"The space node has been on the move, and perhaps the only way to make it stop is to attack it."

Little Gold had also never encountered a moving space node before, and this time, it didn’t know what to do either.

Generally speaking, space nodes are stationary, because once a node starts moving, the surrounding space would also fluctuate. When one area’s space fluctuates, it causes a chain reaction, making the spaces in other areas tremble too.

This world is upheld by countless space nodes. If one moves, the others move as well.

But this space node was a bit different; even though the node was moving, there were no spatial fluctuations. Moreover, the entire space of Mount Heavenly Dragon was both stable and fluctuating.

To sum up, it felt like chaos organized neatly.

Little Gold shared its analysis with Lin Yun, leaving him stunned on the spot.

What does "fluctuating yet stable" mean?

Does it mean it’s moving, yet not moving at all?

If that’s the case, I get it, but I also don’t get it.

"Since you said attacking it might make it stop, then take action!"

Lin Yun was already prepared to bestow Little Gold with power, but Little Gold hesitated.

"The space here is very special, forming a whole with the outside world yet relatively independent. And this unique space node, perhaps its movement is maintaining the stability of the whole space. If we disrupt its motion, there might be serious trouble."

"How serious?"

Lin Yun wasn’t reckless. He had come to save Bai Jiaojiao, not to cause chaos, so he naturally couldn’t act rashly.

"It might destroy the world."

Lin Yun: "..."

Wow, just like that, it could destroy the world?

Lin Yun had thought of causing some disaster or screwing up somehow.

In novels and TV shows, Lin Yun often saw such plots.

He was different, though; he was willing to listen to others and consider the consequences before taking action.

But he hadn’t expected Little Gold to start with world destruction.

This world was really fragile.

"Isn’t that a bit exaggerated? If someone of my strength could find this space node and possibly destroy the world, then why isn’t there a Guardian here? Is the world really willing to be destroyed like this?"

Indeed, Little Gold found it hard to refute this.

"How about we try it?"

Lin Yun: "..."

Could they really ’just try it’? Aren’t they afraid of dying along with everyone else upon trying?

However, Lin Yun nodded, but he didn’t use the Thunderclap Sword. Instead, he conjured a fireball.

Of course, Lin Yun wouldn’t risk destroying the world by attacking that peculiar space node; he was just putting on a show, as he had previously mentioned. If the place was truly that important, why wasn’t there a Guardian?

Perhaps the Guardian was hidden in the darkness, possibly thinking they posed no threat, or believing they wouldn’t dare to make a move, and that’s why they had not shown themselves.

Lin Yun didn’t want to destroy the world. He just wanted to know where Bai Jiaojiao had gone and whether she was still alive.

If she was still alive, Lin Yun would do everything in his power to save her. If she had died...

Lin Yun would bring her body back and remember her forever.

It’s not said that as long as someone in the Mortal Realm remembers, the dead lingering in the Netherworld can continue to exist, but he would definitely remember Bai Jiaojiao.

Yet this provocation of a possibly existing Guardian might anger them, and who knows, he might end up dying before Bai Jiaojiao.

Lin Yun had already provoked a Guardian back on Dragon Head Peak, resulting in an avalanche. Had it not been for Qiaobian’s protection, he would have had a narrow escape from death.

Here he was, ready to set the mountain ablaze again. Twice in one day, flirting with death, that was quite the feat.

But Lin Yun couldn’t think of any other way out if he didn’t flirt with death.

He shaped a super-large fireball, then continued to compress it. Seeing no change occurring, Lin Yun finally moved the golden flames closer to the space node.

"Bold mortal!"

Accompanied by a thunderous shout, a great amount of mist appeared out of nowhere, enveloping the area. A wisp of white qi gathered, coalescing into the shape of a dragon.

"Such profound spatial Divine Skills!"

Little Gold was more sensitive to spatial fluctuations and sensed the spatial change first. As the mist appeared, they had already been transported to another space, and the fluctuating space node was no longer there.

Looking at the familiar mist-like white dragon in front of him, Lin Yun couldn’t help feeling a bit apprehensive.

The little white dragon from before could explode at any moment, even causing Dragon Head Peak to collapse. Now, with another of the same kind present, I have no idea if it has the same temperament.

Without absolute certainty of victory, Lin Yun immediately began to explain himself as the figure appeared: "Senior, please don’t misunderstand, I am here to find someone."

Lin Yun was actually playing a trick, guessing that there must be a guardian here; hence, he deliberately cast the spell, pretending to attack the spatial node to lure the possible guardian into showing themselves.

Of course, if no guardian showed up until the very end, Lin Yun might also take a risk and try his luck.

If merely touching it could destroy the world, Lin Yun figured there might be a warning from Heavenly Dao or some other reaction—it probably wouldn’t be as exaggerated as Little Gold had described. Still, it would be best not to act recklessly unless there were no other options.

Now, the best possible outcome had occurred—a guardian had appeared, and Lin Yun could try to communicate with them, ask for directions, or probe for information. Anything would do.

He was quite pleased with himself for how well his clever plan was playing out, but the guardian was not falling for it.

"Death awaits those who trespass into Desolate Ruins!"

Lin Yun: "..."

The one on Dragon Head Peak could at least talk and possessed simple intelligence; this one seemed utterly beyond communication. Had he known earlier, why would he have bothered with tricks?

Without giving Lin Yun a chance to speak further, the foggy White Dragon immediately unleashed bolts of thunder, striking out at Lin Yun.

Fortunately, it was lightning that was unleashed, and with the Thunderclap Sword in hand, Lin Yun was able to draw the thunder into the blade, countering the attack and sending the thunder back. He had used the enemy’s own tactics against them. But in an instant, the White Dragon responded, opening its mouth to unleash a violent wind. The nature of this wind was mysterious, as it was capable of gathering the Power of Thunder and hurtling it towards Lin Yun.

The mighty wind sought to engulf Lin Yun as well. This powerful spell could be cast instantly, even integrating the previously used Thunder Law. Lin Yun, now without much time to think, instinctively gathered his Spiritual Power in both hands, forming a colossal Fire Lotus.

At this moment, he could only hope his unique fire might turn the tides.

Having mingled so long in the Cultivation World, Lin Yun couldn’t recall the last time he had matched spells with someone. When the wind and thunder met his fire, Lin Yun felt the flames being sucked away by the whirlwind. Initially wrapped with Thunder and tinged with gold, the whirlwind became even more golden after absorbing his fire.

Though Lin Yun wasn’t swept away by the storm and managed to stand against the mighty wind, the dispersing wind blades shredded his Taoist robe to tatters.

In this magical combat, he was clearly at a disadvantage.

It had been a long time since Lin Yun felt this way. In the past, when his Cultivation Level was inadequate and he was short on trump cards, seeing trouble meant running was the solution. Now, while his realm hadn’t risen, his related attributes certainly exceeded what was expected for his level—even reaching the standards of an Upper Realm Expert.

Despite such prowess, he had never been in such a difficult battle. Typically, when it came to combat, he had three choices:

If there was no assurance of victory, he would flee immediately.

If the opponent was weakened for various reasons, he would seize the moment to kick them while they were down.

The third option involved calling in teammates to join him in kicking the fallen enemy.

Over time, Lin Yun always maintained an advantage over his foes. Now, he was at a disadvantage.

Here, there was no one to assist him, no escape, and his understanding of the Dao was certainly inferior to the White Dragon’s. Yet, he wasn’t without fighting strength.

He hadn’t reached the direst of circumstances yet, and as he watched the raging winds before him and the White Dragon in the distance, he felt a surge of combative spirit flowing through his veins.

"I feel like I am about to ignite."

The Spirit Liquid Sea boiled, forcing the comfortably resting Xiao Qing to leave its midst.

After much of Lin Yun’s firepower had been absorbed and turned against him, he finally discovered the weakness of the cyclone.

The weakest point of a cyclone is its eye, and this spell was no exception to that natural law.

But breaking through the outer winds and shattering the eye of the storm was not that simple.

Lin Yun’s left hand grasped the Thunderclap Sword tightly, his focus entirely concentrated as he recalled Lin Yu’s Sword Intent.

Imitating her Sword Intent wasn’t difficult, and Lin Yun managed it in an instant.

However, this time he was somewhat dissatisfied.

An imitation could never surpass the original.

He needed something of his own.

If Lin Yu’s Sword Intent was unstoppable and overwhelmingly powerful, then what about his?

As Lin Yun reflected on this, the White Dragon was not idle.

The cyclone it had conjured already had Lin Yun on the defensive, but a true life-or-death struggle isn’t about just one move followed by spectating from the sidelines.

While Lin Yun was restrained, the White Dragon opened its mouth wider, devouring the surrounding Spiritual Energy.

The previous Thunder Law had been unleashed instantly, demanding Lin Yun’s full concentration to counter. But this time, the dragon began to gather strength.

The White Dragon was merely a manifestation of cloud essence, a little over two meters long, but as it opened its maw to swallow Spiritual Energy, a massive sphere quickly condensed within.

Lin Yun could see clearly that streams of differently attributed Spiritual Energy flowed into the dragon’s maw, merging into a mass that wasn’t just a simple mix of energies. Instead, the Five Spirits were united, with the Five Elements generating and overcoming each other within.

As the sphere spun faster and the dazzling array of colors turned monotone, leaving only black and white, the enigmatic pattern seemed to speed up or slow down. But in reality, the rotation was constant.

With Black and White Qi fully shaped, the White Dragon showed no mercy and expelled it towards Lin Yun with a decisive breath...