Chapter 1186-1190 (7k+ words)

"Yes, the Celestial Pivot Court has consistently opposed research on the power of boundary extinction. For many years, they vigorously suppressed it. Countless cultivators have become nourishment for the 'Divine Tree.' If it weren't for recent hardships, I doubt they would compromise."

"Thinking about it, the Broken Immortal Tower made such great progress in just over five hundred years. The Celestial Pivot Court has held power for nearly ten thousand years and achieved nothing. This led to the gradual decline of the Immortal Ship. The Celestial Pivot Court deserves to perish."

"The celestial alignment of the Immortal Ship is about to change. We brothers need to make preparations early. Perhaps we can take advantage of this opportunity to rid ourselves of this burden..."

The three men exchanged glances, understanding each other's aspirations.

However, their whispers were confined to the emptiness of the void.

Upon returning to the original valley, they fell silent, appearing disgruntled once again.

After reporting to Elder Gou, they came to reside in the wooden house in the valley.

About a hundred cultivators lived here.

Periodically, some of them went out to the Immortal Ship to collect boundary extinction relics.

The Immortal Ship residents seemed extremely afraid of the starry sea beyond. Every time they went on a mission, they appeared anxious.

The relic collection missions indeed had a high casualty rate.

It wasn't that they suffered tangible harm in the starry sea outside the Immortal Ship, but every time they went out, the cultivators' lifespans seemed to decrease significantly.

Zhao Tianjiang, the cultivator with the surname Zhao, after going out twice, had noticeably deeper wrinkles on his face.

"No wonder I haven't seen any young cultivators here; they are all middle-aged and elderly," Li Fan realized.

The hundred or so people in the valley didn't practice cultivation on ordinary days.

Besides the task of collecting relics from outside, they didn't have to do anything else.

From their daily conversations, Li Fan gathered a lot of information about the Immortal Ship.

They called this valley the "Valley of Atonement," a place where cultivators who violated the laws of the Immortal Ship but didn't deserve death were exiled.

Collecting boundary extinction relics was to eliminate their sins.

After completing their redemption, they could leave this place and return to a normal life.

In their hopeful words, Li Fan glimpsed the daily life of the Immortal Ship residents.

All matters in the Immortal Ship were governed by the Celestial Pivot Court.

Ordinary Immortal Ship residents didn't need to worry about survival; the Celestial Pivot Court provided a certain amount of resources every year.

However, it was just enough to meet basic survival needs.

In the Immortal Ship, both the total population and the number of cultivators were strictly controlled.

Not only did having offspring require approval, but even cultivation had a fixed quota.

Apart from getting the chance to cultivate through a lottery, one could also obtain it by making outstanding contributions to the Immortal Ship.

For example, going out to salvage boundary extinction relics.

In this Valley of Atonement, the majority of people had no cultivation.

That's why they had such great fear of going out.

As ordinary humans, they could move freely in the starry sea of darkness and remain immortal because of the secret Immortal Armor they wore when performing tasks.

Besides ensuring their safety, it could also identify relics that were qualified and could be exchanged for merits.

As for the purpose of the Celestial Pivot Court collecting these boundary extinction relics...

The lower-level Immortal Ship residents naturally had no clue.

...

"It seems that this Immortal Ship is even more divided than the Xuan Huang Realm."

"Staying here, the information I can gather is limited. I need to find a way to leave this place."

His current divine clone's power was too weak, unable to withstand even the slightest consumption.

Crossing the Immortal Ship's void on his own was almost impossible.

As for the green invisible paths in the void, they would only appear with permission. Trying to approach the void without permission would result in a fatal fall, turning into nourishment for the Immortal Ship.

So, Li Fan's divine clone remained hidden, waiting for an opportunity.

However, what he didn't expect was that instead of an opportunity, a disaster awaited him.

The incident began when the three people, including Zhao Tianjiang, whom he was covertly observing nearby, suddenly fell ill.

At first, Zhao Tianjiang thought he was just tired and spent several days lying in bed.

Later, unable to sleep, he began to itch all over, feeling restless.

It seemed like Zhao Tianjiang remembered something, and his eyes filled with endless fear.

However, he didn't share this with others.

He even suppressed his discomfort and showed his face in front of everyone, volunteering for relic collection missions.

It wasn't until he started coughing incessantly, black spots appeared on his skin, and fresh blood flowed from his seven orifices that Zhao Tianjiang hid inside the house.

Holding a jade-like magical tool, he seemed to be doing something.

Later, blood continuously flowed from all seven orifices, and the smell of blood began to spread, finally revealing the truth.

"Alas. His time is running out. It's better to send him back to reunite with his family."

"It's truly unpredictable. Old Zhao was considered the healthiest among us, yet he couldn't avoid being infected with the strange void disease."

"He even hid his physical condition at times, just to accumulate more merits for Little Zhao before his death..."

The people sighed, wearing expressions of sorrow.

Elder Gou, however, showed no emotional fluctuations, handling Zhao Tianjiang's departure matter-of-factly.

Soon, the Immortal Ship sent someone to replace Zhao Tianjiang at the top of the Valley of Atonement.

After Zhao Tianjiang's death, the other two cultivators with him also broke out with symptoms and tragically died shortly afterward.

In the Valley of Atonement, everyone lamented their bad luck.

However, only Li Fan knew that their consecutive deaths due to the so-called void disease were likely because of his prolonged covert presence.

"The bodies of these Immortal Ship residents..."

"So fragile. They can't even endure the faint void aura I carry with my divine clone. If my main body enters, won't it be a catastrophic source of infection?"

Li Fan felt somewhat speechless.

Taking the lives of three people was not intentional.

Indeed, he had traversed over half of the starry sea of darkness and spent too much time in the void.

Perhaps his divine soul had already been contaminated by some mysterious power in the void.

Although his divine soul was robust and unaffected by these mysterious forces, the fragile Immortal Ship residents might be different.

In the Valley of Atonement, time seemed to stand still.

The entire Immortal Ship resembled stagnant water, without any ripples.

Li Fan's divine clone waited for an opportunity that never came.

Until one day...

Elder Gou, who was usually stern, suddenly changed his expression.

He summoned all the Valley of Atonement residents.

Gathered outside the valley, they seemed to be waiting for someone important.

The people in the valley were uneasy, and Li Fan's divine clone sensed a powerful aura rapidly approaching.

"Harmony Stage?"

"More than that. But it doesn't feel oppressive like the Immortal Ascension Stage."

"Hmm? There's also a trace of True Immortal seal character power mixed in the fluctuations?"

"It's the character 'hunger'..."

From the faint fluctuations emanating from the nearby Immortal Ship Harmony Stage cultivator, Li Fan's divine clone quickly made a judgment.

Rather than approaching closely, he stayed in the wooden house to observe.

"Elder Yan..." Elder Gou, who usually had a stern face, nodded and bowed obsequiously.

People in the valley complained silently, but dared not show it. They didn't even dare to look directly at the Harmony Stage cultivator before them. In the eyes of ordinary people, a Harmony Stage cultivator was almost akin to a legendary immortal.

"Gou Liang, I heard that several people died successively in the Valley of Atonement recently?" Elder Yan asked in a deep voice.

Gou Liang's body trembled, repeatedly saying, "Indeed, there is such a matter. But those sinners had bad luck themselves. They only went out to work two or three times, and their conditions worsened, leading to their demise. There was no trouble in the Valley of Atonement itself..."

"Hmph! Where is there such luck..." Elder Yan's eyes flashed with a cold light, not explaining further.

His vast spiritual awareness instantly enveloped the entire Valley of Atonement.

"Indeed, this place has been contaminated."

Elder Yan's face instantly darkened. A bit of starlight appeared at his fingertips, pointing remotely towards Li Fan's divine clone and the residential area of the Valley of Atonement.

Endless light and heat destroyed everything within the range.

...

Outside the Immortal Ship.

Li Fan, who was hiding and comprehending in seclusion, slightly raised his head.

"Impressive, a civilization that can survive for so long in the starry sea of darkness is remarkably cautious."

"It seems that to infiltrate, I need to resolve the issue of being a massive carrier of contagion. Otherwise, even if I hide well and cause a large number of people around to die, it will eventually be exposed."

"My divine soul has been in the starry sea of darkness for too long. It's difficult to turn back. I have to cut out a trace of my divine clone to hide. With previous experience, it can be done like this..."

For the next two months, the Immortal Ship residents did not go out to collect relics.

But for them, who couldn't give up on the almost endless relics outside, it was apparent that they wouldn't abandon this task.

So, Li Fan finally waited for a new relic collection team.

Following the previous experience, Li Fan's divine clone blended in with the relics and entered the Immortal Ship.

However, this time, the Immortal Ship handled the relics much more cautiously. While with the relics, the Immortal Ship cultivators always wore armor. After transporting the relics to a sealed space, a blurry talismanic shadow appeared above the space after they left.

"What's this..."

The talisman emitted a faint light, illuminating more than ten relics below.

Although Li Fan's divine clone was also bathed in the light, it was not affected.

Just watching the power belonging to True Immortal seal characters on the relics, about to dissipate, was absorbed into the talismanic shadow above through this dreamlike light.

Even Li Fan's divine clone felt that various mysterious forces lingering around him were drawn away by the talisman.

In a short time, the power attached to the more than ten relics here completely disappeared, truly turning into worthless garbage in the starry sea.

The talismanic light flashed, leaving this space.

"The utilization of the power of True Immortal seal characters by the Immortal Ship is higher than I imagined."

This space was completely sealed, and Li Fan's divine clone couldn't escape. However, he was not in a hurry.

Someone would undoubtedly come to deal with the remaining "trash."

Sure enough, as Li Fan expected, two days later, two Qi Refining cultivators, led by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, walked in.

"Move all these things onto the ship."

"Be careful. Although the power of the relics has disappeared, they are genuine antiques. Able to survive for so long in the starry sea indicates that their materials are exceptional. Send them all to the 'Forging Star Workshop'; maybe they can be recycled." The Foundation Establishment cultivator instructed.

The two Qi Refining cultivators were only fifteen or sixteen years old, looking inexperienced.

Li Fan's divine clone pondered for a moment and attached itself to one of them.

Following the three individuals, they left the sealed space, rode a small flying boat, and arrived at the so-called "Forging Star Workshop."

It was a closed circular structure crafted from an unknown white metal. In the center of the circle was a blazing fireball, its constantly surging waves of terrifying heat conveying the immense energy within.

Vaguely, one could see wisps of flames being sucked into a small opening in the circular building.

The receptionist in the Forging Star Workshop did not have an ordinary human appearance. Instead, it was a strange being, half-human and half-beast, with a red body, two horns on its head, and a long tail trailing behind.

The three individuals seemed very afraid of it. After placing the items down, they hurriedly piloted the flying boat and left.

After some turmoil, they finally returned to their residence, called the "Path-Proofing Academy."

It was also a standalone continent floating in the void.

The academy soared into the clouds.

They went to the lower level of the academy to report to their master.

Their master was a Foundation Establishment cultivator named Zhao Wují, who had already turned white-haired.

Seeing the three return, he put away the book-like magical tool he was reading and kindly asked, "Is everything settled?"

The three bowed their heads and replied, "Master, everything has been handled properly."

"Do you know why I had you run this errand specifically?" Zhao Wují asked again.

The three were all stunned, not knowing how to respond.

"Not long ago, the Valley of Atonement was razed to the ground. The survivors in the valley were taken away and isolated for observation. It's said that the cause of the incident was the improper operation of collecting relics outside the Valley, leading to the spread of the 'Power of Boundary Annihilation.'"

"Haha..."

"This process has been set by the Immortal Central Court and has been like this for thousands of years. Even if there were occasional flaws, it has never caused such a big disturbance. This time, it's stirred up such a commotion," Zhao Wují suddenly stopped talking.

At this moment, the Foundation Establishment disciple among the three suddenly realized, "Master, are you saying that this is an attack by the Tower of Broken Immortality?"

"Yes," Zhao Wují showed an instructable expression. "It's not just the Valley of Atonement. Next, any area within the influence of the Immortal Central Court will face the onslaught of the Tower of Broken Immortality."

"The Immortal Central Court has been in power for too long, and those who covet the leadership of the Immortal Ship have been waiting for too long."

Zhao Wují sighed slightly.

The three disciples of Zhao Wují had different expressions upon hearing this.

The Foundation Establishment disciple's eyes turned, seemingly calculating something.

The two Qi Refining disciples, one lowered their head, pondering their master's words carefully.

As for the other one, who was also the one possessed by Li Fan's divine clone, he seemed completely indifferent.

Wandering in a celestial trance, he appeared to be daydreaming.

"Zhao Xian!" Zhao Wují, observing the situation, snorted coldly.

Zhao Xian immediately snapped out of his thoughts.

"Explain, Zhao Xian, what does the conflict between the Tower of Broken Immortality and the Immortal Central Court have to do with us executing this mission?" Zhao Wují squinted and asked.

"Master, this is a statement and a goodwill gesture. It's the first relic collection by the Tower of Broken Immortality after taking over the Valley of Atonement. Everyone is watching to see how their new approach compares to the Immortal Central Court's traditional methods. Sending useless relics away is an easy task, but Master insisted that we personally make this trip. It's not only to express your stance to the Tower of Broken Immortality but also to clarify things to the external forces observing..." Zhao Xian weakly explained.

Zhao Wují nodded approvingly at Zhao Xian's analysis.

However, seeing Zhao Xian's indifferent expression, Zhao Wují couldn't help but get angry.

About to say something, Zhao Xian took the initiative to speak, interrupting, "Master, I really don't understand. The Immortal Ship is already in its current state. Why can't we unite and instead have to fight each other to the death?"

Zhao Wují's expression changed, and he waved his hand to prevent his disciple's voice from leaking.

"You, you rascal..."

"Is there anything wrong?" Zhao Xian lifted his head proudly, showing no fear.

Zhao Wují suddenly produced a ruler, raised it high, and was about to strike Zhao Xian on the head.

But he ultimately didn't strike ruthlessly.

"Xian'er, you don't understand."

"This Immortal Ship must have, and can only have, one helmsman. The tragedy from many years ago has already shown the terrible consequences of the highest decision-makers being unable to unify." Zhao Wují sighed deeply.

Hearing this, Zhao Xian also looked dejected, no longer arguing.

"You may leave." Zhao Wují suddenly lost interest.

"Don't go out recently. Stay honestly in the academy to cultivate. Since I've already taken a stance, all we need to do next is wait for them to determine the winner. Even if the Tower of Broken Immortality really loses, the Immortal Central Court won't dare to do anything to our Path-Proofing Academy. At most, they'll reduce some resource allocations."

Following orders, the three disciples left and returned to their respective residences.

The Path-Proofing Academy, with its name sounding domineering, had a rather humble residence for Zhao Xian.

There was no sign of a place where cultivators rested, just a barely livable single room.

The only commendable thing was that the room's spiritual energy concentration was noticeably higher than in other areas of the Immortal Ship.

It was suitable for cultivators below the Golden Core stage.

After closing the door and skillfully activating a restriction, Zhao Xian's eyes flashed with excitement as he found a book-like magical tool under the bed.

Just as he was about to use it, he suddenly fell into a deep sleep.

Li Fan's divine clone gradually revealed its figure.

It took the book-like magical tool.

"Hmm... similar to the Celestial Mirror. It can connect to the Immortal Ship's information network and exchange resources using contributions from the academy. However, it's limited to the internal regions of the Path-Proofing Academy and can't connect to other areas of the Immortal Ship."

Li Fan shook his head and discarded the so-called "Ten Thousand Wisdom Records."

Then, turning into a wisp of green smoke, he infiltrated Zhao Xian's consciousness.

However, how could a Qi Refining stage teenager resist Li Fan's scrutiny?

In no time, Li Fan thoroughly examined all of Zhao Xian's secrets from childhood to adulthood.

Although Zhao Xian shared the same surname as Zhao Wují, they had no blood relation.

Zhao Wují's excessive favoritism toward Zhao Xian was entirely because of Zhao Xian's "cultivation talent."

In just one year at the Path-Proofing Academy, he had already reached the late Qi Refining stage.

Although this cultivation speed was nothing in the Xuanhuang Realm, it was outstanding within the confines of the Immortal Ship.

Resources for cultivation within the Immortal Ship were limited, even for the Path-Proofing Academy. They had to prioritize supplying disciples with outstanding talents.

Every three academic years, they would implement elimination of the bottom performers.

Those who lagged behind in cultivation had to leave the academy, either returning home or choosing to become a wandering cultivator. They might also accept appointments from the Immortal Central Court to serve in various positions throughout the Immortal Ship.

It was precisely this cruel elimination system that kept the Path-Proofing Academy in a state of perpetual vitality.

Not only disciples face elimination; even cultivators like Zhao Wují, at the Yuanying stage, feel significant pressure. If the disciples they teach perform averagely, it indicates a lack of teaching talent. Without strong backing, they must leave the teaching position and take on other risky duties.

Due to these circumstances, the atmosphere within the Path-Proofing Academy is oppressive. Everyone is unsure when they might be forced to leave.

However, Zhao Xian is an exception. Perhaps due to his nature, he doesn't have a strong attachment to staying in the academy or a high enthusiasm for cultivation. Outsiders think reaching the late Qi Refining stage within a year is the result of his hard work. Yet, he himself knows it's merely a display of putting in little effort.

Zhao Xian's main interest lies in searching for bizarre stories within the "Ten Thousand Wisdom Records." He is fascinated by the origin of the Immortal Ship, ancient cultivation realms, and the boundless starry sea beyond the ship.

Li Fan carefully reads Zhao Xian's observations over the past year. Not only through the "Ten Thousand Wisdom Records" but also through consultations with senior academy members.

"In ancient times, the Immortal Ship was intact. However, due to a sudden catastrophe in the starry sea and internal conflicts, the ship fractured into two parts."

"One named 'Xuan,' the other named 'Shang.'"

"This one is the Xuan Immortal Ship."

"After the ship fractured, for a long time, it drifted with the waves in the chaotic era, completely out of control. The population also plummeted during that period, nearly ninety percent dying."

"Until the Immortal Ship finally stabilized, it appeared in this sea of relics."

"Since then, it has never left..."

"Although it can shift on a small scale, it is unable to break free from the powerful force beyond the periphery of the relics."

Observing how the Immortal Ship residents named that attraction force, Li Fan falls into contemplation.

"'Resonant Star Force'?"

"What does this 'resonant' mean?"

For Zhao Xian, only a Qi Refining cultivator, knowing this much is already an achievement he managed to pry out through persistent inquiries with academy seniors. The source of the Resonant Star Force remains unknown to him.

Li Fan has to temporarily set aside these questions and move on to planning the next steps. The divine clone's strength is too weak; only by allowing the Holy Embryo to come in can there be enough room to display abilities. The only issue to resolve is the remnant power of the True Immortal Seal.

Thinking of the symbol used by the Tower of Broken Immortality before, Li Fan considers the next steps.

Chapter 1189 - The Completion of the Primordial Gold Pill (Combined Chapter)

"The talisman seems to be able to absorb the power of the stray True Immortal Seal. It should serve as protection."

"However, it's a method revealed by the Tower of Broken Immortality for the first time. Even in the so-called 'Path-Proofing Academy,' considered the source of the Immortal Ship's Dao techniques, there's no relevant record."

Li Fan's divine gaze suddenly falls on the sleeping Zhao Xian.

"The Xuan Immortal Ship has a strict hierarchical system, and many people, even in their entire lives, never leave their continent. A solid fortress needs to be infiltrated from the inside."

Li Fan lightly points at Zhao Xian's forehead.

In a daze, Zhao Xian seems to have a long dream.

In the dream, the conflict between the Tower of Broken Immortality and the Immortal Pivot Court remains unresolved for a long time. The struggle becomes more intense, with methods becoming increasingly extreme, leading to a devastating disaster. The Immortal Ship plunges into the depths of the sea of relics, ending in ashes. No one survives on the Immortal Ship, including Zhao Xian himself.

Waking up from the nightmare, Zhao Xian, usually optimistic and open-minded, takes a long time to recover, his face turning pale.

It's just that the dream was too real. Zhao Xian vividly remembers some details, making him feel like he has returned to the past.

"In the dream, ten years later, the Immortal Ship Salvage Team found a treasure called 'Yanfa Jade.' It could deduce different cultivation techniques at all times and even deduce them directionally based on conditions. To determine ownership of Yanfa Jade, the Tower of Broken Immortality and the Immortal Pivot Court fought fiercely. It was temporarily kept by our Path-Proofing Academy. Although the academy harvested unimaginable cultivation techniques during this period, it also laid the groundwork for future troubles."

"As an elite disciple of the academy, I had the privilege of studying a part of these cultivation techniques in the dream."

"'Steadfast Sea Divine Sword'..."

Zhao Xian instinctively activates the contents of the dream cultivation technique.

After a while, his expression suddenly changes.

"How is this possible?"

Zhao Xian recalls even more profound cultivation techniques.

'Tai Kang Geng Gold Sword Qi,' 'Emperor's Qi Canon,' 'Dual Qi Illuminates the Extinction of All Things Skill,' 'Infinite Celestial Pivot Separation God Skill'...

World-shaking and brilliant ancient techniques appear in his mind one by one.

Every word, every sentence, is clear and vivid.

Reciting the statements of these cultivation techniques and feeling the qi circulation they bring, Zhao Xian realizes that these are not figments of his imagination but genuine supreme divine techniques!

"These cultivation techniques, not to mention me, even the entire Path-Proofing Academy has no one who can deduce them..."

Zhao Xian's heart pounds.

"Could it be that I've truly traveled from the future to the past?"

For half a day, Zhao Xian couldn't accept this reality. Despite racking his brain, he couldn't figure out why such a bizarre thing would happen to him.

Since he couldn't figure it out, he decided not to dwell on it.

Zhao Xian's thoughts quickly focused on the dream's outcome of the Immortal Ship's demise.

"If that is true..."

"I must change everything." Zhao Xian unconsciously clenches his fists.

Having experienced many cruel things in the dream, the young Zhao Xian has become much more steady. Instead of habitually searching for solutions with the 'Ten Thousand Wisdom Records,' he knows that every word he says and every trace of browsing in it is monitored by the academy.

Zhao Xian paces back and forth in the room, his mind working rapidly. Since the grand dream, he feels that his thinking has become much more flexible.

"Master is right; the Immortal Ship must have only one helmsman. However, the irreconcilable conflict between the Tower of Broken Immortality and the Immortal Pivot Court, if left to their internal strife, the destruction of the Immortal Ship is inevitable."

"The best method is to cut through the chaos with a quick knife, allowing one side to gain overwhelming advantage in a short time."

Zhao Xian's eyes flicker. "Although some details of people and events in the dream have become blurred, the memories of future cultivation techniques and secrets are crystal clear. With these decades-advanced data, I am confident in helping one side unify the Immortal Ship. As for whom to assist..."

After reviewing the actions and governing principles of the two major organizations in the dream, Zhao Xian ultimately decides to choose the Tower of Broken Immortality.

"Now that the Tower of Broken Immortality is emerging, it's the right time. As long as I show a little talent, I can easily blend in."

"My current strength is still too weak; I need to improve quickly. Fortunately, my mind is filled with so many magical cultivation techniques."

"As long as the resources are sufficient, breaking through two major realms within a year is not a problem."

Zhao Xian closes his eyes to meditate, preparing to make a breakthrough that will shake the Path-Proofing Academy when he exits.

He doesn't realize that beside him, an almost invisible figure is gazing at him.

Naturally, this figure is Li Fan's divine clone.

"With no restrictions on not practicing multiple techniques simultaneously, countless cultivation techniques I've seen in the past, can be maximized here."

"Compared to the treacherous Xuanhuang Realm, this Immortal Ship is indeed like an otherworldly paradise."

At this moment, Li Fan, who was constrained everywhere in the Xuanhuang Realm, is causing a sensation on the Xuan Immortal Ship. He feels a sense of satisfaction and excitement with the mastery of supreme skills that he can fully unleash.

...

Having traversed more than half of the starry sea, encountering the civilization of the Xuan Immortal Ship hidden in the relic ocean, Li Fan finally found a breakthrough and went undercover.

In total, Saint Embryo Li Fan spent a little over a year.

However, due to different flow speeds in various regions of the starry sea, in the Xuanhuang Realm, less than half a year has actually passed.

In half a year, the Immortal Alliance has recovered from the great turmoil caused by the Xuanhuang Realm.

The distorted barrier of white mist between heaven and earth has also returned to its original state.

Memories of the disaster among cultivators have gradually become blurred. Everything seems to have returned to the beginning.

Meanwhile, in the affiliated small world of the Xuanhuang Realm, during the Great Dawn of the Saint Dynasty, the changes in the past six months can be described as dramatic.

"Day by day" is not just an adjective. In the sky of the Great Dawn, there truly appeared a spectacle that could compete with the sun and moon.

This was a growing number of shining stars centered around five blurred halos.

They are clearly visible even during the day.

At night, they completely overshadow the original starlight of the Great Dawn.

According to folklore, these five halos symbolize the five direct disciples of the Holy Emperor.

The stars appearing around the halos represent the many outstanding talents emerging during the Great Dawn.

This rumor is not baseless but has ample grounds.

Just three days ago, the entire population of the Great Dawn saw with their own eyes a shining star near the halo suddenly erupt with brightness many times greater than usual.

It then turned into a beam of light, shooting straight towards the Holy Emperor's seat in the Holy Capital.

The phenomenon lasted for almost half a day before the column of light that pierced the heavens and earth dissipated.

After that, people realized that the star in the sky also disappeared and descended to the mortal realm.

The Holy Emperor's disciples can trigger such a spectacle, so how powerful is the Holy Emperor himself?

Since the martial arts competition six months ago that caused a commotion in the world, people have once again started discussions and speculations about the Holy Emperor's formidable strength. Of course, this is only done privately.

Throughout the Great Dawn, the admiration and trust in the Holy Emperor have almost reached a terrifying level of unity.

At this moment, the unparalleled Holy Emperor in the hearts of the Great Dawn citizens is frowning, staring at a white-haired young man sitting cross-legged before him.

Contrary to the folktales, three days ago, when the beam of light, said to have brought stars into the world, descended from the sky, Holy Emperor Li Ping not only didn't feel any surprise, but rather anger and vigilance.

Because he immediately discerned the true nature of the beam of light: one of the five major Daoist realms outside the Five Elements Grand Dao, one that was painstakingly moved by Baihua Daoist to the outside of the Great Dawn Small World, serving as a giant Daoist realm to rapidly move the world in the void...

It exploded.

And the culprit of this incident is here in the Great Dawn, in the Holy Capital!

However, before Li Ping could act, a sentence from Yin Shangren made him go from surprise to joy, and all his anger disappeared!

"Someone..."

"Has successfully cultivated the Primordial Gold Pill!"

Even the self-proclaimed Emperor of Heaven, Li Ping, couldn't help but be shocked and slightly dazed when he heard Yin Shangren's words.

The Primordial Gold Pill, as a realm beyond the 'Foundational Establishment,' is a crucial part of the new cultivation system in Li Ping's plan to overturn the traditional Primordial Daoist System.

This first step is particularly difficult. Once taken, it will undoubtedly bring many unimaginable changes.

When Li Ping gathered Yin Shangren to study the new cultivation system, he actually didn't have high expectations. He was just in a trial-and-error mindset.

After all, the Primordial Daoist System has stood for thousands of years.

It's not easy to destroy its foundation.

Li Ping envisioned that the deduction of the new cultivation system would take at least a decade or even a century.

Unexpectedly, just over half a year later, Yin Shangren gave him a big surprise.

At the same time, Li Fan felt puzzled and wary.

Without starting to question, his gaze shifted from the black-haired youth to Yin Shangren, waiting for his answer.

Ignoring Li Ping, Yin Shangren, immersed in admiration, watched the young man cultivating and sighed.

"The aura of the world..."

Li Ping's gaze slightly wrinkled.

The black-haired youth felt strange to him.

Indeed, he was one of the several children who built their foundation with "I," and had indeed completed a breakthrough in realms.

The fluctuating strength that was elusive and difficult to grasp made Li Ping feel a bit unfathomable.

However, the youth's vitality was extremely weak.

It didn't resemble the vigorous state after a realm breakthrough but more like a flickering candle in the wind, precarious.

It seemed like his life would completely vanish in the next second.

After a long time, seeing the pained expression on the youth's face, Yin Shangren sighed deeply, "Taking the world's creation with one's own body..."

"How difficult it is! If unable to withstand, the only path is death."

Li Ping automatically skipped the latter half of the sentence, focusing on the first part of Yin Shangren's words.

"Taking the world's creation with one's own body? Is this the key to cultivating the Primordial Gold Pill?" Li Ping asked.

Yin Shangren remained silent for a moment before answering, "As you have seen, he did break through, but the risks involved are almost like facing certain death..."

"The new cultivation method shouldn't follow this path."

Yin Shangren told Li Fan about the process of comprehending the Primordial Gold Pill under fortuitous circumstances.

"What is the Primordial Gold Pill?"

"To build a foundation with 'I' means to construct the foundation of cultivation with one's complete self. If one wants to advance further in the world, they need to seek answers from the world and heaven."

"Taking the world's creation with one's own body is not directly devouring the world like the traditional Primordial Daoist System..."

"Although the actual effects are similar," Yin Shangren suddenly said, abruptly stopping.

Looking up at the remnants of the vanished Daoist realm in the sky, Yin Shangren continued, "Achieving the Primordial Gold Pill doesn't seize specific substances or energy but seizes the 'creation' of the world."

"The Grand Dao has fifty, and the celestial iterations forty-nine. Because one has escaped, the world has additional variables. Thus, after countless years, heaven and earth still have infinite vitality."

"But if that escaped one is seized..."

"The light beam in the sky just now is the fate of those things."

"Of course, some of it is due to my intervention. If there were no external forces, the changes would probably take nearly a century to manifest. I did it to help this child. Otherwise, with a foundation-building body, attempting to greedily seize the world, even if it's just a Daoist realm, he would get lost in the struggles of the Daoist realm." Yin Shangren glanced at Li Ping without any apology.

"To think of what I cannot think of, this kid is indeed remarkable."

...

From Yin Shangren's words, Li Ping also vaguely understood the so-called "Primordial Gold Pill."

As the ruler of the Great Dawn world, who had observed and interacted with many small worlds up close, he could better comprehend the meaning behind Yin Shangren's words.

"The world is like the human body, and the idea of taking the world's creation to achieve the Primordial Gold Pill is indeed feasible."

"However..."

Li Ping pondered for a moment, shaking his head internally.

"This step is too exaggerated!"

"To swallow the world with a human body. Even I may not be able to do it."

"The new cultivation method should be a universally accessible method for everyone."

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 1190: Passing the Dao to the Sage

While Li Ping was communicating with Yin Shangren, the black-haired youth who had comprehended the path of the Primordial Gold Pill showed signs of rapidly declining life force. Eventually, he completely lost the natural aura of living beings.

However, he did not die.

The black-haired youth still sat there quietly, his physical and spiritual energy spontaneously circulating.

Majestic and mysterious.

"Unfortunately, he couldn't hold on. Completely assimilated with the Daoist realm, losing himself," Yin Shangren sighed deeply, his face full of regret.

"His original strength was too weak, and the chosen target was not quite appropriate. If he had chosen the nearby, slightly smaller Daoist realm, he might have had a chance to survive."

Li Ping's gaze also stopped on the black-haired youth, lingering for a long time.

"What's his name?"

"Qu Wentian."

"Good name. But there's one thing I don't understand," Li Ping's voice echoed in the spacious secret room, "Can you really seize the Daoist realm's creation with a foundation-building realm? The vanished Daoist realm is called Yuan Huang. Although it doesn't look big from the perspective of the Great Dawn, Yuan Huang's scale is comparable to almost half of the Great Dawn's small world..."

"Maybe this kid has an extraordinary talent," after a long silence, Yin Shangren couldn't figure it out either and could only answer like that.

"You must know, people are different. Some things that seem impossible for us to accomplish may be effortless for others. Qu Wentian's path to the Primordial Gold Pill, although destined for a very small number of people to walk, has given me inspiration."

Yin Shangren looked at Li Ping, his expression becoming solemn, "You're right. To completely overthrow the dominance of the traditional Daoist System, our new cultivation method cannot be a niche and difficult path."

"The Daoist cultivation method of the past was able to spread like wildfire and replace the Ten Sects, not because it was almost barrier-free. Everyone could practice it, which is the attribute our new cultivation method should have."

"I've thought about it. The reason why Qu Wentian was able to break through the realms based on 'I' is because he seized the creation of the Daoist realm. Conversely, the creation of the world should be the most crucial factor for the Primordial Gold Pill."

Yin Shangren's speech sped up, and his expression became somewhat excited.

"No need for external items, universally accessible, the creation of the world..."

"By integrating these three necessary conditions, one can glimpse the true ideal image of the Primordial Gold Pill!"

Waving his hand, Yin Shangren summoned ethereal images of childish faces in front of the two.

"To seize the creation of the world is not for the creation itself. It requires the evolution of creation. The creation of the world is mysterious and incomprehensible to ordinary people. Only by forcefully taking possession through 'devouring' can it become a part of oneself, and one can slowly comprehend it."

"But if there is a Sage, guiding and instructing, thoroughly teaching his understanding of the creation of the world..."

"I believe even immature children can comprehend the path!" Yin Shangren affirmed.

Looking at Li Ping's somewhat incredulous eyes, he continued, "The method of 'Building a Foundation with I' seems incredibly complex and unimaginable to outsiders. However, for those children I taught who have been exposed to it since childhood, and in their perception, there is only this one method of cultivation, it is not as difficult to learn as it seems. Especially when the first successful 'Building a Foundation with I' broke through, success followed one after another."

"Just as 'Building a Foundation with I' is, so is the Primordial Gold Pill."

"Moreover, the new cultivation method should be individualized. Imitating the world's changes within oneself to achieve the Primordial Gold Pill doesn't necessarily have to pursue perfection. After all, the world has its size, and cultivators' talents and potential vary. Fully unleashing one's potential is already enough."

"The only thing needed is to find a 'Sage.' A Sage who not only has a profound understanding of the world but also is willing to share his insights patiently with others..."

As Yin Shangren spoke, he looked at the current Emperor, the destined Saint.

"Although I am willing to be a teacher for the world, unfortunately..." Li Ping's tone paused slightly.

"My own understanding of the world is not enough. How can I teach others? I believe in the entire Xuanhuang Realm, the only one qualified to be this teacher is probably the Primordial Daoist himself, right? Let the Primordial Daoist teach his own counter?"

"The fellow daoist's path of the Primordial Gold Pill needs further careful consideration," Yin Shangren had no strength to refute, a hint of unwillingness and confusion flashed in his eyes.

Li Ping came in high spirits but left in disappointment.

Leaving Yin Shangren behind, he returned alone.

He comforted Baihua Daoist, who had hurried here, thinking that the Xuanhuang Realm was under attack by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance and was searching for enemies.

And he rewarded her with some "Golden Source Power" as praise.

As a pure cultivation crystallization, Golden Source Power was a great supplement for Baihua, who was a pure energy being.

Baihua first expressed her gratitude and then solemnly absorbed it.

"Huh? The Golden Source Power you gave this time..."

After swallowing the Golden Source Power, Baihua Daoist hadn't completed a full sentence before it turned into an incredulous exclamation.

"Why is it so dense?"

"It even feels like..."

"Source Power essence?!"

Baihua Daoist looked at Li Fan in shock.

Her glass-like body became brighter and more solid at a visible speed.

Years of hidden injuries were slowly repaired, and even the connection, which had remained after being captured by the fishing pond and had not disappeared even after escaping, seemed to diminish significantly under the washing of Golden Source Power.

Correspondingly, Baihua Daoist looked at the faceless Holy Emperor in front of her, and his profoundly shadowy figure was gradually imprinted in her heart.

Li Ping didn't explain anything, leaving Baihua with an extremely mysterious figure.

"He, could he be so close to the realm of true immortality?"

"How is that possible?"

Baihua was incredibly astonished, but the surging golden source power within her body seemed to be the best evidence for her speculations.

...

As a clone, Li Ping's realm had not surpassed his main body.

He still remained in the Nascent Soul realm, and the majority of his strength came from the Saint Dynasty's Great Dawn Qi Luck. His personal strength was pitifully weak.

The reason he could produce golden energy essence so close to the source power essence relied on a group of special people.

Under the Holy Emperor's throne, in the deep underground.

There was no sunlight, and it was pitch-black.

Yet, a group of people lived here unaffected.

Apart from normal daily activities, their most crucial task was to pray to the Holy Emperor statue.

(End of this chapter)