Beside him, the large and tall Su Baolian patted Zhi Xuan's shoulder as if comforting the man he considered his brother. Su Baolian knew, Zhi Xuan had just experienced pressure that disturbed his spiritual aura several times.

  "Brother Zhi," Su Baolian whispered slightly. "I know, already on the first day you are plagued with trouble. But calm down, this Su will help you!"

  The Transformation Elder glanced back briefly, giving an unreadable look to Su Baolian before continuing his steps. That silent warning was enough to make Su Baolian clench his jaw, halting his good intention to immediately help Zhi Xuan in facing problems involving an Ancient Clan.

  Zhi Xuan allowed Su Baolian's large hand to pat his shoulder once more, the awkward and sincere touch felt like the only warmth he had amidst the cold aura of the geniuses' Law and the pure jade essence in the Thousand Heavens Sect. He sheathed every emotion he had just shown and stored it behind the cold layer of his arrogance.

  "Thank you, Brother Su," Zhi Xuan replied, his voice returning to flat and low. He did not turn around, but his sapphire gaze sharpened forward, towards the mountain peak shrouded in mist. "Save your good intentions for your own forging. I do not need help for personal karmic matters."

  He knew Su Baolian was sincere, but this matter involved Zhu Qinglan, the Law of Karma, and the Heavenly Trifold Reincarnation Cauldron. Involving Su Baolian meant dragging him into foul mud that could ruin his pure foundation.

  Fei Sheng, walking on Zhi Xuan's other side, sighed, worry clearly visible in his eyes. "Brother Zhi Xuan, I will not ask again about your past affairs. But Holy Fairy Zhu... your presence here under the Hongmeng Empire means you must be careful. The request to attend the Annual Disciple Celebration is clearly not an innocent invitation."

  Zhi Xuan clenched his jaw. He could feel the stares of Han Jue and Wang Mao from the front occasionally turning back, observing his every movement. In this place, weakness meant plunder. Zhi Xuan knew, he had to quickly carve his own path, without depending on anyone.

  They traversed several miles across crystal bridges and jade-carved corridors radiating Great Formations. Every step brought them closer to the heart of the Thousand Heavens Sect. The pure spiritual aura felt increasingly dense, flowing through the air like an invisible river, penetrating every pore and refreshing the Sea of Consciousness.

  Finally, the Elder stopped. Before them, on a mountain peak shrouded in cloud silk, lay a vast jade plaza. In the center of the plaza, stood a pool structure emitting a gentle and soothing jade light.

  The pool was not large, but the spiritual essence inside felt so thick that it looked like silver liquid radiating mist. Three slender crystal towers stood erect around the pool, radiating stable Law and slowly rotating the spiritual essence within the pool.

  The Three Heavens Jade Refinement Pond.

  The name echoed in Zhi Xuan's mind. He could feel the pure and calming aura emanating from the pool, an essence distilled and vitalized by a Great Formation that drew the Earth Dragon Veins. This pool could purify the foundation, strengthen the Divine Wheel, and for Organ Transformation cultivators, accelerate the forging of Divine Organs.

  "This is the Three Heavens Jade Refinement Pond," the Elder said, his voice now filled with pride. "This Pond is the foundation of the Thousand Heavens Sect. New disciples who have passed the selection are allowed to enter to purify themselves before assignment."

  He turned, his calm eyes sweeping over the ten geniuses. "The rules of the pool are simple; you are permitted to enter. The spiritual energy you can absorb depends on your foundation. Do not try to fight the Law of the pool. If you exit, your chance is over."

  "Cultivation time in this Pond is unlimited, until the spiritual essence you absorb reaches the maximum limit your Foundation can contain," the Elder continued, his voice containing an undeniable weight. "This is a gift of the Sect, and this is your first test. Only those with a true foundation can absorb the purification essence. Those with a fragile foundation will experience resistance from the pure jade essence."

  Han Jue stepped forward with the elegance of a dragon walking on clouds, his eyes radiating the pure light of the Golden Dragon Law. He showed no greed, but absolute confidence in his perfect foundation. He glanced briefly at Zhi Xuan, a thin, cold, and piercing smile etched on his face.

  "Brother Zhi Xuan," Han Jue said, his voice sounding soft yet carrying an undeniable Will, calling everyone's attention. "As I said, this is your opportunity. This Refinement Pond is a true mirror. It will show whether your Organ Transformation Divine Wheel, forged amidst the foul storms of the Southern Continent, can withstand and absorb the pure jade essence without the support of the Ancient Beast."

  His intention was clear: he wanted to test Zhi Xuan to the maximum limit, ensuring that the miracle Zhi Xuan had shown was merely a momentary trick.

  Wang Mao snorted coldly, his volcano aura turbulent. "This Pond does not accept foul aura, Black-Haired Devil. If your foundation is made of mud, the pure jade essence will tear it apart."

  Just as those words were spoken, Zhi Xuan stepped forward, passing Fei Sheng and Su Baolian. He ignored Wang Mao's mockery and Han Jue's challenge. To Zhi Xuan, their words were merely a gentle breeze trying to disturb his composure. He stopped right at the edge of the pool, allowing the pure aura of the jade essence to envelop his skin. The Three Heavens Jade Refinement Pond looked like a holy chalice containing the light of the Heaven. The mist it radiated felt warm, soothing, and alluring.

  Zhi Xuan glanced at Fei Sheng and Feng Yi, who looked at him with faint concern. He clasped his hands, giving a brief nod as a sign of gratitude for their silent support. Then he reached beneath the folds of his robe, revealing the heavenly moth in his palm.

  "Xiao Die," Zhi Xuan said, stroking Xiao Die, the Thousand Feathered Moth's head with a gentle touch. Soft rainbow dust radiated from Xiao Die's wings, soothing the Heavenly Insect's restlessness from the surrounding extraordinary spiritual pressure. The Moth knew, its master was about to enter a very dangerous cultivation arena, and it could not accompany him.

  "Wait for me here," Zhi Xuan repeated, his voice containing a calm and unwavering promise. He placed Xiao Die behind the folds of his robe hanging on a jade stone rack near the pool—a gesture that he would return soon. Then, he turned back, his gaze cold and calm, meeting the observant stares of Wang Mao and Han Jue.

  "The Three Heavens Jade Refinement Pond," Zhi Xuan said, his voice resonating low, not addressed to anyone specifically, but as a declaration of his Dao. "Will be witness to whether the foul mud of the Southern Continent can birth True Jade."

  Without waiting for a reply from anyone, Zhi Xuan removed his robe. The jet-black blade of the Sea Shattering Thunder Sword, hidden beneath the folds of his robe, flashed faintly before being covered again by the cloth. With his bare chest covered in scars and a faintly pulsing wood aura, he stepped forward.

  First step. Zhi Xuan put one foot into the jade pool. The silver liquid of the spiritual essence felt cold at first, but soon, an extraordinarily refreshing sensation enveloped his skin, seeping into every pore and crawling towards the Sea of Consciousness. The essence was so thick, so pure, that it felt like a pill melting and flooding his body.

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  Pure Jade Essence!

  It was an aura that had been distilled by the Great Formation for thousands of years, far surpassing any spiritual essence he had ever absorbed in the Southern Continent. The aura calmed his Wood Heart, suppressing the remnants of restlessness from the Weaver Transformation clash and the Zhu Qinglan confrontation. However, in the depth of that essence, there was a subtle resistance.

  THUD!

  Zhi Xuan's Heavenly Samsara Wheel, which consisted of black jade essence and spiritual blood built upon Devil blood, immediately spun wildly, emitting a creaking sound that only he could hear. The pure jade essence, which should have embraced him with warmth, seemed to push him away with subtle rejection. The resistance was like a mirror; the pure essence rejected the foulness that was Zhi Xuan's foundation.

  "Just as I thought," Wang Mao muttered at the edge of the pool, his eyes radiating cold delight. "A foundation tempered from mud and devil blood cannot accept the blessing of the Heaven. Look, his essence cannot absorb the aura of the pool!"

  Indeed, around Zhi Xuan, the aura of spiritual essence rippled, as if forming an impenetrable bubble around Zhi Xuan. Compared to the four other disciples who had already stepped in first, whose bodies were immediately enveloped by circular jade mist, radiating a pure aura that enhanced breakthrough.

  "Calm down, boy," Ruo Xianxue said from the depths of the sea of consciousness. "Step forward, this pool will not reject you when this Ancient Devil Monument also absorbs the pure energy. I will provide a formation illusion in your Sea of Consciousness."

  Zhi Xuan sighed, he spun the Heavenly Samsara Wheel and radiated the will of the Four Seasons Law. Sweeping his entire sea of consciousness, giving it the influence and resonance of a clean cultivator who adhered to the Path of Truth. Zhi Xuan slowly stepped back.

  Second step. Zhi Xuan ignored Wang Mao's cold sneer and the doubt of the geniuses at the edge of the pool. He knew that his foundation, strengthened by Black Jade Essence and tainted by the Devil Seed, was an anomaly rejected by the sacred aura of this place.

  He did not allow doubt to ruin his resolve. In the Sea of Consciousness, he activated his will. The Heavenly Samsara Wheel spun. Bolts of the Four Seasons Law—freezing Winter, life-giving Spring, burning Summer, and harvesting Autumn—resonated.

  The resonance formed an Illusion Formation channeled by Ruo Xianxue. The Illusion Formation did not radiate an aura, but it provided a deceptive resonance. A Formation that obscured the essence and only showed that his spiritual blood was clean of blood aura.

  At the same time, the shattered Ancient Devil Monument in the depths of his sea of consciousness moved. The Monument, bound by dragon chains, radiated a hidden ancient darkness aura, but its intent, for a moment, became clear which was to absorb to strengthen Ruo Xianxue himself.

  Zhi Xuan calmed himself, his internal control had increased. Zhi Xuan did not force himself to merge directly with the Refinement Pond. He knew, confronting the pure aura that rejected his foul foundation was foolishness. Instead, he sought a point of resonance—a small gap where his anomalous nature could interact without triggering violent rejection.

  He allowed the pure jade essence from the pool to assault his skin, feeling the subtle resistance. At the same time, he spun the Four Seasons Law that Ruo Xianxue had illusioned, allowing Spring and Winter to clash internally. Spring represented newly forged birth and growth, while Winter represented the calmness of his essence.

  The subtle clash within his body created an energy ripple that mimicked the purification process happening in the pool. The pure jade essence, confused by the deliberate internal resonance, responded.

  Third step. Zhi Xuan stepped deeper, until the pool water reached his waist. This time, the bubble of resistance around him subtly subsided. The spiritual essence no longer pushed him out; instead, the essence began to flow gently along the surface of his skin, seeking entry.

  WHOOSH!

  As the pure jade essence began to flow gently, Zhi Xuan felt every pore of his skin open wide. Instead of absorbing it directly, he used the Black Jade Essence as a filter. The Black Jade Essence spun wildly beneath the surface of his skin, drawing and sucking the pure energy from the pool, fouling and blackening it in the process of a thousandth of a breath.

  The Ancient Devil Monument in his Sea of Consciousness roared silently. Ruo Xianxue felt cold delight. Pure Jade Essence was extremely rare food for the Devil Seed. In this way, the sacred aura of the pool not only failed to cleanse Zhi Xuan, but actually became fertilizer for the foulness of his Dao. At the edge of the pool, Wang Mao, who had been sneering in victory, suddenly widened his eyes.

  "Impossible!" Wang Mao hissed, his voice filled with disbelief. He saw Zhi Xuan, whose body was now surrounded by a circular jade mist layer, just like the other disciples who had entered first. The spiritual essence emanating from the Refinement Pond now flowed rapidly towards Zhi Xuan, as if he were an insatiable vortex.

  Wang Mao could not see what was happening beneath the surface, but he could see that Zhi Xuan, who should have been rejected by the pure aura, was now absorbing it at a speed far surpassing Fei Sheng or even Han Jue.

  Zhi Xuan closed his eyes, his expression calm, as if he was meditating on a peaceful mountain peak. He ignored the shocked and judging stares at the edge of the pool. He focused on the Organ he had just forged; the Wood Heart.

  The Wood Heart, which pulsed with the energy of Spring and Autumn, spun rapidly. The jade essence that had been blackened and fouled by the Black Jade Essence flowed rapidly to it, strengthening his Wood foundation. The essence was not pure, but it had the density and weight of Law that Zhi Xuan needed to quickly forge the Earth Spleen.

  "Earth Spleen," Zhi Xuan murmured in his mind, moving his will to the next organ.

  Forging the Spleen was a challenge for Organ Transformation cultivators, as the Spleen was the center of balance and reception. It demanded stability and a strong spiritual foundation. Zhi Xuan channeled the fouled black jade essence directly to his Spleen, an action that should have destroyed the organ and severed his Path of Cultivation.

  On the other side, Feng Yi who was rank six and Jiang Yue who was rank four, both girls entered the Three Heavens Jade Refinement Pond on the other side, their auras immediately enveloped by circular jade mist, providing pure essence they had never obtained.

  "This, even the Fire Wind Sect does not have a jade refinement pool like this," Feng Yi muttered, she relaxed and submerged herself up to the neck limit.

  "You are right, this is the true Heaven," Jiang Yue replied, her face showing the same calmness and arrogance.

  Fourth step. Zhi Xuan, now submerged up to his waist limit, allowed the fouled pure jade essence to flood his Spleen.

  This was a huge gamble. The Spleen, governed by the Earth element, required stability, foundation, and spiritual honesty.

  Meanwhile, the essence Zhi Xuan channeled was disguised poison, Pure Jade blackened by Black Jade Essence, full of foulness and the will of the Ancient Devil. Any mortal organ would be instantly destroyed and turned into pulp. However, Zhi Xuan no longer had a mortal Spleen. His Spleen, although not yet forged into a Divine Organ, had received remnants of energy from the Four Seasons Law.

  WHUMPH!

  The wall of his Spleen pulsed. The fouling Black Jade Essence began to carve ancient Runes onto its surface. The Runes were not sacred Runes, but Rotting Earth Seals that attracted and held the weight of the ruthlessness of his Dao. His Spleen struggled, emitting an extraordinary pain as if the entire organ was being squeezed, but the Heavenly Samsara Wheel continued to spin, forcing it to accept the reversed blessing.

  In the Sea of Consciousness, the Ancient Devil Monument emitted a stable vibration, like an anchor holding a storm. Zhi Xuan knew, he was not just forging the Spleen and cultivating. Rather, he was allowing the Ancient Devil Monument to absorb the pure energy.

  "I have given you Pure Energy in this pool," Zhi Xuan said demandingly, externally he was meditating calmly in the middle of the pool, but here he was standing on his sea of consciousness. "Now, it is time for a sliver of the understanding of the Law of the Nine Heavens Darkness."

  Ruo Xianxue did not answer immediately. The shattered Ancient Devil Monument trembled briefly, the remaining eight dragon chains around it clanging with a sound that could only be heard by the soul. Beneath the continuous stream of black jade essence flowing in, fragments of stone from the monument emitted a faint dark purple light.

  And before Zhi Xuan, a misty figure, which looked like an illusion, manifested again, his face blurred and covered in mist but Zhi Xuan could feel that it was Ruo Xianxue, who was now able to manifest after the Ninth Chain broke some time ago.

  That figure of dark purple mist, which was the remnants of Ruo Xianxue's soul manifested through the monument's energy, floated gracefully above Zhi Xuan's Sea of Consciousness. Although his face was blurred, his every movement radiated an aura of cruel sacredness, a terrifying contradiction of the Ancient Devil who once challenged the heavens.

  "You are too bold, Monkey," Ruo Xianxue hissed, his voice no longer merely a sneer, but a cold melody carrying the weight of ancient will. "Did I not tell you, even though I am now merely a remnant of a soul, it is the Supreme Law understood by a Saint. A Saint capable of collapsing these Nine Lower Plains with just my finger."