Alas, too many flaws marred its perfection, and the essence of metal lay too faint within. Had it been otherwise, this firestone’s power might have rivaled even a top-tier Pseudo-Immortal treasure! Nay, had it been but a fraction larger, it could have stood shoulder to shoulder with a low-grade Immortal artifact!” Wang Lin lamented, his eyes filled with regret as he gazed upon the flawed gem.

Though born of nature’s hand, the firestone possessed impurities that would render it but a tenth of its current size, were it to be purified through refinement.

Gathering the flawed stone, Wang Lin retrieved the token. As his divine sense swept through it, the token flared with dazzling light, shifting thrice before returning to its ordinary state.

“So this is the identity token of the Illusion Clan’s kin.” He clutched the spiritual artifact, probing it meticulously with his senses, a grave expression settling upon his face.

At first glance, the token seemed unremarkable, merely a marker of identity. No matter how repeatedly Wang Lin scrutinized it, it remained thus.

Yet, a nagging unease lingered within him. After a moment of contemplation, he uttered a soft command, “Immortal Guard!”

Instantly, his shadow stretched forth, clinging to his skin and snaking along his arm, enveloping the token. Wang Lin closed his eyes, and through the Immortal Guard’s mastery of yin and yang, reality and illusion, he perceived the token’s hidden secret! A moment later, Wang Lin’s eyes snapped open, his face clouded with darkness.

“The token’s material is mundane, yet within it lurks the vestige of a divine art, one intertwined with the soul. Surely, the Illusion Clan is now aware of their kin’s demise.”

After a moment of somber thought, Wang Lin set aside the token and picked up the last item – the jade scroll. Upon it rested not a trace of divine sense, only the lingering resentment of the deceased.

“The three Ancestors of the Ran family must have harbored deep dread, for they dared not even probe with their divine sense! Otherwise, this resentment would have dissipated at the slightest touch.” Wang Lin’s eyes glinted as he merged his senses with the jade scroll, causing the residual resentment to vanish in an instant.

The moment his consciousness touched the jade, a formless wave emanated from the scroll, silently spreading outward, poised to escape Wang Lin’s chamber. But then, a flash of lightning erupted from Wang Lin’s eyes, severing and shattering the wave into oblivion.

Having erased the hidden message within the jade, Wang Lin carefully examined its contents. A long while passed before he withdrew his divine sense, his eyes gleaming with an odd light that grew brighter with each passing moment! “So it is the Thousand Illusions Heartless Way! The Illusion Clan of the Thousand Illusions Saint is as I suspected.” The jade scroll contained the Illusion Clan’s cultivation methods, though concealed by intricate restrictions, guarding key secrets from prying eyes.

The key to unlocking them was lineage.

But this alone was not enough to stir Wang Lin so deeply. What truly captivated him was a message recorded within the jade by the Illusion Clan member who had perished four years ago! “On the Cloud Haze Star lies a vein of golden flame firestone… retrieve a pair…”

Wang Lin’s eyes shone like beacons, fixated on the jade scroll as he murmured, “A vein of metallic firestone… a vein… No wonder he was pursued and wounded, fleeing to this Ran Cloud Star! Such treasures would tempt anyone to snatch them and conceal all traces.

This further confirms that the Ran family Ancestors did not read this jade scroll. Otherwise, why would they involve me in this venture?… Of course, there may yet be hidden treachery.”

Wang Lin pondered, concluding that the Ran family Elders were likely ignorant of the matter! Taking a deep breath, his eyes gleamed with determination, and he whispered, “My Heavenly Inverse Pearl lacks only the essence of metal. I refuse to believe that an entire vein of metallic firestone cannot bring it to completion! Once the Heavenly Inverse is perfected, as Situ Nan said, it can be bound. I wonder what powers it shall grant once it is mine…”

“If this metallic firestone vein were yet undiscovered, it would be well. But now that its existence is known, I vow to slay anyone who dares to claim it from me!” A chilling glint flickered in Wang Lin’s eyes, radiating killing intent.

Gathering all the treasures, Wang Lin’s gaze turned inward, lost in thought.

“The Cloud Haze Star… I wonder where it lies!” Wang Lin’s eyes snapped open, and his divine sense surged forth, swiftly traversing Ran Cloud Star until it descended upon Sun Xi’s location.

Sun Xi, within his family’s ancestral abode, had intended to meditate, but was jolted as Wang Lin’s ethereal voice echoed in his ears.

“Inscribe all the star maps of the Luo Tian Star Domain that you possess upon a jade scroll and deliver it to me.”

Sun Xi’s eyes flickered, and he nodded subtly. Retrieving a jade scroll from his storage bag, he focused and carved the map, then sent it soaring towards the heavens as a rainbow streak.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye, and the star map jade scroll was already in Wang Lin’s grasp. Within it, he located the Cloud Haze Star, which lay a considerable distance away. Even without delays upon Cloud Haze Star, the journey there and back would likely take several months.

The scroll contained Sun Xi’s notes, stating that no cultivators dwelled upon the Cloud Haze Star. It was a desolate world, filled with poisonous mists and miasma that could spell death for cultivators.

Clutching the jade scroll, Wang Lin contemplated, having studied the star map thoroughly and memorized its contents. He also took the time to examine and fortify his magical treasures.

On this day, Wang Lin rose and strode from his abode, vanishing in a single step, reappearing tens of thousands of miles away in the void, ascending towards the turbulent astral winds.

Just then, the figures of Ran’s Family Ancestor, Free Wanderer, and Sun Xi materialized, appearing before Wang Lin.

The Ran Family Ancestor’s face was grim as he eyed Wang Lin and questioned, “Daoist Xu, are you departing?”

The Free Wanderer’s expression was equally displeased, hinting at concealed anger. Only Sun Xi wore a wry smile, having sensed something amiss when Wang Lin requested the star map, though he had not expected Xu Mu to truly contemplate leaving.

Wang Lin coldly regarded the trio and stated plainly, “Xu never goes back on his word. This journey will take from several months to a year.”

Had it not been for the promise of immortal jade, Wang Lin would have offered no explanation.

Upon hearing Wang Lin’s reply, the Ran’s Family Ancestor hesitated before uttering, “Daoist Xu, might we inquire as to the purpose of your departure? Perhaps we three could assist in your stead.”

“Daoist Xu, do not fault us, but having offered nearly our entire fortunes, only to have you depart Ran Cloud Star so soon, some suspicion is inevitable.” The Free Wanderer cupped his fists, his voice solemn.

“Daoist Xu, though I trust your character, this matter is…” Sun Xi wore a bitter smile.

Their actions were understandable, for anyone who had just relinquished the bulk of their wealth would feel the same.

Wang Lin’s brow furrowed, then his expression shifted as he looked skyward. The Ran Family Ancestor and his companions followed suit, all gazing at the heavens.

At that moment, beyond Ran Cloud Star, Illusion East rode a Star Compass, hurtling towards Ran Cloud Star with cold eyes and a hint of arrogance.

“The young lady has entrusted this task to me! I shall carry it out flawlessly, ensuring that the lady takes notice! All who were involved shall perish!” Illusion East’s eyes burned with fervent zeal.

His figure was like a meteor, crashing through Ran Cloud Star’s astral winds. Illusion East’s arrival was flamboyant. His divine sense spread outward, unreservedly enveloping the heavens and earth, creating an illusion of a god descending upon the mortal realm.

In that moment, every cultivator upon Ran Cloud Star felt the immense power, the arrogance scanning the earth like a god looking at ants.

“I, Illusion East, second tier guard of the Illusion Family from the main Illusion Star, demand the presence of a Soul Ascension cultivator from Ran Cloud Star!” The cold voice echoed through Ran Cloud Star. The cultivators below Soul Ascension were shocked, and the weaker ones spit out blood.

The youth under the rocks was one of them. He was meditating when Illusion East’s words shocked his meridians, forcing him to spit out blood and weakening him.

Many others were like him. Ran’s Family Ancestor, Sun Xi, and Free Wanderer all became pale in that moment.

The words “Illusion Family” were like an invincible blade that pierced their souls, shocking them and changing their expressions.

“They’re here… the Illusion Family… is here…” Sun Xi said bitterly as he looked at Wang Lin with a desperate hope.

Ran’s Family Ancestor and Free Wanderer looked at Wang Lin as well.

Wang Lin had a normal expression, but a cold light appeared in his eyes.

Having accepted their immortal jade, Wang Lin’s divine sense exploded forth, locking onto the sky and forming one word.

“Scram!”

The moment the word left his mouth, thunder appeared. Illusion East had just exited the astral winds when the lightning locked onto him. Killing intent appeared in his eyes as he said, “Seeking death!” He formed a hand seal and white light appeared in his hand as a cold aura spread out.

Soul Ascension cultivators merged their intents into their souls. He practiced the second tier Illusion Clan dao. It was called the Five Element Heart, and the intent he comprehended was the golden intent. The golden intent represented invincibility. As he made the seal, the white light from his right hand seemed to have replaced the light of the heavens and absorbed all the light into his hand. He pressed down with all the light in his hand.

Wang Lin remained calm, but electricity flowed through his eyes, making him seem like a thunder god. He pointed forward, and the Extinguish Dao finger wind howled. This time, the Extinguish Dao finger contained a large amount of electricity. If one looked closely, it would be like facing a lightning tribulation.