Chapter 106: Ancestral Origins of the Grotto-Heaven

In their eyes, the Immortal Realm is considered a world even higher than the Primordial Ancient Realm, reputed as the "Homeland of Immortals"; how could it lag behind others?

Many claimed that Wang Heng's victory was merely against an Ancestral Regressor. Had his opponents been those at the pinnacle of the Dawnblood Realm, it would certainly be his defeat.

This ancient realm is unfathomably deep, filled with numerous prodigies and countless powerful figures. Many Daoist traditions have stood firm since the distant era of the fall of the emperors, enduring through one epoch after another, unshaken. Countless hidden families sporadically emerge to produce a successor who dominates their generation.

A mere Celestial Prince from the Primordial Ancient Realm could not possibly create such upheaval among the younger generation of a major world.

However, within just half a month, all voices of doubt vanished. This was because Wang Heng's name appeared on the Immortal King Monument, which ranks the comprehensive power of beings in the Immortal Realm. He directly surpassed many successors of ancient Daoist traditions, claiming the top position in the Dawnblood Realm, thus gaining immense fame.

It's important to note that this Immortal King Monument was established by a true giant of the Immortal Realm from countless ages ago and is viewed by innumerable beings as the most authoritative ranking.

When the real name of a being from the Immortal Realm is inscribed on the monument, it compares them in terms of battle prowess, potential, and other factors against beings of the same realm listed on the monument, thereby giving a ranking.

Both human and immortal beings are subject to such ranking, each striving for prominence on the monument.

If a being listed on the monument unexpectedly perishes, their name will vanish. If a being achieves enlightenment as an Immortal King, their venerable name ascends to the zenith of the monument, overlooking ages, shining throughout eternity. Even now, the names of many renowned Immortal Kings remain emblazoned upon it, akin to a great sun illuminating the skies.

The illustrious "Top Ten of the Immortal Realm" originate from the Immortal King Monument, shining as the ten most radiant names below the summit of the monument in the sphere of immortality. Below these ten, clearly stands the Supreme of Humanity...

Additionally, the authority of the Immortal King Monument is reflected in other aspects. For example, throughout generations, all creatures who have achieved enlightenment as kings have been those ranked among the foremost in the Immortal sphere of the monument. In other words, as long as one breaks into the leading ranks of the Immortal sphere on the monument, there lies a significant chance of becoming an Immortal King.

Of course, this isn't absolute, for achieving the Dao of the Immortal King is exceedingly difficult, occurring perhaps once or twice per era at most, and only during golden years when prodigies flourish. Generally, one may arise each era, or perhaps none at all.

Wang Heng's ascendancy to the top rank in the Dawnblood Realm of the Immortal King Monument, surpassing numerous successors from ancient Daoist traditions, speaks volumes of his immense potential and power.

Nonetheless, for cultivators of the vast Immortal Realm, being overshadowed by an outsider was hard to swallow. They all commented that Wang Heng could only exert his prowess in the initial realm of the Dawnblood Realm. Upon reaching the higher realms such as Creation or Soul Seizure, he would no longer stand alone at the forefront.

Such opinions were not uncommon and were widely spread across the lands of the Immortal Realm, aligning with the deep-seated pride in the nature of beings within the Immortal Realm, thus gaining widespread acceptance.

When these reached the ears of the Black King, who was a guest at Heaven Mountain, he merely sneered dismissively with a cold snort.

"The Immortal Realm is still the same old way, all talk and hubris. Until they are beaten convincingly, they'll buzz around like flies, never ceasing their noise.

You are about to step into the Creation Realm soon. Make sure to sustain the momentum from the Blood Transformation Realm and give their faces a good smack hard.

Let them understand who is truly the prime Celestial Seed of the Immortal Realm," the Black King spoke with fierce determination.

Not far away, Wang Heng sat cross-legged on a meditation mat, surrounded by Scriptures of the Grand Unity Dao, as brilliant as the stars, and a layer of deep red auspicious light. He was in the final stages of perfecting the Blood-Moving Realm, missing not a single detail in pursuit of the utmost perfection.

Upon hearing the Black King's words, he nodded slightly. Truth be told, he had long intended to undertake a groundbreaking act within the Creation Realm.

This is currently the second realm in the Immortal Domain system, known as Creation. Cultivators who enter this level must fully leverage every aspect of their bodies to absorb as much of the universe's wonders as possible, strengthening themselves thoroughly, and laying a solid foundation for the next realm: Essence Seizure.

However, there is always a barrier between a cultivator's physical body and the vast universe outside. Forcefully crossing this barrier, acting against it to seize power, is not only inefficient but also yields very limited results.

If a bridge could be built within this barrier to work in harmony with it, both efficiency and results would greatly improve.

This bridge is what the Perfect World defines as the second stage of the Current Method—the Grotto-Heaven.

In the mid-period of the Ancient Immortal Epoch, the Immortal Domain system had not yet evolved to the point of opening the Grotto-Heaven, remaining at the Creation Realm. This provided Wang Heng an opportunity to forge ahead of others.

Since it greatly benefits his cultivation, he naturally wouldn't be deterred by other concerns.

"Whew!"

Exhaling deeply, he assured himself that his Blood-Moving Realm was flawless and he could proceed to the next realm.

He shared this news with the Black King.

"Oh, is the time finally here? How do you plan on developing the Creation Realm?"

It is said that this realm has been perfected by Immortal Domain cultivators to the point where it is the hardest to introduce groundbreaking changes, given that the human body's contact with the universe is limited, with every inch deeply researched by Immortal Domain's prodigies.

Creating revolutionary change in this realm is very difficult, very difficult indeed. It might be better to forgo the Creation Realm and save your energy and talent for future stages.

Keep in mind, with your solid foundation, you are likely to secure the top position even by following the usual path in the Creation Realm." The Black King contemplated and suggested.

However, Wang Heng shook his head.

"As it is said, 'Dao begets one, one begets two, two begets three, three begets all things.'

The first three realms are easily overlooked, yet they form the foundation of a towering edifice; the deeper they are, the taller the building can be."

Saying this, he chanted the Scriptures of the Grand Unity Dao, his blood boiling, amassing immense life-force energy, decisively breaking through the barrier to ascend to the Creation Realm.

At this moment, Wang Heng felt his vision clearing unprecedentedly, perceiving everything as tranquil, while every pore in his body resonated, beginning to absorb the energies of the external world in an orderly fashion.

Not only each hair, but every inch of skin and all seven orifices alike are not idle, voraciously devouring the wondrous creations of the world.

The Primordial Great Dao Scripture, truly worthy of being pioneered by an unparalleled Immortal King, holds a unique comprehension in the realm of creation.

As the Black King had predicted, should Wang Heng cultivate step by step in the Creation Realm, his strength would not be weak and he might very well rank first in the Creation Realm on the Immortal Kings Monument, provided that no other prodigies achieve significant breakthroughs.

However, for Wang Heng, this is not the best choice.

Having briefly understood the so-called Creation Realm, he has begun opening up the Grotto-Heaven Realm.

Over the endless years, this realm has remained unchanged.

Yet Wang Heng did not give up. He consumed a divine elixir, letting its immense medicinal power permeate through his entire being.

For a being at the Creation Realm, the medicinal power of such an elixir is overwhelmingly potent. Its consumption in one go could easily cause an explosion from within. However, as the direct descendant of an Immortal King, Wang Heng's potential and physique were robust enough to contain such vast energy.

He activated the divine elixir's power, storing it in every inch of his flesh, constantly accumulating strength.

After consuming an entire elixir, he still wasn't satisfied. He summoned another orb of light and swallowed it whole. "Boom!"

The pure essence from two whole elixirs surged like an ocean, so immense that even Wang Heng barely managed to contain it.

When he finished storing this power, his body became crystalline and transparent, exuding divine essence and the fragrance of the elixirs. He looked like a divine elixir incarnate, sitting in deep meditation.

The Black King marveled, finding it incredible that a mere novice in the Creation Realm could absorb the energy of two divine elixirs. His appetite was enormous.

Subsequently, Wang Heng focused his thoughts on a point in the void above his head, intending to use this point as the foundation to open the Grotto-Heaven.

With everything in place, he unleashed his power, all the immense energy contained in his flesh erupting forth towards the focal point above him.

Such boundless energy converged at a single point, compressing and compressing further, until it could compress no more.

In this moment, Wang Heng's face twisted with effort, veins bulging, blood rushing like a mighty river, beyond the limits of his body, causing his veins to burst open. "Open!"

With a great shout, the focal point compressed to its limits exploded, creating a commotion as if splitting the heavens from the void.

The Black King widened his eyes, his mouth agape, astonished by the shocking scene.

As the focal point shattered, cracks spread, spilling forth endless chaos, obscuring Wang Heng's figure completely.

"Boom!"

Thunderous sounds suddenly erupted in the void, crashing down and wreaking havoc where Wang Heng sat, turning the area into a ruin in the blink of an eye.

One bolt even struck his body, causing him to shudder violently, nearly knocking him off balance.

The Black King couldn't help but retreat a few steps, his breath somewhat halted.

"Has he successfully carved a new path, invoking Heavenly Punishment?"

"Crack!"

A crisp sound of cracking echoed as the fissure above Wang Heng's head expanded dramatically, releasing a torrent of molten energy that cascaded over him, healing his wounds and purifying his body and Primordial Spirit.

"What? This is..."

The Black King was astounded. It had been skeptical about Wang Heng's ability to forge a new direction in cultivation at the Creation Realm, a realm already extensively explored and seemingly devoid of new breakthroughs. Yet, he had astonishingly succeeded.

What kind of enormous opening was this, overflowing with rich vital essence from heaven and earth, replenishing Wang Heng's body and augmenting his aura to astounding levels?

The Black King's eyes sparkled with ethereal brilliance. Peering through the veiled chaotic energy, it seemed to glimpse a vast expanse akin to a sacred land.

This was incredible, creating a universe externally, thereby linking with the cosmos to draw its bounty inward for refining.

Compared to the original Creation Realm's methods, this new approach was obviously much more profound.

"Whew!"

Wang Heng exhaled gently. The recent Divine Tribulation had struck him into unconsciousness, but fortunately, the first Grotto-Heaven was successfully established, and the bounty of creation, flowing like a waterfall, awakened him.

He manipulated this somewhat rough Grotto-Heaven, slightly healing his internal injuries. Despite being struck by merely one bolt of lightning, if one's strength wasn't formidable enough, even one could prove fatal. Even someone as powerful as Wang Heng had been severely wounded.

Once his injuries were somewhat alleviated, he concentrated the remaining strength within him to find another point of origin beside the first Grotto-Heaven and compressed and assaulted it once more.

"Boom!"

Soon, a second Grotto-Heaven manifested, its essence flowing down like erupting magma, showering Wang Heng's form.

"Another one?"

The Black King's expression turned utterly grave. It hadn't expected such an astonishingly massive opening could have a second manifestation.

Following this, Wang Heng's actions left it speechless; unsatisfied with just two Grotto-Heavens, he continued relentlessly to forge a third one.