. "Which among the four of us hasn't received Luo Chen's grace? With catastrophe looming, we must act with a clear conscience. Conversely, if anyone flees outright, do not blame Wang for showing no mercy."
Fairy Canglong took a deep breath and slowly nodded.
Lingfengzi's lips quivered a few times, but in the end he sighed helplessly.
Yu Jiaolong had no objections, but as she gazed toward Luo Chen, her eyes were filled with dread.
At this moment, she finally understood how vast the gulf was between herself and Luo Chen, and why he, as a human, could hold the post of Hall Master of Mount Cangwu's Duzhen Hall.
A single water-fire tornado summoned during his cultivation could obliterate an entire realm.
With such power, even if she cultivated to the late Nascent Soul stage, what of it?
She still wouldn't be able to withstand a single blow from him!
...
Destruction!
Why was there such a sensation?
Luo Chen snapped awake from his daze.
Spending three full years, he had finally comprehended the Water Origin that had been within arm's reach.
Nothing unexpected had occurred during the process.
None of the backup preparations he had arranged were even needed; it had gone unimaginably smoothly.
Yet the very instant he completely comprehended the Water Origin, an unexpected mutation occurred!
Under the interaction of the two great origins of water and fire, an inexplicable power was suddenly born, triggering an upheaval of heaven and earth.
This force stood even above the true meaning of the two great laws of water and fire!
The moment it appeared, the entire Alchemy Saint Blessed Land trembled.
It even bridged space itself, pulling upon the ocean of primordial energy in the outside world and bringing down a deluge of vast heaven-and-earth primordial energy.
This should have been a good thing.
With such a massive influx of heaven-and-earth primordial energy empowering him from above, once fully assimilated, Luo Chen's cultivation realm was bound to soar.
Not only could he cross the threshold from mid-stage to late-stage Nascent Soul, he might even push straight through to the eighth or even ninth layer of the Nascent Soul realm in one fell swoop!
However, entering the Alchemy Saint Blessed Land alongside the vast primordial energy were countless quantities of Ming Water and the Nirvana Holy Fire left behind by Monarch Qixia all those years ago!
Of these two, one defiled magic power, while the other incinerated all things!
How could the mere Alchemy Saint Blessed Land endure them?
Even Luo Chen himself might not be able to withstand such violent scouring.
'This must be stopped!'
The thought surged unbidden.
Immediately, Luo Chen began employing various methods.
His first method was to seek out that inexplicable power from before. After all, whoever tied the knot had to untie it.
Since the mutation was caused by it, it should naturally be resolved by it.
Yet that power had appeared for only a fleeting instant before vanishing in the blink of an eye.
Luo Chen could not sense its presence at all. Amidst his shock and anger, there was also a pang of profound loss, as though he had missed a great fortune.
'What in the world was that?'
With thoughts flashing and shifting, Luo Chen swiftly ceased dwelling on it and turned to his second method.
He unleashed his natal magic treasure, the Hunyuan Cauldron, absorbing as much Ming Water and Nirvana Holy Fire as possible to keep them from harming the sect disciples within the blessed land.
The Ming Water was manageable; having thoroughly refined the Ming Water Spring Eye over these three years, drawing it in went very smoothly.
He could absorb as much of it as came.
The Nirvana Holy Fire, however, was far too troublesome.
The Hunyuan Cauldron could absorb it, but not in excessive quantities; otherwise, it would end up destroying his natal treasure in turn.
'If I release the Nirvana Fire Spirit I cultivated myself, could it absorb Monarch Qixia's Nirvana Holy Fire?'
Luo Chen was sorely tempted. Within his purple mansion, the Nirvana Fire Spirit had already begun spreading its wings to soar.
Yet his gaze flickered, and he forcefully suppressed the impulse.
Intuition!
He had an instinctive feeling that if his Nirvana Fire Spirit absorbed someone else's Nirvana Holy Fire, it would bring him nothing but harm.
'Then I'll absorb it another way!'
With a flick of his hand, a fan appeared in Luo Chen's grasp.
Its handle was like jade, its ribs like glazed crystal, and when fully unfurled, it resembled a branch of blood-red coral.
It was precisely the Blood Jade Three-Flame Fan bestowed upon him by Mount Cangwu after he became Master of Duzhen Hall.
A pseudo-spirit treasure containing Fire Origin, capable of housing three distinct types of flames.
The stronger the flames it housed, the greater its power.
If it contained merely three ordinary Tier 4 flames, unleashing and fusing them would make him virtually unrivaled in the Nascent Soul realm.
If it housed Tier 5 divine fire, its might could even threaten a Soul Formation almighty!
Luo Chen had never tested it before, but right now he could afford no hesitation.
Channeling magic power imbued with Fire Origin into it, the Blood Jade Three-Flame Fan snapped open and began devouring the Nirvana Holy Fire raining down from the heavens in massive swathes.
It was working!
A flash of delight crossed Luo Chen's face.
Yet soon, that joy vanished.
There was too much of it!
Even though several decades had passed and much of the Nirvana Holy Fire in the Netherworld Abyss had dissipated, the remaining quantity was still far too vast for the Blood Jade Three-Flame Fan.
In mere moments, he felt a sensation of engorgement from the treasure in his hand, as if it would burst apart at any second.
'No, I must find another way!'
Luo Chen murmured, looking up at the sky.
'This heaven and earth cannot possibly bestow endless primordial energy upon me. Rather than passively resisting, it is better to take it in actively.'
'The Ming Water and golden flames were only swept along with it. As long as I resolve the massive primordial energy empowerment, the present crisis can be averted.'
Luo Chen hesitated no further and began silently chanting the *Moonlight Heart-Clearing Incantation*.
In an instant, his primordial spirit manifested once more!
Like a canopy, the primordial spirit hovered above his tiny body, confronting the heavenly might head-on.
Endless primordial energy poured into the primordial spirit, making it grow increasingly solid.
And this time, Luo Chen held out for the time it took to drink a cup of tea.
With a muffled groan, the primordial spirit, laden with immense primordial energy, was forced back into his physical body, dividing in two.
The Nascent Soul entered the purple mansion, and the soul returned to the sea of consciousness.
His body, once light as a swallow and under his absolute control, now felt heavy and swollen with pressure.
He looked toward the sky in despair.
Though the primordial energy tornado had shrunk considerably under his successive efforts, it still persisted.
This was utterly terrifying!
Normally, upon comprehending the true meaning of a law for the first time, one would receive a boon from heaven and earth, drawing a mass of primordial energy from the energy ocean to refine into one's own magic power.
Yet that was supposed to be just a small cluster!
How could it be like this—vast, majestic, and virtually boundless?
What he had comprehended this time was the Water Origin, which was hardly compatible with his Fire Spirit Body; it should by no means have exceeded the heaven-and-earth primordial energy brought by his earlier comprehension of the Fire Origin.
'It must have been caused by that power that mysteriously surfaced back then.'
Luo Chen vaguely guessed that the power brought about by the clash of water and fire might possess a tier above fundamental law intents like the Water Origin.
He had missed the chance to comprehend and grasp it, so it had flashed and vanished.
Yet the "boon" summoned by that very force had now become his mortal catastrophe.
If this primordial energy empowerment continued, he would be burst alive from the inside out, and the entire Alchemy Saint Blessed Land would suffer a devastating blow.
'Is there any other way?'
Luo Chen's mind raced, frantically searching for alternatives.
This heaven-and-earth primordial energy empowerment was aimed squarely at him.
As long as he remained alive, it would not cease.
And for a cultivator, the sole proof of being alive was one thing—the soul!
'Right!'
'As long as I conceal the aura of my soul, perhaps I can fool this world and end this empowerment! Even if part of the primordial energy tornado remains, I can rely on my physical body to endure it for a time.'
'Conceal the soul...'
With exhausting effort, Luo Chen mobilized a wisp of magic power to cast a concealment art.
Yet the effect was minuscule.
The primordial energy tornado shrank by a mere fraction, only to expand again in the blink of an eye.
Before the terrifying might of heaven and earth, such concealment was pitifully crude. The slight effect achieved was less due to the brilliance of Luo Chen's concealment spell than to the innate shielding effect of the Alchemy Saint Blessed Land's pocket dimension itself.
Indeed, so long as one remained within this world, no concealment art could evade the scrutiny of the Heavenly Dao's will.
'Yet there is still some effect!'
In the depths of despair, a sliver of hope sprouted in Luo Chen's heart.
He still had one more method!
He could completely hide... no, directly obliterate his own soul! Even if only for an instant, an instant would suffice.
It was only a question of whether he dared to gamble.
If he failed, everything would end.
If he succeeded, not only could he escape this catastrophe, but the future benefits would be boundless.
In the end, Luo Chen steeled his resolve.
'I relied on a trick to evade that ordeal back then, but now I have no choice but to face it.'
'So be it!'
'I'll bet it all on this. I've had no retreat for a long time anyway.'
With a soft sigh, Luo Chen settled lightly into the Hunyuan Cauldron. His left thumb pressed against his ring finger, forming the Extinction Mudra. His right hand flattened into a palm, thumb, pinky, and ring finger all curled inward, middle finger bent halfway, leaving only his index finger extended high to press lightly against his glabella.
To find life after being placed in mortal peril—that is Nirvana!
To be far removed from perverted dream-thinking, maintaining a pure heart and few desires—that too is Nirvana!
When object and self merge in profound communion, returning to the Boundless—that is Ultimate Nirvana!
The arts he had once comprehended welled up like a spring in his mind at this moment. Immediately, a beam of golden light surged from Luo Chen's purple mansion, transforming into a phoenix that enveloped his entire body in the blink of an eye.
Under the burning golden flames, Luo Chen's eyes snapped wide open, then abruptly closed shut.
Within his sea of consciousness, the eight divided souls shattered in an instant, turning into the purest soul power to merge into the main soul.
And his main soul, which had always been the sturdiest and mightiest, began to shatter at this very moment.
Fleck upon fleck of soul fragments rippled through the golden waves of the sea of consciousness, ultimately fading toward nothingness.
And at that exact instant—
Heaven and earth shook; the winds died down, and the clouds dispersed.
As if having lost its target, the tornado connecting heaven and earth collapsed with a roar, slamming heavily down into the Alchemy Saint Blessed Land.
Ming Water gurgled forth, pooling upon the sunken ruins of Mount Dan to form a massive black lake.
The golden flames drifted like rootless duckweed, not knowing where to go, yet soon, as if drawn by an invisible pull, they drifted instinctively toward the large grey cauldron.
Wang Yuan and the others watched this scene in astonishment, completely caught off guard.
Just moments ago, Luo Chen had still been making all kinds of movements, yet how had his aura vanished in a single instant?
His aura... was gone!
Their faces changed drastically!
Chapter 1013