Purple Stone Mountain rose against the void like a monument carved from twilight, ten billion kilometers of solid purple rock compressed into a squat, powerful form that seemed to defy the emptiness around it.
As a peak danger zone, even Immortal Kings could perish within its depths. But for Han Jue and his two companions, the threat was practically negligible.
Nearly a million Stone Giants inhabited the mountain, their strength ranging from Universe level to Immortal. The strongest among them had barely scratched the threshold of Invincible King, formidable perhaps, but nothing compared to Universe Venerables.
"The shape really does match," Kandeli observed, gesturing toward a section of Purple Stone Mountain that appeared unnaturally smooth. "Look here, this break is almost identical to Dragon Cliff's fracture point."
"Nine Swords," Han Jue said simply.
Venerable Nine Swords nodded and began manipulating Dragon Cliff through his will, pulling the massive fragment through space. Despite its colossal size, billions of kilometers of ancient rock, for a Universe Venerable, moving it was merely a matter of effort, not impossibility.
Han Jue transformed the Azure Origin Ring into its domain form, unleashing a suppressive field that blanketed Purple Stone Mountain. The Stone Giants below froze mid-motion, their movements sluggish as molasses as the domain pressed down on them like an invisible ocean.
"Let's see if this works," Han Jue murmured.
Venerable Nine Swords carefully guided Dragon Cliff toward its twin. The two ancient formations approached each other with agonizing slowness, millions of years of separation about to end in a single moment.
The fracture points aligned.
Crack!
The sound echoed through the void as the two mountains merged seamlessly, their breaks disappearing as if they had never existed.
"Boom!"
A column of dense purple light erupted from Purple Stone Mountain's summit, brilliant and ancient, carrying the weight of eons within its radiance. At the junction where the two mountains met, countless law runes materialized, intricate patterns that spoke of profound mysteries. They wove through the air like living things, their ancient energy wrapping around both Dragon Cliff and Purple Stone Mountain until the two became one.
The purple light descended in a focused beam, striking Venerable Nine Swords directly on the forehead.
"Nine Swords!" Han Jue and Kandeli both surged forward in alarm.
But Venerable Nine Swords stood perfectly still, his eyes closed, face serene. Clearly, he was receiving some form of inheritance or information from the light itself.
Long moments passed before the light finally faded.
"Whoosh!"
Venerable Nine Swords's eyes snapped open, gleaming with undisguised excitement. He broke into a brilliant smile, radiating joy like he'd just discovered the universe's greatest secret.
"This Purple Stone Mountain and Dragon Cliff, when combined, they form a top-tier palace-type supreme treasure!" His voice practically trembled with elation.
Top-tier flying palace-type treasures weren't necessarily less valuable than ordinary supreme treasures. In many cases, they were worth significantly more.
"Nine Swords, congratulations!" Han Jue said sincerely, genuine happiness warming his voice.
A top-tier palace treasure wasn't a supreme treasure, not technically, so it didn't tempt Han Jue personally. Even if he claimed it, he'd soon replace it with something better. But for Venerable Nine Swords and cultivators at his level? This was an extraordinary fortune, the kind that came once in countless epochs.
"The treasure's true name is Cliff Palace," Venerable Nine Swords explained, his smile refusing to fade. "According to the inheritance I received, it has remarkable defensive capabilities and can serve as both a mobile fortress and a cultivation sanctuary."
He was clearly thrilled to have obtained such a treasure, and rightfully so.
Then his expression shifted slightly, becoming thoughtful. "However... Cliff Palace seems to be missing a component. Without it, the treasure can't unleash its full power."
"A missing component?" Han Jue asked, interest sparking in his eyes. "You mean it's an incomplete treasure set?"
"No, not a set exactly," Venerable Nine Swords clarified, shaking his head. "More like... a single treasure that's been damaged or divided. Even now, it functions at the level of a top-tier palace treasure. But if we find the missing piece and complete it..." He trailed off meaningfully.
"Where is this missing component?" Kandeli asked, leaning forward eagerly. "Can you sense its location?"
He continued excitedly, "Even in its incomplete state, Cliff Palace rivals top-tier treasures. If it were fully assembled, even if it doesn't technically reach supreme treasure level, it would certainly rank among the absolute peak of top-tier treasures. Essentially a 'quasi-supreme treasure.'"
Hearing this analysis, Venerable Nine Swords closed his eyes again, reaching out with his spiritual senses to probe the connection between himself and the missing component.
When he opened his eyes moments later, his face showed unmistakable embarrassment.
"The last component is in the Dance Spirit Starfield," he admitted with a wry grimace. "I can sense it clearly, deep within the Dance Spirit Starfield's heart."
"The Dance Spirit Starfield..." Han Jue repeated slowly, exchanging a glance with Kandeli.
Kandeli's expression had turned grave as well.
Both locations were technically considered death-level danger zones, true. But the difficulty of the Dance Spirit Starfield and Dragon Cliff existed on completely different scales entirely.
For high-level Universe Overlords like Venerable Nine Swords and Kandeli, only three places in the entire Eternal Lake Secret Realm truly deserved the designation "death-level danger zone", places where even their considerable power provided no guarantee of survival.
The Stellar Belt. Shattered Moon Island. And the Dance Spirit Starfield.
These three corresponded precisely to the three top-tier Universe Overlords who remained in Eternal Lake Secret Realm after Lord of Starsea's departure.
"I plan to try anyway," Venerable Nine Swords said after taking a deep breath, his jaw setting with determination.
"If you're worried about the danger, you can, "
"What are you saying?" Han Jue interrupted him with evident dissatisfaction, his tone sharp. "We came here together. Do you really think we'd abandon you now?"
Kandeli spoke up immediately afterward, his voice firm. "No matter what happens, both of us have multiple clones. If we perish here, it's merely an inconvenience. But Nine Swords, if you die, you're truly dead. We're not letting you do this alone."
"That's right," Han Jue nodded emphatically, then continued with calm confidence. "The three of us together possess combat power roughly equivalent to a top-tier Universe Overlord. Even if Dance Spirit Venerable has mastered soul techniques, she wouldn't dare enslave our souls outright, not without severely offending the Virtual Universe Company. Besides, we don't even know if she has that capability."
The Virtual Universe Company's reputation carried enormous weight throughout the Original Universe. Few beings would risk such blatant antagonism without overwhelming cause.
"Alright!" Venerable Nine Swords's expression softened, gratitude shining in his eyes as he looked at his two companions. "Then let's go together!"
Deep within the Dance Spirit Starfield, an uninvited guest had already arrived.
"Guan Ri, you've come."
A soft, alluring voice drifted from Dance Spirit Star, a planet that emitted a pale pink luminescence deep within the starfield's heart. Dance Spirit Venerable's true form resided on this world, which served as both her home and her fortress.
Around Dance Spirit Star, 108 blazing suns descended into close orbit, their surfaces roiling with nuclear fire. Yet they had no effect on the planet itself. The intense heat they radiated was completely blocked by the pink light emanating from Dance Spirit Star's surface, as if an invisible barrier held back their fury.
A tall, upright figure emerged from the stars themselves, descending toward Dance Spirit Star with casual power. This was Venerable Guan Ri.
Dance Spirit Venerable manifested before him, a charming, mature woman whose every movement carried seductive grace. She approached with an air of familiar intimacy.
Looking at Venerable Guan Ri, one could see he'd abandoned his usual somewhat eccentric demeanor. His expression was completely serious now, almost severe.
"Wu Ling, this matter concerning that one's awakening is of paramount importance," Venerable Guan Ri said gravely, frowning as he swatted away Dance Spirit Venerable's wandering hand. "We cannot afford any mistakes."
Throughout Eternal Lake Secret Realm, spies loyal to Eternal Lake Lord lurked everywhere, watching and listening.
Within these boundaries, even mentioning Eternal Lake Lord's name would alert him instantly. Hence the use of indirect references, "that one" instead of proper names.
"Oh, it's alright. Come inside," Dance Spirit Venerable laughed lightly, her voice like honey as she pulled Venerable Guan Ri's hand and led him into Dance Spirit Star. "We have plenty of time to discuss business afterward."
(Some time later)
Venerable Guan Ri looked refreshed and energized, while Dance Spirit Venerable wore an expression of deep satisfaction.
"Wu Ling, about that one's, "
Venerable Guan Ri was interrupted again before he could finish speaking.
"Wait." Dance Spirit Venerable's eyes narrowed dangerously. "A few little worms have trespassed into my Dance Spirit Starfield."
"Oh?" Venerable Guan Ri raised an eyebrow with mild surprise. "Who would dare?"
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