Chapter 118: Rewards, Sworn Brotherhood

Guided by this fragment of his consciousness, Hong Yun perceived himself returning to the other side of the Gate of Heavens, sensing his own physical form. Or rather, he sensed the primordial spirit of his primary self. Yet, for some reason, he found himself unable to return to his body.

In that moment, an epiphany dawned upon him, and he gradually calmed: it was right before his eyes, yet as distant as the horizon—so near, yet so far.

Having grasped this, he began to contemplate the so-called Yang Calamity, quietly awaiting the changes within the Gate of Heavens.

*Clatter—*

Accompanying a somewhat heavy sound, iron chains emerged from within the Gate of Heavens, revealing the scene after the interface had unleashed the Celestial Cage. The chains were pulled taut, moving slowly and uncontrollably, gradually unveiling their host: a figure with broken wings sitting in meditation, palms supporting a vase.

Surrounding this, feathers from the Longitudinal Cloud Wings and the aura of calamity-stain enveloped the entire galaxy. The iron chains sealed it off completely, with inexplicable laws ensuring not a shred of energy leaked out.

At that moment, chains of the cage appeared upon Hong Yun’s own physical body, sealing the ten heavens and nine earths from within and without, dragging toward the pupils of his physical eyes. Under the astonished gaze of his soul fragment, this vase-galaxy connected with the boundless galaxy within his eyes, finally landing upon the first node.

Once fully linked, the soul fragment transmitted its memories to the main body and then vanished into the seal.

The Gate of Heavens slammed shut at that instant. The Celestial Cage, which had been connected to the gate, disconnected and gradually dissolved into Hong Yun’s physical body. The interface also slowly expanded, settling onto the frame of the Gate of Heavens, releasing a stream of information:

Calamity Lord’s walk through the Gate of Heavens is complete!
Calamity Lord Identity: Primordial World, Ancestor Hong Yun
Calamity Lord Talent: Celestial Cage (Seals a star sea and heaven, severing all connections to the original Great Thousand World)
Calamity Lord Realm: Peak of the late stage of Daluo Golden Immortal.
Available Calamity Points: 0 (All Calamity Points have been automatically converted into sixty strands of Indestructible Spiritual Light and fifty Kalpas of cultivation; this process is irreversible.)
Calamity Lord mission complete: Captured and sealed the Four-Yang Transformation Calamity Object!
Reward: Granted the right to cultivate and utilize the Calamity Object; authority over the object can be gradually unlocked!
Reward: Granted control over the host’s physical body; may walk the myriad heavens and worlds using the host’s body!
Reward: Granted ownership of the sealed star sea; all within this star sea is now controlled by the host!
Special Reward: Because the Calamity Lord completed all tasks beyond expectations, the host is rewarded with a portion of Supreme Treasure Essence, which can be used to upgrade the grade of an Innate Supreme Treasure or repair its restrictions!
As the Calamity Lord successfully nurtured the Calamity Object, you have gained the right to know about the Yang Calamity!

A flood of consciousness surged into his mind, bluntly imparting the methods to obtain these rewards and their unlocking conditions. Moreover, his consciousness remained largely within his own eyes. The Gate of Heavens did not fade from his pupils; instead, it remained firmly anchored there. The vortex persisted, though the suction had vanished.

As the star sea connected with the series of star-filled voids from the Yellow Court Calamity Scripture, the text appeared bit by bit before his eyes. Through this connection, it was entirely branded into his soul.

Only then did he slowly open his eyes. Feeling the aura of the Great Dao in this place and the full extent of his Daluo cultivation, he felt a sense of bewilderment.

He had returned...

How wonderful.

He thought to himself, feeling the pure cultivation and Indestructible Spiritual Light pouring into his physical body. While multitasking, he examined the rewards within his eyes. In the most prominent position lay an illusory scroll and an object resembling a lotus seed. A brief perception revealed their marvels: both were special rewards. The former was a record of Calamity Objects, and the latter was the Supreme Treasure Essence.

However, he did not use these yet, nor did he look at the rewards for his "walk." Instead, he gazed at the Yellow Court Calamity Scripture connected to the Gate of Heavens. The scripture now formed a complete, continuous chapter. It could no longer be recited; once it entered the sea of consciousness, it became a singular, profound realization.

Yellow Court Calamity Scripture, Volume One: Transform Calamity with the Dao, Nourish the Dao with Calamity!

He had intended to attempt cultivation immediately, but the mere thought caused his sea of consciousness to ache slightly. He was forced to abandon the notion. As for the other rewards... there was no rush. He would digest everything first. Although this experience felt as fleeting as a nap during his usual cultivation, the rewards were tangible. Since he had previously known nothing, it was better to study and understand them bit by bit.

Having decided, he hesitated no longer. Feeling his Daluo Celebration Cloud growing full once more, supplemented by his improved cultivation and the Indestructible Spiritual Light, he cleared his mind, exited his meditative state, and stepped out from his place of seclusion.

"Eh?"

The moment he emerged, Hong Yun saw Zhen Yuanzi sitting there, who had just opened his eyes as well.

Zhen Yuanzi looked at Hong Yun, and seeing no change in him, felt much relieved. Yet, still uneasy, he did not relax his mind and asked, "Friend Hong Yun, that matter... has it been resolved?"

From this single inquiry, Hong Yun heard a deep sense of concern. He bowed slightly without hesitation, a smile appearing on his face, "Many thanks, Friend Zhen Yuanzi. That matter is resolved."

Hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi’s heart lightened. He smiled and raised his hand, revealing a transparent book that flew into his palm and then settled into his Celebration Cloud. "Since it is resolved, I am at ease."

Both were top-tier Daluo practitioners. Feeling the aura emanating from the book, Hong Yun recognized it as the Earthly Tome Jade Register, the most powerful Innate Supreme Treasure in his friend's possession. To think that for his safety, Zhen Yuanzi had unleashed it to protect him—it warmed his heart.

"Friend Zhen Yuanzi, I shall remember this kindness. If one day..."

"Stop, stop, say no more."

Zhen Yuanzi, who had been smiling serenely, could not sit still upon hearing this. He stood up hurriedly to interrupt him. "Friend Hong Yun, have you injured your soul? In the Primordial World, promises are not lightly made, karmic ties are not lightly birthed, and oaths are not lightly sworn. You have just committed a great taboo. You need not say anything more. If I have need of you, I shall naturally ask. Besides, I rarely leave my home even once every thousand kalpas; you visit often, so what could possibly go wrong?"

This...

Hong Yun had momentarily forgotten such matters. Hearing this, he abandoned his flow of words and spoke solemnly, "Friend Zhen Yuanzi, let us... become sworn brothers."