You, a living person, are telling me I've served in the underworld for ten years?

Wang Xuan, who had been silently following behind, suddenly raised his head, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Chen Yang, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement and anticipation.

"Master! You and the Special Administration Bureau are going to cooperate to send disciples out for training? I... I'll be the first to sign up! I want to go! Ideally... ideally I could go for a year or two, to get some proper training!"

Chen Yang stopped and looked at his usually composed disciple with some surprise, and asked.

"Oh? Why are you so eager? Isn't it better to cultivate peacefully within the sect? There are risks outside."

Wang Xuan scratched his head, a simple yet determined look on his face.

“Master, it’s not that I think the sect is bad. It’s just… it’s just that I feel that just training in the sect and sparring with my fellow disciples seems… it seems like something’s missing. I’ve seen Qingqing and Uncle Li at the Mountain God Temple, often helping Senior Gu Jinghui with various matters, even though it’s dangerous.”

But she progressed exceptionally quickly and had rich practical experience. I... I don't want to fall behind. Moreover, I want to truly use my skills to do something useful, like you, Master, to slay demons and protect those who deserve protection. Staying on the mountain all the time doesn't make me feel at ease."

He paused, his voice lowered, but his eyes shone even brighter.

"Besides, Master, don't you always say that traveling ten thousand miles is worse than reading ten thousand books? I think... going out and experiencing things will definitely help me break through my current bottleneck! I want to become stronger so that I can truly help Master and our Qingwei Sect in the future!"

Looking at the undisguised longing and determination in Wang Xuan's eyes, Chen Yang felt both gratified and a complex mix of emotions. Young eagles must eventually leave the nest to experience the storms of life before they can soar to the heavens. His own apprentice had finally begun to yearn for a wider world.

He raised his hand and patted Wang Xuan's shoulder, the force neither too light nor too heavy.

"Good, I'm very pleased that you have such ambition. However, this matter still needs to be considered carefully, and we also need to see the specific task arrangements and requirements from the Special Administration Bureau."

Your primary task now is to solidify your cultivation and strengthen your foundation. When the time is right, your master will arrange things for you. Remember, sharpening your axe won't delay your work; first, establish a firm foundation.

Although Wang Xuan was somewhat impatient, he knew that his master was right, so he nodded emphatically.

"Yes, Master! I understand! I will definitely work even harder!"

"Ah."

Chen Yang nodded, then spoke to Master Huang and Liu Yu.

"Elders, you should go back and rest early to get yourselves in order. Tomorrow's operation will surely be a tough battle."

"Yes, Master!"

The two bowed and took their leave.

Chen Yang then took Wang Xuan back to his sect leader's pavilion.

He sent Wang Xuan back to cultivate, while he went up to the top floor meditation room alone.

Night had fallen, and moonlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow. Chen Yang, however, felt no sleepiness. Tomorrow he would be heading to the Northwest to participate in the raid on the Black-Clad Men's lair—no small matter.

He needs to reassess his current situation and his own capabilities.

With a thought, the dark purple "Dream-Guiding Brocade Box" and the ancient black procession banner appeared on the futon in front of him.

He first picked up the procession banner and gently waved it. A soft, almost ethereal light emanated from the banner, and a graceful figure of a woman in palace attire was slowly released, landing on the ground. It was the remnant spirit of the Vast Ocean Palace who had just been rescued from the "Image Recall".

Compared to her previous weakness and swaying when she was first freed, her soul has now become much more solid under the nourishment of the pure Yin energy within the parade banner, and her features are clearer, resembling a gentle and elegant ancient beauty.

As soon as the woman appeared, she gave Chen Yang a graceful bow, her voice ethereal.

"grown ups."

Chen Yang nodded slightly, indicating that she didn't need to be so polite. At the same time, he opened the "Dream Guiding Brocade Box," revealing the dark red bead lying quietly inside, containing nebulae and emitting mysterious fluctuations—the Core of the Realm Spirit.

The woman's lingering spirit's gaze was instantly drawn to the beads in the brocade box.

She was taken aback at first, then seemed to sense something, and an incredulous look appeared on her face. She even couldn't help but take two steps forward to examine it carefully, and exclaimed in a low voice.

"This...this is...the Core of the Spirit Realm?! My lord, you...you actually possess such a divine artifact?!"

Seeing that she recognized him at a glance and reacted so strongly, Chen Yang couldn't help but feel a little more expectant.

He smiled and said.

"You have good taste. Indeed, this is something I obtained by chance from a celestial abode ruin with a friend. However, since obtaining it, I have never been able to fully understand its true value and use, let alone control it."

The remnant spirit of the woman took a deep breath to calm her turbulent emotions, and looked at Chen Yang with more awe and complexity in her eyes.

"Your Excellency is truly blessed to have encountered such a treasure! The Core of the Realm Spirit is the central hub for constructing and controlling an independent 'small world'!"

It typically exists only in self-contained, perfectly governed "blessed lands" or certain extremely special "secret realms"! Possessing it is, theoretically, equivalent to possessing the key to control that "small world"!

Chen Yang's eyes flashed.

"A small world? Control? You mean... I can use this bead to enter and control a separate space?"

"exactly!"

The woman affirmed.

“A World Spirit is the ‘soul’ and ‘manifestation of rules’ of a small world. Refining a World Spirit allows one to become the master of that world, changing mountains and rivers with a single thought, and controlling the rules at will. You… did you try to probe into it with your divine sense before?”

Chen Yang nodded and briefly recounted his experience of being trapped by his consciousness, being forced to use the "Resurrection Technique" to escape, and seeing the Xuan You Cave in the illusion.

Upon hearing this, the woman's remnant spirit showed lingering fear on her face and shook her head repeatedly.

"My lord, you...you are taking too much risks! To venture your divine sense into the core of the World Spirit without refining it is tantamount to sending your unguarded soul into a strange and potentially hostile world of rules!"
That illusion was a remnant of the realm spirit's own rules or a self-protective mechanism left behind by its former master! It's truly fortunate that you escaped unscathed; it demonstrates your resilient spirit and extraordinary abilities!

Chen Yang touched his nose, feeling a bit scared.

"I see... I was reckless. So, if I successfully refine this bead, will I be able to freely enter and exit, and control the 'small world' you mentioned?"

"Theoretically yes."

The woman's remnant spirit nodded, but then her tone took on a strange quality.

“However… my lord, you seem to have misunderstood something. You are refining this World Spirit Core not to ‘take over’ a ready-made blessed land full of treasures.”

Chen Yang frowned.

"What do you mean?"

“The Core of the Realm Spirit is more like a ‘seed of the world,’ or rather, a ‘blank canvas’ and a ‘basic framework of rules,’” the woman explained patiently.

"When you refine it, it's like imprinting your own divine soul within this 'framework,' turning it into your own 'original small world.'"

The illusory 'Mysterious Netherworld' that was previously attached to this spirit, formed by its former owner or through natural evolution, will have its original rules and appearance completely erased and covered during your refining process.

Because it is not a real attachment, but more like a 'historical image' recorded by the spirit of the realm or a residual 'rule inertia'. After refining, what you will have is a brand new, initial, empty 'small world prototype' completely under your control and shaping.

The mountains, rivers, vegetation, and even the rudiments of the sun, moon, and stars within will require you to expend enormous resources and effort to gradually construct and fill them in.

Chen Yang was somewhat stunned.

"So... after I refined it, that seemingly treasure-filled 'Mysterious Netherworld Cave' disappeared? I ended up with just an empty shell?"

"That's understandable."

Seeing Chen Yang's somewhat disappointed expression, the remnant spirit of the woman couldn't help but smile.

"My lord, do you really think that by refining the spirit of the realm, you can directly inherit a ready-made cave dwelling full of treasures? There is no such thing as a free lunch. The spirit of a true ancient blessed land either already has an owner and is one with the owner's soul."

It's virtually impossible for outsiders to seize it; otherwise, the spirit of the world would shatter and dissipate when the celestial realm collapsed. What you've obtained is more like an unclaimed 'world seed' bearing the slightest 'mark' of its predecessor. Its greatest value lies not in what it once 'recorded,' but in the 'possibilities' it represents!

After hearing what she said, Chen Yang realized that his previous ideas had been somewhat naive.

He examined the beads in the brocade box again and asked.

"What practical benefit does this 'empty shell' little world bring me? It can't just be a pretty decoration, can it?"

"There are so many benefits!"

The woman's remnant spirit eyes gleamed with wisdom.

"First of all, it is a space that is completely independent of the outside world and belongs exclusively to you! As your cultivation level increases and your control over the spirit world deepens, the stability and scope of this space will continue to expand."

You can store important supplies and even living creatures inside, far exceeding the function of a storage bag! Secondly, you can gradually adjust and optimize the spiritual energy environment inside, and even introduce spiritual veins to create a 'personalized cave dwelling' most suitable for your own cultivation. Cultivating inside will yield twice the results with half the effort!
Most importantly, when facing an enemy, you can draw upon the power of your own small world to a certain extent to empower yourself, or... forcibly pull your enemy into your world to fight, where you are the absolute master!

She paused, her tone carrying a hint of longing.

According to scattered records in ancient books, during the golden age of cultivation in ancient times when the path between Yin and Yang was not broken, many of the top cultivators had their own 'grotto heaven' or 'blessed land' as their foundation.

This is not only a symbol of status and strength, but also a crucial foundation and guarantee on the path of cultivation! Since the Yin-Yang Path was severed and the world underwent drastic changes, many blessed lands and grotto-heavens have either disappeared or collapsed, and the core of the realm spirit has almost become extinct.

For an adult to obtain even a blank one is an immense stroke of luck! This might be one of the foundations upon which the legendary "Thirty-Six Heavenly Grottoes and Seventy-Two Blessed Lands" came into being!

After listening, Chen Yang felt enlightened. His previous disappointment vanished, replaced by intense excitement!

A "small world" that is completely under one's control, can be carried around, can store living things, can assist in cultivation, and can even serve as a trump card in battle! This value is far more real and precious than a vague and uncertain "treasure cave"!
"I see! My understanding was too limited!"

Chen Yang looked at the woman's remaining spirit.

"You know quite a lot. So, how exactly should one refine this World Spirit Core? I suffered a loss from my previous reckless exploration, so I dare not act recklessly again."

The woman's remnant spirit's expression became solemn.

"Refining a world spirit is indeed dangerous. It requires one's own essence and blood as a guide, and one's soul as the foundation, to slowly penetrate, communicate with, and imprint it, and finally replace its original core rules and make it one's own."

During this process, the remnants of the spirit's 'spirituality' or the mark of its former master will instinctively resist, creating illusions and attacking the soul. A slight misstep could result in damage to the soul, or even being trapped forever in the labyrinth of rules within the spirit's inner world, just like that…lying remnant soul you encountered before.”

Chen Yang's heart stirred.

"You mean, the woman I encountered in the illusion who called herself 'Liyue' and kept lying was likely a failed refinement, or perhaps a 'trap' left behind by a World Spirit?"

"Most likely."

The woman nodded.

"That might be the remnant soul of a cultivator who failed to refine this world spirit. After being assimilated by the world spirit, it became part of its defense mechanism, specifically designed to lure later generations into the trap. Or perhaps, it was simply a 'gatekeeper' simulated by the world spirit based on some residual information."

Chen Yang gasped, secretly relieved. If it weren't for his special status as the Underworld Commander and his ruthless methods, he probably would have fallen into their trap.

"So dangerous... how confident am I of successfully refining it?"

Chen Yang pondered for a moment and asked.

The remnant spirit of the woman looked at Chen Yang, a strange light flashing in her eyes.

"If you trust me, I... may be able to lend you a hand. In my previous life, I was somewhat familiar with array formations and soul techniques, and now that I am a soul body, I am even more sensitive to fluctuations at the soul level."

I can stand guard and protect you, guiding you away from the most intense 'points' of the spirit's resistance, and using my soul power to cushion the impact on your soul. However… this will be very taxing on me, and you will need to completely open your mind and trust me to guide you.”

Chen Yang gave her a deep look.

The woman had just escaped her predicament, and his immediate offer of help, while undoubtedly motivated by gratitude and a desire to rely on her, also carried considerable risk. Allowing her to witness the crucial process of refining his spirit was tantamount to entrusting his life to her.

However, Chen Yang was confident in his ability to judge people and his control over them. More importantly, he could sense that what the woman's remnant spirit said was true; her understanding of refining world spirits was indeed far superior to his own.

"it is good!"

Chen Yang no longer hesitated and said decisively.

"Then I'll have to trouble you. If you succeed in refining it this time, you will be a distinguished guest of my Qingwei Sect, and I will repay you in the future."

The woman's remaining spirit bowed gracefully.

"You flatter me, sir. It is my honor to be able to do my best to repay your kindness in escaping my predicament."

Shall we begin now?

"start!"

Without further delay, Chen Yang took the World Spirit Pearl out of the brocade box and held it in his palm.

He sat cross-legged on the futon, his palms facing upwards, holding his breath and concentrating. (End of Chapter)