The Azure Cavern’s Secret

Inside the deepest part of the azure cave, the atmosphere was heavy with sorrow. The saint dragon and divine dragon lay in pools of their own blood, their majestic forms reduced to fragile shells of their former glory.

After being teleported by the dragons inside the deepest part of the cave just before the Saint Dragon used the Ancient Dragon's Fury, the couple stayed with the dragons.

Yuqing knelt beside the divine dragon, her hands trembling as she tried to comfort the dying beast. Tianyang, standing beside the saint dragon, clenched his fists, his mind racing with helplessness.

The saint dragon turned its massive head towards Tianyang and, with great effort, summoned several storage rings that materialized in midair, glowing faintly.

"These…belong to you now," the saint dragon's deep, resonant voice echoed telepathically in both their minds.

Tianyang hesitated, his brows furrowing in confusion. "What is this?"

The saint dragon explained, "After eradicating the shadows, I used my remaining strength to retrieve these rings from their skeletons. These are the possessions of those greedy humans."

Yuqing's eyes widened, and she glanced at the divine dragon. The divine dragon added weakly, "We trust you, kind humans. We have one last favor to ask of you. If you agree, we will leave you something far more precious than these rings."

The couple exchanged glances, their expressions softening with resolve. "We'll do it," Tianyang said firmly. Yuqing nodded in agreement, her voice steady despite the lump in her throat. "What do you need us to do?"

The dragons mustered their last remnants of soul power, directing it towards a massive azure jade embedded in the corner of the cave. The jade, as large as the saint dragon itself, began to shift, revealing a dazzling entrance.

The couple stood in awe as the brilliant azure light illuminated the previously hidden cavern. The walls shimmered with an ethereal glow, and the air was thick with spiritual energy.

"What…is this place?" Yuqing whispered.

The dragons, now barely alive, gave no answer. They had spent the last of their energy breaking the ancient formations and exposing the cavern. Moments later, they passed silently, their colossal forms lying motionless on the ground.

Tears glistened in Yuqing's eyes as she and Tianyang silently buried the dragons within the azure cavern, their actions filled with respect and gratitude.

As they ventured deeper into the cavern, their breath was taken away by the sight before them.

Rows of divine-level medicinal herbs sparkled like jewels, their potent auras filling the air. Legendary-grade artifacts and weapons were neatly arranged, their power radiating faintly. Piles of top-level spirit stones and other cultivation resources were scattered across the cavern floor.

At the center of the cavern lay a massive spring, its waters shimmering with divine-grade spiritual energy. Nearby, a nest constructed entirely of divine medicinal plants concealed something mysterious.

"What could be in there?" Tianyang murmured as they cautiously approached the nest.

The medicinal plants slowly shifted aside, revealing an enormous azure egg, half their height.

"It's…an egg," Yuqing said, her voice trembling with amazement.

But as they drew closer, their awe turned to concern. Fine cracks marred the shell's surface, and streams of azure energy leaked out.

"These aren't hatching cracks," Yuqing said worriedly.

Tianyang knelt, his hand hovering over the egg. "The energy feels unstable. The cracks must've been caused by the divine-tier technique the saint dragon used—Ancient Dragon's Fury. These cracks are fresh."

Panic set in as the cracks began to widen. The energy leaking from the egg grew stronger, destabilizing the already fragile shell.

"We need to do something, fast!" Yuqing exclaimed.

Tianyang took out the storage rings given to him by the saint dragon. "Maybe there's something in these rings that can help," he said urgently.

One by one, they searched through the rings, finding treasures beyond imagination but nothing that could save the egg.

The tension mounted as the egg's condition worsened. Suddenly, Yuqing gasped. "Check the sect master's ring!"

Tianyang quickly accessed the leader's storage ring, which contained an overwhelming array of items: rare cultivation resources, beast taming techniques, artifacts, and contracts. But none seemed relevant.

Just as despair began to creep in, Yuqing noticed a black, ancient book buried beneath the other items. She retrieved it, her hands trembling.

"Yin & Yang Dual Contract Arts?" Tianyang read aloud, his brows furrowing.

The ancient book's title intrigued and confused them. Flipping through its brittle pages, they discovered that it was a manual for forging powerful dual contracts between humans and beasts using the principles of yin and yang.

Yuqing's eyes lit up with realization. "This might be it! The dual contract could stabilize the egg's energy and repair the shell!"

Tianyang hesitated. "But this technique looks incredibly complex. If we make even a small mistake…"

Yuqing placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We've come this far. We can't give up now. Let's try."

Nodding, Tianyang began studying the intricate formations and incantations outlined in the manual. Yuqing joined him, their minds focused and synchronized.

The couple arranged the divine medicinal herbs, spirit stones, and artifacts around the egg, following the manual's precise instructions. They poured divine-grade spiritual water around the egg, creating a pool of immense energy.

With the preparations complete, they sat cross-legged on either side of the egg. Tianyang channeled his yang energy, while Yuqing channeled her yin energy.

The dual energies intertwined, forming a delicate balance that enveloped the egg. The cracks on the shell began to glow faintly, and the leaking energy started to stabilize.

"Keep going!" Yuqing urged, sweat dripping down her forehead.

Tianyang gritted his teeth, pushing his energy to the limit. The ancient formations in the cavern responded to their efforts, amplifying their power.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the cracks on the egg began to mend. The azure light emanating from the egg grew brighter, filling the cavern with warmth and vitality.

As the cracks gradually sealed and the energy within the egg stabilized, the couple let out a sigh of relief, believing the worst was over. Suddenly, a piercing creaking sound echoed from the shell, followed moments later by a loud thud as fragments of the shell burst into the air.

Important Information!

Indestructible Skeletons of Void Tribulation Realm and Above

In the cultivation world, a cultivator's skeleton undergoes profound transformation as they progress to the Void Tribulation Realm and beyond. These skeletons are often considered indestructible due to their unique composition, energy resonance, and spiritual refinement.

1. Properties of Indestructible Skeletons

• Enhanced Durability:

• Cultivators at the Void Tribulation Realm and above have skeletons that are harder than most legendary-grade artifacts. Even divine-tier techniques often fail to damage them.

• The bones are resistant to physical, elemental, and energy-based attacks, making them impervious to decay or destruction under normal circumstances.

• Spiritual Tempering:

• At this stage, the skeleton becomes a blend of physical matter and spiritual essence. It acts as a reservoir of power, enabling cultivators to channel immense energy without harm.

• This spiritual tempering also grants self-repair properties, allowing minor fractures to heal through energy absorption.

• Law Resonance:

• The skeletons resonate with the laws and Dao insights comprehended by the cultivator. Higher-realm cultivators may have bones inscribed with natural Dao patterns or runes that reflect their understanding of the universe.

2. Why They Are Indestructible

• Tribulation Refinement:

• Surviving heavenly tribulations at this stage tempers the body to a semi-immortal state. The tribulation lightning or fire not only tests the cultivator's strength but also forges their skeleton into a nearly indestructible form.

• Eternal Essence Integration:

• At the Ascendant Realm and higher, the skeleton absorbs eternal essence from the heavens and earth, making it immune to ordinary time and decay.

• Mystical Energy Binding:

• The soul and skeleton are deeply linked. Even if the cultivator dies, the skeleton retains its energy-based resilience unless attacked with specific soul-destroying techniques.

3. Skeleton Significance

• Artifact Crafting:

• Indestructible skeletons are highly prized for forging divine-tier weapons, armor, and formations.

• Fragments of such skeletons can amplify spiritual arrays or act as conduits for heavenly power.

• Inheritance Relics:

• The bones can hold imprints of the cultivator's knowledge, techniques, or memories, serving as a medium for their legacy.

4. Limitations to Indestructibility

• Despite their resilience, special divine-tier techniques or artifacts, such as those imbued with anti-Dao properties or soul-severing powers, can harm or even destroy these skeletons.

• Divine Flames or Corrosive Powers: High-level divine flames or corrosive substances specifically targeting spiritual energy can harm these skeletons.

• Soul Connection: If the cultivator's soul is entirely destroyed, the skeleton loses some of its defensive properties over time, though it remains incredibly durable.

---

5. Role in Higher Realms

• Void Tribulation Realm: Skeletons act as a foundation for enduring the intense energy of tribulation lightning, becoming semi-immortal.

• Ascendant Realm: At this stage, bones begin to store traces of laws or Dao comprehensions, making them invaluable for study.

• Immortal Ascension Realm: The skeleton may become semi-divine, possessing a brilliance or aura that reflects the cultivator's unique Dao path.

Types of Beast Contracts

In cultivation, beast contracts are a means by which cultivators form bonds with demon beasts for assistance, protection, or companionship. These contracts vary in type and complexity, each with distinct characteristics.

1. Master-Servant Contract

• Description:

• The most common and basic type, it binds the beast to the cultivator as a subordinate.

• Features:

• The beast must obey the master's commands unconditionally.

• The master's life force is unaffected by the beast, but the beast's survival depends on the master.

• Drawbacks:

• Beasts may resist or rebel if the bond weakens or the master's strength is insufficient.

2. Mutual Bond Contract

• Description:

• A contract formed on equal terms, where both parties benefit equally.

• Features:

• Both the beast and cultivator share a portion of each other's strength, allowing energy transfer during combat or healing.

• If one dies, the other may suffer a backlash but not necessarily die.

• Advantages:

• Ideal for those who value trust and cooperation over domination.

3. Bloodline Contract

• Description:

• A high-tier contract that involves the exchange of blood essence between the beast and the cultivator.

• Features:

• The bond strengthens as the bloodlines merge, often unlocking latent abilities in both parties.

• The beast gains some intelligence or combat instincts from the cultivator.

• Limitations:

• Only works with beasts of compatible bloodlines; incompatible bloodlines may lead to rejection or death.

4. Soul Contract

• Description:

• A powerful and dangerous contract that binds the souls of the cultivator and the beast.

• Features:

• Both parties gain access to each other's soul energy and memories.

• If one's soul is damaged, the other suffers immense pain or death.

• Uses:

• Often used for legendary-grade beasts or soul-type beasts.

5. Guardian Contract

• Description:

• A unique contract where the beast becomes a guardian or protector of the cultivator's bloodline or sect.

• Features:

• The beast is bound to protect the cultivator's descendants or the sect for generations.

• Typically formed with high-tier, loyal beasts like dragons or phoenixes.

• Drawbacks:

• The beast's freedom is significantly restricted.

6. Forced Contract

• Description:

• A one-sided contract where the beast is enslaved using techniques or artifacts.

• Features:

• Often used by sects like the Beast Taming Sect to dominate powerful beasts.

• Beasts under forced contracts rarely show loyalty and may betray the master at the first opportunity.

7. Lifebound Contract

• Description:

• A sacred and rare contract that binds the lifelines of both the beast and the cultivator.

• Features:

• Both parties grow stronger as the other does, often forming a deep emotional bond.

• The death of one results in the immediate death of the other.