The Jade Ruyi.

The fourth-rank Spiritual Treasure once held by the previous Qingxuan.

In truth, this Spiritual Treasure possessed no Thunder Transformation Tribulation Avoidance properties!

However, given its nature as a fourth-rank Spiritual Treasure, even if wielded by a Crystallization Realm Master relying solely on its Artifact Spirit, the effect it produced would still be far superior to most of this world’s third-rank Thunder Transformation treasures!

If a Crystallization Realm Master could use the Jade Ruyi as their Thunder Transformation treasure, their chances of surviving the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation would increase by a large margin!

In fact, if not for the rules of the Celestial Dao, which dictate that a cultivator must personally endure a portion of the Thunder Tribulation’s power, then having the protection of a fourth-rank Spiritual Treasure would be a practically guaranteed pass through the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation!

After all, the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation is, in essence, both a ’reward’ and a ’test’.

To completely block the Thunder Tribulation is to reject the Dao’s essence.

Their potential and combat strength would both be several notches weaker than their peers.

"But... there is one concern with this method," Xiao Sheng said in a low voice.

"The Jade Ruyi isn’t a Thunder Transformation treasure. Under the Thunder Tribulation, it would very likely be severely damaged!"

"It might even be destroyed completely..."

"Especially since Elder Hongri is attempting the tribulation for a Three-Method Golden Core! Its power is far greater than that of an ordinary Golden Core’s tribulation!"

"Against such a Thunder Tribulation, the probability of the Jade Ruyi being destroyed... is extremely high!"

"Therefore, neither of the two Crystallization Realm Masters will yield an inch on this matter..."

Xiao Sheng seemed rather emotional. He shook his head and sighed.

’Is this... both sides competing to see who can squander the sect’s assets faster?’ Su Ye complained to himself.

After all, to risk destroying a Spiritual Treasure left behind by a sect ancestor—damaging the sect’s very foundation—all for the sake of achieving one’s own Dao, was that not the very definition of squandering?

No wonder a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Xiao Sheng, who felt a strong sense of belonging to the sect, was wringing his hands and sighing in frustration.

’But honestly, would it really be a loss to destroy one fourth-rank Spiritual Treasure to create one Golden Core cultivator?’

Su Ye pondered this internally.

But he quickly shook his head.

’This calculation isn’t so simple!’

First, neither Hongri nor Qinghe was a hundred percent confident in facing their Golden Core Tribulation.

If one of them used the Jade Ruyi as a Thunder Transformation treasure but still failed their breakthrough, perishing in the tribulation and causing the Spiritual Treasure to be destroyed... wouldn’t the Cyan Profound Sect’s foundation be diminished by a huge margin for nothing?

Such a grievous loss would be a devastating blow to the entire Cyan Profound Sect!

One must understand that the Cyan Profound Sect’s mountain gate on Jade Dew Island, its fourth-rank Spiritual Treasure, and its fourth-rank grand formation were what allowed it to stand against Golden Core Masters when combined!

If the fourth-rank Spiritual Treasure were destroyed, and a Golden Core Master were to cross the sea and menace Jade Dew Island... the consequences would be unthinkable!

...

Xiao Sheng continued.

"Currently, both sides are still fighting for the right to use the Spiritual Treasure."

"The restriction set by the previous Qingxuan was to open up the permissions to the Spiritual Treasure’s outer layer, creating a mental space."

"Any cultivator from our sect at the Foundation Establishment stage or above can project their Divine Sense into this mental space."

"And only the one who dominates the mental space, representing the ’majority,’ can use the Spiritual Treasure..."

"This is why many of the Crystallization Realm Masters, and even the Foundation Establishment cultivators, find it difficult to leave the mountain."

Xiao Sheng took a sip of Spirit Tea and explained to Su Ye.

In order to become the dominant force in the mental space and gain the right to use the Spiritual Treasure, the various Crystallization Realm Masters were naturally using every trick in the book!

"First, they themselves are in year-round seclusion, immersing their minds in the mental space to fight for control."

"Then came their personal disciples... and finally, even Foundation Establishment cultivators like us have been forced to pick a side, project our Divine Sense, and fight for our chosen faction..."

"And it doesn’t stop there. In the real world, cultivators from both factions also fight amongst themselves. Even the Crystallization Realm Masters frequently duel."

"The entirety of Jade Dew Island is in chaos; you can’t find a single quiet Seclusion Chamber."

"The reason I left was because I didn’t want to get involved in this pointless struggle and waste my time for nothing..."

Xiao Sheng sighed, his tone filled with resentment.

Qingxuan’s original intention had been good.

He had used this method to prevent the Spiritual Treasure from being misused, but for things to have developed to this point was truly exasperating.

"Indeed. If it were me, I wouldn’t be willing either."

Su Ye nodded in deep agreement.

The battles in the mental space were extremely draining on a cultivator’s mind and spirit.

According to Xiao Sheng’s description, it even cut into the time one had for cultivation and meditation...

It was perfectly reasonable that he was unwilling.

...

After Xiao Sheng’s explanation, Su Ye understood the intricacies of the Cyan Profound Sect’s internal conflict as clearly as the lines on his own palm.

This information was quite significant for him.

As a result, he couldn’t help but feel a bit more friendly toward Xiao Sheng.

"Mr. Xiao, what are your plans now?" Su Ye asked with a smile.

"Well..." Xiao Sheng’s eyes flickered, and he gave a wry smile.

"I wonder, Mr. Su, if you could let me stay here for a while?"

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist. Before I left the sect, I made the necessary arrangements. The sect won’t come after me!"

Xiao Sheng pleaded earnestly.

Originally, as a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Cyan Profound Sect, he could have gone anywhere in the vast sea region.

But now, with the influence of the Beast Tide, the rise of immortal cities, and the impending chaos, his identity had become rather troublesome...

It wasn’t easy to find a safe place to settle down.

And Donglong Island was actually a good option.

Its second-rank Spirit Vein was sufficient to support his cultivation.

At the same time, it was far enough from Jade Dew Island.

Moreover, there was Su Ye, who had reached Foundation Establishment on his own and possessed formidable combat strength; Luo Xiyin, a quasi-third-rank Talisman Master; and himself, an elite disciple from a Golden Core sect...

Three Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators who were clearly stronger than their peers!

With such strength, even if the sea region fell into great chaos, they would be able to carve out a carefree paradise...

"Well..." Su Ye mused.

Taking in Xiao Sheng wouldn’t be a problem.

The man wasn’t some wanted criminal, his conduct was amicable, and he didn’t seem to have any enemies.

Furthermore, he hadn’t accepted his Spirit Stones and had offered the information for free, which was a favor in itself...

Since the Cyan Profound Sect wasn’t going to pursue the matter, Su Ye decided to agree.

"However, Luoyue Mountain is the Luo Clan’s ancestral land, so there are some restrictions."

"Would you be willing to reside in the marketplace for a while, Fellow Daoist?"

The Donglong Island Marketplace originally had a first-rank, high-grade Spirit Vein.

Over the past few years, Su Ye had spent a fortune to increase its Spiritual Energy Concentration to the level of a second-rank, high-grade one.

The spiritual energy environment was sufficient to support a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator!

"Thank you for taking me in, Fellow Daoist!"

Overjoyed, Xiao Sheng stood up and bowed.

...

Time flows differently for a cultivator.

In the blink of an eye, the seasons turned, and a year flew by.

Then one day, after Su Ye finished his cultivation, he received an important piece of news! 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Sikong Xin’s hunt for the White Whale Moby Dick has failed. The latter destroyed a second-rank spirit ship and killed several Foundation Establishment cultivators..."

"It has successfully broken through the encirclement..."

"And... it’s returning to the Dongning Sea Region?!"

Su Ye’s expression grew grim.

...

...