Alert! The Dragon Lord has emerged from seclusion!

She walked towards the palace gate, gesturing for everyone to follow: "Come with me, there are some things you should know."

The group followed Bai Bingli through the back door of the stone hall and arrived at the edge of the ice pool.

The inky black pool was calm and still, reflecting the hazy gray sky.

"There is something suppressed in this pool." Bai Bingli's voice sounded particularly cold in the wind. "It is a 'source of calamity' from ancient times, powerful enough to destroy the entire cultivation world."

She raised her hand and pointed to the center of the pool:

"Three thousand years ago, the ancient cultivation civilization was at its peak. Some cultivators attempted to use human power to peer into the Heavenly Dao and created a forbidden object—'Fragment of the Heavenly Dao'."

"That is not a magic weapon, but a real fragment of the laws of Heaven, containing the power of creation and destruction."

"After successfully refining it, the cultivator attempted to fuse the fragments to become an incarnation of the Heavenly Dao, which resulted in a backlash from heaven and earth, causing the entire ancient cultivation civilization to collapse overnight."

Bai Bingli paused for a moment, then continued, "But that 'Fragment of Heavenly Dao' did not disappear. It fell into the Kunlun Mountains and was sealed there by several powerful figures at the cost of their lives, forming this 'Kunlun Heavenly Prison'."

Lin Chen was shocked: "The fragment that the masters were guarding?"

"Yes and no." Qing Shu replied, adjusting her glasses, her tone as calm as if reciting an ancient text: "The fragment itself has been sealed and cannot cause trouble."

"But the seal requires continuous energy to maintain and will constantly emit 'Heavenly Radiation'."

"This kind of radiation is harmful to ordinary cultivators, but it is actually beneficial to the seven of us—and to those with special constitutions like you."

Hongluan added, "Each of us seven has a special physique or inheritance, and we need to rely on the radiation of the Heavenly Dao to cultivate. Therefore, we voluntarily came here to guard this place, both for the sake of the common people and for our own sake."

Zi Suan fiddled with the jade abacus: "We've been guarding this place for three hundred years. During that time, we took turns going out to find a way to completely resolve the source of the disaster, and also... helped you find a few fiancées."

Hua Yu held the white beast and whispered, "Chen'er, your Nine Yang Burning Heaven Physique is actually related to that fragment. After the fragment fell, the released energy gave birth to a group of people with special physiques, and your ancestor was one of them."

Xuanzhen finally spoke, his voice hoarse: "So, you have a karmic connection with that fragment."

The amount of information was too much for Lin Chen to process in a short time.

He looked at the ice pool, then at his seven masters: "So, the reason your masters sent me to find Su Qingxue and the others wasn't just to reconcile the Nine Yang Burning Heaven Body?"

"It's to gather the 'Seven Stars'," Bai Bingli said bluntly. "According to ancient records, if we can gather the power of the Seven Stars and Nine Yangs, we might be able to reseal it, or even... purify that fragment."

"So the engagement is..." Ye Qingcheng frowned.

"We paved the way for Chen'er," Hongluan said frankly. "But we didn't expect the Heavenly Dao Alliance to intervene, and we didn't expect Chen'er to be able to forge his own path—chaotic symbiosis, which is more ingenious than simply gathering the seven stars."

Shen Qingqiu astutely grasped the key point: "Is that fragment related to the 'Seed of Chaos' that the Heavenly Dao Alliance is searching for?"

The seven masters exchanged a glance.

Bai Bingli nodded slowly: "We suspect that the Chaos Seed is the 'key' or 'core' of that fragment."

"Jiang Wuyai wanted to use the Seven Stars Nine Suns sacrifice to break the seal and seize the power of the fragments. And the Chaos Seed within Chen'er's body may have originally been the 'origin' separated from the fragments."

Lin Chen recalled the words of the old Heavenly Dao Shadow: "The Chaos Seed is the core fragment of the Heavenly Dao Shackles."

It turns out that everything is connected.

"Master," he took a deep breath, "what should I do next?"

Bai Bingli looked at his dantian: "Your chaos has sprouted, and the Seven Star Origin has also coexisted. Next, you need to do two things."

"First, stabilize the realm, nurturing the nascent Chaos Sprout into a true 'Chaos Tree.' Second..."

She paused, then said, "Enter the ice pool and get close to that fragment."

"What?!" the six women exclaimed in unison.

"It's too dangerous!" Su Qingxue exclaimed urgently, "If that fragment of the Heavenly Dao is really that terrifying, wouldn't Lin Chen be in trouble if he got close..."

"This is the only way." Bai Bingli said firmly, "Chen'er and the fragments share the same origin. Only by sensing them at close range can he truly understand the Dao of Chaos and find a way to completely resolve the source of the disaster."

Hongluan was unusually serious: "Don't worry, with the seven of us old folks here, nothing will happen to Chen'er. And—"

She looked at the six women: "You are now coexisting with Chen'er's origin, and you can enter with him. With the Seven Stars protecting you and chaos as your guide, perhaps you can achieve some kind of balance."

Qing Shu added, "This is the most feasible solution after hundreds of simulations."

Lin Chen remained silent for a moment, then looked at the six women.

Su Qingxue's icy gaze was resolute: "If you go, I will go."

Ye Qingcheng grinned: "We're already tied together, so what's there to be afraid of?"

Shen Qingqiu adjusted his glasses: "I need to collect firsthand data."

Qin Yurou hugged the jade bottle tightly: "I...I also want to help."

Although Chu Ling'er and Mu Qingyao were frightened, they nodded emphatically.

"Alright." Lin Chen looked at his seven masters. "When shall we begin?"

"Three days from now," Bai Bingli said. "During these three days, we will help you adjust your condition and teach you some necessary techniques. Also—"

She looked at the jade bottle in Qin Yurou's arms: "The spiritual light of the Yao Guang Body may be nurtured in the pool. The energy dissipated from the fragments has a miraculous effect on the repair of the soul."

The matter was settled.

Over the next three days, the seven masters each displayed their unique talents.

Bai Bingli taught everyone the advanced methods of the "Ice Heart Technique" to help them stabilize their minds and resist the possible pressure from the Heavenly Dao.

Hongluan explained the essence of "Xiaoyao Steps," improving everyone's movement skills and adaptability.

Qing Shu taught ancient runes for temporary protection.

Zisuan deduced various possible situations and corresponding countermeasures after entering the ice pool.

Xuanzhen crafted seven "Seven Star Talismans" for the six women and Lin Chen to wear, which could enhance their connection to their origin.

Huayu has prepared a special medicinal bath to help people regulate their bodies and adapt to the radiation from the heavens.

Three days later, at dawn.

Seven masters stood solemnly by the ice pool.

Lin Chen and the six women were ready, all wearing specially made silver robes that could protect them from the cold water and radiation to some extent.

Bai Bingli gave her final instructions: "The pool is a thousand feet deep, and the fragments are sealed at the bottom. You must descend further, and along the way you will encounter the 'Heavenly Illusion,' a test formed by the energy dissipated from the fragments."

"Remember, stay true to yourself and trust each other."

"If things become impossible, crush the amulet, and we'll pull you up immediately."

Lin Chen nodded, exchanged glances with the six women, and the seven of them stood hand in hand in a circle.

"Are you ready?"

"Ready."

Seven people jumped into the ice pool at the same time!

The moment they entered the water, a bone-chilling cold swept over them, and even with the protection of their robes, they couldn't help but shiver.