The Universe Ring and Cosmic Silk were both top-tier innate spiritual treasures, incredibly powerful and highly coveted. Now, Biyun was holed up in his cave, attempting to refine the Universe Ring.
His first step? Erasing Nezha's spiritual imprint.
But this was no easy task. Biyun's cultivation level was far below Nezha's, making it nearly impossible to erase the imprint. As soon as Biyun started, Nezha, thousands of miles away in the Golden Light Cave on Mount Qian Yuan, immediately sensed it.
The treasures were his, after all, and even at such a distance, the connection remained strong.
Nezha's face twisted with rage. "That insect dares to refine my treasures?!" he snarled, his once-handsome features now contorted with fury.
"If I ever get my hands on him, I'll make him wish he'd never been born!"
In his rage, Nezha smashed everything in sight, his cave now a chaotic mess. Unknowingly, he was also absorbing more of the calamity's chaotic energy, further fueling his anger.
Back on the Golden Turtle Island, Biyun was struggling. Despite his best efforts, his spiritual power was too weak to refine the Universe Ring. After half a day, Nezha sneered.
"Overestimating himself. A mere Earth Immortal trying to refine the Universe Ring? What a joke!"
Nezha could tell Biyun was failing. In his eyes, Biyun was too weak to even attempt such a feat.
"Hahaha!" Nezha laughed, dismissing the matter entirely.
Meanwhile, Biyun was frustrated. A full day of attempts had yielded no progress. Refining a top-tier innate spiritual treasure as an Earth Immortal was simply beyond his capabilities.
"Maybe I should take a walk and clear my head," Biyun muttered, tired of staying cooped up.
Just then, a new system task appeared:
[Surviving on the Golden Turtle Island]
Option 1: Leave the cave, wander around, and return later.
Reward: Top-tier acquired spiritual treasure, the Heart-Shattering Chisel.
Option 2: Leave the cave and visit the Holy Mother of Fire for a 'life discussion.'
Reward: Mid-tier acquired spiritual treasure, the Great Dragon Spear.
Option 3: Stay in the cave, focus on cultivation, and ignore the outside world.
Reward: A Basic Spiritual Treasure Refinement Talisman.
Biyun's eyes lit up. Leaving the cave was risky, even if the danger was minimal. Staying put, on the other hand, was safe and came with a Basic Refinement Talisman—exactly what he needed.
He quickly checked the talisman's description: it could refine any spiritual treasure below the top-tier innate level. Perfect timing!
"I choose Option 3!"
[Ding! Congratulations, host. The Basic Spiritual Treasure Refinement Talisman has been awarded. Please check your rewards!]
The task was completed instantly. Biyun wasted no time using the talisman.
"Activate the Basic Refinement Talisman!"
As the talisman burned, Nezha's spiritual imprint within the Universe Ring was completely erased, replaced by Biyun's own.
In the Golden Light Cave, Nezha suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, his face pale with shock.
"How is this possible? Biyun refined my Universe Ring?!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief.
Just moments ago, he'd been mocking Biyun's attempts. Now, the Universe Ring was completely out of his control, filled with Biyun's spiritual energy.
"I'll kill him!" Nezha roared, trashing his cave once more.
Taiyi Zhenren, hearing the commotion, rushed in. After learning what happened, he was equally stunned.
"How? Even if Biyun could refine the Universe Ring, it should've taken him a thousand years!"
In Taiyi Zhenren's eyes, refining a top-tier innate spiritual treasure was a monumental task, especially for a low-level cultivator. Yet, Biyun had done it—and completely refined it, no less.
"This boy cannot be allowed to live," Taiyi Zhenren thought, a hint of murderous intent in his eyes.
But he didn't dare confront Zhao Gongming or venture to the Golden Turtle Island. For now, he could only suppress his concerns and bide his time.
Nezha, however, was consumed by rage. His mind, once calm and focused, was now clouded by hatred and anger, further tainted by the calamity's chaotic energy.
Back on the Golden Turtle Island, the Universe Ring glowed with divine light, filling Biyun's cave with radiant energy.
"This is a true treasure!" Biyun marveled, effortlessly wielding the Universe Ring.
With the talisman's help, he'd saved himself a thousand years of effort.
"The system is incredible. One talisman, and I've bypassed centuries of work," Biyun thought, grinning from ear to ear.
He practiced using the Universe Ring for a while before storing it away. While he was eager to test it in battle, he knew better than to flaunt his newfound power.
After refining the Universe Ring, Biyun became even more low-key. He focused on his cultivation, steadily improving his strength.
Months passed, and Biyun's skills grew. The Investiture of the Gods had begun, and with Shi Ji gone, the next major event would be Jiang Ziya's descent from Mount Kunlun.
Biyun planned to stay in his cave, quietly cultivating and avoiding trouble. But the calamity's influence was spreading, even to the Golden Turtle Island. Many Jie Sect disciples were already caught in its web, unaware of the disaster looming over them.
Meanwhile, at the foot of Mount Kunlun, Jiang Ziya was preparing to descend, the Staff of the Gods in hand.
The storm was coming, and Biyun knew he couldn't stay hidden forever. But for now, he'd enjoy the peace while it lasted.