Chapter 1865 — 1865: Heaven Refining Crystal

Patriarch Gu of the Immortal Gu Clan sat in his secluded chamber, immersed in deep cultivation. The flow of qi around him was steady, his breath synchronized with the universe itself. Each inhale refined his power, and each exhale expanded his control over the profound energies of the world.

Yet, in an instant, that harmony was shattered.

A loud, urgent banging erupted against his door, the force behind it so jarring that it sent ripples through the qi in the chamber. His eyes snapped open, a flicker of irritation flashing across his face. Who would dare disturb him while he was cultivating?

With a flick of his sleeves, the door flung open, and before the individual outside could so much as step inside or utter a single word, Patriarch Gu's voice exploded like thunder, reverberating through the halls with unrestrained fury.

"You better have a damn good reason for disturbing my cultivation—or I will feed you to the dogs!"

His piercing gaze locked onto the trembling figure before him, his presence suffocating.

The servant immediately fell to his knees and reported in a trembling voice, "This lowly servant has urgent news to report! The Soulbound Life Jade of the two guards at Han Zexian's Tomb had just shattered! The guards have been killed!"

"WHAT?!" Patriarch Gu instantly stood up in shock, with disbelief written all over his face.

After the incident, the Immortal Clans kicked everyone out of Han Zexian's Tomb and sealed it so that only approved individuals could enter. In other words, the guards' deaths were no accident, and only one individual could have done it.

"That bastard has finally stopped hiding and crawled out of his rathole!" Patriarch Gu's voice thundered through the chamber, his fury palpable.

As he seethed, a strange sensation coursed through his left arm—the very same limb Tian Yang had severed in their last encounter but was eventually healed with treasures. However, even having fully healed, he would often feel phantom pain where Tian Yang had cut, a constant reminder of his humiliation.

Unfortunately for Patriarch Gu, Tian Yang had long left Han Zexian's Tomb before he could arrive, something he realized before even entering the tomb, as the guards keeping watch of the entrance were lifelessly lying on the ground.

Moreover, engraved into the very earth where the guards had fallen were the ominous words, "I have returned to kill all of you."

The moment Patriarch Gu's gaze fell upon them, a chilling sensation washed over him. These were not mere threats—they pulsed with raw, unbridled killing intent, so thick it seemed to seep into the surroundings, staining the very air with malice. He could also feel the deep hatred embedded in every stroke, as if Tian Yang had carved the message not just into the ground, but into the souls of those who would read it.

Despite knowing that Tian Yang was no longer inside the tomb, Patriarch Gu still entered it and traveled to the mountain. He wanted to confirm if the door was open now that Tian Yang had come out. Unfortunately for him, the doors had closed shortly after Tian Yang left.

He left the tomb shortly after and contacted the other Immortal Clans, notifying them of Tian Yang's return.

"..."

After a deep slumber, Yuan woke up with a puzzled look on his face.

"Why did I see Patriarch Gu in that dream?" he muttered out loud.

He thought he was recalling Tian Yang's memories, but if that were the case, he wouldn't have been able to see Patriarch Gu's reaction to Tian Yang's return. This made him consider the possibility that he wasn't actually dreaming of Tian Yang's memories but someone else. There was also the possibility that he wasn't dreaming of memories but something entirely different.

However, Yuan had no clue what it might be.

After pondering for some time, Yuan eventually set aside his thoughts and shifted his focus to the Heaven Refining Crystal. He had been feeding it his blood for over a year now, and the crystal looked a lot different than it did a year ago.

When he first discovered it, the Heaven Refining Crystal had been plain and devoid of any distinct features. It was an ordinary, colorless crystal. But after absorbing his blood for over a year, it had undergone a profound change. Its once-lifeless surface now shimmered with a vibrant spectrum of colors, shifting and pulsating like a living entity. More than just its appearance, the crystal emanated a unique aura—a profound energy that made Yuan subconsciously revere it.

"It's ready to move to step two…"

After staring at the crystal for a brief moment, he pressed the crystal against his lips before pushing it inside his mouth, treating it as though it was a candy.

Unlike pills, the Heaven Refining Crystal did not dissolve upon contact with his tongue. Yet, Yuan did not hesitate. With a single, deliberate motion, he forced the crystal down his throat, swallowing it whole.

The moment it passed into his body, a violent reaction erupted within him. A tidal wave of energy surged through his meridians, scorching them like divine fire, threatening to tear him apart from within. His muscles tightened, his bones groaned under immense pressure, and his very soul trembled as if the crystal were trying to refine him instead.

"Arrgh!" Yuan roared as unbearable pain wracked his entire being. It had been a long time since he had experienced such agony. It was so intense it felt as if every fiber of his existence was being torn apart and reforged at the same time.

The Heaven Refining Crystal, now a part of him, unleashed an uncontrollable storm of energy. His meridians twisted and expanded, his blood boiled as if ignited by flames from purgatory, and his very soul trembled.

He struggled, his body convulsing, sweat pouring down like rain, but no amount of resistance could quell the sheer torment.

Hours passed, though it felt like an eternity. His vision blurred, his strength waned, and eventually, his consciousness slipped away.

However, even in unconsciousness, the pain did not fade. It clung to him, an unrelenting force that refused to grant him even a moment of peace.