C12 Rock Chiseling Wood Chopping Heaven Opening Axe

"Kunpeng!"

Upon awakening once more, Hongyun leapt from the bed, his face seething with rage. It wasn't until he took in his surroundings that he allowed himself a small sigh of relief.

"Where am I?"

Casting a wary glance around, Hongyun realized he was in a starkly simple room. Aside from the bed beneath him, there was nothing but a stove tucked away in a corner.

"The Purple Qi of Hongmeng is still intact!" Upon inspecting his own condition, he found that, though his mana was nearly depleted, the treasured Purple Qi of Hongmeng had not been lost, easing his mind further.

Stepping outside, he was greeted by a modest courtyard adorned with stone tables and ancient trees, exuding a sense of plainness.

"What is this place…?"

A massive cage in the corner caught Hongyun's attention. Moving closer, a familiar eagle's screech stopped him in his tracks.

"Kunpeng!"

He nearly spun on his heel to flee, but before he could retreat, realization dawned, and he turned back to the cage, bursting into hearty laughter. "Kunpeng! Kunpeng! So, you've finally met your match!"

A gleam of cold light flashed through the bars of the cage. "Hongyun, do you have a death wish?"

Subtly, Hongyun edged back a few steps. "Hmph, you're the one caged up and still trying to intimidate?!"

"Hmph, I might be caged, but do you really think you're any better off?"

"You won't be able to hold onto the Purple Qi of Hongmeng for long!"

Kunpeng's mocking laughter filled the air. He might not have known why that person had saved Hongyun, but judging by the way he had been treated, he knew they were no saint.

A heavy feeling settled in Hongyun's chest. He might have been benevolent by nature, but he was no fool. Whoever had the power to capture Kunpeng alive would surely discover the Primordial Purple Qi within him.

"What does it matter? As long as the Primordial Purple Qi doesn't end up in the hands of a callous brute like you, unconcerned with the welfare of others, it remains my good deed!"

Kunpeng was about to retort when a sudden, overwhelming force engulfed the courtyard.

"Enough noise!"

With those three words, "Puff!"

"Puff!"

Both Hongyun and Kunpeng spat out blood, their faces etched with astonishment.

"Sage?!"

Hongyun and the Kun Peng, who had previously studied the Dao at the Purple Heaven Palace, had once felt the overwhelming presence of a sage up close. And now, that sensation washed over them again.

The man and the eagle turned toward the source of this formidable aura with a mix of astonishment and disbelief. In a corner of the courtyard lay a battered axe and a heap of black stones.

The so-called sage's pressure was emanating from the dilapidated axe, its blade curled and worn.

"Are these the beings that came into existence after the cosmos was formed? Pathetically weak!"

The Heaven Opening Axe Spirit gazed upon Hongyun and the Kun Peng with a mixture of shock and scorn.

"You can't even endure the faintest whiff of the Great Dao's essence, and yet you have the audacity to interrupt my rest?!"

The ancient and cryptic consciousness transformed into a thunderous roar that echoed throughout the courtyard.

Neither the Kun Peng nor Hongyun were dull-witted; their minds raced, quickly piecing together the hints dropped by the Heaven Opening Axe Spirit.

"After the creation of the heavens..."

"Could you be a treasure from before that epochal event?"

"A treasure?" The Heaven Opening Axe Spirit replied with disdain, "I am a Chaos Extreme Treasure, not just any treasure!"

"…"

The Kun Peng and Hongyun exchanged bewildered glances. They were familiar with Innate Extreme Treasures, but a Chaos Extreme Treasure? What tier did that belong to?

"A summer insect cannot discuss ice!"

The Heaven Opening Axe Spirit, now visibly agitated, let the pressure of the Great Dao pulse more intensely, causing the Kun Peng and Hongyun's faces to pale.

Hongyun quickly shifted the conversation, "So, Senior, you must be the master of this courtyard. My name is Hongyun, and I am deeply grateful for your life-saving grace!"

The oppressive aura swiftly withdrew, and Hongyun couldn't help but shoot the Kun Peng a smug look—his years of networking had paid off.

"Flatterer!" The Kun Peng huffed in disdain.

It took a moment, but the Heaven Opening Axe Spirit's thoughts eventually began to rise solemnly in the courtyard, tinged with a peculiar mix of sarcasm and bitterness.

"How could I possibly compare to the master of this courtyard? To him, I was merely a tool for carving stone!"

Hongyun's smug grin seized up, a look of disbelief etching her features as the words sank in.

Kun Peng had no desire to mock Hongyun, equally incredulous as he stared at the axe in the corner.

They might not have understood what a Chaos Extreme Treasure was, but the aura of a Sage's power was undeniably real.

To think that even Innate Magic Treasures lacked such a feature, and here it was being used to chip away at stone? This transcended mere wastefulness; it was downright prodigal!

"That young man..."

Kun Peng's mind flashed back to Zhang Yan's visage, and the thought of nearly biting into such a being sent a shiver down his spine.

Amidst an eerie silence between the man and the Artifact Spirit, a young man carrying firewood entered the courtyard.

"Hey, you're awake?"

Zhang Yan looked at the red-clothed Taoist he had rescued, his expression one of surprise.

Then, as the Taoist backed away in terror, shrinking into a corner and shaking, Zhang Yan couldn't help but wonder.

"..."

Am I really that frightening?

Zhang Yan was genuinely puzzled.

"What are you doing? You shouldn't be moving around so much with your injuries."

Setting down the firewood, Zhang Yan steadied the somewhat rigid Hongyun, offering gentle instructions.

"Just sit here for now. I'll split the wood and then brew some medicine for you."

As he spoke, Zhang Yan guided Hongyun to a stone bench, then turned to pick up the battered axe, all under the watchful eyes of Hongyun and Kun Peng.

"Now I've got a new function: wood chopping!"

The muffled voice of the Heaven Opening Axe Spirit echoed in the minds of both Kun Peng and Hongyun.

Kun Peng: "..."

Hongyun: "..."

Upon witnessing Zhang Yan actually ready to split a hefty log, Hongyun couldn't contain himself any longer. "This... Senior, are you truly intending to use it for chopping wood?"

Zhang Yan paused, slightly taken aback. It seemed that being addressed as 'senior' was not just a tradition of the Tranquil Heart Clan but perhaps a widespread custom of ancient times.

"Absolutely. Don't underestimate my axe. A little sharpening and it'll be as good as new."

The Heaven Opening Axe Spirit had been eagerly awaiting these words. Interrupted last time by a young girl, it now seized the opportunity with gusto.

"Don't hold me back!"

"Let him have at it!"

The thoughts of the Heaven Opening Axe Spirit were distorted with anticipation and excitement.

Hongyun and Kun Peng's hearts skipped a beat. Was the Chaos Extreme Treasure angry? It must be angry!

If its anger led to it devouring its master, even if this enigmatic young man wasn't afraid, the repercussions for them, mere bystanders, could be dire...

"Hiss!"

Hongyun inhaled sharply, feeling as if one foot was already in the realm of the dead.

This catastrophe must be averted at all costs!

Gathering his courage, Hongyun exclaimed, "Senior, you shouldn't be troubled with chopping firewood. You've already saved my life; please allow me to handle this trivial task."

Zhang Yan paused at his words, then chuckled, "Are you sure you're up to it?"

"I am!"

Spotting an opportunity, Hongyun nodded vigorously. At this point, he was ready for anything!

"Alright, it's yours to do!"

With someone willing to take over, Zhang Yan was more than content to step aside. He shifted out of the way and passed the axe to Hongyun.