Inside the Dream Realm, the group stood in a daze, only regaining their senses after a long while.
Ji Rufeng remarked, "So that’s how it is. I actually thought Sister Li had refined Xiao Lin into a spirit beast. Thank goodness, thank goodness!"
Li Xue rolled her eyes at him. "Xiao Lin is my own son. Only you could come up with something like that!"
Ji Rufeng thought to himself, *You were ready to let Bing Yan exhaust his very essence; is there anything you wouldn't do?* Meanwhile, Bai Xingyu had already been drawn away by the ten-thousand-year-old spirit herbs in the spiritual fields. Dongfang Jing curled his lip, thinking, *I knew they were keeping secrets from me. Hmph, only telling me now—how truly unfair.*
Li Xiaoyin was delighted to see everyone. She pulled Dongfang Jing along to tour her small cave dwelling, even making him promise that if he ever opened a dwelling of his own, he would do so right next to hers. Dongfang Jing was naturally more than willing. Since Sister Li was too busy to pay him much mind, playing with Xiaoyin was just as good; they looked identical anyway, and seeing her face always made him happy.
The spirit beasts were even less reserved, immediately selecting spots to establish their own residences.
Chi Ze, of course, remained in the lake. Now that he was joined by Bing Yan, the vast lake provided plenty of room for the two of them to frolic. Hei Yan’s dwelling was set up right next to the Mingxin Residence. Yun Xi, however, flew up toward the towering, cloud-shrouded cliffs to carve out her home at the summit, happily moving all her cherished treasures inside. Zi Feng and Zi Huang naturally continued to stay within their master’s dwelling.
Next came the signing of Friendship Pacts with Ji Rufeng, Bai Xingyu, and Dongfang Jing. Without these, they would still be unable to enter or leave the Dream Realm at will. As the Dream Realm now had three masters, the process required the simultaneous recognition of all three. Though tedious, it was a vital step.
Once the group returned to the Yunhe clan’s lands, Yun Xi took them on a tour of their celestial-like realm. Everyone was deeply moved, secretly vowing to develop the Dream Realm into a similar paradise.
"Mistress, I heard from Ah Ze that you are looking for Heavenly Dust Crystals. I wonder if this Heavenly Dust Divine Jade would be of use?" Yun Xi asked, holding out a piece of translucent, exquisite jade.
"For that, we should ask Xiao Lin and Hei Yan," Li Xue replied, as she was not an expert in artifact forging.
"Mistress, it will work! With the Heavenly Extinguishing Wood and the Heavenly Dust Divine Jade, your Five Elements Flying Shuttle will possess the characteristics of a Divine Artifact!" Hei Yan exclaimed excitedly from the side.
Li Xue was overjoyed to hear this. The problem of materials for her natal treasure was finally resolved.
"It would be even better if it could be paired with a cultivation manual," Hei Yan muttered.
"Indeed, the Black Wolf Guard has a point," Grandmother Yun said, appearing beside them out of nowhere.
Everyone hastily bowed to her. Ever since learning that Grandmother Yun was a Great Deity, no one dared to be casual in her presence.
"At ease. This old woman does not care for such formalities," Grandmother Yun said, taking the seat of honor in the main hall of Yun Xi’s residence. She then looked kindly at Li Xue. "Are you practicing the Divine Breath Clarity Manual? And have you obtained the Ice Soul Divine Needles?"
Li Xue answered respectfully, "Yes, Grandmother."
Grandmother Yun nodded. "I have here a Snow Dance Divine Manual. It is the perfect complement to the Divine Breath Clarity Manual." Grandmother Yun suddenly recalled that this Snow Dance Divine Manual was a technique left behind by the Snow Goddess, given to her by the Yunhe Clan Head when they first descended to the lower realms. Could there be some hidden destiny at play here?
Grandmother Yun looked at Li Xue with even greater warmth, making Li Xue feel as though she were bathed in a spring breeze, her entire body relaxed and comfortable.
"Thank you, Grandmother!" Li Xue thanked her with deep respect.
"Very well. If you wish to return to the Hongmeng Star Domain, this old woman can send you back now," Grandmother Yun concluded.
The group was elated. By their calculations, the Magic Arts Assembly on the Primordial Star was not far off, and they all wished to return to the Hongmeng Star Domain as soon as possible.
***
They emerged in a region of chaotic stars. The group felt a sudden wave of gloom, remembering how Grandmother Yun had smiled and said she was giving them a "small gift" as she sent them off. It turned out she had sent them straight into the Chaotic Star Region, one of the most dangerous zones.
*Is there some hidden meaning to this Chaotic Star Region?* Li Xue pondered. She then summoned her Thunder Cloud Skiff and said to the others, "This region is filled with meteorites; it’s too chaotic. We should use our own shuttles—the smaller, the better."
Agreeing with her, the others summoned their own flying vessels and began their perilous journey through the stars.
Steering the Thunder Cloud Skiff, Li Xue performed a series of hand seals, keeping a constant watch on the void. In this Chaotic Star Region, the skiff’s automatic alarms were useless because there were simply too many unidentified flying objects; you wouldn't know which one the alarm was even warning you about.
Two meteorites appeared ahead. Li Xue shifted her seals, veering to the right. She narrowly missed the one on the left, but was on a collision course with the one on the right. She swapped her seals just in time, dodging it by a hair’s breadth, only to be met by three more coming straight at her. *Heaven help me,* Li Xue cried out internally. *This is never-ending.*
After finally clearing a dense cluster of meteorites—having collided with five or six along the way—she was relieved that the Thunder Cloud Skiff’s defenses were strong enough that the smaller impacts caused no real damage. Having exhausted three-quarters of her spiritual power, Li Xue slowed the skiff, activated the automatic defense seals, and took a Spirit-Replenishing Pill to recover.
Two hours later, Li Xue opened her eyes and checked her internal state. She was overjoyed; not only had her spiritual power fully recovered, but it had also increased significantly. At that moment, she understood what Grandmother Yun meant by a "small gift." This was the perfect opportunity to temper one's cultivation.
Just then, Dongfang Jing’s excited voice came through the Void Mirror: "Wow, my spiritual power has grown quite a bit!" All six of them shared a Spiritual Link, allowing them to communicate through the Void Mirror. By now, everyone understood the logic behind this growth.
After finishing their meditation, the group resumed their journey at a steady pace, determined to make the most of this opportunity.
Though the meteorites in this region were numerous, their power was just within the limits of what a Core Formation cultivator could handle. Grandmother Yun’s "gift" was indeed a grand one. Over the next six months, everyone’s cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds. Li Xue reached the peak of the Mid-stage, while Li Lin, having recovered from his injuries, broke through to the Late-stage of Core Formation and spent the six months in the Chaotic Star Region consolidating his realm.
The trials of the Chaotic Star Region did more than just increase their cultivation; their spiritual sense and reaction speeds were also honed. Every time they dodged or attacked a swarm of meteorites, they had to be precise, agile, and swift.
Once they exited the Chaotic Star Region, the Magic Arts Assembly on the Primordial Star was drawing near. Only then did the group reluctantly leave the area to make haste.
This time, Li Lin steered the Nebula Skiff, leading everyone toward the Primordial Star without further delay. Although there were still several places they hadn't visited, Dongfang Jing had gained a Yunhe spirit beast, and Li Xue had obtained the Snow Dance Divine Manual and the tempering of the Chaotic Star Region. They had already gained immense benefits, and everyone was satisfied.
The Nebula Skiff was like a flying leaf, streaking through the starry sky at extreme speeds. As a Late-stage Core Formation cultivator, Li Lin could drive the vessel much faster.
Dongfang Jing was still with Li Xiaoyin, watching the points of light outside through the Void Mirror.
"Oh! Look, is that the Golden-Winged Flying Ship?" Dongfang Jing pointed at the Void Mirror, his eyes wide.
The others looked, and indeed, it was the Golden-Winged Flying Ship. Everyone’s expression instantly soured. That Divine Lord Fengchi was truly like a ghost that refused to be exorcised!
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 友契 | Friendship Pact | A contract allowing non-masters to access a personal realm. |
| 天尘神玉 | Heavenly Dust Divine Jade | A high-grade divine material for artifact forging. |
| 天熄木 | Heavenly Extinguishing Wood | A material mentioned for the Five Elements Flying Shuttle. |
| 五行飞梭 | Five Elements Flying Shuttle | Li Xue's natal magical treasure. |
| 雪舞神诀 | Snow Dance Divine Manual | A divine-level cultivation technique given by Grandmother Yun. |
| 雪神 | Snow Goddess | A deity from the higher realms. |
| 乱星区 | Chaotic Star Region | A dangerous area in space filled with meteorites. |
| 雷云舟 | Thunder Cloud Skiff | Li Xue's personal flying vessel. |
| 灵牵 | Spiritual Link | A connection allowing communication between the group. |
| 凤驰神君 | Divine Lord Fengchi | An antagonist chasing the protagonists. |
| 金翼飞船 | Golden-Winged Flying Ship | The signature vessel of Divine Lord Fengchi. |
