46: Tianyuan Reclamation

The All Heavens Star Palace, by embedding Burial King City into the entrance of the Abyss, achieved immediate results!

Previously, the World-Devouring Insects, which wreaked havoc across Small Immortal Realms like weeds, seemed to have received a notice and retreated completely! The few stragglers who didn't keep up with the main force were also besieged by the cultivators of those Small Immortal Realms, who cheered as they easily suppressed them. All Small Immortal Realms experienced a rare period of peace.

The insects dispersed from the Abyss were all retreating, and Asura King was being beaten with his head held down in the Abyss, even his guard dog was roasted and fed to the zombies. Who would still care about the scattered 'leek fields' outside?

The name of the All Heavens Star Palace thoroughly resounded throughout all realms! Previously, it was the Demon Venerable; now, it was a name synonymous with prestige and a life-saving benefactor! Cultivators from countless Small Immortal Realms, with their families in tow, carrying their luggage, eagerly rushed towards the Small Immortal Realm—they heard there was a 'Golden Path' leading to the Abyss, a lifeline opened by Temple Master Lin, the Demon Venerable Lin, for us suffering lower realm cultivators!

Emperor Qinglan, the former boss of the Heavenly Court, had now completely become the director of the All Heavens Star Palace's logistics office in the Small Immortal Realm and the ascension visa officer. His once desolate former Heavenly Court site was now a hundred times livelier than a mortal market!

"Queue up! Everyone, queue up! Register your world name, cultivator's name, and cultivation realm! Get your number tag! Those who cut in line will have their test qualifications revoked!" Emperor Qinglan shouted, his throat almost smoking. In front of him stretched an endless line of cultivators in various attires and strange shapes, squeezed together.

"Sir! I'm from the Azure Ox Realm! Our realm just drove away a nest of insects! Our Sect Master said we'll follow Temple Master Lin from now on!" A burly man with a bull's head and human body waved his number tag and yelled.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way! We from the Hundred Flowers Realm were first! Sisters, charge! Let's go to the Abyss and plant spiritual herbs for Temple Master!" A group of brightly dressed female cultivators giggled and pushed forward.

"Ouch! Who stepped on my foot! This old man is a Grandmaster of Deduction from the Heavenly Mystery Realm, hey hey, don't push! My whisk!"

Emperor Qinglan looked at the dense crowd, his head buzzing. The Small Immortal Realm's resources were enough to support his original people, but now with so many hungry cultivators suddenly pouring in, even the landlord wouldn't have surplus grain! Not to mention maintaining the operation of the giant passage to the Abyss, which consumed spirit stones like flowing water!

"Brother Lin, oh Brother Lin! You're having a blast plundering resources from the Abyss, but I'm about to be overwhelmed here!" Emperor Qinglan clutched his communication jade slip, wailing into it.

Burial King City, main hall.

Lin Xuan had just finished feeding Yu Lin, his newly adopted little ancestor, a Blazing Molten Heart from a Body Integration stage Asura War General, when he received Emperor Qinglan's distress call.

"Overwhelmed? Not enough resources?" Lin Xuan watched Yu Lin, expressionless but moving swiftly, devour the flaming heart completely, leaving not even a speck. "Tsk, Old Qing's logistics work isn't efficient enough."

He brought up the All Heavens Star Map that Chu Xinghe had just updated. This thing was amazing now, integrating the coordinates of the Small Immortal Realm, the front-line map of the Abyss, and a large uncharted area explored and marked by Su Yuan and his team. On the star map, the glowing dot representing the Small Immortal Realm was surrounded by dense, faint lights representing the lower realm Small Immortal Realms.

Lin Xuan's finger traced a few lines on the star map, quickly circling several glowing areas that were not too far from the Small Immortal Realm but were marked as extremely rich in resources or unknown high-risk areas.

"Here, Old Qing, stop wailing." Lin Xuan said into the jade slip, "I've sent you the star map. See those places marked with red circles?"

Emperor Qinglan quickly looked: "I see them! Ancient Godfall Mine? Myriad Poison Swamp? Storm Thunder Sea? And this Nirvana Desolate Plains? Brother Lin, these places don't sound like good places!" His voice trembled slightly.

"Nonsense! Do you think good places would be left until now?" Lin Xuan rolled his eyes, "Places rich in resources are either occupied or poisonous! These places were either fragments of ancient battlefields or naturalJedi in the past, and there must be many good things inside! The insects have retreated, which happens to be convenient for us! Organize those overwhelmed, energetic but idle lower realm cultivators and issue a 'Pioneer Order'! Tell them to go to these places to clear land, mine, and gather herbs! Seventy percent of the resources they dig up will be handed over to the alliance, and thirty percent will be theirs! Those who perform well will be prioritized for ascension to the front lines of the Abyss to work!"

Emperor Qinglan's eyes lit up upon hearing this: "That's a great idea! Work instead of aid! And it can screen for talent! Brilliant! Truly brilliant! But Brother Lin, these places are very dangerous, there must be some safety guarantee, right? Otherwise, it's just sending people to their deaths..."

"Safety guarantee?" Lin Xuan chuckled, "Do you think pie falls from the sky? Want to get rich without risking your life? Tell them, if they're afraid of death, don't sign up! Once they go, life and death are up to fate, and wealth is up to heaven! Of course..." He paused, "The alliance isn't completely hands-off. I will have Chu Xinghe set up some simple teleportation arrays and defensive strongholds around the pioneer points, providing basic supplies and casualty reception. And I'll have Su Yuan compile known danger zones and monster information into a 'Pioneer Guide' to be distributed. Whether they can survive and how many treasures they can dig up depends on their own abilities!"

"Alright! With strongholds and a guide, that's enough! The rest is up to their own fortune!" Emperor Qinglan decided, and with full enthusiasm, began drafting the Small Immortal Realm's joint pioneer order.

Just as he finished with Emperor Qinglan, a small head poked in through the main hall door. It was Huang Yan, holding an account book. She cautiously looked at Lin Xuan, then glanced at Yu Lin, who was sitting quietly beside him, her silver-white eyes fixed on Lin Xuan's fingers. She whispered, "Temple Master, the new disciple's initiation ceremony time is almost here..."

"Oh, right! I almost forgot about that!" Lin Xuan slapped his forehead. His disciples had collectively broken through, and there was also Yu Lin, a significant new member. It was indeed time for a ceremony, to liven things up, and to let the newly awakened little zombie experience the warmth of their All Heavens Star Palace?

In the central plaza of Burial King City, a temporary high platform had been erected. Below, disciples who loved to watch a good show crowded together.

On the platform, Lin Xuan sat in the center, uncharacteristically wearing a slightly more formal black robe. To his left, stood in order: Yun Qingyao, whose aura was even colder after her breakthrough, with moon-like radiance faintly flowing around her; Leng Yuechan, holding her sword sheath, her gaze as sharp as a blade; Feng Qiqi, in a fiery red outfit, with a bright smile, but her eyes, when sweeping over the crowd below, carried the scorching intent of divine fire; Kong Ming, with a gleaming forehead and a golden halo behind his head that was even more solidified; and Linglong, dressed in flamboyant clothes, her eyes flowing with an inherent demonic charm.

To his right were: Ye Chen, whose aura was deep and whose Nirvana Sword Intent was held back but ready to erupt; Mo Sha, muscular and burly, carrying a door-sized giant axe, grinning foolishly; Qing Xuan, with a gentle smile, exuding a natural and fresh aura; and the Lie Tian Divine Tiger, squatting at Lin Xuan's feet, boredly licking its paws.

Most eye-catching was the small, specially made cold jade chair beside Lin Xuan. On the chair sat Yu Lin, wearing a brand new plain white dress, her small face still pale, but her silver-white eyes were much more lively. She sat perfectly straight, expressionless, but her eyes occasionally darted towards a certain body-cultivating disciple below who was munching on a huge roasted insect leg as a snack.

Lin Xuan cleared his throat, skipping any opening remarks and getting straight to the point: "Quiet down, everyone! Today, there's only one thing! Our All Heavens Star Palace has a new addition! This is Yu Lin, and from now on, she will be your junior sister! Don't let her young age fool you, she has a good appetite, and her abilities... well, you'll find out later! Come, Yu Lin, get to know your senior brothers and sisters!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Lin's silver-white eyes slowly swept over her senior brothers and sisters on the platform. Her gaze lingered on Yun Qingyao for a moment, paused on Leng Yuechan, brightened at Feng Qiqi, glided past Kong Ming, showed a hint of curiosity at Linglong, swept over Ye Chen, ignored Mo Sha, felt warmth from Qing Xuan, and finally rested on Lie Tian Divine Tiger.

Everyone whose gaze Yu Lin swept over reacted differently.

Yun Qingyao nodded slightly, as a greeting.

Leng Yuechan's hand tightened on her sword, her eyes filled with scrutiny.

Feng Qiqi waved cheerfully at Yu Lin.

Kong Ming clasped his hands: "Amitabha, junior sister, may you be well."

Linglong winked: "Little junior sister is so cute~ Call me senior sister, let's hear it?"

Ye Chen was expressionless, nodding his head.

Mo Sha scratched his head, smiling guilelessly: "Hello, junior sister! If anyone bullies you in the future, tell senior brother! Senior brother will use an axe to reason with them!"

Qing Xuan smiled gently: "Welcome, junior sister."

Lie Tian Divine Tiger lifted an eyelid, glanced, yawned, and continued licking its paws.

Yu Lin looked around, her small mouth slightly open, and still with that dry, cold telepathic voice, it echoed in everyone's minds: "Senior brothers, senior sisters, hungry."

Everyone: "..."

The platform instantly erupted in laughter!

"Pfft! Little junior sister is too honest!"

"Hahaha! The first thing she says upon meeting is 'hungry'! Truly inherited from the Temple Master!"

"As expected of someone picked up by the Temple Master! This style, it's a perfect match!"

Lin Xuan's old face flushed, and he coughed twice: "Ahem! It's normal for children to have a good appetite as they grow! Uh, Lie Tian Divine Tiger! Go! Get me a few of the fattest Nascent Soul stage Thick-Armored Earth-Crawlers! Make sure they're roasted crispy on the outside and tender on the inside! As a welcome gift for your junior sister!"

Lie Tian Divine Tiger rolled its eyes, reluctantly stood up, grumbled, "Always ordering the tiger around," and with a flash of its figure, space rippled, and it disappeared. In a short while, it returned with several huge insect legs, roasted golden and dripping with oil, emitting a rich aroma, and tossed them in front of Yu Lin.

Yu Lin's silver-white eyes instantly lit up! Without even using chopsticks, she reached out her small hand, grabbed an insect leg thicker than her arm, opened her small mouth, and took a big bite! Crunchy! She ate with such relish! Her cheeks were stuffed, and her silver-white eyes were full of satisfaction.

Watching the little zombie feast, everyone on and off the platform was amused. This new junior sister, though she looked cold, had such an endearing way of eating!

The ceremony hastily concluded in this joyful atmosphere. The disciples dispersed, some to cultivate, some to fight, some to mine.

Lin Xuan, accompanied by the full and quiet Yu Lin, as well as Su Yuan and Chu Xinghe, arrived deep beneath Burial King City. A massive space had been excavated here, and in its center, a complex silver metal platform floated. On the platform, countless runes flowed, and at its core was a guide rune continuously emitting faint golden light! Eight thick energy conduits extended from the platform's periphery, their ends connected to eight massive, continuously rotating chaotic energy pools, which formed the guide charging array, crafted from the remaining energy of the Asura King's heart and top-grade Abyss materials!

"Master, as you instructed, 'Cross-Realm Passage Stable Anchor Phase One' charging is complete!" Chu Xinghe pointed at the platform, his face excited, "The coordinates indicated by this guide, after five years of uninterrupted analysis and star map comparison by Senior Brother Su Yuan, can basically be confirmed not to be in any known Small Immortal Realm or known area of the Abyss! It points more to a rift or fragmented world enveloped by multiple spatial folds and chaotic laws! And the energy reaction level is extremely high!"

Su Yuan added: "Master, according to the fluctuation feedback, although the environment in that place might be extremely harsh, the law fragments and energy purity it contains far exceed the Abyss! It is very likely the core fragment remaining after the collapse of an ancient great world! If we can control that place, it will have immeasurable value for us to understand higher-level laws, and even to locate the true Immortal Realm!"

Lin Xuan looked at the stably operating array and the flickering golden guide, his eyes gleaming: "A rift? Fragmented world? High energy purity? Excellent! This place is naturally destined to be the 'back garden' of my All Heavens Star Palace!"

He waved his hand: "Su Yuan, continue to analyze the coordinates and perfect the star map! Chu Xinghe, activate the second phase of charging! Get this path completely opened for me! At the same time, prepare the demolition team! This time, I'll lead the team personally!"

"Yes, Master!" Both received their orders, full of vigor.

Lin Xuan then looked down at Yu Lin, who stood quietly beside him, her silver-white eyes curiously fixed on the golden guide. He grinned and ruffled her small head: "Little glutton, stop looking, that thing isn't edible. Once the path is open, I'll take you to a new place to find delicious things!"

Yu Lin looked up, her silver-white eyes blinked, seemingly having understood the words "delicious things." She rubbed her small head against Lin Xuan's palm, expressing satisfaction.

Just as Lin Xuan was about to turn and leave, the golden guide, which had been steadily flickering, suddenly fluctuated violently without warning! The golden light surged dramatically, then instantly contracted! The chaotic energy pools around the platform also began to shake violently!

"What's going on?!" Chu Xinghe's expression changed.

Su Yuan immediately rushed to the deduction compass, his fingers rapidly moving, his face grave: "Master! The coordinate point has abnormal spatial disturbance! Something is forcefully impacting the spatial barrier pointed to by the guide! The energy reaction carries a strong Asura Demonic Qi! But it's also a bit different! More pure! More evil!"

Lin Xuan's eyes instantly became sharp as blades, his Law-Breaking Chaos Eyes instantly activated, staring intently at the violently fluctuating golden light of the guide!

Within the golden light, a pair of... incomparably huge, cold and emotionless, dark-golden eyes, purely formed by destructive will, vaguely appeared as a phantom! Those eyes were even more solidified and terrifying than the one at the bottom of the abyss five years ago! They carried an absolute indifference, looking down upon ants, treating all things as mere straw dogs!

"Hmph! The main culprit finally deigned to show his face?" Lin Xuan, far from being startled, instead sneered. Chaotic airflow surged silently around him. "Projecting an image across a world barrier to scare people? That's an old trick! If you have the guts, come over here!"