Five Elements Star Stone

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Qi Yuan surveyed the cave's layout and released his spiritual sense to detect anything unusual.

Most cultivators wouldn't carry all their treasures with them when traveling. Instead, they created secret compartments or hidden chambers to store important items, ensuring they weren't easily taken if something went wrong.

Interesting. Others have three burrows, but you have thirty.

The entire cave contained thirty secret compartments and layers of restrictions. Any cultivator unfamiliar with formations would be completely lost when faced with such complexity.

But for Qi Yuan, this was a trivial matter. The colorful silk thread in his palm appeared once more and pierced into the restriction. In less than half a breath, he broke through a hidden compartment. Inside the small space, no larger than a few inches, sat a jade box sealed with a talisman.

A magic medicine?

Qi Yuan tore off the talisman and opened the box, revealing a lush, thousand-year-old elixir. Since he had already intruded, he decided to accept it without hesitation.

Relying on his expertise with formations, he quickly dismantled more restrictions. Although he had yet to find the Five Elements Star Stone, he unearthed plenty of valuable treasures—magic weapons like the Shark Double Sword, high-level righteous cultivation techniques, rare minerals, and even two level-five demon cores.

Outside, the deafening sounds of battle echoed through the air.

Qi Yuan remained indifferent as he cracked open another compartment. Inside was a black wooden base holding a multicolored stone that flickered with radiant light.

The Five-Colored Heavenly Heart Stone.

After carefully confirming its authenticity, he stored it away with satisfaction. Glancing at the three remaining secret compartments, he decided to leave them untouched.

One should always allow others a sliver of hope to avoid complete despair.

Without a sound, Qi Yuan stepped out of the cave, unnoticed by the island's inhabitants. Aside from the man in pink, who had reached the Jindan stage, the rest were only at the foundation-building and Qi-training stages.

Using his spiritual sense, he observed the battle outside. The green-eyed clam, brimming with energy, was overwhelming the man in pink. He had no means to counterattack and could only focus on defending himself desperately.

For the sake of a safe escape, Qi Yuan chose not to take the colorful grass. He left it in place, ensuring the green-eyed clam would continue its assault on the man in pink.

Easily breaking a hole in the island's defensive formation, Qi Yuan slipped away unnoticed.

After an unknown period, the colorful grass folded its leaves, ceasing its attraction to the monster. The green-eyed clam, now uninterested, vanished into the deep sea, ending the battle.

Disheveled, with torn clothes and a pale face, the man in pink watched the sixth-level monster disappear. Though furious, he also felt a sense of relief. Facing a monster equivalent to the mid-Jindan stage was extremely dangerous for someone in the early Jindan stage. He had only survived this long due to an ancient defensive treasure acquired with great difficulty. Any other cultivator at his level would have been devoured long ago.

After swallowing a few healing pills, he flew back to the island.

A handsome man in white approached with lingering fear in his eyes. Brother, why would a level-six monster suddenly attack the island's formation?

I have no clue for now. I will investigate after recovering, the man in pink replied, his expression dark with doubt. Yet, when he looked at the man in white, there was a flicker of tenderness in his gaze.

The man in white affectionately supported him. Brother, your injuries are serious. Let me help you return to the cave.

The man in pink gave a soft hum of acknowledgment, and they flew toward the central cave together.

Upon arrival, his expression changed abruptly. The restrictions had been broken, and the cave entrance was wide open. Pushing the man in white aside, he rushed inside.

Gone.

Nearly all his treasures had vanished. The sixth-level monster was merely a distraction. Someone had orchestrated the attack, lured him away, and exploited the opportunity to break into his formation and steal his years of accumulated wealth.

Who is so shameless? Damn it, damn it!

His furious roar shattered the clouds, startling birds and beasts alike, sending tremors across the island.

His gaze turned sharp as he spun around to face the man in white. His junior brother had only just returned when this catastrophe struck. Was he colluding with an outsider?

Brother, it's not me. I didn't betray you, the man in white stammered, fear creeping into his eyes as he took two steps back, waving his hands frantically.

The man in pink raised his hand, his magic surging as he pulled the man in white closer. His fingers curled into a claw, reaching for the man's crown, his power flickering ominously.

Brother, please, I am innocent. You have to believe me!

The man in pink hesitated, then pressed down his palm, gritting his teeth. I'm very angry right now...

Meanwhile, Qi Yuan soared through the sky. He patted his storage bag, retrieved a map of the alien sea, and pinpointed the location of Silver Shark Island. Without hesitation, his figure transformed into a streak of light as he fled the area.

Biling Island had no fixed location, only a general range near Silver Shark Island. The distance was uncertain. But before setting off, Qi Yuan needed to find a secluded island to refine his natal magic weapon and increase his strength.

Flying for twenty days, he slew over a dozen level-five monsters and several level-six beasts. Many had launched sudden ambushes from seemingly ordinary places, proving the terrifying efficiency of their camouflage.

Fortunately, Qi Yuan's spiritual sense was keen. He detected subtle irregularities, set traps in advance, and allowed the monsters to fall into them. The ensuing battles were effortless.

Arriving at a deserted island, he descended. He had cleared out most nearby threats, ensuring relative peace for the time being.

With swift precision, he arranged an inverted Five Elements Formation and a Fire-Yang Thunder Formation, reinforcing them with dozens of restrictions. He then released two peak level-four flying centipedes to patrol the area.

Unless a Nascent Soul cultivator or a late Jindan stage expert arrived, intruders would find no advantage here.

With his defenses in place, Qi Yuan laid out his refining materials—the Five Elements Earth Fire, Five Elements Magic Jade, Five Elements True Spirit Tree, and the Five Elements Star Stone. The last of these was the rarest, so he reserved a portion in case of failure, intending to later cultivate it in Sky Star City.

Additional refining materials included Geng Gold, Earth Spirit Water, Mica Essence Stone, Finger-Wrapped Steel, and other rare elements.

With such precious materials, how powerful will the Five Elements Futian Tower be once refined?

Anticipation swelled within him. However, he didn't begin immediately. Instead, he adjusted his breathing, resting for three days to reach peak condition. He then warmed up by crafting top-tier and ordinary magic weapons, sharpening his technique before attempting the grand refinement of his natal magic treasure.

Time passed unnoticed. Scattered around him were various weapons—swords, spears, halberds—all radiating dazzling auras. Each was a masterpiece, crafted with the precision of a grandmaster.

To the knowledgeable, their extraordinary quality was unmistakable. If sold, they would command a price far above standard market value.

If my identity is exposed, people will seek me out daily, pestering me to forge magic weapons. I'll need to establish a proper network to handle this...

(End Of Chapter)