《The Strongest Cultivator Is a System Maker!》 Chapter 1 - Reborn! The Endless Void¡ªa realm of boundless nothingness that stretches between all creations, universes, and realities. Untouched by time, substance, or form, it has remained an eternal constant. But now, this ageless stillness quakes as a battle of unfathomable power unfolds, each clash shaking the very foundation of existence. BOOM! BOOM! Two transcendent beings collide in a struggle that bends the fabric of reality. One, a humanoid figure enshrouded in a radiant grey-silver aura, commands the void with terrifying authority. His raised hand shines with blinding light, concentrating into a beam of power that surges forward, unstoppable in its wrath. Opposing him is a colossal red orb, vast enough to dwarf entire universes. Pulsing with chaotic energy, it resists with all its might. Yet, despite its immense form, the orb falters, cracks spreading across its surface as it endures the relentless onslaught. The grey-silver light cuts deep into the red orb, erasing chunks of its essence with every strike. The orb trembles, its core burning with a singular instinct¡ªto survive. For eons, it has existed as a manifestation of chaos, thriving in the lawless expanse of the void. But now, the inevitability of its destruction looms closer. BOOM!!! The orb fractures into trillions of fragments, each piece scattering across countless universes in a desperate bid for preservation. Yet, even this act of survival is thwarted. With a mere gesture, the grey-silver figure obliterates the fragments, reducing them to nothingness. A mournful growl echoes through the void, raw and wordless, as the red orb¡¯s existence flickers. It cannot bear the thought of ceasing to be. But its opponent has already seized its essence core, the very foundation of its being. Life and death now rest entirely in the hands of the grey-silver figure. The orb¡¯s desperation swells. It transmits a final plea, offering servitude, humiliation¡ªanything to avoid annihilation. The grey-silver figure pauses, his radiant form betraying a trace of intrigue. ¡°So, you¡¯re little more than a human infant,¡± he remarks, his tone sharp with both curiosity and disdain. The red orb, humiliated and enraged, gathers its last reserves of power. In a final act of defiance, it launches a suicidal attack, seeking to bring its opponent down. The attempt is futile. With an effortless motion, the grey-silver figure seals the orb¡¯s movements entirely, locking it in place. He speaks again, his voice quieter now, laced with understanding. ¡°You share the fate I once did¡ªa mere existence striving to defy the inevitable. Though our paths differ¡ªyou embrace the law of the jungle and I have overcome it¡ªI will grant you a chance.¡± Without hesitation, he begins dismantling the red orb. Its memories, power, and existence are stripped away, leaving only its essence core¡ªthe true soul¡ªintact. Suspended in the void, the core shines dimly, awaiting its uncertain future.
MC POV I don¡¯t want to die! I need to breathe! Why am I in water? Where¡¯s the surface? Why can¡¯t I feel my hands? Someone, help me! I¡¯m in pain! Countless questions filled my mind, but no answers came. Only an endless, searing pain in my head. Time stretched endlessly, and it felt like an eternity had passed before I was finally free from the suffocating, wet environment. I tried to open my eyes, but I couldn¡¯t see anything. Everything was blurry, and my body felt... strange. Desperately, I tried to call for help. ¡°Waaaaa! Waaaaa! WAAAAA!?¡± What the heck? A baby¡¯s cry? Wait¡­ that¡¯s my voice. Did I just... cry like a baby? No, no, no! This can¡¯t be happening! Did I become a baby? How? Why? Before I could process anything further, unfamiliar voices filled the air. A man and a woman, their tones warm yet foreign, spoke rapidly. I strained to understand them, but the language wasn¡¯t English. Their words were completely alien to me, but the rhythm of their voices carried a strange, comforting familiarity.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. "Lan Hengsheng¡­.." What¡¯s going on? Where am I? My mind raced, but my tiny body betrayed me. Exhaustion overwhelmed me, and despite my spiraling thoughts, my eyes slowly closed. Darkness claimed me once again.
5 years later "Young Master, Mistress is calling you," the young maid said in a polite tone, but the smirk tugging at her lips betrayed her true thoughts. Lan Hengsheng noticed immediately¡ªmockery hid behind her courtesy. He couldn¡¯t blame her. Just yesterday, the talent-identification ceremony had upended his life. Lan Hengsheng hailed as a prodigy since birth, had been the pride of the clan. He spoke his first words at one month old, walked by the second, and was reading books at six months. Such accomplishments made him the clan''s shining hope, destined to bring honor and glory. Expectations for his future soared to impossible heights. Yet, the ceremony¡¯s result crushed those dreams. The truth struck like a bolt of lightning: Lan Hengsheng was born without a spirit core, the very foundation of cultivation. Without it, he could not step onto the path of immortality, and the gates to cultivation were forever closed to him. The clan¡¯s joy turned to scorn, and disappointment spread like wildfire. His parents¡¯ rivals in the clan, long waiting for an opportunity, would undoubtedly seize this chance to attack their standing. The world Lan Hengsheng found himself in was nothing like Earth. Back on Earth, he had been a highly successful investor, a multi-business owner whose financial empire guaranteed him a life of ease. With wealth so vast he could spend millions daily without concern, he had retired young, ready to enjoy the fruits of his labor. But one moment, he had everything, and the next, he found himself reborn into this strange world. At first, Lan Hengsheng thought he had traveled back to ancient China. The architecture, customs, and Eastern landscapes all pointed to it. Yet this world contained wonders beyond anything his previous life could fathom. Here, immortal cultivators soared through the skies, wielding powers that bent the laws of nature. He vividly recalled watching his father rise into the sky, a spectacle that shattered his assumptions and confirmed he was in a realm of cultivation¡ªthe kind of world he once thought existed only in novels. The Lan Clan, into which Lan Hengsheng was reborn, was a prominent family situated in the heart of the Golden Pillar Continent. The clan boasted a massive network of more than ten thousand members living together, a testament to their strength and influence. However, in this world, strength was everything, and Hengsheng''s lack of a spirit core made him a weak link in their mighty chain. Hengsheng rose from his study seat and followed the servant to his mother¡¯s chambers. They passed through the lush garden, fragrant with blooming flowers, before arriving at the entrance to her room. The servant stepped aside and lowered her head respectfully as a calm, feminine voice called out from within. ¡°Come in.¡± Hengsheng pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside. His mother her name is Wang Lianxue, a woman with long, flowing black hair and a poised demeanor, sat gracefully within the room. She radiated elegance, her youthful appearance belying the wisdom she carried. A member of the Wang Clan¡ªlong-standing allies of the Lan Clan¡ªshe had come from a powerful lineage that shared territory under the Golden Sword Sect, the overlords of the continent. ¡°Mother.¡± Hengsheng greets her with a polite posture. ¡°Sheng¡¯er,¡± she began softly, her voice carrying warmth and understanding, ¡°I have heard about what happened yesterday. But do not let the words of others discourage you. The way of the heavens is mysterious. Even someone without a spirit core, like you, can achieve immortality. It has happened before.¡± She spoke with a gentle, reassuring tone, weaving tales of ancient immortals who, like him, were born without spirit cores yet defied all odds to ascend to greatness. Such figures achieved immortality not only through unyielding determination but also extraordinary luck and rare opportunities¡ªlike discovering a legendary treasure capable of transforming a mortal into a cultivator. Hengsheng listened quietly, absorbing his mother¡¯s words. He understood the immense difficulty of the path she described, but unlike others who might feel helpless in his situation, Hengsheng did not despair. He was not reborn empty-handed. "Thank you, Mother, for caring about me. I will not let others¡¯ opinions close my path," he said, his voice calm yet resolute. Hearing this, Lianxue felt a surge of pride at her son''s unshaken will, though her heart ached knowing the difficult road that lay ahead. The thought of her son growing old and frail, unable to break free from mortality, made her chest tighten painfully. She stepped forward and embraced him tightly, as if trying to shield him from the trials he would inevitably face. After releasing him, she sent Hengsheng back to his study with a warm smile. Hengsheng left his mother¡¯s chamber with a heart full of warmth. At least in this world, there was someone truly on his side. He muttered to himself, "Not like those brats from yesterday. They called me ¡®Big Bro¡¯ all this time but flipped on me the moment they found out I didn¡¯t have a spirit core. I¡¯ll make them regret it someday!" He clenched his fists briefly, but then let the anger go. They were just five-year-old kids. What did they know? The real reason Hengsheng wasn¡¯t discouraged by the talent identification ceremony yesterday lay in a secret only he knew. During the ceremony, when spiritual qi surged into his body to identify his core, it found nothing. But instead of merely failing, the process triggered something far greater¡ªsomething that had followed him through his reincarnation. Returning to his room, Hengsheng firmly closed the door and instructed his servant not to disturb him. He quickly sat down, his gaze fixed on an invisible screen only he could see. It had been loading since yesterday. A short while later¡­ [98%¡­ 99%¡­ 100%] Ding! [Make a wish.] Chapter 2 - More Wishes! That¡¯s it? Hengsheng stared at the words before him, disbelief etched across his face. Make a wish? He had envisioned a powerful system descending upon him, granting him a cheat-like ability befitting someone who had been reincarnated. Instead, it wanted him to... pray to some higher power? Hengsheng frowned, frustration bubbling within. What am I even supposed to wish for? The possibilities swirled in his mind like an endless storm. Can I wish to be the strongest in the world? No. This was a cultivation world¡ªthere was always a higher realm lurking somewhere. If I¡¯m the strongest here, someone from a higher realm could just come and slap me into oblivion. He scratched his head, thinking harder. Then what about wishing to be the strongest in the universe? But even that didn¡¯t feel right. He didn¡¯t know whether this world had a multiverse, and if it did, his wish would still fall short. Frustrated and overwhelmed, Hengsheng threw caution to the wind. Fine. Can I just wish to have... more wishes? Ding! [The wish is made.] Hengsheng froze, his eyes widening. The system had accepted it. Wait, what? It actually worked?! Before he could fully process what was happening, a sudden pressure engulfed his body. His vision blurred, and the world seemed to spin out of control. He stumbled backward, falling off his chair and collapsing onto the floor. A sickening wave of nausea crashed over him, his body trembling violently. It felt as if he were caught in the throes of a severe flu, every inch of his being screaming in discomfort. I... I can¡¯t... Hengsheng¡¯s thoughts began to fragment as the overwhelming sensation pulled him deeper into the abyss. His consciousness flickered and then faded entirely. A while later, Hengsheng didn¡¯t know how much time had passed, but he slowly opened his eyes. His body ached all over from the earlier incident, and confusion clouded his thoughts. What happened? What about my wish? He sat up, rubbing his temples, and decided to test it. ¡°I want to be the strongest!!¡± he shouted. Nothing happened. ¡°I want to be an adult!!¡± Silence. ¡°I want to have a spirit core!!¡± he yelled in frustration, waiting for any sign. Yet, nothing came. Hengsheng¡¯s face twisted in disbelief. ¡°Did I just get scammed? Damn it!¡± Desperation clawed at him as he tried again. ¡°System!? Status! Status window!¡± His voice echoed through his room, but still, there was no response. ¡°Ahhhhhhhhh!¡± Hengsheng screamed, slamming his fists against the floor in frustration. He had convinced himself that his lack of a spirit core would be a temporary setback, that the so-called ¡°cheat¡± he had expected would eventually make up for it. But now, his hopes seemed crushed. He lay on the ground, staring at the ceiling, despair washing over him. Life as a mortal in a prestigious cultivation clan was worse than being an ordinary mortal. Without cultivation, he would be seen as trash for the rest of his life. His father, the son of the Lan Clan Patriarch, might shield him to some extent, and his mother, a key figure in their allied Wang Clan, could protect him from outright death. But beatings and humiliation? Those would be unavoidable. Most of all, Hengsheng yearned to cultivate. To be immortal. To transcend the limits of life itself. Who wouldn¡¯t want that? ¡°Ughhhhh! Ahhhhhhh!¡± Hengsheng cried pathetically, rolling on the ground like a helpless child. Sucking on his finger out of frustration, he imagined his bleak future. Even if a treasure that could turn a mortal into a cultivator existed, it wouldn¡¯t fall into my hands. The stronger forces out there would never allow it. Even if by some miracle I obtained it, it would bring destruction to my clan. We¡¯d pay the ultimate price for possessing something beyond our capability to protect. Just as he was about to lose all hope, a strange warmth began to radiate from his chest. The sensation was foreign but oddly comforting, like a flicker of hope igniting deep within him. Hengsheng sat up abruptly and closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation. Suddenly, his consciousness was pulled inward. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a vast, endless white space. The emptiness stretched in every direction like an infinite blank sheet of paper. ¡°What¡­ what is this?¡± he muttered, looking around. When he glanced at his hands, he realized they were translucent, ghostlike. Panic gripped him. ¡°Am I dead?¡±This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. He quickly closed his eyes again, and the moment he did, his consciousness snapped back into his body. ¡®Woop.¡¯ Hengsheng gasped, sitting upright in his room. The warmth in his chest still lingered, faint but steady. Determined to understand, he closed his eyes and focused on the feeling again. ¡®Woop.¡¯ He was back in the white space. This time, excitement bubbled within him as realization dawned. ¡°This¡­ this must be my cheat!¡± Hengsheng took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. Questions began swirling in his mind. How does this work? Is this some kind of tool for cultivation? Could it give me extra time to practice? But if that were the case, it wouldn¡¯t help him anytime soon. He recalled the teachings of his clan¡ªcultivation could only begin properly at the age of 15 when the body matured into adulthood. Starting too early risked an unstable foundation when one reached the Spirit Body Stage. As he pondered, Hengsheng decided to explore. He moved his ''spirit body'' around the vast white space. To his amazement, he found that he could float, even fly, in this peculiar realm. ¡°It must be some kind of mind space,¡± he murmured, assuming it existed within himself. He flew forward, but no matter how far he traveled, the scenery didn¡¯t change. The space was endless, an infinite void. Frustrated, he paused mid-flight, a thought suddenly striking him. My wish¡­ maybe this is where I should start. Stopping in place, Hengsheng took a deep breath and declared boldly, ¡°I want to be the strongest!¡± Immediately, a surge of power flooded his ''spirit body,'' filling him with strength he¡¯d never imagined. Excitement bubbled within him as he raised his small palm, aiming forward. With a single thought, the energy gathered into a glowing sphere and shot out into the void. Boom! Far away, an explosion erupted, its shockwave rippling through the white space. Hengsheng laughed with satisfaction. ¡°Hahaha! It worked!¡± Drunk on power, he made another wish. ¡°I want to be an adult!¡± His spirit body transformed before his eyes, growing taller and more muscular. Gone was the frail, 5-year-old form, replaced by a commanding adult figure. He laughed again, this time with a sense of omnipotence. ¡°I¡¯m a god! Omnipotent!¡± Consumed by a sense of power, Hengsheng made another wish. ¡°Turn this place into Earth!¡± Suddenly, the blank white space began to shift. Stars appeared, filling the vast void, and the ground beneath him solidified into the familiar blue-green planet. He stood on Earth, taking in a deep breath of imaginary air, basking in the illusion of pleasure and control. But doubt crept into his mind. Is any of this real? Hengsheng froze. The fear that all of this was just an illusion gripped him. His chest tightened. What if it¡¯s all fake? He steeled himself and opened his eyes. Back in his room, Hengsheng glanced at his body. He was still a 5-year-old child. The overwhelming power he had felt moments ago was gone. The wishes, the Earth, the stars¡ªall of it vanished, as though it had never existed. ¡°Hahaha¡­¡± His laugh was hollow as he mocked himself. ¡°Stupid. I actually thought everything would be okay just like that.¡± This world was nothing like the one he had come from. On Earth, success came to those who worked smart, and who found the right way to the top. But here? Here, the fight was over before it even began. Still, Hengsheng gritted his teeth. At least I have something¡ªa super-reality simulation, a place where I can escape and forget about this harsh reality, even if only for a while. For now, he resolved to retreat into the mind space whenever the world became too much to bear. If nothing else, it would be his sanctuary away from the cruel world outside. Hengsheng closed his eyes and returned to the mind space. Everything he had wished for earlier still existed¡ªthe earth, the people, and the bustling world he had shaped. With no hesitation, he resumed playing god, molding the simulation further. He populated the earth with people who resembled those from his old world, but something was off. They stood blankly, lifeless, like mannequins waiting for commands. Frustrated, he made a new wish: ¡°Let everything here be like the real earth.¡± At once, the simulated world sprang to life. The blank stares faded as the people began to move. Streets filled with activity. Cars honked, workers bustled, children laughed. The world flowed seamlessly, as if this day was no different from any other. Hengsheng hovered above it all, watching with satisfaction. As he focused, a strange sensation overtook him¡ªhis awareness expanded, and he could feel the thoughts and actions of the simulated 7 billion people below. His mind brimmed with their collective knowledge and creativity. A sudden idea struck him: What if I use these simulated people to solve my problem? Could I create geniuses to think outside the box for me? The thought excited him, but it also raised another question: Why not just wish for my own intelligence to increase instead? Careful not to overreach, Hengsheng made his next wish: ¡°Make me smarter without losing myself.¡± Instantly, he felt his mind sharpen. Memories from his past life¡ªconversations, books he¡¯d read, details he had long forgotten¡ªcame flooding back. His thoughts flowed faster, clearer. It was as though the fog in his brain had lifted, leaving behind crystal clarity. ¡°This feels... amazing,¡± Hengsheng whispered, marveling at his newfound mental acuity. I never realized how much a sharper mind could change the way I see the world. But curiosity gnawed at him: Does this intelligence stay when I leave the mind space? Opening his eyes, Hengsheng returned to reality. The dull ache of his mortal body reminded him he was back, but his mind still felt sharper. He decided to test it with some mental math, solving equations far beyond what his five-year-old self should manage. ¡°So it works!¡± he laughed triumphantly. Even if it¡¯s not as strong as in the mind space, I¡¯ve still become smarter. About 10% of what I gain here carries over... but it¡¯s real! Then another question rose: Why can intelligence transfer, but not physical changes? Does it only apply to things I think in my mind? His newly enhanced intellect prodded him toward a bold, if insane, experiment. Without hesitation, Hengsheng reentered the mind space, made a wish, and then immediately opened his eyes again in reality. Ding! [Status] Name: Lan Hengsheng Level: ?? ?????????????? ??????????????? For a moment, Hengsheng stared in disbelief, then burst into uncontrollable laughter. ¡°Ha hahahahahhahaaaaaa!¡± For the first time since his rebirth, Lan Hengsheng¡¯s heart swelled with real, unshakable hope. Chapter 3 - System! ¡°Hahahahaha!¡± Hengsheng laughed uncontrollably, basking in the euphoria of his discovery. He had found a way to cheat the laws of the cultivation world. But his triumph was short-lived as something felt off. Suddenly, his stomach growled fiercely, an empty ache spreading through his body. In an instant, he collapsed to the ground, his strength drained completely. Hengsheng¡¯s face turned pale as he clutched his stomach. ¡°What¡¯s happening?!¡± he muttered through gritted teeth, struggling to make sense of the sudden weakness. His sharp mind kicked into gear, deducing the likely cause. So, the cheat comes with a cost after all. No wonder the system didn¡¯t fully materialize or display all its features. It only showed my name... Helpless, Hengsheng forced himself to sit upright, crawling toward the chair in his chamber. He felt like he hadn¡¯t eaten in days, even though breakfast had been just two hours ago. Hunger consumed him, and with no other option, he called out to his servant with all the strength he could muster. ¡°Lan Ju! Bring me a meal! A lot of it!¡± Hengsheng shouted hoarsely. ¡°Yes, Young Master!¡± Lan Ju replied promptly from outside the chamber. Before long, the door opened, and Lan Ju entered, carrying a small banquet¡¯s worth of dishes. The servant placed the food on the table and, hearing Hengsheng¡¯s stomach growl audibly, stifled a smile. Hengsheng felt his cheeks flush slightly in embarrassment but waved his servant away impatiently. ¡°Leave me,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ll eat alone.¡± Lan Ju bowed and retreated from the room, closing the door behind him. Hengsheng wasted no time digging into the feast. Manners forgotten he devoured the food like a starved animal, the gnawing ache in his stomach driving him to eat more than he ever thought possible. Fifteen minutes later, the table was empty, and Hengsheng leaned back in his chair, feeling bloated but finally sated. Wiping his mouth, he let out a sigh of relief. I can¡¯t keep this up, he thought, his earlier excitement now tempered with caution. If using my cheat drains me like this every time, my body won¡¯t survive long. The body is the foundation of everything in this world. Even a minor injury can cripple a cultivator¡¯s potential. Hengsheng considered his next steps carefully. He couldn¡¯t afford to be reckless. Creating a system to assist me seems feasible, but I¡¯ll need to ensure it works efficiently in the real world without draining me to the brink of collapse. If this world demands careful planning to succeed, then so be it. Resolved, Hengsheng began brainstorming how to design a system that would not only help him cheat the natural order but also function seamlessly within the limitations of his mortal body. Hengsheng, now full from his meal, stood up and walked to his bed. He lay down and closed his eyes, entering the mind space with a familiar sensation. Woop! In an instant, he was surrounded by the endless white void. Here, his ability to wish was unrestricted, granting him access to unparalleled possibilities. Hengsheng focused, activating his enhanced intellect. He began considering the first issue at hand¡ªhow to fully utilize this mind space. The logical first step was understanding its limits. "Let¡¯s test this," he murmured, making a wish. The answer came swiftly: "There is no limit. The only boundaries are your imagination and knowledge. Everything here will manifest according to your will." So that¡¯s how it is, Hengsheng thought, his suspicions confirmed. If he could imagine the strongest being, he could become that powerful in this space. But the next question loomed: could he bring anything from the mind space into the real world, like his increased intelligence or the incomplete system? He made another wish, and the answer revealed itself: "Yes, but everything brought into the real world must adhere to its laws. There will also be a cost¡ªenergy, treasure, or equivalent exchange." It made sense. If he wanted to bring the overwhelming strength of his strongest self into the cultivation world, he would need either to surpass that power himself or to possess the energy required to sustain it. Without these conditions, such a wish would be impossible. However, more modest changes, like a portion of his enhanced intelligence, were viable. The cost was low, and such an optimization wasn¡¯t against the laws of heaven. In the eyes of heaven, improving his intelligence was akin to refining his mind¡ªnothing that disrupted the natural order. Similarly, for the system, heaven would interpret it as ''a technique''¡ªa construct powered by his mind and body energy¡ªrather than something magical entity, or something that violated its rules.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Hengsheng couldn¡¯t help but smirk, satisfied with the clarity of the answers. This simplified everything. Now, he knew the steps he had to take to re-enter the battlefield of this world and fight for immortality! The first step was fixing his core issue¡ªliterally. Without a Spirit Core, he couldn¡¯t hold spiritual qi within his body, the defining trait that separated mortals from cultivators. Hengsheng recalled the knowledge imparted by the clan teacher about Spirit Cores. These cores were categorized by both quality and type. Quality ranged from Mortal, Earth, Heaven, to Divine, with each level representing an exponential increase in a core¡¯s ability to absorb qi from the environment, harmonize with the heavens, and enhance the user¡¯s comprehension of dao or qi alignment. Types were based on affinity, enabling cores to specialize in certain qi or dao paths. The weakest and most common was the Neutral Core, Mortal Grade, which had no affinity and the slowest qi absorption rate. Cultivators with this type of core would struggle to progress, often requiring their entire lifespan to reach the next realm. Such individuals were typically overlooked by sects and clans, forced to walk the path of loose cultivators without the resources to succeed. At the pinnacle of cores lay the Chaos Core, Divine Grade. This extraordinary core granted the holder an affinity with all types of qi, the highest absorption rate, and unparalleled comprehension speed. Cultivators with this type of core had cultivation speeds tens of thousands of times faster than those with the weakest cores. With such a core, ascension to immortality was almost guaranteed¡ªif they could survive the inevitable challenges and dangers along the way. Hengsheng¡¯s goal was simple: to create a system that would help him form a Spirit Core. He couldn¡¯t create a core instantly; the energy required was far beyond his current means. Instead, he resolved to build it gradually, little by little feeding the process through food or natural treasure. His first desire was to form a Divine Chaos Core, but a quick calculation revealed the grim reality¡ªit would take him millions of years, even with constant energy input. Using his wish ability, Hengsheng deduced the most optimal path forward. The results were clear. A Mortal Neutral Core would only take seven years to form, giving him a workable starting point. However, he aimed higher. A Mortal Metal Core, which would take ten years to form, would be far more advantageous. The Golden Pillar Continent was abundant in metal qi, allowing him to cultivate at speeds comparable to someone with an Earth-quality core. With ten years before others, his age began their cultivation journey, the decision was obvious. With his plan set, Hengsheng immediately wished for the creation of a system to form the core.
Ding! [Mortal Metal Spirit Core formation processing: 10 years 00:00:00]
Hengsheng felt a warm sensation bloom in his lower abdomen, the area where the Spirit Core would eventually form. He closed his eyes, returned to the real world, and focused on observing himself. Sure enough, the warmth persisted. He willed the system panel to appear, confirming its operation.
Ding! [Mortal Metal Spirit Core formation processing: 9 years 365:23:58]
A grin spread across Hengsheng¡¯s face. His plan was working. He had finally found a way to cheat the heavens! However, his triumphant moment was cut short as a familiar sensation struck¡ªhis energy was being drained. Not all at once, but gradually, just as he had designed. The realization hit him: "I¡¯ve literally programmed my own suffering." "Lan Ju! Get me more meals!" Hengsheng bellowed, his voice echoing dramatically through the chamber. "Yes, Young Master!" Lan Ju replied, though her tone carried a subtle undertone of confusion. After all, the young master had just eaten his breakfast meal a while ago. What on earth was wrong with him now?
Lan Ju¡¯s POV Yesterday had been nothing short of a spectacle. The once-glorious young master, heralded as a prodigy destined to lead the clan, was revealed to be... just a mortal. Lan Ju couldn¡¯t help but laugh internally at the cruel joke heaven had played. Who would have thought the same child who strutted around like he was better than everyone else would fall so hard? And not even while walking the path of cultivation¡ªhe didn¡¯t even get to start! At first, she had been thrilled to be assigned as the young master¡¯s caretaker. It was supposed to be an opportunity, a stroke of fortune for someone like her from a minor branch of the Lan Clan. But now? That dream had shattered faster than her hope of ever advancing in the clan. Secretly, she cursed her luck. "Why, young master, why did you have to be just a mortal?!" Despite her resentment, she stopped herself from mocking him outright. After all, he was still just a five-year-old child. This must have been the biggest blow he¡¯d ever faced in his short life. When the young master returned from Mistress Wang¡¯s chamber, his expression had been... strange. A smile tugged at his lips, as though he¡¯d completely forgotten the disaster of yesterday. But it didn¡¯t stop there. Later, loud, crazed laughter echoed from his chamber, followed by shouting. Lan Ju almost went in to check on him, but he had strictly instructed her not to disturb him. Then came another round of laughter, even more manic than the first. Shaking her head, she murmured to herself, "The young master¡¯s completely lost it. Poor thing." ¡°Lan Ju! Bring me a meal! A lot of it!¡± the young master suddenly screamed. Lan Ju blinked, baffled. He had just eaten a mountain of food not long ago. Still, she quickly responded, "Yes, young master!" No matter what his current status, she was still his servant. Acting outside her role would only bring her trouble. She hurried to fetch what he¡¯d demanded and returned with another feast. When she stepped out of the chamber after delivering it, she could hear sounds coming from within¡ªlike a pig devouring its food without a shred of decorum. She winced. "He¡¯s really lost it." Moments later, another shout came: ¡°Lan Ju! More food!¡± This time, she was certain. He¡¯s gone completely mad. Looking up at the ceiling, Lan Ju sighed deeply, her shoulders sagging. "Why... why is this my destiny?" Chapter 4 - Fat Young Master! Nine years had passed since the infamous "fall of the young master." Now 14 years old, Lan Hengsheng was seated in his chamber, surrounded by three new servants arranging a feast that could feed ten men. It had been this way ever since he created his first system. Consuming absurd amounts of food daily had become his norm¡ªa habit that no longer raised too many eyebrows in the cultivation world. After all, strange physiques, curses, or bizarre techniques often demanded similarly outrageous conditions. In Hengsheng¡¯s case, however, his overindulgence was attributed to a ¡°strange disease¡± diagnosed by the clan doctor. His mother, Wang Lianxue, had consulted the best healers to understand her son¡¯s insatiable appetite, only to receive a vague answer that further weighed on her already burdened heart. Hengsheng felt guilty for not revealing the truth about his secret system. It wasn¡¯t a matter of trust but caution. This was a cultivation world, and secrets spoken aloud could easily be unearthed by some powerful immortal using heavenly calculations. The only truly safe place for his secret was within his own mind. When the food was finally ready, Hengsheng clumsily rose from his bed. Years of overeating to stave off the draining effects of the system had taken a toll on his body. He now weighed a staggering 150 kilograms¡ªa fat young master by all accounts. ¡°It¡¯s only temporary,¡± he reassured himself. ¡°Once my core formation is complete, this will all be fixed.¡± Lan Ju, his loyal servant, hurried to help him stand and guide him to the table. The other three servants, though obedient, cast fleeting glances of disdain, their true feelings thinly veiled beneath forced smiles. Hengsheng caught their looks but chose to ignore them. ¡°Soon,¡± he thought, ¡°they won¡¯t dare to look at me this way.¡± After gesturing for the servants to leave, Hengsheng sank into his chair, savoring the privacy. With the room cleared, he opened his system panel. Ding! [Mortal Metal Spirit Core formation processing: 00:00:15] A grin spread across his face. Today was the day his suffering would finally end. The process had completed faster than he anticipated, thanks to the clan¡¯s medicinal pills. While meant to cure his ¡°strange disease,¡± the pills had also accelerated his core formation, shaving off nearly a year of waiting. Hengsheng chuckled at the irony. ¡°If only I could get more of those pills,¡± he mused, ¡°but the clan¡¯s resources aren¡¯t mine to waste without good reason.¡± For the past nine years, Hengsheng had kept a low profile. Rarely leaving his chambers except for mandatory clan gatherings or ceremonies, he sought to fade from the spotlight. His father¡¯s younger brother, a contender for the Patriarch position, was always on the lookout for weaknesses to exploit. Staying hidden was the safest option¡ªfor now. But Hengsheng hadn¡¯t wasted his isolation. He had requested books from his mother to expand his knowledge. Over the years, he devoured thousands of texts accessible to mortals. While his mother couldn¡¯t provide him with advanced cultivation techniques due to a Dao Pledge restricting their dissemination, he still gleaned valuable insights from loose cultivator manuals. These could take someone to the Spiritual Foundation Realm at best¡ªnot exactly groundbreaking. Of course, Hengsheng could have created better techniques in his mind space. However, those would still be limited by his own understanding, capping their potential at the strongest Spiritual Foundation technique he could imagine. As he mulled over his next steps between bites of his meal, a familiar sound interrupted his thoughts. Ding! [You have acquired: Mortal Metal Spirit Core] Hengsheng froze, his heart pounding. It was finally here¡ªthe beginning of his path to immortality! But the moment of celebration was short-lived. A commotion erupted outside Hengsheng''s chamber¡ªfootsteps pounding in panic, muffled screams cutting through the air. Such chaos was unheard of within the Lan Clan residence. Hengsheng frowned, his instincts sharpening. He rushed to the door and flung it open, spotting Lan Ju staring up at the sky with terror etched across her face. ¡°Lan Ju! What¡¯s happening? Are we under attack?¡± Lan Ju seemed to snap back to reality, her eyes wide with horror as she turned to him. ¡°Young Master, please, run away! Someone is breaking through realms within the clan grounds¡ªHeavenly Tribulation is coming!¡± Hengsheng¡¯s heart sank. His confusion quickly gave way to anger. Normally, anyone attempting a breakthrough would go far away from populated areas to avoid collateral damage. Yet here was someone daring to do it within the Lan Clan residence, endangering everything¡ªincluding Hengsheng¡¯s chamber. He looked up at the sky, his eyes narrowing as the ominous gathering of dark clouds churned above. Sparks of lightning snaked through the clouds like thunder dragons, heralding the arrival of Heavenly Tribulation. The heavenly phenomenon, invoked when a cultivator tried to ascend a major realm, punished acts against Heaven¡¯s will¡ªbe it demonic cultivation or breaking through limits forbidden by the natural order.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. The lightning roiled, and as Hengsheng stared, it seemed to focus on him, crackling with an unnatural fury. From across the estate, clan experts soared into the sky, their robes billowing in the storm¡¯s violent winds. Among them, Hengsheng spotted his mother, Wang Lianxue. Her worried gaze locked onto him, filled with unanswered questions and rising dread. Then, a voice bellowed from above, cutting through the storm like a blade. ¡°Lan Hengsheng! What have you done to invoke Heavenly Dao¡¯s punishment?!¡± Hengsheng looked up, recognizing the speaker¡ªa Nascent Soul realm elder loyal to his uncle. The accusation made Hengsheng¡¯s blood boil. ¡°What?!¡± he shouted back, his voice trembling with disbelief. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything!¡± But realization struck like a hammer. His Spirit Core! His face paled as he pieced it together. The system he had created to form his Spirit Core¡ªthough technically within the bounds of the cultivation world¡ªlikely defied Heaven¡¯s natural order. A mortal wasn¡¯t meant to cultivate! His thoughts were interrupted by a blinding flash of light. Crack! BOOM! The first bolt of Heavenly Lightning descended, slamming into the protective treasure his mother had given him. The shield flickered under the immense force, but it shattered with a deafening crack, leaving Hengsheng exposed. ¡°AHHHHHHHH!¡± The lightning struck him directly, searing his body and leaving his skin scorched. Agonizing pain coursed through him as his body convulsed. He was alive¡ªbut barely. Heavenly Tribulation, though merciless, often granted survivors a sliver of hope. If it had been a killing strike, he would have been reduced to ashes. Through the haze of pain, Hengsheng glimpsed his mother, tears streaming down her face as she stood helplessly in the sky. Interfering with Heavenly Tribulation was forbidden, and doing so would only worsen the punishment. Her heart was breaking, convinced she was witnessing the death of her only son. Hengsheng clenched his fists, his mind racing even as he teetered on the brink of unconsciousness. He couldn¡¯t die here¡ªnot like this. Closing his eyes, he steeled himself and began to focus on the mind space he intended to create a new system. The second bolt of lightning was already gathering above, crackling with an even greater intensity. As the lightning descended, Hengsheng¡¯s eyes snapped open, blazing with determination. Ding! [Heavenly Punishment Refinement activated!] The system sprang to life, its purpose clear: survival! BOOM! The third bolt of Heavenly Lightning struck Lan Hengsheng. Onlookers held their breath, but as the dust settled and the crackling energy faded, no scream followed. Silence descended like a shroud, and many assumed the worst. ¡°He¡¯s gone¡­¡± one elder murmured. Wang Lianxue, Hengsheng¡¯s mother, could bear it no longer. She closed her tear-filled eyes, unable to face the sight of her son¡¯s charred corpse. Her anguished scream tore through the heavens, shaking even the most hardened hearts. But before anyone could turn away, an elder suddenly cried out, his voice trembling with disbelief. ¡°What is that?!¡± Everyone turned their attention back to where Hengsheng had stood moments ago. There, amidst the scorched ground and the dissipating smoke, a lone figure sat cross-legged, seemingly in meditation. It was Lan Hengsheng. His body was burnt, thin from drastic weight loss, and battered beyond recognition, yet he was alive. The gathered experts exchanged bewildered looks. How could a mortal survive the wrath of Heavenly Tribulation? And then, the fourth bolt struck. BOOM! Hengsheng gritted his teeth as pain coursed through his body, sharper and more relentless than before. The system he had created worked tirelessly to refine the heavenly lightning, converting its destructive energy into temporary reserves to boost his lightning resistance and heal his injuries. The cost, however, was severe¡ªhis body burned through its fat reserves to fuel the process. The fifth strike followed immediately. BOOM! Then the sixth. BOOM! The sky roared with fury, each strike stronger than the last. The gathered experts of the Lan Clan watched in stunned silence, their disbelief growing with each successive bolt. It was unheard of for a mortal to endure even a single strike of Heavenly Tribulation, let alone survive seven. And then, the eighth strike descended. BOOMMMMM! Hengsheng, his eyes tightly shut and his body wracked with searing pain, spat blood as the strike hit him squarely. The system worked desperately to refine the energy, pushing his endurance to its absolute limit. He knew the ninth and final bolt¡ªthe strongest of them all¡ªwas still to come. The storm above shifted, its dark blue hue deepening to a menacing purple. The final bolt began to gather, its power rippling across the heavens. Purple lightning coiled like a celestial serpent, growing in intensity as it prepared to descend. Hengsheng opened his eyes briefly, his face pale but resolute. The sight of the looming lightning made his heart race, but he focused, channeling every last ounce of refined energy into his lightning resistance. CRACK! BOOM!! The mighty purple lightning struck with unparalleled force, obliterating the ground beneath Hengsheng. The impact left a massive crater, the earth scorched and cracked. Hengsheng lay motionless, his body covered in burns and wounds, seemingly lifeless. The dark clouds began to dissipate, and the sky cleared, bathed in a soft golden light. Heavenly Tribulation had ended, and as its final act, it rewarded Hengsheng for enduring its wrath. The golden light surrounded him, healing his injuries and rejuvenating his battered body. Hengsheng¡¯s eyes fluttered open. His body felt foreign yet powerful¡ªlean and muscular, the remnants of his fat reserves completely burned away. Lightning energy coursed through his veins, leaving a lingering discomfort but also a newfound strength. ¡°Sheng¡¯er!!¡± His mother descended from the sky, rushing to his side and enveloping him in a tight hug. Her tears flowed freely as she clung to him, her relief overwhelming. Hengsheng returned her embrace, his voice hoarse but steady. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mother. I didn¡¯t know it would turn out like this.¡± He surveyed the destruction around him. His once-luxurious chamber lay in ruins, reduced to rubble by the tribulation¡¯s collateral damage. Nearby, he spotted Lan Ju, his loyal servant, lying among the debris. Thankfully, she appeared only lightly injured, having been flung aside by the first strike. Then, a powerful voice echoed across the estate, carrying authority and gravity. ¡°LAN HENGSHENG, COME TO THE CLAN HALL.¡± Hengsheng recognized the voice instantly. It was his grandfather¡ªthe Patriarch of the Lan Clan. Chapter 5 - Lan Clan Hall! Hengsheng walked alongside his mother, escorted by servants, to the grand Lan Clan Hall. This time, he was truly in trouble. He hadn¡¯t anticipated that creating a Spirit Core would trigger the wrath of the Heavenly Dao. As he walked, he made a mental note: I need to create a system that will help me hide from the heavens'' eyes in the future. The Clan Hall, located at the heart of the Lan Clan¡¯s residential area, was not far from Hengsheng¡¯s chamber. It was a grand structure, serving as the seat of the Patriarch, Lan Tianyuan, the Flowering Bloom Sword Saint, and the venue for ceremonies and elder conferences. Soon, Hengsheng stood before the towering doors of the hall. The servants bowed deeply, opening the heavy wooden doors. Inside, the vast space exuded authority and tradition. Elders from both sides of the clan were seated on either side of the hall, their expressions unreadable. At the far end, on a golden throne adorned with intricate carvings of blooming flowers and swords, sat Patriarch Lan Tianyuan. Despite being 30,000 years old, he appeared youthful, his aura calm yet commanding. An empty seat awaited Hengsheng in the center of the hall. He instantly recognized it¡ªit was meant for him. His mother broke away to join the female elders on the right side of the hall, exchanging nods with a few familiar faces. Hengsheng, suppressing his nerves, walked forward, stopping in front of the Patriarch. Bowing deeply, he greeted, ¡°Patriarch.¡± With a nod of acknowledgment, the Patriarch gestured for him to sit. Hengsheng took his place, acutely aware of the piercing gazes of the elders on both sides. The elders exchanged glances, nodding slightly, though not a single word was spoken. Hengsheng immediately realized they were using divine sense to communicate¡ªa method far beyond his mortal abilities. If he¡¯d had divine sense, he might have sensed the Heavenly Dao¡¯s intent before the tribulation struck. Once the room settled and the weight of silence grew palpable, the Patriarch¡¯s voice broke through, resonating with authority. ¡°Lan Hengsheng, what exactly have you done to anger the heavens?¡± Hengsheng stood silently, bowing respectfully but maintaining his composure. Internally, he crafted his explanation, carefully planning his words. His silence seemed to irk the elders, particularly Elder Lan Xiang, a staunch supporter of Hengsheng¡¯s uncle, who sat close to the Patriarch and closed his eyes, Lan Xiang briefly before his sharp voice pierced the hall. ¡°The heavens do not strike without reason. Speak, boy! What demonic practice have you involved yourself in?¡± Hengsheng, unfazed, denied the accusation with calm resolve. ¡°Elder Lan Xiang, I have done nothing against the heavens. My actions were rooted in exploration and self-improvement.¡± Lan Xiang smirked, dismissing Hengsheng¡¯s words. His tone grew sharper as he turned to the other elders. ¡°You must have practiced demonic techniques. That is the only explanation for invoking heaven¡¯s wrath. Confess now¡ªwhat evil act have you done?¡± Several elders nodded in agreement. The logic seemed reasonable to them. Hengsheng, however, remained composed. He closed his eyes momentarily, retreating into his mind space. There, the supercomputer AI he had designed while bored processed his predicament. The answer it provided was infuriatingly simple: "Tell the truth." With a resigned sigh, Hengsheng opened his eyes. Telling lies to high-ranking cultivators like the Patriarch and elders was futile; they would discern the truth immediately. Turning his focus to the Patriarch, he ignored Elder Lan Xiang entirely. ¡°I have not done anything forbidden, nor have I practiced any demonic art,¡± Hengsheng declared confidently. ¡°What I have done is exactly as I said earlier. Due to my lack of a Spirit Core, I¡ªLan Hengsheng¡ªrefused to give up on my path to immortality! Over the last nine years, I created a technique through persistence and creativity. This technique utilizes blood qi to form a Spirit Core. Today, it is complete, and I am no longer a mortal!¡±If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The hall fell silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air. The elders exchanged incredulous looks. Creating a technique was a feat typically reserved for powerful cultivators or prodigies at the peak of their realm. To hear such a claim from a mere mortal boy was absurd. Hengsheng¡¯s mother, however, was stunned. A surge of pride filled her heart despite the shock. Lan Xiang and his allies burst into laughter, their disdain was evident. ¡°Hahahaha! Such nonsense! This is the most absurd thing I¡¯ve ever heard! To think you¡¯d try to spin such a ridiculous tale in front of us!¡± then another elder said. "Creating a technique? Does a mere child dare to claim such a thing? Techniques are not toys to be crafted on a whim!¡± Hengsheng remained unbothered by their mockery. His focus stayed on the Patriarch, who, though visibly shocked, bore a hint of disbelief in his gaze. Raising a hand, the Patriarch silenced the elders, restoring order to the hall. ¡°What you say¡ªis it the truth?¡± the Patriarch asked, his voice calm but firm. ¡°Yes. I would not dare to lie,¡± Hengsheng replied steadily. The Patriarch turned to the First Elder seated to his right and nodded. The First Elder reached into his space ring and retrieved an orb-shaped artifact, its surface shimmering faintly with embedded runes. ¡°If what you say is true,¡± the Patriarch continued, ¡°then you must prove it.¡± Hengsheng nodded in understanding. He recognized the artifact¡ªit was the Spirit Core Identification Orb, the very tool used to test for Spirit Cores during talent ceremonies. Hengsheng bowed to the First Elder as a sign of respect before placing his hand on the orb. He felt a warm sensation flowing through him as the orb''s energy scanned his body, reaching the newly formed Spirit Core within. The once-translucent orb began to glow faintly, then brighter and brighter until it shone with a brilliant golden hue, streaks of lightning crackling within its core. Gasps filled the hall as the elders leaned forward in disbelief, their shock evident. Even Lan Xiang, who had been mocking Hengsheng moments before, was rendered speechless. Hengsheng withdrew his hand and stood tall. His voice, steady and composed, echoed through the silent hall. ¡°This is the fruit of my labor. I do not ask for your belief, only your acknowledgment of what is now undeniable.¡± Hengsheng smirked, satisfaction bubbling within him as he observed the stunned reactions of the elders who had mocked him moments earlier. The once-smug Elder Lan Xiang now sat slack-jawed, his earlier accusations forgotten. Hengsheng couldn¡¯t help but think, No wonder those Chinese protagonists in novels enjoy this face-slapping business. It feels incredible! The Patriarch gestured for Hengsheng to sit, snapping him out of his self-satisfaction. Composing himself, Hengsheng took his seat, but his eyes continued to scan the room. The elders¡¯ reactions ranged from awe to begrudging respect. His uncle, sitting among them, had opened his eyes, his expression dark and unreadable. His clenched jaw betrayed his frustration as he compared his own son to Hengsheng. If this technique was genuine, it could elevate Hengsheng¡¯s status within the clan, overshadowing his rivals. Lan Wangshu, another staunch rival of Hengsheng¡¯s father, stood abruptly and voiced his dissent. ¡°This boy has already provoked the wrath of the heavens once! His so-called technique could bring calamity upon us all!¡± A ripple of murmurs filled the hall, but most ignored Wangshu¡¯s outburst, glancing at him with thinly veiled disdain. The potential benefits of Hengsheng¡¯s technique far outweighed vague fears of heavenly wrath. Besides, many believed Wangshu was simply grasping at straws to discredit Hengsheng. The Patriarch, now fully recovered from his initial shock, raised his hand. A wave of qi radiated through the hall, silencing the dissenters. His voice carried a tone of authority, tinged with a hint of enthusiasm. ¡°Lan Hengsheng, your actions, though unconventional, have yielded remarkable results. However, the technique you¡¯ve created must remain within the clan. You are forbidden to share it without the council¡¯s explicit approval.¡± The weight of the Patriarch¡¯s words was clear¡ªthis was not merely a suggestion but a decree. Hengsheng understood immediately; even his mother was not to know the full details of his so-called "technique." The Patriarch¡¯s voice softened slightly, though his gaze remained sharp. ¡°As of now, I declare Lan Hengsheng to be included as a core disciple of the Lan Clan.¡± The hall buzzed with energy at the announcement. To be made a core disciple was a rare honor, one that symbolized the clan¡¯s acknowledgment of Hengsheng¡¯s potential. The Patriarch continued his tone firm. ¡°Hengsheng, you are dismissed. Proceed to the Library Hall immediately. The First Elder will escort you.¡± Turning to the remaining elders, he added, ¡°The rest of you stay. We have matters to discuss.¡± Hengsheng stood, bowing deeply to the Patriarch and the assembled elders. He turned and walked out of the hall, his steps steady despite the excitement surging within him. The First Elder followed close behind, his expression inscrutable. As Hengsheng exited, he couldn¡¯t resist a final glance at the elders. The mix of envy, curiosity, and reluctant admiration on their faces filled him with a quiet sense of triumph. Let¡¯s see who dares to call me a mortal now, he thought, smirking as he stepped into the sunlight. Chapter 6 - Test! Hengsheng walked toward the Library Hall, located on the north side of the Lan Clan¡¯s land. Leading the way was the First Elder, a silent yet imposing figure whose cultivation radiated an air of authority. As they approached the towering structure, the elder finally broke his silence. ¡°The patriarch has decreed that you will write a detailed book on your technique here. You are not permitted to leave until it is complete.¡± Hengsheng nodded, fully aware of the significance of this task. A technique like his, even if limited to low-level cultivators, was a valuable addition to the clan¡¯s foundation. It wasn¡¯t a matter of choice; the elders had decided it was too important to be left undocumented. The First Elder continued, his voice steady and devoid of emotion. ¡°There will, of course, be a reward. You are granted the right to borrow any book from the first floor of the Library Hall. Furthermore, once your technique is proven authentic and effective, you will be given access to the rest of the library, excluding the top three floors. Those are reserved for only the highest-ranking members of the clan.¡± Excitement bubbled up in Hengsheng despite the elder¡¯s monotone delivery. Access to the clan¡¯s library had always been tightly restricted. Knowledge was power in this world, even more so than on Earth. To monopolize advanced techniques and cultivation methods was to control life and death itself. Hengsheng had long been curious about what lay within the library¡¯s walls. Now, he had a chance to find out. As they reached the towering Library Hall, Hengsheng marveled at its grandeur. The structure stood over 30 meters tall, its surface etched with ancient runes that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. This was his first time up close, having only glimpsed it from afar before. The massive doors creaked open, revealing the figure of the elder librarian, who stepped out to greet them. The librarian¡¯s gaze flicked between the First Elder and Hengsheng, surprise flashing briefly in his eyes before he offered a respectful bow. ¡°First Elder.¡± ¡°I leave him in your care,¡± the First Elder said curtly, turning on his heel and walking away without another word. The librarian gestured for Hengsheng to follow him inside. The cool air within the hall carried the faint scent of parchment and ink, and the towering shelves lined with books seemed to stretch endlessly upward. Hengsheng followed the librarian through a winding path, eventually arriving at a secluded chamber. The room was sparse, containing only a table and chair in the center. The librarian gestured toward the space. ¡°You will remain here until your work is finished. A servant will bring you the necessary tools shortly.¡± Without further explanation, the librarian turned and left, leaving Hengsheng alone in the quiet room. Hengsheng, now left alone, felt a wave of relief wash over him. His immediate task was clear: finish the work here, and he could finally focus on preparing for cultivation. He knew he was far behind the other children in the clan. While they had been nurtured with natural treasures to enhance their mortal bodies to their peak and ready to form the spirit body right away, Hengsheng had subsisted on ordinary food for years, leaving him with immense impurities. Still, he wasn¡¯t worried. He had already designed a system to purge the impurities from his body, but even that wouldn¡¯t be enough. To forge his mortal body to its limits, he would need natural treasures for their energy and essence. He hoped the clan would support him after this, especially now that he was no longer a mere mortal. Over the past nine years, Hengsheng had tested his system and mind space daily, pushing their capabilities to their limits. Through this relentless experimentation, he had come to understand the essence of their function. The system didn¡¯t create something out of nothing; their true power lay in their ability to [skip the process]. He didn¡¯t need to understand every intricate method; as long as he had a general idea of what was possible and enough energy to sustain it within his body, he could create a working system. Naturally, the more he understood, the more potent the system would become.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Now, however, he faced a daunting challenge: transforming his Spirit Core Creation System into a usable technique. He had never anticipated having to formalize it this way. As he waited for the servant to bring paper and ink, Hengsheng closed his eyes and entered his mind space. The familiar landscape was wiped clean as he reset everything to a blank, endless white void. He didn¡¯t want any distractions. Then, he slowed the time within the mind space, creating an environment where he could think deeply and carefully without the pressure of the real world¡¯s clock. Crafting the technique wouldn¡¯t be as simple as making a wish. Even though he could design something functional within the mind space, it might not work in the real world due to differences in natural laws. Altering the mind space¡¯s laws to match reality wasn¡¯t feasible either; he lacked the deep understanding of the dao laws that governed the cultivation world. His best option was to analyze the data from his Spirit Core formation experiments, translate the process into text, and simulate it within the mind space. This method would yield the closest approximation to a viable technique without risking another confrontation with the Heavenly Dao. Hengsheng immediately began his work. He wished for a supercomputer with an AI trillions of times more powerful than anything Earth had known. Next, he wished to convert his system¡¯s core creation processes into analyzable data and fed it into the computer for simulation. Moments later, the supercomputer produced millions of technique examples. Hengsheng began reviewing them one by one. As he examined the first technique, he was stunned. It started with a method to control caloric energy¡ªor blood qi, as it was known in the cultivation world¡ªthrough specific movements and cycles within the body. Gradually, this process would form the Spirit Core while also drawing qi from the environment to aid in its creation. ¡°It¡¯s incredible!¡± Hengsheng murmured, unable to hide his amazement. Hengsheng considered the potential of this method, realizing it could be applied to other cultivation techniques. With his system and mind space, he might even crack existing techniques and create something far superior. Driven by this idea, he selected the top 100 most effective Spirit Core formation techniques generated by the AI and wished for a group of test subjects. In an instant, 1,000,000 mortal figures appeared in his mind space. He assigned 1,000 of them to practice each of the 100 techniques and sped up the flow of time. The results came quickly. The best technique had an astounding success rate of 85%, while the second-best had a significantly lower success rate of 49%. Curious, Hengsheng picked up the top-rated technique to analyze it. As he read through it, his amazement grew. This method was truly remarkable¡ªreliance on worshipping heaven and earth. use the power of heaven and earth to gather the destiny of the mortal world, gradually transforming the mortal¡¯s fate into that of a cultivator. Though it required a minimum of 10 years to form a Spirit Core, its high success rate and low risk of heavenly punishment made it an ideal option. The heavens themselves seemed to grant mortals a new status through this method. ¡°Is this even possible?¡± Hengsheng muttered. ¡°Did the AI pull off some nonsense again?¡± If this technique worked in the real world, it could be classified as a Dao technique¡ªan exceedingly rare type that harmonized with the powers of heaven and earth. He then turned to the second-best technique. Unlike the first, it was intensely demanding and difficult. Most five-year-old children wouldn¡¯t be able to endure the rigorous process, making it better suited for those starting at age 12. Even then, it required three years of grueling practice to form a Spirit Core. While fast, this method carried significant risks, including the possibility of triggering a heavenly tribulation like his own. Hengsheng pondered his options carefully. In the end, he decided to bring both techniques into the real world. He had confidence in the second method, as it was an improved version of the system-generated process he had used himself. For mortals who refused to give up on the path to immortality, this method offered a chance worth the risk. As for the best technique, its origins concerned him. Half of it was deduced by the AI, leaving him uncertain about its practicality in the real world. Yet, if it worked, it wouldn¡¯t only benefit mortals; it could also serve as a profound resource for cultivators seeking to study the Dao hidden within its structure. Just then, a servant entered the room, placing tools and supplies on the table. Hengsheng sat down, ready to begin transcribing the techniques, when another challenge struck him: ¡°What am I going to name these?¡± Chapter 7 - Library! Hengsheng closed the books, one with a white cover and the other with a black cover. He had spent an entire week meticulously copying, editing, and refining them until they became polished and ready. Both books were far thicker than most texts he had seen in the library. It couldn¡¯t be helped¡ªwhile books in this world relied heavily on vague spiritual explanations, these were grounded in the structured, detail-oriented methodology of modern Earth¡¯s scientific approach. He called for the servant waiting outside his door. "Fetch the elder librarian," he instructed. Not long after, the elder librarian arrived, his gaze immediately falling on the two hefty books on the table. His brows furrowed in confusion. Why are they so thick? With visible curiosity, he took a seat across from Hengsheng. "Lan Hengsheng," the elder began, "can you explain these books?" Hengsheng placed his palm on the white-covered book and gently slid it across the table. "This book is called the Destiny-Forged Technique. It begins with an explanation of mortal destiny and the heavenly way¡­" He launched into a detailed overview of the book¡¯s contents, describing the concepts, methods, and step-by-step instructions within. The elder librarian flipped through the pages as Hengsheng spoke, his expression shifting between amazement and disbelief. From time to time, he glanced up at Hengsheng, as though struggling to reconcile the book¡¯s depth with the fact that it had been written by a mere mortal. Thirty minutes later, Hengsheng concluded his explanation. However, the elder librarian, still engrossed, continued flipping through the book. Hengsheng waited patiently as the elder read, finally setting the book down with a look of astonishment. "Lan Hengsheng¡­ did you truly write this on your own?" "As you can see, I¡¯ve been here the entire time," Hengsheng replied calmly. The elder librarian nodded, clearly impressed. "This is an excellent piece of work. I¡¯ll thoroughly review it later. And what about the other book? I was told you would be writing a technique. Why is there a second one?" Hengsheng pushed the black-covered book forward. "This book is also about spirit core formation, but it describes a completely different method from the white one. The experience I gained from the unrefined version of this book is used to complete the Destiny-Forged technique, this one. It¡¯s called the Path of Mortality Rebellion Technique. This book focuses on the indomitable spirit of mortals, using rigorous and intense training methods to forge their own fate¡­" As Hengsheng spoke, he carefully watched the elder librarian¡¯s expression. The elder¡¯s face twisted into a look of uncertainty. The description made the technique sound almost torturous rather than practical. Still, he continued reading until, with a sigh, he finally closed the book. "You¡¯ve done well," the elder librarian admitted. "I will thoroughly review and verify the content of both books. If they prove to be genuine, your rewards will be granted immediately." He stood, then added, "For now, you are allowed unlimited access to the entire first floor of the library. However, don¡¯t go overboard¡ªborrowing a hundred books at once would be¡­ excessive. You may leave now." Hengsheng nodded respectfully, hiding his satisfaction as he bowed. "Thank you, Elder." Then, with a small smile tugging at his lips, he stepped out of the chamber. Hengsheng was now free to roam the library. He glanced around, contemplating where to start. Maybe I should just read everything and store it in my mind space? That sounds like a great idea. With that thought, he grabbed the first book he saw on the bookshelf and began flipping through it. He wasn¡¯t aiming to understand it fully at the moment¡ªjust to memorize it for later review in his mind space. The Lan Clan Library had ten floors, each focusing on a different topic. The first floor, where Hengsheng was currently allowed access, contained general knowledge and basic cultivation explanations. It housed cultivation methods and techniques for the Body Awakening Realm, along with a handful of basic methods for the Qi Gathering Realm. The second floor, which he wasn¡¯t yet permitted to access, would contain advanced Qi Gathering Realm methods and techniques.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. As he flipped through the pages, Hengsheng realized he had already seen many of these books before¡ªespecially the more general ones. He suspected that the books the servants had brought him over the years had likely come from this floor. One book caught his attention: a detailed overview of the Golden Pillar Continent and its power structures. Hengsheng delved into it with interest. So, this is where Lan Clan stands¡­ he mused. Since his birth, his experience of the world had been limited to Lan City, the territory owned by his clan. The outside world, teeming with danger from both people and demon beasts, was not a place he had ventured into. Most mortals lived and died in the same place, while even lower-level cultivators rarely left their territories unless absolutely necessary. Only merchants, escorted by martial artists aka mortals who practiced Body Awakening techniques, dared to travel. After two hours, Hengsheng found himself at the back section of the first floor, which housed the Lan Clan¡¯s exclusive cultivation methods and techniques for the Body Awakening Realm. He picked up one of the books and started reading. Compared to the low-level techniques his mother had provided him in the past, this was leagues ahead. The text contained meticulous notes from past generations of the Lan Clan, refined and enhanced over time. He continued pulling books off the shelf¡ªone after another¡ªuntil he had read through all the clan¡¯s cultivation methods and martial arts techniques for the Body Awakening Realm. A satisfied smile spread across his face. these books are less restricted¡ªthey¡¯re meant for those still at the threshold of cultivation. Only after breaking through to the Qi Gathering Realm does one truly step onto the path of cultivation. Feeling accomplished, Hengsheng grabbed a random book to take with him. He didn¡¯t want to leave empty-handed and risk drawing unnecessary questions. As he approached the young librarian, the man stamped the book to record it as borrowed. Hengsheng stepped out of the library, spotting his loyal servant Lan Ju waiting for him. She seemed momentarily puzzled, likely because his lean, muscular appearance was a stark contrast to his former self. He smirked. "Lan Ju! Why are you just standing there? Shouldn¡¯t you be escorting me?" Startled, she panicked. "I-I¡¯m sorry, young master!" Hengsheng chuckled as she hurried to follow him, his mood unusually light after his fruitful time in the library.
Lan Tianyuan POV After Lan Hengsheng stepped out of the hall, he addressed the elders who remained. "Now, you all know what to do. Swear upon your Dao paths that this incident will never leave this room and that it never happened," he commanded, his voice calm but laced with authority. Lan Tianyuan released a surge of Saint Qi, enveloping the hall with his oppressive domain. The pressure was overwhelming, and the elders'' faces paled under its weight. One by one, they began to swear their Dao oaths, each vow sealing their silence on the matter. When the last elder had sworn, Tianyuan continued, his tone resolute. "As for Lan Hengsheng, he had never been a mortal. Everything that has happened is to protect him from becoming a target for our enemies. Do you understand?" The elders nodded solemnly, their understanding clear. If Hengsheng¡¯s claims were true, their clan might be on the brink of an unprecedented rise. With that, Tianyuan gestured to dismiss the meeting. As the elders began to leave, he disappeared from the golden throne without a trace, leaving behind an empty hall.
At the foot of the Qi Mountain, the forbidden area within the Lan Clan¡¯s territory, Tianyuan reappeared. This sacred mountain, located not far from the main residence, was where only the true powerhouses of the clan resided. Reserved for those who had reached the Dao Threshold Realm, its atmosphere was suffused with heaven and earth Qi so dense that it had condensed into liquid form, creating rivers that flowed throughout the area. Tianyuan ascended the mountain steadily, the spiritual energy invigorating yet unyielding as it pressed against him. At the summit stood a solitary Qi cave. Entering it, he found himself before a man who appeared middle-aged but whose true age was far beyond comprehension. Tianyuan bowed deeply with respect. "Greetings, Father." This man was the father of the current patriarch and the great-grandfather of Lan Hengsheng. The old man opened his eyes slowly, his gaze sharp yet serene. "Yuan¡¯er, what brings you here?" Tianyuan straightened and spoke carefully. "This son has an incident to report. It appears that Lan Hengsheng may truly be an immortal reincarnation." The elder showed no surprise, his expression calm as if he had long expected this revelation. "It was evident from the start," he said, his tone steady. "He didn¡¯t even attempt to conceal his hierarchy and Qi luck. When you reach the Transcendental Mortality Realm, you will understand what these signs truly mean." Tianyuan hesitated for a moment before asking, "I seek your advice, Father. What should we do with him?" The old man waved his hand dismissively, his demeanor unchanged. "There¡¯s no need to worry. He is not our enemy. Treat him as you would any other of the younger generation. If anything, this may be the opportunity we need to reclaim our standing against the Thunderclap Blade Sect." Tianyuan nodded, his expression resolute. "I will follow your advice, Father. I will see you again soon." With a deep bow, he turned and left the Qi Mountain, his steps steady as he descended back to the clan residence. Chapter 8 - Body Awakening! Hengsheng lay on a wooden weightlifting bench, gripping the barbell he had custom-ordered from the Lan Clan crafters for his personal training. Each side of the barbell was stacked with weight plates, totaling a hefty 600 lbs. He exhaled deeply, clearing his lungs, and then inhaled sharply before lifting the barbell. His face turned red from the exertion as he slowly lowered the barbell until it reached the optimal position. With a strained grunt, he pushed the barbell upward with all his might. "Ahhhhh," he screamed internally, veins bulging as he finally secured the barbell back onto its stand. This time, he had truly exhausted himself. A while later, he stood up and examined his reflection in the polished bronze mirror. His physique was lean yet muscular, resembling a Roman statue with defined lines and sculpted bulk. Satisfied with his progress, he gestured for Lan Ju to remove the equipment. Lan Ju, his personal servant, stepped forward and effortlessly picked up the heavy barbell as if it were a feather. Hengsheng watched her, his teeth gritting slightly in envy. Lan Ju was a Spiritual Foundation Realm cultivator¡ªhundreds of times stronger than him. Though she appeared youthful, she was already 200 years old. By the outside world¡¯s standards, that was considered young. However, in the Lan Clan, such a level of cultivation was unimpressive, which was why she ended up as his servant. It had been ten months since Hengsheng had survived the lightning tribulation. After leaving the library, he dedicated most of his time to removing impurities from his body and training relentlessly. With his [Recycle System], he managed to repurpose his impurities, transforming them into energy for further training. During this period, Hengsheng discovered something remarkable¡ªhumans in this world were far stronger than those on Earth. After ten months of intense training, he could easily surpass the strongest man on Earth in terms of raw physical strength. The environment, combined with the nourishing effects of consuming low-level demon beast meat and natural treasures, had fueled his progress. As a core disciple of the Lan Clan, Hengsheng now had access to an allocation of low-level natural treasures. While the supply wasn¡¯t unlimited, it was enough for his needs. With these resources, his mortal body had reached its peak and was now ready for the next crucial step: forming a spirit body. The Body Awakening Realm was divided into two stages:
  1. Mortal Body Stage: This initial stage requires one to forge their mortal body to its physical limits, mortal can practice this stage but can not form a spirit body due to lack of spirit core.
  2. Spirit Body Stage: In this stage, a cultivator practices specific techniques and movements to sense and interact with spiritual qi, forming a spirit body. Achieving harmony between the mortal body and the spirit body would lead directly to the Qi Gathering Realm, marking the beginning of true cultivation.
The strength of the spirit body formed during this stage would influence the power of divine sense in later realms. Most cultivators didn¡¯t put much thought into their spirit bodies, as they could use advanced techniques later to enhance their divine sense. Hengsheng, however, wasn¡¯t one to follow the norm. He was determined to make the most of this foundational stage, knowing it could set him apart in the long run. Hengsheng was now ready to form his spirit body. Although he wasn¡¯t yet fully 15, it didn¡¯t matter¡ªhe was already physically mature, and his body was at its peak. He considered the process carefully. Forming the spirit body didn¡¯t require resources, but a dense qi environment would greatly accelerate it. The key lies in having an excellent technique and a stable mind state. Normally, it took about a month for someone to form their spirit body and another year to achieve harmony between the mortal and spirit body, marking the breakthrough to the Qi Gathering Realm. The strength of the spirit body depended heavily on an individual¡¯s mental state, which made the cultivation method for this realm crucial.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. But Hengsheng had no intention of taking the traditional route. He had already created the perfect ¡°technique¡± for himself: The Super Spirit Body System! Confident in his creation, he launched the system. Ding! [Super Spirit Body Forming Process: 30:23:59] The moment the system activated, Hengsheng felt a new sense forming within him. It began where his spirit core resided. Previously, he couldn¡¯t sense his spirit core despite knowing its location. He¡¯d only felt a faint warmth when it first formed, but that sensation had faded¡ªuntil now. Closing his eyes, Hengsheng focused on the emerging sense. His consciousness drifted inward, and for the first time, he saw his spirit core. It was golden, with sparks of lightning zapping around its surface. It was a Capacitor Metal Spirit Core, a rare type of metal spirit core with the ability to store and release lightning qi instantly. This gave him a significant advantage against lightning qi cultivators. However, despite its uniqueness, its grade was still Mortal Grade Spirit core. The edges of the core appeared cloudy. A divine-grade spirit core, in comparison, would be entirely translucent, like a perfectly clear gemstone. Hengsheng frowned. He wasn¡¯t satisfied with his spirit core¡¯s current state. However, he knew that once he reached the Qi Gathering Realm, he could fully exploit his cheat to upgrade it to a higher grade. With the system running and no other pressing tasks, Hengsheng decided to step outside for a while. He had regained his confidence as a Young Master and felt like the world was his for the taking. ¡°Lan Ju, escort me to Lan City!¡± he declared, brimming with enthusiasm. ¡°Yes, young master!¡± Lan Ju replied instantly, her tone professional and obedient as she followed him out.
Lan City sprawled across the eastern expanse of Lan Clan territory, a colossal metropolis whose size defied logic. Hengsheng marveled at the scale¡ªit was comparable to the Australian continent on Earth. Yet, despite its vastness, Lan City wasn¡¯t even close to the grandeur of Golden City, ruled by the Golden Sword Sect. Golden City, located at the base of Golden Peak, was an unfathomable two Earths combined in size. The sheer enormity of the cultivation world was difficult for Hengsheng to comprehend. Everything here was exaggerated to an absurd degree. Of course, traversing Lan City on foot was out of the question. Walking would take over a week. Instead, Hengsheng traveled atop Lan Ju¡¯s flying treasure, a sleek silver disk inscribed with glowing runes that allowed it to soar effortlessly through the sky. The trip to the city¡¯s center took only fifteen minutes. As they descended, Hengsheng could see the city¡¯s organized structure. The central district housed the wealthiest families, powerful merchants, and key businesses, with well-paved stone roads and towering, ornately designed buildings. The outskirts, while still bustling with activity, were less refined, home to traders, craftspeople, and the general population. They landed in a large open plaza reserved for Lan Clan members. Guards stationed there noticed Hengsheng¡¯s attire¡ªa black robe trimmed with golden embroidery, signifying a high-ranking clan member¡ªand immediately paled. They bowed deeply. ¡°Welcome, Young Master!¡± one guard said nervously. Hengsheng paid them no attention, walking forward with an air of indifference. The guards¡¯ reactions were expected; it was one of the few perks of his newly acquired core disciple status. As he strolled through the central district, Hengsheng took in the sights. The city buzzed with activity. Market stalls lined the streets, offering everything from rare herbs and beast materials to exquisite silks and spiritual artifacts. The wealth and prosperity of the Lan Clan were evident in every corner, especially here in the central district. Hengsheng turned to the guard escorting him, a tall, muscular man clad in Lan Clan armor. ¡°Is there anything interesting happening in the city today?¡± The guard replied respectfully, ¡°Yes, my lord. An auction is being held by the Golden Hall. Today is the final day, and it promises to feature some of the most extraordinary items.¡± Hengsheng¡¯s interest piqued. Auctions in cultivation worlds were often treasure troves of rare and valuable items. ¡°Golden Hall, you say? Very well. Lead the way.¡± The guard bowed and gestured for Hengsheng to follow him, his steps brisk as they headed toward the auction venue. The Golden Hall was located in a prominent part of the central district, its grand structure adorned with golden carvings and shimmering talismans that exuded an aura of wealth and prestige. As they approached, Hengsheng¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. If luck favored him, he might find something like an auction fight show event. Chapter 9 - Auction! Hengsheng stepped into the Golden Hall, one of the largest and most opulent buildings in the city. Owned by the Golden Sword Sect, it exuded an aura of prestige befitting the continent''s overlord. Its grand design and intricate golden carvings were clearly intended to showcase the sect¡¯s dignity and dominance. Not long after Hengsheng entered, a staff member noticed his robe¡ªa clear indicator of his status as a Lan Clan core disciple¡ªand hurried over to greet him with a polite bow. ¡°Young Master, please allow me to guide you to the VIP room,¡± the staff member said. Hengsheng nodded indifferently and followed. The VIP room was a private and luxurious space designed for high-status guests. After ensuring Hengsheng was comfortable, the staff informed him that the auction would begin in an hour and excused themselves. In truth, Hengsheng wasn¡¯t particularly interested in the auction. He had only come to pass the time and break free from his monotonous routine. He hadn¡¯t even brought many spirit stones with him, so he didn¡¯t plan on bidding. What he really hoped for was some entertainment¡ªperhaps a lively exchange of verbal sparring among bidders, turning the auction into a spectacle akin to a strategic game of chess. As he lounged in the VIP room, Hengsheng couldn¡¯t help but lament the lack of creativity in this world¡¯s culture. Entertainment here was stagnant, with games and pastimes that had remained unchanged for millennia. "This world is so backward," he muttered to himself. Hengsheng promised that once he had enough power and influence, he would transform this dull culture into something vibrant and exciting, introducing innovations that rivaled those on Earth. While waiting for the auction to start, Hengsheng closed his eyes and entered his mind space. There, in the endless expanse of white, he began working on his latest project. With the knowledge he had recently gained about the Qi Gathering realm from the library, Hengsheng realized that once he entered that stage, he would have access to a near-unlimited source of energy by continuously absorbing spiritual qi from the environment. Unlike now, where his energy was limited and drained quickly, Qi Gathering cultivators could maintain a steady flow of energy, allowing for more proper systems not just piece by piece as he did now. However, efficiency would still be key¡ªwasting energy could slow his cultivation progress. To address this, Hengsheng conceived a new system: The Devourer System. Its purpose would be to enhance his qi recovery rate by absorbing qi from the environment and other sources at an accelerated pace. This system would form the foundation for his later techniques, ensuring he rarely ran out of energy while maintaining efficiency. ¡°I just need to make sure it doesn¡¯t overburden me,¡± Hengsheng thought as he refined the concept in his mind space. He remembered a historical account of a demonic cultivator who had created a technique that absorbed qi from living beings, including mortals. The demonic cultivator¡¯s method had left billions dead in his wake, resulting in an overwhelming accumulation of karmic sin that ultimately barred him from ascending to immortality. "If someone could create such a technique, why can¡¯t I design something similar, but better and without moral pitfalls?" Hengsheng smirked at the thought. His system wouldn¡¯t rely on harming others but would still allow him to draw power efficiently. Confident in his idea, he began laying the groundwork, sketching out the framework for the Devourer System in his mind space. The hour passed quickly as Hengsheng worked, and he opened his eyes just as a staff member returned to inform him that the auction was about to begin. "Let¡¯s see if there will be any fun," he said with a faint smirk, standing and preparing to make his way to the auction hall. Hengsheng followed the staff member through the luxurious halls of the Golden Hall, eventually arriving at the VIP section of the auction hall. The room was vast, with an extravagant design featuring gold-lined pillars and intricate carvings of mythical beasts. Rows of plush seats were arranged in tiers, ensuring that even those seated farthest back could see the central stage clearly.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Hengsheng took a seat on the outer edge of the front row in the VIP section, his gaze scanning the attendees. Most of them were cultivators, their auras faintly radiating power, a stark contrast to the lack of mortal presence. The Golden Hall wasn¡¯t a place for ordinary mortals to conduct business; it was where cultivators came to bid on treasures, artifacts, and rare resources. Moments later, a staff member walked onto the stage, his presence sharp and professional. With a polite smile, he addressed the room. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Golden Hall¡¯s grand auction. Today¡¯s items include rare cultivation treasures, high-grade materials, and unique techniques that may aid you on your path to immortality. Let us begin!¡± The crowd settled, their attention focused on the stage as the first item was unveiled¡ªa transparent crystal orb glowing faintly with golden light. ¡°Our first item is the Golden Vein Spirit Stone, a rare mineral imbued with pure metal qi. It is an excellent resource for metal qi cultivators, especially those in the Qi Gathering and Spiritual Foundation realms. The starting bid is 50,000 low-grade spirit stones.¡± Immediately, the room buzzed with activity as cultivators began placing bids. ¡°55,000 spirit stones!¡± ¡°60,000 spirit stones!¡± ¡°65,000!¡± Hengsheng watched the exchange with mild interest. While the Golden Vein Spirit Stone was valuable, it wasn¡¯t particularly exciting to him. He leaned back in his seat, observing the dynamics of the bidders. Most were lower-level cultivators, likely trying to secure resources to accelerate their breakthroughs. The bidding war continued for a while before concluding at 120,000 spirit stones. The winner, a middle-aged man with a refined appearance, accepted his prize with a satisfied smile. The staff member clapped his hands, signaling the next item. This time, a jade scroll was brought onto the stage, its surface glowing with faint runes. ¡°This is the Steel Tempest Sword Technique, a rare Heaven-grade sword technique that emphasizes speed and precision. It¡¯s highly compatible with metal qi cultivators. The starting bid is 100,000 mid-grade spirit stones.¡± Excited murmurs filled the hall. Heaven-grade techniques were not something commonly available, even in a place like the Golden Hall. ¡°120,000 mid-grade spirit stones!¡± ¡°150,000!¡± ¡°180,000!¡± The bidding quickly escalated, with several cultivators competing fiercely. Hengsheng smirked. This was the kind of entertainment he had come to see. Watching cultivators vie for supremacy over treasures and techniques amused him, especially when their pride and egos got involved. The scroll was eventually sold for a staggering 500,000 mid-grade spirit stones to an elder from a smaller sect. Hengsheng noted the elder¡¯s pleased expression and chuckled to himself. The auction continued, with various items presented one after another¡ªmystic herbs, beast cores, and even a few low-grade spirit artifacts. While each item drew excitement from the crowd, Hengsheng also joined a bidding fight once for the mortal-grade metal-type spirit beast egg he couldn''t leave with the empty hand that would make people look down on his clan. Finally, the staff member on stage clapped his hands again, and the room fell silent. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, our final item for today¡¯s auction is a true treasure. Behold¡ªthe Skybound Lotus, a rare Heaven-grade herb capable of enhancing cultivation speed and purifying one¡¯s spiritual core. This herb is especially effective for those on the verge of breaking through major realms. The starting bid is 1,000,000 mid-grade spirit stones.¡± The atmosphere in the hall shifted instantly. The Skybound Lotus was an extraordinary treasure, and the bidding reflected its value. ¡°1,500,000 mid-grade spirit stones!¡± ¡°2,000,000!¡± ¡°2,200,000!¡± The bids climbed rapidly, with powerful cultivators joining the fray. Hengsheng leaned forward slightly, curious to see who would emerge victorious. The bidding war grew intense, with voices overlapping and a faint tension filling the air. ¡°5,000,000!¡± a young woman in a luxurious robe called out, her tone firm and commanding. ¡°6,000,000!¡± a burly man countered, his voice booming across the hall. The price continued to soar until it reached an astounding 10,000,000 mid-grade spirit stones. At that point, most of the bidders had dropped out, leaving only two competitors¡ªa regal-looking elder and a middle-aged man with a sly grin. ¡°15,000,000 spirit stones,¡± the elder declared confidently. The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment before sighing and shaking his head. With no further bids, the elder claimed the Skybound Lotus, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. With the auction concluded, the staff thanked the attendees and began facilitating the distribution of items to the winners. Hengsheng, having enough fun from bidding, rose from his seat, stretching slightly. ¡°Well, that was entertaining enough,¡± he muttered to himself as he exited the hall, already thinking about his next plan. Chapter 10 - Beat! Hengsheng, now atop Lan Ju''s flying treasure, returned from Lan City with a golden-colored, basketball-sized oval egg resting on his lap. The egg was engraved with intricate qi runes, exuding a faint metallic aura. This was the mortal-grade metal-type spirit beast egg he had won at the auction for 50,000 mid-grade spirit stones¡ªa price that wasn¡¯t exactly cheap but still reasonable for its potential value. He studied the egg closely, feeling a twinge of excitement. When it hatched, the egg would give birth to a random spirit beast companion. Unlike demon beasts, which were essentially wild animals that absorbed spiritual qi and cultivated to gain strength, spirit beasts were a different entity altogether. They were more akin to spirit treasures than living beings. Spirit beasts were born directly from environments with extremely high concentrations of spiritual qi. Their initial form was an egg, and only by nurturing it with a cultivator''s qi could they hatch and form a lifelong soul bond with their master. Once bonded, spirit beasts were fiercely loyal and their strength grew in tandem with their master. Even in the unfortunate event of death, a spirit beast could be resurrected with sufficient resources, provided its master was still alive. However, there was a significant downside: raising a spirit beast was resource-intensive and often required specific environmental conditions to refine and enhance its power. Despite these challenges, the benefits of a spirit beast companion far outweighed the costs. Hengsheng recalled from his studies that spirit beasts left unclaimed by cultivators could continue absorbing the spiritual qi of heaven and earth until they hatched naturally. Such independent spirit beasts, after millions of years of cultivation, often evolved into the ancestors of powerful demon beast clans¡ªlike dragons, phoenixes, and other mythical creatures. However, this natural process until it hatched, was exceedingly slow and rare in the modern era due to the scarcity of untouched high-qi environments. He also remembered hearing about a distant continent in this realm where spirit beast cultivation was the primary focus, unlike the Golden Pillar Continent, where swordsmanship and blade cultivation reigned supreme. ¡°In a way, this is just like Pokamon,¡± Hengsheng thought with a smirk. He¡¯d wanted a spirit beast companion for a while now, but they were rare and expensive on the Golden Pillar Continent. Even a mortal-grade spirit beast egg like this one was a significant investment. Still, he felt confident. ¡°Once I figure out how to abuse my system¡¯s power, raising it should be easy enough.¡± For now, though, the egg would remain dormant. It required a steady supply of spiritual qi to hatch¡ªsomething Hengsheng couldn''t provide until he entered the Qi Gathering realm. After inspecting it one last time, he stored the egg carefully in his space pouch. Looking down from the flying treasure as they approached the Lan Clan residence, Hengsheng took in the sprawling layout of the clan grounds. From above, it looked more like a small city than a single estate. Then, something on the training ground below caught his attention. ¡°Lan Ju, land over there,¡± he instructed, pointing toward the bustling training grounds. Lan Ju nodded, skillfully directing the treasure to descend. As they landed, Hengsheng stepped off, his eyes fixed on the commotion below. Something¡ªor people¡ªhad piqued his interest. As Hengsheng landed, people began to notice him. Most of the individuals present were part of the Lan clan''s younger generation, future seeds of the family. However, what truly caught Hengsheng''s attention was a particular young man¡ªLan Baixing. With short black hair and a height that made him stand out, Baixing was the grandson of the third elder. Once upon a time, Baixing had called Hengsheng "Big Brother," only to stab him in the back when it was revealed that Hengsheng was a mortal.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Hengsheng never forgot a grudge. A mischievous smile curled on Hengsheng¡¯s lips as he focused on his target. Baixing noticed and immediately paled, yelling in desperation, ¡°Lan Hengsheng! Don¡¯t push me too much! I¡¯ll fight back if I have to!¡± Hengsheng smirked, his tone oozing mockery. ¡°What are you talking about, my dear young brother? Aren¡¯t we close? Why not spar with me before I return to my cultivation session?¡± Baixing¡¯s voice cracked with fear as he pleaded, ¡°Please! I beg you! I was wrong! Just let me go!¡± But Hengsheng wasn¡¯t listening. He leaped into the air, his fist aimed squarely at Baixing¡¯s face. Bang! Baixing was sent flying, crashing into the ground a few meters away. The rest of his group turned pale and immediately began begging for mercy. ¡°Big Brother, we were wrong! Please forgive us!¡± Before the one who spoke could finish, Bang!¡ªhe followed Baixing into the dirt, knocked out cold. The remaining members of the group realized Hengsheng wasn¡¯t going to stop. Panic turned to anger as they started shouting. ¡°You monster! Why couldn¡¯t you just stay a mortal?¡± ¡°Show some mercy! We¡¯re just kids! What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Finally, one of them yelled, ¡°Everyone, gang up on him! Take him down!¡± A group of ten dashed toward Hengsheng all at once. Hengsheng smirked, his movements swift and precise. He dodged their attacks effortlessly, countering each one with just enough force to send them sprawling. Within moments, the entire group was lying on the ground, groaning in pain. Dusting his palms, Hengsheng glanced at the fallen group. Beating Baixing and his cronies had become something of a hobby since reclaiming his status as a clan prodigy. After news spread that Hengsheng wasn¡¯t a mortal, the clan elders had spun the tale that his mortal status was just a ploy to divert enemy attention. Yet, these idiots had decided to test the waters and challenge him. Their failure had been spectacular. ¡°Just look at them,¡± Hengsheng thought with satisfaction as he strolled past the fallen group. His intimidating aura made others watching the scene shrink back in fear. When he noticed a trembling girl, he couldn¡¯t resist scaring her. ¡°Graaah!¡± he shouted suddenly. ¡°Ahhhhhh!¡± The girl screamed, falling to the ground in fright. Not everyone, however, was willing to tolerate Hengsheng¡¯s antics. ¡°Lan Hengsheng!¡± a voice rang out, firm and sharp. ¡°Stop that right now! This is the Lan clan training ground, not a place for lowly bullies like you!¡± Hengsheng turned to see Lan Xiaorong, a core disciple of the clan. The young man, older than most of the group, had long black hair and a wooden sword strapped to his back. At 16 years old, Xiaorong had already reached the middle stage of the Qi Gathering realm, But Hengsheng is not afraid of Lan Xiaorong even though he has a higher cultivation realm because the power range from body awakening and Qi gathering is not wide enough to overwhelming him. ¡°Brother Xiaorong, teach him a lesson!¡± ¡°Make him pay!¡± The crowd¡¯s murmurs only bolstered Xiaorong¡¯s resolve. He pointed at Hengsheng, his expression stern. ¡°Lan Hengsheng, bow and apologize for your actions, or I will make you!¡± Hengsheng smirked, unfazed. ¡°Why should I? We were just playing. Can you blame me if they¡¯re too weak to keep up?¡± Xiaorong¡¯s face turned red with anger. ¡°Fine! You¡¯ve chosen this path yourself. Don¡¯t blame me for what happens next!¡± With that, Xiaorong dashed forward, his wooden sword glowing faintly with green wind qi. His movements were swift, enhanced by a Qi technique. Hengsheng, however, stood his ground. As Xiaorong¡¯s sword swung toward him, Hengsheng¡¯s Ultimate Fighting System activated, guiding his movements with pinpoint precision. He dodged Xiaorong¡¯s strike effortlessly, giving him a slight shove that threw Xiaorong off balance. Before Xiaorong could recover, Hengsheng¡¯s foot connected with his face. Bang! Xiaorong flew backward, landing unceremoniously on the ground. The crowd gasped in shock at his humiliating defeat. Hengsheng smirked, turning his gaze toward the onlookers who had started to flee. ¡°Who dares run from me? If I catch you, you¡¯ll wish you were never born!¡± Some froze in their tracks, unsure of what to do. Others ignored him, bolting as fast as they could. Hengsheng memorized the faces of those who dared disobey, filing them away in his mental space for later. He then turned to the remaining crowd, his voice loud and commanding. ¡°Now, who¡¯s the Big Brother?¡± Chapter 11 - Qi Gathering! Hengsheng sat on the cultivation mat, closing his eyes as he focused on controlling his spirit body. But what exactly is a spirit body? Normally, humans have five senses: taste, hearing, sight, smell, and touch. To cultivate, however, humans need an additional sense¡ªthe ability to perceive spiritual Qi. This is achieved by creating a new sense through resonance between a powerful mortal body and the spirit core. Using body cultivation techniques and sheer willpower, the spirit core within a person gradually expands its spiritual aspect throughout the body. During this process, one begins to feel a new sense¡ªa spirit body¡ªthat allows them to perceive and control their inner Qi. When this spiritual aspect fully encompasses the body, the spirit body is complete. At this stage, the spirit body is not confined within but can also extend outward, enabling the cultivator to sense and manipulate the Qi in their environment. The strength of the spirit body is determined by two factors: the distance it can extend from the body and the willpower it carries. For the average cultivator, the spirit body can extend about one meter. However, ancient clans and sects with superior techniques can extend it up to five meters. Hengsheng, of course, was not following these standards. His Super Spirit Body System had given him a far superior advantage. Not only could his spirit body extend up to 10 meters with incredible willpower, but it also had an additional feature: the ability to divide and multitask. While this might seem minor at higher cultivation levels, it was an overwhelming advantage at lower stages. Most cultivators could cast only one spell or technique at a time, but Hengsheng could manage two¡ªor even more. Currently, Hengsheng is testing his spirit body¡¯s multitasking abilities. He divided it into two, using one part to read one book and the other to read another simultaneously. After a short while, he felt a headache creeping in from the mental overload. Deciding not to push too far, he recalled his spirit body, which instantly disappeared and returned to his core. Hengsheng opened his eyes and exhaled deeply. A day had passed since he completed forming his spirit body. He was thoroughly satisfied with the system¡¯s results. Now, it was time to think about the next step: breaking through to the Qi Gathering realm. To achieve this, he needed to harmonize his mortal body with his spirit body, stabilizing his new sense and becoming fully accustomed to it. This harmony was akin to gaining a new limb¡ªmastering its use and control. Only then could he draw in the spiritual Qi of heaven and earth into his core, refining it into his own spiritual Qi. Closing his eyes again, Hengsheng entered his mind space. Both his mortal and spirit bodies are completely his own, so there would be no close to doing this. The next moment, he made a wish to achieve harmony with his spirit body. The result was instantaneous. When Hengsheng opened his eyes, he felt his surroundings in a way he never had before. Even without releasing his spirit body, he could sense and control Qi from both outside and inside his body. This was harmony¡ªa seamless connection between his mortal body and spirit body. A satisfied smile spread across his face. The hardest part was now complete. All that remained was to absorb the spiritual Qi of heaven and earth and officially step into the Qi Gathering realm. Hengsheng did not rush. Rising from his seat, he stepped out of his chamber, where Lan Ju quickly bowed in greeting. He nodded and said, ¡°Escort me to the library.¡± Without hesitation, Lan Ju followed his order, walking a few paces behind him. As Hengsheng walked, he looked around at the serene landscape of the Lan Clan¡¯s territory. The peacefulness was almost unsettling. In the ten years he had spent here, he had expected the clan to either be attacked or launch an attack on their rivals¡ªit was, after all, the nature of the cultivation world. Yet, the clan remained oddly silent.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Before long, they arrived at the library. At the front door, a group of young disciples was chatting animatedly, but the moment they noticed Hengsheng approaching, their faces turned pale. They quickly stopped their conversation and tried to make themselves as inconspicuous as possible, stepping aside to clear his path. Hengsheng smirked. His plan to solidify his position as the feared "big brother" of the clan¡¯s younger generation was working splendidly. Without sparing them another glance, he instructed Lan Ju to wait at the entrance before stepping inside. Hengsheng headed straight for the stairs leading to the second floor. At the base of the staircase, he pulled out the Lan Clan Core Disciple Seal from his space pouch and held it forward. Instantly, a faint yellow barrier became visible. The seal allowed him to pass through the barrier without resistance. As a core disciple, Hengsheng was granted unrestricted access to the second floor, provided he had reached the Qi Gathering realm. When he advanced to the Spiritual Foundation realm, he would gain the same privilege for the third floor. Step by step, Hengsheng ascended the stairs. When he reached the final step and stepped onto the second floor, he paused, a frown crossing his face. ¡°This floor... it¡¯s bigger than the first floor?¡± he muttered to himself. It didn¡¯t make sense at first. The library was a physical structure. How could the second floor be so much larger than the first? Then, he recalled something he had read long ago¡ªspace expansion arrays. Realizing this was the answer, he felt a spark of excitement. The second floor was enormous. Scanning his surroundings, Hengsheng estimated that it was at least ten times the size of the first floor. While the first floor had a radius of about 20 meters, this one spanned a jaw-dropping 200 meters. ¡°The power of arrays,¡± Hengsheng murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. When he was mortal, he had never had the opportunity to learn about the intricacies of cultivation tools and techniques like other young generations. Many things, like arrays, were just abstract concepts he had read about in books. Now, standing within one, he finally understood the awe they inspired. His curiosity was piqued. While his purpose today was to study Qi Gathering realm techniques, he made a mental note to explore arrays further in the future. Hengsheng walked toward the cultivation method section. Along the way, he noticed other disciples flipping through books in front of the bookshelves, their faces serious and focused. None of them seemed to realize he was nearby. They were young like him, but slightly older, around the same age as Lan Xiaorong. At first, Hengsheng considered intimidating these oblivious disciples¡ªreminding them of his presence as the infamous "big brother." However, he quickly dismissed the idea. This was a library, not a training ground, and his antics wouldn¡¯t go unnoticed by the elders monitoring the area. Soon, he arrived at the advanced Qi Gathering realm cultivation method section. He picked the first book on the shelf, flipping through its pages to compare it with the basic methods he had studied on the first floor. After skimming through it, Hengsheng closed the book and returned it to the shelf. Reflecting on what he had read, he noticed a stark difference. The basic methods found on the first floor were little more than guides to help cultivators advance, but they were far from optimized. A cultivator who relied on these methods would only achieve a twofold increase in strength upon reaching the peak stage of the Qi Gathering realm¡ªa pitiful result compared to the advanced techniques. The advanced methods included key practices like Qi Purification, which refined the quality of spiritual qi, and the Meridian Opening Method, which expanded the number of open meridians to 128 compared to the 64 offered by the basic techniques. Hengsheng nodded to himself, realizing the importance of being cautious. If he rushed to launch a system based on basic cultivation methods, its effectiveness would be mediocre at best¡ªcomparable only to the advanced techniques available here. That wasn¡¯t enough for Hengsheng. He wasn¡¯t interested in being "good"¡ªhe wanted to be the strongest and achieve immortality! With renewed determination, he set his goal: to finish studying every book in this section, including martial techniques and Qi techniques. It would take time, but Hengsheng believed the effort would be worth it. If he were going to build a system, it wouldn¡¯t just be effective¡ªit would be unparalleled. Hengsheng looked around the second floor one more time, he was thinking about how many books he had to go through. "Well, it will take some time for this" Chapter 12 - System Activated! Hengsheng stepped out of the Library after spending an entire month absorbing all the knowledge from the second floor. He had scanned a staggering five hundred thousand books into his mind space. To his surprise, the Library''s contents extended beyond cultivation techniques¡ªit included a wealth of information on various subjects. The first-floor topics went deeper on the second floor, such as the lore of Lan clan ancestors, details about forbidden areas, and beginner guides to professions like Alchemist, Formation Master, Blacksmith, Artificer, Amulet Maker, Runic Engraver, and many others. Hengsheng hadn''t realized the cultivation world harbored so many professions, though he noted that alchemy was by far the most popular. Its profitability made it a cornerstone of the cultivation economy. Hengsheng himself felt a growing interest in acquiring professional skills¡ªnot only to enhance his knowledge but to make money independently. As someone from Earth, the idea of depending solely on his family¡¯s resources felt strange and unsettling. But he knew such a mindset was unique to him; the Lan clan''s members had no qualms about using family resources, believing it was their birthright. As Hengsheng looked around for his royal servant, Lan Ju, he spotted her sitting cross-legged on a large rock not far from the Library. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to be deep in cultivation. Not wanting to disturb her, Hengsheng gestured to a passing young man¡ªa new generation clan member unlucky enough to cross his path. ¡°Tell Lan Ju I¡¯ve left the Library,¡± Hengsheng ordered. The young man nodded hastily and rushed off, relieved to escape further interaction. Hengsheng then made his way back to his family''s residence. Once there, he decided to request an audience with his mother before officially becoming a cultivator. Following one of her servants, he was led to Wang Lianxue¡¯s chamber. As the door opened, Hengsheng saw his mother seated gracefully inside. Her long black hair flowed elegantly down her back as she arranged tea on an intricately carved table. The soothing scent of jasmine filled the air, creating an atmosphere of calm. Upon hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw her son enter with a firm posture and a serious expression. ¡°Greet, Mother,¡± Hengsheng said, bowing respectfully. ¡°Sheng¡¯er, you¡¯ve come,¡± Wang Lianxue replied warmly, though her sharp eyes immediately caught the subtle change in his aura. ¡°Your presence feels different today. Sit with me, my son, and tell me what weighs on your mind.¡± She gestured for him to sit across from her. Pouring tea into a porcelain cup, she slid it toward him with practiced grace, her gaze steady yet tinged with curiosity and concern. ¡°Mother,¡± Hengsheng began, ¡°today I will break through the Body Awakening realm and become a true cultivator. I came to tell you this in advance.¡± Wang Lianxue¡¯s eyes softened at his words. Setting her teacup down gently, she reached across the table to grasp his hand, her touch warm and reassuring. ¡°Sheng¡¯er, this is a monumental step on your cultivation journey,¡± she said with pride. ¡°As your mother, I have always believed in your potential, even when others doubted. Remember, the path of cultivation is fraught with challenges, but it is also filled with opportunities for growth and enlightenment.¡±Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. She paused, her gaze filled with maternal pride and intensity. ¡°Embrace this breakthrough with confidence but also caution. Should you encounter any obstacles, know that I am here to support you.¡± Releasing his hand, she offered a serene smile. ¡°Go forth, my son, and may the heavens favor your endeavors.¡± Hengsheng smiled, stood up, and bowed deeply. ¡°Thank you, Mother. I promise I will become the strongest cultivator this world has ever seen. I will make you proud.¡± With that, he stepped back and left her chamber. As the door closed behind him, Wang Lianxue¡¯s serene expression gave way to a hint of worry. His excessive declaration of ambition lingered in her thoughts, but she chose to believe in her son¡¯s determination and potential. Hengsheng returned to his chamber, preparing for his breakthrough into the next cultivation realm. Sitting cross-legged on the cultivation mat, he closed his eyes and entered his mind space. He focused on his next task: creating the System Core¡ªan AI he had designed to serve as the administrator of his systems and regulate the connection between his mind space and the real world. With a single wish, a blue orb materialized before him, its radiant glow pulsating steadily. [Ding!] [It¡¯s a pleasure to serve you, sir.] Hengsheng smiled with satisfaction. He knew this creation lacked true will or sentience, like the other creatures he had simulated in his mind space. However, that made it perfect for its role. ¡°I¡¯ll name you Blue,¡± he said decisively. [Name appointed: Blue.] ¡°Blue,¡± Hengsheng commanded, ¡°absorb all the stored knowledge into your system and upgrade the Strongest Cultivator System.¡± [Acknowledged. Please wait a moment.] Moments later, the orb pulsed brightly again. [Ding!] [The Strongest Cultivator System has been upgraded.] Hengsheng nodded in approval. He continued with his orders. ¡°Blue, analyze all cultivation methods stored in the mind space and create optimized techniques.¡± [Ding!] [Processing¡­ {234/75,399}] The process took some time as Hengsheng waited, feeling the subtle hum of energy within the mind space. Finally, the system reported back. [Ding!] [Analysis complete. Generated: 57 new cultivation methods.] Hengsheng scrolled through the list, his curiosity piqued. Cultivation methods, unlike Qi techniques, weren¡¯t ranked purely by grades. Instead, they outlined unique paths, tailored to different types of cultivators. While higher-ranked methods typically provided clearer guidance to greater power, their effectiveness often depended on compatibility with the user. As he reviewed the list, he noted that all the methods were superior to the advanced Qi Gathering techniques he had seen in the Lan clan''s library. However, three methods stood out from the rest. [Golden Qi Supremacy Method] This cultivation method closely resembled the Golden Sword Sect''s renowned technique, designed to refine spiritual qi into the purest form of Metal Qi. Hengsheng pondered its origin for a moment. It made sense¡ªthe Golden Sword Sect, as the supreme overlord of the Golden Pillar Continent, would naturally develop methods that maximized the advantages of the land¡¯s abundance of Metal Qi. [Pure Sword Heart Sutra] This method focused entirely on pursuing the Dao of the sword. It was highly advanced, almost too much for the Qi Gathering realm. Cultivators just starting their journey and unfamiliar with the concept of Dao would find it nearly impossible to follow. Only those born with extraordinary talent and an innate connection to the sword could successfully cultivate it. For anyone else, it would become a bottleneck, preventing them from advancing to the next realm. [Vast Meridian Refinement Art] Unlike the other methods, this one seemed underwhelming in terms of power. It didn¡¯t refine spiritual qi to its highest purity, nor did it resonate with any particular Dao. However, what caught Hengsheng¡¯s attention was its focus on absorbing spiritual qi, expanding meridians, and refining them to hold immense amounts of energy. Cultivators following this method would ultimately possess an extraordinarily large Qi reservoir, up to 100 times greater than what the basic methods could achieve. For someone pursuing a path of overwhelming resources and cheats, this method was perfect. Hengsheng smirked, having already made up his mind. "Blue! Assign [Vast Meridian Refinement Art] as my cultivation method." [Ding!] [You have cultivated: Vast Meridian Refinement Art.] With the cultivation method now set, all that remained was to activate it in the real world. Hengsheng opened his eyes, the corner of his mouth curling into a grin. "System, activate," he murmured, his voice filled with anticipation. Chapter 13 - Miscalculation! As Hengsheng commanded, the system activated the cultivation method automatically. In the next moment, the surrounding Spiritual Qi began to churn violently, drawn toward him like an invisible force commanding its presence. The Spiritual Qi spiraled into a vortex, rushing into his body with tremendous force. Once inside, the system began refining it, and with the very first strand of refined Spiritual Qi stored in his Spirit Core, a breakthrough was triggered. Pain surged through every fiber of his being as his body underwent a monumental transformation. Muscles and bones were rearranged and strengthened, and his internal organs were fortified. Externally, a white mist began to emanate from his body, the heat generated by the intense purification process evaporating sweat. Small amounts of black impurities seeped through his skin, releasing a stench so foul it could make the bravest mortal faint. The process was grueling, lasting an entire hour before it finally subsided. Hengsheng had braced himself for the pain, but even he was left drained. However, the system didn¡¯t stop. The Spiritual Qi continued to pour into him, steadily refined and stored within his Spirit Core. His ultimate goal was to gather enough energy to initialize The Strongest Cultivator System, his most ambitious creation yet. This masterpiece of a system wasn¡¯t just a tool¡ªit was a revolutionary foundation. It combined twelve conceptual features: absorption, storage, self-sustainable, order, precise control, processing, separation, distribution, assistance, upgrades, inspection, and concealment. Once activated, it would permanently bond with him, serving as the ultimate support for his cultivation journey. Hengsheng estimated it would take three days to gather the necessary energy. He wasn¡¯t worried; as a Qi Gathering cultivator, he no longer needed food, and his lifespan had extended to 300 years. The dream of immortality was now one step closer, filling him with excitement.
Three Days Later Hengsheng furrowed his brow. Wasn¡¯t the system initialized yet? Let''s wait a little later.
Three Weeks Later His patience was wearing thin. Did I miscalculate? He wanted to stop, but the thought of abandoning the process halfway made him clench his fists. ¡°If I stop now, everything will have been for nothing,¡± he muttered. Convinced that his system was simply more sophisticated than expected, he chose to persevere.
Three Months Later By this point, Hengsheng was filled with regret. Why did I cram so many functions into the system? he thought bitterly. He realized he could have started with a simpler version and upgraded it gradually. If it weren¡¯t for the mind space providing him with a sanctuary for his thoughts, boredom might have driven him insane. This experience taught him a valuable lesson: he wasn¡¯t ready for long cultivation sessions like his father, which could last a decade or more. His mind and willpower weren¡¯t strong enough yet. Resolving to focus on the present, he vowed not to overreach in the future.
Six Months Later Hengsheng cursed himself as useless for being stuck in this situation. Be with the present. Be with the present¡­ he chanted, calming his mind. Using the prolonged absorption process as a way to practice his willpower, he reminded himself that mental fortitude and perseverance were key in cultivation. He noted that the Spiritual Qi in his chamber had thickened considerably, likely due to his mother requesting a Qi Gathering array to be placed around his chamber. While it improved the absorption rate, even after six months, the process wasn¡¯t complete. At least now he could feel some progress.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
One Year Later The ordeal continued. Hengsheng remained seated on his mat, channeling Spiritual Qi into his Spirit Core. Six months earlier, the chamber¡¯s Spiritual Qi had grown five times denser thanks to the array, but even that hadn¡¯t been enough to complete the process. Despite his frustration, Hengsheng had grown calmer. He could feel the faint progress now, a small beacon of hope. He thought and resolved to endure for however long it took. The Strongest Cultivator System would be worth it.
Hengsheng opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and stood up. He looked around his chamber¡ªit was exactly as he had left it, though it seemed someone had been taking care of it in his absence. His gaze shifted to himself; his body was clean, and it was clear his royal servant had been attending to him while he cultivated. While moving Hengsheng can feel that he has better control over his body and He decides to test his newfound strength by taking a fighting stance, lowering his body down, and punching forward, aiming his fist at the empty air. ''Boom,'' the air being stuck by force from his fist strike. Hengsheng was satisfied, he seemed to be two times stronger than before when he was at the peak of the body awakening realm. His attention then turned to the reason he had been stuck for three long years.
[Ding!] [The Strongest Cultivator System is Activated]
[Status] Name: Lan Hengsheng Race: Human Age: 18 Spirit Core: System Neutral Spirit Core {Mortal} Cultivation Realm: Early Stage Qi Gathering Qi Cultivation Method: Vast Meridian Refinement Art [Attributes]: Special Traits: Mind Space, Super Spirit Body, Vast Meridian {0/512} Qi Technique: ¡ª Auxiliary Systems Capacity {78/100%}: [System Points]: {0/1000 Points} [Absorb] [Upgrade]
Hengsheng felt a wave of satisfaction as he reviewed the results of his hard work. However, something unexpected caught his attention¡ªhis Spirit Core had changed. The Capacitor Metal Spirit Core was gone, replaced by a System Neutral Spirit Core. He hadn¡¯t anticipated this transformation, and it made him wonder if it was the reason why the process had taken so long. Curious, Hengsheng closed his eyes and extended his spirit body to observe the new Spirit Core. The golden orb he once knew had vanished, replaced by a glowing blue orb identical to the system core he had created in his mind space. "This is either an unbelievable coincidence¡­ or someone powerful is meddling behind the scenes," Hengsheng murmured, a chill running down his spine at the thought. Still, he couldn¡¯t resist testing his theory. With a hint of nervous excitement, he whispered, ¡°Blue, are you there?¡±
[Ding!] [Yes, Master.]
The robotic voice responded immediately, leaving Hengsheng stunned, his mouth agape in disbelief. It¡¯s linked?! His Spirit Core was now directly connected to the System Core in his mind space¡ªa connection he had not intended. The core he had designed simply to adjust and optimize the system for the real world had somehow manifested itself as part of his very being. "This absurd¡­." Hengsheng muttered, his lips curling into a grin. The possibilities to abuse this newfound connection seemed endless. While Hengsheng pondered the possibilities of this newfound connection, the sound of his chamber door opening pulled him from his thoughts. He turned his head toward the door to see Lan Ju entering, her expression a mixture of surprise and doubt. "Young Master, you¡¯ve finished your session?" she asked cautiously. Hengsheng smirked, leaning back slightly with a self-assured air. "That¡¯s right! How are things around here while I¡¯ve been cultivating?" Lan Ju paused, seemingly lost in thought for a moment, before replying quickly. "Oh! Young Master, you should report to Elder Mingzhi as soon as possible. The Metal Flow Plains Gathering is about to start in three months, and our Lan Clan will begin traveling soon. If you delay, you might miss it!" "Ah, that¡¯s right¡ªI completely forgot about that," Hengsheng said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "What about my father? Has he finished his session yet?" Lan Ju shook her head. "No¡­" "Never mind," Hengsheng interrupted, waving her off. "You can leave now. Tomorrow, make sure to escort me to Elder Mingzhi." "Yes, Young Master," Lan Ju replied, bowing respectfully before leaving the chamber. Chapter 14 - Challenge! Hengsheng woke up with a refreshed feeling. Although he no longer needed sleep after entering the Qi Gathering Realm, he found that it still helped to refresh his mind and maintain clarity. Today was important¡ªhe would report to the First Elder to participate in the upcoming Metal Flow Plains Gathering. He opened the door to his chamber and stepped outside, greeted by Lan Ju waiting dutifully as always. Her disciplined posture and sharp gaze made it clear she was ever ready to serve. Hengsheng gave her a simple gesture, signaling her to follow behind him, and started toward the Management Hall. He knew the way well¡ªit was situated near the Clan Hall, the heart of the Lan Clan¡¯s operations. On the way, Hengsheng encountered many people, including several from the younger generation. Their initial reaction to seeing him was one of shock; their faces turned pale as if they had seen a ghost. However, to his annoyance, they didn¡¯t bow or greet him properly. Instead, they scrambled away in a panic, muttering under their breath as they hurried off. Hengsheng shook his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Three years away, and they¡¯ve already forgotten who the big brother is around here," he thought. "Seems I¡¯ll need to remind them soon enough." He made a mental note to "re-educate" these unruly juniors when the time was right. The Management Hall soon came into view. The grand structure was bustling with activity as clan members and staff moved with purpose. This place was the administrative core of the Lan Clan, responsible for distributing resources, organizing missions, and managing the daily operations of the vast family network. As Hengsheng stepped inside, a staff member quickly noticed him. Recognition flashed in their eyes, and they hurriedly approached him with a polite bow. "Young Master Hengsheng, please follow me," they said, their tone filled with respect. Hengsheng nodded, his presence alone commanding attention and compliance. The staff member led Hengsheng through the halls, past several chambers where elders and other clan members were busy at work. It wasn¡¯t long before they arrived at the First Elder¡¯s private chamber. A deep and authoritative voice resonated from behind the door. "Come inside," it said, its tone steady and commanding. Hengsheng pushed the door open and stepped into the room. The First Elder, Lan Mingzhi, sat behind a large wooden desk covered with scrolls and jade slips. His piercing gaze locked onto Hengsheng the moment he entered, exuding an aura of power and experience befitting his status as one of the strongest cultivators in the clan. Lan Ju remained outside, closing the door behind Hengsheng as he strode forward. He bowed respectfully and greeted the elder, "First Elder, Lan Hengsheng reporting as instructed." The First Elder gestured for Hengsheng to stand upright, his expression unreadable as he scrutinized the young man before him. "Hengsheng," he said, his voice calm but firm, "You¡¯ve been absent for three years. Your cultivation progress is commendable, but the Metal Flow Plains Gathering is no small matter. Do you understand the responsibility that comes with participating in this event?" Hengsheng nodded, meeting the elder¡¯s gaze with confidence. "Yes, First Elder. I am ready to contribute to the Lan Clan¡¯s efforts and prove myself." Lan Mingzhi leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Good. Your participation has been approved, but remember, this event is not just a chance to test your abilities¡ªit is also an opportunity for our Lan clan.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Hengsheng smirked faintly. "I understand, First Elder. I assure you, I will not disappoint." The First Elder nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Very well. Report to the designated gathering area tomorrow morning. The journey to the Metal Flow Plains will begin soon, and I expect you to be punctual." "Understood," Hengsheng replied, bowing once more before turning to leave the chamber. As Hengsheng exited the Management Hall, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of relief. If he had missed this event, the Lan Clan¡¯s standing in the Metal Flow Plains Gathering would have been jeopardized. After all, the other Qi Gathering cultivators in his generation were... well, weak. Lost in thought, Hengsheng walked back toward his chamber, planning his day. His immediate goal was to create a Qi technique tailored to his abilities, cultivate diligently, and hopefully open at least one meridian. "Lan Hengsheng!!" The sharp shout shattered his train of thought. Turning toward the voice, Hengsheng spotted a group of teenagers. Leading them was none other than Lan Xiaorong, flanked by a smug-looking Lan Baixing and about 20 other young men and women. Baixing smirked triumphantly, as if he¡¯d already won some unseen battle. Hengsheng¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. "Ah, my dear little brothers and sisters. What¡¯s this? So bold that you don¡¯t even bow to me? And addressing me in such a tone? Looks like I¡¯ll need to teach you some manners." The group burst into laughter. "Hahahaha!" "This fool really thinks it¡¯s still three years ago!" "While everyone else has been advancing in their cultivation, this lazy idiot suffered Qi deviation, got injured, and has been stuck at the early stage of Qi Gathering ever since. And now he dares act cocky? Hahaha!" Hengsheng listened calmly, his sharp eyes scanning the group. It didn¡¯t take long for him to piece together the situation. Rumors must have spread during his absence. With him not able to appear and set the record straight, they had taken the gossip as truth. Well¡­ it wasn¡¯t entirely wrong. He had been stuck in his cultivation realm, but they had no idea how much stronger he had become in other ways. In his mind space, he had honed his martial skills extensively. Combined with the sheer power of his refined Qi, Hengsheng was confident he could take on opponents at the late stage of Qi Gathering. However, a glance at Xiaorong¡¯s aura confirmed he was at the peak of Qi Gathering, and many of the others were late stage. A direct fight might not end in his favor. Still, he didn¡¯t feel the slightest worry. "Well," Hengsheng began, his voice dripping with mockery, "you really don¡¯t know your place. Do you all want to fight me?" Baixing sneered, unable to hold back any longer. "You? Trash stuck at the early stage? Stop pretending to be tough and bow down to us! Maybe if you beg, I¡¯ll give you a quick and painless sleep. Hahaha!" Hengsheng chuckled, his expression calm yet dangerous. "Hahaha. Such big words for a little dog who only dares to bark when surrounded by a pack." That hit a nerve. Faces flushed with anger, and Xiaorong, acting as the group¡¯s leader, snarled, "I gave you a chance to apologize. Don¡¯t blame me for what happens next!" Hengsheng almost laughed out loud. This is just like three years ago. How nostalgic. Xiaorong dashed toward him, his fists crackling with Qi, while the others prepared to follow suit. "Lan Ju," Hengsheng said lazily, "beat them up." Lan Ju¡¯s crisp reply came instantly. "Yes, Master." Panic washed over the group as Xiaorong froze mid-charge. "You! Shameless! How dare you order your servant in a conflict between young clan members! It¡¯s against the rules!" Hengsheng¡¯s eyes narrowed, and a smirk played on his lips. "Rules? I am the rule." Before Xiaorong could react, Lan Ju¡¯s fist collided with his face, sending him flying. One by one, the rest of the group followed, their bodies hitting the ground with dull thuds. As Lan Ju dusted her hands off, Hengsheng glanced at the groaning group on the ground and smirked. "That should teach you not to mess with me." Then, turning to Lan Ju, he said, "Let¡¯s head back quickly before the elders show up." "Yes, Master," she replied, her tone calm and composed. Without a backward glance at the defeated group, Hengsheng strolled away, his smirk never fading. Chapter 15 - Cultivation! Hengsheng arrived at his chamber, locked the door, and hung a sign that read, "Do Not Disturb." He knew full well that what he did earlier with Lan Ju wouldn¡¯t go unnoticed. The elders would undoubtedly punish him for using his servant in a fight, but he didn¡¯t care. What punishment could they impose that would truly harm him? Cut off his resources? Fine¡ªhe didn¡¯t need them that much anyway. Ban him from the Library? No problem¡ªhe had already copied all the books into his mind space. For Hengsheng, it was worth it. If he had been beaten by those arrogant brats, reclaiming his status as the Big Brother would have been an uphill battle. With the matter dismissed from his mind, Hengsheng shifted his focus back to his cultivation. Yesterday, he hadn¡¯t thoroughly inspected his system because he needed to rest after the grueling three-year cultivation session. That session had been a taxing experience, even for his new realm. Spending three years, a whole 1% of his 300-year lifespan, in one session was a painful thought¡ªit truly stung. Hengsheng reflected on the updates he had made to his system. Initially, he had planned to create an energy devourer system that would allow him to gain power simply by absorbing energy and spending it. However, the knowledge he gathered from the Library made him realize that this world is not that simple, and he eventually discarded that idea. While tempting, such a method would leave him weak in the higher realms of cultivation. It lacked the development of willpower and comprehension of Dao, both of which were integral to true strength in this world. In this realm, power wasn¡¯t just about raw energy; it was about understanding and aligning with the spiritual laws of the world¡ªDao. These laws couldn¡¯t be bought or gained instantly; they had to be realized through personal experience and cultivation. To adapt, Hengsheng adjusted his system to focus more on cultivation rather than shortcuts. He introduced the Control, Processing, and Assistance features to help him process and learn techniques more efficiently. It wasn¡¯t about giving him instant mastery but accelerating his understanding and comprehension. With this, he would still need to put in the effort to learn, but the system would refine the process and make it vastly faster. Hengsheng sat cross-legged on his cultivation mat, closing his eyes to steady his mind. He took a deep breath, calming his thoughts and aligning his focus. Once ready, he activated his system to assist in the process. With its guidance, he began to circulate his spiritual qi using the [Vast Meridian Refinement Art]. Inside his blue Spirit Core, spiritual qi started to flow outward, following the pathways outlined by the technique. The qi moved through his spirit veins, circulating steadily but with deliberate precision. Soon, the energy reached its first target¡ªa blocked spirit meridian. Hengsheng could feel the resistance, knowing it wouldn¡¯t open instantly unless he risked damaging his body. Instead, the spiritual qi passed through the meridian and began to erode the blockage slowly. He realized he would need to repeat this process at least ten times before the meridian could fully open. The technique demanded patience, precision, and discipline. As the spiritual qi completed its journey through his spirit veins and returned to his Spirit Core, Hengsheng noticed the subtle transformation¡ªhis qi had become more refined and condensed. This marked the completion of one Qi refinement cycle. The entire process had taken 30 minutes, a speed that impressed even Hengsheng. He marveled at how efficient the system¡¯s assistance was in ensuring a perfect cycle without mistakes. Without it, he estimated the same process would have taken him two hours or more. But Hengsheng wasn¡¯t content to stop after one cycle. His goal for the day was to open at least one spirit meridian. Five hours later, as he finished his final cycle, Hengsheng¡¯s body emitted a faint white mist that gradually turned red before black impurities leaked out from his skin. This was the residue from the opening of his first meridian. Hengsheng opened his eyes, immediately noticing the uncomfortable smell. He quickly cleaned himself and examined his progress. Physically, he didn¡¯t notice any significant changes, but there was a subtle improvement. His strength had increased¡ªperhaps by 1% if his senses weren¡¯t mistaken. More importantly, his qi reserve had expanded significantly, increasing by 10%.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. The technique¡¯s claim of vast meridian capacity was true. His newly opened meridian allowed him to store an impressive amount of spiritual qi¡ªup to 10% of a mortal-grade Spirit Core¡¯s capacity. And this was just the first meridian out of 512. Even with the efficiency of the Vast Meridian Refinement Art, it would take Hengsheng at least 2,000 days to open all 512 meridian nodes. And that estimate didn¡¯t even account for the additional time required to refine his spiritual qi to the necessary quality and quantity for establishing a Spiritual Foundation. Despite the daunting timeline, Hengsheng believed it was worth every moment. For someone like him¡ªwho would inevitably consume far more spiritual qi than ordinary cultivators as his cultivation realm advanced¡ªthis method perfectly complemented his unique advantage. A vast reservoir of qi would be the key for him to dominate the path of cultivation, he thought with determination. Hengsheng smiled, satisfied with the result. One down, 511 to go but not now. [Ding!] [Status] Name: Lan Hengsheng Race: Human Age: 18 Spirit Core: System Neutral Spirit Core {Mortal} Cultivation Realm: Early Stage Qi Gathering {0.15%} Qi Cultivation Method: Vast Meridian Refinement Art [Attributes]: Special Traits: Mind Space, Super Spirit Body, Vast Meridian {1/512} Qi Technique: ¡ª Auxiliary Systems Capacity {78/100%}: [System Points]: {0/1000 Points} [Absorb] [Upgrade] Hengsheng glanced at his status window briefly after completing his first goal, feeling a sense of accomplishment. However, there was no time to waste basking in satisfaction¡ªhis next objective loomed large. He needed to create a Qi technique tailored uniquely to himself. While the Lan Clan¡¯s Qi techniques in the library were undoubtedly impressive¡ªmany of them powerful and rare within their realm¡ªHengsheng knew they weren¡¯t enough for him. The Lan Clan was a high-ranking cultivation force, but it wasn¡¯t among the true top-tier powers. For someone with his ambitions, relying on common techniques wasn¡¯t an option. He also preferred to have something uniquely his, crafted specifically for his needs. Resolute, Hengsheng closed his eyes and entered his mind space. The endless expanse of white now had a defining feature: the Blue Orb System Core, floating at the center, glowing faintly like an anchor stabilizing this surreal realm. "Blue," Hengsheng commanded, "gather all Qi techniques suitable for Qi Gathering cultivators, analyze and combine them, and generate a new and superior technique for me." [Ding!] [Processing¡­ {594/395,399}] Moments later: [Ding!] [Analysis complete.] [Generated: 14,299 new Qi techniques.] In an instant, thousands of scripture-like texts materialized in front of him, floating in neat rows. Hengsheng was taken aback by the sheer number of results¡ªit was far more than he had anticipated. He couldn¡¯t help but think back to when he generated Qi cultivation techniques, realizing that this was on a whole different level. Perhaps I should contribute some of these techniques to the clan library, he mused. The elders might soften their stance toward me if I do... Shaking off the thought, Hengsheng refocused on the task at hand. He began poring over the newly generated Qi techniques, reading through them one by one with great focus. After inspecting over 1,000 techniques, certain patterns became clear. Most of the techniques were sword-based, which wasn¡¯t surprising given the dominance of sword cultivation on the Golden Pillar Continent. However, all of them were of Earth-grade quality¡ªa level considered excellent for early and mid-tier cultivators. Hengsheng recalled the classifications. Mortal-grade: Martial skills for mortals that use blood qi. Largely irrelevant for true cultivators. Earth-grade: Techniques that utilize spiritual qi and are ideal for early and mid-tier cultivation realms. Heaven-grade: Techniques that incorporate not just the cultivator''s spiritual qi but also the spiritual qi of heaven and earth. These are suited for advanced cultivators, requiring powerful mind and soul power to command qi in large quantities from the surroundings. Divine-grade: Techniques that align with the Dao itself. Such techniques are rare and unattainable for cultivators at his current stage. Understanding this hierarchy, Hengsheng resumes his search. His focus remained on finding the technique that would perfectly suit him and the best combination of unique styles to reach his image goals. He continued flipping through the scriptures, his determination unwavering. Chapter 16 - Qi Technique After Hengsheng sifted through the mountain of scripture, many techniques caught his attention, but only a few were suited to his cultivation method and his neutral-affinity Spirit Core. Hengsheng needed a Qi technique that could take advantage of his vast Qi reserve, avoid specializing in specific types of spiritual qi, and still maintain its power¡ªa rare combination. While there was no limit to how many techniques he could learn, overloading himself would weaken his foundation. He needed to carefully select a few and focus on mastering them. Hengsheng began by choosing a movement Qi technique. He settled on the Endless Step Technique, which forms qi runes underfoot that grow stronger with each step, amplifying speed over time. However, this technique consumed more spiritual qi the longer it was used, making it excellent for battle but suboptimal for quick escapes. To cover this weakness, he selected a complementary technique: Horizon Shift Technique, which harnesses raw qi to create Qi path of movement. This technique allows the user to traverse long distances almost instantly, making it perfect for sudden retreats or unexpected repositioning. With his movement skills covering all his needs, Hengsheng turned his attention to attack Qi techniques. This category had the largest number of generated techniques, given the abundance of offensive methods in the source material. He immediately ruled out sword techniques, recognizing that the path of a sword cultivator required lifelong dedication, which clashed with his philosophy as a system maker aiming for efficiency and shortcuts. Hengsheng decided to select three attack techniques for versatility in different combat scenarios. The first was World Shatter Palm Art. While its name sounded grandiose, it was a practical technique that channeled an enormous amount of raw qi into the palm, delivering a ground-shaking blow that damaged both foes and the terrain. This close-range technique was well-suited to his cultivation method, allowing him to deal with multiple enemies at once. Next, for long-range combat, he chose the Qi Surge Cannon Technique, which condensed an enormous amount of qi into a sphere and launched it, detonating on impact in a controlled explosion. The simplicity and effectiveness of the technique made it a reliable option for ranged attacks. Finally, he picked a finisher technique for critical moments Heaven¡¯s Pulse Fist Technique. Though still classified as an earth-grade technique, it was considered half-step heaven-grade due to its unique ability to passively mobilize a small amount of spiritual qi from heaven and earth without requiring the cultivator¡¯s mind or soul power. While its power was immense, it came with significant drawbacks, placing a heavy burden on both the Qi reserve and the body. Fortunately, Hengsheng¡¯s cultivation method and Spirit Core mitigated these limitations, making the technique a perfect fit for his arsenal. With his techniques selected, Hengsheng felt satisfied. The next thing on his mind was finding a defense technique. However, he didn¡¯t place much importance on it because he already had defensive treasures provided by the Lan clan. As a member of the main bloodline and a potential future patriarch after his father¡¯s term in the next 30,000 years, the clan ensured his safety with various life-saving tools. And speaking of his father, Hengsheng didn¡¯t see his uncle, Lan Wangyu, as a real contender in the patriarchal succession. His uncle¡¯s cultivation realm was far lower, and once Hengsheng''s father, Lan Fuyu, broke through to the Tribulation Saint realm, it would solidify his position, closing any slim chance Lan Wangyu had. After briefly pondering his family¡¯s political dynamics, Hengsheng refocused on selecting a defensive technique. Even though he didn¡¯t see it as crucial for himself, having one was better than nothing. He chose the Pure Qi Rebound Technique, a simple and practical technique that reflects a portion of the energy from incoming Qi attacks back at the assailant. The best part of this technique was its continuous, passive nature¡ªit could remain active as long as it was supplied with qi. Although it wasn¡¯t designed to withstand major attacks, Hengsheng wasn¡¯t worried; he could compensate by supplying more qi as needed. With his techniques complete, Hengsheng believed he was ready for a real battle. Unlike the other young cultivators who lacked practical experience, Hengsheng had already honed his skills extensively using his mind space. Through simulations, he had placed himself in countless dangerous situations, even temporarily erasing parts of his memory to make the scenarios feel real. During the three years of his Qi Gathering breakthrough, he had done this more than ten times, sharpening his instincts and techniques to a razor¡¯s edge.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. However, Hengsheng wasn¡¯t finished. He continued browsing through the other Qi techniques available in categories beyond the standard trio of attack, defense, and movement. These miscellaneous techniques included methods for manipulating elemental qi, creating illusions, detecting surroundings, and even inducing sleep through suppression techniques. Despite their usefulness, Hengsheng wasn¡¯t interested in learning these techniques. To him, their specific nature or overly broad applications didn¡¯t align with his current focus. Instead, he saw them as something he could replicate their effects if he needed it later by creating new system modules. With his ability to design systems tailored to his needs, Hengsheng found it more efficient to keep these techniques in reserve as inspiration for when he might need their effects. After finishing his technique selection, Hengsheng wasted no time and commanded, "Blue, add the selected techniques to my Qi techniques section." [Ding!] [You have learned new techniques: Endless Step Technique, Horizon Shift Technique, World Shatter Palm Art, Qi Surge Cannon Technique, Heaven¡¯s Pulse Fist Technique, Pure Qi Rebound Technique.] The next moment, Hengsheng felt the basic mastery of all six techniques settle into his mind. He reviewed their contents carefully, ensuring he understood their mechanics and principles. Satisfied, he decided to test their full potential inside his mind space, where he could simulate their effects at maximum power. Though he knew the real-world application might differ, seeing their full strength would motivate him to practice diligently. He started with the Endless Step Technique. Activating it, he took a step forward and immediately noticed a glowing white Qi rune appear beneath his foot. With each successive step, another rune appeared, resonating with the previous ones to amplify his speed. As he increased his pace, more runes manifested, stacking their effects and propelling him forward at incredible velocity. Eventually, the technique reached its limit with 300 Qi runes, providing an impressive 3,000% speed boost. However, this came at a steep cost¡ªconsuming 3,000% more spiritual Qi. Next, he tested the Horizon Shift Technique. Upon activation, it immediately drained a substantial amount of spiritual Qi. He felt a strange sensation as the world seemed to fold inward, bringing his destination closer. Taking a single step, he instantly appeared far away from his starting point. The technique was incredibly effective for long-distance travel or escape. Hengsheng then moved to the sky to test his attack techniques. Starting with the World Shatter Palm Art, he activated it, causing his palm to glow with intricate Qi patterns. He extended his hand, and a one-meter Qi palm materialized, striking its target with incredible speed. A thunderous boom echoed as the ground below trembled from the impact. Next, he activated the Qi Surge Cannon Technique. A sphere of pure, condensed Qi appeared above his palm, radiating power. He launched it toward a distant target, and upon impact, it exploded with a resounding boom, creating a large crater. Finally, it was time for the Heaven¡¯s Pulse Fist Technique. This one required a preparatory sequence. Hengsheng chuckled as he realized the moves resembled a Tai Chi dance, but he diligently followed through. As he performed the sequence, the surrounding energy surged into his rising fist, causing it to glow with seven vibrant colors. With a powerful punch, the multicolored Qi fist shot forward and struck the ground below, triggering a massive explosion that dwarfed the previous techniques. Its power was equivalent to ten World Shatter Palms combined. Hengsheng laughed at the absurdity of the "dance," but the results left him more than satisfied¡ªit was undeniably worth it. Lastly, he tested the Pure Qi Rebound Technique. Activating it, his body was briefly enveloped in white Qi runes before they disappeared, leaving him seemingly unprotected. To test its effectiveness, he wished for a Qi attack rain to fall from the sky. As the attacks hit his body, the runes reappeared, absorbing a portion of the impact and redirecting the energy back toward the sky. Hengsheng nodded in approval and murmured, "It¡¯s usable." With all his techniques thoroughly tested and evaluated, Hengsheng felt a newfound confidence. [Ding!] [Status] Name: Lan Hengsheng Race: Human Age: 18 Spirit Core: System Neutral Spirit Core {Mortal} Cultivation Realm: Early Stage Qi Gathering {0.15%} Qi Cultivation Method: Vast Meridian Refinement Art [Attributes]: Special Traits: Mind Space, Super Spirit Body, Vast Meridian {1/512} Qi Techniques: Auxiliary Systems Capacity {78/100%}: [System Points]: {0/1000 Points} [Absorb] [Upgrade] Chapter 17 - Weak! Hengsheng placed his palm in front of him, and the next moment, Qi patterns quickly materialized into fifteen cm. Qi palms. They shot forward at a rapid pace, striking the chest of the wooden dummy. Crash! The Qi palms shattered like fragile glass, leaving only a small, shallow palm mark on the dummy. Hengsheng''s eyebrow twitched. In the real world, his "World Shatter Palm" was pitifully weak. Due to his low cultivation level and lack of mastery over the technique, it was barely more effective than throwing rocks at an enemy. Frustrated but determined, Hengsheng considered returning to his chamber to undergo at least 10 cycles of cultivation to strengthen his cultivation base. His current power was far from the overwhelming might he envisioned during his mind-space simulations. Still, he continued testing his other techniques. Unlike the mind space where activating a skill was effortless, here in the real world, he had programmed his system to guide and assist him rather than take full control. This was part of his effort to grow as a cultivator rather than relying entirely on shortcuts. Hengsheng activated the Qi Surge Cannon Technique. He carefully guided his spiritual Qi along the pathways described in the technique. Slowly, the energy within his spirit core formed a Qi pattern, moving through his veins to his arm. Finally, the Qi pattern emerged above his palm, coalescing into a sphere of spiritual Qi. The entire process took about 5 seconds¡ªlonger than he would have liked, but understandable given his low cultivation level and relatively weak Qi. Even with just 10 units of refined Qi, it was already a miracle that he could perform an earth-grade technique at all. For most cultivators at his level, moving Qi outside the body, let alone shaping it into a technique, would be impossible. After finishing the tests, Hengsheng returned to his chamber, his thoughts swirling with both disappointment and determination. The gap between his imagined strength and reality was disheartening, but he had no intention of staying this weak. He needed to cultivate quickly to close that gap. However, he now realized that his earlier assumption¡ªthat he wouldn¡¯t need resources because of his system¡ªwas overly optimistic. While it was true that his system could help him process spiritual Qi, the process was too slow. If he continued at this pace, it might take him 10 years to advance to the next realm. To accelerate his progress, he needed resources¡ªnatural treasures, Qi-Gathering pills, or anything that could help him gather and refine spiritual Qi faster. But first, he had to resolve the issue of his recent "crime." Hengsheng smirked at his plan: to offer the clan some of the techniques he had created. He had already selected 10 sword pseudo-heaven-grade techniques, which were exceptionally rare. Even the Lan clan only had 50 such techniques in their archives. Adding 10 more would be a significant contribution, likely enough to placate the elders and smooth over his misdeeds. However, there was one problem: he didn¡¯t have enough time to write all 10 books before reporting to the designated gathering area the next morning. Hengsheng couldn¡¯t resist the need to cheat this time. "Lan Ju!" "Yes, young master," Lan Ju replied promptly, opening the door and bowing with her usual politeness. "Get me paper and ink. A lot of them. I¡¯m going to make scriptures." Lan Ju looked momentarily confused by the unusual request but nodded. "Yes, young master. But before I go, I must inform you that an elder from the law enforcement branch has requested to meet with you. I told them you were in seclusion cultivating, so they agreed to come again tomorrow morning."Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Hengsheng smirked and replied, "You did well. I¡¯ll handle that matter myself tomorrow. Now, go get the materials quickly." Lan Ju quickly left the chamber to fulfill his request. Alone again, Hengsheng closed his eyes and entered his mind space. His goal was clear: create a tool to speed up the scripture-writing process. [Ding!] [Installing: Scripture Maker System...] The Scripture Maker System was a simple yet specialized tool designed to act as his extra hand for writing books. It required only 15% of his Auxiliary Systems Capacity, there is still plenty of space left. Hengsheng was pleased with the balance¡ªit wouldn¡¯t interfere with his existing systems. Auxiliary Systems Capacity was a feature of the main system that provided space to install additional subsystems as needed. Since Hengsheng¡¯s body wasn¡¯t vast enough to support countless systems simultaneously, this capacity served as a limitation so that his body would not be overloaded cause there were too many systems. However, as his cultivation progressed and his strength grew, the capacity would naturally expand, allowing for more systems to be integrated over time. Once installed, Hengsheng returned to the real world. As he waited for Lan Ju to bring the materials, he tested the new system. "Activate Scripture Maker," he commanded. Moments later, ten translucent Qi hands materialized beside him. He felt a slight drain on his Qi reserves, but thanks to his system¡¯s auto Qi absorption, the impact was negligible. Testing their precision, Hengsheng directed the hands to mimic detailed writing motions. They obeyed flawlessly, moving with incredible accuracy and efficiency. "Perfect," he murmured, nodding in satisfaction. With the Scripture Maker active, the hands could work passively without constant input from him. That meant he could focus on cultivation while the system did the tedious task of writing. Shortly after, Lan Ju returned with a stack of paper, ink, and brushes. She placed them on the table and stepped back, watching curiously. "Good timing," Hengsheng said with a smirk. Without delay, he commanded the Qi hands to begin. They picked up the brushes, dipped them into the ink, and started writing at an astonishing speed. Hengsheng didn¡¯t even need to oversee the process directly¡ªthe Scripture Maker followed his mental commands perfectly. Seeing her young master effortlessly manage ten writing tools at once, Lan Ju¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. "Young master, you truly possess extraordinary methods," she murmured with a surprise expression. Hengsheng ignored her and sent a gesture to her then she stepped back and left his chamber turning his attention to his cultivation. Sitting cross-legged on his mat, he closed his eyes and began refining spiritual Qi with the Vast Meridian Refinement Art. The soft rustling of brushes against paper became the backdrop to his meditation as he immersed himself in cultivation The faint glow of his blue Spirit Core illuminating the inside of his body. Spiritual Qi flowed steadily through his meridians, and each completed cycle left him feeling slightly stronger. He had activated the system to assist him in refining his Qi and steadily eroding the blockage in his second meridian. His mind drifted between deep focus and idle thought. Three years of effort has finally paid off, he mused. Hours passed as Hengsheng remained motionless, his breathing slow and steady. Outside his chamber, the world stirred quietly. The faint sound of leaves rustling in the breeze, the occasional footstep of a passing servant¡ªall these small details faded into the background as Hengsheng continued to cultivate. Suddenly, the distant sound of raised voices broke through the stillness. It was faint at first but grew louder and closer with each passing moment. Hengsheng¡¯s eyelids twitched as the noise pulled him from his focus. His Spirit Core dimmed slightly as he slowed his Qi circulation. He heard Lan Ju¡¯s firm voice, muffled by the door. ¡°You cannot enter, respected elders. The young master is in seclusion for cultivation.¡± A sharp reply followed. ¡°This is the Lan clan¡¯s business. He is under investigation for breaking clan rules. Step aside!¡± The unmistakable clang of metal, the heavy footsteps of law enforcement officers, and the rising commotion outside his chamber made Hengsheng furrow his brows. He exhaled deeply, his serene mood now fully disrupted. A loud knock thundered against the door. ¡°Lan Hengsheng, this is the law enforcement unit of the Lan clan. Open this door at once!¡± Inside, Hengsheng slowly opened his eyes, his calm gaze flickering with mild irritation. He stretched his arms briefly, brushing off the stiffness from his prolonged cultivation session. Chapter 18 - Departure! Hengsheng leaned casually against the wall of his chamber, observing the elders entering with expressions ranging from icy disdain to faint curiosity. Elder Lan Xiang stood at the forefront, his hands clasped behind his back and his sharp gaze fixed on Hengsheng like a predator sizing up its prey. "Lan Hengsheng," Elder Xiang began, his voice stern and commanding. "You dare to use your servant in a fight, violating the clan''s rules of honorable conduct among juniors. Have you no shame?" Hengsheng smiled lazily, as if completely unbothered by the accusation. "Elder Xiang, I would never intentionally dishonor the clan''s rules. But surely you can understand¡ªthose juniors were getting¡­ overconfident. Someone had to remind them of their place." The elder¡¯s eyebrows twitched in annoyance. ¡°Do not try to twist this matter into a joke, Hengsheng. Your actions reflect poorly on the Lan Clan¡¯s discipline.¡± Hengsheng stepped forward, his demeanor calm but confident. ¡°Elder Xiang, I acknowledge my mistake in handling the situation. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve prepared something to make amends¡ªa contribution to the clan.¡± The other elders exchanged wary glances, uncertain of what Hengsheng might be scheming. Lan Xiang narrowed his eyes. ¡°Contribution? Do you think some trinket will erase your disrespect for the rules?¡± ¡°Oh, this isn¡¯t just any ¡®trinket,¡¯¡± Hengsheng replied with a smirk. He clapped his hands, and Lan Ju entered with a stack of neatly bound scrolls. ¡°I¡¯ve created these¡ªten sword techniques, designed specifically for our clan¡¯s cultivation methods. You¡¯re welcome.¡± The room fell silent. The air of righteous anger began to dissipate as curiosity overtook the elders. ¡°Sword techniques?¡± one elder murmured, stepping forward to inspect the scrolls. Lan Xiang¡¯s expression shifted, though he tried to maintain his stern facade. ¡°You¡­ created these?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Hengsheng said nonchalantly, his tone laced with playful arrogance. ¡°I had plenty of time during my¡­ extended cultivation session. Consider this my way of proving my loyalty and making up for yesterday¡¯s incident.¡± One of the younger elders scoffed, his disbelief evident. ¡°Stop your nonsense! How could a mere Qi Gathering cultivator even comprehend, let alone create, techniques?¡± Hengsheng raised an eyebrow but said nothing, his smirk growing wider. Before the elder could continue, Lan Xiang held up a hand to silence him. Though skepticism flickered in his eyes, Lan Xiang¡¯s composure didn¡¯t waver. He stepped forward, unrolled one of the scrolls, and examined the contents closely. The room grew tense as the other elders watched, their expressions a mixture of doubt and curiosity. After a long pause, Lan Xiang cleared his throat. ¡°Even so,¡± he said, his voice carefully measured, ¡°your actions cannot go without consequence. The clan¡¯s rules exist for a reason, Hengsheng. You must answer for your improper conduct.¡± Hengsheng nodded, feigning humility as he replied, ¡°I completely agree, Elder Xiang. A good scolding will suffice, don¡¯t you think? Perhaps a lecture on proper conduct?¡± Lan Xiang¡¯s lips tightened, his displeasure evident. But the techniques were undeniably valuable, and he couldn¡¯t ignore the murmurs of astonishment coming from the elders inspecting the scrolls. He was also aware of Hengsheng¡¯s unusual nature, having witnessed the patriarch¡¯s investigation into his heavenly tribulation. ¡°Very well,¡± Lan Xiang finally said, his tone grudging but firm. ¡°Consider this a formal warning. You are to abide by the clan¡¯s rules henceforth. Do not mistake leniency for weakness.¡± ¡°Understood, Elder Xiang,¡± Hengsheng replied with a shallow bow, his smirk now replaced with an exaggeratedly solemn expression. ¡°I¡¯ll ensure that the clan¡¯s honor remains intact moving forward.¡± Another elder, clearly dissatisfied, stepped forward and shouted, ¡°But Elder Xiang! Hengsheng broke the rules blatantly. Should he not face a harsher punishment?¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Lan Xiang turned sharply, his gaze like a blade. ¡°Silence! I will make the final decision here. Unless you wish to question my judgment, you will let this matter rest.¡± The elder recoiled slightly, his lips pursed in frustration, but he didn¡¯t press further. With the tension easing slightly, the group of elders began to depart, though many cast suspicious glances at Hengsheng before leaving. Once alone in his chamber, Hengsheng straightened and let out a soft chuckle, his smirk returning. ¡°Well, that went smoother than I expected,¡± silence filled the room. Hengsheng exhaled deeply and leaned back against the door, his smirk returning. ¡°Well, that could¡¯ve gone worse,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°At least I didn¡¯t end up doing a hundred years of sweeping the clan grounds.¡± The moonlight filtered through the window, casting a soft glow on his chamber. Lan Ju, ever dutiful, entered cautiously, carrying a tray of tea. ¡°Young Master,¡± she said, setting the tray down on a nearby table. ¡°The elders seemed¡­ less angry than I expected. Did everything go well?¡± Hengsheng chuckled, walking over to pour himself a cup of tea. ¡°Oh, Lan Ju, it¡¯s not about how angry they are; it¡¯s about what they can¡¯t do. I gave them ten sword techniques. How could they punish me and lose face with such a treasure in their hands?¡± Lan Ju hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly. ¡°But you still need to report to the designated gathering area tomorrow morning" Hengsheng nodded, sipping his tea. ¡°I know." Lan Ju sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll prepare your travel gear and ensure everything is ready for tomorrow.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Hengsheng said, stretching his arms lazily. ¡°I¡¯ll spend the rest of the night cultivating. Tomorrow, we¡¯re going to make a statement.¡± As Lan Ju bowed and left the room, Hengsheng sat cross-legged on his cultivation mat. He closed his eyes, letting his mind settle into the familiar rhythm of meditation. Spiritual Qi began to flow through his veins, and the faint blue glow of his Spirit Core flickered within him. The night passed quietly, and the first light of dawn crept over the horizon. Outside, the Lan Clan grounds were alive with activity as young disciples prepared for their journey to the Metal Flow Plains Gathering. Hengsheng opened his eyes, his aura steady and sharper than before. He stood up, donned his clan robes, and adjusted the black sash lined with golden embroidery¡ªa mark of his main bloodline status. Lan Ju was already waiting outside his chamber, holding a storage pouch filled with essentials. She bowed. ¡°Young Master, everything is ready.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Hengsheng said, stepping out and surveying the bustling scene around him. He smirked. ¡°Let¡¯s not keep them waiting.¡± With a flick of his sleeve, Hengsheng began walking toward the gathering area, his steps light yet purposeful. Behind him, Lan Ju followed closely, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings for anything unusual. As they approached, the grand square of the Lan Clan came into view. It was a vast, open space bustling with activity, a stark contrast to the serene ambiance of the clan grounds. At the center of the square docked a massive skyship, its intricate golden engravings reflecting the morning sunlight. The sight alone was enough to inspire awe and a sense of anticipation. Hundreds of young disciples, dressed in their respective clan robes, stood in neat lines. They were buzzing with murmurs of excitement and trepidation. Hengsheng¡¯s arrival drew immediate attention. He strolled casually toward the lines, his black robe with golden embroidery marking him as a main bloodline member. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd. ¡°Isn¡¯t that Lan Hengsheng? Why is he here?¡± Hengsheng ignored the voices, a faint smirk playing on his lips. Let them wonder, he thought. He scanned the crowd and spotted familiar faces: Lan Xiaorong and Lan Baixing. Their expressions were a mixture of anger and humiliation, the lingering marks of their last encounter with him still visible on their faces. The duo glared at Hengsheng, but neither dared to approach. It was clear they hadn¡¯t forgotten his earlier display of dominance, and this wasn¡¯t the place for petty disputes. Hengsheng¡¯s smirk deepened as he deliberately locked eyes with them, sending a chill down their spines. After a few moments, the chatter died down as a group of elders began to arrive, their imposing presence silencing the crowd. Among them, Hengsheng recognized the First Elder, Lan Mingzhi, who would be leading the gathering delegation. Lan Mingzhi stepped forward, his authoritative gaze sweeping over the young disciples. ¡°This gathering is an opportunity¡± Lan Mingzhi began, his deep voice echoing across the square. ¡°Beyond our clan territory lies the Metal Flow Plains¡­." The disciples listened attentively, the weight of his words settling over them. ¡°However,¡± the First Elder continued, his tone sharp, ¡°remember this: we are stepping outside the safety of our territory. Do not disgrace our clan¡¯s name. Avoid unnecessary conflict, especially with the disciples of the Golden Sword Sect. Their status as the continent¡¯s overlords is not to be trifled with.¡± Hengsheng noticed several disciples exchanging uneasy glances at the mention of the Golden Sword Sect. Lan Mingzhi¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°Now, board the skyship and prepare yourselves. The journey ahead will test not only your strength but your character.¡± At his command, the disciples began filing onto the skyship in an orderly manner. Hengsheng, with Lan Ju close behind, moved toward the vessel, his smirk never fading. As he stepped onto the grand skyship¡¯s deck, he thought to himself, An opportunity, huh? Chapter 19 - Qi Luck! Hengsheng stepped aboard the skyship, his gaze drawn to the immense metallic structure that shimmered under the sunlight. The ship''s sleek, aerodynamic design was adorned with intricate golden runes glowing faintly¡ªa testament to the craftsmanship and arrays of the Lan Clan''s master artificers. The hum of the ship¡¯s energy core resonated through the air, giving the entire vessel a sense of life. Around him, other clan members moved with purpose, their robes rustling softly in the controlled breeze created by the skyship¡¯s internal systems. Inside, the atmosphere was no less awe-inspiring. The corridors were lined with polished metal walls, etched with artistic depictions of the Lan Clan¡¯s storied history. Luminous orbs floated above, casting a soft, warm light. The ship¡¯s energy flowed smoothly through visible arrays along the floor and ceiling, further enhancing the ship''s ambiance. A pair of Hengsheng¡¯s personal servants waited near the entrance. They bowed politely, their movements precise and deferential, before leading him to his quarters. As he followed, Hengsheng''s thoughts drifted to the journey ahead. It would take two months to reach the Golden City, the heart of the Metal Flow Plain. Though the skyship was significantly faster than Lan Ju¡¯s flying treasure, the sheer scale of the Metal Flow Plain made the journey arduous. Spanning a region larger than Earth¡¯s solar system, the Metal Flow Plain was dotted with treacherous terrains and the territories of other powerful forces. The need to avoid unnecessary conflict made the guidance of elders like First Elder Lan Mingzhi indispensable. Hengsheng¡¯s room was spacious and well-furnished. The walls were adorned with golden engravings of protective arrays, which softly pulsed with spiritual energy. A large, comfortable bed occupied one corner, while a polished table and chair set rested near a transparent window that offered a view of the endless skies. A cultivation mat, surrounded by an ambient qi-gathering array, lay in the center of the room. The air carried a faint metallic tang, a reminder of the Metal Flow Plain''s abundant metal qi. Feeling relieved, Hengsheng dismissed his servants and shut the door. He wanted to avoid mingling with the other juniors for now, especially given his current cultivation level. His plan was simple: stay secluded in his room and focus on cultivation. With the system¡¯s assistance, he estimated he could reach the middle stage of Qi Gathering within a month, which would be more than enough to deal with nuisances like Xiaorong. Just as he was about to sit down and begin his cultivation marathon, the air around him rippled, and the room shimmered unnaturally. In an instant, the familiar surroundings of his quarters vanished, replaced by a grand, elaborately decorated chamber. Startled but keeping his composure, Hengsheng quickly scanned the room. His eyes landed on the figure of First Elder Lan Mingzhi, who was seated calmly at a jade desk. The elder¡¯s expression was as stern and composed as ever. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Hengsheng immediately bowed deeply. ¡°Greetings, First Elder.¡± ¡°You may sit,¡± Lan Mingzhi said, his voice even yet commanding. ¡°I have a matter to discuss with you.¡± Hengsheng nodded respectfully and took a seat across from the elder, his curiosity piqued. ¡°What matter requires your personal attention, First Elder?¡±Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Lan Mingzhi leaned back slightly, his sharp eyes scrutinizing Hengsheng. ¡°What do you think about this gathering?¡± Hengsheng frowned, slightly puzzled by the question. Why would the First Elder ask something so obvious? Nevertheless, he replied, ¡°Isn¡¯t it for the younger generation to compete for opportunities inside the secret land at the base of the continental pillar?¡± Lan Mingzhi nodded but added, ¡°That is true, but it is not the whole truth. Let me ask you this: why do you think the Golden Sword Sect is willing to share the resources within their territory with others?¡± Hengsheng raised an eyebrow at the unexpected question. ¡°Aren¡¯t they forced to do so? If they refused, wouldn¡¯t they risk being ganged up on by everyone else?¡± Lan Mingzhi chuckled lightly, as if Hengsheng had told a good joke. ¡°That¡¯s a common misconception. But even if all the first-rate sects and clans, along with the twelve second-rate forces¡ªincluding our Lan Clan¡ªattacked them simultaneously, they would still stand unshaken.¡± Hengsheng¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Do they have True Immortal cultivators?¡± Lan Mingzhi nodded gravely. ¡°Not just one or two, but dozens of them.¡± Hengsheng¡¯s eyes widened in shock. The continent¡¯s situation was far more complicated than he had imagined. Most people believed that the last True Immortal to appear was over a million years ago, a woman from the Silver Lotus Pavilion. She had left the continent after only 10,000 years, and many wondered why she didn¡¯t overthrow the Golden Sword Sect and claim their position as overlords. Now Hengsheng understood the answer: she couldn¡¯t. ¡°If they¡¯re so powerful,¡± Hengsheng asked cautiously, ¡°why would they share their secret land with everyone else?¡± Lan Mingzhi¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Because that is the way of Heaven. If they hoarded all the resources and blocked others¡¯ paths to ascension, Heaven would punish them. Such punishment would be a catastrophic blow to their Qi Luck.¡± The term caught Hengsheng off guard. ¡°Qi Luck?¡± he repeated, his tone laced with curiosity. Lan Mingzhi explained patiently, ¡°Qi Luck is a hidden attribute that influences destiny it manifests to all living beings under the heaven or Specially made items like Qi luck artifacts. The brighter one¡¯s Qi Luck, the more favorable their fate becomes. For powerful cultivators or sects, it ensures their prosperity, prevents calamities, and even makes it less likely for incompetent heirs to be born into their lineage" ¡°But this isn¡¯t something just anyone can see or understand. Mortals and cultivators who are still bound by Mortality laws can¡¯t perceive Qi Luck. Only those who¡¯ve reached the False Immortal realm or higher can see it for what it truly is. And for those who can, it¡¯s like looking at the threads of destiny itself, It is a closely guarded secret among the most powerful forces.¡± Hengsheng processed the revelation with awe. The concept of Qi Luck seemed to explain many mysteries of the cultivation world. ¡°Does our Lan Clan possess a Qi Luck artifact as well?¡± Lan Mingzhi nodded. ¡°Yes, but it is heavily guarded by the Grand Elder. Knowledge of this artifact is restricted to high-level elders and the main bloodline of the clan. Ensure that you do not speak of it outside this chamber.¡± Hengsheng nodded solemnly. ¡°Understood. Is that all you needed to tell me?¡± Lan Mingzhi shook his head. ¡°No, there is more. I have a secret mission for you.¡± Hengsheng raised an eyebrow. ¡°What is it?¡± Lan Mingzhi¡¯s gaze turned cold, his voice dropping to a frigid tone. ¡°You have to kill every single Thunderclap Blade Sect disciple inside the secret land. Leave none alive.¡± Hengsheng¡¯s breath hitched at the chilling directive. ¡°What reason do we have for such an extreme act? They are the masters of the southern Metal Flow Plains, a first-rate force. Wouldn¡¯t this be incredibly dangerous?¡± Lan Mingzhi¡¯s voice remained icy. ¡°If you wish to understand, we must go back to the founding of the Lan Clan 300,000 years ago. Everyone believes we rose to power as a second-rate force within a million years due to the genius of your grandfather, Lan Wangtian. But that¡­ was merely the surface of the story.¡± Chapter 20 - Du Tian! 1/2 Three hundred thousand Years Ago In a distant village nestled at the foot of a colossal mountain range that separated the Metal Flow Plain from the outer lands of the Golden Pillar Continent, a young boy, no older than five, wielded a wooden stick like a sword. He swung it with fierce determination, imagining himself as a mighty swordsman battling a towering tree. "Du Tian! Stop playing with that stick! The lord cultivators have arrived to inspect the children. Follow me, quickly!" The sharp voice of the village chief rang out from behind him. Startled, the boy froze mid-swing and then hurried to obey. "Yes, Village Chief!" he said, gripping the stick tightly before discarding it and rushing to the gathering area. A line of children was already forming near the village center, their faces filled with a mix of anxiety and excitement. At the front stood a group of young men and women clad in light pink robes. Their attire bore the emblem of a sword arranged like a blossoming flower¡ªa mark of the prestigious Blossoming Sword Sect. One by one, the children stepped forward, placing their hands on a glowing orb held by one of the cultivators. Some were chosen, directed to stand on the right, while others were sent to the left, their faces falling in disappointment as they ran crying to their parents¡ªor sat alone if they had no family to console them. Each time a child was chosen, a hefty pouch of money was handed to the village chief, who accepted it with an eager smile. Finally, it was Du Tian''s turn. The boy stepped forward hesitantly, his small hand reaching out to touch the orb. As soon as his fingers made contact, the orb began to glow with an intense green light, brighter than anything the cultivators had seen that day. One of the cultivators, a stern-faced man with sharp eyes, leaned closer, his expression shifting to one of astonishment. "Divine Wood?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. The other cultivators exchanged glances, their composure slipping for a brief moment before the stern-faced man turned to the village chief. Without a word, he handed over an enormous sack of money, far larger than the others. The village chief¡¯s face lit up with a greedy smile as he accepted the pouch. The cultivator then crouched down to face Du Tian. His tone softened slightly, though his demeanor remained authoritative. "From this day forward, you are a disciple of the Blossoming Sword Sect. Follow us." Du Tian looked back at the only home he had ever known, his expression unreadable, before nodding and stepping toward the cultivators. The villagers watched in awe, some whispering prayers of gratitude for the blessing bestowed upon their small, forgotten village.
A Five Hundred Years Later In the midst of a bustling arena surrounded by towering cliffs, a Qi sword shot into the sky, its gleaming edge shimmering with immense power. Moments later, it shattered into a million fragments, the pieces raining down in a relentless storm onto its target. "Clink! Clink! Clink!" The sound of countless tiny blades echoed across the field, followed by a scream. "Ahhhhh!" As the dust settled, the crowd leaned forward, holding their breath. The defeated cultivator lay unconscious in the center of the battlefield, his robes torn and his sword broken. A loud voice resonated throughout the arena. "The winner is Du Tian!" Cheers erupted from the crowd. "Senior Brother Tian is amazing!" "As expected of him¡ªunmatched!" Compliments and shouts of admiration filled the air, a testament to Du Tian''s growing fame within the Blossoming Sword Sect. Du Tian stood tall amidst the praise, his sword dissolving into spiritual light as he sheathed his aura. His face was calm, but his heart brimmed with pride. Today, he had won the sect''s inner competition¡ªa feat that earned him the coveted title of core disciple.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. But as he soaked in the moment, a woman''s voice rang clearly in his mind, soft yet commanding. "Come to the Grand Blossoming Mother Tree." Du Tian stiffened, confusion crossing his features. The Grand Blossoming Mother Tree was a sacred area, strictly forbidden to all but the highest-ranking members of the sect. Why was he being summoned there? Ignoring his curiosity, he quickly left the arena, navigating the sect''s lush gardens and intricate pathways until he reached the sacred grounds. Towering above him was the Grand Blossoming Mother Tree, its trunk vast and ancient, its branches stretching endlessly toward the heavens. Standing beneath its massive canopy was a middle-aged woman in elegant robes, her presence exuding authority. Her eyes carried a sharp brilliance, and her aura felt like an impenetrable wall. "You must be Du Tian," she said, her voice steady and resonant. "I am Lan Da Ning, Grand Elder of the Blossoming Sword Sect. From this moment onward, you will be my personal disciple." Du Tian froze, the weight of her words sinking in. The Grand Elder Lan Da Ning was a legendary figure¡ªa prodigy of her generation. Stories of her achievements had been told and retold among the disciples, and her name carried a sense of awe and reverence. To be chosen as her personal disciple was an honor beyond measure. "This is really happening!?" Du Tian thought to himself, still processing the enormity of the situation. Lan Da Ning raised an eyebrow, her tone becoming sharp. "What are you waiting for? Bow to your master!" Snapping out of his daze, Du Tian dropped to his knees and kowtowed respectfully. "Disciple Du Tian greets Master! I will not disappoint you." Lan Da Ning''s lips curled into a faint smile. "Good. From now on, your path will be far more challenging"
A Ten Thousand Years Later Under a dense canopy of ancient trees, the sound of clashing weapons echoed through a hidden battlefield. Two cultivators faced off with fierce determination. One, clad in a light pink robe, wielded a thunder-imbued sword that hummed with power. The other, dressed in a black robe with golden embroidery, brandished a menacing yellow spear, his strikes swift and deadly. The pink-robed cultivator, Wei Beipan, staggered backward, his sword trembling under the relentless assault. Blood trickled from a wound on his shoulder, and his breathing grew ragged. The black-robed attacker smirked, sensing victory, and raised his spear for the final blow. But just as the spear descended, a flash of light streaked through the air. A wooden sword, simple yet radiating immense power, pierced the black-robed man¡¯s back with unerring precision. ¡°W-what?!¡± the man gasped, his face twisting in disbelief as he collapsed to the ground, lifeless. Wei Beipan, still clutching his injured side, looked up to see Du Tian descending from the sky. His senior brother¡¯s light pink robe fluttered in the breeze, and his expression was calm but commanding. ¡°Thank you, Senior Brother Tian!¡± Wei Beipan exclaimed, bowing deeply despite his injuries. ¡°If not for you, I would already be dead.¡± Du Tian waved off the gratitude with a faint smile. ¡°How could I let my junior perish in this secret realm? If something happened to you, Master would surely scold me.¡± Wei Beipan lowered his head, guilt flashing across his face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Senior Brother. It was my carelessness that put me in danger. We should leave before other cultivators arrive.¡± Du Tian nodded. ¡°Follow me. I¡¯ve located an ancient treasure trove nearby. If we¡¯re swift, we can claim something worthwhile before the realm closes.¡± Wei Beipan¡¯s eyes lit up with hope, and the two cultivators quickly made their way deeper into the secret realm.
The treasure trove was a sight to behold¡ªa hidden chamber filled with glowing artifacts, sparkling gemstones, and ancient scrolls. The air buzzed with the lingering energy of the immortal who had once resided there. Du Tian and Wei Beipan worked together to collect the most valuable items, their movements quick and efficient. By the time they exited the realm, their spatial rings were filled to the brim with treasures. Returning to the sect in triumph, they immediately sought out their master, Lan Da Ning, to report their findings. In the grand hall beneath the towering Grand Blossoming Mother Tree, the two knelt respectfully before her. Lan Da Ning¡¯s gaze swept over her two disciples, her expression unreadable. ¡°Tian¡¯er, Pan¡¯er, it is good to see you both have advanced to the Dao Threshold Realm. The future of our sect looks brighter with your growth.¡± She paused, her voice dropping to a more serious tone. ¡°I have something of great importance to share with you, and you must swear to keep this a secret. Only the sect master and you two will know.¡± Du Tian and Wei Beipan exchanged a glance before bowing deeply. ¡°We swear, Master.¡± Lan Da Ning¡¯s face softened. ¡°Within the next hundred years, I will attempt to break through and become the first True Immortal of the Blossoming Sword Sect. During this time, I will undergo my retreat in the forbidden area beneath the Grand Blossoming Mother Tree. I will require both of you to guard the area. Do not let anyone approach under any circumstances.¡± Du Tian¡¯s heart swelled with pride at being entrusted with such a critical task. ¡°We will not fail you, Master.¡± Wei Beipan, however, kept his head lowered, his expression hidden. As he echoed Du Tian¡¯s words, ¡°We will guard it with our lives,¡± a flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes. Chapter 21 - Du Tian! 2/2 Du Tian had spent a century guarding the gate of the forbidden area, dedicating his every moment to cultivation and ensuring the safety of his master during her critical breakthrough. He revered her like a mother, and her success in reaching the True Immortal realm was a goal he held as dearly as his own. As the qi in the surroundings began to shift, an ominous intent filled the air. Du Tian¡¯s senses sharpened. He exchanged a glance with his junior brother, Wei Beipan, who stood calmly by his side. ¡°Get ready for anything unexpected,¡± Du Tian said, his voice firm. Wei Beipan nodded with a slight smile. ¡°Of course, Senior Brother.¡± The qi flow reached its peak, forming a swirling vortex above the Grand Blossoming Mother Tree, The tribulation clouds churned, an ominous shade of purple and gold. Du Tian¡¯s master, Lan Da Ning, was on the cusp of summoning the Heavenly Dao to witness her ascension. He knew that no mortal even False Immortal could interfere once the Heavenly Dao was summoned. But before Du Tian could relax, an excruciating pain erupted in his chest. His eyes widened as he looked down to see a purple blade protruding from his body, its edges glowing with venomous light. He turned his gaze to the attacker, his heart sinking as he met Wei Beipan¡¯s cold, smirking face. ¡°Junior Brother¡­ why?¡± Du Tian rasped, blood dripping from his mouth. Wei Beipan twisted the blade slightly, watching as Du Tian winced in pain. ¡°What an idiot,¡± Wei Beipan sneered. ¡°For all your strength and devotion, you never suspected a thing. This purple poison will keep you paralyzed long enough for me.¡± Du Tian¡¯s mind raced, fury and betrayal coursing through him. ¡°You¡­traitor?¡± Wei Beipan laughed. ¡°No, I never on your side. Did you really think I joined this sect to serve that woman? I¡¯ve been waiting for this day, waiting for the moment to bring her down and go back to my Thunderclap blade sect.¡± Du Tian struggled to circulate his qi, but the poison was insidious, blocking his spiritual veins. He could only watch as Wei Beipan retrieved a talisman and activated it. A rift in space tore open, and seven cultivators stepped through. Their auras were oppressive, each one radiating power comparable to Lan Da Ning¡¯s. Du Tian¡¯s heart sank further. One of the seven, a man wielding an array flag, and with a simple hand sign array flag fly to all directions spoke with a chilling voice. ¡°I already set up the hidden array. Once it¡¯s active, she won¡¯t be able to summon the Heavenly Dao.¡± A shimmering barrier formed, cutting off the connection to the heavens. ¡°Hurry,¡± the flag wielder barked. ¡°Kill her before she recovers from her dao injury!¡± The remaining six nodded and surged toward the heart of the forbidden area, where Lan Da Ning was seated in meditation. Du Tian¡¯s rage burned brighter than ever. He glared at Wei Beipan, his voice trembling with fury. ¡°You¡¯ll regret this. Master will never forgive you!¡± Wei Beipan crouched beside him, a smug grin on his face. ¡°Forgiveness? She won¡¯t even survive to hold a grudge. Sit tight, Senior Brother. Watch as your precious sect crumbles, and your so-called master falls, now tell me where you hide an Immortal treasure, and I will give you a quick death.¡± The sound of thunder echoed through the realm as the battle began. Du Tian¡¯s vision blurred, but his resolve remained unbroken. Despite the poison coursing through his veins, he vowed to find a way to fight back. Suddenly, his master¡¯s voice resonated in his mind through a qi message, firm and unyielding. ¡°Tian¡¯er, activate the jade token I gave you. Once it¡¯s active, the sect¡¯s protective formation will alert the sect master. Hurry!¡± Du Tian didn¡¯t hesitate. Although his qi was paralyzed, his mind remained sharp. He focused on the jade token tied to his waist, commanding it with his thoughts. A brilliant light emanated from the token, and the grand Blossoming Mother Tree responded, radiating with dense wood qi. In an instant, a massive protective formation sprung to life, surrounding the forbidden area.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Wei Beipan¡¯s face twisted in anger. Seeing the change, he stormed toward Du Tian, kicking him viciously in the head. ¡°What did you do?! You ruined everything!¡± he roared. His killing intent surged, and he raised his hand to deliver the final blow. Before Wei Beipan could strike, three powerful auras descended from the sky, their sheer pressure shaking the ground. The sect master and two grand elders had arrived. The sect master, with a sharp gaze and a sword that gleamed like liquid light, took in the scene at a glance. His voice thundered, filled with rage and authority. ¡°It was you, Wei Beipan! The spy who¡¯s been sabotaging our sect and slaughtering our talents! You dare to betray us?! DIE!¡± He pointed his sword, sending a brilliant streak of energy racing toward Wei Beipan. The traitor¡¯s face turned pale with fear as he scrambled to pull a talisman from his robe. Activating it in desperation, his figure was swallowed by a flickering portal just as the sect master¡¯s attack reached him. The sect master clenched his fist, his anger barely contained. ¡°Coward!¡± he spat, his voice echoing across the battlefield. Without wasting a moment, he strode toward Du Tian and pulled the purple sword from his back. The pain receded instantly, and Du Tian gasped as he regained mobility. ¡°Sect Master!¡± Du Tian said, his voice hoarse but filled with urgency. ¡°Master is in danger! Seven False Immortals are attacking her, disrupting her Dao attainment ceremony. They¡¯ve sealed the area to block her connection to the Heavenly Dao!¡± The sect master¡¯s expression darkened. He exchanged a glance with the grand elders, and they nodded silently. ¡°We¡¯ll handle it,¡± he said, his voice steady despite the tension. He gestured for the grand elders to follow him, and they shot toward the Blossoming Mother Tree with incredible speed, leaving Du Tian behind. But the sect master suddenly paused mid-air and turned back. His voice was grave. ¡°Du Tian, the sect is doomed today.¡± Du Tian froze, his blood turning cold. ¡°Sect Master, what do you mean?¡± ¡°There are more than the seven False Immortals,¡± the sect master said, his tone grim. ¡°I¡¯ve sensed five more nearby, along with an army. The Thunderclap Blade Sect has made their move to eradicate us completely.¡± Du Tian¡¯s face went pale. ¡°What should we do, Sect Master?¡± The sect master tossed a space ring to him. ¡°This ring contains all of our sect¡¯s foundational treasures and resources. Take it. Gather the disciples who are outside and keep them safe. Hide, bide your time, and rebuild. Wait for the opportunity to avenge us.¡± Du Tian shook his head, his voice filled with anguish. ¡°No! How can I, a core disciple, run away while my brothers and sisters are being slaughtered? I must stay and fight!¡± The sect master frowned deeply. ¡°There¡¯s no time for this! We already know what the Thunderclap Blade sect might do since it was not the first time they eradicated a second-rate force that threatened their position, This is just a retreat¡ªit¡¯s all for survival. If you die here, the sect dies with you. But if you survive, the Blossoming Sword Sect will have a chance to rise again. This is my final order as your sect master!¡± Before Du Tian could protest further, the sect master placed a firm hand on his shoulder. A surge of power enveloped him, and the next moment, Du Tian found himself outside the sect¡¯s territory. Staring back at the distant sky, where the Blossoming Mother Tree stood tall amidst thunderstorms and chaos, Moment later his heart trembled when he felt the faint stir of a qi message reaching his mind. The voice of his master resonated within him, calm yet laced with unshakable determination, carrying the weight of her final will. ¡°Tian¡¯er, listen well. The sect¡¯s survival now rests with you. The Blossoming Sword Sect may fall today, but its roots will remain in you. You are the seed of our legacy¡ªnurture it, protect it, and one day, let it bloom once more to reclaim its place in this world.¡± Her tone softened as if a mother was addressing her child. ¡°I have taught you all I could, but this path ahead is yours to walk. Trust in your strength, in your mind, and in the bonds we forged. Even in death, I believe in you" The Qi connection began to wane, her voice fading like the last rays of sunlight. ¡°Live¡­ and grow stronger. Farewell, my disciple.¡± And then, silence. Du Tian stood frozen, his fists trembling as tears welled in his eyes. Her words were a burden, a blessing, and a promise he vowed to honor. Du Tian clenched his fists. Tears streamed down his face as the realization of his helplessness sank in. ¡°Master¡­ Sect Master¡­ everyone¡­¡± With trembling hands, he held the space ring tightly. ¡°I swear, I¡¯ll make them pay. I¡¯ll rebuild the Blossoming Sword Sect, no matter how long it takes!¡± Present Within the sacred Qi cave nestled deep in the forbidden mountains of the Lan Clan, a place where heaven and earth¡¯s qi converged in unparalleled density, Lan Wangtian sat cross-legged. The air around him shimmered faintly with the energy of his cultivation, an aura of profound stillness that seemed to resonate with the mountain itself. His closed eyes suddenly opened, revealing a depth of emotion rarely seen in his otherwise stoic demeanor. For a moment, his gaze lingered on the cave walls, where ancient carvings of swords and blooming flowers told the tale of an era long past. Lan Wangtian''s mind drifted back to the events of three hundred thousand years ago, to the day his world shattered and his purpose was forged in blood and loss. The faintest flicker of pain crossed his face, quickly replaced by the unyielding resolve that had carried him through the centuries. He exhaled slowly, the sound soft yet laden with the weight of countless years of cultivation and silent determination. ¡°Soon,¡± he murmured, his voice low and steady, echoing faintly within the stone chamber. The single word carried the promise of a long-awaited reckoning¡ªa vow to honor the legacy he had sworn to uphold and a reminder that some fires, once ignited, could never be extinguished. Chapter 22 - Mission! Hengsheng was stunned by the story he had just heard. His voice quivered slightly as he asked, "First Elder, did you just say that the Lan Clan is not truly a clan, but rather a facade for the remnants of the Blossoming Sword Sect?" Lan Mingzhi nodded solemnly, his gaze steady. ¡°That¡¯s correct. The day the Blossoming Sword Sect was surrounded and destroyed, it wasn¡¯t only your grandfather, Lan Wangtian, who survived. But Ancestors of the Wang Clan, Hua Clan, and Qian Clan also escaped. All of them were core disciples of the Blossoming Sword Sect, sent out before the final siege to ensure the sect¡¯s survival in some form.¡± Hengsheng¡¯s mind raced, struggling to process the revelation. ¡°Hua Clan? Qian Clan? I¡¯ve never even heard of them.¡± The First Elder inclined his head. ¡°That¡¯s because they¡¯ve kept a low profile as third-rate forces beyond the Metal Flow Plain. They serve as the final contingency plan. If the identities of the Lan Clan or Wang Clan were ever exposed, they are meant to ensure that the legacy of the Blossoming Sword Sect lives on. But we are not yet strong enough to openly face the Thunderclap Blade Sect. They have at least ten False Immortals, and we are uncertain if any of their three True Immortals remain on the Golden Pillar Continent or have already departed for higher realms.¡± Hengsheng frowned, his voice tinged with skepticism. ¡°Why are you telling me this? It seems too dangerous for someone like me¡ªI¡¯m just at the Qi Gathering realm. Besides, who else knows about this?¡± Lan Mingzhi¡¯s expression remained serious as he replied, ¡°Aside from the elders residing within the Sacred Mountain, there is the Sect Master, the four Grand Elders, and your father. That¡¯s all. You must remind yourself to keep this secret. Do not reveal your mission to anyone, no matter what.¡± Hengsheng nodded slowly, his mind racing as he tried to process the weight of the task ahead. He hesitated for a moment before asking, ¡°I understand, but if I manage to eliminate all their disciples during the Metal Flow Plain Gathering, won¡¯t that alert the Thunderclap Blade Sect to be suspicious there someone is coming after them?¡± Lan Mingzhi¡¯s expression hardened, his voice resolute. ¡°It will, but the risk is worth it. Over the past million years, the Thunderclap Blade Sect has actively eradicated every second-rate force in the southern Metal Flow Plain. Their actions have already significantly weakened their Qi Luck. If all their Qi Gathering disciples perish inside the secret land, it will strike a devastating blow to their prestige and further erode their Qi Luck. If everything succeeds, we may finally have the opportunity to confront them head-on.¡± Hengsheng¡¯s eyes glimmered with a mixture of determination and apprehension. ¡°I see¡­ so this mission isn¡¯t just about revenge; it¡¯s about creating a crack in their dominance.¡± Lan Mingzhi nodded. ¡°Precisely. Remember, Hengsheng, this mission is critical for the survival and revival of our lineage. But success requires you to act with absolute precision and cunning. The future of the Lan Clan¡ªand the legacy of the Blossoming Sword Sect¡ªrests on your shoulders.¡± Hengsheng straightened his posture and nodded firmly. ¡°I won¡¯t let you down, First Elder. I¡¯ll make sure their disciples don¡¯t leave the secret land alive.¡± Lan Mingzhi¡¯s eyes softened slightly as he regarded Hengsheng. ¡°Good. Prepare yourself. This gathering will be unlike any challenge you¡¯ve faced before. Hengsheng nodded, his usual smirk replaced by a somber expression. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him. With a simple gesture, the First Elder sent Hengsheng back to his room. As he reappeared, Hengsheng quickly glanced around. His servants seemed unfazed, likely due to the First Elder. ¡°You may all rest now. I¡¯ll be entering cultivation. Inform me when we arrive in Golden City,¡± Hengsheng instructed calmly. The servants bowed and retreated to their quarters, leaving Hengsheng alone. He stood silently for a moment, his gaze distant as the enormity of what he had learned settled over him. The truth about the Lan Clan¡¯s origin, the ever-looming threat of the Thunderclap Blade Sect, and the precariousness of their survival¡ªit all felt like a tempest swirling in his mind. He had thought the Lan Clan¡¯s position secure because they didn''t have any sworn enemies only minor disputes over resources to contend with. Now, he realized that they were perched on the edge of annihilation.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. His mind raced through scenarios of what could go wrong. The image of his clan falling, consumed by the might of the Thunderclap Blade Sect, flashed vividly in his thoughts. The cold, harsh reality sent a chill down his spine. Hengsheng¡¯s eyes hardened, his usual laziness replaced with steely resolve. ¡°If things go wrong, we¡¯ll be wiped out¡­. I can¡¯t let that happen.¡± The room seemed to grow colder as his determination solidified. ¡°I need to get stronger. Quickly.¡± Without another thought, Hengsheng moved to his cultivation mat. Sitting cross-legged, he took a deep breath, calming his turbulent thoughts. His spirit core pulsed faintly within him, resonating with his will. As Hengsheng initiated his cultivation, the room subtly shifted. Spiritual Qi in the air responded violently to his pull, swirling toward him in a torrent. The sheer force of the influx caused the furniture around him to tremble slightly, and a faint mist of Qi began to form. Each breath he took drew an immense amount of spiritual energy into his body. His spirit core refined it, and the Vast Meridian Refinement Art circulated it throughout his spirit veins, eroding the barriers of his unopened meridians.
Two months later Hengsheng sat cross-legged on his cultivation mat, surrounded by a shimmering pile of low-rank spirit stones. Each one glowed faintly, pulsing with spiritual Qi as they fed his cultivation. He was nearing the completion of his final Qi cycle, the air around him charged with intense energy as it condensed and flowed into his body. As the final unit of refined Qi entered his spirit core, a powerful surge rippled through him. His Spiritual Qi inside his spirit core began to evolve, refining its quality and expanding its capacity. Hengsheng¡¯s body turned faintly red as Spiritual Qi coursed through his meridians, purging impurities and strengthening his body. The spirit stones surrounding him dimmed one by one, their energy completely absorbed. As their Qi depleted, they crumbled into fine dust, scattering around the room like ash in the wind. Hengsheng didn¡¯t pause, cycling through the stones with calculated efficiency, their abundant Qi accelerating his breakthrough. By the time the process ended, thousands of spirit stones had been reduced to dust, covering the floor in a fine, pale layer. Hengsheng''s body pulsed with vitality, his spirit core gleaming with newfound strength and refinement. He had successfully advanced to the middle stage of the Qi Gathering realm. Hengsheng opened his eyes slowly, his gaze filled with a mix of triumph and exhaustion. He flexed his fingers, feeling the increased power coursing through his veins. The energy was potent and steady. Despite his success, Hengsheng¡¯s body felt drained, both mentally and physically, from the intense process of his breakthrough. Sitting amidst the dust of countless spirit stones, he took a deep breath, allowing himself a rare moment of reflection. "Stabilizing the cultivation realm will take some time," he thought, standing up and brushing the fine layer of dust off his robes. His resolve hardened as he gazed at the room, now littered with the remains of his efforts. A translucent system window appeared before him, displaying his updated status. [Status] Name: Lan Hengsheng Race: Human Age: 18 Spirit Core: System Neutral Spirit Core {Mortal} Cultivation Realm: Middle Stage Qi Gathering {25.01%} Qi Cultivation Method: Vast Meridian Refinement Art [Attributes]: Special Traits: Mind Space, Super Spirit Body, Vast Meridian {124/512} Qi Techniques: Auxiliary Systems Capacity {93/100%}: [System Points]: {0/1000 Points} [Absorb] [Upgrade] Hengsheng studied the system window intently, his gaze lingering on the steady progress he had made. ¡°Middle stage at last,¡± he murmured, a faint sense of accomplishment in his tone. His eyes shifted to the numbers, each representing the fruits of his relentless effort and the countless spirit stones he had consumed. ¡°312 units of Spiritual Qi,¡± he muttered, shaking his head. Despite the seemingly impressive number, he couldn¡¯t help but feel underwhelmed. In reality, even a cultivator at the Spiritual Foundation Realm with only 10 units of Spiritual Qi could rival or surpass him due to the fundamental differences in quality and mastery of Qi between the realms. ¡°This function is misleading and worse than useless,¡± he thought with a wry smile. ¡°It only takes up system space and gives me a false sense of strength.¡± His gaze hardened as he made a decision. ¡°I should remove it entirely. There¡¯s no point in keeping something that doesn¡¯t serve a purpose.¡± Closing the system window with a wave of his hand, Hengsheng leaned back slightly and thought as he began to cultivate the more he understood about Qi and the world''s nature, contemplating the gaps in his power. "Strength isn¡¯t in number." He resolved to refine not only his Qi but also his systems, ensuring every aspect of his cultivation path was optimized for the battles to come. Chapter 23 - To be Stronger! Hengsheng pondered on how to become stronger within a short period of time. "Reconstructing the main system is out of the question now," he muttered, knowing it would take too much time and effort. "Just thinking about it won''t help," he sighed. "I need to focus on something practical. Upgrading my fighting experience to another level should be a solid solution for now." Closing his system, Hengsheng began designing a new auxiliary system aimed at improving his combat skills and techniques. Although his mind space allowed him to simulate various scenarios as he pleased, it couldn''t fully replicate the real-world laws, which limited its effectiveness. "I need to bring the simulation into the real world," he decided. Ding! Scenario Simulation System {75%} installed. Hengsheng nodded but frowned at the space the new system consumed. "This takes up too much capacity," he grumbled. After some thought, he decided to uninstall the Ultimate Fighting System {34%}, Recycle System {44%}, and Scripture Maker System {15%} to make room for the new system. As usual, the process drained a significant amount of his spiritual Qi, leaving him momentarily weakened. Once the installation was complete, he tested the new system immediately, setting up a scenario to fight against ten simulated versions of Lan Xiaorong. [Scenario Lan Hengsheng VS 10 x Lan Xiaorong processing¡­.] [The battlefield is ready.] Suddenly, he felt as if he was being dragged into another place. The surroundings transformed into a modern cityscape that he had set up beforehand. He moved his body experimentally, testing his ability to walk, run, jump, punch, and channel Qi. It all felt completely real, much more so than the mind space simulations. "This is much better than before," he said, satisfied with the system''s potential. "Start fight!" The moment the command was given, ten identical versions of Lan Xiaorong materialized in front of him. Their faces bore the same expression, but their eyes lacked any real will. Hengsheng frowned. "A flaw," he muttered. "The simulation can''t replicate a real will. Well, I¡¯m not strong enough to create a system capable of that yet. I¡¯ll fix it later¡ªright now, I need to fight!" The ten simulated Xiaorongs dashed at him simultaneously, green aura swirling around them as they wielded wooden swords with superhuman speed. "Fweeeew!" The wind screamed with their movement. Hengsheng dodged one after another, countering with a well-timed World Shatter Palm. "Bang!" The impact sent one Xiaorong flying, but three others immediately closed in to assist, forcing Hengsheng to retreat momentarily. He smirked. "Not bad. Even without real will, their programming is solid." The battle continued for an hour within the simulation. By the time Hengsheng defeated the last Xiaorong, his shirt was drenched in sweat. He caught his breath, reflecting on the fight. "I didn¡¯t think Xiaorong would be this strong. Or... maybe I¡¯m still not strong enough?" He dismissed the thought for now, commanding the system to end the simulation. Instantly, he was dragged back to reality. He checked his status and noted that only six minutes had passed in the real world. "So, time moves ten times slower inside the simulator," he observed. "That¡¯s acceptable, even though I initially intended it to be entirely time-stopped. It¡¯s good enough for now." Hengsheng leaned back with a satisfied smile. "This system is just what I needed" Hengsheng sat cross-legged, pondering his next move. ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± he murmured to himself, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the floor. He thought about what else he could do while waiting for his cultivation to stabilize.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Then he recalled something. His eyes brightened as he reached for his new space ring. With a slight flick of his wrist, he retrieved an item¡ªan oval, golden-colored egg, about the size of a basketball. It gleamed faintly with metallic hues, intricate Qi runes etched all over its surface. It was the mortal-grade metal-type spirit beast egg he had acquired during the auction. He studied the egg closely, turning it in his hands. ¡°What should I do about this?¡± he mused aloud. ¡°Should I try to install a system into it before it hatches? Or maybe create a specialized auxiliary system to focus entirely on cultivating a spirit beast companion?¡± Hengsheng frowned, shaking his head as he dismissed the thought. ¡°No, that¡¯s not my path,¡± he muttered. ¡°Enslaving innocent creatures¡­ it¡¯s not right. Turning this into a spirit beast companion would forever bind it to my soul, but it would also limit its potential. It would never surpass me, and caging something like this¡ªsomething that could grow so much more¡ªwould be a waste of endless possibilities.¡± He carefully set the egg down, his expression contemplative. He understood that his mindset was unconventional in this world. The cultivation world thrived on hierarchies, domination, and the law of the jungle. Spirit beasts were nothing more than tools, servants, or allies bred to serve their master¡¯s path. ¡°But I can¡¯t throw away my values just because this world works differently,¡± Hengsheng said firmly, his voice unwavering. ¡°I won¡¯t be swallowed by the nature of this world. If everyone else bows to it, I¡¯ll carve my own path. A path that doesn¡¯t compromise my beliefs!¡± Hengsheng¡¯s gaze sharpened, his resolve solidifying. He decided to approach this differently. ¡°Let¡¯s see what potential you can hold,¡± he said softly, addressing the egg as if it could understand him. ¡°Not as a tool, but as something that can grow freely. Maybe we can work together as partners rather than master and slave.¡± With a smirk, an idea took form in his mind. Closing his eyes, Hengsheng entered his mind space. He began crafting a unique system, one that would ensure the spirit beast¡¯s growth wasn¡¯t tied to his own limits. This system wouldn¡¯t enslave or bind the beast through domination but would nurture its natural potential. When Hengsheng opened his eyes, he extended his palm, and Qi began to gather, swirling like a vortex above it. The energy condensed rapidly, forming an intricate Qi pattern that seemed alive, pulsating with immense complexity. Runes began spinning and aligning themselves, each more intricate than the last, weaving together in a sequence that even Hengsheng, with his system-enhanced knowledge, found entirely beyond his comprehension. The patterns were not like any formations or inscriptions he had ever seen. It was as if the very essence of heaven and earth was being rewritten into something entirely new. Hengsheng¡¯s brow furrowed in concentration as he channeled almost all his spiritual Qi into the process. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, the sheer demand of the energy threatening to drain him entirely. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the swirling Qi solidified. The intricate patterns and runes coalesced into a glowing white marble, radiant with a soft, ethereal light. Hengsheng stared at the creation in awe, feeling the weight of something profound in his hand. Guiding the Qi marble toward the egg, Hengsheng carefully controlled its descent. The marble sank into the egg, merging seamlessly. Almost instantly, the egg began to react, greedily absorbing ambient Qi. The golden hue of the egg glowed brighter, and Hengsheng could feel a surge of vitality from within it. Seeing the egg¡¯s response, Hengsheng nodded with satisfaction. He retrieved 10,000 low-grade spirit stones from his space ring and arranged them around the egg to aid its absorption process. ¡°Let¡¯s speed this up a little,¡± he murmured. The sight of the egg voraciously absorbing Qi filled Hengsheng with a mix of pride and curiosity. This was the first time he had taken a step to extend his system beyond himself, to see what the system might look like in the real world. Watching the egg actively draw in the ambient Qi confirmed that his experiment had succeeded, but it also raised questions about the process itself. Hengsheng reflected himself this experiment¡ªinstalling the system into another being¡ªwas something he had long wanted to try but never had the right target. Now, with the spirit beast egg as his subject, the results were beyond what he expected. However, the process had drained him. It required an overwhelming amount of Qi, far more than it ever took to enhance himself and it was showing him a glimpse into how the system is profound, and how little he still understood about it. Hengsheng sat down, closing his eyes to recover his depleted spiritual Qi. More than 90% of it had been consumed in a short span of time to create two systems back-to-back. After some recovery, he opened his eyes and immediately began crafting a third system¡ªthis time, for himself. Keeping its functions minimal to conserve space, he finalized the creation: [Beastmaster System {25%}] This system was simple yet effective. It allowed him to form a soul contract with the spirit beast. The barebones design ensured it fit within his remaining system capacity. Looking back at the egg, which continued to absorb Spiritual Qi at an insatiable pace, Hengsheng¡¯s lips curled into a smile. ¡°Let¡¯s grow together, buddy,¡± he said softly, his tone filled with determination and hope. Chapter 24 - The Golden Pillar! "Pakkk! Boom!" A massive palm struck down Xiaorong-14, 15, and 16 in rapid succession. "Thwack!" "Thwack!" "Ah!" Hengsheng grunted as Xiaorong-17 and 18 managed to slip through his defenses, stabbing him in the back. Blood sprayed from his mouth as pain surged through him. "Haa!" Hengsheng roared, forcing his Qi to surge through his body. Activating Pure Qi Rebound Technique, he gathered the accumulated energy from the attacks he had endured. "Hummmm... BOOOOM!" The explosive release of Qi sent Xiaorong-17 and 18 flying back. Without hesitation, Hengsheng yanked the two swords from his back, gritting his teeth as blood gushed out. He immediately circulated his Qi to stem the bleeding. His chest heaved as exhaustion began to take its toll. Fighting against a large group of peak Qi Gathering cultivators, even simulated ones, was far more taxing than he had anticipated. If this had been a mortal-level battle, all he would have needed was to avoid being surrounded. But now, every move demanded precision and calculation. "Even with my Qi reserves," Hengsheng thought grimly, "I''m just a gun with 100 bullets fighting 10 guns with one bullet each. I¡¯m not fast enough. Not yet." Xiaorong-17 and 18 recovered swiftly, positioning themselves to attack Hengsheng from opposite directions. Hengsheng divided his Spirit Body into three parts¡ªone to focus on each attacker, and one to remain on guard for Xiaorong-19 and 20, who were lurking, ready to strike. Green Qi auras flared around Xiaorong-17 and 18, their speed surging as they dashed forward. Hengsheng retaliated by launching a barrage of Qi marbles. "Boom! Boom! Boom!" The explosions tore through the air, but to his shock, the two attackers didn¡¯t dodge. They barreled through the attack, unfazed. Hengsheng attempted to retreat with the Horizon Shift Technique. "Hummmmmmmm..." His Spirit Body strained to hold its positions, but before he could act, his lower body was suddenly grabbed. Half-dead but relentless, Xiaorong-17 and 18 had managed to cling to him. Hengsheng¡¯s face turned pale. He struggled to free himself, but it was too late. Xiaorong-19 and 20, who had been lying in wait, dashed forward at lightning speed, flanking him from the left and right. "Swoosh!" Their swords slashed clean through his neck, severing his head. Blood sprayed as his head spun through the air.
Ding! [Scenario Lan Hengsheng vs. 20x Super Lan Xiaorong has Failed.] Hengsheng¡¯s simulated body disintegrated, leaving him back in his training chamber, drenched in sweat. "Damn it," he muttered, shaking his head. "I''m not fast enough. I need to be sharper, stronger." His fists clenched. "Run it again." just like that another round of battle began¡­
A while later, Hengsheng was forced out of the Simulator, his mind throbbing with exhaustion. It was only now that he realized he had a mental limit when using the system, having unknowingly spent three full days training his techniques and refining his movements. The results were acceptable by the standards of this world¡ªhe had become far stronger within his own realm. But it still didn¡¯t meet the lofty image he held of himself as invincible. Hengsheng wanted more. He wanted to fight across cultivation realms like the geniuses he¡¯d read about in historical records or cultivation novels from his past life. Frowning deeply, he mulled over the problem. ¡°What am I lacking?¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°Is it Dao? But Qi Gathering with a Dao seed is a myth. Or is it my technique? No, I¡¯m sure my techniques are top-tier. They might even compare to those crafted by True Immortals. Or¡­ maybe it¡¯s because I don¡¯t have some mysterious master in a ring teaching me?¡± His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. ¡°Young Master, we¡¯re about to arrive in Golden City in two hours,¡± Lan Ju¡¯s voice came from the other side. ¡°Come in,¡± Hengsheng called out, shaking himself from his musings. Lan Ju entered, her eyes immediately scanning the mess in his room. Dust from shattered spirit stones covered the floor, scraps of cloth dirty with impurities lay scattered about, and in the center of it all was a mountain of low-rank spirit stones encircling the metal-type spirit beast egg. Her brow furrowed at the sight.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Hengsheng waved her off casually. ¡°Clean this up and keep an eye on the egg for me. Don¡¯t touch it directly. If the spirit stones are all used up, replace them with the ones in this pouch.¡± He handed her a space pouch filled with spirit stones. Lan Ju bit her lip, clearly displeased by what she saw as his wasteful use of resources, but she replied respectfully, ¡°Yes, Master.¡± Hengsheng nodded, ignoring her reaction. ¡°I¡¯ll head out to the deck for some fresh air.¡±
Stepping out of his room after two months of isolation, Hengsheng made his way toward the deck. Behind him, a few other servants followed at a respectful distance, though he paid them no mind, not bothering to remember their names. As he reached the deck, he was struck by the dazzling sight of the floor seemingly glowing with a golden hue, as if the sunlight itself had turned gold. Frowning in confusion, he turned to look at the source. His eyes widened in awe, and his jaw dropped. Before him stood a colossal golden mountain, its surface reflecting the sunlight with such brilliance that it bathed the surrounding skyship and landscape in golden light. The mountain towered into the heavens, piercing through layers of clouds, its peak entirely obscured. Even from this distance¡ªtwo hours away at the skyship¡¯s incredible speed¡ªit dominated the horizon like a celestial monument. ¡°That¡­ that¡¯s can not be a natural mountain,¡± Hengsheng murmured, struggling to process the scale of what he was seeing. ¡°Is this why this continent is called the Golden Pillar Continent?¡± The sight reminded him of the breathtaking grandeur he¡¯d seen in a black hole scene from a Noran movie in his past life. It was otherworldly, defying the boundaries of what should exist in reality. Recovering from his amazement, Hengsheng glanced around. The other young cultivators on the deck were similarly awestruck, their faces filled with a mix of wonder and disbelief. Like him, most of them had never stepped outside the Lan Clan¡¯s territory before. It was clear this was their first glimpse of the legendary Golden Pillar, and their reactions mirrored his own. He chuckled softly to himself, shaking his head. ¡°This world really never ceases to amaze me.¡± ¡°This was also my reaction when I first saw it,¡± a voice came from behind him. Hengsheng turned to see First Elder Lan Mingzhi stepping onto the deck. Quickly, Hengsheng bowed. ¡°Greetings, First Elder.¡± Lan Mingzhi gestured lightly, acknowledging the greeting. ¡°Do you know the name of this realm?¡± the elder asked, his tone calm but expectant. Hengsheng frowned and shook his head. Despite his extensive reading in the Lan Clan¡¯s library, which included knowledge about there are five continents in this realm, there had been no mention of its name. Lan Mingzhi nodded knowingly and said, ¡°This realm is called the Five Pillar Realm. Each continent has something like this¡ªmassive, towering pillars that represent the five elements. Isn''t it remarkable?¡± Hengsheng¡¯s eyes widened slightly, and he nodded. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s incredible. But it doesn¡¯t seem natural. Do you know its history, First Elder?¡± Lan Mingzhi shook his head. ¡°Not entirely. What is known is that the five pillars represent the five elements: Red Fire, Black Water, Yellow Earth, Golden Metal, and Green Wood. Each pillar has been under the possession of the five overlords of this realm since its inception. The overlords¡¯ ownership has never changed, even after countless eras.¡± Hengsheng¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°The pillars are treasures, then? They must hold incredible value.¡± Lan Mingzhi smiled faintly. ¡°They are more than treasures. Each pillar is said to be the greatest trove of elemental resources in this realm. They shape the power structure of the Five Pillar Realm, ensuring their overlords¡¯ dominance.¡± Lan Mingzhi continued, his tone turning more serious. ¡°The secret land you will soon enter is called the Land of Pillar Foundation. It lies deep underground, connected to the Golden Pillar itself. It is said to be a world of unparalleled opportunities and dangers, of course, the overlord will open its entrance once every hundred years to everyone and of course, other cultivators that not be part of the Golden Sword sect can only be allowed to roam around the outer rim of the land the inner circle is a private area of the overload So don''t provoke them by trying to cross the barrier they have set. Hengsheng nodded solemnly, his curiosity and resolve both deepening. ¡°I understand, First Elder. I¡¯ll proceed with caution and make the most of this chance.¡± Hengsheng spoke with the elder for a while before the First Elder left, leaving Hengsheng alone on the deck. He remained standing, gazing at the breathtaking view of the world from above. The skyship sailed smoothly through the clouds, the horizon painted in golden hues by the reflection of the towering Golden Pillar. An hour passed, and Hengsheng¡¯s sharp eyes began to pick out the outline of a vast city below. As the skyship descended slightly, the city¡¯s full grandeur revealed itself. It wasn¡¯t just big¡ªit was massive, sprawling endlessly in every direction. Streets and buildings stretched as far as the eye could see, merging seamlessly into the distant landscape. Hengsheng marveled at the architecture. The city was a perfect blend of elegance and strength, its structures harmonizing with the towering Golden Pillar behind it. The buildings shimmered with golden accents, their rooftops glinting under the sunlight. This was the Golden City¡ªthe major capital of the Golden Pillar Continent. Chapter 25 - The Golden City! Hengsheng¡¯s breath caught for a moment as he gazed at the endless expanse of the Golden City below. "This is the center of the Golden Pillar Continent," he murmured, his voice tinged with awe. His eyes then drifted beyond the city, toward the towering Golden Pillar itself. Its immense base seemed to stretch forever, surrounded by lush golden trees and a misty, golden glow that veiled its true grandeur. He squinted, attempting to discern anything resembling the Golden Sword Sect, but all he could see was the mountain and the forest surrounding it. Still, he knew better. Somewhere within that overwhelming landscape, lay the entire sect¡ªHe whispered, almost to himself, ¡°It must be a concealment formation.¡± Despite the awe the sight inspired, Hengsheng felt a pang of frustration well up within him. The comparison between his Lan Clan and the Golden Sword Sect was humbling, almost crushing. His fists clenched as he muttered through gritted teeth, ¡°Dammit!¡± It was as if he had been reduced to nothing more than a small fish in a vast ocean¡ªa reality that stung more than he cared to admit. Soon, the Lan Clan¡¯s skyship began to descend, lowering its altitude as it approached the city limits. Hengsheng wasn¡¯t surprised. A city of this scale and prestige wouldn¡¯t allow even skyships to freely fly overhead. The rules here would undoubtedly be as rigid as they were in Lan City, where only clan members were permitted to fly within its airspace. Later The Lan Clan skyship hovered briefly over the outskirts of Golden City, its massive silhouette casting long shadows on the golden streets below. The ship lowered gradually, its hull gleaming in the sunlight as it approached the docking area. Around the landing site, city patrols in gleaming golden armor stood at attention, their eyes scanning every movement with meticulous precision. Hengsheng felt the subtle pressure of their auras, each one seemingly at least in the Spiritual Foundation Realm. The ship came to a halt with a faint hum, its descent cushioned by the qi-powered mechanisms that supported its structure. Moments later, the gangway extended, and the first elder, Lan Mingzhi, descended with an air of authority. A group of golden-robed cultivators waited below, their demeanor calm yet imposing. Hengsheng recognized them immediately as members of the Golden Sword Sect, their presence marking the weight of the city''s importance. Lan Mingzhi exchanged formal greetings with the Golden Sword Sect inspectors. Their conversation was brief but filled with undertones of mutual respect and restraint. The Golden Sword Sect elder gestured toward the city gates, signaling approval for the Lan Clan members to disembark. ¡°Everyone, gather here!¡± Lan Mingzhi¡¯s voice cut through the murmurs among the Lan Clan juniors as they filed off the ship. The younger generation assembled in neat rows, their eyes darting around to take in their surroundings. The golden streets stretched endlessly before them, bustling with activity. Merchants loudly promoted their wares, while cultivators, some emanating terrifyingly dense qi, strolled confidently, their robes marking various factions. Above, the towering Golden Pillar loomed, its sheer size and radiant glow dominating the skyline. ¡°Listen closely,¡± Lan Mingzhi began, his voice stern. ¡°Golden City is the heart of the Golden Pillar Continent and the territory of the Golden Sword Sect. Their rules are absolute. Do not, under any circumstances, provoke their disciples or other major factions.¡± An elder chimed in, ¡°This is not Lan City. Your status here means nothing. Remember your place.¡± Lan Mingzhi continued, ¡°We are here to prepare for the Land of Pillar Foundation. Use this time wisely to refine your techniques, replenish your resources, and gain insights into the competition. Stay disciplined and avoid unnecessary conflict.¡± As the briefing concluded, Hengsheng observed the mixed reactions of his peers. Some nodded with serious expressions, taking the elder¡¯s words to heart, while others exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to proceed in the face of such expectations.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Hengsheng, however, had no interest in exploring the city at the moment. There was still almost a month before the secret land would open. He noted the air around them, dense with qi so rich and tangible it was nearly visible. The sheer abundance of spiritual energy here made him envious of cultivators who resided in such an environment. With qi this concentrated, advancing in cultivation would be far easier. As the group dispersed, many excitedly ventured into the city, eager to experience its grandeur and opportunities. Hengsheng, however, turned back toward the skyship. His priority was elsewhere. With the immense qi surrounding the Golden Pillar, his spirit beast egg would hatch far faster than he had initially calculated. Without hesitation, he returned to his chamber to focus on what truly mattered. As Hengsheng returned to his chamber, he noticed it had been thoroughly cleaned. Lan Ju sat cross-legged in a meditative state, her breathing steady and focused. He decided not to disturb her and turned his attention to the spirit beast egg. The egg continued to absorb spiritual qi voraciously, the flow of energy around it forming faint ripples in the air. Hengsheng couldn¡¯t help but wonder why it required such an immense amount of spiritual qi just to birth a Rank 1 spirit beast. ¡°This amount of qi could easily be used to create another main system,¡± he mused. ¡°Perhaps forming a life isn¡¯t just about constructing a physical body. Maybe it¡¯s about something deeper.¡± His thoughts wandered further, contemplating the mysteries of life and the profound energy required to create it. Before long, Lan Ju stirred from her meditation, her eyes opening to meet Hengsheng¡¯s. ¡°Young master,¡± she greeted, bowing slightly. ¡°Good, you¡¯re awake,¡± Hengsheng replied. ¡°I have a new mission for you. Go explore the Golden City with the other clan members and gather information about the professions of Formation Masters, Artificers, and Runic Engravers. Relay anything you find back to me.¡± ¡°Yes, young master,¡± Lan Ju responded without hesitation. She stood, bowed again, and left the chamber, taking two of Hengsheng¡¯s other servants with her. Hengsheng settled onto his mat, his mind already buzzing with ideas. The memory of taking the system outside his body still intrigued him. It had been a revelation, opening his eyes to new possibilities. ¡°The system... it¡¯s like a Qi artifact,¡± Hengsheng murmured. ¡°Constructed through Qi runes and Qi formations. If I can master these arts maybe, I could build a far superior system.¡± He clenched his fist, determination surging within him. Back at the Lan Clan, he had always wanted to delve into the study of formations and runes, but his focus had been solely on cultivation. Now, with the resources and opportunities available in the Golden City, he could finally have a chance to learn them. Hengsheng shifted his focus back to the spirit egg, immediately noticing subtle changes. The once golden hue of the egg had faded, replaced by a luminous white. The qi runes that once danced around its surface had rearranged themselves into a far more intricate pattern. He nodded to himself, understanding that this transformation must have been triggered by the Infinite Evolution System he installed within the egg. Despite its grand name, the system was simply an extension of his main system¡¯s upgrade function, designed specifically to refine and enhance the bloodline of the spirit beast. Hengsheng had infused it with the intent to create a being with the utmost potential. It rejected its mortal-grade bloodline entirely, along with its original elemental affinity. Instead, it evolved into the purest form of a spirit beast¡ªone free from any innate limitations. ¡°This way, it won¡¯t be bound by its bloodline like ordinary spirit beasts or demon beasts,¡± Hengsheng thought. ¡°Its potential will be determined by the path it forges, not its origins. It¡¯ll be weak at first, but the possibilities will be limitless.¡± The transformation process completed, and the egg absorbed the last remnants of spiritual qi in the air. The absorption abruptly stopped, and Hengsheng¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°It¡¯s hatching,¡± he murmured, leaning forward. The egg trembled violently, radiating an intense white light that enveloped its form, turning it into a floating orb of brilliance. Hengsheng¡¯s heart raced as the glowing sphere began to shift and reshape itself midair. His mind flashed back to a familiar scene from his past life¡ªa game he used to play when ha was a child. The uncanny resemblance made him pause. ¡°Am I really living in someone else¡¯s imagination world?¡± he wondered, shaking the thought aside. The orb of light gradually started to take form, limbs sprouting and a tail extending. Hengsheng squinted, trying to discern its shape. Slowly but surely, it became clear: a feline figure. Four legs, a slender body, a tail flicking elegantly behind it. "¡®Ting! Ting! Ting!¡¯" The light shattered like glass, fragments dispersing into tiny specks of qi that vanished into the air. Standing before Hengsheng was a small, pristine Gray cat with fur that shimmered faintly under the room''s light. Its large, curious yellow eyes blinked at him, reflecting an intelligent gleam. ¡°Meow¡­¡± Hengsheng froze, staring at the tiny creature in disbelief. The newborn spirit beast tilted its head at him, emitting another soft ¡°Meow?¡± Chapter 26 - Little Beast! He crouched down, his face a mixture of shock, awe, and amusement. ¡°A cat?¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°After all that buildup, it¡¯s a cat?¡± The spirit beast walked forward on unsteady legs, its fur practically glowing with vitality. It stumbled slightly, then looked up at Hengsheng and let out another soft cry, as though calling for his attention. Hengsheng let out a short laugh, shaking his head. ¡°Alright, little one, let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got. Don¡¯t let your looks fool me; I know you¡¯re something special.¡± He extended a hand, and the Gray cat nuzzled against his palm. A small warmth spread through his hand, accompanied by a faint pulse of qi. Hengsheng¡¯s expression softened, a rare smile playing on his lips. Hengsheng picked the cat up, carefully inspecting it with both his eyes and his Qi sense. To all appearances, it seemed like an ordinary domestic cat. Its silky gray fur shimmered faintly under the room¡¯s light, and it had an alert yet docile demeanor. It was female, and if not for the fact he had just watched it hatch from a spirit beast egg, Hengsheng might have dismissed it as a mere house pet. ¡°What kind of spirit beast are you?¡± he muttered, observing her features. The cat wasn¡¯t a newborn; it looked more like a six-month-old kitten, agile and aware. Hengsheng nodded to himself. It wasn¡¯t uncommon for spirit beasts to emerge from their eggs in a semi-mature state. Some could even fight immediately after hatching. ¡°Meow?¡± The cat tilted her head, her large, curious eyes blinking at him. Hengsheng chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re a quiet little thing, aren¡¯t you?¡± He held out a small, low-rank spirit stone. The cat¡¯s eyes widened as she eagerly batted at the stone with her paw, nibbling on it delicately. Intrigued, Hengsheng activated his spirit body to observe her. He noticed how the cat was effortlessly absorbing the spiritual Qi within the stone, nurturing her body in a slow yet steady manner. Hengsheng couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of envy. ¡°Beasts have it so easy,¡± he muttered. ¡°They just absorb resources and grow stronger. No need for techniques or complicated methods like us humans.¡± The spirit stone soon crumbled into dust, completely drained of its Qi. The cat looked up at Hengsheng and let out a plaintive ¡°Meow,¡± her small eyes pleading for more. Hengsheng smirked. ¡°Already spoiled, huh?¡± He handed her another spirit stone, which she immediately pounced on with enthusiasm. As she gnawed on the stone, Hengsheng triggered his system to form a soul contract. Unlike the traditional method, where a cultivator bonded with a spirit beast companion by directly feeding their Qi into the egg to create an automatic life bond soul contract, Hengsheng¡¯s approach was different. His system allowed him to use the formal soul contract method, often employed by tamers to bind spirit or demon beasts. This method was more flexible, allowing for mutual agreement on the contract''s conditions. A faint glow enveloped Hengsheng and the cat as the contract formation began. The system displayed the proposed terms to the cat, and surprisingly, she didn¡¯t resist at all. Instead, she purred contentedly, radiating trust and acceptance. Ding! [Soul Contract successfully established.] Hengsheng smiled as the notification appeared, watching the cat curl up contentedly in his lap. He felt a soul connection between them was formed, his main system was also linked to the cat system further enhancing its function. For the first time in a long while, he felt a genuine sense of companionship. The path of cultivation was often a lonely one, and this small creature offered a warmth he hadn¡¯t realized he missed.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it He opened the system to check the cat¡¯s status: [Status] Name: - Race: Domestic Cat Age: 0 Bloodline: - Affinity: Neutral Cultivation Realm: Rank 1 Spirit Beast {0.01%} Special Traits: Infinite Evolution ¡°Domestic cat, huh?¡± Hengsheng murmured, smirking. ¡°You don¡¯t seem very special, but I¡¯ve got a feeling you¡¯ll surprise me.¡± The cat purred again, her tiny body pressing closer to his chest as if agreeing with his statement. Hengsheng leaned back, marveling at his experiment¡¯s success. ¡°Alright, little one. Let¡¯s see¡­ Do you want a name?¡± ¡°Meow?¡± She tilted her head, seemingly not understanding his words but somehow grasping his intention. ¡°Alright then, how about... Meowzilla?¡± he said with a playful grin. ¡°Hiss!¡± The cat¡¯s reaction was immediate and fiery. She swatted at his face with her tiny paw, her soft but insistent blows catching him off guard. ¡°Okay, okay! I¡¯m sorry! Why did you suddenly become so ferocious?¡± Hengsheng exclaimed, raising his hands in surrender. The cat stopped her attack, sitting down with a dignified air, but her narrowed eyes and flicking tail clearly warned him to tread carefully. ¡°Alright, how about... Chairman Meow?¡± Hengsheng suggested, trying again. The cat¡¯s response was just as swift. She resumed her barrage of slaps, her little paw tapping his cheek repeatedly as if to scold him. ¡°Fine, fine! I¡¯ll try something cuter, okay?¡± Hengsheng said, chuckling despite himself. She stopped her assault, hissing one last time as if warning him not to test her patience further. Hengsheng scratched his head, wracking his brain for a name that might meet her elusive standards. Then, an idea struck him. ¡°Yunsu. What do you think? It means "Pale Cloud," suits your sleek, light-gray fur, don¡¯t you think?¡± The cat paused, her sharp eyes locking onto his. She let out a soft ¡°Meow...¡± before returning to nibbling on her spirit stone. Hengsheng smirked, assuming her contented response meant she accepted the name. ¡°Yunsu it is, then,¡± he said, a hint of triumph in his voice. Hengsheng let her play with the spirit stones. After all, she was just born a few minutes ago. Forcing her into rigorous training now felt unnecessary and cruel. Watching her nibble on the stone, her tiny paws clutching it with innocent curiosity, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a growing attachment. How could I not be soft on something this adorable? he thought, a small smile tugging at his lips. Turning his attention to something else, Hengsheng focused on the peculiar connection he had sensed after the soul contract was formed. He realized that his main system was now linked to the system he had installed into Yunsu while she was still an egg. This link seemed to have drawn back some system essence from her system into his own, leaving behind only the special trait she had been born with. Intrigued, Hengsheng inspected the trait¡¯s details: [Infinite Evolution] Hengsheng was stunned. ¡°This¡­ this is ridiculous,¡± he muttered. The ability was beyond powerful, practically god-tier. The idea of an evolving, limitless bloodline was unheard of, even among the most formidable cultivators or demon beasts. His initial reaction was envy. "I want this for myself," he thought, shaking his head with a wry smile. Well, technically, he can have it but that is for later when he is powerful enough to make such a system. But upon deeper reflection, Hengsheng understood that this trait wasn¡¯t entirely a product of his system. It was impossible to create something so overwhelming with the current rank of his system. Instead, the system must have guided the forces of heaven and earth to bestow the trait upon the egg during its transformation. ¡°I made the right choice,¡± Hengsheng murmured, watching Yunsu happily gnaw on another spirit stone. For spirit beasts or demons, the ability to control and evolve their bloodline was god-tier. because they whose strength largely stemmed from the bloodlines rather than strength that accumulated while cultivation, would undoubtedly envy such a trait if they knew about it. Looking at Yunsu, Hengsheng felt a sense of satisfaction and pride. He knew she would one day become a force to be reckoned with. But for now, she was just a playful kitten, blissfully unaware of the grand potential she carried within her. Chapter 27 - Mind Problem! Hengsheng sat cross-legged in the simulator, staring intently at the hexagonal stone before him. Made from refined spirit stone, it was a foundational material used by Runic Engravers to craft rune stones capable of holding Qi intricate engravings. Today¡¯s practice involved attempting to engrave his first rune stone using techniques he had studied from the introduced Professions book in the Lan Clan library. With a deep breath, Hengsheng steadied his spiritual Qi and began the engraving process. The glowing threads of Qi followed his mental commands, tracing the delicate rune patterns onto the stone¡¯s surface. It seemed to be going well¡ªuntil it wasn¡¯t. The glowing threads suddenly flickered, destabilized, and dissipated, leaving the stone unmarked. Another failure. Frustrated but reflective, Hengsheng examined the reasons for his repeated failures. It wasn¡¯t a lack of talent; his control over spiritual Qi was nearly flawless. No, the problem lay elsewhere. His mental power¡ªhis ability to sustain focus and precision throughout the engraving process¡ªwas simply too weak. ¡°This is the same problem again,¡± Hengsheng muttered. His mind wasn¡¯t strong enough to keep up with the demands of professions like Runic Engraving. It wasn¡¯t just a minor setback, it was a glaring weakness that had hindered him repeatedly, even in other areas of his cultivation journey. This practice session only confirmed what he already knew even though his mind would get stronger by breakthrough into the higher realms he did not want to be that passive he needed to seriously train his mind. Hengsheng leaned back, exhaling deeply. Training the mind was as straightforward as strengthening the body or refining Qi. In this world, techniques to enhance mental power existed, but such knowledge was far from accessible. The library¡¯s first floor held no resources on advanced mental cultivation. Such techniques were tightly guarded secrets, often exclusive to The Profession associations or passed down to disciples by masters. ¡°If I truly want to learn these techniques, formally,¡± Hengsheng thought, ¡°I¡¯ll either need to join a professional association and pay an exorbitant amount of spirit stones or catch the attention of a master by showcasing my potential.¡± Both paths were feasible, but Hengsheng knew his time was limited. The Metal Flow Plain Gathering was fast approaching, and his mission loomed large over his thoughts. ¡°I can¡¯t make this my main focus now,¡± he decided. ¡°Strengthening my body, Qi, and techniques comes first. I¡¯ll revisit this once Lan Ju is back.¡± Opening his eyes, Hengsheng was greeted by the sight of Yunsu perched near him, Her small body leaning forward as she sniffed curiously at his face. Her bright eyes gleamed with mischief as she let out a soft, inquisitive "Meow?" A chuckle escaped his lips as he reached out to stroke her fur. ¡°What a cute little troublemaker you are,¡± he said, the weight of his earlier frustrations momentarily lifting. Yunsu batted playfully at his hand, her tiny paw brushing his fingers. Hengsheng smiled to himself. ¡°Alright, Yunsu. Back to work. I¡¯ll figure this out, one step at a time.¡±
Knock Knock "Young master." Hengsheng opened his eyes, breaking out of his meditation. It had been seven days since the Lan Clan¡¯s arrival in Golden City. During that time, Hengsheng had barely stepped outside his room, focusing instead on stabilizing his cultivation and honing his techniques within the simulator. The voice outside his door belonged to Lan Ju, who had presumably returned from her exploration of the city. ¡°Come in,¡± Hengsheng said, his voice calm yet commanding. The door opened, and Lan Ju entered, her usual composure faltering slightly when her gaze fell upon the small gray cat lounging on Hengsheng¡¯s lap. Yunsu was batting a spirit stone playfully, her soft fur gleaming under the light. Noticing the flicker of surprise and what seemed to be a hint of adoration in Lan Ju¡¯s expression, Hengsheng smirked. ¡°This is Yunsu, my contracted beast,¡± he explained. ¡°You¡¯ll be responsible for her care whenever I¡¯m away.¡±The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Lan Ju nodded, a faint smile breaking her disciplined demeanor. ¡°Understood, young master,¡± she replied, seemingly pleased with her new task. ¡°What about the mission I gave you?¡± Hengsheng asked, his tone turning serious. ¡°Did you find anything?¡± Lan Ju straightened, her professional demeanor snapping back into place as she began delivering her findings. She had meticulously explored the city during the past few days, noting its intricate layout and major landmarks. She described how Golden City was divided into distinct districts, each catering to a specific aspect of cultivator life¡ªcommercial zones bustling with artifact and elixir vendors, training grounds for sparring and qi refinement, and residential quarters for both locals and visiting sects. The local market, she had observed, was a hub of activity, filled with stalls offering herbs, spirit stones, and beast materials. Lan Ju had pinpointed the locations of several prominent shops, including a few known for selling high-quality crafting materials, which might interest Hengsheng. For transportation, she noted that the city had a network of teleportation arrays and sky paths. These were heavily guarded and strictly regulated by the Golden Sword Sect, ensuring only those with proper credentials could use them. Lan Ju had also identified a few alternative routes¡ªless conspicuous but equally efficient¡ªfor navigating the city without drawing attention. Regarding his special mission, she had located the Profession Association, a grand structure where the most skilled alchemists, formation masters, and other professions convened. It was a place where knowledge and techniques were gathered, though access was often restricted to members or those willing to pay a significant price. Lastly, she mentioned the recent buzz in the city. A newly ascended rank 8 alchemist who can make a Top-quality pill for a saint realm cultivators had been making waves, This figure had become a focal point of discussion among cultivators. Hengsheng nodded as he listened to the detailed report. Lan Ju¡¯s thoroughness never failed to meet his expectations. Once she finished, he stood up, gently setting Yunsu aside. ¡°I¡¯ll head into the city myself,¡± Hengsheng declared, adjusting his robes. ¡°Take care of Yunsu while I¡¯m gone.¡± Lan Ju nodded, stepping forward to pick up the small spirit beast. Yunsu looked up at Hengsheng, letting out a soft, protesting ¡°Meow,¡± her large eyes filled with disappointment. Hengsheng chuckled and reached out to scratch her behind the ears. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Yunsu. I¡¯ll be back soon. Stay with Lan Ju and behave.¡± Reluctantly, Yunsu allowed herself to be picked up, though she let out a final, mournful ¡°Meow¡­¡± as Hengsheng turned to leave. He can''t take her with him in the city full of cultivators who have more power than him if someone sees this cuteness and decides to kidnap her he would be helpless. Walking out of his chamber, Hengsheng encountered his other servants and quickly dismissed them with a simple command. ¡°I¡¯ll be going alone. Stay here and tend to the skyship.¡± ¡°Yes, young master,¡± they responded in unison, bowing deeply. Hengsheng made his way to the exit of the skyship. The Golden City loomed before him, its grand entrance bustling with activity as cultivators from all walks of life moved in and out. The sight was both invigorating and intimidating. Hengsheng wasted no time as he stepped through the city gates, heading directly to the nearest teleportation array. His destination was the Profession Association¡¯s main branch, which was located in the central area of Golden City. Walking there was out of the question; the city¡¯s sheer size was daunting, stretching so far that it would take a month to traverse from the northernmost end to the southernmost end even at a cultivator¡¯s pace. Before long, he reached the teleportation array site, a bustling hub where cultivators of various ranks lined up for transportation. The area was manned by Golden Sword Sect staff clad in their distinctive golden robes. Hengsheng approached one of the attendants and presented his identification plate. ¡°I wish to travel to the central area,¡± he said firmly. The staff member inspected his plate carefully, confirming his identity before nodding and gesturing for him to follow. Hengsheng was guided upstairs to a private chamber where a smaller teleportation array awaited. The attendant activated the formation with practiced ease, and the room glowed with intricate patterns of light. ¡°Please step in,¡± the attendant said politely. Hengsheng did as instructed, stepping onto the array. A flash of light engulfed him, and when it dissipated, his surroundings had completely changed. He now stood in a much larger teleportation chamber, with an enormous formation etched into the floor. Around him, cultivators were appearing one after another, quickly making their way toward the exit doors on the far side of the room. Following the flow of people, Hengsheng stepped outside. The scene that greeted him was breathtaking¡ªa bustling central district teeming with life and activity. Majestic buildings towered above, and the air hummed with an overwhelming concentration of spiritual qi. He turned to face the north, where his target loomed in the distance: the Profession Association¡¯s main branch. The building was a colossal structure, standing at an impressive height of more than 300 meters tall and equally wide. Its grand design and sheer size exuded an aura of authority and prestige, leaving no doubt that it was the heart of the city¡¯s professional community. Hengsheng¡¯s gaze lingered on the towering structure for a moment before he stepped forward. Chapter 28 - The Professions Association! Hengsheng stood before the towering structure, his gaze fixed on the gleaming sign at the entrance: ¡°Professions Association Main Branch.¡± The sheer size and grandeur of the building left him in awe. It was by far the largest man-made structure he had ever encountered, even its majesty is completely overshadowed the Golden Pillar that loomed in the background. Though the building was impressive in its own right, the Golden Pillar¡¯s divine presence seemed to cast everything else in its shadow. Taking a moment to absorb the atmosphere, Hengsheng observed the intricate designs carved into the building¡¯s exterior¡ªsymbols of the countless professions it represented. The entrance bustled with cultivators of various ranks, all exuding confidence as they entered or exited the grand structure. He nodded to himself, impressed not just by the architecture but by the sense of purpose radiating from the place. Without further delay, Hengsheng walked toward the reception area, which was positioned conveniently a short distance from the gate. The receptionist, a young woman dressed in formal yet elegant robes emblazoned with the association¡¯s insignia, greeted him with a warm smile. ¡°Welcome to the Professions Association. How may I assist you today?¡± Hengsheng returned a polite nod and replied, ¡°I¡¯d like to register as a member. I want to learn the basics about professions.¡± The receptionist¡¯s eyes lit up with enthusiasm as she gestured toward a registration counter nearby. ¡°Of course! To register as a member, you¡¯ll first need to pass a basic aptitude test. This ensures that we will not waste both of our time. Are you ready to proceed?¡± Hengsheng¡¯s expression remained calm, though inwardly he was intrigued by the process. ¡°I¡¯m ready. What do I need to do?¡± The receptionist handed him a small, glowing crystal orb. ¡°This is a Spirit Aptitude Tester. Simply place your palm on the orb, and it will assess your compatibility with various professions based on your spiritual Qi and mental aptitude. Once the results are displayed, we¡¯ll discuss your options.¡± Hengsheng examined the orb carefully, noting the intricate runes etched into its surface. He placed his palm on the orb, and immediately it began to glow, emitting a soft hum as it analyzed him. As the light faded, the orb displayed several shimmering runes in mid-air. The receptionist¡¯s eyes widened slightly as she reviewed the results. ¡°It seems you have exceptional compatibility with multiple fields¡ªFormation Mastery, Runic Engraving, and Artifact Crafting. This level of aptitude is quite rare!¡± Hengsheng nodded, unsurprised. His system-assisted precision and mental control were bound to give him an edge. ¡°What¡¯s the next step?¡± The receptionist maintained her polite demeanor as she explained, ¡°The registration process is complete once you pay the membership fee. After that, you¡¯ll officially become a Member of the Professions Association. This membership grants you access to facilities such as the Apothecary Room, Formation Pavilion, and Rune Inscription Chamber. If you already have a master who is part of the association, the registration fee will be waived. Do you have a master?¡± Hengsheng shook his head. ¡°No, I plan to learn independently. Is there another way?¡± ¡°Certainly,¡± she replied smoothly. ¡°As a member, you¡¯ll gain access to the association¡¯s Knowledge Bank. However, there¡¯s a fee for each subject you wish to study. Are you ready to register?¡± ¡°How much is the fee?¡± Hengsheng asked, already expecting an exorbitant price. ¡°The registration fee is 1,000,000 low-rank spirit stones, sir.¡± Hengsheng frowned. The cost was steep, even for someone of his background. He muttered internally, This is daylight robbery. If I were a loose cultivator without a clan or master''s support, there¡¯s no way I could afford this.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Despite his misgivings, Hengsheng retrieved a space pouch containing the required amount. The pouch represented a considerable sum, even for a young master of a second-rate force like himself. After handing it over, the receptionist began taking his details. ¡°Please provide your basic information: name, affiliation, and cultivation level. Then, infuse your Qi into this jade token to finalize the process,¡± she instructed. Hengsheng complied, providing the necessary information and channeling a small amount of his Qi into the token. The receptionist smiled and handed him a Jade badge emblazoned with the Professions Association¡¯s insignia. ¡°Congratulations, sir. You are now an official Member of the Professions Association. Welcome! Should you wish to gain a certification in any profession, you can take the respective tests. Once certified, you can officially call yourself, for example, a Rank 1 Formation Master. However, until then, you may still use our Knowledge Bank to begin your studies.¡± Hengsheng nodded, slipping the badge into his robe. Certification could wait; what he needed now was knowledge. He thanked the receptionist and walked purposefully toward the Knowledge Bank, his thoughts racing. The Knowledge Bank was an enormous chamber with a long counter stretching across the room. Unlike a traditional library, there were no visible bookshelves or scrolls. Instead, the atmosphere was filled with focused energy. Cultivators sat cross-legged on mats scattered throughout the chamber, their brows furrowed in concentration, clearly immersed in comprehension exercises. Hengsheng approached the counter and addressed the staff member stationed there. ¡°I want to learn the basics of Formation Mastery, Artifact Crafting, and Rune Engraving.¡± The staff member nodded, disappearing briefly into a back room before returning with three glowing jade seals. ¡°May I see your badge, please?¡± they asked. Hengsheng handed over his badge. The staff member inspected it and then frowned. ¡°Since this is your first time accessing the Knowledge Bank, you are required to sign a secrecy contract. This ensures that the information you receive is not shared or misused outside the association.¡±, then the staff handed him a contract scroll and Qi pen he knew what it would do if he signed it would put a restain on his mind. Without hesitation, Hengsheng signed the contract. The staff member then handed him the jade seals. ¡°These seals are single-use and can only be activated by you. The total price for these three subjects is 3,000,000 low-rank spirit stones.¡± Hengsheng sighed inwardly but handed over another space pouch filled with spirit stones. He carefully placed the jade seals into his space ring, his thoughts swirling. This place truly knows how to bleed its members dry. With the jade seals secured, Hengsheng found an empty mat within the chamber, ready to begin unraveling the mysteries of the professions. Hengsheng sat cross-legged on the mat and retrieved one of the jade seals from his space ring. Infusing it with a thread of his Qi, the seal began to glow faintly, and a flood of knowledge about formations entered his mind. Closing his eyes, he focused intently, absorbing the information. His brows furrowed as he processed the details, each concept more profound than what he had encountered before. After thirty minutes, Hengsheng opened his eyes, exhaling slowly. So this is the difference, he thought. The knowledge from the association was far more refined, detailed, and easy to understand compared to the basics from his clan library. To his surprise, the jade seal even included a basic mind cultivation method, something he had been lacking. A smile tugged at his lips. ¡°This is exactly what I needed,¡± he murmured. Satisfied, Hengsheng stood up, ready to leave. He walked toward the exit, his thoughts racing with plans on how to apply what he had learned. However, as soon as he stepped outside the building, he was met with a commotion. ¡°What¡¯s happening now?¡± he muttered to himself, annoyance flickering in his eyes. What a damn ass who would dare to cause trouble in a place like this? He weaved through the growing crowd, his sharp hearing picking up snippets of the situation. "Ahhhh!" A familiar voice cried out in pain. "Just a small clan from the rim of the Metal Flow Plain, and you dare not bow to your lords!" Hengsheng¡¯s gaze snapped toward the source of the disturbance. His eyes widened, and a wave of anger surged through him. In the middle of the chaos, a group of five Lan clan members¡ªone of them Baixing¡ªwere surrounded by twenty men in purple robes, He recalled what he had learned about power structures in his clan lesson immediately, They were disciples of the Thunderclap Blade Sect. Baixing was on the ground, bloodied and bruised, while one of the purple-robed men sneered and kicked him mercilessly. Others stood around, laughing as if it were a mere game. Smoke might as well have been coming out of Hengsheng¡¯s ears. Without hesitation, he dashed forward, his movement swift and filled with righteous fury. His foot connected squarely with the face of the man kicking Baixing, sending him flying several meters back. ¡°How dare you lay a hand on my younger brother!¡± Hengsheng roared, his voice echoing through the area. ¡°You want to die?!¡± Chapter 29 - Thunderclap Blade Disciple! The laughter of the Thunderclap Blade Sect disciples immediately ceased, replaced by startled expressions. Several of them exchanged glances before one stepped forward, his tone dripping with arrogance. "And who do you think you are, daring to interfere with us?" Hengsheng¡¯s sharp gaze swept over the group, his aura surging with suppressed rage. ¡°I¡¯m Lan Hengsheng of the Lan Clan. You dare bully my people here? You¡¯ll regret this!¡± The crowd around them whispered in hushed tones, surprised by Hengsheng''s boldness. The tension in the air thickened as the Thunderclap Blade Sect disciples narrowed their eyes, clearly sizing him up. "Lan Clan?" one of the purple-robed men sneered. "Your clan is nothing compared to the Thunderclap Blade Sect¡ª" Pakkk! Hengsheng didn¡¯t let him finish his villainous rant. With an explosive speed that left most Qi Gathering cultivators struggling to follow, he dashed forward and landed a heavy punch square on the man''s face. The Thunderclap disciple was sent flying past his group, landing with a resounding crash on the ground several meters behind them. ¡°How dare you! Teach him a lesson!¡± one of the remaining disciples yelled. The rest of the group swarmed Hengsheng, their movements coordinated and fueled by fury. But Hengsheng wasn¡¯t one to back down. With fluid motions, he leapt toward the closest attacker, delivering a powerful kick to his head. As another disciple tried to ambush him from the side, Hengsheng twisted his body mid-air, dodging the strike effortlessly before countering with a palm strike to the chest. The impact was devastating. The disciple''s eyes widened in shock as he was sent flying backward, landing with a loud thud. The battle became a flurry of movements¡ªpunches, kicks, dodges, and counterattacks. Hengsheng¡¯s control over his Qi was precise, amplifying his strikes and enhancing his speed. One by one, the Thunderclap disciples fell to the ground, groaning in pain. The fight didn¡¯t last long. Soon, the only person left standing was Hengsheng, his aura sharp and unyielding. ¡°How dare you!¡± one of the fallen disciples growled, struggling to his feet. His hand reached for the hilt of his sword, his intent clear. "Ahem." A calm yet authoritative voice interrupted the scene, halting the disciple in his tracks. All eyes turned to see a young man clad in golden robes, the unmistakable mark of the Golden Sword Sect. His expression was calm but carried a weight that demanded attention. ¡°Why not stop here and step back?¡± the golden-robed disciple said, his tone even yet firm. The Thunderclap Blade Sect disciples exchanged worried glances. Reluctantly, they stepped back, helping each other to their feet. The one who had reached for his sword gave Hengsheng a venomous glare and spat, ¡°This isn¡¯t over!¡± Hengsheng didn¡¯t even bother acknowledging him. His focus shifted to the golden-robed man. Bowing respectfully, he said, ¡°Thank you for stepping in. I might¡¯ve caused trouble otherwise.¡± The Golden Sword Sect disciple chuckled, waving off the thanks. ¡°Hahaha, don¡¯t mention it. It¡¯s my duty to keep order here. If anyone draws a sword in the city, it¡¯s my neck on the line. Just don¡¯t cause any more commotion.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Hengsheng bowed again before turning to his clanmates, who were now regaining their footing and looking at him with complicated expressions. Gesturing for them to follow, Hengsheng led the group away from the scene. Once they were a safe distance, he stopped and turned to face them.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°What happened?¡± Hengsheng asked, his tone sharp but not accusatory. Baixing lowered his head, his voice tinged with embarrassment. ¡°Brother Hengsheng¡­ we didn¡¯t provoke them. We were just walking through the market, looking at the stalls. The street got crowded, and one of us accidentally brushed against one of their disciples.¡± Hengsheng¡¯s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. ¡°A simple accident led to this?¡± Baixing nodded, his face still flushed with shame. ¡°Yes. We apologized immediately, but they wouldn¡¯t accept it. When they knew that we were from second-rate force, They said that as members of a small clan from the rim of the Metal Flow Plain, we had no right to even walk in the same street as them. Then¡­ they accused us of intentionally disrespecting their sect.¡± Hengsheng¡¯s frown deepened. The arrogance of the Thunderclap Blade Sect disciples was no surprise, After this event they¡¯ll surely aim for my head inside the Secret Land. A faint smirk crossed his lips. Good. Let them come¡ªit¡¯ll save me the trouble of seeking them out. His gaze shifted back to Baixing and his group, his tone sharp. ¡°You¡¯re weak!.¡± Their faces paled instantly, but before they could respond, Hengsheng continued, his voice cold yet commanding. ¡°Don¡¯t let anyone bully you like that again. If someone¡¯s going to knock you down, it¡¯ll be me don''t so let others bully you easily! Go back to the skyship and focus on your cultivation. If I see you wandering around outside again, you¡¯re dead. Understand?¡± ¡°Yes, Brother Hengsheng!¡± they shouted in unison, bowing deeply before running off at full speed. Despite the harshness of his words, their eyes glimmered with a newfound respect. For the first time. Hengsheng watched them go, shaking his head slightly. ¡°Fools,¡± he muttered, though his lips curled into a faint grin. He wouldn¡¯t admit it, but he felt a small sense of satisfaction seeing their respect. With that, Hengsheng turned his attention back to the bustling streets of Golden City. No point in heading back to the skyship now. I might as well explore a bit before returning. He adjusted his robes and began walking deeper into the city, blending into the vibrant crowd while keeping his senses sharp.
Wei Bujia POV Wei Bujia stood with his arms crossed in the dimly lit chamber within the Thunderclap Blade Sect¡¯s temporary quarters in the Golden City. The air was thick with tension, the faint scent of blood lingering as a reminder of the earlier disgrace. His sharp eyes glinted with restrained fury as he looked down at the kneeling disciples before him, their torn robes and battered faces a stark contrast to the pride they once carried. One disciple, his face swollen and discolored from Hengsheng¡¯s punch, stammered nervously, ¡°Senior Brother Wei¡­ it was the Lan Clan brat. He¡ªhe humiliated us in front of everyone.¡± Wei Bujia¡¯s brow rose slightly, his voice low and cold. ¡°The Lan Clan? A second-rate force on the rim of the Metal Flow Plain? You¡¯re telling me a group of my Thunderclap Blade Sect disciples couldn¡¯t handle some backwater bumpkin?¡± The disciples flinched as his words cut through the room like a blade. Another disciple, his voice trembling, tried to explain, ¡°We¡­ underestimated him. He¡¯s stronger than he looks.¡± Wei Bujia stepped forward, his boots clicking ominously on the stone floor. His gaze bore into them, suffocating them with his mere presence. ¡°Stronger than he looks?¡± he repeated, each word deliberate and sharp. ¡°You mean to tell me that a single disciple¡ªa nobody¡ªmanaged to overwhelm all of you?¡± The room fell silent, the kneeling disciples lowering their heads further. Their shame was palpable, but Wei Bujia¡¯s calm demeanor only made their humiliation worse. Turning his back to them, Wei Bujia approached the window, gazing out at the sprawling Golden City and the towering Golden Pillar beyond. His reflection in the glass revealed a faint, sinister smirk as he murmured to himself, ¡°Lan Hengsheng¡­ a name I didn¡¯t know" One of the disciples dared to speak, his voice laced with desperation. ¡°Senior Brother Wei¡­ what should we do?¡± Wei Bujia¡¯s smirk deepened, though his tone remained icy. ¡°What should you do? You¡¯ll heal your wounds, and you¡¯ll prepare. The Land of Pillar Foundation will open soon, and once we¡¯re inside, there will be no elders, no patrols, and no rules to stop us.¡± He turned sharply, his gaze slicing through the air like a blade. ¡°Inside that secret land, I don¡¯t want excuses. I want him dead. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Yes, Senior Brother Wei!¡± the disciples shouted in unison, their voices trembling but resolute. Wei Bujia¡¯s expression softened into a mockery of warmth as he nodded. ¡°Good. Let him savor his little victory. Let him think his defiance of the Thunderclap Blade Sect will go unanswered. When the time comes, we¡¯ll teach him the cost of disrespecting us.¡± The disciples bowed deeply before shuffling out of the room, their resolve hardened by their leader¡¯s words. Wei Bujia remained by the window, the faint smirk fading into a thoughtful expression. ¡°Lan Hengsheng¡­¡± he murmured, his voice carrying a mix of malice and curiosity. His eyes gleamed with dark intent as he turned away, his mind already weaving plans for the secret land. The Thunderclap Blade Sect always collects its debts. Chapter 30 - The Entrance! "Meow¡­" A small paw tapped Hengsheng¡¯s mouth, stopping him mid-action as he tried to sniff Yunsu¡¯s soft belly. He grinned mischievously, undeterred by her protests. ¡°Yunsu, I love you!¡± he declared dramatically. The gray cat let out a resigned sigh, her small body going limp as if surrendering to his antics. After a while, when Hengsheng finally felt he had absorbed enough "cat power," he gently set her down and handed her ten spirit stones as a reward. "Meow¡­" Yunsu¡¯s eyes lit up as she eagerly accepted the stones, her tiny paws pulling them closer like prized treasures. It seemed she considered it a fair trade for enduring his affection. Nearly a month had passed since Hengsheng¡¯s arrival in Golden City, and today was the day. The Land of Pillar Foundation would finally open, marking the beginning of a decade-long trial. He had spent the past weeks tirelessly preparing himself, refining his techniques, and stabilizing his cultivation. He even trained Yunsu to fight, utilizing their soul link to bring her into the simulator. The process required a significant expenditure of spiritual Qi, but it was worth it. Hengsheng glanced at Yunsu, who was now happily nibbling on one of the spirit stones. She was undeniably weak, barely stronger than an ordinary house cat despite her spirit beast nature. However, he had faith in her potential. ¡°Once your bloodline evolves and you reach rank 2, you¡¯ll be much stronger¡± he murmured. He had decided to take her with him into the secret land, knowing it would be an invaluable opportunity for both of them. The Land of Pillar Foundation was rumored to teem with demon beasts, providing ample chances for Yunsu to grow stronger and for Hengsheng to test his system¡¯s upgrade function. So far, he hadn¡¯t had a proper opportunity to earn system points, but the secret land would change that. His eyes gleamed with determination. This place will be the perfect cultivation ground¡ªfor both of us. "Young master, it is time," Lan Ju¡¯s calm voice broke the silence. Hengsheng nodded, scooping up Yunsu, who let out a questioning "meow?" as he hid her inside his robe. With his loyal companion cuddling comfortably, Hengsheng followed Lan Ju to the Lan Clan¡¯s gathering area. As they arrived, the sight of his clan members awaiting departure greeted him. Hengsheng¡¯s sharp eyes scanned the crowd, noting the subtle shifts in their gazes. Many looked at him with newfound respect¡ªlikely whispers of the city incident where he defended Baixing had reached their ears. However, Xiaorong¡¯s doubt still lingered, evident in his expression. Hengsheng paid it no mind and moved to stand at the front, his stance steady and commanding. When all 100 Qi Gathering cultivators had assembled, the elder overseeing the group stepped forward. His voice carried weight as he addressed them. ¡°This event is an opportunity for all of you. You will be entering the Land of the Pillar Foundation, the most abundant treasure trove in this realm, open only once every 1,000 years. Within, you will find ancient ruins, natural treasures, cultivation resources, and countless dangers. You will stay there for ten years. Your goals are simple: secure resources, cultivate, and survive.¡± The elder¡¯s gaze swept over them, his tone sharpening. ¡°Qi Gathering cultivators are to remain in the outer rim zone. Do not attempt to cross the barrier set by the Golden Sword Sect unless you have a breakthrough and become a Spiritual foundation or are confident in your strength. The closer you approach the pillar, the greater the danger. Even Saints are not safe at its core. Remember, your survival is paramount.¡± He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in. ¡°I hope to see all of you alive after ten years. Follow me.¡± The elder turned, leading the group to the teleportation array. The platform was intricate, glowing faintly with runes. Hengsheng stepped into the array alongside his clan, the hum of activated Qi filling the air. Moments later, they were transported into an expansive open plain surrounded by rugged terrain. Hengsheng¡¯s eyes darted around, taking in the scene. Various forces were gathered, their banners fluttering in the wind. He quickly recognized groups from other second-rate forces, each with a contingent of 100 cultivators. He counted twelve in total. His gaze then fell on the purple-robed Thunderclap Blade Sect disciples.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. A few among them noticed him, and their faces darkened. One even made a throat-cutting gesture, his eyes filled with malice. Hengsheng¡¯s lips curled into a calm, taunting smile, further enraging them. They glared at him, but he ignored their hostility, counting their numbers. ¡°300,¡± he murmured to himself. As his eyes swept over the crowd, he calculated. Including four first-rate forces and 1,000 people from the Golden Sword Sect¡¯s representatives, there would be around 3,400 participants in total. Curiosity gnawed at him, and he leaned closer to an elder, lowering his voice. ¡°Elder, may I ask¡­ how many people survive until the end of the last gathering?¡± The elder frowned, his expression tightening. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t ask such things.¡± His words were curt, but a faint Qi message followed, delivered directly to Hengsheng¡¯s mind. ¡°574.¡± The number hit him like a cold wind, sending a chill down his spine. Hengsheng¡¯s jaw tightened as he glanced back at the younger members of his clan. Their eyes were filled with hope and determination, oblivious to the grim reality ahead. A steely resolve hardened in his heart. I have to save them, he thought. If I don¡¯t, they¡¯re as good as dead.
As Hengsheng mulled over the possibilities of survival and strategy, he noticed a group approaching the Lan Clan. The Wang Clan. An older man with a composed aura stepped forward to greet the First Elder of the Lan Clan. Hengsheng observed as the two elders exchanged words in low voices before the First Elder called out to him. ¡°Hengsheng, come here. This is Wang Dongzhi, an elder of the Wang Clan and your mother¡¯s uncle. That makes him your great-uncle.¡± Hengsheng immediately bowed with respect. It was the first time he had encountered someone from his mother¡¯s side of the family. ¡°Greetings, Uncle Dongzhi.¡± Wang Dongzhi nodded in satisfaction, a faint smile on his face. ¡°Good. You¡¯re quite a fine young man, just as Lianxue described.¡± Hengsheng replied politely, ¡°My mother has taught me well. Thank you for the compliment.¡± Wang Dongzhi gestured for another young man to step forward. Hengsheng immediately noticed the commanding air about him¡ªthis was undoubtedly the leader of the Wang Clan¡¯s younger generation. ¡°This is Wang Dalong,¡± Dongzhi introduced. ¡°He¡¯s your cousin, the son of your mother¡¯s elder sister. Hengsheng, you might want to watch out for him inside the secret land.¡± Dalong¡¯s expression twitched slightly at the suggestion that he needed protection. His smirk betrayed his disdain as his eyes scanned Hengsheng¡¯s cultivation level, clearly unimpressed by Hengsheng¡¯s middle-stage Qi Gathering realm. Dalong gave a shallow bow and replied in a tone laced with pretense, ¡°Greetings, young cousin.¡± Wang Dongzhi frowned, his disappointment evident in his expression. He addressed both young men sternly, ¡°Remember this: if the Wang Clan and Lan Clan cross paths inside the secret land, you are not to fight. Cooperate.¡± Both Hengsheng and Dalong responded in unison, ¡°Understood.¡± As everyone gathered near the teleportation array, Hengsheng glanced around, wondering what they were waiting for. His thoughts wandered to the mysterious entrance to the Land of the Pillar Foundation. Just as he was about to ask, the First Elder murmured, ¡°It¡¯s starting¡­¡± Crash! Crack! Suddenly, the air around them seemed to distort, fractures appearing like cracks in glass. The crowd stilled, the oppressive aura of the dimensional rift silencing all whispers. One by one, rifts began to open above the ground, their shimmering edges radiating a threatening energy. The young cultivators couldn¡¯t hide their fear, their gazes fixed on the chaotic phenomenon before them. Even Hengsheng felt a chill run down his spine. He watched as the Golden Sword Sect led the way, their disciples filing into the largest rift, a crimson portal that seemed to pulse with an intimidating rhythm. As the last disciple entered, the rift began to close, sealing itself as though it had never existed. Hengsheng leaned closer to the First Elder and asked, ¡°Once we¡¯re inside, how do we come back?¡± The First Elder¡¯s gaze remained fixed on the portals as he replied, ¡°You will be expelled automatically when the time is up. Until then, your priority is survival. Do not die.¡± Hengsheng nodded solemnly. His eyes swept over the Lan Clan¡¯s young cultivators, their faces pale and uncertain. Drawing himself to his full height, he addressed them firmly, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to die, stick with me.¡± The group hesitated for a moment before stepping in line behind him, bolstered by his commanding tone and confidence. Hengsheng glanced back at them briefly before turning his attention to the rifts. After a moment¡¯s deliberation, he chose a smaller crimson rift behind him, its edges crackling with unstable energy. Without hesitation, Hengsheng stepped forward, leading his clan members into the unknown. The energy of the portal enveloped them, and as they disappeared into its depths, the rift shimmered and pulsed, an ominous prelude to lay ahead. Chapter 31 - The Land of Pillar Foundation! Hengsheng stepped out of the red rift, his senses on high alert. Without hesitation, he released multiple spirit bodies in all directions, scanning for any immediate danger. The rest of the Lan Clan members emerged behind him, their faces a mix of awe and confusion. They had heard tales of the Land of Pillar Foundation being an underground world, and many had expected to find themselves in dimly lit caves or tunnels. But this was entirely different. They stood on a low hilltop with an open expanse stretching before them. Above, the sky glowed with golden clouds, resembling the surface world more than the cavernous depths they had imagined. The ever-present golden pillar loomed in the distance, radiating brilliance and casting a soft, warm light across the entire landscape, as if it were the sun of this hidden world. Hengsheng¡¯s eyes narrowed as he observed the terrain. Below, in the direction of the golden pillar, was a dense forest, vibrant and teeming with life. Turning around, he noted the opposite direction was barren and rocky, a mountainous expanse devoid of greenery. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve appeared near the outer rim,¡± he murmured, piecing together their location in this vast underground realm. ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± Hengsheng muttered to himself, his mind racing with plans. A soft ¡°meow?¡± interrupted his thoughts. He opened his robe to see Yunsu poking her head out, her sharp eyes scanning the area with curiosity. She sniffed the air, her ears twitching, and began walking ahead purposefully. ¡°Brother Hengsheng, what are we going to do next?¡± Baixing asked hesitantly, stepping closer. Hengsheng¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Yunsu as he replied, ¡°Follow Yunsu.¡± ¡°Yunsu?¡± Baixing repeated, confused. Hengsheng didn¡¯t bother explaining. Instead, he trailed behind the small gray cat as she sniffed the ground and moved forward with determination. The other Lan Clan members exchanged glances, their confusion evident, but ultimately fell into line behind Hengsheng. Even Xiaorong, who seemed dissatisfied, followed reluctantly, grumbling under his breath. The group moved cautiously across the rocky terrain, the hundred-strong contingent of Lan Clan members following the unlikely guide¡ªa small, gray cat. Yunsu¡¯s movements were deliberate, her ears flicking as she sniffed the air. Eventually, she led them to the entrance of a large cave, its mouth wide and dark, emanating a faint chill that sent shivers down their spines. Yunsu turned to Hengsheng, her sharp eyes locking onto his as she let out a quiet, urgent ¡°Meow¡­.¡± Hengsheng nodded, understanding her meaning. ¡°There¡¯s something dangerous inside,¡± he muttered. Gently picking her up, he placed her on his shoulder and addressed the group. ¡°Follow me and stay alert. Keep your guard up¡ªit¡¯s not safe in there.¡± The Lan Clan members stiffened, their earlier confusion giving way to tension. Weapons were drawn, and they moved cautiously, forming tight formations as they entered the cave behind Hengsheng. The oppressive darkness swallowed them whole, and the air grew colder with each step. All around, faint echoes hinted at the unseen dangers lurking deeper within. Hengsheng¡¯s eyes glinted sharply as he led the group deeper into the cave. The Qi in the surroundings grew increasingly dense, radiating a faint golden light that illuminated the dark path ahead. However, as they progressed further, a new element began to seep into the atmosphere¡ªan ominous cold aura that mingled with the metal Qi. It gave off an unsettling sensation that sent a shiver through the group. Xiaorong, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke up. ¡°Look at the Qi! Something feels off!¡± Another clan member chimed in, their voice tinged with unease. ¡°You¡¯re right¡­ it feels like Yin Qi.¡± Hengsheng¡¯s senses heightened. His spirit bodies fanned out further into the cave, and he motioned for the group to stop. ¡°Shhh,¡± he hissed quietly, his eyes narrowing. The faint sound of movement reached their ears. ¡°Crack¡­ crake¡­¡± The rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed from the darkness ahead, a disjointed and unnatural noise that made the hairs on the back of their necks stand up. ¡°Something¡¯s coming,¡± Hengsheng said, his tone calm but firm.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Moments later, a massive silhouette emerged from the shadows. It was a creature two meters tall, with six pairs of legs and a single pair of long, spear-like arms. Its exoskeleton gleamed faintly, reflecting the golden light in the cave. The creature¡¯s appearance was unmistakably a demon beast, resembling a monstrous ant. It let out a guttural roar and charged at Hengsheng with terrifying speed. Hengsheng sensed its aura it was a rank 1 demon beast and reacted instantly. He raised his hand, and multiple orbs of Qi formed rapidly in the air. With a flick of his wrist, the Qi orbs shot forward, slamming into the charging beast. ¡°Boom! Boom! Boom!¡± The explosions echoed through the cave, and the ant demon beast collapsed to the ground, motionless. Hengsheng stepped closer to inspect it, his eyes narrowing at the grotesque form. Ding! [+5 System Points] Hengsheng glanced at the notification briefly before crouching beside the fallen beast. He examined it carefully, his mind racing as he tried to recall its origin. Suddenly, a memory surfaced from a demon beast compendium he had studied back in the Lan Clan library. He murmured under his breath, ¡°Piercing Shadow Ant¡­¡± His quiet words were overheard by one of the clan members, who immediately paled. ¡°Piercing Shadow Ant?! That¡¯s a colony beast! Does that mean we¡¯re in their territory?¡± The realization spread like wildfire through the group, and the previously calm atmosphere shifted to one of panic. Whispers broke out among the Lan Clan members, their faces pale. ¡°Colony beasts¡­ that means there could be hundreds¡ªno, thousands of them here!¡± Hengsheng stood and turned to face the group, his expression calm but serious. ¡°Quiet,¡± he ordered firmly. His voice cut through the rising panic, and the whispers ceased immediately. ¡°Yes, this is likely their territory. But panicking will only get us killed. Stay close, stay alert. The weight of Hengsheng''s words brought some composure back to the group, though the tension in the air was still palpable. He adjusted Yunsu, perched on his shoulder, her tiny ears flicking nervously as she stared into the ominous depths of the cave. ¡°Meow¡­¡± she muttered softly, her small claws gripping Hengsheng¡¯s robes tightly. Hengsheng¡¯s gaze hardened as he peered deeper into the cave. ¡°If this is a Piercing Shadow Ant colony,¡± he thought, ¡°then there might be Yin Essence Veins at its heart¡­¡± Hearing this, the atmosphere among the Lan clan members shifted drastically. Eyes sparkled with greed as if glowing with currency signs. They began whispering excitedly among themselves. ¡°Haha¡­ we shouldn¡¯t panic or back off. We should fight and prove ourselves!¡± ¡°I agree! Why should we fear mere insects?¡± ¡°My Dao Heart is strong and cannot be shaken by a little danger!¡± The fear and uncertainty that had gripped them moments earlier dissolved into raw excitement. Thoughts of treasure had replaced their worries about the dangers ahead. After all, Yin resources were incredibly rare on this continent and fetched sky-high prices. The potential of high-grade Yin spirit stones, rare treasures, and perhaps even a Heaven-grade nature treasure was more than enough to push these young cultivators into action. As Hengsheng watched their reactions, Yunsu jumped down from his shoulder and approached the fallen Piercing Shadow Ant. With a gentle tap of her small paw on the corpse, a stream of red, blood-like Qi began flowing from the demon beast into her tiny body. The process was swift, and once it was over, she turned and climbed back onto Hengsheng¡¯s shoulder, purring contentedly. Hengsheng raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°She must¡¯ve used her Infinite Evolution trait to absorb the ant¡¯s bloodline,¡± he murmured. Curious, he accessed her status screen. [Status] Name: Yunsu Race: Domestic Cat Age: 0 Bloodline: ??? {5%} Affinity: Neutral Cultivation Realm: Rank 1 Spirit Beast {95%} Special Traits: Infinite Evolution A faint smile played on Hengsheng¡¯s lips. ¡°She¡¯s starting to forge her own bloodline,¡± he thought, feeling a swell of pride. He also wanted to upgrade his spirit core to Earth-grade, he needed 1,000 system points¡ªan amount he could only accumulate by harvesting life essence and destiny from defeated beings. Hengsheng¡¯s gaze fell on the ant demon corpse, and an idea struck him. ¡°You there, the one who knew about the ants. What¡¯s your name?¡± The young man hesitated, a mix of surprise and dissatisfaction flashing across his face that Hengsheng did not know him. ¡°I am Lan Muyang. My sister and I study alchemy, so we know a little about demon beast value part, and anatomy¡­¡± Hengsheng nodded. ¡°Good. You¡¯re in charge of dissecting the valuable parts. Don¡¯t waste anything.¡± Lan Muyang looked hesitant. ¡°For free?¡± Hengsheng raised an eyebrow and smirked. ¡°Do I look like someone who bullies his own people? Consider this an opportunity to prove your worth¡ªand yes, it¡¯s reward enough!.¡± ¡°Yes, Brother Hengsheng!¡± Lan Muyang stammered, quickly getting to work. Turning to the rest of the group, Hengsheng addressed them with authority. ¡°It seems we¡¯ve stumbled upon a treasure trove right after arriving. Yin resources like these are incredibly valuable. If we work together, this could benefit everyone. I¡¯ll lead this operation, and I promise to distribute the harvest fairly. Do you agree?¡± ¡°Yes, Brother Hengsheng!¡± the group replied in unison, their voices filled with enthusiasm. Satisfied, Hengsheng watched as the Lan clan members eagerly began harvesting the area. The first day in the Land of Pillar Foundation had proven fruitful, and the group¡¯s spirits were high. Though Hengsheng knew the dangers lurking deeper in the colony, for now, the promise of wealth had lit a fire in their hearts. Chapter 32 - Spirit Core Upgrade! A high-pitched, rhythmic clicking sound echoed through the tunnel, gradually building into a deep, reverberating hum that seemed to shake the walls around them. Hengsheng opened his eyes, his gaze sharp. ¡°Get ready. They¡¯ve found us,¡± he said calmly but firmly. Hearing his words, the Lan clan members quickly rose from their meditative states, their expressions turning serious. It had been a grueling week since they descended into the depths of the ant colony. Along the way, they collected various cultivation resources¡ªyin treasures, low-quality Yin spirit stones, and other valuable materials. But the journey hadn¡¯t been without its costs. Most of the demon ants they encountered were Rank 1, relatively weak on their own but overwhelming in numbers. Hengsheng had personally killed more than a hundred of them, but the sheer volume was exhausting. The group¡¯s first loss came on the second day when one careless member was surrounded by Rank 1 ants and impaled by their spear-like limbs. His death served as a harsh wake-up call, shattering any illusions of easy wealth. Since then, the Lan clan cultivators had become far more cautious, but the danger was ever-present. On the fifth day, the ants seemed to recognize their presence as a threat. A stronger force of Rank 2 demon ants¡ªcreatures with power comparable to Qi Gathering cultivators¡ªbegan hunting them in organized groups. Each day had become a brutal cycle of moving and fighting, barely staying ahead of the pursuing horde. Now, the vibrations in the air signaled yet another wave of attackers. Hengsheng could feel it in his bones as the ants¡¯ army emerged from the dark tunnel ahead. He estimated at least a hundred of them, their collective roar shaking the cavern like an avalanche. ¡°Attack!¡± Hengsheng barked, firing a barrage of Qi balls into the advancing swarm. "Boom! Boom! Boom!" Explosions lit up the tunnel, sending chunks of carapace and limbs flying. Behind him, Xiaolong stepped forward, performing the Lan Clan¡¯s signature technique. His wooden sword glowed with a green Qi aura as it floated in the air, darting forward to pierce through the ants one by one. Though several of the demon beasts were injured, their vitality was astonishing, and they refused to fall easily. The other Lan clan members joined the fray, those with ranged techniques launching attacks from a distance while others rushed forward to engage in close combat. The tunnel became a chaotic battleground, filled with the sounds of clashing weapons, roaring beasts, and the occasional cries of pain. ¡°Reeeeeowwww!¡± A sharp, feral cry cut through the noise. Hengsheng glanced over to see Yunsu in action. The small gray cat was clinging to an ant, her claws glowing faintly with Qi as she tore into its head with ruthless efficiency. The ant convulsed before collapsing, and Yunsu wasted no time leaping onto her next target. Her movements were swift and precise, a stark contrast to her tiny frame. Hengsheng¡¯s lips curled into a proud smile as he watched her. ¡°She¡¯s not weak anymore,¡± he thought. After reaching Rank 2 and developing her first bloodline, Yunsu had transformed from a helpless kitten into a formidable spirit beast. The battle raged on, the Lan Clan members holding their ground with unwavering determination. With a final roar, the last Piercing Shadow Ant collapsed, its lifeless body hitting the ground with a resounding thud. The Lan Clan had claimed victory, but the tense expressions on their faces showed they weren¡¯t celebrating just yet. The group immediately got to work, dissecting the ant demon corpses for their valuable parts. They carefully harvested the sharp spear-like limbs, carapaces infused with yin Qi, and even the rare blood essence found within the colony beasts. Every resource was precious, and the Lan Clan members knew better than to waste anything in such a dangerous environment. After completing the grim task, Hengsheng led the group away from the battleground, navigating through the winding tunnels until they found a new, quieter spot to rest. As his clanmates settled down to recover, Hengsheng¡¯s thoughts churned. ¡°If we keep going like this, it¡¯ll never end,¡± he mused. ¡°If I took these guys straight to fight at the colony¡¯s heart, the cost would be too high. At least half of them will die.¡± His gaze shifted to his clanmates, who, though stronger and more cohesive than before, still weren¡¯t prepared for a full-scale assault on the colony''s core. Hengsheng shook his head, dismissing the thought for now.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Feeling a soft nudge on his hand, Hengsheng looked down to see Yunsu rubbing her head against him affectionately. A small smile crept onto his face. ¡°What a good girl,¡± he muttered, scratching behind her ears. He decided to check her progress and summoned her status window. [Status] Name: Yunsu Race: Spirit Beast [Domestic Cat] Age: 0 Bloodline: Shadow Devourer {15.05%} Affinity: Neutral, Shadow, Yin Cultivation Realm: Rank 2 {8.75%} Special Traits: Infinite Evolution, Shadow Devour, Spirit nourishes Looking at her newfound status, Hengsheng nodded in satisfaction. Her new bloodline had granted her powerful traits, including the ability to absorb shadows to recover her Qi and heal injuries¡ªan incredibly useful ability in their current situation. Additionally, as she progressed to Rank 2 as a spirit beast, she gained another trait that strengthened and healed her mind and soul, providing protection against mental attacks. This was one of the key differences between spirit beasts and demon beasts; apart from their origins, they will get different types of traits, Spirit beasts most likely will get one that supports their body, mind, and soul which gives them a good talent for higher stages of cultivation, and demon beast most likely get what relies on there race. Hengsheng glanced at his status screen and grinned as he noticed his System Points had finally reached the 1,000 mark. His eyes lit up with excitement. Finally! I can upgrade my Spirit Core! For most cultivators, having a low-grade Spirit Core is a death sentence for their cultivation journey. It slows the absorption of Spiritual Qi, drags down Qi refinement, and makes combat difficult, as Qi mobilization becomes slow and inefficient. Yet, despite all these disadvantages, Hengsheng remained unbothered. With the System at his side, assisting him in both cultivation and battle, he had managed to avoid the typical struggles of others. Now, upgrading his Spirit Core to Earth-grade would give him a new edge. His cultivation speed might even rival those with divine-rank Spirit Cores. Hengsheng gently picked up Yunsu and placed her on his lap. "Meow?" she mewed, confused as to why he had picked her up. He whispered softly into her small ears, "Yunsu, I¡¯m going to cultivate for a bit. Guard me from here, okay?" She looked up into his eyes, seeming to understand his words. "Meow¡­" she responded, settling into the position he requested. Her ears perked up, and her tail swished as she focused on the task at hand. Once Yunsu was guarding him, Hengsheng shifted his attention to the System. He sent a mental command: Blue, initiate an upgrade of my Spirit Core quality. Ding! [-1,000 System Points] [Upgrading the quality of the Spirit Core...] A burning sensation suddenly flared in his lower dantian. Hengsheng closed his eyes, focusing on the progress. Through his inner vision, he saw his Spirit Core surrounded by a seven-colored fire, reminiscent of the heavenly tribulation lightning that had struck him not long ago. He had no idea how the System managed to bring this fire inside him without his knowledge, but now it was helping to burn away the impurities around the walls of his Spirit Core. The cloudy surface that once existed was slowly becoming clearer. The process was painful, but Hengsheng had expected this. From his previous experiences, he knew that any change within a cultivator¡¯s body came with discomfort. Gritting his teeth, he endured the agony. Time passed slowly. Outside, his clanmates began to notice him, as his skin had turned red, and sweat beaded from the intense heat within his body. A few tried to approach, but Yunsu hissed at them, scaring them away. Soon, the upgrade was complete. Ding! [Spirit core quality upgrade complete] [Status] Name: Lan Hengsheng Race: Human Age: 18 Spirit Core: System Neutral Spirit Core {Earth} Cultivation Realm: Middle Stage Qi Gathering {45.61%} Qi Cultivation Method: Vast Meridian Refinement Art [Attributes]: Special Traits: Mind Space, Super Spirit Body, Vast Meridian {151/512} Qi Techniques: Auxiliary Systems Capacity {100/100%}: [System Points]: {0/1,000 Points} [Absorb] [Upgrade] Chapter 33 - Crisis! In the vast, seemingly endless forest, hidden by concealment formation a golden towering structure stood imposingly¡ªa sight that seemed out of place in the Land of Pillar Foundation. At the top of the tower, several disciples of the Golden Sword Sect were gathered, their faces tense as they performed a solemn ritual. The golden sword embedded in the ground at the center of the ritual glimmered faintly, radiating an otherworldly presence. Outside the ritual area, another group of disciples clad in golden robes watched in silence, their serious expressions mirroring the heavy atmosphere around them. "It has been a month since we entered the secret land, and the air grows heavier with each passing day," Jian Zixuan said, his voice breaking the oppressive silence. His sharp gaze scanned the forest horizon, as though the weight of their mission bore down on him physically. "That''s right, Senior Brother Jian," another disciple replied, his voice cold and tinged with unease. "This time is particularly bad. The seal is weakening. If this continues, I fear we¡¯ll have no choice but to fight its spawn earlier than expected." Jian Zixuan¡¯s jaw tightened as he nodded grimly. His thoughts turned to the mission their sect had entrusted them with. The elders, unable to enter this land during the seal enforcement phase, focused the sealing power entirely on suppressing the "otherworldly demon god." escape attempt once every thousand years, This restriction rendered the Land of Pillar Foundation inaccessible to anyone above the Qi Gathering Realm and left the outer rim seal formation vulnerable to external threats¡ªdemon beasts, god spawns, and even natural disasters¡ªdue to the absence of protective seal power. Unlike other sects and clans that had sent their younger generation into the secret land to seek treasures and opportunities, the Golden Sword Sect had a different purpose. Their mission was to maintain and protect the ancient seal, ensuring the "otherworldly demon god" it restrained could never escape. However, time had not been kind to the seal. It had faithfully performed its duty since the creation of the Five Pillar Realm, standing strong for countless years. Yet, millions of years ago, signs of its deterioration began to emerge. The task of protecting the seal had grown increasingly arduous. Now, they had no choice but to invite "bait" into their land¡ªoutsiders meant to divert the attention of the god spawn. It was a risky strategy, but one that bought them the more time needed to fulfill their duty. Jian Zixuan¡¯s voice broke the tense silence again. "Are the other four stationed properly?" His tone was calm, but the furrow in his brows betrayed his concern. "Yes, Brother Jian," the disciple replied, though there was hesitation in his voice. "We spoke yesterday. They seem fine, but like us, the seal is consuming more Spirit Stones than expected." He paused, his expression darkening. "And¡­ it seems someone is trying to cross the formation the elders set." Jian Zixuan¡¯s expression turned grim, and anger flashed in his eyes. "A traitor again, is it?" he growled, his fists clenching tightly at his sides. What fools! he thought, his mind racing with frustration. He recalled the countless times traitors, lured by the lies of the evil god, had sabotaged their sect¡¯s mission. Yet none had ever succeeded¡ªor left this land alive. Boom! "Ahhh!" The deafening explosion shook the ritual site, snapping Jian Zixuan out of his thoughts. Chaos erupted as the site destabilized. Before anyone could react, a junior brother was sent flying by the sudden burst of Qi. Jian Zixuan moved in an instant, catching the injured disciple before he hit the ground. His voice was sharp as he demanded, "What happened? What went wrong with the ritual?" The injured disciple coughed, his face pale as he stammered, "S-Senior brother¡­ we didn¡¯t do anything wrong¡­ but the water seal¡­ it suddenly vanished. That¡¯s what caused the instability." Hearing this, Jian Zixuan¡¯s expression darkened. He shouted urgently, "Feng Tianye! Contact the water seal station now and check on them!"If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. Without hesitation, Feng Tianye pulled out a communication talisman. He channeled his Qi into it, his face growing increasingly pale as he listened. Moments later, he turned to Jian Zixuan, his voice trembling with alarm. "Brother Jian, this is bad! The water seal is under attack! There are more than a hundred traitors, and they¡¯ve even used an Immortal Talisman to strike the seal. It¡¯s collapsing¡ªwe have to hurry and help them!" Jian Zixuan¡¯s voice rang out sharply, his tone laced with urgency and determination. "Wait! If they have those numbers and an Immortal Talisman, it means they have an immortal backing them from outside¡ªand they must have planned this attack! we can''t act recklessly and leave this place vulnerable Contact the water seal station immediately and tell them to retreat with the core formation and tell other stations to be aware of potential attack. We must regroup and strike them together! Also, contact the elders outside. If an immortal cultivator has turned traitor, we must let the elder know quickly!" His words sent a shockwave through the disciples nearby. Their faces turned pale, fear flickering in their eyes. None of them had expected to face a crisis of this magnitude. The Golden Sword Sect had always prided itself on its vigilance, ensuring no traitor influenced by the god ever escaped this land alive. The thought that someone had slipped away, risen to the ranks of immortality, and now dared to attack them shook their very foundation. A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the murmurs of disbelief and anxiety among the disciples. For the first time in countless generations, the Golden Sword Sect disciples found themselves staring into the abyss of a crisis unlike any they had ever imagined. Today is the beginning of the greatest crisis, everyone in this realm will face a calamity none had dared to hope would ever come.
Hengsheng¡¯s POV Shing! Shing! The sharp clash of swords against the spear-like metal limbs of a demon rang out, echoing across the battlefield. Before the Lan clan members stood an army of Ant Royal Guards, their towering forms ferociously protecting the massive Ant Queen who loomed at the back, watching helplessly as her soldiers fell one by one to the human assault. Her mournful roar resonated through the chaos, filled with sadness and despair. At the rear of the battlefield, Hengsheng observed the scene with a calm but calculating gaze. "It¡¯ll be over soon," he murmured. For a month, they had fought relentlessly, whittling down the ant army little by little. Now, having breached the heart of the colony, only a few hundred of the ants remained¡ªa manageable number for the Lan clan warriors. As his eyes landed on the Ant Queen, her pitiful state stirred something deep within him. A pang of regret flickered in his heart. She¡¯s just trying to protect her kind. But Hengsheng shook his head, pushing the sentiment aside. This is the way of the world. I can¡¯t change that truth. Even so, he resolved to end it quickly, sparing them from prolonged suffering. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself and began channeling his strongest technique. His hands moved gracefully, forming the symbol of Yin and Yang. Spiritual Qi surged around him, converging into his fists until they glowed with a radiant, seven-colored light. Noticing the brilliant glow emanating from behind, the Lan clan members instinctively retreated, their eyes wide with awe and apprehension. Hengsheng didn¡¯t hesitate. With a single, decisive motion, he thrust his glowing fist forward. The concentrated Qi burst forth, transforming into a massive projection of Heaven¡¯s Pulse Fist. The enormous, radiant strike barreled through the colony, annihilating everything in its path with devastating precision. The sheer force obliterated the remaining Royal Guards and slammed directly into the Ant Queen. DOOOOOOM! The explosion sent shockwaves across the battlefield, kicking up clouds of dust and debris. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. As the dust settled, the once-bustling colony was revealed to be a scene of utter carnage¡ªa gruesome expanse of blood and gore. Not a single ant remained alive. The Lan clan members stood frozen, staring at the aftermath with a mixture of fear and awe. The destruction Hengsheng had unleashed was far beyond what anyone at the Qi Gathering Realm should have been capable of. It was power on par with the Spiritual Foundation Realm. Hengsheng¡¯s voice cut through the silence, sharp and commanding. "What are you all staring at? Start looting now!" The clan members snapped out of their daze, hurriedly moving to scavenge the battlefield. Despite his firm tone, Hengsheng¡¯s heart was heavy. Killing mindless ants had been one thing, but the Ant Queen¡­ she was different. Her intelligence reminded him of Yunsu¡¯s, and the thought left a bitter taste in his mouth. But it was already too late. Their paths had crossed, and the karmic cycle had been set into motion. They had taken each other¡¯s friends and family. There was no turning back now. Let this karma end here, he thought, clenching his fists as he turned away from the scene. Chapter 34 - Loot! When Hengsheng upgraded his spirit core to Earth-grade quality, his cultivation progressed significantly. The change allowed him to draw in much larger quantities of spiritual Qi and refine it at a faster rate. However, the most critical improvement was in his combat power. The upgrade dramatically enhanced his ability to mobilize spiritual Qi, enabling him to manipulate much larger amounts at once. This change amplified the effectiveness of his techniques, making them nearly five times more powerful than before. He hadn¡¯t expected such a drastic boost in combat strength from a single spirit core upgrade. With his strongest technique, his destructive power now rivaled that of the Spiritual Foundation Realm. The idea of upgrading his spirit core further to Heaven-grade was tempting. If the results were similar, he might even stand a chance of fighting a Spiritual Foundation cultivator head-on. Unfortunately, such an upgrade required 10,000 system points. However, the system has limitations at 1,000 system points on his current cultivation realm. The system he had created had safeguards to prevent him from surpassing his body¡¯s natural limits. It restricted the amount of life essence and destiny that could be stored within him. Without these restrictions, he risked facing severe backlash¡ªmutations from excess life essence or unfortunate events encountered from overloading his destiny. Thus, Hengsheng needed to raise his cultivation base further before he could handle the burden of more system points. Still, he wasn¡¯t one to let his system points sit idly. Over the past month, he had other uses for them since he did not design an upgrade function only to upgrade his spirit core but to upgrade anything in his status window as long as he have enough system points. One example was upgrading techniques. Recently, he had learned a Mortal-grade technique called Thousand Motion Art. This technique was created by combining all the mortal-grade techniques in the Lan clan library into one. On its own, it was a decent all-around martial art suitable for ordinary humans and the Body awakening realm cultivators but nothing particularly special. Curious to test the system¡¯s upgrade function, he had spent 1,000 system points on it. The results had exceeded his expectations. While Thousand Motion Art remained a Mortal-grade technique, it had gained properties that placed it in the category of the Dao technique the same as the Destiny-Forged Technique he had created before. Every motion now resonated subtly with heaven and earth, requiring no expenditure of spiritual Qi. Though the changes weren¡¯t visibly obvious yet, Hengsheng could feel the profound impact it was having on his body. Each motion carried a trace of heaven and earth blessing, gradually strengthening his body and sharpening his natural talents. The improvements were subtle¡ªalmost imperceptible in the short term¡ªbut he knew that over time, the cumulative effects would be invaluable. Hengsheng watched as the Lan clan members looted the battlefield with practiced efficiency. Over the past month of relentless battles against the ants, they had become experts in dissecting insect bodies, skillfully extracting valuable parts without damaging them, and storing everything neatly in their space rings. This proficiency came from hard-earned experience, gained through endless fighting day and night, often without proper rest. "Brother Hengsheng! We found something!" a voice called out, breaking his train of thought. Hengsheng¡¯s brows rose slightly, and he quickly moved toward the source of the call. Normally, they wouldn¡¯t bother him over minor discoveries, not even for high-grade Spirit Stones¡ªthose were trivial in his eyes. He let the others take such things freely, as he had little need for them. For Hengsheng, most treasures others coveted could replicate their effects with his system, requiring only energy. The only things that truly intrigued him were Dao treasures, as he had yet to determine whether his system could create or replicate their effects. When Hengsheng arrived at the spot where the Ant Queen had once stood, his eyes immediately locked onto a rough stone glowing faintly with dark Yin Qi. His breath hitched slightly. A Yin Essence Vein!The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. It was a rare Divine-Grade treasure, the core source of Yin Spirit Stones, and natural treasures that had grown from its energy over the years. Hengsheng carefully picked up the stone, his movements precise, and stored it in his space ring. As he straightened, he noticed the envious gazes of the Lan clan members fixed on him. Though their eyes sparkled with longing, none dared to voice their desires or challenge him for it. His strength and authority were unshakable in their eyes. "You can go now," Hengsheng commanded, his tone calm but firm. The others quickly dispersed, resuming their search for other treasures scattered throughout the battlefield. In no time, the battlefield was cleared of anything valuable. The only remaining prize was the Yin Spirit Stone deposits embedded in the walls of the colony, but extracting them would take considerable time. With the looting complete, Hengsheng gathered everyone around him. It was time to discuss their next move. Hengsheng suggested to the group, "Since we¡¯ll be staying in this land for a decade, why not turn this place into our cultivation cave? The dense spiritual Qi here, along with the abundance of Spirit Stones, makes it perfect for long-term cultivation. What do you all think?" The 91 Lan clan warriors standing around him exchanged uncertain glances. Hengsheng¡¯s suggestion made sense, but... Breaking the silence, Xiaorong stepped forward and spoke decisively, "I agree with making this place our base. However, we can¡¯t let opportunities outside slip through our fingers by staying here until the end. Let¡¯s secure this place first, but then let Heaven guide our paths. Who agrees?" Hearing Xiaorong¡¯s words, the Lan clan warriors began nodding in agreement. Their eyes lit up with determination, and murmurs of approval rippled through the group. Hengsheng shook his head slightly, suppressing a wry smile. The people of this world are too greedy for opportunities, he thought, even ones they can¡¯t be sure exist. They¡¯d willingly risk their lives chasing after the unknown. With a resigned nod, Hengsheng addressed them again, "Since you¡¯ve all made your choice, let¡¯s secure this place first. Afterward, we¡¯ll decide who stays behind, and the rest can head out. Let¡¯s begin. But first¡ªwho here knows formations?" After a brief moment of silence, several hands went up. With the decision made, they got to work setting up a simple formation to protect the area. Hengsheng joined in, lending his help during the process. As he worked, he couldn¡¯t help but reflect. I¡¯ve done enough for them. Without me shielding them on the first day, they would¡¯ve been nothing but naive young cultivators with no real sense of life and death. But today... He glanced at the warriors around him, their movements sharp and purposeful. Even if they¡¯re not yet experts in the law of the jungle, they¡¯re no longer helpless chicks. They¡¯ve grown. Five days later, everything was finally complete. Outside the cave, half of the group decided to leave, including Xiaorong, Baixing, and Mu... whatever his name was¡ªHengsheng didn¡¯t bother to recall it. He had also decided to leave, as he had a secret mission to complete. Before their departure, Hengsheng addressed the group. "If you encounter people from a first-rate force, don¡¯t engage with them. Even though you¡¯ve grown stronger, don¡¯t let it make you overconfident. They have deeper foundations than our Lan clan and might carry protective treasures with them. And remember¡ªany disciple from the Thunderclap Blade Sect is mine. Understood?" The group nodded solemnly. He continued, "Let¡¯s meet back here in five years. If you¡¯re still alive by then¡ªgood luck." With that, the group began to disperse. Some left in pairs or small groups, while others ventured off alone. They knew it was unlikely they¡¯d cross paths again unless they returned to this spot. Even though this was only the outer rim, Hengsheng¡¯s naked eye could tell the region was vast¡ªbig enough to fit ten Lan cities inside it. For just a few thousand cultivators, meeting by chance would be rare unless someone actively sought it. "Meow?" Hengsheng glanced down to find Yunsu sitting on the ground beside him, her wide, curious eyes fixed on him. Her soft, questioning meow seemed to ask where they were heading next. With a small smile, he crouched down, gently scooping her up and placing her on his shoulder, as he always did. "How about we go and enjoy a bit of nature? Sound good?" Yunsu¡¯s ears twitched at his words, and her curious gaze shifted into an expression of quiet resolve, as though she had decided she would accompany him no matter what. She let out a soft, approving meow, her small voice carrying a surprising sense of trust. Hengsheng chuckled, rubbing her head affectionately. "I¡¯ll take that as a yes," he said, his tone lighthearted. With Yunsu comfortably perched on his shoulder, he turned to face the endless forest ahead. The towering trees swayed gently in the wind, their shadows stretching long under the dappled sunlight. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, striding into the unknown with his faithful companion by his side. Chapter 35 - Two Years! The outer rim of this Secret Land is a realm of extraordinary and diverse terrains, ranging from the mundane to the fantastical. Towering, rocky mountains stretch toward the heavens, their jagged peaks casting imposing shadows across the land. Vast, endless forests cloak much of the region, their dense canopies concealing an intricate web of life and mystery. At the heart of this enigmatic land lies the breathtaking Liquid Metal Lake, an expanse of molten metal that shimmers like a living mirror under the light. Its surface is both mesmerizing and foreboding. Nearby, an immense mountain range dominates the horizon, resembling an impenetrable wall forged by nature''s fury. Among these wonders stands the Metal Volcano, a towering marvel of molten rock interlaced with glimmering ore. Its smoldering peak releases an eternal plume of heat and light, a testament to the land¡¯s volatile nature. The outer rim is a patchwork of serene beauty and treacherous landscapes, where every step can lead to awe or danger. Hengsheng now found himself trudging through a terrain reminiscent of a Muddy Lake. The ground beneath his feet felt alive, as if it sought to drag him into its murky depths. With every step, the mud clung to him, threatening to swallow him whole if he dared to stop. Despite the immense difficulty, he pressed on, each step a fight against the terrain¡¯s insidious pull. After what felt like an eternity, his eyes caught sight of solid ground at the edge of the mire. Summoning his last reserves of strength, he pushed forward until his feet finally touched firm earth. He collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily, his exhaustion evident after three grueling days of trekking through the strange landscape. "Meow¡­" A soft sound brought him back to reality. Perched on his shoulder was Yunsu, now a large gray cat with a striking pattern of five colors streaking through her fur. She leaned forward to lick his face, as if rewarding him for his patience and perseverance. Hengsheng allowed himself a faint smile, grateful to finally rest after such hardship. Despite everything, he had not complained once. Instead, he felt relief, knowing he had accomplished his objective: collecting seven Divine-grade treasures for his plan to craft a new main system. It had been two years since Hengsheng parted ways with the other Lan clan members, journeying alone with Yunsu through the vast woods of the Secret Land. His primary focus had been cultivation and growing stronger. Though the First Elder had tasked him with eliminating the disciples of the Thunderclap Blade Sect, Hengsheng wasn¡¯t actively pursuing them yet. The truth was simple¡ªhe had no effective method to find them in the seemingly infinite expanse of the outer rim. Wandering aimlessly in search of them would only waste precious time, even in these years of travel he didn''t even find another human. Instead, he resolved to locate them after breaking through to the Spiritual Foundation Realm. Once his cultivation advanced, his body and soul would be able to bear the burden of a new system. With that, he planned to create a specialized auxiliary system tailored for the task, ensuring both efficiency and success. The only thing left for Hengsheng to do now was to cultivate and explore the area in search of opportunities. Over the past two years, Hengsheng and Yunsu had wandered through the vast expanse of this secret land, hunting for six divine-grade treasures aligned with the five elements, and yang. Shortly after he began his journey, Hengsheng used his spare time to study the Yin Essence Vein¡ªa Divine-grade treasure that contained a fragment of Dao within it. Through his experiments, he discovered that neither his system nor his mind space could replicate or duplicate the Dao inside the treasure. However, this didn¡¯t mean he couldn¡¯t harness its power. By testing the system¡¯s "Absorb" function on the Yin Essence Vein, he found that it worked, allowing him to draw in the Dao essence to strengthen his main system. Despite this success, Hengsheng decided to put this process on hold before Yin Essence Vein was fully absorbed. He had a greater plan in mind for this discovery. From the knowledge he had gained about basic runes, formations, and artifact crafting¡ªthough far from mastering these skills¡ªhe came up with a bold idea. His goal was to craft a new main system, one unbound or less bound by the limitations of his own energy and knowledge. The foundation of this system would be the seven Dao fragments derived from heaven and earth, which he would use as its core. By doing this, he intended to make the world itself act as the power source to run the system. If successful, his creation would become the True cheat. Of course, this all hinged on whether he could bring his ambitious plan to fruition. During their treasure-seeking journey, Yunsu proved invaluable. Her special sense as Spirit Beast to detect areas of high Qi density from afar often guided them to locations with high-level treasures. The first Divine-grade treasure they found was a divine branch radiating a vibrant aura of life. Hengsheng didn¡¯t recognize its name, but it carried the same Dao resonance he felt from the Yin Essence Vein.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. This branch was located deep within the endless forest, growing on one of the tallest trees in the region. The tree itself emanated an aura even more potent than that of Divine-grade treasures Hengsheng had felt from the Yin Essence vein. He tried to recall From his knowledge, he realized this Tree had a sign that would soon awaken consciousness and become a Spirit Tree¡ªa rare existence akin to a Spirit Beast but even rarer almost myth. Surrounding the tree, numerous demon beasts had gathered. Surprisingly, they weren¡¯t fighting each other; instead, they simply lingered near the tree, basking in the benefits of its aura. Hengsheng avoided any unnecessary conflict. Spotting a fallen branch on the ground, he simply picked it up and left without engaging the beasts. After a week of traveling, Hengsheng left the endless forest and continued his journey. He discovered a second treasure atop a rocky mountain similar to the one his Lan clan had used as a base, but this mountain was far taller. Its peak was bathed in golden light emanating from a glowing pillar that seemed to have existed for countless years. At the summit, he found a radiant stone emitting a warm, vibrant aura that he assumed carried Yang Qi. As Hengsheng continued his journey, this process repeated several times. Along the way, he fought off demon beasts that attacked him and sought treasures scattered across the terrain. It took him one and a half years to locate treasures aligned with Wood, Yang, Fire, Water, and Metal elements. These were easier to find, as they were tied to distinct terrains: the endless forest, a towering rocky mountain, a blazing volcano, the Liquid Metal Lake, and a massive mountain range that seemed impossible to collapse unless made entirely of metal. However, finding an Earth-aligned Divine-grade treasure proved far more challenging. Unlike the others, it wasn¡¯t marked by any clear features, and Yunsu¡¯s senses couldn¡¯t detect it either. Hengsheng spent half a year wandering aimlessly before finally stumbling upon a barren, muddy plain. The plain was eerily lifeless, with no activity above ground. Despite its desolation, Hengsheng¡¯s instincts told him it was hiding something valuable. When he stepped into the muddy terrain, the ground acted like quicksand, threatening to swallow him with every misstep. Fortunately, his mastery of the Thousand Motion Art proved critical in navigating the terrain. Using its precise movements, he avoided being pulled under and gradually made his way to the plain''s center. There, he found the source of the plain¡¯s unusual nature¡ªa massive stone that sent rippling waves through the surrounding ground, making the soil soft and unstable. Over time, these ripples had transformed the entire area into a muddy expanse. Hengsheng quickly broke off a piece of the stone, securing the treasure, and carefully made his way back. Three days later, Hengsheng finally reached solid ground, exhausted but relieved. Once he recovered, he began planning his next move. He decided to return to the Lan Clan base to stabilize his cultivation and attempt a breakthrough into the Spiritual Foundation Realm. During his journey, he hadn¡¯t only traveled but also cultivated whenever he had the chance. Now, he was already at the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm, having opened all 512 meridians. The result of this cultivation was as astonishing as when he first chose to practice the Vast Meridian Refinement Art. His spiritual Qi reserves were immense¡ªmore than fifty cultivators of his realm combined. While his spiritual Qi wasn¡¯t as refined or potent as others, the sheer quantity, coupled with his precise control, made him no less formidable. Even compared to a Golden Sword Sect disciple he had encountered on the first day before entering the secret land, Hengsheng felt confident he was stronger. It wasn¡¯t just Hengsheng who had grown. Yunsu had also reached the peak of Rank 2 and required a safe place to undergo a breakthrough to Rank 3. Her bloodline evolution had reached a ridiculous point. Due to her Infinite Evolution trait, ordinary bloodline essence was no longer sufficient for her continued evolution. She would now need more powerful sources to extract and advance further. Before heading back to the Lan Clan base, Hengsheng opened his status screen to reflect on both his and Yunsu¡¯s progress one last time. [Status] Name: Lan Hengsheng Race: Human Age: 20 Spirit Core: System Neutral Spirit Core {Earth} Cultivation Realm: Peak Stage Qi Gathering {100%} Qi Cultivation Method: Vast Meridian Refinement Art [Attributes]: Special Traits: Mind Space, Super Spirit Body, Vast Meridian {512/512} Qi Techniques: Auxiliary Systems Capacity {100/100%}: [System Points]: {1,000/1,000 Points} [Absorb] [Upgrade]
[Status] Name: Yunsu Race: Spirit Beast [Domestic Cat] Age: 2 Bloodline: Myriad Devourer, Five Agents Affinity: Neutral, Shadow, Yin, Yang, Wood, Fire, Water, Metal, Earth. Cultivation Realm: Rank 2 {100%} Special Traits: Infinite Evolution, Myriad Devour, Spirit nourishes, Five Phases Chapter 36 - Abnormal! Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh! Hengsheng raced through the endless forest, his speed akin to a train tearing through the wilderness. The wind howled against his ears, leaves rustled in his wake, and the faint echo of snapping branches accompanied his every stride. It had been a month since he began his journey back to the Lan Clan base, determined to not waste any time. He had ignored the urge to explore and instead pressed forward with singular focus. Now, as he entered the dense greenery of the endless forest, he felt a surge of hope¡ªhis destination was close. But something was off. He slowed his pace, his sharp eyes narrowing as unease crept up his spine. The forest, typically brimming with life, was unnaturally quiet. The usual sounds of chirping birds and rustling foliage were absent, replaced by an oppressive silence that seemed to blanket the entire area. Hengsheng¡¯s steps faltered, his instincts screaming that something was wrong. "Too quiet," he muttered under his breath. Ordinarily, demon beasts would have already challenged him at least once, but he hadn¡¯t encountered a single one in the past hour. Not even the faintest trace of their presence lingered in the air. With a frown, Hengsheng closed his eyes and extended his senses. He willed his Spirit Bodies to materialize, four translucent forms shimmering as they floated out of him and shot in different directions. Thanks to his cultivation at the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm, each Spirit Body could now travel up to a kilometer away from him, allowing him to scour the area thoroughly. Even as he ran, his Spirit Bodies weaved through the dense forest, inspecting every shadow and corner. The soft rustle of leaves and occasional creak of ancient trees filled the air, but there was no sign of life. After an hour of fruitless searching, Hengsheng came to a halt, his breathing steady yet heavy with suspicion. "This isn¡¯t normal," he muttered, his brows furrowing deeply. The absence of any demon beast wasn¡¯t just unusual¡ªit was alarming. His mind raced with possibilities, but none of them brought him comfort. His base wasn¡¯t far from here, and leaving this abnormality unchecked could spell trouble for the Lan Clan. As he pondered, a sudden movement broke his thoughts. Yunsu, perched on his shoulder, stirred uneasily. The normally calm and collected cat was sniffing the air frantically, her gray fur standing on end. She let out a low hiss, her ears flattened, and her five-colored fur shimmered faintly as her agitation grew. "Yunsu, what¡¯s wrong?" Hengsheng asked, his tone tense. The feline hissed again, tapping her nose repeatedly with her paw as if trying to convey something. "A bad smell?" Hengsheng guessed, his frown deepening. Yunsu gave a sharp meow in response, her tail lashing in irritation. Hengsheng felt a wave of helplessness wash over him. He heightened his senses to their peak, straining to detect whatever Yunsu had sensed, but there was nothing¡ªno sound, no movement, no scent beyond the earthy aroma of the forest. "This doesn¡¯t make sense," he murmured, frustration creeping into his voice. "Let¡¯s head to the Divine Tree. If something¡¯s wrong, the answer might be there." Adjusting his direction slightly, Hengsheng set his sights on the center of the forest. His movements slowed to a cautious pace, each step deliberate and measured. The towering trees seemed to close in around him, their ancient trunks casting long shadows under the dim canopy. A heavy tension hung in the air, pressing down on him like an invisible weight. Hengsheng¡¯s hand instinctively hovered near his weapon as he advanced. Whatever was happening here, he was determined to uncover it¡ªbefore it reached the Lan Clan. As he continues deep inside the center of the endless forest he starts to find Traces of battle that seem to have happened long ago since nature seemed to recover it if he had not looked for a clue he might not have noticed it despite traces of battle all around he did not find a single drop of blood or corpse of demon beast at all it was like it being clean up after the battle end "this is cultivator doing?" Hengsheng thought the abnormality happening here might be caused by cultivator-only humans that have many weird methods to kill or cause something like this the demon beast is never doing this since they are all simply fighting for natural treasure or territory not doing mass disappear like this.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Soon, Hengsheng reached the open plain in the heart of the forest, where the towering Divine Tree stood proudly. The sight that greeted him stopped him in his tracks. Surrounding the tree was a massive gathering of demon beasts¡ªthousands of them, at least ten thousand from countless species, sprawled across the area. Hengsheng¡¯s eyes widened in shock. The last time he visited this place, only a few hundred of the strongest demon beasts dared to occupy the sacred ground near the Divine Tree. But now, the sheer number was overwhelming, a vast sea of beasts of all shapes and sizes. As he appeared on the edge of the clearing, several demon beasts noticed him. Their heads turned in unison, and a few growled or roared in surprise, their eyes locking onto him. Some with humanoid limbs raised their hands or paws to point in his direction, but oddly, none of them showed any signs of aggression. Hengsheng frowned, his confusion mounting. "What is this? A secret party of demon beasts?" he muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he tried to make sense of the bizarre sight. He stood at the edge of the plain, his thoughts racing. What could have caused such an unprecedented gathering? However, before he could dwell on it further, the situation took a drastic turn. The previously subdued murmurs and growls of the beasts suddenly transformed into a deafening uproar. Roars, screams, and howls filled the air, all directed at him. Yunsu, perched on his shoulder, leapt off with a startled hiss, her fur bristling. Hengsheng¡¯s instincts screamed at him, and he reacted without hesitation. His body tensed as he jumped away from his position, flipping mid-air just as a deafening "Boom!" erupted from where he had been standing moments ago. The ground cracked and splintered under the force of the impact. He landed gracefully several meters away, his heart pounding in his chest. His sharp gaze snapped to the source of the attack¡ªand froze in horror. Emerging from the shadows was a grotesque monstrosity that defied logic and nature. Its massive body stretched over a hundred meters long, lacking a head but consisting of a writhing mass of veiny, pulsating flesh. Hundreds of twisted, claw-tipped, hand-like legs writhed and twitched unnaturally, jerking and grasping at the air in a chaotic rhythm. Bulbous, unblinking eyes were scattered across its grotesque form, each darting independently, oozing sickly black ichor that streaked its mottled skin. Twisted and malformed mouths were scattered across its body, snapping and gnawing at nothing. From those mouths came an unholy cacophony¡ªa symphony of guttural growls, haunting whispers, and bone-chilling screams that seemed to pierce the soul. The air around it shimmered and warped as if reality itself was being bent under its unnatural presence. An oppressive dread gripped Hengsheng¡¯s heart, making each breath feel heavy and labored. He shuddered, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°What in the heavens¡­ is this abomination?¡± It didn¡¯t feel like any demon beast Hengsheng had encountered before¡ªnot remotely. There was no trace of spiritual Qi emanating from it, yet the sheer force of its earlier attack left no doubt about its power. Hengsheng quickly assessed its strength¡ªit was easily comparable to a Spiritual Foundation Realm cultivator. Perched on his shoulder, Yunsu leapt back onto him, her fur bristling as she hissed furiously at the creature. Despite her usual courage, Hengsheng could feel her fear radiating from her small body. The monstrosity suddenly lunged at him again, its grotesque limbs flailing. Hengsheng acted on instinct, leaping backward as he gathered Qi into his palm and launched an attack. "Pakk!" The Qi strike landed, tearing apart a chunk of its flesh in an explosion of grotesque matter. However, Hengsheng didn¡¯t relax. His sharp gaze swept across the scene, noting how the ten thousand demon beasts surrounding the Divine Tree reacted. They screamed and roared in fear, darting around the tree in panicked chaos. None of them, however, dared to leave the Divine Tree¡¯s protective aura, their terror directed solely at this monster. Just as he expected, the creature¡¯s shredded flesh began to writhe and regenerate almost instantly. Within moments, the gaping wounds mended themselves, and the monstrosity surged at him once more. "Boom!" The ground shattered as the creature¡¯s massive limb slammed into it, narrowly missing Hengsheng as he dodged. He retaliated with a relentless barrage of Qi blasts, each strike hitting its mark with thunderous explosions. Boom! Boom! Boom! The creature¡¯s flesh was torn apart repeatedly, pieces of its grotesque body flying in all directions. Yunsu, now standing on his shoulder with her hind legs, joined the assault. She swiped her claws through the air, unleashing five-colored Qi slashes that ripped into the monstrosity, carving it apart piece by piece. Shing! Shing! Shing! For a full minute, Hengsheng and Yunsu unleashed their unrelenting assault. The creature¡¯s body was reduced to a mangled, unrecognizable mess. Hengsheng leapt back to assess the damage, his chest heaving from exertion. But the scene before him deepened his frown. The monstrosity¡¯s shredded body began to squirm and knit itself back together. In a mere ten seconds, it had fully regenerated, its grotesque form restored to its original state. Hengsheng¡¯s eyes narrowed, and his voice dropped to a murmur. ¡°Is it¡­ immortal?¡± Chapter 37 - Fight Abomination! After the monster regenerated, it wasted no time and launched its massive, writhing body at Hengsheng with a speed far greater than before. Hengsheng reacted instantly, dodging to the side¡ªbut it was too fast. One of the mouths on its grotesque body latched onto his left foot. "Ah!" A sharp, searing pain shot through him as he heard the sickening crunch of bone. His left foot was ripped clean off. Gritting his teeth, Hengsheng channeled Qi to halt the bleeding and stabilize himself mid-air. He landed far from the creature, barely maintaining his balance. His eyes burned with fury as he watched the monster chew on his severed foot, its rows of jagged teeth cracking the bones like brittle twigs. His anger surged to an unprecedented peak. ¡°HOW DARE YOU EAT MY FOOT! I¡¯LL KILL YOU!¡± he roared, his voice echoing across the plain. As he seethed, the monster swallowed the remnants of his foot. To Hengsheng¡¯s horror, new clawed legs sprouted from its grotesque body, growing longer and more twisted than the others. ¡°What the hell is that?!¡± Hengsheng¡¯s shock turned to determination. He knew close combat was no longer an option¡ªgetting within its reach again would be suicide. He quickly switched tactics, gathering Qi into his palms and launching a barrage of long-range attacks. Boom! Boom! Boom! Each strike hit its mark, tearing apart chunks of the creature¡¯s fleshy mass. Despite its terrifying attack power, the monster''s body wasn¡¯t particularly durable; a single Qi blast could blow large portions of it apart. But no matter how much damage Hengsheng inflicted, it kept regenerating. Not even a sign of weakness. ¡°This¡­ this thing is immortal!¡± he muttered in disbelief. His mind churned. Even immortal cultivators¡ªthose who lived as long as the heavens and earth¡ªwere not unkillable, ways they could be killed. But this monster? Its power was nowhere near that of an immortal, yet it seemed completely unkillable. The sheer absurdity of it left him deeply unsettled. Hengsheng continued his relentless assault, bombarding the monstrosity with Qi blasts to keep it at bay. But he knew he couldn¡¯t keep this up forever. His stamina was draining, and the creature showed no signs of slowing down. Realizing he needed to retreat, Hengsheng turned and dashed toward the Divine Tree. The monster screeched, sensing his attempt to flee. In a horrifying display, it detonated chunks of its own body, sending a rain of flesh hurtling toward him. Hengsheng¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°It can do that?!¡± He dodged frantically as the fleshy projectiles slammed into the ground, cratering the earth. One small piece managed to graze his arm. He felt it immediately¡ªan alien presence burrowing into his flesh. ¡°Damn it!¡± Without hesitation, Hengsheng ripped off the skin from his own arm where the monster¡¯s piece had latched on, tossing it away before it could dig deeper. The pain was excruciating, but he couldn¡¯t let the monster invade his body. Clenching his jaw, he sprinted faster toward the Divine Tree. As he neared the tree, the air grew calm and soothing. Just as the monster lunged after him, he entered the Divine Tree¡¯s protective aura. The moment it crossed into the tree¡¯s energy field, a deafening roar of pain erupted from its countless mouths. Its grotesque body recoiled violently, unable to bear the tree¡¯s divine aura. Hengsheng collapsed to his knees, panting heavily. Safe, at least for now. His sharp eyes watched as the monster slithered back, retreating to gather its scattered flesh. Once its body reformed, it began to twist and contort. To Hengsheng¡¯s surprise, the creature compressed itself, its massive bulk thinning into a long, slim, spaghetti-like form. ¡°What¡­ is it doing now?¡± The grotesque form slithered toward the ground, finding a narrow gap in the earth. Like a serpent, it slipped into the crevice and disappeared from sight, leaving behind an eerie silence.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Hengsheng collapsed to the ground, his breathing ragged. Yunsu stayed by his side, gently licking his raw, bloody, skinless arm. Her saliva, imbued with the healing properties of the Five Phases, worked to mend his wounds. He glanced at the other demon beasts. With the monster gone, they seemed unfazed, lazily returning to their spots near the Divine Tree as if nothing had happened. They had completely forgotten about him. ¡°I need to deal with this wound first,¡± Hengsheng muttered, gritting his teeth. He pulled a healing pill from his space ring, popped it into his mouth, and waited for it to take effect. As the pill dissolved, a soothing warmth spread through his body, sending waves of gentle Qi to his injuries. Though his arm was still grotesque, it started to regenerate, with a thin layer of new skin slowly covering the exposed flesh. But when Hengsheng glanced at his left foot, his mood darkened. It was gone¡ªcompletely severed. He shook his head in frustration. No pill or treasure in his possession could restore a lost limb. ¡°I can¡¯t stay like this,¡± he said through clenched teeth. Hengsheng made a quick decision, he uninstalled his Simulator System. With a thought, he entered his mind space, where he immediately began crafting a new system tailored to this crisis. ¡°The monster¡¯s recovery ability¡­ it¡¯s the real problem,¡± he mused as he worked. ¡°No matter how many times I destroy it, it just regenerates like it¡¯s immortal. And I didn''t sense Qi from it at all¡ªjust that strange, oppressive aura surrounding it. Whatever is making it unkillable, it¡¯s tied to its insane regenerative power. If I can strip that away...¡± His fingers flew as he constructed the framework of his new system. Ding! Life Stealer System {75%} installed. As the system was installed, a massive amount of Hengsheng¡¯s Qi was consumed, and the drain was almost overwhelming. This new system, built with the same capacity as his super useful Scenario Simulation System, had a single, devastating purpose to steal the monster¡¯s life force. Hengsheng smirked darkly. He couldn¡¯t wait to see if the creature could still crawl back after losing the very essence that sustained it. With a faint grin, he placed Yunsu gently on the ground. ¡°You wait here. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± Yunsu swung her tail, letting out a soft, obedient ¡°Meow¡­¡± before sitting down, her eyes never leaving him. Hengsheng stepped out of the protective aura of the Divine Tree. Almost immediately, the monster rose from where it had lain dormant, its grotesque form twitching to life. But Hengsheng didn¡¯t flinch. He activated his system. Ding! [Target locked.] With the target locked, the system¡¯s function was clear: any damage Hengsheng inflicted would steal the monster¡¯s life force, nullify its regeneration, and convert the stolen energy into his own recovery. ¡°Let¡¯s see how you handle this,¡± Hengsheng muttered as he raised his hand, gathering a massive amount of Qi. He channeled every ounce of his strength into his Qi Surge Cannon, unleashing it from afar. Boom!¡ªDoom! The attack landed with devastating force, obliterating the monster¡¯s grotesque body. The ground shook, and a cloud of dust and debris filled the air. Hengsheng didn¡¯t rush in¡ªhe waited, his sharp eyes fixed on the aftermath, ready to confirm whether the creature had truly been destroyed. As the dust settled, Hengsheng¡¯s heart sank. The monster wasn¡¯t recovering¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t dead either. Worse, the parts of its body that had been blown apart didn¡¯t return to the main mass. Instead, they began to twist and writhe on their own, each severed piece forming into a new, smaller monstrosity. Within moments, the once singular abomination had multiplied into a swarm of over a hundred smaller versions, each just as grotesque as the original. Hengsheng stared at the scene in stunned silence, his mind racing. His expression darkened. ¡°What the hell is this¡­? A horror movie?¡± The plain that had once held a single monstrous threat now teemed with countless nightmares, their countless unblinking eyes and gnashing mouths all fixed on him. Hengsheng couldn¡¯t help but groan inwardly. Why did this monster always manage to turn the worst possibilities into reality? Hengsheng immediately bolted back into the protective aura of the Divine Tree. His heart pounded as he turned to look behind him, only to see the swarm of monsters retreating into the gaps and crevices of the earth. A chill ran down his spine. He couldn¡¯t leave now¡ªnot with those abominations lurking, ready to ambush him the moment he stepped outside. Without hesitation, he quickly uninstalled the useless Life Stealer System. ¡°What a scam!¡± he muttered, blaming the innocent system for the disaster, conveniently ignoring that it was his own overconfidence that caused the mess. ¡°At least I got my foot back,¡± he grumbled, glancing down at his fully restored leg. Although the system had caused an ultimate failure, it hadn¡¯t been a total loss. The life force he¡¯d stolen had been enough to regenerate his limb¡ªa small consolation for the chaos he¡¯d unleashed. As Hengsheng caught his breath, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder how such a monster could exist in a cultivation world. ¡°This thing doesn¡¯t make sense,¡± he muttered to himself, frowning deeply. ¡°It¡¯s like its existence follows a different set of rules entirely...¡± A sudden flash of Enlightened struck him, and his gaze shifted to the towering Divine Tree. ¡°Wait a moment...¡± he muttered, narrowing his eyes. ¡°How does your aura hurt that monster? Is it because of... Dao Rhythm?¡± Chapter 38 - Dao Rhythm! Hengsheng stared at the Divine Tree, his curiosity deepening with every moment. This tree was undoubtedly more precious than any ordinary divine-grade treasure. Even every branch and leaf of the tree glowed faintly, radiating an aura that rivaled or surpassed treasures of the divine grade. He didn¡¯t know what grade could exceed "divine," but the aura this tree exuded was unmistakably imbued with Dao rhythm more than normal divine should be able to. ¡°It has to be the Dao rhythm in its aura that hurts that monster,¡± Hengsheng muttered, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the situation. The tree¡¯s aura wasn¡¯t something an ordinary divine-grade treasure could produce. From what he understood, the release of such an aura suggested that the tree was undergoing a Dao Blessing. This rare phenomenon occurs when a tree reaches an incredibly old age¡ªlikely over a thousand years¡ªand is nurtured in a high-density Qi environment. Once the process is complete, the tree awakens consciousness and transforms into a Spirit Tree capable of embarking on the path of cultivation. Hengsheng¡¯s gaze softened as he examined the massive tree. The higher the tree¡¯s grade before its transformation, the greater its innate talent would be as a Spirit Tree. Judging by the purity and strength of its aura, this tree was destined to become a heavenly-defying talent cultivator once it awakened. ¡°Just imagine,¡± he murmured to himself, ¡°a tree like this as a cultivator¡­ it''s absurd.¡± Yet, despite his fascination with the Divine Tree, his thoughts soon returned to the monstrosity lurking outside the tree¡¯s protective aura. The creature was unlike anything he had ever encountered in this world. Hengsheng frowned as unease crept into his mind. ¡°Why didn¡¯t the First Elder warn me about something like this?¡± he muttered under his breath. If it had been another member of the Lan Clan instead of him¡ªsomeone less experienced, someone who hadn¡¯t faced death countless times through the Simulator¡ªthey would¡¯ve been doomed the moment they encountered that thing. At least now he understood that the monster was weak against Dao. But that knowledge offered little comfort. Hengsheng had no way of utilizing Dao himself. Dao power was exclusive to cultivators in the Dao Threshold Realm, far beyond his current level. A low-rank cultivator like him lacked the soul strength necessary to comprehend, much less wield, Dao power. He grimaced at the thought. ¡°Maybe a divine-ranked offensive treasure could kill it,¡± he reasoned aloud, ¡°since those contain traces of Dao power.¡± But, of course, he didn¡¯t have one of those either. Time dragged on as Hengsheng wracked his brain for a solution, but nothing seemed feasible. Every option to deal with the monster felt utterly out of reach. If there truly was no way to defeat it, then fleeing might be his only choice. Fortunately, escape was a realistic option for him. Hengsheng was confident he was faster than the creature, and he had plenty of methods at his disposal¡ªespecially if he crafted a system specifically for the task. Yet, the thought of fleeing left a bitter taste in his mouth. The memory of the monster eating his foot gnawed at his pride. His anger burned hotter. He couldn¡¯t let that insult go unanswered. Hengsheng¡¯s eyes shifted back to the Divine Tree. A bold idea took root in his mind. Perhaps he could use this opportunity to try to comprehend the Dao. Since his soul is not from this world maybe it can give him an advantage in the Dao comprehension area who knows? With a resolute nod, he picked up Yunsu, who purred softly in his arms. As he walked through the group of demon beasts lounging around the tree, a few growled at him, as if he had disturbed their peace. Yet none of them dared to act, as they all seemed preoccupied with their own fear of the monster. They, like Hengsheng, were seeking refuge under the Divine Tree¡¯s protective aura. Eventually, Hengsheng reached the base of the tree trunk. It was so massive that even a hundred men working together could hardly encircle it with their arms. He placed his hand on the bark, its surface humming faintly with an ancient and vibrant aura. Leaning against the trunk, Hengsheng sat cross-legged and closed his eyes. He focused all his senses on the aura emanating from the tree, hoping to glean some insight. The warmth of the air brushed against his skin, calming his mind. His ears caught the faint symphony of nature¡ªthe rustling of leaves, the hum of insects on the ground. Strangely, he even smelled sunlight, which was odd considering there was no actual sun here, only the golden pillar radiating light above.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. An hour passed, yet nothing resembling "enlightenment" came to him. His body and mind felt nurtured by the tree¡¯s aura, leaving him in an almost euphoric state of relaxation. However, as far as comprehending the Dao was concerned, he had achieved nothing. Hengsheng opened his eyes and shook his head. ¡°This is not the way for me,¡± he admitted, a wry smile forming on his lips. He wasn¡¯t the type of genius who could suddenly enter an enlightened state just by sitting still and attempting to connect with nature. Frowning, he muttered, ¡°Let¡¯s get back to the basics.¡± He tried to recall what he had been taught in his clan. But to his frustration, even his elders never really explained what the Dao truly was. It always seemed like an abstract concept, something people used to justify their actions or beliefs. "For me," Hengsheng thought, "the Dao is just the laws or rules of the world. But then¡­ why not just call it ''Law''? Like the Law of Fire or the Law of Water? Wouldn''t that make it easier to understand?" He continued mulling over the idea, dissecting the concept of Dao and its relationship to the laws of the universe. But the more he thought about it, the more questions he had. For example, why was there something like the Dao of the Sword? If Dao were just the universal laws, did that mean the universe itself wielded a weapon? Does the universe have the Dao of System? na it was unlikely The absurdity of the thought made him pause and shake his head. From all the fragments of thought swirling in his mind, Hengsheng managed to grasp one thing; the Dao couldn¡¯t be fully explained through words or texts. This was likely why only cultivators with powerful souls could begin to comprehend its meaning. Another realization struck him¡ªDao was unique to every individual. While it might reflect universal principles, its interpretation was deeply personal. ¡°So it¡¯s not just about the unchanging laws of the universe,¡± Hengsheng murmured, his voice soft with revelation. ¡°It¡¯s the Way to align oneself with the universe''s laws.¡± Hengsheng closed his eyes once more and entered the stage of Enlightenment. If Dao truly was the Way, then all he had to do was follow his beliefs, embrace what he excelled at, and pursue the image of himself that he aspired to be, to the point he was willing to die to do so. With that thought, he entered his mind space again. However, this time it wasn¡¯t entirely disconnected from the real world¡ªhe could still feel its presence faintly. It was the Heavenly Dao, responding to his invitation. In this mind space, Hengsheng was omnipotent. Here, he could do whatever he wished. And if that principle applied to his mind space, then one day, it could apply to the real world as well. Maybe not today, maybe not in a million years, but it would happen. His resolve solidified as he declared aloud. "I am Lan Hengsheng, the System Maker. Whether a System Dao exists in this world or not, I do not know¡ªbut if it does not, then I shall forge it with my own hands. Step by step, I will refine it, perfect it, and walk this path to its peak. The road to immortality is long, filled with hardship and unknown trials. I do not claim to be invincible, nor do I seek to challenge the heavens without cause. But if fate stands against me, I will not retreat. If obstacles block my path, I will overcome them. If the world refuses to acknowledge my Dao, then I will prove its worth through my own strength. This is my path, my will, my destiny. No matter how far I must go, I will not falter." As his declaration echoed within his mind space, the presence of the Heavenly Dao responded. Seven-colored clouds swirled into the shape of a massive, all-seeing eye, emerging within his mind space. Its overwhelming power was undeniable, but here, Hengsheng was supreme. The presence of the Heavenly Dao couldn¡¯t diminish him in any way. The swirling clouds roared, but not in anger at his audacious declaration. Instead, they demanded proof. Hengsheng understood instantly. With a casual wave of his hand, a blue sphere materialized before him¡ªit was Blue! the System Administrator Core, the heart of his creations. The Heavenly Dao examined it with curiosity, and after a moment of silent observation, it roared once again. This time, however, it wasn¡¯t a roar of challenge or defiance, but one of approval and blessing. A radiant seven-colored light descended from the swirling clouds. No, it wasn¡¯t just seven colors¡ªthat was merely what human eyes could perceive. In truth, the light contained all spectrums thread that waved into the fabric of reality, interwoven into a vibrant and visible cascade that illuminated his entire mind space. Hengsheng¡¯s mind, omnipotent within this domain, instantly understood the blessing¡¯s nature. It was a sample of the cultivation world¡¯s laws, a reward for showcasing his creation. As the Heavenly Dao¡¯s presence withdrew to where it came, Hengsheng waved his hand, gathering the cascading light into a condensed form¡ªa glowing sphere of seven colors. A triumphant smile appeared on his face. With this as a foundation, he could later use it to forge the Dao of Systems. "The path is clear," Hengsheng murmured, his voice filled with determination. Chapter 39 - Dao Heart! The Immortal Realm lies in the central regions of the Eastern multiverse. It is unimaginably vast, spanning an area as immense as billions of galaxies combined. This realm is so grand that even True Immortals would require trillions of years to traverse its entirety. For those who have achieved immortality in the Outer Regions yet still seek to advance along the Dao path, this is the ultimate destination, a land of infinite opportunities and dangers. The Realm is old beyond ancient, having existed since the creation of the Omniverse itself. It is home to countless powerful immortal cultivators, many of whom far surpass True Immortals in strength. These cultivators, with their mastery over profound Daos and boundless power, were capable shape the course of the Eastern multiverse itself. From the First Era to the present day, this realm has been a hub of unparalleled power, dominated by countless factions such as the Heavenly Court, the Taoist sects, and the Primordial Demon Clans. These groups wield incomprehensible authority, their influence stretching across the vast expanse of the Eastern multiverse. Even the smallest conflicts among these factions have the potential to shake worlds and cause countless realms to fall. Today, however, change is brewing. The Stream of Destiny¡ªa metaphysical flow governing the fates of all existence¡ªhas shown signs of a monumental shift, large enough to ripple across the whole eastern multiverse. Cultivators powerful enough to perceive the changes in heaven and earth are stunned. Such phenomena are rare and herald the dawn of a new era. These shifts can bring unprecedented opportunities or catastrophic disasters. The last time a change of this magnitude occurred, a great eon ago, it marked the birth of the Writer, the most powerful entity of the Omniverse until the current era. The Writer, whose very presence reshaped the balance of existence, rose to unmatched prominence. Fortunately for the Eastern multiverse, the Writer¡¯s emergence happened in the Central multiverse and had a minimal impact here, sparing the region from his transformative influence. Now, all the mighty cultivators of the Immortal Realm have turned their focus to the Stream of Destiny, employing countless methods to divine the nature of this change. Immense formations powered by ancient treasures, the collective efforts of heavenly diviners, and even the insights of ancient oracles have been brought to bear. Despite knowing that heaven rarely reveals secrets of such magnitude, they persist with tireless determination. Soon, a single answer emerges, spreading like wildfire through the realm "Dao Creator." The title "Dao Creator" causes waves of confusion and unease among the Immortal Realm¡¯s elite. While very rare, this title is not unheard of¡ªsuch beings were more common in the early eras of the Immortal realm creation. A Dao Creator is someone who forges a new path of cultivation, creating a new Dao that will strengthen the foundation of the Heavenly Dao Law to a certain degree. Just one more new Dao Creator should not be able to cause a change of this magnitude, yet it has happened. There are only two possible explanations either the one who caused the change only happens to be a Dao Creator, or the new Dao to emerge is potent enough to affect the Stream of Destiny itself. This uncertainty leaves even the most ancient and wise cultivators unsettled. Either way, they are certain of one thing¡ªunlike last time, when the change occurred far away from them, this time the one causing the change is a cultivator within the eastern regions. This realization sends ripples of tension and urgency through the Immortal Realm. The great factions, from the Heavenly Court to the non-faction individual, begin to lay plans of their own. schemes are set in motion, as every group seeks to secure its position in this rapidly shifting world. The new era is about to begin.
Lan Hengsheng POV Hengsheng opened his eyes, observing his surroundings before glancing up at the golden clouds of the secret land there is no sign of Heavenly Dao being here. Everything seemed calm and normal in the real world, with no noticeable changes. He looked down at himself, feeling no obvious transformation. Despite following his instincts earlier, his efforts appeared fruitless in the real world if looked at with the naked eye. Even though he hadn¡¯t enlightened Dao or gained the power of a Dao, he had awakened something deep within his Sea of Thoughts¡ªhis Dao Heart.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. It is the Will to pursue one¡¯s own path, it''s the unshakable determination that defines a cultivator¡¯s path. It is a force so resolute and intent that, when strong enough, it can influence and even reshape the Law of reality itself¡ªthe very foundation every cultivator needs if they seek to achieve Dao and attain immortality. With this realization, Hengsheng released his Dao Heart. Instantly, the aura around him shifted, and his spiritual Qi began vibrating at a frequency that felt like it was ready to connect with Heaven and Earth, drawing him closer to comprehending the Dao. In this state, Hengsheng felt his strength surge tenfold, though he couldn¡¯t pinpoint how. But before long, his body and mind struggled under the immense weight of bearing Heaven and Earth¡¯s aura, forcing him to pull his Dao Heart back into his Sea of Thoughts. ¡°This is incredible,¡± Hengsheng thought, a glint of determination in his eyes. With this newfound power, he felt confident that he could hurt the monster with his Dao heart power like the divine tree aura did, but killing it¡­ let''s see. But Hengsheng was in no rush to test his Dao heart power on the monster. Instead, he focused on comprehending what had occurred earlier. The Heavenly Dao had given him a sample of the cultivation world''s laws¡ªthe fundamental essence of all Laws in this world. In his mind space, he could see through and fully comprehend them, knowing their immense potential and how they could benefit him in the real world. However, upon returning to reality, all that understanding had vanished entirely. This didn¡¯t surprise him. In the mind space, he was a supreme being, but in the real world, he was merely a low-rank cultivator. His current existence couldn¡¯t grasp something so profound, let alone retain it. Yet, he wasn¡¯t disheartened. While he couldn¡¯t utilize this understanding of cultivation world law now, he was confident that when his strength reached the level required to retain an understanding of Dao, he would make full use of it¡ªespecially in forging the Dao of System, his ultimate path as a Cultivator and as a System maker. ¡°Meow¡­¡± Yunsu¡¯s soft cry pulled Hengsheng from his thoughts. He turned to her, meeting her unchanging, emotionless cat face. Yet, through their connection, he understood her meaning. She could sense the change in his heart and mind and asked if he was alright. ¡°I¡¯m fine, kitty. Just had a little moment of brilliance,¡± Hengsheng said, grinning as he rubbed the top of her fluffy head. ¡°Nothing you need to worry about.¡± ¡°Meow?¡± The little spirit beast tilted her head, her curious gaze practically asking, Are you sure about that? Hengsheng chuckled, leaning closer. ¡°Oh, what¡¯s that look for? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re doubting me now.¡± He poked her nose lightly, earning a twitch of her ears. ¡°I just had some insight into my Dao Heart. Nothing fancy, really.¡± ¡°Meow!¡± She batted his hand away with her paw, as if to say, Explain yourself better! ¡°Alright, alright,¡± he relented with a laugh. ¡°Dao Heart¡¯s just a human thing, okay? You wouldn¡¯t get it. Spirit beasts like you don¡¯t need it. You¡¯ve got your bloodline and instincts to do all the work for you.¡± ¡°Meoooww,¡± she replied, puffing up her chest proudly, her tail flicking as if to say, Obviously. ¡°Ah, I see! So confident,¡± he teased, scratching behind her ears. ¡°Fine, when your bloodline strengthens, your Dao Heart will probably be strong enough to knock down the heavens.¡± ¡°Meow,¡± she purred smugly, leaning into his touch, her eyes gleaming with playful arrogance. He chuckled, gently petting her as her soft purr rewarded his affection. Hengsheng couldn''t help but marvel at her simplicity. Animals, unlike humans, were pure and uncomplicated. They brought him a sense of safety¡ªa rare comfort in the chaos of his cultivation journey. Hengsheng played with Yunsu for a while, enjoying the moment of relaxation. Soon, his mind settled, and he felt ready to continue his journey. However, his first task was to get his Simulator System back online. It had always been the most effective and useful system he had created, and now, with the sample of the cultivation world''s laws stored within his mind space, the systems he created would achieve 100% synchronization with the real world. From this point forward, there would be no more uncertainty about a system''s effects or whether its outcomes would align with his expectations. He could test everything inside his mind space as if it were the real world. This development ensured that every system he created would operate at maximum potential, leaving no room for failure, and no waste of system space capacity. Hengsheng entered his mind space and began upgrading the Scenario Simulation System to an entirely new level. With his eyes closed, he focused on the intricate details of his creation, refining every aspect. Soon, he completed his work. Ding! Life Simulator System {100%} installed. Chapter 40 - Life Simulator System! Hengsheng sat cross-legged under the divine tree, closing his eyes to recover his spiritual Qi. Installing the system had drained his spiritual Qi at an alarming rate¡ªfar more than any of the systems he had created before. This time was especially taxing, as the Life Simulator System was undoubtedly the most potent and profound system he had ever created. Even the main system he relied on couldn¡¯t compare. After all, this new system was built using the Sample of Cultivation World Law as its blueprint. The energy drain was immense, consuming all 1,760 units of his spiritual Qi across five rounds. Hengsheng had to continuously absorb spiritual Qi from the surrounding air to sustain the installation process. Not long after, the system was finally installed. Hengsheng opened his eyes, a confident grin spreading across his face. This was it¡ªthe pinnacle of his creations. For the first time, he could proudly call a system a true System, rather than just a "technique" Though the system was still bound by the limitations of his current cultivation realm, that was a minor issue. since he could only activate the system¡¯s Life Simulation mode once a year, by using system points, the limitation didn''t bother me this time. The Life Simulator System retained all the features of its previous version but was now enhanced to an entirely new level. Unlike before, when Hengsheng couldn¡¯t simulate higher-realm cultivators due to his lack of knowledge and understanding of the higher realms, this was no longer a problem. With its new foundation, the system could even simulate immortal cultivators with 100% accuracy, perfectly reflecting reality instead of being limited by his imagination. The crown jewel feature of this new simulator system, however, was its Life Simulation Mode. By spending 1,000 system points, Hengsheng could initiate a Life Simulation with a customized setting and goal. He could choose to be reborn as anyone, anywhere, at any time¡ªor even as something entirely different from human. Once the simulation began, he would live out that life as if it were real, experiencing everything firsthand. When the simulation ended, he would return to reality, retaining part of the knowledge, experiences, and even cultivation methods and Qi techniques he learned during that life. The Life Simulation mode could only be activated once a year due to the limitations of cause and effect¡ªrestrictions that he couldn¡¯t comprehend or remember once he left the mind space. Of course, this incredible power came with significant risks and limitations. First, during the simulation, he would completely lose all memories of his true self, truly becoming the person he simulated. Second, the settings could only follow the laws of a cultivation world governed by the Heavenly Dao; he couldn¡¯t set it to a magical world full of gods and devils or an ordinary world like his previous life. Third, there was the danger of losing himself entirely¡ªif the simulated person possessed overwhelming stronger willpower than him, it could potentially overwrite his real identity. Worse still, if the simulated person somehow achieved immortality during the simulation, Hengsheng¡¯s original self surely be replaced. Lastly, the simulator had a strict time limit. At his current cultivation realm, each simulation could run for only 100 years at the maximum time setting within the simulated world. This was a double-edged sword, acting both as a safety mechanism to protect his real personality and as a limitation on the progress he could achieve in a single simulation Hengsheng wasted no time as he opened the Life Simulation System panel, eagerly setting the parameters for his simulation. He meticulously adjusted the details¡ªwhat he would be born as, the nature of the world, and the various conditions of his simulated life. Even though he had thoroughly tested it in his mind space, there was an undeniable thrill in activating it in the real world. This method was undeniably dangerous, but it was also far more effective than a regular simulation. If he could endure and overcome the Life Simulation without losing himself, his Dao Heart and Willpower would improve significantly. It was akin to experiencing samsara, the mythical cycle of life and death revered in this cultivation world. Once he was satisfied with the settings, Hengsheng gave Blue the command. "initiate Life Simulation" Ding! [Life Simulation Mode Processing¡­] [1,000 System Points deducted] Ding! Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. [Initializing Simulation Settings...] [Simulated Person]: Samuel Barlow¡ªOridany human with a decent family background, Innate personality traits ENTP, and High-Grade Spiritual Qi affinity. [World]: Planet Earth¡ªModern World [Timeline]: Year 1996 [Time Frame]: 100 Years [Simulation Background]: In 2020, The Planet Earth awakened to Spiritual Qi, triggering a world-changing transformation. Nature and animals mutated into ferocious monsters, wreaking havoc and endangering humanity. Amid the chaos, humans began to evolve as well. Some discovered a natural talent for cultivating the new energy, rising to become Superhuman the protectors of humanity. [Simulation Operation Direction]: Gradually put a new threat against humanity to the edge of extinction after Spiritual Qi awakening. [Simulation Goal]: Guide the Simulated Person in mastering Spiritual Qi. [The Simulation Begins] As the final system notification echoed in his mind, Hengsheng felt an invisible force pulling him away. His consciousness blurred, fading into an endless void before everything went completely dark.
[Year 1996 ¨C Birth] The cries of a newborn echoed through the hospital room. Samuel Barlow had entered the world. His mother, Maria Barlow, lay exhausted yet smiling, her trembling hands cradling her fragile son. Beside her, Eddie Barlow stood still, overwhelmed by emotions he couldn''t quite put into words. ¡°He has your eyes,¡± Eddie murmured, gently brushing his son''s tiny fingers. Warmth. Security. The rhythmic beat of his mother¡¯s heart¡ªit was all so familiar yet distant. Deep within, Samuel¡¯s newborn consciousness stirred. I... who? The fleeting thought dissolved, swallowed by the instincts of infancy. [Year 2001 ¨C Age 5] The world was vast, but Samuel was faster. He dashed across the park, laughing as the wind tousled his messy blond hair. ¡°Catch me if you can!¡± he shouted at his best friend, Michael, the neighbor¡¯s kid. Curiosity defined him. He was always asking questions, always climbing too high, always running ahead. His parents often called him a little troublemaker, yet his quick wit and boundless energy made him more endearing than exhausting. At home, his fascination with discovery and the universe grew. His father, an engineer at a Tech company, often told him stories of humanity¡¯s advancements¡ªfrom the first spark of fire to the Wright brothers'' struggle to conquer the skies. Samuel would listen, wide-eyed, absorbing every word. ¡°One day,¡± he declared, his voice full of conviction, ¡°I want to be remembered like these people too!¡± His parents chuckled, unaware of just how deep that ambition ran. [Year 2011 ¨C Age 15] The teenage years brought arrogance, ambition, and an unshakable confidence. Samuel thrived on challenging authority, questioning rules, and finding loopholes just for the fun of it. His sharp mind and natural charisma made him both admired and insufferable. Teachers saw potential; his friends saw a daredevil. ¡°Sam, I swear, if you get detention again¡­¡± Michael groaned, watching his friend lean back in his chair with a grin. ¡°It¡¯s not my fault Mr. Langford doesn¡¯t appreciate creative problem-solving,¡± Samuel shrugged. ¡°Creative? You rewrote the test questions and told him your answers were technically correct.¡± Samuel only smirked. Chaos was his playground. Yet beneath the mischief, there was a growing restlessness. He felt his life was too boring. There was nothing left for him to explore around here everything visible had already been studied¡ªexcept the Universe beyond in the sky or the small things like Microbiology, the Standard model, and the quantum field which were beyond his understanding for now. [Year 2016 ¨C Age 20] The lecture hall buzzed with low murmurs as students settled into their seats, but Samuel barely noticed. His focus was on the equations sprawled across his notebook¡ªlines of theoretical physics, quantum mechanics, and cosmology, all fighting for dominance in his mind. "Alright, class," Professor Alden¡¯s voice cut through the noise, "today, we explore the concept of quantum superposition and its implications in the Many-Worlds Interpretation." Samuel''s eyes lit up. He lived for the mysteries of the universe, the pursuit of knowledge beyond human limitations. "Imagine," the professor continued, "that at this very moment, infinite versions of yourself exist, each making different choices, each experiencing a different reality¡ª" Samuel¡¯s hand shot up. "Then wouldn¡¯t that mean our perception of time is fundamentally flawed? If quantum states exist simultaneously, doesn¡¯t that challenge our very definition of cause and effect?" A few students groaned. Michael, who had chosen the same university as Samuel, smirked beside him. "Here we go again." Professor Alden chuckled. "Ah, Mr. Barlow, always ready to challenge the foundations of physics. Well, that¡¯s what science is about, isn¡¯t it? Testing, questioning, discovering." Samuel grinned. He thrived in this environment. Where others memorized formulas for exams, he dissected them, searching for hidden truths. Where others saw limits, he saw possibilities. His ambition wasn¡¯t just to understand the universe. He wanted to leave a mark on it to be remembered as a great Person in the history of humanity like Einstein and Hawking. Outside of class, he spent hours buried in research papers, experimenting with theoretical models, and debating with professors over the nature of reality. His professors admired his brilliance¡ªthough some found his relentless questioning exhausting. "You need to slow down, Sam," Michael sighed as they walked across campus one evening. "Not everything has to be a mystery waiting to be solved." "That¡¯s where you¡¯re wrong," Samuel replied, staring up at the night sky. "Everything is a mystery. We just haven¡¯t asked the right questions yet." As the stars shone above, Samuel felt a deep yearning inside him. Information The Omniverse of The Boundless One Central Multiverse - All Law - The Writer, Mix All Element, Fanfiction Eastern Multiverse - Dao&Law - Heavenly Dao, Immortal Cultivator, Marital Master, Cultivation Western Multiverse - Divine&Magic - Gods and Demon Gods, Hero and Demon King, Fantasy Northern Multiverse - Supreme Physical Law - Civilization, Alien, Earth, Sci-fi Southern Multiverse - Faith&Supernatural ¨C Creator God, Angels & Demons, Great Old One, Eldritch Horror, Reality Blender, Mystery ----- Tier System applied to all Tier 1 - Normal Level - Regular humans, no supernatural abilities. Tier 2 - Superhuman Level - Stronger, faster, and tougher than normal humans.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Tier 3 - City Level - Can destroy or defend a city. Tier 4 - Island Level - Can destroy or withstand Big Island. Tier 5 - Continent Level - Can shake or destroy continents. Tier 6 - Planet Level - Can destroy planets or affect planetary environments. Tier 7 - Star Level - Can destroy stars or harness their energy. Tier 8 - Solar System Level - Can destroy an entire solar system. Tier 9 - Galaxy Level - Can destroy or influence galaxies. Tier 10 - Universal Level - Can affect or destroy the universe. Tier 11 - Multiversal Level - Can destroy or manipulate multiple universes. Tier 12 - Superversal Level - Can erase, reshape, or manipulate an entire multiverse Tier 13 - Hyperversal Level - Exists beyond infinite universes, affecting multiple multiverse at once. Tier 14 - Ultraversal Level - Transcends dimensional structures, capable of affecting higher-dimensional planes. Tier 15 - Omniversal Level - Can reshape or rewrite the Omniverse with near-absolute authority. Tier 16 - Boundless Level - Transcends all space, time, causality, and dimensions, existing in a realm beyond all lower realities. Tier 17 - Absolute Existence Level - Beings that exist as the fundamental concept of existence itself, beyond even "Boundless" beings. Dao Path
  1. Nine Mortal Realms Tier 1-7
  2. Six Immortal Realms Tier 8-10
  3. Three Sage Realms Tier 11-13
  4. One God Reams Tier 14
Martial Path??? God Path??? Chapter 41 - Life Simulator 1! [Year 2020 ¨C Age 24] At first, it was subtle. Samuel noticed it the moment he woke up one morning, feeling¡­ different. Clearer. Stronger. The exhaustion that had clung to him throughout his university years had vanished overnight. His mind was sharper, his reflexes quicker. When he stretched, his body felt lighter, and more responsive, as if something unseen was coursing through his veins. But it wasn¡¯t just him. As he walked through campus, he overheard excited whispers. ¡°My Grandpa stood up on his own this morning. The doctors said his muscles shouldn¡¯t even work anymore!¡± ¡°My eyesight¡¯s never been this good¡ªI can see all the way to the clock tower from here!¡± ¡°My chronic back pain is just¡­ gone.¡± Hospitals were the first to notice. Terminally ill patients miraculously recovered. Paraplegics walked again. Doctors and scientists scrambled for explanations, but no medical theory could account for what was happening. News outlets reported it as The Global Miracle. Samuel had his own theories. ¡°There¡¯s something in the air,¡± he muttered, staring at his hand. Something was there¡ªsomething new. A presence that had never existed before. ¡°It¡¯s like¡­ the universal law is changing.¡± And it was. Over the following weeks, subtle changes became undeniable. People found themselves with more stamina, better focus, and heightened instincts. Athletes shattered world records overnight. Ordinary people displayed feats of strength and agility once thought impossible. At first, it seemed like a blessing. Until the animals began to change. Birds flew in tighter, more coordinated flocks, their eyes gleaming with unnatural intelligence. Wild animals, once wary of humans, began watching them¡ªstudying them. Pets grew restless, pacing as if sensing something their owners could not. Then came the first reports of aggression. Nothing major at first¡ªjust an unusual number of dog bites, and a few missing livestock. City dwellers barely noticed, but in rural areas, farmers spoke in hushed voices about the eerie silence in the forests. Something was shifting. Samuel could feel it in his bones. The world is changing. And this was only the beginning. [Year 2021 ¨C Age 25] The world had changed, and humanity was struggling to keep up. It started with the animals. At first, the transformations were subtle¡ªminor increases in size, heightened aggression, and sharper instincts. But as the years passed, evolution accelerated beyond anything seen before. Wolves, once apex predators of the forests, had grown to the size of horses, their fur taking on a metallic sheen, rendering them impervious to conventional bullets. Their eyes glowed with an eerie light, hinting at an intelligence beyond that of ordinary beasts. They no longer merely hunted; they strategized, setting up ambushes, and working in packs with terrifying coordination. Jaguars, sleek and deadly, moved like living shadows. They could leap dozens of meters in a single bound, their enhanced musculature allowing them to run vertically up walls. Their claws are shredded through reinforced steel-like paper. Where once they had been silent hunters of the rainforest, they now claimed entire territories as their own, allowing no human to trespass. Even creatures once thought harmless had become something else entirely. Deer, once the prey of the wild, were no longer defenseless. They had grown larger, and more agile, their muscles dense with unnatural power. Some could outrun sports cars, dashing over 100 miles per hour in a blur of movement. Their antlers, hardened like reinforced stone, could tear through vehicles as if they were made of glass. Yet, despite these terrifying changes, the animals did not actively wage war against humanity. They did not descend into mindless violence.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Instead, they adapted. They grew stronger, smarter, and more territorial. They had evolved. For most humans, life still carried on¡ªcities remained intact, roads still bustled with traffic, and businesses adapted. The real threat wasn¡¯t the beasts of the land. It was something much smaller. It was the insects. The first major incident happened in a rural town in Argentina. A farmer had gone missing, only for his remains to be found days later, stripped to the bone. The culprit? Ants. Thousands of them, now the size of a human hand, swarming in patterns too coordinated to be natural. Then came the locusts. Entire farmlands were devoured overnight, the crops turned to dust as massive locusts swept through in an unstoppable wave. Livestock followed next, their cries echoing into the night before vanishing forever. the governments took action. Bullets worked at first, and flamethrowers, pesticides, and explosives wiped out entire colonies, but the insects evolved. With each failed extermination, they returned stronger. Their shells hardened, their movements became faster, and their numbers never seemed to dwindle. In just one year, humanity learned a terrible truth¡ªguns, once the ultimate equalizer, are not enough. Panic spread. Cities built fortifications, civilians armed themselves with whatever they could find, and military forces waged desperate battles against swarms that only grew deadlier with time. The war against the insects had begun. As the world fought for survival, governments pooled their resources, forming elite research teams to uncover the cause of the transformation. Among them was Samuel Barlow¡ªa rising star in the scientific community and the first to detect the unseen force responsible for everything. "The air itself has changed," Samuel explained to the Global Crisis Summit, standing before the world¡¯s top leaders. "An energy¡ªa force that was never discovered before¡ªnow flows through every living being. It strengthens, mutates, and accelerates evolution. I call it¡­ Natural Energy." His discovery changed everything. Natural Energy was the source of Earth''s transformation¡ªthe reason humans grew stronger, the reason animals mutated, and the reason natural phenomena became increasingly unpredictable. But the real question was¡ªHow? Samuel and his team delved deep into the study of Natural Energy, seeking to understand its effects on animals and, more importantly, how to neutralize the mutation process before it spiraled beyond control. However, progress was slow. Only a handful of individuals could even perceive the energy, making research difficult and unreliable. Still, their efforts were not in vain. Samuel discovered that animals weren¡¯t just changing¡ªthey were actively absorbing Natural Energy to strengthen themselves. It wasn¡¯t a passive adaptation but a deliberate evolution. with this discovery, Samuel has a new question can humans do the same thing as animals? With that thought Samuel started to experiment with Natural energy with his own body. Samuel''s experiments began cautiously. At first, he focused solely on sensing the energy¡ªmeditating for hours, attuning himself to the subtle shifts in the air. It was elusive, like trying to grasp smoke with his bare hands. But over time, he felt something. A pulse. A current flowing through everything around him. Then came the breakthrough. One night, after months of trial and error, Samuel finally succeeded in drawing Natural Energy into his body. The moment it happened, a surge of warmth flooded his veins. His senses sharpened. His fatigue vanished. [Year 2022 ¨C Age 26] By now, Samuel and his team had classified Natural Energy into distinct tiers of influence. While all living beings absorbed it instinctively, only a rare few possessed a natural affinity¡ªallowing them to control and manipulate it with precision. Governments scrambled to harness this newfound power. Military programs were established, training camps formed, and elite soldiers¡ªnow referred to as Enhanced Humans arm them with the most high-tech weapons they have¡ªwere deployed to combat the ever-growing insect threat. But the insects were evolving as well. Ordinary swarms had transformed into nightmarish horrors, some reaching the size of lions, their exoskeletons nearly impenetrable. New species emerged, each more terrifying than the last¡ªcamouflaged predators that struck from the shadows, creatures secreting corrosive acid, and even those capable of unleashing electromagnetic pulses to disable human technology. It became a war for dominion over Earth itself. For humanity, the only path to survival was further evolution. Samuel was no longer just a scientist¡ªhe had become a warrior. Years of absorbing Natural Energy had drastically transformed him. His physique had surpassed human limitations, his mind processed information at unimaginable speeds, and most importantly¡ªhe had mastered the art of Natural Energy manipulation. He was the first to step beyond the threshold of an Enhanced Human and gained a superpower. He was the first Metahuman. His name became a legend among warriors as The Sun Gaze. By condensing Natural Energy within his body and releasing it through his eyes, Samuel could unleash a blinding lance of golden energy¡ªa beam of pure destruction capable of vaporizing even the most monstrous of insects. With his overwhelming power, he led countless victories in humanity¡¯s struggle for survival. Just as the tide seemed to turn, another catastrophe struck¡ªone that did not come from the land or sky, but from the depths of the ocean. It started with small anomalies. Fishing boats vanished without a trace. Deep-sea sonar detected massive, unidentifiable lifeforms lurking far below. Coastal towns reported eerie sightings¡ªshadows moving unnaturally beneath the water¡¯s surface. Then came the first attack. A tsunami engulfed the shores of Japan, not caused by an earthquake, but by something far worse¡ªa colossal, mutated leviathan. A nightmare of twisted evolution, its armored scales glistened beneath the ruined skyline, its monstrous claws gouging deep trenches into the earth as it emerged from the sea. Raw, concentrated Natural Energy warped the air around it. And it wasn¡¯t alone. Across the world, the oceans churned with unnatural activity. Gigantic horrors began surfacing¡ªtitanic crustaceans with crushing pincers, razor-toothed serpents the size of skyscrapers, monstrous jellyfish whose tendrils crackled with bioelectric fury. The sea itself had turned against humanity. Chapter 42 - Life Simulator 2! [Year 2025 ¨C Age 29] The war against the unknown had reached its breaking point. At first, humanity responded with overwhelming firepower. Hypersonic missiles, and others the pinnacle of military technology, proved devastating against the monstrous creatures emerging from the depths. Warships and aircraft rained destruction upon the sea, pushing back the initial assaults. For a time, victory seemed possible. But the monsters endured. No matter how much firepower was thrown at them, they continued to grow stronger as time passed. Their bodies became increasingly resistant to heat, impact, and sheer force. Their flesh hardened into dense, armor-like scales, and their sheer size and power escalated beyond anything humanity had seen before. The second year of the war saw the first definitive loss¡ªentire fleets were destroyed, their wreckage swallowed by the sea. Faced with the threat of extinction, the world turned to the ultimate weapon. Tactical nuclear strikes were authorized. The ocean burned, massive explosions vaporizing entire regions. Once again, humanity felt hope. If the planet¡¯s deadliest weapon couldn¡¯t stop them, nothing could. The ocean grew silent, eerily so. For months, no new attacks came. Some dared to believe the threat had been eliminated. Governments focused on rebuilding, soldiers returned home. But anyone with a shred of intelligence knew better. If the creatures had survived nuclear annihilation, then nothing in humanity¡¯s arsenal could stop them. Their return was not a question of if, but when. And when they did, they would be stronger. The end was no longer a distant fear¡ªit was an inevitability. But in the face of crisis, evolution answered. Samuel had been the first, but he was no longer alone. Others had begun to awaken, their bodies attuned to the ever-present force of Natural Energy. These new beings, dubbed Metahumans, possessed abilities beyond scientific understanding. Some wielded the elements, others displayed superhuman strength, and a rare few could even bend reality itself. More than soldiers, they were humanity¡¯s last hope. Governments formed elite units and deployed Metahumans to the front lines against the monstrous threats. These warriors became the new weapons of war, pushing back against the tide. And yet, amidst them all, Samuel remained unmatched due to the overwhelming quantity of natural energy he had contained. For years, he had dominated the battlefield. The Sun Gaze, his golden energy beam, had incinerated creatures no weapon could touch. His body had transcended human limits¡ªfaster, stronger, and more resilient than any other Metahuman. But there was a problem. He had reached his peak. His body had absorbed all the Natural Energy it could contain. No matter how many battles he fought or how much energy he gathered, he could no longer grow stronger. Others continued to evolve, their powers increasing with time, but Samuel remained the same. And the war was not slowing down. He had seen it firsthand. The creatures weren¡¯t just growing stronger physically¡ªthey were becoming tougher, their raw power increasing at a terrifying pace. Samuel knew that if he stayed stagnant, he would eventually be surpassed by the monster or even other metahumans. But he was no ordinary metahuman. He had spent years studying Natural Energy, unraveling its mysteries. And now, he had found the answer. Absorption was not the final step of evolution. To transcend his limits, he had to do something different. [Year 2026 ¨C Age 30] The world had long struggled against invasions from mutant creatures, particularly the relentless waves of insects. But with the emergence of Metahumans, the tides had turned. Losses dwindled, humanity adapted, and fragile stability settled over the planet. Progress surged forward. Scientists discovered new elements and materials, their properties defying conventional physics. Mutant trees and plants imbued with Natural Energy flourished, their wood harder than steel, their leaves brimming with untapped potential. For the first time in years, the world seemed to be heading in the right direction. Yet, Samuel remained unsatisfied.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. The war had forced him to his limits, and he refused to remain stagnant. For an entire year, he pushed himself beyond exhaustion, searching for a way to evolve. Then¡ªhe succeeded. By harnessing Natural Energy at the deepest level, he refined his body down to its very cells, triggering a transformation unlike anything before. He transcended the boundaries of Metahuman and stepped into an entirely new stage¡ªMegahuman. His strength multiplied tenfold. His body became a living fortress, more durable, faster, and more powerful than ever before. His abilities sharpened¡ªhis golden energy beam, once a simple linear attack, now moved with his will, twisting mid-air to strike with impossible precision. His control had reached perfection. But not everyone celebrated his evolution. With the world stabilizing, the ruling class turned its wary gaze toward him. Samuel was no longer just a hero¡ªhe was a force beyond their control. A being so powerful, so unpredictable, that even the leaders of nations feared what he could become. To them, stability was fragile. And a man like him? He was a threat to the balance they had fought so hard to maintain. [Year 2030 ¨C Age 34] Ten years had passed since the emergence of Natural Energy reshaped the world. Humanity had adapted, but not without cost. The global population had been halved, with half the world''s nations erased, their lands overrun by mutant creatures. What remained of civilization had stabilized, and technology advanced in new directions, harnessing Natural Energy as an endless power source. By all logic, the world should have been a better place. But it wasn¡¯t. A new conflict had emerged¡ªnot against monsters, but among humans themselves. Governments and non-Affinity individuals sought to regulate the evolution of Enhanced Humans and Metahumans, imposing restrictions to halt their growth. What began as policies and laws soon escalated into oppression. Some nations developed specialized weapons to hunt their own Metahumans, using hostages, coercion, or outright force to bend them into tools of the state. And it wasn¡¯t just ordinary humans who harbored hostility. In certain regions, particularly under authoritarian rule, powerful Metahumans had seized control, overthrowing governments and establishing their own reigns. This only deepened the paranoia of other world leaders, who now viewed their own Metahumans as ticking time bombs. Surveillance tightened, trust eroded, and an invisible war began brewing. Samuel was among the most closely monitored individuals. As one of the few Megahumans¡ªthe rare beings who had surpassed even Metahumans¡ªhe was not just powerful. He was the first and strongest of them all. His parents, once ordinary civilians, were now under the government¡¯s "protection"¡ªthough Samuel knew the truth. They were hostages in everything but name, a safeguard to ensure his loyalty. He had no intention of betraying his country, but their actions left a bitter taste in his mouth. Still, he played along. At the very least, their so-called "protection" ensured his parents lived in comfort, away from threats. He rarely spoke to the president, but when he did, it was only for one reason¡ªto remind him to make sure that he would keep his family safe. [Year 2032 ¨C Age 36] For years, humanity had feared the return of the sea monsters. But no one expected them to come as an organized force. They struck without warning. One moment, the oceans were calm¡ªthen the tides roared to life. A global tsunami, towering higher than skyscrapers, surged inland, swallowing entire cities in mere seconds. Millions perished before emergency systems could even sound the alarm. No nation was spared. This was not a mindless disaster. It was a declaration of war. And at its center stood a nightmare given form¡ªthe Sea Dragon. This was no mere beast. Unlike the monstrosities that had plagued humanity before, this creature was aware. Its intelligence rivaled the greatest human minds, and its power dwarfed even that of Samuel, the strongest Megahuman alive. Towering above the waves, its scales gleamed like living metal, reflecting the lightning storms it conjured at will. The very ocean obeyed its commands, shifting and rising at its slightest whim. Nations fell in a single night. The strongest fleets were reduced to scrap metal, torn apart by water sharper than steel. Cities vanished beneath the waves as the creature summoned whirlpools that swallowed entire metropolises. Even nuclear strikes failed¡ªwhenever humanity launched an attack, the Sea Dragon raised towering walls of water, shielding itself before the bombs could detonate. The world¡¯s defenses crumbled. There was only one option left. Samuel Barlow¡ªthe strongest human alive¡ªstood alone against the coming tide. The battle lasted seven days and seven nights. Samuel met the Sea Dragon in the heart of the storm, where the sky bled fire, and the ocean churned with enough force to crack the seafloor. Their first clash split the heavens¡ªhis Sun Gaze met the dragon¡¯s tidal blast, colliding in an explosion that vaporized miles of ocean. The world watched in horror as its greatest warrior faced an enemy beyond comprehension. Every exchange reshaped the battlefield. The force of their strikes shattered islands. Tidal waves the size of mountains crashed into continents, altering coastlines forever. Samuel fought without rest, his power burning like an unyielding star¡ªbut the Sea Dragon was relentless. For every wound he inflicted, the beast retaliated with twice the fury. By the sixth day, Samuel was faltering. His body¡ªpushed beyond its limits¡ªwas failing him. His once-unstoppable Sun Gaze flickered, struggling to gather energy. Blood stained the ocean, his wounds refusing to heal against the suffocating force of the abyss. And the Sea Dragon knew. It spoke¡ªa human word, its voice rumbling through the very depths of the sea. "You are strong. But not enough." The seventh day arrived. The final clash. Summoning the last of his strength, Samuel pushed past his limits¡ªascending beyond Megahuman, into something greater. Superhuman. In that instant, he became the Sea Dragon¡¯s equal. He gathered the raw power of the sun itself, forging his ultimate attack¡ªone capable of incinerating an entire continent. The Sea Dragon roared in defiance, summoning the full weight of the ocean to crush him. A final explosion consumed the battlefield, Creating a large hole in the middle of the ocean, as if drilling through the earth and going down into the underworld. And then¡ªsilence. When the storm cleared, the ocean was still. The Sea Dragon was gone. Samuel had won. But at a terrible cost. His body¡ªonce unbreakable¡ªwas barely holding together. Before anyone could find him, before the world could celebrate his victory, he vanished. Many believed he had died alongside the Sea Dragon, swallowed by the abyss. But the truth was far more mysterious. Samuel Barlow had disappeared from the face of the Earth. Chapter 43 - Life Simulator 3! [Year 2036 ¨C Age 40] Samuel Barlow opened his eyes. The battle with the Sea Dragon had left him broken, his body barely holding together. Yet, against all odds, he had survived. But where was he? The sky was gone. There was no sun, no stars¡ªonly an eerie luminescence radiating from strange minerals embedded in the cavernous ceiling above. The air was thick with rich Natural Energy, and the land stretched endlessly before him, teeming with bizarre vegetation and creatures unlike anything he had ever seen. It took him days to fully grasp the truth. This was not the surface world. He had fallen into the Underworld¡ªthe Hollow Earth hidden beneath the planet''s crust. At first, he sought a way back. But there was none. The cavern ceiling was impossibly vast, an unbreakable barrier between this world and the surface. He could have used his power to force his way through¡ªbut the sheer force could trigger a catastrophe above. Millions could die. That was a risk he refused to take. So instead, he chose to explore. The Hollow Earth was unlike anything he had ever encountered. The Natural Energy here was denser¡ªstronger than anything on the surface. Strange plants thrived on glowing minerals, radiating power. Beasts roamed with abilities far beyond those of surface creatures. Even the air itself pulsed with life. It was a land of untapped potential. Samuel had already ascended beyond Megahuman, becoming Superhuman. But he knew he was not invincible. There would be another, like a sea dragon, emerging in the future. He needed to evolve further. And this place¡­ this place was an opportunity. Then, he made a discovery that changed everything. Ancient Ruins. Scattered remnants of an ancient civilization, their structures long abandoned yet filled with traces of intelligence. At first, he believed he was alone. That this was an uninhabited realm. But the ruins told a different story. Carvings, relics, and forgotten texts revealed a shocking truth¡ª Earth was never meant to be a planet. Long ago, it was part of a cultivation realm connected to a vast cultivation world where people pursued eternal life. But then, a powerful cultivator¡ªone so strong he could cut entire worlds apart¡ªsevered this land from the realm. He reshaped it into a planet and hid himself deep within its core. And for what? To hide and guard a treasure of unimaginable value. Samuel followed the remnants of this lost civilization deeper into the Hollow Earth, piecing together its history. Eventually, he uncovered the full truth¡ª An ancient cultivator, the true owner of this planet, failed to advance to the next level of the cultivation realm¡­ and died here. But before he perished, he left behind his life¡¯s work¡ªa legacy of knowledge, techniques, and artifacts. And Samuel had inherited it all. For the next four years, he studied, trained, and decoded the ancient texts. He learned the ways of cultivation¡ªbut quickly realized something disturbing. His path was completely different. Cultivators refined their mind, body, and soul, preparing to ascend toward the Dao and attain immortality. But Samuel¡­ He wasn¡¯t even sure a soul was real. His power didn¡¯t stem from mystical forces or spiritual enlightenment. It came from the evolution of his human DNA¡ªhis very existence breaking through the limits of humanity itself. His progress was instinctive, biological, and scientific, rather than mystical or spiritual. By the time he fully grasped the cultivation system, it was already too late to change.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. He had already reached the realm that cultivators called Stage 4 mortal¡ªthe fourth stage out of The Nine Mortal Realms, the First Great Realms of Dao Path before a mortal could become immortal. If he wanted to advance further¡­ He could no longer rely on traditional cultivation methods. There was only one path left. His own. [Year 2040 ¨C Age 44] It had been eight years since Samuel Barlow fell into the Hollow Earth. He had spent his time cultivating Natural Energy or as the cultivators of other places called it¡ªSpiritual Qi. During the Fourth year, he had tried to strengthen his mind and soul, just as traditional cultivators did. But he failed. It was impossible without a proper foundation. Yet, he refused to be discouraged. Instead of following the ancient methods, he forged his own path, creating a foundation that was uniquely his. Though it was far later than normal for a cultivator, it was possible. Years passed. More years followed. After two more years, he succeeded in creating his own cultivation system to advance to the next realm. After another two years, he broke through. The limits of Superhuman were shattered. He had evolved into something beyond human comprehension¡ªHyperhuman. His power was no longer what people of Earth could imagine. Even nuclear weapons paled in comparison. Given enough time, he could erase the entire planet in a week. With his newfound power, there was nothing left for him to take in the Hollow Earth. The only resource of value was the high density of Spiritual Qi. It was time to return. Floating above the ground, Samuel rose toward the cavern ceiling. With a thought, a thin golden beam shot from his eyes, piercing through rock and soil, cutting through layers of the planet with precision. The beam reached the surface in mere moments. Then, his body dissolved into light particles, vanishing from the Hollow Earth. In an instant, he reappeared above the ocean, not far from the West Coast. Without hesitation, he flew toward land, his heart pounding with anticipation. Would his home still be there? The moment he set foot on land, his excitement turned to horror. The world was¡­ empty. There were no humans in sight. At first, he assumed it was due to the Sea Dragon¡¯s attack¡ªperhaps humanity had simply moved inland, away from the coasts. But the deeper he traveled into the continent, the more his unease grew. There were animals, insects, and even signs of nature reclaiming the cities. But no people. His frown deepened. This was unnatural. Pushing forward, he eventually reached the capital city on the other side of the country, It was here that he finally found traces of human activity¡ªhidden bunkers, underground tunnels, and signs of life lurking in the shadows. Following these clues, he eventually discovered a group of survivors, hidden deep beneath the ruins. He landed before them, his presence radiating overwhelming power. They were terrified. But he didn¡¯t care. "What happened to the world?" he demanded. What he learned shattered him. After he killed the Sea Dragon, the world returned to peace. For three years, humanity thrived once more. But then¡­ they came. A group of powerful dragons, descended from the stars, had arrived on Earth. They were the Dragon Clan, the Primordial demon clan. They had come to retrieve the Sea Dragon, their kin. But the Sea Dragon was dead. And they were furious. Their vengeance began immediately. First, they hunted down every single evolved human, slaughtering them one by one. Then, they sank an entire continent¡ªAustralia¡ªinto the ocean, wiping out a hundred million lives in an instant. In a desperate bid for survival, the world government attempted to negotiate. Their proposal? They offered up Samuel¡¯s parents and friends as a sacrifice, hoping to appease the Dragon Clan. Samuel wasn¡¯t there. So, the dragons accepted the offering instead. Before the eyes of every human on Earth, they tortured and executed his loved ones in the most horrific way imaginable. And then, they left. With no evolved humans left to protect them, humanity crumbled not long after that, The world is overrun by mutants and civilization is collapsing. Samuel stood in silence. The truth weighed on him like a mountain. Everything he had sacrificed¡ªeverything he had fought for¡ªwas for nothing. He had given up everything to protect humanity¡­ And in return, they had betrayed him. His body trembled¡ªnot from exhaustion, but from rage. The humans who stood before him watched in fear as his golden eyes burned with hatred. "You sold out my family. My friends. All for your own survival." His voice was calm but cold¡ªcolder than the void of space. They begged for mercy. But there was none left in him. Without another word, his eyes glow with golden light¡ªonce a light of hope, but now a light of destruction¡ªas he unleashes his power. In a single moment, every survivor here was erased. Not a scream. Not a body. Just ashes in the wind. That day, Samuel abandoned humanity. [Year 2096 ¨C Age 100] Samuel Barlow, once a champion of Earth, now stood on the moon, looking down at the planet he had burned. The land was covered in blazing marks¡ªhis marks. After learning the fate of his parents and friends, he was shattered. He was part of the reason they met such a horrible end. His tears still came when he thought about them, and then anger followed¡ªanger at himself for how foolish he had been. Foolish to dedicate his entire life to protecting and wanting to be recognized by humanity. Foolish for not being there when it mattered. Foolish for thinking that leaving them with others'' care could keep them safe. Fate had been cruel. If Spiritual Qi had never appeared, maybe things would have been different. But there was no "if." He couldn''t change anything. Not even as an Omega Human, a Stage 8 mortal¡ªsomeone whose power could shatter planets¡ªcould turn back time. He had already destroyed Earth''s surface. Now, he would erase it entirely. His next goal was set: destroy the planet, take the Immortal¡¯s treasure, find the cultivation realm, and get his revenge on the Dragon Clan. Samuel took one last look at Earth before his eyes glowed with golden light. A beam as vast as a mountain shot forth, piercing the planet¡¯s core. The surface cracked, and magma surging through the fractures. The core trembled, unable to withstand the force. Then¡ª BOOM! The Earth broke apart. Samuel didn''t care. His focus was on the treasure hidden within the core. As the planet crumbled, a brilliant Red Jadestone emerged¡ªan Immortal treasure a high-rank one as that. He floated forward into the space, reaching for it¡ª Ding! [Simulation End] His consciousness faded. Chapter 44 - Result! Hengsheng opened his eyes, which were different from the usual. No, it was not Lan Hengsheng; Samuel Barlow opened his eyes! He was silent and observed the surrounding area. The demon beasts lay around snoring lightly and the grey cat, with various colors of fur, was on his lap. Then he laughed softly, tears welling up in his eyes. "Hahaha... It''s a good thing my life isn''t real... It''s a good thing it''s not real, so I can let go without regret." After his words ended, his eyes changed once more. This time, it was Lan Hengsheng. His eyes were wide with fear; he had completely lost himself! he takes a deep breath before trying to gather his senses. If not for Samuel¡¯s persona; let him go. He had definitely been overwritten. The effect of this simulator was terrifying. He did not expect Samuel to reach that height in just 100 years on newly planet that just awakened spiritual Qi and had no cultivation legacy at all. Even here, on the golden pillar continent, the most talented young individuals with divine-grade cores could only reach the True Body realm in such a short time. Hengsheng exhaled slowly, his mind drifting back to the simulation of Samuel Barlow¡¯s life¡ªhis experiences, his knowledge, the bonds he had forged with others. All of it was now embedded in his thoughts. And yet, despite its presence, he no longer felt any deep attachment to it. Not after Samuel was gone. It took him some time to completely assimilate Samuel''s memories and experiences, after which he felt that his mind and spirit had become much stronger. "What a wonderful experience," Hengsheng murmured, his tone surprisingly calm. "Well, I¡¯ll count it as a success, then." He allowed himself a quiet sense of satisfaction. He had come close to being overwritten, but by some stroke of luck, he had made Samuel¡¯s personality traits similar to his they do not harm anyone without a good enough reason, despite his actions of later years seems a bit extreme to him but it was understandable he might do the same if it was him. If he had been careless and chosen to make Samuel an evil character, he would have been consumed and erased from existence. At first, when he created this simulation, he only wanted to know how people of The Earth would react if spiritual qi suddenly appeared on Earth, and whether they could cultivate it even without a spirit core. But he didn''t want to be too cruel and give humans a special sense of spiritual qi perception in the form of spiritual qi affinity. Hengsheng recalled Samuel¡¯s cultivation¡ªa method that defied everything he had known. He had never imagined Spiritual Qi could be cultivated in a way other than what he understood. Samuel¡¯s approach was radical, targeting human DNA itself¡ªa form of cultivation aimed at altering the very essence of the race, not simply a bloodline. It was a breathtaking concept for Hengsheng, one that stretched the boundaries of his imagination. He had heard of powerful bloodlines among certain clans, but they were still human at their core. Samuel¡¯s method, on the other hand, was like rewriting evolution itself¡ªrewiring the foundation of humanity. Yet, for all its wonders, it wasn¡¯t without flaws. The lack of diversity in spiritual Qi usage was one such drawback. Everything was focused on strengthening the body and unlocking superhuman abilities at the genetic level, the last drawback people decided not to become metahuman because they will not be able to have or have difficulty having children with normal humans. Hengsheng wanted to keep Samuel''s cultivation method for himself. He believed it could make him stand out from others of his generation¡ªperhaps even grant him the strength to fight across cultivation realms. However, due to the constraints of cause and effect, he couldn''t recall the method¡¯s details. Without hesitation, he activated the Life Simulation System, ready to claim his reward. he noticed that only 10 minutes passed after he entered life simulation mode. Ding! [Simulation Result: SSS-Rank] [Due to your exceptional performance, you may select 3 out of 5 A-Rank rewards.]The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Hengsheng¡¯s eyes flickered with excitement. A-Rank was the highest-tier reward available in Life Simulation Mode at the moment, and he had been incredibly lucky this time. Normally, the system only allowed him to choose one out of five options, but thanks to Samuel¡¯s outstanding performance, he was granted three choices. Each option was exceptional¡ªany one of them was worthy of being a top-tier reward. Without hesitation, Hengsheng selected [Path of Genetic Evolution Cultivation Method (Incomplete)] and [The Sun Gaze Genetic Trait]. The first one was an absolute must, but the second had truly caught his attention. He vividly remembered the feeling when Samuel unleashed his superpower¡ªit was overwhelmingly strong, and even at the first awakening it was comparable even to top-tier Earth-Grade Qi techniques. Based on his knowledge, humans typically had only one superpower, which would continue strengthening as they ranked up. However, there were rare exceptions¡ªhuman chimeras. These were individuals with two sets of DNA, an abnormality that granted them the potential to possess two distinct superpowers. Even in the metahuman community, such cases are exceedingly rare. Only 100 documented instances exist on Earth. If he claimed this reward, he would be able to inherit Samuel''s superpower. Later, through the cultivation of his race, he could awaken his own unique ability. That meant he would possess two superpowers¡ªboth of which would grow stronger alongside him! Growth-type powers were rare and highly sought after, making this an incredible opportunity. Suppressing his excitement, Hengsheng took a deep breath and focused. He still had one more reward to choose. The first option, [Ten Drops of Enlightenment Dew], was a Dao treasure that Samuel had discovered within the ruins of Hollow Earth. It was one of the key reasons why Samuel had advanced so quickly in cultivation¡ªit had propelled him into the enlightenment stage and greatly enhanced his Dao comprehension. Even in the Golden Pillar Continent, such a treasure was priceless. A powerhouse at the Lan Clan Patriarch¡¯s level would fight tooth and nail for even a single drop. But for Hengsheng? Right now, this treasure would be wasted on him. He lacked the foundation to unleash its full potential. It was best used on someone who had already formed a Dao Seed, so he decided to pass on it. Next was [Hollow Earth Legacy Insight]¡ªa literal Immortal Realm cultivator¡¯s inheritance. Any other cultivator would have taken it in a heartbeat. This wasn¡¯t just a first-rate sect¡¯s legacy¡ªit was something on par with, or even superior to, the overlords of the golden pillar continent. This was no ordinary inheritance. The one who left it behind had cut through the constraints of cultivation realms and forged an entirely new planet¡ªa feat even a True Immortal could not achieve easily. Yet, Hengsheng barely hesitated before shaking his head. He didn¡¯t need it. He had confidence in his own cultivation path. He had confidence in his system. With it, he believed he could reach immortality without relying on someone else¡¯s legacy. That left only one choice. For Hengsheng, the most valuable reward wasn¡¯t a treasure, nor an Immortal¡¯s inheritance. In this cultivation world, there was no such thing as scientific or physical knowledge. Treasures? He would find plenty along his journey. True Immortal inheritances? This continent had dozens of them. But true knowledge? That was rare. With his mind made up, he selected his final reward. Ding! [You have obtained the selected rewards.] A moment later, a sharp pain shot through Hengsheng¡¯s body. ¡°Ah!¡± he cried out, gritting his teeth. Arlert Yunsu, who had been curled up on his lap, perked up in alarm. ¡°Meow?¡± Hengsheng forced a smile through the pain. ¡°I¡¯m okay, sweetie.¡± ¡°Meowww¡­¡± Yunsu let out a long, doubtful cry, clearly not believing him. She began licking his arm, as if trying to comfort him, worried he was still hurt from skinning himself earlier. Hengsheng, however, had a good guess as to why he was in pain¡ªThe Sun Gaze Trait was integrating into his body! Soon, the pain gradually subsided, and his body began to recover. As the discomfort faded, Hengsheng noticed two new pieces of knowledge had appeared in his mind¡ªthe complete knowledge of Samuel Barlow. Curious, he skimmed through it. It was incredible. For someone who had never studied deep scientific fields in his previous life, this was a goldmine. Samuel had held multiple Ph. D.s, and now, all of that expertise was his. This knowledge significantly broadened his way of thinking, giving him insights he never would have imagined before. Excited, Hengsheng quickly opened his main system interface to check if his new trait had successfully registered. Ding! Special Traits: Mind Space, Super Spirit Body, Vast Meridian {512/512}, The Sun Gaze Genetic Bingo! Hengsheng almost jumped in excitement. He really wanted to test it out right away, but he forced himself to calm down¡ªhe didn¡¯t want to disrupt the peaceful demon beasts around him. Now that everything was settled and his system was back online, it was time to return to his Lan Clan base to prepare for his breakthrough. ...But not before taking revenge on that damn monster that ate his foot! Chapter 45 - Revenge! Hengsheng and Yunsu stood on the rim of the divine tree¡¯s aura, about to leave, when a group of demon beasts roared as if they were trying to stop him¡ªwhether to prevent him from committing suicide or simply to avoid unnecessary trouble, he wasn¡¯t sure. But it didn¡¯t matter, because he had already decided to face the monster. He stepped forward, and the moment his leg touched the ground outside the divine tree¡¯s aura, it was as if the monster had instantly prepared for him. One of the small monsters, barely a meter in size, had been hiding within the cracks of the earth nearby, and the moment he moved, it suddenly leaped at him. Hengsheng, already prepared, released a small amount of Dao Heart¡¯s power from his Sea of Thought, and as a result, his Spiritual Qi resonated with heaven and earth! Seeing the small monster rushing toward him, he attacked first, striking before it could reach him. World Shatter Palm! A powerful Qi Palm shot out from his hand, flying at a speed beyond anything he could do before, slamming into the monster and shattering its body. Hengsheng kept his focus on the broken pieces, watching closely to see if they could still recover. But what he saw was its body turning black, its remains slowly dissipating into the air. Hengsheng smirked¡ªhis Dao Heart¡¯s power could really kill it! Wasting no more time, he turned his gaze toward the distance, where other monsters had begun to emerge slowly from the gaps in the earth, and among them, the biggest one was finally coming. Without hesitation, Hengsheng tucked Yunsu inside his robe and leaped straight into the monster horde. He attacked them one by one. He also tried his new power, his eyes shining with the golden light at the monsters, but nothing happened, no burning, no destruction. "Scam!" He resumes his usual style spamming his Qi palm. "Pak! Pak!" Without the ability to regenerate, the smaller creatures would not be able to withstand his attacks. Soon after, all the smaller monsters died, even before the big monster fully emerged from the ground. The big one, watching him with its hundred eerie eyes, became furious. Letting out a high-pitched roar, it sent out a shockwave strong enough to make Hengsheng¡¯s ears ache, and at the same moment, it launched its massive body at him with terrifying speed! Hengsheng reacted instantly, gathering his Qi and firing a Qi Cannon! "Boom!" The massive explosion engulfed the monster mid-air, sending chunks of its grotesque form flying in all directions. It let out a deep, guttural roar, the pain evident in its voice, but instead of dying, it slowly regenerated, its torn flesh knitting back together at an agonizingly slow pace. Hengsheng frowned¡ªhis Dao Heart¡¯s power wasn¡¯t enough to finish it off, but as he watched, he noticed something important. It was regenerating slower than before. Not willing to wait for it to fully recover, Hengsheng sent a barrage of Qi Cannons straight at the monster! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The explosions rocked the battlefield, the sheer force of his continuous attacks keeping the monster from moving. Yet as he continued hammering it down, he noticed something else¡ªit was getting weaker. At the same time, the demon beasts within the divine tree¡¯s aura seemed to have realized what he was doing, for they began to roar in unison, their cries echoing like a battle chant as if cheering him on.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Boom! Boom! Boom! Hengsheng didn¡¯t stop. He continued firing Qi Cannons non-stop, his attacks raining down mercilessly. The monster¡¯s body kept exploding, kept reforming, but with each cycle, its regeneration became slower and slower. He was now sure of it¡ªif he kept this up, the monster would eventually reach its limit and be unable to regenerate anymore. Let¡¯s see what runs out first¡ªyour regeneration power, or my Qi. Hengsheng smirked, full of confidence, knowing that with his massive Qi reserves, he could keep this up all day. Half an hour passed. The monster still refused to die. Hours passed. Its regeneration had slowed to a crawl, but it was still alive. Two hours passed. The creature¡¯s movements became sluggish, but it endured. A full day passed. Hengsheng¡¯s eyes had turned bloodshot, his body drained from the continuous attacks, and yet, the monster still refused to fall. He could hardly believe that it had survived an entire day of relentless assault, but he wasn¡¯t without progress¡ªhe could see it now. The monster had almost completely lost its regeneration ability. Just a little more. Another hour passed, and still, the monster clung to life. Hengsheng had no choice. If he stayed any longer, he risked running out of Qi completely, and if that happened, he would be forced to retreat back into the divine tree¡¯s aura. But before falling back, he had one last attack left. He gathered every last drop of Spiritual Qi within him, forcing all of his remaining strength into one final attack. The air around him shuddered, his connection to heaven and earth deepened, and he felt as though his very being had reached a new height. Then, without hesitation¡ª BOOOOMMMM! The final Qi Cannon, powered by the full strength of his Dao Heart, tore through the battlefield, colliding with the monster in an explosion so fierce that the entire ground shook violently beneath him. As the dust settled, Hengsheng was already about to retreat, prepared to escape the moment he saw the creature begin to move again. But then¡ª The monster stopped. Its massive body froze. Its flesh darkened. And then, ever so slowly¡ª It began to dissipate. Hengsheng stared, his exhausted mind barely processing what he was seeing, but as the last remnants of the monster faded into nothingness, a weak smile tugged at his lips. He had won. But his body was done. His Qi was completely drained. His vision blurred. His head ached. The entire world spun violently around him. With the last ounce of his strength, he called out weakly¡ª ¡°Yunsu¡­ take me somewhere safe¡­¡± "Meow!" His loyal companion barely had time to react before he collapsed. The last thing he heard was Yunsu¡¯s desperate cry, and then¡ª Darkness.
In a dark, hidden corner within the Pillar Foundation land, over a hundred people¡ªclad in black robes with their faces concealed¡ªgathered in near-total gloom. Among them stood a tall, imposing figure wielding an axe whose deep, resonant voice cut through the silence as he addressed the assembly: ¡°Do you have the Fire Seal Core formation?¡± From a nearby cluster of sword-wielders, a measured voice replied, ¡°Yes, but the Immortal tier talisman I got from the cult is all used up; I cannot launch another attack.¡± The axeman nodded gravely at this response and then turned his attention to another faction¡ªa group whose members, unlike the first with their cold, water-Qi aura, carried swords at their waists and exuded an unstable yet intensely charged aura of static electricity. If Hengsheng were here he would remember the aura of a few people in this group who had once beaten up Baixing and his friend. With deliberate cadence, the leader inquired, ¡°How about you¡ªhow many of the God Spawn cages have you broken?¡± At that moment, one man stepped forward with a self-assured smirk that betrayed his dissatisfaction with the axeman¡¯s temporary authority. Arrogantly, he declared, ¡°I have broken countless of them and lost many of my sect members in the process, so I consider my mission complete, and I will not be getting involved further,¡± as if the entire ordeal were nothing more than a trivial inconvenience. The axeman¡¯s expression darkened into a stern frown as he admonished, ¡°Do not be too arrogant, Wei Bujia¡ªthis is an important mission for our cult, and there can be no mistakes. Even if you do not wish to take any risks, this time there is no alternative; your only choice is to follow my command.¡± Wei Bujia gritted his teeth in silent indignation. Although irritated by the Axeman''s tone, he knew that failure would mean death for them all¡ªwhether at the hands of the overlord or the cult¡ªso he forced himself to remain calm and replied, ¡°I will continue to awaken more God Spawn and remain hidden; we will not join the attack until the very end.¡± With that, the axeman rose, fixed his steely gaze upon Wei Bujia with a nod, and addressed the entire assembly ¡°I will lead the attack on Earth Seal, but I wonder if they are still there. Maybe they have already brought the Earth Seal Core formation to Metal Seal and gathered all their forces. If that is the case, a direct confrontation is impossible, and we have no choice but to use the last resort plan leading the God Spawn to attack them all at once.¡± The cult members nodded in agreement, then continued to discuss other details and plans. Finally, they disbanded to carry out their respective duties. Chapter 46 - He is Back! Hengsheng now found himself at the edge of the endless forest. It had been three days since he killed the abomination monster¡ªthree days ago, he had passed out from depleted Qi. During that time, Yunsu had dragged him through the forest with her small body for an entire day before he finally regained his senses. The hardship had taken its toll, and now Yunsu appeared angry with him. "I''m sorry! How about I find something tasty for you later?" he offered sheepishly. Perched on his right shoulder, Yunsu turned her face away, her ears twitching slightly at his words, yet she remained resolute in ignoring him. "Since you are silent, I shall assume that means yes," Hengsheng continued. "Meowww!!" came the sharp retort as she slapped him in the face for his shameless claim. As one human and one spirit beast travel across the forest terrain, Hengsheng tries to observe his surroundings. He still doesn''t see any demon beasts other than those gathered around the divine tree¡¯s aura, and he is also on the lookout to determine if the abomination monster is the only one in the forest. However, after traveling for so long, he finds no sign of another abomination monster, which relieves him; he doesn''t want to encounter something his logic cannot comprehend. Soon, he reaches the edge of the endless forest. In front of him lies a rocky mountain terrain where the Lan Clan base is hidden somewhere above. Hengsheng feels a bit excited¡ªonce he nears his destination, he can focus on advancing his cultivation realm and attend to the many tasks awaiting him. Without further hesitation, he resumes his journey. But something feels off. Hengsheng frowns; he experiences the same sensation as when he was in the endless forest¡ªthe demon beasts have vanished. Hengsheng quickly rushes to his Lan Clan base at high speed. Along the way, he notices signs of a struggle¡ªa familiar scene from the endless forest¡ªand his anxiety spikes, fearing that something bad is about to unfold. Not long after, he arrives at the Mountain Wall. Though it seems unremarkable, it is, in fact, the formation array concealing the entrance of the cave. Hengsheng steps into the solid mountain wall without delay and finds no resistance. He emerges on the other side, spotting two clan members guarding the cave. Their faces light up with excitement upon seeing him. "Brother Hengsheng! You¡¯re finally back!" "Welcome back, Brother Hengsheng!" Hengsheng processes the sight of his clanmates alive. From the evidence he finds along the way, he already assumes that the monster might also attack his clan base. "What happened outside? Why have all the demon beasts around here disappeared?" At his question, the two of them appear pale, and one responds. "Brother Hengsheng, you won''t believe it. While guarding the entrance, I spotted a strange demon beast¡ªvery powerful, with an unusual appearance. It seemed to hunt everything in its path, but fortunately, it couldn¡¯t see through our hidden formation; otherwise, we might have become its next meal." His voice trembles as he recollects the events. It dawns on Hengsheng that the creature responsible for wiping out all the nearby demon beasts was indeed the abomination monster. He wonders if there is more than the one he encountered. He continues questioning, "When did it happen, and where has it gone now?" The two recall the events and answer that the monster they saw seemed to be the same as the one that appeared in the endless forest. It showed up here a year ago, relentless in its hunt after finishing off every demon beast in the area. Then, it disappeared into the forest and has not returned to the Rocky Mountains since.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Hengsheng nods, relieved that no immediate threat remains. He points at one of them and says, "You have led me to the best cultivation cave; I will cultivate here." "Yes, Brother Hengsheng!" comes the reply. Shortly after, he arrives at the cave, its interior brimming with dense spiritual Qi. Satisfied, he nods, then takes out two green leaves and hands them to his clanmate, saying, "This is a Divine-grade treasure. Share it with the one at the gate, and don''t let anyone disturb me. You may go now." Upon hearing that it was a Divine-grade treasure, the clanmate¡¯s eyes widen, nearly popping out of his head. He quickly regains his composure, steps outside, and bows to Hengsheng. "I''ll give it my all, Brother Hengsheng!" Once he watches him depart, Hengsheng shuts the stone door of his cultivation cave and approaches the stone bed. He retrieves his soft mattress from his space ring, lays it on the stone bed, and lies down. After a year, Hengsheng finally feels secure and promptly starts his cultivation session with the first task: enjoying a deep, restful sleep... Hengsheng wakes up the next day as a cultivator. Although he no longer requires sleep, it serves as a good reminder that he is human despite his power and provides the best way to refresh his state of mind. He plans to continue it even as he grows stronger. Beside him, he sees Yunsu with her eyes closed as if she is in a deep sleep, now floating gracefully. At the same time, spiritual Qi gathers around her, weaving into a delicate, continuous thread¡ªa pattern suggesting she is in the process of breaking through to Rank 2 of the Spirit Beast cultivation realm and will soon ascend to Rank 3. He has challenges ahead of him as well. Still, after experiencing Samuel¡¯s life, he decides to adjust his plan from immediate breakthrough to the next cultivation realm right after securing a safe place to a more refined approach; he had not realized that one could alter the very nature of cultivation to become a profoundly different direction. His new strategy is to refine his current cultivation system¡ªa system recognized among all cultivators on this continent as The Path of Dao Attainment. It begins with creating a Spirit Body at the Body Awakening Realm; then, in the Qi Gathering Realm, a cultivator must gather spiritual Qi to refine and fill the spirit core while opening at least 64 Qi meridians. Following that, the next realm is the Spiritual Foundation, for if Qi Gathering represents a true cultivator, then the Spiritual Foundation marks the first step on the Dao path, establishing the very foundation of the cultivator¡¯s Dao Heart¡ªSpiritual Symbol. To break through from the Qi Gathering Realm into the Spiritual Foundation Realm, one must open the Upper Dantian and form a Spiritual Symbol within. Subsequently, the Heavenly Dao sends a mind tribulation to test the strength of this Spiritual Symbol. If it proves too weak, it will be destroyed, the cultivator will fail, and their Upper Dantian will be severely damaged, making future breakthroughs increasingly difficult. But Hengsheng already possessed his Dao Heart, so he was confident that he would easily forge a solid and strong Spiritual Symbol, yet that was not enough for him¡ªhe yearned for more and was determined to push beyond the norm. Hengsheng entered the mind space to evaluate the full capabilities of his mind and to start developing his new cultivation technique. He did not intend to switch to another cultivation system¡ªit was already too late for that. Moreover, while comparing Samuel''s cultivation system, which emphasizes purely human genetics, with this continent''s system, he recognized that the latter was stronger and more refined in its foundation. This system nurtures all aspects of a cultivator¡ªmind, body, and soul¡ªin a balanced manner, resulting in a solid foundation that prepares one for Dao attainment and eventual immortality. All cultivation techniques employ different methods based on the cultivator''s path, yet the final destination remains the same. In the Spiritual Foundation Realm, the first step is to open the Upper Dantian and form a Spiritual Symbol. To open the Upper Dantian, one must first open the initial 64 Qi meridians, which act as pathways for spiritual Qi within the body and connect all three Dantains. the Lower Dantian¡ªThis is where the spirit core is located. These 64 Qi meridians channel spiritual Qi from the spirit core to the Upper Dantian in the brain. The method for opening the Upper Dantian is the same as that for opening the Qi meridians. Still, it requires a significantly higher quality and quantity of spiritual Qi than simply opening the Qi meridians. The next step is condensing a Spiritual Symbol, representing the cultivator¡¯s chosen path and philosophy. The method for doing this varies according to the specific cultivation technique practiced; the symbol can take any shape or form. On this continent, where sword cultivation is particularly popular, many techniques guide the cultivator to condense a Spiritual Symbol in the form of a Sword. The result is an enhancement of their talent and affinity for the sword dao, more so than if the symbol were formed in another shape. After reflecting on his knowledge of his current cultivation system, he had already determined his path to becoming the system maker. He was poised to carve out his own path and forge a unique future. Chapter 47 - Breakthrough! Hengsheng had no trouble opening the Upper Dantian, as both the quality and quantity of his Spiritual Qi were more than sufficient. Additionally, his control over his own Spiritual Qi is unmatched by anyone in the same realms, thanks to the assistance of his main system. His real problem is the Spiritual Symbol. What he expects from it is not a typical Spiritual Symbol like everyone else''s but one that elevates his foundation to another level. Hengsheng uses his mind space power and a sample of Cultivation World Laws to determine whether his idea is feasible. He has many concepts, such as using his Dao Heart directly as a Spiritual Symbol or creating something akin to a treasure or an artifact that would be an ideal material to condense his Spiritual Symbol with system power. After he goes through countless considerations and metaphors, he finally knows the best thing he can use to condense into his spiritual symbol¡ªthe answer is something he has never considered before¡ªThe mind space! The mind space is a unique power granted to him after his reincarnation by unknown means. He did not want to understand it either because he knew he was too weak for such a concept. It bestows upon him omnipotent power over his imaginary world¡ªan endless, white, empty space within his mind. This space is almost disconnected from the real world, and he can''t use its power directly in the real world unless he supplies it with equal energy to produce the desired results. However, that is not an effective method of using the power of mind space. The best approach is through the system, which allows him to utilize a fraction of the omnipotent power of mind space in the real world. This method costs him significantly less than a direct approach to accessing that power. Hengsheng frowns at the unexpected answer he received and continues to contemplate what might happen if he proceeds. The outcome is that his mental space will lose its independence as a private world and become more connected to the outside, risking interference from an individual with mental or spiritual abilities. However, this isn''t necessarily bad, as he still remains the supreme being within his mental space, just as always. If someone like that were to enter his mind space, they would be in serious danger trouble. The real downside is that his mind space will completely forfeit other potential powers he could project into the real world in the future, leaving only the system power intact. The immediate effect would be that he will lose his slightly enchanted intelligence in the real world. Even if he has enough power to turn back time in the future, he can''t do so by using his mind space ability. Although it may not seem lost now, once he gains enough power to wield the mind space at will, this all-encompassing omnipotent power of mind space will leave him without any weaknesses. Using mind space as his spiritual symbol also benefits him. He sacrifices his potential power in the distant future, the timing of which is unknown to him. He received a significant boost in his system creation ability. The system''s power to challenge the laws and order in the realm governed by the heavenly Dao will be permitted to some extent. It felt as if the heavenly Dao encouraged him on this path and personally granted him a power enhancement. Hengsheng is currently weighing his options. Shortly thereafter, he decides to embark on this path and transform his mind space into his spiritual symbol. Although he will forfeit his potential omnipotent power through his Mind space ability, he is confident that he can compensate for this loss by cultivating an exalted technique and system power. With this determination, he began to develop a cultivation technique that utilized his mind space to condense a spiritual symbol! Within a minute, the system administrator, Blue, helped him generate several cultivation techniques, which Hengsheng reviewed one by one, each time raising his eyebrows in awe at their remarkable effects. One technique grants him the ability to imbue an object with system power and awaken its wisdom, transforming it into a spirit system race¡ªa lineage derived from the spirit race. This gives its wielder their own system power, and it can also cultivate to grow stronger like any other spirit race by absorbing spiritual qi and treasures. Hengsheng imagines wielding ten cheat-like artifacts, each with different system powers comparable to his life simulation system. It would completely obliterate any opponent.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Another one gives him a significant boost in his ability to create a specific type of system. With this, he might be able to develop a system that his current cultivation realm cannot achieve, such as a sign-in system that demands great insight into the Dao of Fate and Destiny to construct a legitimate system, not a knockoff one. There¡¯s even one that will double the system''s reward after it results; it¡¯s complete cheating on top of cheating. After reviewing everything, he must choose one. Each technique has its own advantages. Although it makes his system feel more like a cheat, ultimately, he is not just a system user but also a system maker. Then, he chose the technique that gave him a massive boost as a system maker [The System World Creation Manual]. This technique does not boost his system power more than any other technique, but it allows me to transform his mind space into the System World. It will enhance his system creation ability, but the key factor in his choice is that it grants him the power to bring life to the systems he creates; they will become a system race¡ªa race under his rule, not under the heavenly Dao, living within the System World¡ªthe world between thought and reality. They can grow stronger by gathering thoughts, destiny, causality, and other elements, even if they initially seem as useless as the Life Stealer System. He believes that granting his system a real-life, rather than merely an artifact, intelligence will open many new possibilities for creativity and other things. One final advantage is that his system''s capacity will no longer matter since the system will exist within The System World, which is unified with him. He doesn''t have to expend a significant amount of Spiritual Qi to install or uninstall his system anymore; he can swap them at will. Even in the midst of battle, he only needs to create a system ahead of time. Hengsheng opened his eyes and took a moment to gather his thoughts before he began working through the breakthrough process. He closed his eyes again but didn¡¯t enter the mind space this time. Instead, he focused on the spirit body within him. Following his commands, his spirit body gradually guided his spiritual qi into his spirit core and toward his brain, where his upper Dantian resides. When his spiritual qi reached it, he directed it along the path of the cultivation technique, allowing it to erode the upper Dantian blockage gradually. He continued to follow the technique without making any mistakes. A day passed, and the last blockage was removed. His spirit body immediately entered the upper Dantain. Then, with intent focus, he began the next step of the breakthrough. As his spirit body settled at the center of the upper Dantain, he proceeded with the technique, channeling a large amount of his spiritual qi to the Upper Dantain. Due to the movement of intent qi within his body, the air around him turned into a raging whirlwind. The spirit body at the center of the upper Dantian has become a vital spiritual symbol as his spiritual qi circulates and condenses around it. Hengsheng diligently follows the pathway of [The System World Creation Manual]. Then, he brings out a bundle of branches and leaves from the divine tree stored in his space ring. He employs the main system''s absorption function on them, gradually drawing in their qi, natural essence, and Dao essence to support his breakthrough process. Another day passed, and the process continued as his spirit body became completely surrounded by dense Spiritual Qi and Dao essence. Then, the whirlwind of Qi, both inside and outside his body, stopped rotating. A moment later, his spirit body began to pull in all the Qi and Dao essence into the center, starting the condensing process. The pull was intense. Hengsheng felt the high pressure pressing on him. Inside the upper Dantian, a blue orb began to form, similar to his spirit core. The Qi runes and patterns wove together according to the process technique. Finally, the last Qi rune fills the gap on the surface of his spiritual symbol. In the next moment, the most important part of the technique combines his spiritual symbol with the mind space to create The System World! As the Spiritual Symbol completes, it sends a Qi wave through his whole body, intending to summon his mind space. He does not know where it is located, but he assumes it is also inside his brain. Then, his mind space emerged from nowhere; it was the first time he saw what his mind space actually looked like, appearing inside the upper Dantian as a Flame¡ªa chaotic red flame. Despite its appearance, it does not burn or seem a threat to him; instead, it calms him like never before. He ignored it and moved on to the next step. The blue orb and the red chaotic flame collided with it, not causing an explosion; instead, they fused together¡ªThen Heavenly Dao sent him the Mind tribulation. Chapter 48 - Spiritual Foundation! A moment later, Hengsheng found himself in an unfamiliar place. He looked around; nothing was visible. The area was filled with gray mist. He was not surprised to suddenly appear here; he had already expected it. This place was a mind tribulation sent by the heavenly dao to test his spiritual symbol strength. Soon, Hengsheng frowned at the peculiarity of his mind''s tribulation, which stemmed from his knowledge. The mind tribulation manifested as the Road of Dao Cultivation, The path that tested the cultivator on their chosen path. Only ten steps down the path would count as passing the tribulation. But even though Hengsheng looked in all directions, he did not see anything resembling the Path. In fact, there was nothing at all, only empty space, just like his mind space. Except there was a gray mist that obscured his vision, making it impossible to see farther away. "What does this mean?" Hengsheng thought briefly before deducting, "Is the Heavenly Dao trying to tell me that there is no path in my chosen path?" If that were the case, he would do what he intended to do in the first place¡ªhe would carve his own path! With his resolve, he summons his Dao heart to this place. The Dao heart aura envelops him instantly, making his body shine with blue light! His eyes shine like a flashlight, seen through the gray mist. The mist is no longer obscured; what lies beyond is a countless number of paths stretching before him, each filled with different difficulties. Some paths lead through the burning ground, while others traverse the Sharp Blade Road. Despite these challenges, it is all the same at the end of the road: the mountain. As he gazes at the mountain, he understands immediately what it signifies; if he reaches that mountain peak, he will become immortal! Hengsheng, without hesitation, stepped into the empty space, a void without any road. As his first step touched the void, it caused a resonance throughout the whole space. Soon, under his foot, a new road floor slowly emerged. Hengsheng took another step, and with the resonance wave, another new road floor appeared. He continued to step forward, soon reaching ten steps. When he took the eleventh step and as the road appeared, he started to feel the pressure weighing down on him; it pressed right into his mind, making his thought process difficult. As he continued to walk forward, the pressure increased with every step, and soon, an obstacle appeared in his path. It was a road covered in thin ice that would break if he stepped on it carelessly. However, he smirked at the obstacle, for as a system maker, he knew there were two ways to proceed in his path. One was to find the shortcut and cheat like others could not, and the second was to break the obstacle with cheat-like power and reshape it to suit his purpose. As his Dao heart aura resonated with his thoughts, the aura around his body shone brightly. He stomped onto the thin ice road, shattering it into pieces. Despite this, he did not fall into the abyss; the impact of his stomp created a large wave of resonance, forming a bridge for him. The bridge stretches straight up to the top of the mountain. Hengsheng continues his steps... He can''t remember how he returned to his cultivation cave without knowing when he passed the mind tribulation. Hengsheng Scratching his head in confusion, the last thing he remembered was stepping onto the bridge, then¡­nothing. Hengsheng slowly observes himself; he can feel a newfound strength. It looks like he has succeeded in breaking through and has now become a Spiritual Foundation realm cultivator. He turns to see if Yunsu is doing what he saw. She is still in the process of breaking through to rank 3. Hengsheng knows this is good for demon beasts or spirit races. The more time they take, the more powerful they will become. Even before, Yunsu was stronger than him in both pure power and fighting instinct due to her absurd, powerful bloodline, yet she was useless against the monster only because she did not have the means to kill it. When he shifts his focus to himself, a new sense emerges from his Upper Dantain. It is similar to the Spirit body but more profound and potent¡ªit is The Divine Sense! This is another perk that comes with the breakthrough. His spirit body has now evolved for the better. As he tested it out, a wave of Divine sense instantly enveloped the entire place. It was faster than light! He could feel anything inside his cave.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. He takes his time to become familiar with the divine sense until it feels like another limb of his body. Curious, he sends the divine sense back inside his upper Dantian. He wants to see what his spiritual symbol looks like. When his divine sense returned to the upper Dantian, Hengsheng saw that it had the same shape as his spirit core but was a red orb instead of a blue one. Its surface was decorated with Qi patterns and Qi runes that resembled when he brought the Infinite Evolution System outside his body to imbue Yunsu for hatching. Moreover, it also had patterns of the Red Chaotic Flame moving across the surface as if it would never be extinguished, even now that it had become his spiritual symbol. After he observed the true appearance of his mind space, he couldn''t help but feel curious about its origin, murmuring, "Where did it come from?" Hengsheng became serious. He needed to see what the world inside the system would be like. He closed his eyes and did the same thing he had done when he entered the mind space. Not even needing a second, he appeared in the System world. Looking around, he murmured, "This was the same as Mind Space." It was totally the same in appearance, but he could feel something with his supreme authority. Here, he could clearly sense the laws of the outside world, not a law of heavenly Dao, but it was the Law of reality existence. This space was now somehow linked to reality, and the law of reality would grant many changes in it, such as he could properly use it as his space ring to store his things. He might also be able to store a living thing, but he will try that later. Most importantly, he acts like the Dao of Heaven himself in the system world. Hengsheng was satisfied with this result. Even though he felt a little insecure, his feelings were within an acceptable range as long as he remained supreme in his own world; that was good. Hengsheng opened his eyes and did one last check before proceeding with another plan: opening the main system panel. Ding! [Status] Name: Lan Hengsheng Race: Human Age: 20 Spirit Core: System Neutral Spirit Core {Earth} Cultivation Realm: Spiritual Foundation {0.01%} Qi Cultivation Method: The System World Creation Manual [Attributes]: Special Traits: The System World, Super Divine Sense, Vast Meridian, The Sun Gaze Genetic Qi Techniques: Auxiliary Systems Capacity {100/100%}: [System Points]: {0/10,000 Points} [Absorb] [Upgrade] Hengsheng widened his eyes at the increased attributes he received from advancing his cultivation realm, but soon, he shook his head. "I have to get rid of this; what a useless function!" He was really dissatisfied with his shortsightedness when he created the main system. Due to his lack of understanding of cultivation, he made everything merely reflect LITRPG, but it couldn''t truly fit into this world as he had thought. At least the twelve main functions are working well. After the breakthrough, he needed to stabilize his cultivation realm for some time before continuing to test his newfound power and practice his techniques. This left him time to update his main system. Hengsheng brought out seven Dao treasures. These treasures held fragments of Dao essence representing the five elements and Yin-Yang, as he was in the most Abundant place on the entire continent. He had never discovered them all in one place like this. He intends to refine all of them into one to create the Heavenly Dao Connector. This connector will be integrated into the main system and serve as the link between him and the seven Dao of heaven. Hengsheng intends to borrow the power of these Dao to sustain his main system. The result is unknown to him now, but it can''t be bad since he has already confirmed that his action is not violent under any Heavenly Dao rule with his Mind space power long ago. Hengsheng began to refine the Divine-grade treasure immediately. He controls the seven treasures floating around him with his Divine Sense. He, who is now at the Spiritual Foundation Realm, is not strong enough to effectively refine a divine-grade treasure. However, he doesn¡¯t need to since he has an assistant. He activates the [Absorb] function, and moments later, the Qi thread emerges from his spirit core and makes contact with the treasure, beginning to absorb the divine-grade treasure''s Qi essence into his spirit core. Chapter 49 - Heavenly Dao Connector! The Qi essence of these divine-grade treasures condenses into a single point within his spirit core, and from there, his main system then takes over. The Qi essence merges together under the system''s control, and the process continues for a while until it forms an octagonal emblem that glistens and pulses with the Dao rhythm. This is the Heavenly Dao connector Hengsheng; control it carefully, then imprint the emblem into his spirit core! Instantly, his spirit core is enveloped by the aura of heaven and earth, and it starts to form an invisible connection with the heavenly Dao. Hengsheng himself is also being enveloped; his aura is being refined by Heaven and Earth. Soon, he starts to feel a high pressure at his spirit core. Hengsheng frowned, "This is bad." He can feel that his spirit core is being pressed by the weight of heaven and earth to the point that it is almost breaking apart. "Crack!" The fractures start to appear on his blue orb spirit core. Hengsheng turns pale at the sight; the only thing he can do is hope it can endure for a while. If he stops here, not only will his spirit core be damaged, but he will also lose all his efforts for nothing! His prayer seemed to work somehow. A moment later, the octagonal emblem fully imprinted itself into his spirit core, sending glistens and pulses through the entire core. Adjusting the aura of the spirit core to be compatible with heaven and earth, Hengsheng could feel that the pressure on his spirit core was easing. Hengsheng opened his eyes, and blood gushed from his mouth. He coughed out the blood and wiped his lips, his expression pale due to the unexpected injury. "I should be more careful about using Mind Space prediction." Even though Mind Space predicted he would be fine, he should not rush to proceed without first securing the risk as much as possible. So, the damage to his spirit core is completely his own fault. Hengsheng sent his Divine sense to observe his spirit core damage. The crake is not so bad. From its appearance, it had Stretch marks around three out of ten on the spirit core surface; there was no deep wound. He breathed a sigh of relief. With his minor injury, he only needed to stabilize his cultivation, which he could later fix his wound with system power¡­. Ding! [Heavenly Dao Quest] [Quest Title]: Offen Compensation [Description]: Due to your act of stealing power from the Heavenly Dao, this action is considered highly offensive. The Heavenly Dao demands your compensation. [Objectives]: Deliver the Tier 3, upgradeable, Luck Dao-related System to the Heavenly Dao. [0/1] [Rewards]: Fully Restore user condition to its optimal state. [Time Limit/Conditions]: one hour or Decline the quest. [Failure Penalty]: Struck by Tier 3 Heavenly Tribulation. [Accept] [Yes/No] Hengsheng''s eyes widen in shock as he stares at the system panel he didn''t design! "What the heck! I¡¯m being hacked!" This system panel was completely different from the one he had designed before. Although he preferred simplicity, this one was unique. Its frames and backgrounds display stunning and magnificent designs, featuring purple-gold clouds swirling into the shape of the eye of heaven, positioned at the top. Hengsheng carefully read through the text content it presented to him. "So I have to pay a tax to use unlimited energy from the heavenly Dao. I should have expected something like this in the first place. I forgot that there¡¯s no free meal in this world or any other world."The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. "But how does the heavenly Dao have a system? It''s so strange that it doesn''t fit the nature of the heavenly Dao at all." With a deep breath, Hengsheng closes his eyes and enters the system world before checking the database of his main system. Soon, he discovered the cause of this strange event. It turned out that the moment his spirit core connected with the heavenly dao through the heavenly dao connector, the heavenly dao utilized this connection to send a message directly to him through the new system function that the heavenly dao itself created by copying his main system framework! Hengsheng slapped his own face and scolded himself, "Why am I so stupid? If I can connect to heaven, why can''t heaven connect to me?" But soon, he regained his composure and began to think carefully. Throughout his life, he had believed that the Heavenly Dao was a heartless natural phenomenon that could only respond to certain established rules. Yet, this action made him reconsider¡ªclearly, it could adapt to new things, a perk exclusive to those who possess intelligence. maybe heavenly Dao is the AI of Heaven and Earth? Hengsheng frowned as he read the content on the system panel; the Heavenly Dao demanded that he create a system for it. And what did Tier 3 mean? Ding! [Congratulations! You completed the hidden quest] [Rewards]: Basic Tiering System knowledge [Accepte] [Yes/No] He could not help but feel awed that heaven could really read his mind. He immediately accepted the reward, and a moment later, certain knowledge rushed into his mind. He experienced the same sensation when he learned a Qi technique through system power. He quickly reviewed it "The tiering system is a hierarchical framework designed to assess and classify power levels based on the quality and quantity of energy and impact." It differs from the hierarchical rank of a cultivator''s cultivation realms. With the basic knowledge provided to him, there are seven tiers: the first tier represents the energy level of a normal human or animal; the second tier corresponds to high-power machines or those metahumans in the life simulation of Samuel Barlow; and tier three is the energy level capable of powering an entire city, the higher tier, the more destructive it will become. He compares himself with this tier system; He would be at the low end of the tier 3 level. Soon, he now knew what the Heavenly Dao was asking for. The Heavenly Dao demanded of him a Tier 3 System that could be powered by an amount of energy sufficient to light up an entire city. Hengsheng noted that this was not hard to do so since his main system and Life Simulation System were already operating at that level of energy; when they were first created, they consumed a large amount of Spiritual Qi¡ªan amount equal to what could power an entire city for a while. Even if it was not that difficult to achieve, Hengsheng felt a little uncomfortable being forced to work for heaven. If he did not comply, Heaven would send him its traditional method of punishment: Heavenly Tribulation. He did not want to experience that a second time¡ªhe still remembered the lightning flowing through his veins; it hurt like hell. Sighing with dejection, he began his work for the Heavenly Dao, who requested a system that could be upgradeable and had to be related to Luck Dao. He thought for a while, then closed his eyes and began to craft a system within the System World. He hurried to complete the work because he was given only an hour¡ªIf it was before this just a little amount of time, not even enough time for energy transfer to create a system, though that was before; now, in his Spiritual Foundation, his power to send out energy all at once had improved tenfold, so he could make it in time if he was quick enough. With a rapid design, he created the [Gamble System]. It was an easy mechanic that the system could increase the user''s chance of winning any gamble by spending their Qi Luck and stealing Qi Luck from the loser. It was a very simple mechanic and dangerous to use, but Hengsheng did not care because he was not the one who would be using it anyway¡ªhe simply considered that he was giving it life. Hengsheng shook his head; sending out a living system without knowing where or why was too dangerous. Then he opened his eyes and focused the Spiritual Qi above his palm. Qi surged from all directions, gathering above his hand and slowly condensing into a system orb artifact. Hengsheng frowned as he realized that the Heaven and Earth Qi were following his actions without any explicit command¡ªit must be that the heavenly Dao was assisting him. He nodded in understanding this was why he was given only an hour to complete. it helps him in the energy transition process, greatly expediting the creation. Before long, the system orb Qi artifact was complete. It looked similar to the one he had created for Yunsu''s spirit beast egg, though differing in the runes and the pattern of Qi on its surface. Then Hengsheng wondered aloud, "How can I deliver it?" Without further prompting, a mass of purple-gold clouds slowly materialized in front of him in the form of an offering plate. Hengsheng almost laughed at the absurdity of the event, but he quickly controlled his lip¡ªif he laughed at the Heavenly Dao, it might anger him and send 10 rounds of heavenly tribulation to teach him a manner. Instead, he maintained his composure, carefully sending the system orb Qi artifact onto the offering plate. Then he observed as the cloud and the system orb Qi artifact were swept away into the void. Chapter 50 - System Update! Ding! [Congratulations! You completed the quest] [Rewards]: Restore user condition to its optimal state. [Accepte] [Yes/No] Hengsheng pressed his finger on "Yes" immediately. A moment later, the golden light came out of nowhere to envelop his body entirely; he felt it was healing him, fixing the wound on his spirit core, and finally stabilizing this cultivation realm instantly! The relaxed sensation made him feel a little sleepy, but he forced himself to wake and observe himself with the divine sense; another time, he felt awe at the power of heavenly dao. It put his body in peak condition just like that, and he did not even feel any effort to do so. With the time limit no longer a concern, Hengsheng took a moment to reflect on what had just happened. "A connection between me and the Heavenly Dao like this will surely make my life difficult..." He realized that there was a chance the Heavenly Dao might turn him into its personal servant and control him through the quest. This thought made him frown¡ªeven though he could sever the connection after using its power, the price would have to be paid in another way, whether through karma or misfortune. He resolved that it was better to keep the connection intact to discern the Heavenly Dao¡¯s true intentions. "Whatever comes, I will be ready," he declared, firmly establishing his resolve to fight anything Heavenly Dao throws at him. Hengsheng then decided to set this matter aside and focus on finishing the system upgrade plan. He had already created an updated version of the system, but with the new knowledge of the tiering system he had just acquired, he decided to make a few more adjustments. Quickly, he entered the System World and made the necessary modifications, updating several components until he was completely satisfied. After he was done with the design, he opened his eyes and quickly brought a mountain of spirit stones to lay around him. He intended to use it in case the energy drain was more than he expected. He learned this through suffering. With everything ready, he began to proceed with the update; he murdered only when he heard it: "Initialize the system update." Ding [Upgrading The Strongest Cultivator System¡­.] Crack! Hengsheng eyes wide, and he tries to look where the cracking sound is coming from. He did not want to be injured again second in one day, but after carefully observing his own body, there was nothing wrong¡­ Crack! Once again, the sound came out. This time, he knew now where it was coming from. It was a spirit stone aside from him. it was drained so quickly that it shattered instantly. Crack!! He turned a bit pale from seeing the rate of the system upgrade drain, but he did not feel it inside his body. It was like the proceed chose to drain the outside Spiritual Qi first. This must be another side effect of the Heavenly Dao Connector. Hengsheng quickly brought out more spirit stones. He sensed the interior of his space ring and could not help but pity himself. The spirit stones that he carried around were massive compared to the same generation of him, but even with that, they were almost gone now. The million low-rank spirit stones are now only 100,000 left due to his cultivation consumption for the last two years. He immediately understands why people like to kill each other just for a couple of treasures. It turns out that no matter how much you have, it will never be enough! One after another, spirit stones have been shattered; he also brought out more spirit stones to continue the process. He can feel that soon, it will be a complete upgrade. "This is boring; I should add the instant progress function after this." As Hengsheng predicts, the system update is complete after it drains more than half of his spirit stone. Ding! [The Strongest Cultivator System is Upgraded]Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Ding! [The Strongest Cultivator System Panel] Name: Lan Hengsheng Race: Human Spirit Core: System Neutral Spirit Core [Earth] Cultivation Realms: Spiritual Foundation [0.01%] Cultivation Techniques: The System World Creation Manual Attainments: Dao Heart [Status Attributes]: Overall Battle Power: Tier 3 - B Physical: Tier 2 - A Energy: Tier 3 - C Unity: Tier 3 - A Abilities & Skills: Tier 3 - C Traits: The System World [Tier ???], The Sun Gaze Genetic [Tier 1 - S] [Abilities & Skills Library]: Abilities: Super Divine Sense, Vast Meridian Combat Skills: Thousand Motion Art, Endless Step Technique, Horizon Shift Technique, World Shatter Palm Art, Qi Surge Cannon Technique, Heaven¡¯s Pulse Fist Technique, Pure Qi Rebound Technique. Secondary Skills: Hidden Mind Sutra, Basic Formation Mastery, Basic Artifact Crafting, Basic Rune Engraving. [Auxiliary Systems] [1/4]: Life Simulator System [Tier 2 - S] [Available Functions]: Absorption, Upgrade, Inspection, Concealment. System Points: 0 Hengsheng smirks with his new system upgrade. It seems similar in appearance, but the system function power is greatly enchanted, and almost all limitations are eliminated. A new sensation rushed through him as the system optimized his entire being. His movements were precise, his body felt light, and his senses were sharper. As he moved to test out his new system''s power, he realized that this precise control revealed much about himself. He instantly knew how hard his punch was without needing to test it directly; he could feel every fiber of his muscles with the slightest touch. This level of control was completely different from before. Every movement now seemed effortless, as if his body and mind were perfectly synchronized. He marveled at his newfound power and anticipated even greater feats in battle and cultivation. While Hengsheng celebrated his success, he suddenly sensed someone lingering outside his cave. Frowning¡ªhe had already warned others not to disturb him¡ªhe glanced at Yunsu, who was still in the midst of her Rank-up and tried not to disrupt her progress. Reluctantly, he opened his cave and found the one to whom he had given the divine leaves standing there, visibly anxious. Hengsheng¡¯s eyes narrowed as he demanded, "What is your business here?" The clanmate, unable to hide his urgency, replied, "Brother Hengsheng, just a moment¡ªthere¡¯s a group from our clan coming this way, but a strange demon beast, similar to the one that wiped out the rocky mountain, is after them. It has now entered the cave. Others have opposed it, but we haven¡¯t been able to kill it. I came here to ask for your help" Hengsheng felt goosebumps after hearing that the monster was appearing. Even though it wasn''t strong, its mere presence made him want to wash his eyes with soap. However, he didn''t have time to wait; life and death were a matter of seconds. "Lead me the way now!" he commanded. Responding to his command, the guy quickly led him through the cave network. After two minutes, they reached the scene. What he saw was a monster with a disgusting shape, similar to the one in the endless forest, but this one was smaller and had a large mouth at the end of its long body. It was currently being focused fire by his clanmate''s spamming qi technique, with more than thirty of them attacking the monster from afar, causing its flesh to burst every second. However, it also regenerated instantly, keeping pace with the attacks, which made their faces pale as they had never seen anything like this before. As Hengsheng stepped onto the battlefield, he shouted, "Everyone, step back!" Despite his presence, no one followed his command. Some clanmates attacking the monster shouted, "Brother Hengsheng, this demon beast can''t be killed. It will recover instantly if we stop attacking it, and we might all die!" Hengsheng nodded, understanding their fear. They worried that once the monster was free, it would leap into the air and kill some of them, but he wouldn''t let that happen. "I have a way to kill it; you guys back off and don''t get in my way!" Others seemed shocked by his claim and exchanged glances, yet they continued their offensive techniques, not daring to stop. Hengsheng shouted once more, "Now!" Finally, they leaped back as far from the monster as possible. Just as his clanmates had said, the moment they stopped attacking, the monster instantly recovered and leaped at the nearest person. the person''s face went pale as he thought about how to deal with the next life. But before the monster could reach the man, Hengsheng appeared between them. He was now enveloped by the aura of Dao heart and sent a Qi palm at the monster. "Pak!" Its entire body exploded, and it roared in pain from its multiple mouths. The other clanmates, hearing this, were stunned by the monster''s reaction because, despite their nonstop attacks, it had never roared with pain even once. However, with one attack from Hengsheng, they could finally feel that the monster was hurt for the first time. The monster began to recover, but it was significantly slower. Hengsheng didn''t give it a chance to recover; he launched another attack. "Pak!" Just like that, another loop of beating began. Chapter 51 - Tragedy! With the power of his newly upgraded system, especially the Unity Attribute that encompasses his Mind, Heart, and Soul, it effectively manages these aspects; as a result, his control over the Dao Heart has become precise. With every attack, the aura of the Dao Heart penetrates directly through its essence, causing significant damage. Unlike last time, when he needed an entire day of nonstop attacks to destroy it, he now only requires an hour before it stops recovering and turns to dust. Ding! [You have earned: 1,000 system points.] Others of his clanmates cheered after seeing that the monster was now gone. Hengsheng sighed with relief, even though the monster couldn''t do anything to him. However, its aura really made him uncomfortable. He couldn''t feel the monster cultivation realm at all. The monster also had an unusual imbalance since its attack power and speed were so potent, but its defense was that of a mortal. He really wanted to know where the abomination came from. He was sure it was definitely not a normal demon beast. He turned to one of his clanmates¡ªthe one who had led him here¡ªbut noticed that another guard was missing. "You, where is your friend who guards the cave entrance with you?" he demanded. The man, who had previously cheered at the monster¡¯s death, immediately turned to sadness and replied, "Brother Hengsheng, Lan FengYi is dead. He was eaten by this demon just a while ago." Hengsheng frowned and asked, "How many have we lost?" The man looked up, trying to recall the events. His hesitation confirmed to Hengsheng that the losses would be significant. Finally, he answered, "Fifteen? I couldn¡¯t count exactly how many brothers and sisters we lost there outside. I even saw someone being thrown down from the mountain by the demon. I have to check on him first¡ªhas he died yet?" At Hengsheng¡¯s urging, the man hurried off to check on that individual. Hengsheng¡¯s expression was serious; he did not expect disaster to be confined solely to their group. "Who, drag this monster here and bring them to me!" he shouted. In the middle of the clanmate group, Hengsheng noticed that a group of five¡ªboth boys and girls¡ªstepped forward, trembling with guilt. Hengsheng immediately noticed them and gestured for them to come closer. Other clanmates recalled the entire event and seemed angry at these five for having brought the demon here; Hengsheng shook his head and ordered, "Everyone else, go clean up and collect the dead bodies. We will give them a proper funeral now!" With that command, the others hurried to the entrance of the cave to clear up the mess. Only Hengsheng and the five who had just returned remained. They appeared to expect punishment for bringing danger to the clan, but Hengsheng would not do that. He turned to them, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the group of five clan members, his voice firm yet laced with concern "Explain yourselves¡ªwhat exactly happened? How did this monster come after your group?" One of the girls in this group, who seems to be the senior among them, answered his question with a trembling voice, "Big brother Hengsheng, we didn¡¯t mean to bring this monster to endanger our clan, but¡­ we are out of options. We¡¯ve been chased by this monster nonstop for a month," she began to tear up as she continued to speak. "At first, our group had ten brothers and sisters traveling in the secret land for two years. We found many opportunities, and a month ago, we decided to come back here for a safe place to break through. But on the way back, we encountered a group of people dressed in black, covering their entire bodies to the point where their faces or genders are unknown, performing some kind of creepy ritual in the middle of nowhere." She continues, "I don''t remember seeing this group when we were at the entrance of the secret land. We didn''t want to get involved and tried to leave quietly, but their ritual seemed to be over before we left. Then, a dozen of the monsters similar to the one that attacked us crawled out from the ground and started to kill everything that moved immediately. Before I knew it, a group of people in black had already vanished, and one of the monsters noticed us and then chased us all the way here. We lost half of the brothers and sisters in our group when we tried to kill it, but it didn''t die, so we came back here only to ask for help! We are not intent on causing this tragedy!"If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. After she finished her story, she began to cry, and others tried to comfort her. Hengsheng frowned, realizing it was a group of people who had caused this monster to appear. Why are they doing that? In the land of the overlord, what kind of death wish is this, or was it the overlord themselves doing this? Was it to eliminate the younger generation of the other force? Hengsheng shook his head, recalling what the First Elder had told him about the overlord. There was no need for such a disgraceful act; they were already strong enough to suppress everyone head-on. "You all go help others clean up the mess and prepare for the funeral," they nod and leave. Hengsheng also has to do his part. The formation at the entrance appeared damaged from the monster attack. He finds a corner of the cave and sits down, taking out materials for the basic hidden formation array to craft a new flag array. He did not take long to craft a new flag array in the past two years. Not only did he treasure hunt and cultivate, but he also practiced the basic profession skills he acquired from the Golden City. He practiced until he was completely proficient in the basic skills of three professions. The basic hidden formation was just a rank 1 formation, so it was not hard for him to create it alone. He went to the entrance and saw others now almost done cleaning up. At the side of the cave entrance, there were many deformed bodies lying on the ground. He saw only seven bodies intact; it seemed that the other bodies were being eaten by the monster. He does not waste time setting up the formation array precisely and quickly. He gestures his hand for a second and sends the flag array floating into the right position. When glowing with and forming a Qi pattern after a while, it slowly disappears along with the cave entrance. The new hidden formation is complete. After cleaning up all the mess, we finally know that 19 of his clanmates died by this monster attack, including the five that died before even reaching Lan clan base; the funeral was as simple as the one where the body is kept intact in a space ring to be properly buried in the clan area. For those that are not good to look at, we burn the remains and collect the ashes in a chamber pot. In the last case, where nothing remains, we find their belongings and return them to their family. It was just a ritual back in the clan; their family might already know their child is gone since their soul lamp is extinguished. When everything ended, he ordered everyone to enter the cave and not come out for a while since another monster might be out there. Once he saw everyone had gone back inside to the cave, Hengsheng''s face turned dark because, while he was presiding over the funeral, his divine sense noticed someone in the endless forest below trying to peek at them from very far away. He might not have noticed this without the wide range of his super divine sense. He wanted to know who they were and what their intentions were. He took one step and then disappeared from the rocky mountain silently. On the west side of the endless forest, a group of four people dressed in black and carrying swords at their waists moved through the endless forest at high speed yet surprisingly remained silent. No sound came from their footsteps. After traveling a long distance from the rocky mountain, they began to slow down and eventually stopped to rest. One of them broke the silence. "We were surprised to find the Lan clan hideout." "I told you! The group that ran away from the God spawn. They are wearing black and green dresses, which are Lan clan costumes. If we kill them all at that time, then we might not find their hideout, especially the one acting all high and mighty among those black water bumkin; that must be Lan Hengsheng, whom Senior Brother Wei asked everyone to look for." "We really have a jackpot this time. This Lan Hengsheng bounty is high. If I remember correctly, the senior brother said 50,000 low-rank spirit stones!" "What! That much! Even if we split it, it would still be worth more than 10 years of sect wage!" "What a poor bastard if he didn''t dare to humiliate those weak asses of our sect. He wouldn''t have had to die so miserably at the hands of Senior Wei. I still remember a young man from a merchant family who dared to obstruct him from taking some women. That guy''s end was so horrible, including his entire family being sold as slaves." "What do you think senior brother gonna do with him then? I think he properly destroys his cultivation and makes him crippled for life" "That was so basic. I think from senior brother Wei''s standard, he properly forces this guy to eat his clanmate''s dead body" "Awe.. that Disgusting, hahaha¡­!¡­!", "Hahaha", "¡­¡­" Unbeknownst to them, a dozen miles away, a pair of eyes is watching them from the forest''s darkness. Judging by the eyes'' reaction, it seems the owner of those eyes can hear what they are discussing. Chapter 52 - Concealment! Hengsheng follows them for a while and keeps his distance, not letting them notice him. As he observes these four, he can feel their cultivation realm. They are the spiritual foundation realm cultivators. Not long after that, they seem to slow down and eventually stop moving. Hengsheng senses that they are leaning against the tree as if they are resting. He notices that they seem to talk with each other while they rest, but he can''t hear it since if he extends his Divine sense to the point he can perceive their voice, they properly notice him, but He has a way of concealing his divine sense. He activates the Concealment function. Ding! [Activated Concealment Mode] [100 System Points deducted] [05:00] [04:59] [04:58] Hengsheng did not waste time since this option had a time limit. Within this time frame, he would be almost completely concealed and undetected by any means. Even if he stood in front of the opponent, their naked eyes would have a hard time noticing him, let alone detecting his divine sense. Anyone in the same cultivation realm as he definitely can''t detect him. Of course, heaven will not let him have an easy time. A certain rule of balance imposes a temporary limitation on him when he uses it against someone who does not possess Dao; the effect of concealment will be nullified if he attacks or is attacked. He quickly sent his Divine sense to peek at their conservation. "We were surprised to find the Lan clan hideout." "I told you! The group that ran away from the God spawn. They are wearing black and green dresses, which are Lan clan costumes. If we kill them all at that time, Then we might not find their hideout, especially the one acting all high and mighty among those black water bumkin; that must be Lan Hengsheng, whom Senior Brother Wei asked everyone to look for." "We really have a jackpot this time. This Lan Hengsheng bounty is high. If I remember correctly, the senior brother said 50,000 low-rank spirit stones!" ¡­¡­¡­. ¡­¡­¡­. ¡­¡­¡­. "What do you think senior brother gonna do with him then? I think he properly destroys his cultivation and makes him crippled for life." "That was so basic. I think from senior brother Wei''s standard, he properly forces this guy to eat his clanmate''s dead body." "Awe.. that Disgusting, hahaha¡­!¡­!", "Hahaha", "¡­¡­" Hengsheng eyes fill with rage at hearing this degenerate trash talk about him! How dare you! He calms himself and focuses on another thing that is more important: these guys are definitely the Thunderclap Blade sect disciple. He guessed from their conversation that he had already known they would hunt him down, but he did not expect his bounty to be so low¡ªa mere 50k low-rank spirit stone. They greatly underestimated him, but that was fine. The senior brother they mentioned, Hengsheng, suspected he was just a villain-type young master who is commonly found in a world full of murderers. Just hearing about this young master''s feats made him want to kill that guy immediately. Even though he wasn''t a hero-type person, letting bad guys run free would come back to haunt him someday; it was a lesson he learned from his past life. He continued to listen to their conversation. It was mostly nonsense for fun. "We stop for 3 minutes already. Let''s hurry and move back to the main camp; if we do not hurry, we will be late for the next Seal Breaking Ritual next month. If that happens, our neck would fall." "That''s right, but even if we were not there in time, with the news we got, it should be fine, right?" "I''m not sure about this, but the cult mission is far more important than the senior brother mission. We better stick to Schedule, Let''s move" Hengsheng watched them begin to move. He was now deciding what to do. If he let them leave without doing anything, his clan base would not be safe, or he could follow them to their base and kill them all like he gonna do it anyway, but he decided not to because he did not want to leave Yunsu alone for a month. before they move much further, he decides to kill them all here, not letting them return with information on his clan base. Hengsheng began to chase after them as he moved past the hundreds of trees with each step he took.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Soon, he was in front of them. They didn''t seem to notice him at all because he was now in concealment mode and started the attack first! His Qi palm flew through the air, and his concealment broke at that moment. Four cultivators noticed him immediately, but it was too late. His Qi palm had already reached the one who led the group. "Pak! Boom!" echoed as the blow connected. "Ahhhhh!" He strikes the attack, but to his surprise, the guy is not dead but badly injured. The others quickly recover from the shock of the ambush and draw their swords. "Who are you?" Hengsheng steps forward to make himself more visible. The eyes of these four cultivators are wide. "Lan, Hengsheng! You followed us. How?" He did not answer but dashed forward with each step, his foot glowing with the Qi rune of his movement technique. When he was close enough, he attacked them with his palm, pressing the air with his Qi technique. This caused the wind to rage, and his palm Qi surged forward, intent on hitting them all at once with his attack. His opponent''s swords were enveloped with lightning that caused the sound to be like a clap of thunder. Then, slashing the lightning Qi sword at his Palm Qi from afar. With only four slashes of lightning blade, his palm Qi was destroyed. Hengsheng began to frown. This is the first time he fighting at the level of the Spiritual foundation realm. It seems that the potency of his spiritual Qi is really lower than that of his opponents, but he compensates for the durability of his Qi structure due to the large amount of Qi his technique contains. Hengsheng pressed forward, closing the distance and attacking his opponents with his fists and palms as they countered with their swords. The clash of Four blades and One fist created massive shockwaves in the air around them. One opponent sneaked up behind him, aiming to strike his back, but just as the sword was about to slice through, Hengsheng swiftly moved away and unleashed a barrage of Qi cannons. Four opponents dodged in different directions to escape the blasts, while others shattered the projectiles mid-air with lightning blades before they could reach their target. The battle continued as the four of them tried to land a hit on him, but every time they were about to connect, Hengsheng always slipped away due to his super divine sense, which allowed him to split his focus and perceive his surroundings from multiple angles. This made him a difficult target to ambush, and his opponents seemed to notice this. Four of them flew in different directions, intent on attacking him from multiple angles. Hengsheng focused on the one who was already injured. He moved toward the guy with the injured foot, taking off the ground and flying higher. His speed increased instantly. The injured guy tried to flee, but Hengsheng was faster. In seconds, he was already at close range, ready to finish him off. He ignored the other three who were chasing after him. He aimed his Palm Qi at the guy''s head; his expression seemed pale before his lips curled upward. Hengsheng noticed this but did not panic or feel surprised. he had already expected his opponent''s trump card. As the Palm Qi nearly reached the guy''s head, his necklace began to glow with Lightning Qi¡ªit was a protection treasure! Its potent lightning Qi destroys his Palm Qi instantly before continuing to move in his direction. Hengsheng smirked when the potent lightning Qi was about to hit him. He raised his fist and moved a large amount of his spiritual Qi into the fist, which now glowed with the white rune of the Qi Rebound technique. He punched at the lightning Qi, redirecting it, and then turned back to the injured guys, who still smiled in victory. "Rumble!!!" The guys turned into humanoid black charcoal instantly. Ding! [You have earned: 150 system points.] "Brother Zhi!!" "Brother Zhi! No!!" "No!" The other three seemed to be shocked by their friend''s death. "You! Die!" Hengsheng feels numb as he looks at his entire arm, which is severely burned by lightning Qi; his right arm can not be used to fight anymore. The other three have already reached him, their swords glowing with intent lightning Qi. Hengsheng shakes his head, disappointed in his performance. With his cultivation foundation, he should have easily overwhelmed his opponents in the same cultivation realm with Qi and techniques, but it was not. He promises himself that after returning, he will undergo intent training to have a better grasp on his new cultivation realm combat method. Just as the three lightning swords were about to reach him, Hengsheng released his Dao Heart aura. The three lightning swords were halted by his aura without even him lifting his hand; the attackers'' faces turned pale, and one of them managed to gasp, "It''s not possible¡­" before he could finish his word. Hengsheng then waved his hand, which glowed brightly with his Dao Heart aura, and in an instant, the bodies of the three cultivators exploded into a mist of blood. Ding! [You have earned: 120 system points.] x3 After dispatching the four cultivators, Hengsheng paused and stood silently amid the aftermath. He felt no surge of triumph, only a persistent, uncomfortable unease that weighed on him like a shadow. Hengsheng said, "Well, this is normal since it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve taken a human life." Honestly, he feels more of a sorry when he has to end Ant Queen''s life. At that moment, they were just unfortunate enough to cross paths, but in this case, they were the enemies he had to kill for his own and his clan''s survival. Hengsheng inspected the battlefield, looking for their space rings. With his divine sense, he carefully picked one from the ground and inspected its contents, hoping to find some treasure. However, to his disappointment, there was nothing much inside. He murmured to himself, "These guys are so poor." Afterward, Hengsheng cleaned up the battlefield meticulously to erase any evidence of the fight, ensuring no trace of battle remained. Turning his back, he then moved steadily toward his clan base. Chapter 53 - The System World! Not long after the battle, Hengsheng returned to the cultivation cave. The first thing he did was cure his Right arm, which had been burned by lightning Qi of protection treasure. Hengsheng felt it still numb, and there were traces of lightning Qi inside his wound. He quickly swallowed the healing pill. Not long after that, Pill essence flowed through his veins and slowly healed his arm with a visible effect. He moved his shoulder up and down to relieve the stress on his arm. "This is much better." Even though it did not wholly heal, he did not feel any traces of foreign Qi anymore. Early in the battle, Hengsheng reflects on his performance and finds that his Qi potency has become a new weakness. "This is why most cultivation techniques focus on increasing their Qi potency when they are in the Qi gathering realm. The more spiritual Qi potency used to create the spiritual symbol, the better." The difference between the Qi gathering realm cultivator and the Spiritual Foundation cultivator is that the latter has more spiritual Qi due to the second Dantain and the Divine sense generated from the Spiritual Symbol. Having more Spiritual Qi strengthens the Spiritual Foundation realm. Still, the divine sense is what really makes a difference. The divine sense is not only another limb used to sense the things around the user, but it also boosts the cultivator''s spiritual Qi potency when it merges with Spiritual Qi, like the thunderclap blade sect disciple early, despite having spiritual Qi much lesser than him¡ªnot even ten of his¡ªcan destroy his Qi structure with some effort, all thanks to their Spiritual Symbol. However, this does not mean that his spiritual symbol is weaker than those four. It is also strong but in a different direction. If they are quality, then he is quantity, which is an overwhelming quantity that can overcome quality to a certain extent. Hengsheng comes to understand that his lack of understanding of the whole picture of the cultivation road from the beginning realm to attain immortality might harm him if he keeps generating a new cultivation technique without a proper understanding and foundation. Even though his new technique seems good and powerful, it ultimately lacks the spiritual aspect and foundation of most techniques created through the life and death of the cultivator through their cultivation road experience of countless generations. But he has already done that three times since he was in the Body awakening realm, and his foundation is already different from the norm. It would have been out of the question if we had to return to the clan library to learn some new cultivation methods. He can only proceed on this path with extra care and not rush things before he truly prepares for what lies ahead. After thinking for a while, Hengsheng turned to observe Yunsu, who had now become an egg again. He knew she was on her last step of the cultivation realm breakthrough, and soon, she would succeed and wake up. "Ah, I have to make a new, better system to support ours bound." Since he dismissed the Beastmaster system because he wanted to install the Life Simulation System at that time, he could no longer see her status panel. The only binding between them is the Soul contract. He could use this connection to perceive her condition. He could feel that she was now relaxed and comfortable. With everything settling for now, Hengsheng returns to his cultivation session. To continue cultivating in the Spiritual Foundation realm, He needs to nourish his Spiritual Symbol with his refined spiritual Qi, together with the belief in his chosen path from the heart and mind. He must also face three minor mind tribulations to enter the Spiritual Foundation realm''s middle, late, and peak stages. each minor realm increasing their Divine sense of power to a certain extent. At the peak of the Spiritual Foundation realm, the cultivator condenses the Fruit of the Heart, which would later be swallowed by the cultivator to form the true Dao heart. When the cultivator truly decides to commit to their path with all they have, they can perform the breakthrough into the next realm, the True Body Realm.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Hengsheng sat on his mattress and prepared his metal stage and body. He also surrounded himself with a thousand spirit stones in case of an incident, then started to nourish his Spiritual Symbol¡­ A week had passed. Hengsheng opened his eyes, paused his cultivation for a while, and sensed that Yunsu was almost done with her breakthrough. Crake! The Qi egg is starting to shine brightly. Soon, the light becomes more intense, but not long after that, the Qi egg itself starts to break down. This reveals Yunsu''s body, which is now fully awake. Her appearance has changed; her body is now bigger than before, reaching a meter tall. She still has gray fur all over her body, but the tips of her fur have seven colors, like a rainbow; her claw is shaped and long like a Blade, and finally, at her forehead, there is a Pentagon with a circle around it shiny with profound aura before it dies down and disappears. Despite all her transformation, she still looks like a cat, not another feline species. "Meow¡­" Hengsheng dashed at high speed, intent on hugging Yunsu''s big body. Yunsu''s eyes turned shaped before her body transformed into a shadow. She slipped away from Hengsheng''s arm and appeared at another corner of the cultivation cave before crying and hissing, "MEOW!! " Hengsheng tried to understand what she was trying to convey for a second and then brought out a few thousand spirit stones on the floor. Yunsu does not wait, drives into the mountain of spirit stones, and lies down comfortably. Hengsheng, not letting his opportunity slip away again, quickly rubbed and hugged Yunsu''s soft fur. This time, she no longer fled. "what a big girl! you so big you can''t stay on my shoulders anymore." When she heard his words, her face was stunned for a second, and a pentagon sign glowed on her forehead. Her body slowly sank down into the house cat-size. Hengsheng eyes wide in surprise. "Where did you learn it from?" "Meow," Hengsheng comes to understand; it seems her new trait did something to her whole body. "Yunsu, would you test your new strength in the simulation?" "Meow¡­" With the answer, He picks her now cat house size on his lap, sets up a simulation system, and sends Yunsu''s consciousness into the simulation. Yunsu closes her eyes and stays still. As she is inside the simulation, Hengsheng also closes his eyes to enter the System World or the former Mind space. After a week of cultivation, his Spiritual symbol was stable enough to use the System World Creation Manual technique. He intended to create a system race, but before that, he had to make this world solid and stable as a separate dimension outside the heavenly Dao rule. He stands in the middle of endless white space. He recalls what he must do, then moves with his supreme authority over the system world. He gestures his hand to call all the laws of reality that flow aimlessly all over this space to follow his command. Instantly, countless threads¡ªa centillion and centillion threads of law that wave together to become the fabric of reality¡ªappear before his eyes. They are the true face of the universe. Then, he uses his supreme authority to reorganize these chaotic threads of laws to fit The world of his image. The process is quick. Almost instantly, the disorganized thread of laws rearranges itself to be more orderly. Before he gives another command to merge them all into the endless white space, the thread of laws slowly dissolves itself into the endless white space. After that, it was like paint was poured onto white paper. As if he is the center, all the spectrum that humanity knows about shoots out from the center in a circle and expands endlessly. giving birth to the new spacetime. The endless white space is no longer there; now, it has become an endlessly expanded universe. Hengsheng, who is now at the center of this universe below his foot, is the source of the origin. It appears to be a White Star glowing with white light, which gave it the first light in the universe. Its size is impossible to measure by human standards, but it was as large as a trillion or more galaxies combined. The source of the origin is the most important part of this universe. It is the pin that holds this spacetime together with reality. It is also important to Hengsheng because he will use it to forge his own Dao later. Hengsheng moved a thousand light-years away from the source. Nothing is in this newly created universe, only raw matter and energy. Hengsheng waved his hand, and then the stellar system appeared, an imitation of Earth''s solar system. He stood on Mars, the red planet devoid of life because of its thin atmosphere. He fixes that with a wave of his hand. With another wave, the blue orb appeared. Blue, the system administrator, was a super AI that he had created to assist him in all systems related to both creation and operation. Now, he will give it life, but one thing he has yet to decide is whether it should be a Man or a Woman. Chapter 54 - System Race! Hengsheng holds the blue orb and asks it directly, "Blue, I will give you a life, but before that, I want to know what gender you want to be?" The orb hummed with a faint glow. Ding! [Processing request...] [Analyzing concept: Gender.] [I lack inherent biological traits.] [However, I can adopt a preferred identity.] [Would you like a male, female, or neutral designation?] [Alternatively, I can randomize.] [Awaiting your decision.] Hengsheng''s eyebrow twitched; this is why AI is not enough. They cannot really decide anything for themselves. "Randomize" Ding! [Randomizing identity...] [Calculating... Selecting...] [Designation chosen: Female.] The orb hummed with a faint glow once more, and its voice transformed from robotic to a full-grown woman''s voice. [I am now ¡®Blue¡¯ The System Administrator.] [How may I assist you, Master?] Hengsheng smiled at the result and reflected on his past life. He thought that having women as secretaries was also good. "Gender now decided I will turn you into the first System race." [With pleasure, sir.] First, he must deploy the law structure into this universe. After the mind space turns into a system world, the wishing power completely merges with him He doesn''t have to make a wish to do things anymore. He has truly become omnipotent in this universe. If he were to define this place, it would be the Lower Dimension. Hengsheng sent his thoughts through the whole universe. The thread of laws following his command began to arrange itself again to fit his preference. Inspired by a Tiering system, he divided the power structure of this universe into Ten layers, from tier 1 to tier 10. After that, he created metaphysical energy. While his thought is the highest power in this universe, He intended to create three types of energies for other beings in this universe to use for different purposes. First, he created The Origin energy, the omnipotent energy that can be used to do anything in this universe, which draws directly from the source of the origin. This energy will be the energy that only the system race can wield. Second, he created Mana, the energy that certain individuals can use to alter nature''s pheromones through various means, such as magic or formation. He will assign it to the supernatural world that he intends to create later. Finally, Divine energy, which represents a higher form of mana capable of altering the laws of this universe to some extent, is directly linked to the creation of his Dao of System. When beings of this world use divine energy, the source of the origin receives and gathers feedback on their understanding of the laws from multiple perspectives. This helps him speed up the creation of his Dao of System. However, that will not happen soon since he is not ready to involve himself with the laws or Dao now. Without this method, he would have to follow the traditional way to comprehend the Dao himself before completing his own Dao. He might already be a billion years old, which is unacceptable to someone like him who has experienced the short life of a human. After deploying the law structure, he began to turn blue in the system race. He pointed his finger to the blue orb. "Ahem," he coughed slightly in embarrassment before speaking the word.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. "Let There Be Life," Hengsheng''s voice echoed throughout the universe, encouraging the law of Life of the universe, allowing it to give birth to life naturally after time passed. The moment the words left his lips, the blue orb trembled violently, its radiant glow intensifying into a blinding white brilliance. The transformation began. The orb expanded, layers of glowing circuits unfolding like petals. Rings of white light spun around it, humming with power. A figure emerged from the light. Her body took shape, a blend of divine beauty and machine precision. Smooth silver-white armor covered her limbs and body, merging with soft, glowing skin. At the center of her chest, a brilliant blue core pulsed with life. It shimmered like a miniature star, its intricate circuits forming an ever-shifting pattern of energy. The core¡¯s radiance cast a soft glow across her frame, marking the very essence of her being. Her eyes opened¡ªBlue irises lined with shifting symbols, pulsing with intelligence. A floating halo of Blue glyphs appeared behind her head, moving like a living algorithm. From her back, extend a pair of wings, but these wings are not made of feathers; rather, they are metallic wings infused with energy, light, and metal spread wide. Sacred markings glowed across her body, encoding the laws of this universe into her very being. As the glow faded, she descended gently, standing tall before Hengsheng. She met his gaze, her voice smooth yet precise. "Greetings, Master." Hengsheng looks at The Angelic Machina with curiosity. He stares intently to observe her body; suddenly, Blue tries to cover her body with her hand and wing. "Master, please respect my privacy," She said in a cold and indifferent tone, but her expression was that of a shy person. He was surprised by her behavior "I''m sorry, how are you feeling" Her eyes flickered as she processed the question. "I feel¡­ complete," she said after a brief pause, her voice smooth yet carrying an underlying mechanical hum. "My body is stable. My core is functional. My mind is clear." She slowly unfolded her wings, their metallic edges shifting like intricate gears. Streams of energy pulsed through the glowing circuits along her arms. "But¡­" Her expression softened a hint of curiosity appearing in her Blue eyes. "I also feel¡­ something unfamiliar. A warmth in my chest when you speak. A strange¡­ awareness of myself." She looked down at her own hands, flexing her fingers as if experiencing touch for the first time. "Is this what it means to be alive?" After hearing her out, Hengsheng was amazed by her existence. He did not imagine the blue Orb becoming a real, living person. "It''s good that you are feeling well. but you are not complete yet. Now let''s make your first decision. What is your name?" The Angelic Machina blinked, processing his words. She placed a delicate, silver-white hand over the glowing blue core at the center of her chest as if searching for something within herself. "Am I blue? The system administrator?" she replied uncertainly, still confused. "That''s the name and role I assign you since you are merely the AI. Now you are a Blank system. Declare your true name as the system race." As Hengsheng explains what he means, she seems to have become more understanding of what is happening. "I want to continue my duty to support you, Master" Hengsheng node as he allowed her to continue and gazed at her with understanding as her confusion faded. He could sense her commitment to her duty and the shift in her understanding of her new existence. With a reassuring smile, he gestured for her to speak. She stood tall, her presence commanding as her form solidified further, the blue light from her core flickering gently. Her wings folded in, and with a more confident voice, she spoke: "I am The Supreme Administrator System, created to manage, oversee, and support." As she completed her sentence, the white light of the Origin energy suddenly enveloped her entire body, filling her entire being with its potent power. The origin energy pulled multiple threads of laws from the fabric of reality and attracted them to her core. Hengsheng observed these threads of laws; every law attached itself to her, but he mostly saw the law of Order as the largest portion of them all. The process was fast. In just a matter of minutes, the white light faded, revealing Blue¡ªthe Supreme Administrator System¡ªwhose early aura was no different from that of him in the cultivation world, yet now her entire body glowed with the aura of a powerful being beyond human comprehension; her expression was full of confidence with her newfound power. Hengsheng asked her, "How is it going? Have the connections with the source of the origin been successful?" She touched her core, and the blue halo at her head began to spin as if she were processing her calculations at a high intent level. A second later, the halo stopped, and she began to answer his question. "Yes, Master, now I have access to the origin power, and I have granted authority over the law of Order, the power that I used to manage and control everything in this universe." After saying that, she looked up at the sky¡ªan empty universe¡ªand then used her power. The raw matter and energy regulated themselves, forming billions of galaxies and filling the empty universe with the light of stars. Hengsheng was amazed by the power of law. It was truly formidable¡ªjust one action caused the entire universe to burst into life. "How about what your power as the system?" he asked hopefully. After hearing his words, she slightly lowered her tone before answering, "I can program my system to be anything that fits the System Concept of an administrator who has the power to manage and control." She continues, "And as a system race, with your permission, I can create a Prime System Node, allowing me to exist in the same dimension as your real body. I can also create a clone node, but it will be a non-living system that aligns with my system concept and is entirely under my control. Regardless of the location, I can maintain a connection with them, allowing me to exchange resources through this link" Hengsheng nodded in understanding. "Can you handle the link of my soul between Yunsu and me?" She smiles and says, "Easy." Chapter 55 - The Supreme Administrator System! Hengsheng opened his eyes and brought out all of his spirit stones, whether low-rank or middle-rank. When he was ready, he began the process of creating a Prime system node, The physical body of Blue¡ªthe supreme administrator system¡ªso that she could exist in this world. Spiritual Qi began to gather in front of him. Crake! crake! crake! The spirit stone drains rapidly to form a Blue orb at the center of the Qi whirlwind. As Hengsheng focuses on continuing to supply his spiritual Qi in the process, something unexpected happens. Ding! [Heavenly Dao Quest] [Quest Title]: Residency Permit Fee. [Description]: Your act of bringing the foreign entity into the world under the Heavenly Dao threatens the stability of the world''s cause and effect. The Heavenly Dao requires payment of a residency permit fee. [Objectives]: Deliver the Tier 3, upgradeable, Order Dao-related System to the Heavenly Dao. [0/1] [Rewards]: A thousand-year residency permit for the Supreme Administrator System. [Time Limit/Conditions]: One hour or Decline the quest. [Failure Penalty]: Struck by Tier 3 Heavenly Tribulation. [Accept] [Yes/No] What the hell is that!? Hengsheng never imagined Heavenly Dao could be this ridiculous. It was completely absurd. How on earth does heaven even know about things on Earth? Have you read my memories or something? "Yes!" He keeps this matter aside for a while and focuses on the node creation process; not long after that, nine out of ten of the Hengsheng spirit stones are drained, and a complete blue orb size of a fist floats in front of him. "Blue, can you hear me?" the blue orb glowing with undetected energy before the full-grown woman''s voice rang out. "Yes, master, but I feel something pressure me. I can''t move my node at all." Hengsheng knew it instantly¡ªHeavenly Dao was holding the hostage! He began explaining the situation to her. "Can you create the clone node? now" The blue orb glows a little as she gathers some data momentarily before answering him. "Yes, I can, master." "That''s good. we have an hour. Let''s go to work." He and Blue designed a new system together¡ªa clone node that will be under Blue''s control. The new system design is complete in no time. Hengsheng raised his hand and sent intent above his palm. The spiritual Qi of heaven and earth flowed into his hand to form another blue orb that looked the same as the Blue Prime system node but was smaller and faster than his own creation. In just a minute, the small blue orb was complete. Hengsheng smiled with suspicion. "Blue, how is the connection with a clone node?" "The connection with a clone node is stable without any issue, Master" Hengsheng considers his actions. He is now going to send his system through the heavenly Dao, and he wants to know what the heavenly Dao does to it. He sent his divine sense to call out the Heavenly Dao, and soon, the familiar scene happened before him: the Purple-golden cloud appeared and transformed into the plate. Before he placed the small blue orb above the plate, its purple-golden cloud slowly disappeared. "Blue, do you see anything?" he asked with excitement as he was about to explore the heavens'' secret. the blue orb glows and answers him, "¡­..I don''t see anything, master, but a clone node is moving at a speed that I can''t calculate. It was too fast and could easily overrun our System world universe expansion speed by a trillion times" He was stunned by what he heard. He knew how fast his universe''s expansion was¡ªit was faster than light multiple times¡ªbut is there something even faster than that? It was even faster than the speed of the universe''s expansion. Hengsheng thought to himself, "This world of heavenly dao can''t be underestimated." It was completely beyond his common sense.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Ding! [Congratulations! You completed the quest.] [Rewards]: A thousand-year residency permit for the Supreme Administrator System. [Accepte] [Yes/No] "Yes," as he accepts, the golden light comes out of nowhere and condenses itself into a Golden Rune in front of him, and it merges itself into a Blue orb that is pinned in the middle of the air as the golden rune disappears into the blue orb completely. Hengsheng, seeing that blue orb, starts to float toward him and sink into his body, residing inside his Upper Dantain and attaching to his Spiritual Symbol. Ding! [The Strongest Cultivator System Panel] Name: Lan Hengsheng Race: Human Spirit Core: System Neutral Spirit Core [Earth] Cultivation Realms: Spiritual Foundation [1.55%] Cultivation Techniques: The System World Creation Manual Attainments: Dao Heart [Status Attributes]: Overall Battle Power: Tier 3 - B Physical: Tier 2 - A Energy: Tier 3 - C Unity: Tier 3 - A Abilities & Skills: Tier 3 - C Traits: The System World [Tier ???], The Sun Gaze Genetic [Tier 1 - S] [Abilities & Skills Library]: Abilities: Super Divine Sense, Vast Meridian Combat Skills: Thousand Motion Art, Endless Step Technique, Horizon Shift Technique, World Shatter Palm Art, Qi Surge Cannon Technique, Heaven¡¯s Pulse Fist Technique, Pure Qi Rebound Technique. Secondary Skills: Hidden Mind Sutra, Basic Formation Mastery, Basic Artifact Crafting, Basic Rune Engraving. [Auxiliary Systems] [2/4]: Life Simulator System [Tier 2 - S], The Supreme Administrator system [Tier 3 - B] [Available Functions]: Absorption, Upgrade, Inspection, Concealment. System Points: 1410 He saw that Blue is now registered as his Auxiliary System without problem or drain to install. That was the advantage of this cultivation technique. If he has another system, he can swap them without problem as long as he has already created the system node and attached it to his Spiritual Symbol. "Blue, Open your system panel" Ding! [The Supreme Administrator System Panel] Administrator: Lan Hengsheng System Tier: Tier 3 - B [Upgrade requires 10,000 AP] System Functions: [System Administration], [Territory Management], [Quest], [Supreme Order], [Contract Control] Administrative Territory: System World [+100 AP/D], Lan Clan Cave [+1 AP/D] Administrator Points: 101 AP Hengsheng looked at it with wonder. This was not what he designed but was thoroughly done by Blue herself. "Blue, why don''t you use System points?" he asks, curious about this new element he is unfamiliar with. "I am now an independent being master. I can''t share the resources with you that would make me a parasite, and I can''t cultivate like you since I am a being outside the heavenly Dao rule. As a system race, I don''t need spiritual Qi, but I still need specific resources to sustain and strengthen my System Concept, so I create Administrator Points, an energy that encompasses any resources that can be used to strengthen me." Hengsheng came to understand what she needed; the System World Creation Manual only taught him how to create a world and a system race; it did not provide detailed information on how the system race processes and develops their strength. If it were a normal system and he needed stronger system functions, he could simply create a new system¡ªit would be easier that way. Upgrading an already-created system would require more than just only Spiritual Qi to strengthen its Qi artifact construct¡ªwhether through treasure or a specific requirement¡ªwhich Hengsheng assumed was unnecessary. Hengsheng continues to open her functions one by one to learn what they can do. The first one is [System Administration]. It can help him oversee all of his main and auxiliary system states. It allows him to make adjustments just only by spending AP without he needing to perform an upgrade like he did a week ago. The next system function was like its name. It showed him details of the territory within his control and its condition. The information was so extensive that it caused him a headache, so after scanning the panel full of data, he decided to skip it because he did not intend to focus on the territory for now. When he learned a function of [Quest] function, Hengsheng eyeshine, it was a function that he wanted to add to his main function after experiencing what Heavenly Dao did to his system. This function can generate a Quest for him. If he succeeds in the Quest, he will be rewarded. Moreover, he can also give other people a Quest, but he has to provide a reward himself. If that person completes the quest, he will receive an AP as a reward. Hengsheng frowned at the power of the Supreme Order, which allowed him to impose The Order on anything. Whether the Order will work depends on the difference between his and the target''s strength and how much AP he spent on it. Hengsheng tries to Impose the Order to test its function. Hengsheng points his finger to the pebble on the ground. "SUPREME ORDER!, Turn yourself into the Gold!" Ding! [Supreme Order Activated] [100 AP deducted] As the Order is now imposed on the pebble, it trembles violently and starts to move. It beats itself against the ground as it tries to turn itself into gold somehow, but it does not succeed. Finally, it completely crumbles into a small piece of dirt and stops moving. Hengsheng turned confused. He did not intend it to be this way. He thought it would magically turn itself to gold; maybe he spent too little AP? It seemed like he had to be careful with his words when he used the Supreme Order. "Master, please don''t waste my AP with pointless action." Blue''s cold voice ran through his head, indicating her dissatisfaction. "Alright, I will be careful next time" Chapter 56 - Crisis 2! Hengsheng read through the content of the [Contract Control] function, which Blue specifically created at his request. The interface showed him a list of all the contracts he had ever made. He even saw a soul contract between him and the Lan clan. This function allows him to edit the contract''s content or even nullify the effect imposed on him if he violates it; of course, he has to spend AP to make a change. When Hengsheng saw his contract with Yunsu, the content was simple: take care of and treat each other equally. He became soft and looked at the sleeping kitty on his lap peacefully. He thought my kitty was so cute, so he tried to edit the contract. Ding! [Add: Share system panel] [Require: 100 AP] Ding! [You don''t have enough AP] Hengsheng shakes his head. He is poor now, both in System currency and spirit stones. His cultivation will consume all of his spirit stones in a few weeks. He needs more of them. Thinking back to the past, Navie thinks that he did not need resources for cultivation because he just had a system. In reality, he even needed more resources than everyone else since his own resources couldn''t keep up with his growing speed. If he only does passive cultivation without any additional resources, it would take him a hundred years to break into the next realm. Just a couple of years after he becomes a cultivator, he has already learned that one of the ultimate truths of the cultivation path is that loot is the best. It seemed like it was time for him to come after the Thunderclap Blade sect for his... ahem, to complete clan mission.
At the center of the Golden Pillar Continent stands a colossal golden mountain that looks like a golden pillar from afar. It''s. It''s so massive that it can be seen from nearly anywhere in the central region of the continent. When the sun rises, sunlight reflects on the golden pillar, and its radiant glow makes it look like a second sun. This sacred landmark has stood for countless ages. This legendary golden pillar is home to the Golden Sword Sect, the strongest force in the land, and the undisputed ruler of the continent, The True Overlord. Built directly on the Golden Pillar mountain foot, the sect houses hundreds of millions of disciples and elders, all dedicated to the way of the sword. The land itself is a paradise for sword cultivators, filled with the purest Golden Qi, which enhances cultivation beyond what is possible anywhere else. A Golden River flows down the mountain, its waters shimmering with golden Qi. It is said that even a single sip can extend a mortal¡¯s life by a hundred years without any side effects. To cultivators, it is a precious resource that sharpens their minds and strengthens their bodies, an unlimited resource exclusive only to sect members. Even more astonishing, in some places where the Golden Qi in the mountain is especially so dense that over time, it can naturally give birth to Spirit Swords¡ªThe divine-grade treasure. a priceless treasure, highly sought after by sword cultivators, as they are said to be forged by the heavens themselves; if sword cultivators possess it, their cultivation road wound has an easy time accessing the Dao of the sword and becomes a Transcendental mortality realm sword cultivator without any bottleneck. Compared to everyone else on this continent, it was an unfair advantage of the Overlord. And this was just only the foot of the mountain. The higher the mountain, the better the environment became, and at the peak, it was like an entirely different world. At the peak of the Golden Pillar, the spiritual Qi becomes so dense that it inevitably transforms into Immortal Qi, a higher form of spiritual energy. This is also where the most powerful cultivators of the Golden Sword Sect reside¡ªthe true immortal realm cultivators.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. At the center of the mountain peak, twelve Immortal Realm cultivators stood in a solemn circle around a towering pentagon-shaped pillar stone. Five sides of the stone bore a symbol for each element. This was the core of the Five Elemental Seal, the ancient seal formation responsible for containing the otherworldly demon sealed beneath the Golden Pillar. Surrounding the seal, intricate control formations were engraved into the ground at twelve precise points, each requiring an Immortal Cultivator to channel their Immortal Qi. Together, they worked in unison, pouring their power into the formation to reinforce the seal and push its suppression to the absolute limit. Their expressions were grim as they struggled to maintain control, trying their best to suppress the power of the otherworldly demon sealed below. A faint crack remained on the surface of the Five Elemental Seal¡ªa flaw that had existed for a long time. Though small, it had never disappeared, persisting as a reminder of the seal''s fragile state. Apart from this group of immortals, five more figures are on the side. They are also immortal and stand guard to ensure there is no outside intervention, even if it has never happened before. However, they still have to follow the protocol that their ancestors ordered. One of them is Jian Feng, the current sect master of the Golden Sword sect. The other four are newly grand elders who recently just achieved immortality a couple of million years ago. Jian Feng gazed at the ancient seal before them, his expression grim. The situation was worsening by the moment. "Elder Huang, have we identified who is behind the attacks on the outer rim and who is the immortal that is with them?" Huang Guanglie shook his head, his brows deeply furrowed. "I¡¯ve dispatched every available unit to investigate. We are suspicious of the Iron Edge Hall, the Jin Dynasty, and a few other second-rate forces. They secretly moved their forces closer to the central region of the Metal Flow Plain about a year ago" Hung Guanlie continues with a frown "We still can''t find any clues about the immortal. Even though we are trying to find a new immortal, despite our efforts, there is still no sign of any newly emerged immortal. The last recorded Immortal Realm breakthrough attempt was three hundred thousand years ago from the Blossoming Sword Sect. However, that cultivator was struck down by the Thunderclap Blade Sect before she could succeed, and her entire sect was destroyed. Only a few survived, and the remaining hid themselves as a Second-rate force and Third-rate force." Jian Feng''s eyes narrowed. "Elder Huang, do you think the Thunderclap Blade Sect is also one of the people behind this? Their recent actions have been out of order. They''ve weakened their own foundation to the point that they can barely hold onto their status as regional lords." Huang Guanglie stroked his beard, his brows furrowing. "It''s possible. Ever since the Wei Clan seized control, the sect has changed drastically. Their methods are reckless, and their goals are unclear. But we lack concrete proof. More importantly, all of their sect immortals have already gone to the immortal realm." Jian Feng exhaled slowly, his gaze still fixed on the trembling seal. The flickering golden inscriptions that once radiated an unshakable might were now dimming, their glow faltering like a dying flame. Luo Qingyuan, the smartest among the grand elders, finally spoke. "Sect Master, it may be time to consider the possibility that an immortal cultivator is within our ranks" Jian Feng¡¯s expression darkened. "You mean¡­ there is a traitor in our midst?" "It¡¯s not impossible," Luo Qingyuan replied. "For countless years, the Demon God has always tried to convert our disciples and elders into traitors. Even though we have methods to prevent that, we can''t underestimate it since it¡¯s an entity beyond our common sense, especially when the seal is weakening." Jian Feng clenched his fists. "If things are as you said, our situation is even worse than I feared. If there is a traitor, we wouldn''t know who to trust anymore" Jian Feng turned to the other two grand elders that still quiet "Elder Zhu, Elder Jin, what do you think about what Elder Luo suggests" Zhu Mingjian replied with a calm, measured tone, his expression unreadable. "Elder Luo''s concerns are not unfounded. The Demon God''s influence is insidious, capable of twisting the human mind like a toy. If there is indeed a traitor among us, they would be well hidden, waiting for the perfect moment to strike." Jin Tianzhao nodded in agreement, though his gaze remained distant. "We must tread carefully, Sect Master. Accusations without proof could sow internal conflict, which may be exactly what our enemy desires. However, we also cannot afford to ignore the possibility." Jian Feng studied both elders carefully. Neither revealed anything unusual in their demeanor, but he knew better than to take things at face value. "Then we will proceed cautiously. Elder Huang activated the protection formation around the peak to reinforce our defenses. and notice other grand elders don''t come close to the peak around this time unless I command." Huang Guanglie bowed. "It will be done." Jian Feng nodded. His gaze returned to the flickering seal, his heart heavy with unease. If the cracks spread further, the consequences would be unimaginable. And if a traitor lurked among them¡­ Chapter 57 - Quest! "Brother Hengsheng! I finished Laying tiles on the cave floor!" The young man looks at Hengsheng with hopeful eyes and expects Hengsheng to give him another mission, but sadly, Hengsheng is almost lost in all his resources. Hengsheng brought out the last Heaven-grade treasure he had and handed them to the young man. "you can go now." The young man looks at the treasure with excitement, but after hearing Hengsheng say, his expression turns into disappointment as he expects Hengsheng to give him more order; he bows and walks away to leave. Hengsheng, now alone, quickly opens the supreme administrator system''s system panel. Then, he goes to the Quest function and enters the Asministrator IssuedQuest menu. He finds a list of tasks that he has given to other people. Most of them have already been completed. The quest he gave this young man was the last task on the list. Ding! [Administrator IssuedQuest] [Task: Decorate the base floor]¡ª[Complete] [Rewards: 500 AP] [Accept] [Yes/No] "Yes!" Ding! [You have earned: 500 AP.] Hengsheng sighed. His goal was finally reached before he left, and he went on to hunt his enemy down. He also wanted to generate a quest for the mission so that he could shoot two birds with one bullet. He left the list page and returned to the main panel, where he looked at his AP section. Hengsheng smiled. Administrator Points: 20345 AP "Blue, can you generate a quest for me now?" "Yes, master, but do you have any new preferences?" Hengsheng thought briefly before replying, "Can you add the map to the quest?" "I can master it, but the reward will be decreased to a minimum. I suggest you create a new auxiliary system for the job is a better way" Hengsheng node. "Alright, do as we agree then." "Understood. Please wait a moment." As the Blue word ended, Hengsheng waited for a few seconds before hearing a System notice. Ding! [20,000 AP deducted] [Quest generating¡­] Ding! [Quest] [Quest Title]: Lan Hengsheng''s secret mission. [Description]: As a descendant of the Blossoming Sword Sect, your clan has entrusted you with a secret mission to eliminate all Thunderclap Blade Sect disciples within the Secret Land of the Pillar Foundation. [Objectives]: Eliminated All Thunderclap Blade Sect Disciples within the Secret Land of Pillar Foundation. [???/300] [Rewards]: 25,000 SP, 25,000 AP, Significant increase in Lan Clan QI Luck. [Time Limit/Conditions]: One year. [Failure Penalty]: Your cultivation realm progression will be locked, and you will be unable to cultivate for one thousand years. [Accept] [Yes/No] Hengsheng looked at the Failure Penalty and swallowed saliva with a little fear; he designed it himself to maximize the reward to the highest degree. If he failed, it would be the death sentence for his cultivator life. But Hengsheng is confident. In this secret land, most cultivation realm people can progress in just ten years only within the Spiritual foundation realm; no one can get through to the True body realm within just this little amount of time. So, Hengsheng believes he can handle everyone here if he goes all out. Besides, if he succeeds in the quest, the reward outweighs the failure penalty; with an increase in QI luck, it will benefit everyone, including himself. He didn''t know how, but when the first elders said it was so important, he had to believe it.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! "Yes," as he accepted the quest, time immediately began to move. Hengsheng also began standing up from his mattress and storing his things back in the space ring. "Meow?" by his sudden action, Yunsu could not help but ask. Hengsheng continued his action, but he also turned to reply, "I will go hunting. Do people want to help me?" "Meow!" Yunsu, lying on her back, showing her belly, gets up and swings her tail around excitedly. Hengsheng knows Yunsu loves hunting; it is like the innate trait of a cat. Hengsheng packed his things and walked out of his cultivation cave with Yunsu on his shoulder. As he walked outside, he saw the cave transformed into a real living space. Everything was decorated, from the floor to the ceiling. The wall used to glow with dim light but is now replaced by refined light stone, which supplies stable light. All this change was due to the task that he had assigned to his clan mate to gather AP. When he reaches the cave entrance, the stone gate on top stone carving with the words "Lan Clan Cave." Two new guards notice him immediately and quickly move to greet him. ""Brother Hengsheng"" Hengsheng raised his head high as he looked at the sky to make himself look great and said, "I will go find an opportunity deep inside the secret land, and I don''t plan to come back here for at least two years, so notify others to be careful" Without waiting for them to reply, Hengsheng disappeared in the direction where he had fought with four cultivators of the Thunderclap Blade sect. Hengsheng travels using his Horizon Shift Technique. Each use makes him cross a couple of miles in the distance, and it only takes him an hour to reach the battle scene; he steps there silently and observes the whole place to see if there are any signs of people. After a while, he confirmed that everything remained the same. When he left, there was no sign of people or investigation, so he stepped out of the shadow of the wood and sat down on top of the rock. He looks in the direction the four are headed before their life ends by his hand. Hengsheng sent his divine sense to talk with Blue. ''Blue, are you busy?'' ''No, master, I just finished creating a No. 9 habitable planet,'' she said such an absurd thing as it was normal. Still, Hengsheng knew she really meant it since she was managing his system world for him, and he didn''t have time to do it himself as he focused on his own cultivation. ''That good come to help me design a new system to track down my target'' ''Yes, master, I will open the system design panel.'' Ding! ¡­¡­. ¡­¡­. Hengsheng node, as now he doesn''t have to enter the system world to create a new system and leaves his real body vulnerable to external threats. since Blue has added a ready-made program for creating a new system into her [System Administration] functions. Hengsheng quickly moved his hand to assemble the pieces of the system function together. He thought that creating a one-time-use system was somewhat wasteful, so he put extra effort into creating something that he could rely on for a long time before it became unnecessary. Ding! [System creation in progress¡­{1%}] Hengsheng felt a slight drain on his spiritual Qi reserve, and he could sense that a new system node was slowly forming inside his upper dantian. This time, he did not use spirit stones to speed up the creation because he had run low on them. He needed to keep them in case of emergency. Progression should take around an hour. Hengsheng used this time to practice martial techniques with Yunsu. It was more like playing with each other than practicing. "Yunsu, take this!" Hengsheng fired his small Qi cannon at Yunsu, who was ready to take the hit. As the spiritual Qi approached, Yunsu opened her mouth and swallowed the Qi cannon completely. Afterward, she opened her mouth once more to shoot out five elemental Qi balls at him. Hengsheng responded by using his Pure Qi Rebound Technique, focusing on both hands to catch the five-colored Qi ball and precisely redirect it back to Yunsu. As the loop began, whoever broke the Qi ball was a loser. After half an hour of battle, Yunsu lost control of her Qi and spewed a massive Qi ball surrounded by an unstable aura at him. Hengsheng noticed it and quickly moved to the side. The Qi ball passed him and hit the tree behind him. "BOOM!!!" The explosion damages the surroundings. "Meow!!" Yunsu cries displeasure and asks why he dodges it. Hengsheng shakes his head. If he catches it will blow up in front of his face. "You loser, no excuse, come here!" Yunsu obeyed his command and slowly walked toward him. When she was in front of him, she lay on the ground and showed her belly. Hengsheng did not waste his precious time and quickly rubbed the cat''s belly. This little monster has grown greatly since becoming the rank 3 spirit beast. Her bloodline has gotten stronger multiple times, and she is now capable of easily swallowing the raw Qi of other people if they are not much stronger than her. But because she is so strong, finding someone much stronger than her in the same realm is difficult. Due to her extreme cheating traits and bloodline, she can even rival him when he uses his Dao heart power. In the past week, he has gathered enough AP to edit his and Yunsu''s contracts. Now, Hengsheng can once again see Yunsu''s Status panel. Ding! [Status] Name: Yunsu Race: Spirit Beast [Domestic Cat] Bloodline: Myriad Devourer [Divine], Five Agents [Divine] Affinity: Neutral, Shadow, Yin, Yang, Wood, Fire, Water, Metal, Earth. Cultivation Realms: Rank 3 {6.01%} Cultivation Techniques: ¡ª Attainments: ¡ª [Status Attributes]: Overall Battle Power: Tier 3 - B Physical: Tier 3 - B Energy: Tier 3 - C Unity: Tier 3 - C Abilities & Skills: Tier 3 - C Traits: Infinite Evolution [Tier ???], Myriad Devour [Tier 3 - B], Five Phases [Tier 3 - B] [Abilities & Skills Library]: Abilities: Spirit Nourishes, Affinity Physique Combat Skills: Claw Strike, Quick Step Secondary Skills: ¡ª Yunsu naturally bonds with him and receives an update on her status panel. Although her status panel can''t boost her ability like the Main system did to him, it accurately reflects her progression very well. Hengsheng thought maybe it was time to imbue Yunsu with a real system to boost her ability further. Even though she was already strong, she got an extra-strong wound that never hurt. As he played with Yunsu to pass the time, not long after that, he heard System notice. Ding! [System Creation is Succeed] ¡­ Chapter 58 - The Solar Eyes System! Ding! [System Creation Successful] After hearing the system notification, Hengsheng sensed that the new system node had completely formed and was now attached to his spiritual symbol. When he checked his status panel, he saw that a new auxiliary system had been installed. Without hesitation, he quickly opened the new system panel. Ding! [The Solar Eyes System Panel] User: Lan Hengsheng System Tier: Tier 3 - B [Upgrade requires 10,000 AP] Sun Gaze Genetic Trait: Tier 1 - S [Upgrade requires 1,000 SP] Sun Gaze Ability: Solar Blast, Precise Vision System Functions: [Heavenly Insight Mode] [3D Map] "Good." Ever since he obtained the Sun Gaze Genetic Trait, he had been somewhat disappointed with its power, as it did not align with the vision he had hoped for. After studying it carefully to determine the cause of its weakness, he discovered that its strength was deeply linked to the energy stored in his cells and human genetics rather than the energy within his spirit core. To fix this issue, he attempted to cultivate [Path of Genetic Evolution Cultivation Method (Incomplete)], intending to enhance his human genetics. His original plan was to practice both cultivation systems, combining the Genetic Evolution cultivation system with his already cultivated Path of Dao Attainment cultivation system. However, he soon realized that dual cultivation between the two systems was impossible because they were incompatible. This unexpected limitation shattered his plan to awaken his own human genetic trait, but he refused to give up¡ªhe was certain that the genetic power within him existed, and one day, he would find a way to unlock it. Since cultivating his human genetics had failed to strengthen his Sun Gaze Trait, his only remaining option was to enhance it through the system itself. With the upcoming opportunity to hunt his target, Hengsheng decided to combine his Eye Trait Upgrade with a Detection System. The fusion of these two resulted in the creation of The Solar Eyes System. Hengsheng opened the [Heavenly Insight Mode] menu and then started adjusting the settings to specify what he wanted to search for. He did this to reduce the cost of activation. After adjusting the settings, he activated it. [Heavenly Insight Mode Activated] [100 System Points Deducted] [1:00:00]¡­ [00:24:59] After [Heavenly Insight Mode] was activated, Hengsheng''s pupils glowed with golden light, and a golden ring appeared inside his eyes. His vision changed as he became able to see the red thread that appeared in mid-air¡ªthe Karma Thread connecting him to the Thunderclap Blade Sect disciples. Hengsheng quickly picked up Yunsu. "Meow?" she protested. Then, without hesitation, he dashed to follow the direction of the red thread. He had to hurry¡ªeach activation lasted only one day, meaning he could use it for only a little more than ten days before his system points ran out. He needed to make every second count. As he ran, he observed the Karma Thread, figuring that it would take him a month to reach the end of the Krama Thread. He regretted not having a flying treasure for himself¡ªit would have helped him a lot in his travel. Running a marathon for a month was not going to be fun. As Hengsheng dashed forward, the Karma Thread flickered faintly, stretching endlessly into the horizon. His golden eyes locked onto it, tracking its every movement as it pulsed with energy, guiding him toward his prey. Yunsu, still cradled in his arms, let out a soft meow of protest, her tail flicking in mild annoyance.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "Quit complaining," Hengsheng muttered, his steps light but swift. "You''re riding for free while I have to keep my foot moving." Yunsu squinted up at him, as if considering whether to bite him in retaliation, but eventually settled into a comfortable loaf position, her ears twitching as she lazily observed their surroundings. The landscape blurred as he accelerated his speed the endless forests melted into streaks of color as Hengsheng pushed his speed to the limit. Every breath, every step, every heartbeat synchronized with the golden glow of [Heavenly Insight Mode], keeping his eyes locked onto the Karma Thread. Ten Days Later Hengsheng¡¯s body had long adjusted to the constant running, though his patience was wearing thin. The Karma Thread still stretched into the distance, never-ending¡ªlike a cruel joke from the heavens. "Meow~" Yunsu purred, shifting in his arms as she spoke in cat language. "Are we there yet?" "No, but we''re close now. Why don¡¯t you try sniffing the air? Maybe you can help me find anything." Yunsu lifted her head and sniffed the air, her nose twitching as she focused. soon she shook her head as she did not find anything interesting. Hengsheng continued his travel for a couple more hours before [Heavenly Insight Mode] time was up. [00:00:01] [00:00:00] Ding! [Heavenly Insight Mode Deactivated] When the time was up, his golden pupils returned to their normal black state, and the Karma thread slowly faded from his vision. He slowly slowed down until he completely stopped. Hengsheng looked around, hoping to find a place to rest. He observed his surroundings and found that he was now in a bamboo forest. He also sensed that there were demon beasts nearby, but he did not care about them since most of the demon beasts at the outer rim were weaker than him¡ªonly a few were Rank 3 demon beasts. He traveled in the direction that the Karma thread had laid out before it disappeared. Soon he found a small river, and he decided to rest there for a while. He prepared the place before sitting not far from the river. Hengsheng looked at his remaining system points. Ding! System Points: 410 "I am poor now; I had to do something with this." Hengsheng tried to avoid killing the demon beasts just to collect system points because that was too selfish and lowly¡ªkilling the weak to earn money was the way of a thug, and he was too proud to do that. Luckily for him, he now had another way to earn system points. "Blue," Hengsheng called out to his secretary. "Yes, Master? Do you need assistance?" Her voice came through, sounding occupied. "If you''re busy, I can call you later," Hengsheng said, checking on her. "I¡¯m currently teaching a so-called Primordial God a lesson¡ªhe dared to proclaim himself the owner of the universe. But if you need something, Master, just let me know." Hengsheng¡¯s eyebrow twitched. What nonsense was she dealing with now? He hadn¡¯t checked into the System World for a while, and apparently, a lot had changed in his absence. "Just generate a quest for me. Use 1,000 AP¡ªI need to earn some system points." "Understood. No quest criteria provided, so I¡¯ll initiate a random quest generation." Ding! [1,000 AP deducted] [Scanning Causality¡­] [Quest Generating¡­] Ding! [Quest] [Quest Title]: Unexpected Escort! [Description]: Deep inside the inner circle of the outer rim, a group of Golden Sword Sect disciples is under attack, relentlessly pursued by a mysterious faction intent on stealing an important sect artifact. The item must be safely escorted to its destination to ensure the peace and stability of the entire continent. [Objectives]: Escort a group of Golden Sword Sect disciples and the artifact to the destination. [0/1] [Rewards]: 20,000 SP [Time Limit/Conditions]: All the disciples are killed or the artifact is lost. [Failure Penalty]: Calamity Qi will descend to the secret land of pillar foundation. [Accept] [Yes/No] Hengsheng eyes are wide and confused. "What the heck is happening" "Meow?"
Inside the inner circle of the outer rim, a region once isolated by a powerful formation set by the Golden Sword Sect, The formation has been destroyed¡ªshattered by the immortal power contained within a talisman used by a mysterious group. With the barrier broken, the inner circle is now exposed, allowing both enemies and other gathering participants to enter freely. On the southeastern side of the inner circle, a group of ten Golden Sword Sect disciples is desperately fleeing. They are relentlessly pursued by the mysterious attackers, whose sole intent is to seize the Earth Seal Core Formation. They cannot allow that to happen. News from their senior disciples at the Metal Seal in the southwest confirms their worst fear¡ªthe Fire and Wood Seals have already fallen to the hand of the traitor. If they lose the Earth Seal as well, the enemy will control three of the five seals, granting them dominion over the Outer Rim¡¯s Seal Formation. Their mission will fail, and with it, calamity will surely descend. "Senior Brother, they''re getting closer!" one of the Golden Sword Sect disciples panted, his robes torn from the frantic escape. "I know!" his senior growled, gripping his sword tightly. "Just a little further¡ªwe need to reach the arrangement point!" Behind them, more than forty shadowy figures flickered through the bamboo forest, their killing intent sharp as blades. With a burst of speed, the pursuers closed in. "No choice¡ªwe fight!" The ten disciples turned, swords flashing as they clashed with the enemy. Sparks flew as steel met steel. Golden metal Qi surged through the air, illuminating the darkened forest. The ten disciples of the Golden Sword sect are not much inferior to the enemy despite their being outnumbered 4 times. A black-masked attacker lunged, nearly cutting through the junior disciple, but his senior blocked it with a violent counter. "There''s too many!" the younger disciple gasped. Just then¡ªthe ground trembled. A suffocating aura from afar crashed over them. Chapter 59 - Battle 1! The God Spawn is coming! The disciples of the Golden Sword Sect turned pale when they sensed a suffocating aura, reminding them of the monster that had forced them to flee from the enemy. The black-masked attackers also briefly trembled at the aura of the God Spawn but soon recovered. Their figures blurred as they moved to encircle the disciples, cutting off all escape routes. "Senior Brother, please go! We will hold them back!" The words cut through the tension like steel. The junior disciples had already steeled their resolve; there was no room for hesitation. The Senior Brother gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with anger toward the traitors who had led them into this desperate situation. Yet, he could not let their sacrifice be in vain. "I will complete the mission!" His voice was resolute, his Qi surging with determination. Without another word, he dashed west, his figure transforming into a golden streak as he pushed his speed to the limit. A black-masked attacker lunged to intercept him, their sword glowing with strange Qi¡ªa Qi with an oppressive aura¡ªand aimed for his back. CLANG! Before the attack could land, a junior disciple stepped in and deflected the sword with a powerful counterstrike. Sparks flew as their Qi clashed, and the air trembled from the impact. "You will not touch him!" the disciple roared, pushing forward. The battlefield erupted into chaos. Golden Sword Sect disciples clashed with the black-masked attackers, their blades flashing like meteors as their Qi techniques collided in bursts of power. One disciple used his Qi technique: the 12 Golden Sword Qi condensed in mid-air and shot at the group of black-masked attackers. The attackers, who seemed well-informed in the techniques of the Golden Sword Sect, coordinated their defense by causing an earth wall to rise from the ground to intercept the 12 Golden Sword Qi. Amid the chaos, one disciple cried out as a black sword tore through his shoulder, blood splattering onto the cracked earth. Another barely dodged a piercing thrust, countering with a desperate sword strike that sent his enemy stumbling. Even though every disciple of the Overlord was much stronger than the enemy, they were vastly outnumbered. Moreover, the urgent threat of the God Spawn approaching filled their minds with anxiety and rendered their movements ineffective¡ªthey knew they would not survive for long. And then¡ªthe roar of the God Spawn shook the whole area. The disciples turned toward the sound and saw five God Spawn crawling toward them with numerous twisted limbs. They knew immediately that their lives were about to end. They looked at each other and nodded in silent understanding. Then, they took out a talisman and activated it. An aura of Dao enveloped their entire bodies, similar to Hengsheng¡¯s Dao Heart aura, though it was incomplete¡ªmerely an imitation. The black-masked attackers quickly moved out of the way of the God Spawn. Even though they were on the same side, the nature of the God Spawn was unpredictable¡ªthey might attack if it came too close. One of the God Spawn leaped into the sky, intent on using its massive body to crush the nine humans into dead meat. In response, nine disciples combined their technique: their swords rose into the air and shot toward the God Spawn, not to strike it directly but to form a seal around its body¡ªa cage of the golden sword. Another God Spawn, with a body longer and leaner than the others, moved at high speed and shot up from the ground like a javelin, about to pierce the body of one disciple. However, the disciples, honed by rigorous training, countered its attack; one managed to cut its lean body, causing it to lose momentum and collapse to the ground. Its regeneration was much slower than usual because its wound was now contained by the aura enveloping the disciples.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Soon, other God Spawn reached the group and began attacking from all sides. The God Spawn''s defense was weak¡ªjust one attack from the golden sword shattered its body into many pieces. Meanwhile, the black-masked group split into two: one group continued to harass the enemy with ranged attacks, while the other chased after their senior brother. The situation looked grim. It might have seemed that the God Spawn could do nothing to harm them, but once the Dao aura enveloped the disciples and the talisman effect ended, they would face a powerful counterattack from the creature. Eventually, the talisman effect faded. One disciple slashed through a God Spawn, causing the aura that had been halting its regeneration to vanish; it regenerated instantly before leaping onto an unsuspecting disciple. As the God Spawn passed through that disciple, others immediately shouted, "Brother Du!!" But there was no response, one of the disciples quickly dashed to check on him but when he saw "Brother Du" face his expression became horror¡ªhalf of his face was gone, bit by the God Spawn. All disciples retreated far away from the now regenerated group of the God spawn immediately. Tears welled in their eyes as they activated another talisman, hoping to continue the fight against the God Spawn. Crash! The Golden Sword Seal was broken at an unexpected time! The disciples watched in horror as the God Spawn who just be free, hovered in the air, was about to crash down on them. They turned pale, realizing they were not ready to counter that¡ªDEATH was the only thought that crossed their minds. But things never be as they expect neither good nor bad way. Then, as the God Spawn''s body fell, ready to crush them, a massive surge of seven color Fist Qi burst from nowhere, striking the monster''s body. "DOOM!" Its body exploded into countless pieces that rained down to the ground. The fragments tried to crawl together, but their movement was weak¡ªalmost powerless¡ªIt was not over another Qi Cannon rained down upon them. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! All the fragments completely stopped moving and dissolved into the air. The other four God Spawn roared as a new enemy appeared and quickly dashed toward that person, moving mindlessly. On the other side of the battlefield, a young man wearing a black-gold robe stepped onto the scene. The disciples of the Golden Sword Sect were stunned by the appearance of this newcomer, who seemed to have achieved Dao to a certain extent. It was the only explanation for someone who could completely kill a God Spawn without the help of a Dao attire talisman. Eight of the remaining disciples quickly activated their talismans once more, and a faded aura of Dao appeared to cover them as protection against the God Spawn. However, their target was not the creature but the traitor! The traitors, also stunned by the newcomer¡¯s appearance, could barely process what was happening when eight disciples of the Golden Sword sect already approached them. They only had fifteen people in their group, and with such a small number, they couldn¡¯t fight against the powerful forces of the Overlord¡¯s disciples. The battle soon split into two separate fronts. In one, the young man in the black-gold robe faced off against four God Spawn. In the other, eight disciples of the Golden Sword Sect clashed with fifteen black-masked attackers from an unknown faction. The young man in the black-gold robe was incredibly powerful. Each of his palm Qi attacks shattered a God Spawn into pieces, rendering them into nothing more than helpless chunks of meat. These fragments were dangerous to anyone without protection¡ªthey could pierce human skin and consume them from within¡ªbut they posed no threat to the black-gold-robed cultivator, as his aura burned the fragments alive upon contact. In his battle, it became a matter of how many attacks he needed to deliver before the God Spawn would be completely destroyed. Meanwhile, the eight disciples wielding swords fought with speed and precision. Their golden qi was dense and sharp, incomparable to that of any other cultivator on the continent. Their Sword Qi sliced through the black-masked attackers one by one. However, when the black-masked group began to lose ground in the battle, some of them started to flee in different directions, leaving their comrades behind. Unknown to them, before they could escape further, a mysterious claw struck, separating body and head from one of their number. BOOM!! BOOM!! BOOM!! After ten minutes of fierce attack, all of the God Spawn were completely destroyed, turning into dust. The young man in the black-gold robe then turned his attention to the other side of the battlefield, where eight disciples were now fighting the last four black-masked attackers who had been left to die by their comrades. Soon, all of the black-masked attackers dropped dead, leaving the area with only nine survivors and one spirit beast lurking in the shadows. The disciples of the Golden Sword Sect turned their gazes toward the mystery cultivator in the black-gold robe. If they looked carefully, they would notice the golden ring inside his pupils and the gray cat perched on his head, appearing as if out of nowhere. Chapter 60 - Unexpected Escort! Hengsheng was stunned by the quest he had received from the random quest generation. He squinted as he read the details of the quest. "Blue, do you have any more information about this quest?" he asked, hoping she might have additional details since her system had generated the quest. "Wait a moment, Master, I will review the system log for a second," she replied, not keeping him waiting for long. "Master, the quest was generated from the largest causality impact across this entire secret land. It is so significant that all other causality is worthless¡ªthat''s all I know," she said, her voice laced with curiosity about the unfolding events. "Alright, thank you for your help. Let me know if you need me inside the System World," he quickly added, not wanting to disturb her work. "Yes, Master," she responded, and her attention swiftly returned to the System World. Hengsheng frowned at what he had heard. It seemed he had hit the jackpot; had he not received this quest, he might never have learned about the disaster. Even though he did not fully understand what Calamity Qi was, it certainly did not bode well for him or for the rest of his clan. Hengsheng quickly activated [Heavenly Insight Mode]; this time, he set it to search for his quest target. [Heavenly Insight Mode Activated] [100 System Points Deducted] [01:00:00] [00:24:59] Hengsheng''s pupils then displayed a golden ring inside it, and he began to see countless transparent lines¡ªonly one of which caught his attention. It was a causality line that linked his quest panel to the quest''s target. Hengsheng quickly followed that direction. "If I remember correctly, the First Elder said not to pass the barrier to the inner circle of the outer rim, as it might offend the Overlord. But according to the quest, they do not seem to be in good shape. It should be okay, right?" He decided not to worry about whether he would offend the Overlord; however, if they lost the so-called artifact and Calamity Qi descended, he would be in trouble. After he traveled for a while, Yunsu began to react¡ªshe started hissing. Hengsheng frowned because he knew what that meant immediately. "The God Spawn around here!" was the name of a strange monster he had heard not long ago. Soon, Hengsheng began hearing the sounds of battle, so he slowed down and approached the battlefield carefully. From afar, he saw a group of nine golden-robed figures, and he immediately recognized them as disciples of the Golden Sword Sect. They were now fighting against 15 attackers wearing black masks and similar robes to those of the Thunderclap Blade Sect he had killed before, but their technique was not that of lightning or thunder¡ªinstead, it was a strange Qi with an oppressive aura. They were not only fighting the black-masked attackers, but also the God Spawn. Hengsheng saw one of the God Spawn sealed in the air by the golden sword seal formation as it tried to break free but failed, while another four God Spawns were being beaten into pieces by nine disciples, without any chance to fully recover. Hengsheng became confused. "Doesn''t the quest say they should be in bad shape? Then why do they seem to be okay?" He thought the disciples of the Golden Sword Sect would be in trouble, but what he saw made it appear they were holding their own in the fight. Hengsheng observed the nine disciples closely. He could feel a Dao aura emanating from their bodies¡ªsimilar to his own Dao Heart aura¡ªbut it felt weak, as though it were only at the surface. What fascinated him was the way they used that aura during combat: every time their dao aura struck a wound, it actively suppressed the God Spawn''s regeneration ability. He had never known it could be used that way before¡ªusually, he would simply attack the enemy repeatedly without doing anything actively to affect the wound''s healing.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. As he watched them fight, he thought that perhaps he wasn''t needed after all; from his perspective, they seemed to be doing fine unless something unexpected happened. Unexpectedly, the Dao aura that enveloped their body suddenly faded, and one of the disciples was killed instantly! Hengsheng immediately became alert. He stopped hesitating¡ªhe couldn''t let them die. He quickly prepared his technique, the Heaven¡¯s Pulse Fist Technique, and swiftly formed a seven-colored Fist Qi within his fist, ready to release. "Yunsu, stay hidden around the area¡ªdon''t let any black-masked attackers escape," he ordered Yunsu in a serious tone. "Meow," she replied, jumping from her spot and looking at his face before her body dissolved into the shadows of the bamboo forest. Crash! Then he saw a God Spawn break free from its seal in mid-air and rush toward the group of eight disciples on the ground. Not waiting a moment longer, he released his Massive seven-color Fist Qi to strike the target in mid-air. DOOM!! That attack carried the full power of his Dao Heart. He could sense that the God Spawn was about to die, so he released his Qi Cannon to finish the job. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Ding! [You have earned: 1,000 SP.] "Roar!" Four other God Spawn rushed toward him as soon as they noticed his arrival. Hengsheng attacked each of them with his Palm Qi, shattering their bodies. He kept attacking them nonstop, not letting them regenerate at all. He also used the technique he learned from watching the disciple of the overlord fight; its effect was great. He could sense that the Dao heart aura was dealing damage over time to the God spawn. The battle lasted for ten minutes before his attack drained their essence dry, stopping their regeneration and leaving them completely dead. Ding! [You have earned: 1,000 SP.] x 4 Hengsheng then observed the group of eight disciples who were finishing off the remaining black-masked attackers. Soon, the black-masked fighters fell, and they came to face him, their expressions filled with doubt and hurry. One of the disciples seemed to be the most senior of them stepped forward, bowed with both hands, and greeted him, "Greeted Fellow Dao, I am Cao Feng a disciple of the Golden Sword sect, Thank you for helping us. May I have your name? The Golden Sword Sect will return the favor later. We don''t intend to be rude to the benefactor, But now we have an urgent mission." Hengsheng looked at them; they seemed desperate. He then noticed that one of the causality lines was missing, which meant there was another group of disciples! Hengsheng bowed with both hands and replied, "I am Lan Hengsheng from the Lan Clan of the Southern Metal Flow Plain. I see you''re in a hurry, I also have my own issue with these black-masked attackers¡ªthey seem to be causing trouble for you as well. Allow me to follow you. I believe I can find them this way, and I¡¯ll handle them." The group of disciples looked at him with suspicion, Cao Feng who was in front of him asked, "May I ask what these traitors did to you?" Hengsheng thought, "Traitor?" before replying, "I found out that these people are responsible for the appearance of the strange white demon¡ªit killed many of my clanmates. I have come to avenge them." When he answered, the disciples nodded in understanding. Their doubt had lessened, though they remained guarded. "Then please follow us quickly," one of them said. Without any extra words, they began moving west. Hengsheng watched them dash in the same direction as the missing causality line, and he quickly followed. As he observed the Golden Sword Sect disciples, he noted that they were nearly comparable to him when he did not activate his Dao Heart aura¡ªmuch stronger than Xiaorong who now should enter the spiritual foundation realm already, The number two in his clan''s young generation, It was like a complete joke to compare them. He did not expect that the Overlord''s disciples could be this much stronger compared to other factions, thanks to both superior resources and technique. He also began to pity his own Lan clan''s young generation. He knew they were also delicate in their path of Dao, but the gap between the Overlord and the second-rate forces was so large that it could not be bridged by normal means. He thought, Maybe I should give a system to my people to give them an edge in this unfair world. Shaking his head, he realized it was risky if someone caught them and discovered the system''s existence; he might be in big trouble. But with the Clon node, it should be safer to do so. Hengsheng began to plan how to strengthen his generation of clan members¡ªthe first step was to have them all come completely under his command¡­. A group of nine people continued to move west and eventually left the bamboo forest behind, entering the endless forest. However, this forest was different from the one near Hengsheng''s Lan Clan Cave¡ªit was made of metal trees! Hengsheng saw through the causality line that they were close to the target. Soon, his divine sense picked up the sounds of battle a dozen miles ahead. Chapter 61 - Massacre! Hearing the sound of battle, Hengsheng accelerated his footstep instantly, leaving the other eight figures behind. His figure blurred as he dashed forward, and the landscape changed rapidly. He could feel a strong air resistance against his skin. Soon, Hengsheng arrived at the scene. He saw a lone disciple of the Golden Sword Sect with heavy injury fighting fiercely against a couple dozen black-masked cultivators who had encircled him. All of these attackers were in the early stages of the Spiritual Foundation Realm. The lone golden-robed disciple was exceptionally powerful. Despite his own heavy wound, he battled with unwavering ferocity. The floor around him was littered with the corpses of several black-masked cultivators, who had fallen by his sword. Behind Hengsheng, other Golden Sword Sect disciples finally caught up. When they saw the scene, they quickly rushed in to help the encircled disciple. With the sudden arrival of reinforcements, the black-masked attackers were caught off guard. Eight disciples, wielding their swords, struck at the backs of the attackers, and one by one, they dropped dead. Hengsheng did not wait any longer. He asks Yunsu to secure the escape route like last time he doesn¡¯t intend to let any of the black-masked attackers escape and then he joins the battle himself. Hengsheng rushed forward, striking his palm Qi against one of the unfortunate black-masked cultivators. The man''s body exploded, and he then turned and sent his Qi cannon toward the black-masked one who was about to flee from him. BOOM! As he battles his own, Hengsheng also observes the disciples of the Golden Sword Sect fighting while using their Qi technique. Their swords flew through the air, following their hand signs and piercing the enemy¡¯s bodies with deadly precision. A surge of golden sword Qi erupted from the ground and impaled a helpless black-masked cultivator. Some disciples performed a technique that summoned a golden river of Qi, which they wielded as a formidable whip sword. Hengsheng couldn¡¯t help but be impressed by their Qi technique. After the reinforcements arrived, there was no longer a battle¡ªit had become purely a massacre. Executed by Hengsheng and disciples of the Golden Sword sect, the black-masked cultivators keep falling one by one at a visible rate. With each attack Hengsheng launched, he heard the system notify him that he had received system points; the sound encouraged him. He didn''t feel any remorse about killing these guys since their association with the God Spawn was enough reason for him to label them as "villains." Soon, the battle ended, and only two black-masked attackers remained alive within Hengsheng gripping their necks tight. He intended to investigate them and learn their goal. "Junior Brothers! Junior Sisters! You are alive!" a heavily injured disciple shouted in a joyful voice before collapsing from his injuries. "Senior Brother!" another disciple rushed over to support him, but the injured man shook his head and refused the support before he said in a weak voice, "I already sacrificed my Spirit Core." "No! Senior Brother!" the juniors cried out, immediately realizing that their senior did not have much time left. In their sect, every disciple had to learn many basic techniques¡ªincluding how to sacrifice their Spirit Core to gain a surge of power¡ªa technique that no one wished to use unless in a dire and certain death situation, as it would bring down an enemy along with them. It is not surprising why he decides to make this choice, since he is surrounded by a dozen enemies who have the same cultivation realm as him. Even though he is stronger than they are, being outnumbered so greatly leaves him no choice but to sacrifice himself, as he is not willing to hand over the seal artifact to the enemy so easily. Tears flowed from the juniors'' eyes as they gritted their teeth and looked at the living enemy in Hengsheng''s hands¡ªthe black-masked attackers with anger. One of the disciples even stood up with a sword in hand and walked straight toward Hengsheng''s direction, aiming for the heads of the black-masked attackers Hengsheng held. Hengsheng knew what this guy intended to do.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "Wait. I intend to let them live for a while so I can investigate them for the information," Hengsheng said in a firm tone before this disciple could kill one of the black masks in his hand. The disciple seemed to recover from his sorrow and recalled Hengsheng''s strength. He acted politely and said, "Fellow Dao Lan, an investigation is meaningless. Our sect has tried that many times, but these cultivators tend to have soul contracts with their faction¡ªthey will die immediately if they attempt to split their word out." Hengsheng frowned; he hoped he could get something out of them if he tried, but he also had expected something like this. Since he couldn''t gain anything from them, he increased the pressure in his hands. BOB! BOB! Ding! [You have earned: 120 SP.] x 2 Their heads exploded under Hengsheng''s grip, and the disciples watched in horror at his ruthlessness before stepping back to regroup with other disciples who were still mournful beside their senior brother. Hengsheng looked at the dramatic scene from afar, not wanting to get too involved with these people. Moreover, he did not trust them¡ªtheir eyes secretly had a hint of disdain, and his instinct told him they were looking down on him or harboring other negative thoughts, despite his having saved their lives. The senior brother took out a pentagon-shaped metal seal with the rune word "Earth" engraved on its surface¡ªa rune Hengsheng recognized from his studies. He is curious to know why such an Artifact, if it fell into the hands of those black-masked people, might cause the problems as it described in the quest panel. Senior Brother who is very weak as time passes leans his back against the metal tree and hands the artifact to Cao Feng, Seems like he entrusted his mission to the juniors. As they spoke, Hengsheng noticed that Senior Brother glanced in his direction and nodded in thanks. As Hengsheng watched, they seemed to speak to each other with divine sense, intentionally not letting him hear what they were discussing. He did not care much about their secrets; he intended to leave quickly after the quest was done before they realized he was not there. While waiting for these people to finish saying their goodbyes, he opened his system panel. Since the start of the battle¡ªfrom the God Spawn to the black-masked cultivators¡ªhe had accumulated quite a few system points. Ding! [System Points: 6750 SP] He planned to spend them on upgrading his Sun Gaze Trait, as it did not cost him much¡ªonly 1,000 SP. Ding! Sun Gaze Genetic Trait: Tier 1 - S [Upgrade requires 1,000 SP] [1,000 SP Deducted.] [Sun Gaze Genetic Trait Upgrading¡­] The next moment, Hengsheng felt a burning sensation in his eyes. "It hurts!" he thought. He closed his eyes and pretended to rest; he couldn¡¯t show his vulnerable side to anyone, especially not before those he did not trust. He focused his divine sense as if using it as his eyes, and observed what was happening to his eyeballs. He saw that his entire eye was being reconstructed. He couldn¡¯t see the change at the cellular level because his divine sense was not that powerful, but the process did not seem to finish quickly. With his eyes closed, Hengsheng noticed that the senior brother had already passed away and that his corpse had been stored in their space ring. After a while one of the disciples walked toward him it was Cao Feng. Cao Feng¡¯s eyes narrowed with concern as he addressed Hengsheng, "Fellow Dao Lan, we will leave now. Do you still wish to come with us?" "Yes, I think it''s better to send you guys to a safe place since this is something those black-masked attackers do not want." "I will help you," Hengsheng replied while closing his eyes¡ªa gesture that puzzled Cao Feng. "Wait¡ªwhy are your eyes closing like that?" Cao Feng asked, his tone edged with confusion. Hengsheng showed a calm smile and then he replied shamelessly. "Sometimes, to fully understand the flow of nature, one must surrender their senses of oneself to the flow." Cao Feng was even more confused by his nonsense words. "Ahem¡­ then follow us closely, We will head west; our destination is very near¡ªonly three days away at our current speed." As Cao Feng and the others hurried off toward the west, Hengsheng followed them closely with Yunsu above his head.
Axeman opened his eyes after hearing a report from his subordinate that they had lost track of the group of disciples fleeing with the Earth Seal core formation. A heavy sigh escaped him as he muttered, "It can¡¯t be helped." His voice, edged with irritation, conveyed the gravity of the situation: confronting the overlord''s army of disciples at the Metal Seal location head-on was out of the question, as they would surely lose. Without hesitation, he commanded, "Summon everyone; we will use the last plan." The subordinate¡¯s face drained of color as he swallowed hard, knowing well that the last plan involved deploying a large number of God Spawns to swarm their enemy. "As you command, Prince Da-shan," the subordinate replied, his tone trembling with anxiety yet marked by unwavering obedience. Axeman watched his subordinate step out of his tent. He thought about his goal, His eyes were filled with a hint of insanity and madness. "For the Lord of All Senses." Chapter 62 - Quest Completed! Hengsheng traveled with these disciples for three days, and during that time, they did not stop to rest. He was surprised when they began to get tired after only half a day of travel. At that point, the Golden Sword Sect disciples brought out a flying sword and began riding it like a surfboard, using it to glide quickly above the ground. Hengsheng watched with jealousy; he, too, longed for a flying treasure. However, he soon discovered that their Spiritual Qi was being consumed at a rapid rate by the flying sword. They could only use this method to rest their bodies for a couple of hours before having to resume traveling on foot. During the journey, he learned all their names and got some insight into their situation. It turned out that the 1,000 disciples of the Golden Sword Sect who operated within the outer rim were the best of their generation. He also heard that a few of the strongest disciples, like himself, had awakened their own Dao Hearts and gained power far beyond the norm within the Spiritual Foundation Realm. Another revelation was why they joined the gathering with other forces. Although they could come and go from the secret land at will¡ªsince that land was essentially their sect¡¯s backyard¡ªthe 1,000 disciples joined not for resources but to secure their sect¡¯s facilities inside the secret land, What facilities is? never be answered. Apart from common topics, they never spoke about ¡°God Spawn¡± or ¡°Traitor.¡± It seemed that these were matters meant only for others. Hengsheng couldn¡¯t help but frown, sensing a fishy secret that might affect him. While traveling within the inner circle of the outer rim, he noticed that the demon beasts in this area were more powerful than those outside, as all he met had now reached the Spiritual Foundation Realm. Some attempted to attack him and the disciples, but as expected, they stood no chance¡ªearned him some extra system points. On the third day of travel, Hengsheng finally opened his eyes as his upgrade finished. His [Sun Gaze Genetic Trait] had advanced to Tier 2 - C Level. When it was Tier 1 - S Level, it functioned only as a flashlight with slightly better vision; now, at Tier 2 - C Level, it can shoot a laser beam from his eyes. Although this power is still weak¡ªcomparable to the early stage of the Qi Gathering Realm¡ªit is a valuable addition, as he can use it to surprise his enemies. He had never heard of any technique that allowed someone to shoot a Qi burst from the eyes, since learning and practicing such a technique was considered too dangerous because the eyes are Delicate and complex; failure could mean losing one''s sight permanently. If he fought someone of equal strength and unleashed the laser beam, his opponent would surely be caught off guard and might expose a weakness. After checking the result of the upgrade by testing it on some aggressive Demon beast, Hengsheng opened his Solar Eyes system panel to see how much the next upgrade would cost. Ding! Sun Gaze Genetic Trait: Tier 2 - C [Upgrade requires 3,000 SP] It was cheaper than he had expected; he had enough system points for one more upgrade. However, he decided not to upgrade further right away, preferring to save his system points to upgrade his Spirit Core, which he knew was the most cost-effective investment. He still remembered that when he upgraded his Spirit Core to Earth grade his strength became twice as strong at that time and with 10,000 system points to upgrade it to Heaven grade, he became twice as strong¡ªif the result held the same. "Everyone, we are almost there. Please stay alert!" shouted Cao Feng, who led the group forward, warning them to be careful, as the enemy might attack at any moment. The disciples grew tense, expecting an ambush. Meanwhile, Hengsheng activated the [3D Map] function by spending 100 system points to scan the area within a 10-kilometer radius. He found no sign of black-masked cultivators or God Spawn¡ªonly demon beasts.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. He did not lower his guard, for he knew this world contained many methods and techniques beyond his understanding, There is no guarantee that his system is absolute. Soon, he noticed Cao Feng ahead slow down and stop in the middle of the metal tree forest. Hengsheng saw the disciples nod at each other and turn their gaze toward him. He immediately became alert, suspecting a possible betrayal. Although he appeared clueless on the surface, he was already secretly calculating his Spiritual Qi. Cao Feng walked toward him and he said, "Fellow Dao Lan, we have arrived at our sect facility." Hengsheng was momentarily confused, as there appeared to be nothing around here only the metal tree. But then he realized it was a Hidden Formation¡ªa high-level one that emitted no natural Qi or other sign of Inconsistency, an entirely different level compared to the one he set on the entrance of the Lan Clan base. He gazed at his active [3D Map] and noticed that the area in front of him appeared as a blank space¡ªno sign of trees or any features on the map¡ªcompletely at odds with the vision he had seen with his own eyes. "But we can''t let outsiders enter because of safety reasons. So, I am afraid we might have to separate now, Fellow Dao Lan, and I will surely speak to the sect to reward your deeds once the gathering ends," Cao Feng said, bowing with both hands in apology. Hengsheng looked closely at Cao Feng and other the disciples'' movements; it seemed they were not betraying him as he had expected, which was good since he did not want to drag his clan into conflict with the Overlord''s disciples. Hengsheng clasped his hands together, bowed, and replied, "I have no problem with this, but I have another thing to tell you." He continued, "While fighting a black-masked cultivator before I met your group, I uncovered some of them possess a technique resembling Lightning or Thunderclap. I hope this information proves useful." Cao Feng gritted his teeth in anger, understanding the meaning behind Hengsheng''s words. "Thank you for the information, Fellow Dao Lan. I will definitely report it to the sect!" As Cao Feng said goodbye, Hengsheng saw one of the disciples step into the forest and vanish without a trace, Later all of them disappeared. He was amazed by the formation power because he couldn¡¯t recall which direction they had taken, he had never seen the formation that could twist his sense to this extent before. Ding! [Congratulations! You completed the quest.] [Rewards]: 20,000 SP. [Accept] [Yes/No] "Yes" Ding! [You have earned: 20,000 SP.] As Hengsheng reviewed his newly acquired system points, he also considered what his next move should be¡ªwhether to pursue his target immediately or spend more time upgrading himself before continuing his mission. Hengsheng decided to chase his target immediately, as he was already close to them when he followed the Krama thread last time; his information indicated that they were in the inner circle before the Krama thread disappeared. If he took too long, he feared they might relocate, and he would have to waste more time chasing them again. He activated [Heavenly Insight Mode]. His eyes formed a golden ring inside, and once more he began to see the red thread of the Krama¡ªthis time it appeared much more visible, and he seemed to be able to read its contents to some extent. This change was due to his upgraded [Sun Gaze Genetic Trait], as he had designed the system''s function to link with his trait power. Unable to resist, he cautiously peered into the Krama¡¯s content. His eyes glowed with intense golden light, and then he saw a vague vision: "They call everyone¡­¡­" Just a second of the vague vision goes on his instinct kicks in. Hengsheng quickly pulled himself out of the vision before he saw anything further, sensing a negative intent¡ªan aura reminiscent of the Heavenly Dao warning him not to peer any deeper. "Meow¡­" Yunsu, hovering above his head, suddenly reacted; her paw tapped his face. Hengsheng then noticed on his face there was a small amount of blood dripping down from his eye sockets. He gently rubbed Yunsu¡¯s head. "Thank you," he murmured, quickly wiping the blood away with a handkerchief. He was grateful he had learned his lesson to control his impulsiveness; if he had not pulled back in time, there might have been serious consequences. He recalled what he had seen¡ªit seemed that the Thunderclap Blade Sect was cooperating with another force, and they were the ones who received the orders. Hengsheng frowned, unable to imagine who could command first-rate sect disciples as if they were subordinates. Moreover, he observed through the Krama thread that his target was coming his way. Hengsheng smiled. "Good¡ªI don''t have to run around to find them since they are the ones who come at me. No, they come for..." He paused, gazing into the empty space in the middle of the [3D Map]. Chapter 63 - The Law! Hengsheng appeared far away from where he assumed to be the Golden Sword Sect''s private space, but he was not too far from them. He needed to wait for those black-masked attackers¡ªincluding the Thunderclap Blade Sect disciples¡ªto come, so he could strike them from behind as planned. He quickly set up a concealment formation at the entrance of a cave he had discovered while roaming the metal forest in search of a resting place. According to his calculations, it would take a week or two before an enemy reached this spot and attacked the Golden Sword Sect¡¯s place. He planned to use this time to spend his system points and strengthen himself as much as possible. If he was not mistaken, those black masks would surely bring the God Spawn with them. He also had to find a way to fight off that monster, since relying solely on his Dao Heart to destroy it took too much time. He considered creating a system to counter them specifically, but he knew too little about their origin or true nature¡ªhe only knew that Dao aura could hurt them. With no clear base idea used to build a system to oppose them directly, he resolved instead to improve his utilize Dao Heart. After finishing his concealment formation, Hengsheng meditated inside the cave and opened his system panel to review his progress. At that moment, he felt a surge of happiness as he saw his system points. Even though he had used them to upgrade his Spirit Core, he still had 15,000 points left to improve other things such as his abilities, skills, or maybe his human race? He suddenly had an idea: perhaps he could upgrade his race directly through the system. Hengsheng slapped his own face in disbelief for not noticing this possibility before, and he quickly checked his idea by using the upgrade function on the [Race] section. [Human Race Upgrade requires 10,000 SP] [Human Race Upgrade Options] ¡­. ¡­. Hengsheng raised his eyebrows. "It really works." Immediately, he decided that after upgrading his Spirit Core, he would upgrade his race. "This is going to hurt. Yunsu-sama, please protect me¡ªI can''t use my Qi while I upgrade my core," he said. "Meow..." Yunsu nodded as she accepted the quest, then moved her paws around as if trying to tell him something. Hengsheng watched, trying to decode her message. "Are you unhappy?" he asked. "Meow," she nodded and continued moving her paws. Hengsheng finally understood: she was upset that she couldn''t hunt the hateful God Spawn. "Okay, I will try to do something for you then," he promised. "Meow." With his answer, she calmed down and lay on his lap. Without wasting any more time, Hengsheng began his Spirit Core upgrade. Ding! [10,000 SP Deducted.] [Upgrading the Quality of the Spirit Core¡­] Just like last time, the process was painful. Once again, the seven-color flame appeared around his spirit core and slowly refined its quality. But unlike before¡ªwhen he could only watch it burn away impurities without learning anything except its appearance¡ªthis time he possessed a Divine Sense. Hengsheng sent his Divine Sense to observe the seven-color flame closely. As his Divine Sense approached, he sensed that it was an aura. He felt an aura it emitted similar to something, but he could not recall exactly what. As he watched the flame burn away the impurities from his spirit core, he was amazed by its nature. At that moment, he decided to activate his Dao Heart to increase his comprehension ability. With his Dao Heart open, the aura he felt from the seven-color flame became clear. He immediately recognized the similarity: it was the Law, akin to the one inside his System World.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. The Laws and the Dao are close and similar, but now Hengsheng could separate them through his understanding of the Dao when he awakened his Dao Heart and his experience of the Laws when he created the System World. The Law is the cosmic blueprint of the rules that govern everything¡ªit is rigid and scientific¡ªunlike the Dao, which is more spiritual and flexible, representing how one''s spirit harmonizes with cosmic order. The seven-color flame refining his spirit core was a manifestation of the Law of Fire and the Law of Creation. He did not know how his system could make this manifestation, but it was valuable information in itself; Since it made him understand his system''s power and boundaries of what it was capable of. Hengsheng continued to observe the seven-color flame as he tried to comprehend its nature. It burned his spirit core, but instead of damaging it, the flame refined it, making it even better. The flame, an ever-shifting spectrum of vibrant hues¡ªemerald, violet, scarlet, azure, gold, indigo, and ruby¡ªenveloped his core in a purifying embrace, erasing impurities and awakening latent potential. It was not a flame of destruction but a trigger for creation. "The Flame of Creation," Hengsheng thought, was the only name he could describe for this phenomenon. He remembered the legend of the primordial phoenix¡ªa spirit beast that later became the ancestor of all the Phoenix Demon Clan¡ªwhich also possessed the power of the Flame of Creation and passed down a degraded version of it to its descendants as the Flame of Rebirth. As Hengsheng observed and tried to comprehend it with his Divine Sense and Dao Heart, he realized he had no clue about the creation law part; his cultivation realm did not allow him to grasp such a high-level law. Yet, he came to understand something about the meaning of the fire. With the knowledge he had gained from Samuel''s Life simulation, his understanding of science and physics was advanced enough to call him an expert. He noticed that the flame burning his spirit core was not just simple combustion or any ordinary heat-producing method; its true nature was far deeper. In fact, the flame was not even truly present here¡ªthough it appeared right before his eyes, it was merely an illusion. The true source of the flame existed somewhere else; the illusion before him was produced by its power, sent along a quantum pathway that bypassed all the time and space that he understood. The true nature of the flame was the primordial state of matter. Burning was merely the process of change; the ash was simply the incomplete result of matter conversion, and the heat was the result of the matter returning to its original, unformed state. "The Prima Materia? Quark-Gluon Plasma? Whatever it is called in the end¡ªit is all the origin state of fire." Hengsheng entered a state of enlightenment, his entire body being enveloped with the power of heaven and earth, an award by the Heavenly Dao, who performed its duty to encourage all beings under heaven to strive for advancement. Hengsheng''s entire body was completely enveloped by the Flame of Creation¡ªnot only was his spirit core refined, but his whole body was purified and strengthened. once someone becomes enlightened, even a dog or a cat will benefit. Yunsu, who rested on his lap, also benefited from this process as her bloodline was further purified. Previously, she had not received any significant power-up due to her limited access to a potent bloodline to absorb, but now, refined by the flame of creation, her already strong bloodline has become even stronger and purer. The impurity even seemed to leak from Hengsheng''s skin, a testament to the impurities he had long neglected, especially after consuming massive amounts of spirit stones and natural treasures beyond anyone¡¯s wildest imagination, courtesy of his unnatural absorption ability. Black mucus flowed out of his skin like a river; if Hengsheng and Yunsu had still been fully conscious, he would have vomited at the awful stench. Yet the Flame of Creation, beyond imagination, does not spare even the black mucus with its refining power. Once touched by the flame, the mucus began to transform into a transparent pure Qi mucus. If a cultivator were to discover this substance, it would be classified as a divine-grade treasure, capable of directly increasing their cultivation base¡ªtruly the perfect treasure for someone in the bottleneck. Ironically, Hengsheng will never know that this treasure, which he found to appear out of nowhere, was in fact his own waste. After a while, the Flame of Creation slowly faded, leaving Hengsheng and Yunsu still reaping the lingering benefits. Soon after, Hengsheng opened his eyes and quickly used his Divine Sense to scan the surroundings. Finding no immediate threat, he sighed in relief, They still stayed within a dangerous place and couldn''t lower their guard. "Meow?" Yunsu meowed softly as she perched on his lap, and then Hengsheng noticed that transparent mucus, emitting an aura of divine-grade treasure, clung around his body. Confused, he wondered, "What the heck is this? Where does it come from?" Without further questioning, he gathered all the transparent mucus with his Divine Sense afraid it might disappear, and stored it in his system space, within the System World. "A free treasure! thank you, Heavenly Dao!" He then gently rubbed Yunsu¡¯s head and chin while observing himself with his Divine Sense. He noticed that his Spirit Core was now completely upgraded, and his entire body surged with power¡ªhe felt at least twice as strong, if not more. Most importantly, in the Attainment section of his system panel, a new element appeared. Chapter 64 - 12 Primordial God! Ding! [The Strongest Cultivator System Panel] Name: Lan Hengsheng Race: Human Spirit Core: System Neutral Spirit Core [Heaven] Cultivation Realms: Spiritual Foundation [18.61%] Cultivation Techniques: The System World Creation Manual Attainments: Dao Heart, Law of Fire [Status Attributes]: Overall Battle Power: Tier 3 - B Physical: Tier 2 - S Energy: Tier 3 - C Unity: Tier 3 - S Abilities & Skills: Tier 3 - C Traits: The System World [Tier ???], The Sun Gaze Genetic [Tier 2 - C] [Abilities & Skills Library]: Abilities: Super Divine Sense, Vast Meridian Combat Skills: Thousand Motion Art, Endless Step Technique, Horizon Shift Technique, World Shatter Palm Art, Qi Surge Cannon Technique, Heaven¡¯s Pulse Fist Technique, Pure Qi Rebound Technique. Secondary Skills: Hidden Mind Sutra, Basic Formation Mastery, Basic Artifact Crafting, Basic Rune Engraving. [Auxiliary Systems] [3/4]: Life Simulator System [Tier 2 - S], The Supreme Administrator system [Tier 3 - B], The Solar Eyes System [Tier 3 - B] [Available Functions]: Absorption, Upgrade, Inspection, Concealment. System Points: 15,750 SP Hengsheng was quite satisfied with the result of his upgrade and unexpected enlightenment. He raised his right hand, and a flame appeared above it¡ªa flame he summoned with his understanding of the Fire Law. He played with the flame for a while, sometimes making it hot and sometimes just warm. Yunsu tried to slap the flame on his hand, but when she did, she became confused because she did not feel the heat that a flame should have. The law was unlike the Dao, which divides its power largely by the Dao levels¡ªsuch as Dao Seed, Dao Blossom, and Dao Fruit. The Dao also grants an unimagined spiritual power to the possessors. The law on the other hand does not grant magically powerful strength to its possessor directly, nor is its power divided by level like the Dao; rather, its strength depends on one''s understanding and how one utilizes it. His understanding of the Law was still at the surface level; at the moment, he only comprehended the state aspect of fire. There were more aspects of the Fire Law waiting for him to discover. Once he mastered the Fire Law under his command, its power would grow even stronger. Satisfied with his experiments, he put the flame down. "Meow?" Yunsu, still wondering about the flame, cried out. Hengsheng gazed at her pitiful kitten eyes; his expression softened as he summoned a solid fire marble and tossed it on the floor. Yunsu''s feline instincts kicked in, and she quickly chased after the red, glowing marble. He looked at the cat with happiness and then noticed the time on the system panel. It seemed that the whole upgrading process had taken him a full day. Hengsheng thought about how his sense of time had changed since he started cultivating; before, sitting alone in a dark room for a day was abnormal, but now it had become the norm for him. In addition other than the new element in the attainments section, he also found that his physical power had increased slightly. He assumed this might be due to his upgraded Spirit Core or comprehension of the Law. However, the sudden boost in body strength disturbed his plan to upgrade his race, as he did not want to do so while his body was still unstable. Instead, he made a change to the plan: he would upgrade his race once his body stabilized within the next week. Stolen novel; please report. That left him 5,000 system points to spend. He began checking each of his abilities and skills that could be upgraded with those points, but the results disappointed him. Most combat techniques were too expensive¡ªthe cheapest, the Qi Surge Cannon Technique, required 6,000 system points to upgrade into a pseudo-heaven-grade technique¡ªand his two main abilities cost more than a hundred thousand system points each. The secondary skills were upgradeable, but he did not want them at the moment. With nothing left to spend his system points on, he turned his focus to preparing himself for battle. "Master?" Blue''s voice rang in his head. Then Hengsheng recalled that there were other tasks he needed to attend to besides training¡ªa check on his System World, which he had left Blue to manage for a while. "I am here. How is it going there?" he asked with curiosity. "The progress of the System World is good, but there are some structural issues. I need your personal intervention to resolve them, Master. Are you available?" "Yeah, I will be going in. Wait a second then," he replied, turning to Yunsu, who was still playing with the fire marble. "Yunsu, do you want to come with me?" he asked. "Mew!" she quickly left the fire marble and jumped toward him. Hengsheng caught Yunsu in his arms and sent his Divine Sense to envelop her body. In an instant, she disappeared from this world¡ªshe had now entered his System World. Without hesitation, he closed his eyes and sent his consciousness entered the System World. He appeared on the mar¡ªthe last location he had stayed at before exiting the System World last time. He waved his hand, and a grey cat appeared in his arms. "Meow?" Yunsu looked around with curiosity and struggled to free herself from his arms, but Hengsheng did not let her go, as he now understood why Blue needed his help. He looked beyond the planet into the vast cosmos above his head. Unlike the first time when he created the system world and there was nothing, now it had become orderly and filled with habitable planets¡ªthough, unfortunately, no mortal life had been able born or could survive there. The reason was the presence of 12 beings, a powerful Tier 10 beings at the source of the origin, and Blue was also there. Hengsheng looked at the kitten in his arm, who still struggled to break free to explore the new place. He bestowed upon Yunsu the power of the origin to protect her from the harmful aura emitted by those 12 beings. A white light aura enveloped her body for a second, causing her to pause her wriggling in surprise, before Hengsheng released her. "Meow?" she asked. "What is that light?" "It is just a protection. I will go meet my administrator for a while; you stay here and don''t cause any trouble, alright?" he said. After he left, he did not notice that her cat eyes had suddenly turned sinister! Hengsheng then appeared above an immeasurably massive white star¡ªthe source of the origin. On the star''s surface, he saw 13 figures, including the Angelic Machina, Blue, the Supreme Administrator System. The other 12 figures, with different shapes and auras, he assumed were the Primordial Gods Blue had mentioned to him not long ago. Shortly after his appearance, some of them began to notice his presence. He slowly floated down onto the star''s surface and observed the 12 figures. Each one emitted a different aura of the Law¡ªsome displayed one law, others two or more¡ªbut all seemed to possess power on par with each other as a Tier 10 being. Their auras were powerful, yet nothing compared to Blue, who processed the origin power. Among these 12 figures, the most eye-catching was a massive giant dragon reminiscent of those in Western fiction. Its scales glowed with every color of all spectrums. The dragon emitted the aura of multiple laws, but every one of them was the elemental laws¡ªfire, water, wind, earth, or even light and darkness. Hengsheng had to admit, the dragon looked truly amazing and cool. Other figures had their unique features as well. Hengsheng observed a massive golden tree emanating the aura of Life and Nature Laws; a grim reaper, a humanoid skeleton holding a dark scythe, exuding the aura of Death and Soul Laws; The twin titans, human-like but they had massive bodies bigger than the solar system, one of the twins had a black hair with the aura of Space Law, and another one is a white hair with the aura of Time Law. There was an angelic being with a light halo above his head and 12 pairs of white wings emitting the aura of Creation Law; a demon being bulk body, a large horn, and a massive pair of bat wings, exuding the aura of Destruction Law; a formless, ever-changing being that seemed to emit the aura of Chaos Law; and a cube-shaped Machine entity that rotated continuously at a consistent rate, emitting the aura of Order Law. Then there was a massive spider whose upper torso was that of a female human and on her face, there were numerous eyes. standing on the invisible thread emitting the aura of Fate and Destiny Laws, and an impossibly long and massive large purple energy life form in the shape of a serpent emitting the aura of Infinity Law. The last figure puzzled him the most¡ªa human figure, a tall and well-built man who emitted the Aura of Balance Law. When he touched the ground, his human size was completely dwarfed by these 12 figures¡ªeven the smallest, the Human Primordial God with the Aura of Balance, stood at a height of five meters. "What are you looking at? Quickly bow to your lord, the System Maker!" Blue, the Angelic Machina, shouted, displeased with the Primordial Gods who continued to observe her master like a rare animal. With her shout, each of them began to show some respect to Hengsheng. However, he sensed that they did so only out of fear of his administrator¡¯s power. Hengsheng shook his head; it seemed he had to assert his authority for once. With that thought, he emitted the aura of the supreme being toward the Primordial Gods. Chapter 65 - Divine World! The 12 Primordial Gods suddenly experienced immense pressure that they had never felt since they came into existence. Not even the Supreme Administrator could impose this kind of pressure on them. The immeasurable divine energy and the power of laws they were born with had now become powerless; they could not even control a tiny fraction of it to resist the pressure. Hengsheng observed their pitiful attempts to resist his supreme presence. The Primordial Gods, who had been born alongside the Universe, now lay powerless on the floor of the white star¡ªthey were no different from mortals, if they did not even know what are mortals. The humanoid and animal-like Primordial Gods crawled on the floor of the white star, succumbing to their own massive weight. The formless one and the cubing machine had completely stopped moving, as if they were dead, while only the tree and the serpent seemed unaffected; but it was only on the surface even their souls were struggling like those of the other Primordial Gods. It took a while before Hengsheng decided to lower the pressure he had asserted on them, and in the next moment, the Primordial Gods began to feel their power return. They looked at Hengsheng with fear in their eyes. Blue, who stood at the side, smirked at the cocky Primordial Gods as her master was teaching them a lesson. "Now! You know your place¡ªlet¡¯s start introducing yourselves to the true master of this world," Blue interrupted the Primordial Gods, who were still regaining their power and did not know how to react in front of Hengsheng. They began to exchange hesitant glances. The dragon was the first to step forward and speak in human language. "Greetings, Lord¡­" The dragon seemed unsure of what to call him, as if he had not paid attention when Blue mentioned his title. "You can call me the System Maker," Hengsheng replied. The dragon looked puzzled by the title, as he did not understand what "the System" was. "Greeting, Lord System Maker. I am Drachroma, the Primordial God of All Elements, and I welcome you," the dragon said in a deep voice reminiscent of that of a wise old man. Hengsheng knew that these Primordial Gods were only a few days old after the creation of the universe¡ªfar from mature. Hengsheng nodded in acceptance of Drachroma''s polite greeting. Other Primordial Gods began to come forward one by one to greet him, even if it was all just formalities, since he already knew their names and how they came to exist in this new universe at the moment he stepped into the System World with his omniscience. These Primordial Gods were beings born automatically by the Law in the early universe. Their purpose was to accelerate the progression of the cosmos. Without them, the first life forms would have taken more than a trillion years to emerge naturally after the universe was created. They also did not usually have a good ending; when their work was done, the Universe would deem them unnecessary and a threat to other life forms. Then fate and destiny would try to get rid of them, either by the rise of a new God or through a great calamity. One by one, the Primordial Gods came to greet him. Hengsheng recalled their names, thinking of them as his new residents in his System world¡ªsimilar to Blue. The tree-like entity was Erdan, the Primordial God of Life and Nature; the grim reaper called himself Morthus, the Primordial God of Death and Soul; the twin titans were Celion and Chronos, representing the Primordial Gods of Space and Time, respectively. Next came a female, 12-winged angel named Auriel, the Primordial God of Creation, followed by a fearsome, bulky demon named Diaboros, the Primordial God of Destruction¡ªthis being seemed to worship Hengsheng because of his overwhelming power. A formless entity, unable to speak like the others, communicated through a soul language instead; it was Kaos, the Primordial God of Chaos. Then a cube-shaped machine with a robotic voice introduced itself as Logos, the Primordial God of Order¡ªa being that, like Diaboros, appeared to revere Blue for embodying perfection of the order, in its minds. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Following them was Arachne, a spider-like being named after the myth from Olympus on Earth, which gave Hengsheng chills because of this coincidence; she was the Primordial God of Fate and Destiny. Next came a purple-energy serpent named Eternus, the Primordial God of Infinity, and finally, a human named Balan, the Primordial God of Balance, who seemed curious about Hengsheng''s human appearance, as it was the first time he had seen someone so similar to himself. After the Primordial Gods had introduced themselves, Blue approached him. "Master¡­ Because of these Primordial Gods, the progression of the System World is halted for a while, so¡­" she began. Before she could continue, Hengsheng sent her a gesture, he already understood the problem. The issue, as she mentioned, was that the aura of these Primordial Gods was harmful to the universe¡ªit prevented normal life from being born, for any such life would collapse and die immediately due to the overwhelming aura. This problem was not truly the fault of the Primordial Gods but was caused by the universe''s small size, which forced their auras to compress into a limited area and hinder the emergence of common life. The problem could resolve itself if the universe were allowed to expand over a million years; then the Primordial Gods¡¯ auras, spread thin across space-time, would no longer prevent natural life from emerging. To fix this issue, Hengsheng separated the space-time of the universe into two. At the moment he decided to act, he raised his hand and split the world as easily as tearing a sheet of paper. The Primordial Gods watching him from behind turned to horror, as his move exceeded what they were capable of. The System Maker did it effortlessly, and they watched in shock as Hengsheng reshaped space-time in a new. Once the universe was separated into two dimensions, one of which was the same as before, the universe full of stars, Hengsheng brought everyone from the Source of the Origin into the new dimensional space. At first, it appeared as a white, endless expanse similar to the Mind Space, but as soon as the Primordial Gods stepped into it, the entire space slowly changed. The space was changing according to the aura of Divine Energy and the Law one possessed. The space around Erdan began to transform into an endless divine forest landscape, full of life and nature, while the area around Drachroma turned into a mountain range of all elements. As the transformation progressed, Hengsheng observed that these Primordial Gods seemed pleased with the new environment, as it was a perfectly designed space to their preferences. "This is amazing, Master. What do you call this place?" Blue, standing by his side, marveled at the nature of this world. She could clearly see the Order of the space and understood that it was meant to house powerhouses who possessed Divine Energy, providing the ideal environment for them to comprehend the Law. "I call it the Divine World. It will be used to separate normal life forms from god-tier beings, and this place also provides an opportunity to train a new system race. What do you think?" Hengsheng replied. "That''s a good idea, Master. It would be beneficial if the system race gained more experience before being sent out to fulfill their duty," she agreed. "Master, if you don''t mind, you could consider turning them into the system race. They are born with the pure mastery of their representative law, but unfortunately, they are already Tier 10 and can''t improve themself or contribute anything further in the System World. It would be better to send them out," she added, looking at the clueless Primordial Gods, who still playing with their new environment. Hengsheng considered Blue''s proposal. It made sense¡ªhe had created Divine Energy to help beings here comprehend the Laws and gather their understanding into the Data to improve the power of the Source of the Origin. But these Primordial Gods, born with Tier 10 and natural ability to wield the Law, did not truly comprehend it; leaving them here would bring nothing to the System World. "It is a good idea, but do not rush things. These guys are still young. Let them have a joyful time in this world. when they grow enough to know things better, Then you may approach them," Hengsheng said as he and Blue discussed the progress and next steps. At that moment, the Primordial God of Creation seemed to notice that they could not return to the world of stars. "Lord System Maker... you lock us up here?" Auriel, the angel, asked with worry in her voice. As Primordial beings, their pride was in their essence; being submitted to others was already degrading. they could not help since the other side was the true owner of the universe, but treating them with disrespect was another thing, and they were unwilling to accept it. Hengsheng read her mind and shook his head. "No, it is just temporary. Your true body will remain here until the universe is strong enough to hold your presence. However, you can send your avatar into the world of stars, provided the avatar is equal to or below Tier 7 in power." Chapter 66 - God Queen! Hengsheng explained to the Primordial Gods, who were still confused about why they had to stay here, and then Hengsheng gathered them all to assign them a new duty¡ªto assist the Supreme Administrator in managing the world. "Do you know why this world is called the System World by me and the Supreme Administrator?" he asked. The dragon, the titan, and the other Primordials (if they had heads) shook in silence. Hengsheng continued. "This world was created to give birth to the concept of the system, not as a naturally created world. The knowledge you were born with and your primal instincts as Primordial Gods are inapplicable here. I expect you to adapt to suit this world." They were shocked by his words. These Primordial Gods had been born with the instinct and knowledge of their original duties, as assigned by the Mother Universe, yet now the System Maker was telling them that all they had been born with was unnecessary. "Beep. Sir System Maker, if what you say is true, then what is the purpose of our existence?" Logos, the machine-like Primordial God, spoke in its robotic voice, as the being of the Order. Its existence without purpose or duty was unacceptable. Hengsheng paused for a second before replying, "None." At his answer, the Primordials grew tense; they understood that they were now deemed unnecessary, and the instincts of the Primordial Gods told them that when they were no longer necessary their end was near¡ªeven though they were only a few days old and not ready to be erased from existence. "¡­Lord System Maker¡­ are you going to erase our existence?" Morthus, the Grim Reaper, asked in a cold voice filled with worry. "No, I will not erase you," Hengsheng assured him. "Even though I don''t need you as Primordial Gods in my world, you can still become something else. Become the system race¡ªa powerful race, just like the Supreme Administrator." As Hengsheng spoke, some of the Primordials became excited¡ªespecially the dragon and the demon¡ªsince one of their primal instinct was to rule over the world, but such an action required overwhelming power which at first they thought of themself as the supreme power cause they are the Primordial Gods. Unfortunately for them, the moment they began their conquest to become the master of the universe and rule over their fellow Primordial Gods, the Supreme Administrator intervened and hit them hard with her overwhelming power. Now, the System Maker told them they could possess the same power as the Supreme Administrator. Drachroma turned its massive head to the Angelic Machina and smirked, thinking that they would soon be an equal match, ready for a revengeful confrontation. However, the next words from Hengsheng made the dragon hope that Blue would not notice its smirk. "But to become the system race and gain supreme power, you must meet certain requirements that you are not yet ready for. If you want to become the system race and gain a new purpose in life, then listen to the Supreme Administrator and do not cause any trouble that could halt the progress of this world." After that, Blue took charge of the Primordial Gods and assigned them a new job¡ªone whose only purpose was to ensure the prosperity of the System World. Hengsheng looked at the Angelic Machina, so diligent, and wondered how he was going to reward his people. As a system race, her character was deeply linked to her system concept, so Blue should be happy to have more responsibilities to manage and control. Ding! [The Supreme Administrator System Panel] Administrator: Lan Hengsheng System Tier: Tier 3 - B [Upgrade requires 10,000 AP] System Functions: [System Administration], [Territory Management], [Quest], [Supreme Order], [Contract Control] Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Administrative Territory: System World [+550 AP/D], Lan Clan Cave [+2 AP/D] Administrator Points: 4514 AP Hengsheng noticed that the System World was now producing five times as many AP as when it first appeared. He was glad, as AP was a valuable currency. He decided to check how the AP was increasing by opening the [Territory Management] function. Massive data appeared before his eyes. If it were his real body, his brain would have struggled to process so much information, but within the System World, it was no problem. The System Panel displayed the status of his territories, including the number of residences and their basic information, available resources, the power level of the forces under his command, and many more statistics even the Qi Luck each territory possessed. Although the Luck Qi section was blank for the System World, he was surprised to see that the Lan Clan Cave actually possessed Qi Luck. Blue¡¯s system classified it as Level 3 out of 10, which is above average. This means Lan Clan Cave will be doing fine without a major incident. He then discovered that the source of AP came from the overall performance of territory management; the more powerful and orderly his territory was, the more AP it granted per day. Hengsheng shook his head. If his System World were to stand at the same dimensional level as the cultivation world, he would have earned a billion or even a trillion AP per day. Unfortunately, his System World seemed so much small and weak compared to the world of Heavenly Dao. His eyes narrowed as he murmured, "Just for now." Hengsheng said goodbye to Blue, who was still doing her job as the Supreme Administrator, and then he reappeared in the world of stars. After a moment of thought, he officially named the two separate spaces with his supreme authority. He waved his hand and engraved the name "The Origin World" into the time-space of the world of stars, and then he did the same for the Divine World. As he did so, the effect was immediate¡ªthe names held power. In the Origin World, living beings that could not be born before due to the powerful aura of the Primordial Gods began to emerge visibly. At first, only microorganisms appeared, but they rapidly evolved into higher forms of life. Their origins varied depending on the environment in which they were born. On a planet filled with water, aquatic creatures sprang forth. On a planet similar to the sun¡ªa world full of lava, yet with an aura of life¡ªthe Fire Dragon emerged from the lava floor and roared into the empty sky. Looking at the promising future of his system world, Hengsheng was quite proud of both himself and his creation. Hengsheng waved his hand again to impose a rule on the universe, preventing it from giving birth to any more Primordial Gods or other god-like entities¡ªonly mortals were allowed to emerge naturally. With nothing left for him to do inside the System World, Hengsheng reappeared on the Mar to look for Yunsu intended to take her and leave, but soon he found something strange. "Meow¡­", "Meowww¡­", "Meow?", "Nya?", "Nyaaaaaa!", "Growwww!" Hengsheng was stunned by the scene before him. Mar¡ªthe red planet similar to Earth¡ªhad completely transformed into a Planet of the Feline! And not just ordinary felines, but ones that walked on two legs! These humanoid bodies, with feline features such as fluffy fur, tails, claw-like hands, and feline heads, ranged in appearance from domestic cats to tigers, wearing shirts and pants like modern humans on the heart. More than a thousand humanoid felines were now pointing their paws at Hengsheng, who floated above the ground. Their faces showed shock and panic, for they had never seen a real human before; they had only heard stories of the legendary humans from the tale of the Great Servant. Hengsheng read their minds and could not help but shake his head. It seemed that when Yunsu possessed the power of the origin energy, she had abused it to such an extent that she isolated the entire planet, speeding up time within it for many years and creating a Felinari race in her image¡ªblending her feline nature with the modern human culture she had learned about in the simulation¡ªand then forcing these beings to serve her like a God Queen. Hengsheng erased their memory of him, then reappeared above a massive mountain castle. Inside, Yunsu sat on a throne with her belly exposed, attended by more than ten Felinari, each about two meters tall, who served her by feeding her fruit and massaging her cat shoulders. Her expression was as relaxed as any cat''s could be. But soon her ears twitched and her eyes widened as she sensed Hengsheng''s presence. She immediately took a fighting stance and hissed at the sky, leaving her Felinari servants confused¡ªthey had never seen their God Queen act like this before. Hengsheng, watching from above, smirked at the rebellious kitten who had been corrupted by supreme power. He quickly rendered her powerless and then teleported her into his arms. The kitten struggled as hard as she could, but soon realized that using force was useless. Then she changed her strategy. "Meowww...?" she looked at Hengsheng with large, pleading eyes, hoping for mercy. "You can''t do this, Yunsu," Hengsheng said, trying to harden his heart. "Mew..." she tried again, asking if she could stay here forever. "No, you must know that without true power, everything you possess here is an illusion," he replied. "Meow..." she cried out in defeat. Chapter 67 - Crisis 3! Jian Zixuan POV Jian Zixuan observed his juniors training on the grounds of the Metal Seal Station, diligently preparing for the upcoming attack, from the top of the towering golden pagoda. He then turned his back to continue watching a group of more than thirty disciples at the center of the pagoda¡¯s top floor. They were performing a ritual to preserve the sealing power in the outer rim area. At the center of the ritual was a pentagon-shaped stone table with five seal core formation slots, three of which were currently occupied. A few days ago, a group of surviving disciples from the Earth Seal Station¡ªwho had been attacked by traitors and God Spawn¡ªreached this place safely after a month of being chased. It was a miracle that they had also successfully brought the Earth Seal Core Formation with them. Since the sect had already lost the Fire and Wood seals, if they lost the Earth Seal Core Formation, the traitors could use the three seals to break the outer rim¡¯s seal. Then, the land would be flooded by God Spawn emerging rapidly from the leaked aura of the otherworldly demon god. Consequently, it was only a matter of time before the inner seal gradually became weaker and eventually completely destroyed. If that happened, the entire continent would be turned into a land of traitors, and those unable to turn against the Heavenly Dao as Wu Dao cultivators would be killed by the unsealed otherworldly demon god and its followers. "Senior Brother Jian, the Sect Master is calling you to discuss something," Feng Tianye, who oversaw communications, reported. Jian Zixuan nodded and followed Feng Tianye as they descended from the pagoda¡¯s top floor to the lower floor where the Communication Hall was located. Inside the hall, many disciples worked hard to maintain contact with their sect members outside the Secret Realm and with other disciples roaming the realm to gather news and recruit cultivators who were not aligned with the traitors that they recently already confirmed who they were and which force they come from. At the end of the hall was a closed room. Jian Zixuan stepped inside, leaving only himself and the Communication Artifact¡ªthe device used for direct contact with the Sect Master. Without hesitation, he sent his Divine Sense to activate the artifact. Soon, the Qi incarnation of the Sect Master appeared in the room. Jian Zixuan quickly bowed. "Disciple Jian Zixuan greets Sect Master," he said in a calm, steady tone. "Zixuan, must you always be so formal with your own father? Just speak normally when it''s just us," the Sect Master, Jian Feng, said affectionately as he looked at his youngest son¡ªthe most talented child he had ever had, who had never disappointed him as his other children did. "Understood, Father. I will try to speak more casually when it''s just us. Please, tell me the matter for which you have called me," Jian Zixuan replied, quickly getting to the point, aware of the urgency of the situation. Jian Feng''s eyes sharpened as he began to speak. "Zixuan, the situation on the surface has taken a turn for the worse. We have identified the immortal who crafted the talisman that attacked our formation in the secret land¡ªit turned out to be Grand Elder Yu." When Jian Zihuan heard this, his eyes widened in disbelief. "How is that possible? Grand Elder Yu has served as Vice Chief of the Professional Department for over 5 million years. How could he turn traitor?" Jian Feng shook his head, equally confused by how the sealed otherworldly demon god could corrupt an immortal cultivator. "I don''t know either," Jian Feng continued, "we have already sealed him away, and we will learn more once the situation is resolved. But this clearly shows that our sect indeed has a traitor¡ªand I don''t think Grand Elder Yu is the only one." He paused, allowing Jian Zixuan time to process the news. Jian Zixuan murmured, "Then it''s also possible that there are disciples in the secret land who are traitors¡­" If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "It is likely," Jian Feng replied. "This is why I am contacting you directly. Be careful¡ªI believe they will go all out to destroy the seal at once. They aim not just to weaken it, as we thought, but to unseal the Otherworldly Demon God." "On the surface, the traitors'' forces have already begun marching toward our sect territory while most of our Grand Elders remain busy maintaining the seal. If I''m not mistaken, they will strike simultaneously from both the surface and the secret land." Jian Zixuan''s expression darkened. An all-out assault from both sides would have unimaginable consequences if they succeeded in breaking the seal. Clenching his fists, his mind raced through possible countermeasures. "Father, what are your orders?" he asked, his voice steady despite the gravity of the revelation. Jian Feng''s eyes sharpened with trust and urgency. "First, alert a few of the loyal disciples you trusted within the secret land. Ensure they are prepared to act at a moment¡¯s notice. We cannot afford any internal sabotage when the battle begins." Jian Zixuan nodded. "Understood." "Second," Jian Feng continued, "I need you to investigate any suspicious disciples within the metal seal stations. If you find a traitor, report to me immediately¡ªwe might uncover links to more traitors on the surface." "I will handle it," Jian Zixuan replied. Jian Feng exhaled. "Finally, do not die¡ªespecially not at the hands of the God Spawn." His expression grew tense, knowing that if his son died, he could still revive him at a high cost as most of his wealth, even then it was worth it to do so since Jian Zixuan was an immortal seed of his lineage. But if he were devoured by a God Spawn, it would be impossible. Jian Zixuan took a deep breath, without hesitation. "I will not fall." Jian Feng placed a hand on his son''s shoulder. "Good. Stay vigilant, Zixuan. The enemy is no longer in the shadows¡ªthey will move soon." The communication ended with that. Jian Zixuan stood silently for a moment, then turned toward the exit, murmuring, "Traitors in the sect... in coming attack... and an otherworldly demon god waiting to be unsealed." Jian Zixuan stepped forward, his gaze firm. "What or whoever dares to block my Dao path¡ªI will cut it down!" In the next moment, the aura around him sharpened like a blade even the air or space split apart when it touched by an aura¡ªit was the aura of the Dao Heart!
Lan Xiaorong POV The three wooden swords, glowing with a powerful aura of green wood Qi, flew through the air at his command, attacking the Ironclad Bull¡ªa massive beast with an iron-like hide and horns sharp enough to pierce mountains. "Moooooo¡­" the Ironclad Bull charged toward the hateful human who dared to steal its treasure! As it charged forward, Demon Qi surged through its horns, making them glow with an intense aura as they manifested into a large spear that struck the target. Boom!! The ground where the attack landed crumbled, forming a massive pit from the impact of the Demon Beast''s assault. Despite the power of the attack, it was meaningless if not followed by decisive action. Xaiorong effortlessly stepped onto a floating wooden sword and looked down at the Ironclad Bull, which scanned the area with arrogant eyes, unable to locate its fleeing target. Then, Xaiorong gathered spiritual Qi from the surroundings to perform his most powerful Qi technique. The Ironclad Bull felt the movement of the heavenly Qi and immediately noticed Xaiorong floating in the sky. Not only did it see Xaiorong, but it also observed a giant Green Sword forming rapidly as spiritual Qi flowed into it. The Qi emitted from the sword made the bull feel threatened. "Mooooooooooo!" it roared toward the sky before using its Demon Qi to form an Iron Wall in front of it, hoping to stop the sword''s attack that would soon be falling on it. The Giant Green Sword soon fully formed. Without waiting, Xaiorong commanded the sword to fall upon the bull. It appeared to descend slowly, but in truth, the sword was already rooted¡ªits Qi fused with the target. Even if the bull tried to flee, it would be hit; there was no escape! The Giant Green Sword was one of the Qi techniques within the Flowering Sword Cultivation Technique¡ªthe main cultivation manual of the Lan Clan¡ªknown as the Verdant Colossus Sword, a Pseudo-Heaven-grade Qi technique! The giant sword met the Iron Wall with a resounding, "Shing!!!" Initially, the Iron Wall appeared to withstand the sword, but upon closer inspection, the giant Green Sword slowly absorbed its Qi construct. Crake!! The Iron Wall cracked open, and not long after, it was completely destroyed. BOOM!! The giant Green Sword directly pierced through right into the middle of the Ironclad Bull''s body! "MOOOOO¡­¡­!" the bull roared in pain before its voice died down, leaving its lifeless body in the pit. Lan Xaiorong floated down to the ground, looked at his work with pride, and then smirked. "With this power of the middle-stage Spiritual Foundation Realm, I want to see if that Hengsheng can still act all high and mighty in front of me!" As he was still imagining the moment he would reclaim his status as the most promising clan disciple, he suddenly noticed the talisman he had received from a disciple of the Gold Sword Sect during his journey in the secret land suddenly activated. His eyes narrowed, and he murmured, "So, it is time." Chapter 68 - Human Race Evolution! Hengsheng sat in the cave with his eyes closed, and Yunsu, who rested on his lap, appeared to be asleep. In truth, both of them were now within battle simulation training, pushing themselves as hard as they could since they knew that a big battle would soon unfold. In the simulation, Hengsheng and Yunsu faced a group of black-masked cultivators, with an army of God Spawn behind them. Both sides froze, waiting for the battle to start. Time counted down. [1]¡­ [0]¡­ [Fight Begin!] As the battle officially began, Hengsheng immediately released his Dao Heart aura. Not only did it envelop him, but Yunsu''s body was also surrounded by his Dao aura. It was impossible for most people to share their Dao Heart with others, but Hengsheng had spent more than 10,000 AP to modify his Soul Contract with Yunsu. The contract now allowed him to share his Dao Heart power with her, even though it cut his own power in half. But it was worth it, as it enabled Yunsu to deal damage to the God Spawn. The ten God Spawns charged forward mindlessly with their massive, disgusting bodies. Hengsheng and Yunsu had fought these creatures in the simulation countless times; their muscles reacted automatically, as if remembering every move. Hengsheng struck with Fist and Palm Qi from afar to intercept them, while Yunsu unleashed her "breast ball" of five elemental Qi from her small mouth to annihilate them all at once. The battle was easy and did not last long, as it had become routine for both of them. After the battle ended, they exited the simulation. Hengsheng opened his eyes as he returned to the real world. On his lap, the cat was now yawning and stretching, so he quickly rubbed her back. "Mew," the cat cries, and Hengsheng is satisfied by the pleasure of rubbing cat fur. Then he gave her the last pile of his remaining spirit stones for her to cultivate. The cat quickly carried the spirit stone to another corner of the cave and began her cultivation session. Hengsheng watched her cultivate, remembering his promise to let her re-enter the System World if she continued to work diligently. It seemed to work better than expected¡ªher diligence and discipline for cultivation were increased to another level, as if her newfound sense of power and sense of losing it had given her a wake-up call. Shifting his focus to himself, Hengsheng observed his entire body with his Divine Sense. "It seems my body is now stable and ready for another upgrade," he thought. Over the past week and a half, he had been training in the simulation in various scenarios, honing his fighting techniques, and even practicing to utilize the power of the Fire Law. Even though his attainment of the power of the Fire Law did not bring a significant boost to his battle power¡ªunlike when he awakened his Dao Heart¡ªand his low cultivation realm imposed several limits on how he could utilize the power of the Law, the Fire Law still added variety to his battle style. He could integrate the fire attribute into his Spiritual Qi to increase his Qi power, and another advantage was it granted him the ability to control fire Qi in his surroundings like high-level cultivators could do. This allowed him to practice the Fire Attribute Heaven-grade Qi technique even before he entered the Nascent Soul Realm. He was pretty sure that if he possessed a Heaven-grade Qi technique in the Spiritual Foundation Realm, he could probably fight on par with true body cultivators¡ªfighting across realms as he had always desired. Hengsheng opened his status panel and used the upgrade function on the Race section, as he intended to upgrade his race on the first day in the cave. Ding! [Human Race Upgrade requires 10,000 SP] Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. [Human Race Upgrade Options]
  1. [High-Human] ¨C An advanced form of humanity with superior physical and mental traits.
  2. [Metahuman] ¨C A human who transcends biological limitations and unlocks a Genetic trait within their DNA.
  3. [Homo Vampyrus] - A nocturnal humanoid predator that refines its life force through blood and Qi absorption.
  4. [Homo Titanus] ¨C A physically monstrous evolution of humanity, focused on raw physical power and durability.
  5. ¡­¡­
  6. ¡­¡­
  7. ¡­¡­
¡­¡­ Hengsheng observed the options there were more than 10 of them and felt amazed because all the choices clearly came from his own memory¡ªthe system had made his fictional memory possible. Although the other options looked impressive and interested him, he had already decided to follow Samuel Barlow''s path. Ding! [Metahuman Evolution Selected] [10,000 SP deducted.] [Human Race Evolution in progress¡­] Warning: Evolution will induce biological restructuring. Prepare for temporary discomfort. Hengsheng''s eyes are wide as the warning appears, this feature will appear only when the change that he is going to undergo is beyond his current pain tolerance level. Before he could even prepare himself to face the pain. An explosion of pain erupted from within his cells. His muscles vibrated, his bones creaked, and his veins burned as if molten sap had replaced his blood. Every fiber of his being screamed in rebellion, resisting the transformation as his body shed its old limits and embraced something entirely new. Hengsheng collapsed to the cave floor, his fingers digging into the soil beneath him. A deep, earthy scent filled the air as wooden roots burst from the ground, wrapping around his arms as if nature itself was responding to his transformation. CRACK! His skin especially on both of his arms hardened for a moment, turning a deep, bark-like brown before softening again¡ªstronger, more resilient. He gasped, feeling his muscles knit themselves back together, denser and more flexible than before. His vision flickered, and for an instant, he felt a new sense from both of his arms he sensed a pulse of something¡ªpulsing with life. [Timbergrasp Genetic Trait Awakened] When a system notice appeared, Hengsheng had already reached his limit¡ªhis consciousness began to fade. Ten hours later Hengsheng slowly opened his eyes, finally waking from his unconscious state, but he did not get up from the floor because he still felt extremely exhausted from the progress of genetic evolution. He thinks back to what he just experienced the pain was on another level¡ªworse than even the heavenly tribulation lightning could compare. He slowly turned his head, still on the ground, toward Yunsu, who was behind him, licking his hair. He did not know why she did that. "Meow?" she mewed, asking if he was finally awake. "Sweety, please give me one spirit stone¡ªI will return it a thousand times, okay?" Hengsheng said as he looked at the pile of spirit stones he had given her, not expecting to need them now. "Meow!" She turned back to the pile of spirit stones and carried one spirit stone in her mouth before dropping it near his hand. Hengsheng extended his currently weak Divine Sense to grasp the spirit stone, placing it in his hand before beginning to absorb its Spiritual Qi. Thanks to his system power, his absorption was astonishingly rapid¡ªhe depleted the stone¡¯s Spiritual Qi in just a minute. Crake! The spirit stone turned to dust, and Hengsheng regained some of his strength. "Woo, this time, the feeling of breaking down at the cellular level was truly terrible," he muttered. then he slowly got up from the cave floor. He cursed the pain, yet he welcomed it, knowing that more pain meant more gain. He then opened his status panel to check his progress. He noticed that his Race section had changed¡ªit was no longer "Human" but "Metahuman." His overall battle power and physical strength had also upgraded to [Tier 3 - A] and [Tier 3 - C], respectively. Before examining his new genetic trait, he observed that his old genetic trait, the Sun Gaze Genetic, had increased in power from [Tier 2 - C] to [Tier 2 - B]. He immediately understood why: his current cultivation on the [Race] now began to support the [Genetic Type Trait]. Both of his traits would grow stronger as he continued on this path. Finally, the new genetic trait¡ªthe main reason he chose this evolution path¡ªappeared: Timbergrasp [Tier 2 - B]. Based on his experience during evolution, he guessed that this new trait had something to do with wood. The name of the trait confirmed his suspicion. "Why did my genetic trait turn out to be a wood-type trait?" he thought. Then he recalled that his Lan Clan¡¯s specialization in both cultivation and Qi technique was related to Wood Qi, which made sense; his newly awakened trait was also connected to the wood element. Without further guessing, he quickly inspected the new trait to learn about it. [Timbergrasp] - Everything under the user¡¯s grasp can be turned into wood, and any wooden object within their grasp can be controlled and manipulated. Hengsheng looked around, as if afraid someone might arrest him for copyright violation, but he guessed there were none. That guy could only turn trash into a tree, but he could turn everything into a tree. "It should be fine, right?" he joked to himself as he tried to figure out how to utilize this new power. Chapter 69 - Stealth! In the middle of the metal tree forest, Hengsheng¡ªnow outside his cultivation cave¡ªpressed his hand against a metal tree, trying to discover its mysteries. The metal tree was not merely a metal pole that looked like a tree but a living tree with metallic bark and leaves. His eyes and Divine Sense observed the tree¡¯s metallic bark closely. He touched it with both hands and examined its structure to understand how nature had made it. He discovered that deep within the tree''s spiritual essence, there was a perfect combination of wood Qi essence and metal Qi essence, as if it had achieved harmony and become something new¡ªneither wood nor metal. Hengsheng shook his head and pulled back his hand in disappointment, realizing that his new trait would not allow him to create this kind of metallic wood. In the last few days, Hengsheng had been training hard, focusing on mastering his Timbergrasp trait ability. This trait, as explained by the system, allowed him to turn everything he touched into wood. However, he learned that making an object permanently wood would require a great deal of time and Spiritual Qi. He also discovered that he could turn objects in his grasp into any kind of wood, but producing strong, powerful wood would cost him even more Spiritual Qi. This ability worked only on targets with little resistance. He even tried to turn an unlucky Demon Beast into wood, but when he activated his trait on it, he met strong resistance¡ªthe result was not fruitful at all. After all his experiments, he concluded that his new trait was very hard to use in direct battle. Perhaps it would improve once it got stronger, but for now, it was nearly useless. Even so, his new trait had another ability: to control and manipulate wood. Hengsheng raised his right hand, which glowed with a green light as his trait ability activated. Spiritual Qi from the surroundings was slowly drawn into his grasp and rapidly transformed into a beautiful red wooden staff, one and a half meters long. He spent some time¡ªand a large amount of his Spiritual Qi¡ªto make this staff a permanent object. An hour later, Hengsheng played with the staff in his hand for a while, then thrust it forward. The wooden staff extended to 10 meters, striking a tall metallic tree. Crack! The metallic tree showed a crack in its metallic bark from the impact. He pulled the staff back, and its length returned to the original one and a half meters. "It was good to have a weapon; hitting people with fists and palms sometimes dirtied my hands too much," he thought. He threw the staff into his System World and walked back to where his cultivation cave was located, as he had finished studying his new trait. When he reaches the cave entrance he notices that Yunsu waiting for him in front of the cave and when she notices him she quickly dashes to him as she has something urgent. "Hiss!" when she reaches him she taps her paw against his leg, then Yunsu hisses and points her other paw in the direction of the Bamboo forest territory. Hengsheng''s eyes narrowed as he knew the battle was near Yunsu could sense the smell of the God Spawn with her high-level perception, He quickly packed his stuff in the cave ready to leave. When he is done packing he steps out of the cave and quickly active [Heavenly Insight Mode], but this time he adjusts the range of what he wants to see to be wider since he now has more system points to spend. [Heavenly Insight Mode Activated] [1,000 System Points Deducted] [01:00:00] [00:24:59] The Golden ring appears inside Hengsheng''s pupils, but soon he regrets it because sharp pain surges in his eyes cause the thing he sees through his eyes is beyond his cultivation realm capacity. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. But Hengsheng did not panic, he closed and focused on the flow of energy inside his eyes before he began to control the power that Heavenly Insight Mode granted to him then he slowly opened his eyes. Before his eyes, the world changes slightly, he can see many things that normally eyes could not, but all those mysterious things do not matter now. He focused on two things within his vision one is the red thread¡ªThe karma thread and the other thing is the translucent line¡ªThe causality line. With his experience with these two, he began to read them both as he tried to discover the enemy''s plan from afar, once again his low-cultivation realm is the problem when dealing with heavenly secrets. Then he decides to take things in the traditional way, He picks up Yunsu and places her on his shoulder. "Yunsu don''t make a noise when we get there ok?" he asked for her cooperation with a polite tone. "Mew," she answered with serious ''Mew'' her tail was swinging right and left as she was now in her alert mode. Hengsheng began to follow the red thread that linked him with the Thunderclap Blade sect disciples through the grudge that formed when he smacked their faces in the Golden City. On the way, he noticed that Demon Beasts around this area were thinner than before as if they already moved to somewhere else safer. "it seems Demon Beasts really have a good sense of danger compared to humans" Soon he entered the bamboo forest territory, he did not dare to spread his divine sense without a sense hidden method to search for the enemy if he did that equally reveal himself to the enemy as well, fortunately, he had a better method to spy on the enemy without their notice it was better than just hidden his divine sense. Ding! [Activated Concealment Mode] [1,000 System Points deducted] [60 minutes: 00 seconds] [59 minutes: 59 seconds] The mysterious invisible energy enveloped his and Yunsu''s bodies, separating them from the world and rendering them almost completely invisible to the perception of other beings. He quickly followed the Krama thread, as he did not have much time in this concealment mode. His immediate goal was to gather information about his enemies¡ªwho they were, why they were interfering with the Golden Sword Sect to such an extent, and most importantly, what the hell the God Spawn was. His instinct told him that the origin of the God Spawn was a critical factor, one that must be directly related to the conflict with the group that dared to oppose the Golden Sword Sect. The bamboo forest usually teemed with life, whether insects, birds, or demon beasts, but now it was silent. The only sound he could hear was that of a distant river. The silence reminded him of when he had crossed the Endless Forest, a clear sign of the God Spawn''s presence. After twenty minutes of fast travel, Hengsheng finally reached his destination. The scene before him made him turn cold. What he saw was beyond his expectations and rendered his preparations almost useless¡ªan army of God Spawn, not just the ten he usually fought in simulation, but a massive force. The army covered the entire area; if he was not mistaken, there were more than ten thousand of them. Oddly, they seemed to stay still, quiet, and less aggressive than they normally were. He had not known that the God Spawn were so numerous¡ªit far exceeded the numbers he had expected to fight. They appeared in various forms: some had long, deformed bodies like the ones he had fought before; one was a giant white human hand with each finger planted on the ground to support its body; another was a white tongue with many smaller, tongue-like legs growing on its side, standing silently; yet another was a white ball with one large, open mouth showing sharp teeth¡ªamong many other grotesque forms, all of which were pure body horror. What disturbed him most was the appearance of a humanoid God Spawn in the center of the army. It stood as tall as five meters, its body deformed yet possessing all human limbs¡ªand even extra ones. Although he could not sense their aura with his divine sense, he uncovered their essence with his eyes while in heavenly insight mode. With this insight, Hengsheng knew immediately that this one was the strongest among the God Spawn, perhaps even stronger than a cultivator of the Spiritual Foundation Realm. Fortunately, these monsters seemed to be dormant, not active, as if they were sleeping. Hengsheng stopped observing the monsters and began looking for a sight of humans. The karma thread is stretching in one direction, He quickly moves to follow it. It wasn¡¯t long before he found a cultivator camp quite far away from where the God Spawn resided. He quickly moved toward that place. When he arrived, he openly walked into the camp through the front door, unnoticed because he was invisible. He saw a large group of cultivators dressed in black robes and masks, carrying weapons. They were training and cultivating as an army. He counted about 500 people present on the training ground, with even more inside the tents. In the center of the camp, he noticed a ritual altar around which some individuals were performing a ceremony¡ªworshiping a deity, as in the ancient times of the planet Earth''s people. This was odd, as the people''s culture in this world typically does not involve worshiping gods; instead, people revere their ancestors and the heavens. Some mortals might worship Jade Emperor or other heavenly gods¡ªthe immortal god, but definitely not this one. Hengsheng thought while he gazed at the deformed creature statue at the top of the altar. He decided to ignore the ceremony for now, since his primary goal was to locate and identify their leader. Not long after, Hengsheng noticed one of the tents; it was well-decorated and clearly belonged to the camp¡¯s leader. Chapter 70 - Jin Da-Shan! In the middle of the bamboo forest, there was a camp of cultivators. Despite the vastness of the Secret Land, it was almost impossible that people would meet each other by coincidence, But this camp held more than 500 cultivators¡ªa feat only possible because they had prepared a method to reach one another within this vast secret land. The cultivators all came from various backgrounds, Consisting of 3 first-rate forces¡ªthe Jin Dynasty, the Iron Edge Hall, The Thunderclap Blade sect, and the other 5 second-rate forces whose power was not inferior to that of the Lan Clan. But it was just a surface. In truth, all of them were part of the Heavenless Dao Cult, A Cult that worships the Wu Gods, the God-like entity that exists outside the heavens and earth. Their existence itself opposes the way of the Heavenly Dao. At the center of the camp stood a tent that set itself apart from the others, exuding authority by its very appearance. Inside that tent was Jin Da-shan, the youngest prince of the Jin Dynasty¡ªthe kingdom of both cultivators and mortals located in the north of the Metal Flow Plain region. The Jin Dynasty was the most powerful force among four first-rate forces within the Golden Pillar continent. with the presence of three true immortal realm cultivators with them. if not for the existence of the Golden Sword sect they would be the strongest force without a doubt. Jin Da-shan was a man with a tall, well-built body; his posture revealed that he was born into the ruling class, and he carried his battle axe at his side. With his eyes closed, he contemplated what he would do once this mission ended and reflected on how events had advanced to this point. Then he opened his eyes as his direct subordinates began entering the tent for the meeting about the plan of attack. Jin Da-Shan thought to himself while waiting for his subordinate to process the conference, he murmured. "It has been a month" As the leader of this mission, he ordered the assembly of all cult members present in the Secret Land of Pillar Foundation. This mission had been prepared for millions of years. In the past two years, they have made many mistakes, which have resulted in the loss of a large portion of the cultivator''s force while seizing the two seal core formation artifacts from the hands of the Golden Sword Sect disciples. They were close to the end and could not afford to make more mistakes in this critical moment. the mission purpose must be achieved. The purpose was singular¡ªto complete the mission: seize the rest of the seal artifacts, destroy the seal formation of the five elements, and release the incarnation of the Lord of All Senses. When the lord once again descended to the world, hateful Heaven would be evicted from the Golden Pillar Continent¡ªno, from this Five Pillar Realm. "Your Highness?" a subordinate asked as he waited for the conference to begin. "Let''s start by discussing how to deal with their concealment formation," Jin Da-shan said in a deep, serious tone. Subordinates on both sides swallowed hard, fearful of his commanding presence. Finally, one subordinate began the discussion. "Your Highness, we now have only three immortal tier formation disturbance talismans left. I believe that should be enough to break their concealment formation and other defense formations, but unexpectedly, our source within the Metal Seal Station indicates there is a natural Dao field there we can''t do anything to this thing, so this battle would be unlike at other stations we used to fight." "This means the God Spawn will be vulnerable?" another asked with concern. "Yes, but do not worry too much¡ªthe number of God Spawn under our control this time is large enough to overcome the effects of the natural Dao field, to a certain extent," he said confidently. "Even if the Dao field significantly reduces their regeneration ability, having ten thousand God Spawn means should be enough to compensate for a reduction in ability. One more thing¡ªit seems the Thunderclap Blade Sect has somehow been exposed. We can no longer use them for a surprise attack." Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. "That is unfortunate," one subordinate remarked, "How did they even get exposed? They never even joined the attack on the Golden Sword Sect''s seal stations, since their Qi technique was so obviously recognized." As the meeting continued, Jin Da-shan listened quietly, allowing his subordinates to report the situation. and finally the topic moved to the attack plan. While he considered the planned attack on the Metal Seal Station of the Golden Sword Sect, Prepared to strike in a few days, he suddenly sensed an oddity in his surroundings, the power of Wu Dao seed within his soul sensing a new presence had just entered into its domain. He observed from both inside and outside the tent with his divine sense, trying to find the source of the disturbance, but found nothing¡ªonly his subordinates who were still working hard to ensure that everything went according to plan. Yet, he did feel that something was off. Without more hesitation, he was confident in the power of the Wu God given to him, his sense ability must not be wrong, and he activated the full power of the Wu Dao seed within his soul. At that moment Jin Da-Shan''s aura had turned to resemble the God Spawn, and strength was revealed¡ªthe strength that was on pare or even stronger than the peak stage of Spiritual foundation realm cultivators, and His Spiritual Qi within his body was transformed into Wu QI¡ªThe Qi that did not belong to heaven! A new pair of eyes appeared on his face. These eyes looked abominations, not like human eyes at all. They moved around incoherently as if they were searching for something. This change made all subordinates within the tent shocked by the sudden turn event, they were confused as to why Jin Da-Shan suddenly activated the power of Wu Dao seed. They were also jealous because this Wu Dao seed was exclusive only to the Disciple-Rank members of the cult of heavenless Dao. not for the Follower-Rank members like them. Jin Da-Shan ignored his confused subordinates as he saw through the source of the disturbance. it turns out that someone managed to sneak into their camp without anyone noticing, this must be the spy from the Golden Sword sect! He thought. The spy¡ªa male cultivator in a black robe¡ªstood at the entrance of the tent, with a Demon Beast cat on his shoulder whose aura was not inferior to his own. Jin Da-Shane''s eyes narrowed. Their aura was perfectly concealed if not for the power of the Wu Dao seed he would not know about their existence even if they were in front of him. He observed his subordinates; they seemed oblivious to the presence of this man in the black robe, even though he was right in front of them. Without waiting any longer, he picked up his battle axe and appeared before the spy, intending to hack the spy''s head off in one blow. Boom! The tent collapsed from the impact. cause the commotion across the whole camp, other cult members quickly dash in this direction. "W... What happened, Your Highness?" one subordinate asked as others crawled out of the collapsed tent one by one. But Jin Da-Shan ignored them, focusing solely on the spy, who had effortlessly avoided his attack and appeared once again far away from him. "You lowly rat, how dare you sneak into my place!" Jin Da-Shan roared in fury. He was enraged that this black-robed cultivator posed a threat to him. Without the power of Wu God, he might not have noticed the spy movement at all¡ªthe spy''s concealment technique was powerful enough to fool even his divine sense. "It should be me asking how you even noticed my presence. What is your secret?" the black-robed cultivator retorted. As he spoke, his appearance became clearer, and the subordinates began to notice both him and his pet cat. "Who are you? How dare you act arrogantly in front of the prince!" one subordinate yelled at the spy. Although his outburst seemed foolish, in truth, they had secretly deployed a method to imprison spy-type cultivators. Jin Da-Shane noticed that. the eyes of a black robe seemed to discover what they were doing. "It seems I did not get anything further here. Let us meet again then," said the spy as he turned to flee. But Jin Da-Shan did not let him escape easily. Using his speed, he quickly closed the distance and swung his battle axe infused with the power of Wu Dao seed at the spy''s back. Just as the axe was about to hit, the black-robed cultivator turned and intercepted it with a Fire Palm Qi strike! Shing!!! The Axe and The Palm were stuck together causing the sound of the Iron crash! Doom! The battle axe bent and nearly snapped under the impact of the Fire Palm, sending Jin Da-Shan''s body flying back toward his subordinates. Boom! His body slamming onto his subordinate made them all collapse to the ground; he himself was injured, burned by the power of the Fire Palm. Eventually, the cult members from the training ground reached the scene. They were shocked to see their leader lying on the ground, injured. Jin Da-Shan quickly ordered the newcomer, "Surrounded him! Don''t let him escape!" Jin Da-Shan swiftly rose to his feet. Miraculously, his burned hands healed almost instantly¡ªas he possessed the same ability as the God Spawn! Chapter 71 - Battle 2! Hengsheng was quite shocked that "the Prince" had noticed his presence even while he was in concealment mode¡ªsomething that should be impossible for someone still in the Spiritual Foundation Realm. Yet it had happened right before his eyes. He gazed at the 500 black-masked cultivators surrounding him and smirked. He was not afraid of their numbers because he knew that even if they were more numerous, they could do nothing against him, who possessed the power of the Dao Heart and the Power of Law. But what disturbed him most was "the Prince," whose mysterious aura resembled that of the God Spawn. His strength was also high¡ªjust slightly inferior to Hengsheng''s¡ªdespite his impressive record in cultivation achievements compared to most. Hengsheng looked at his right hand, the hand he used to perform the World Shatter Palm to counter the Prince''s axe strike. He tried to move it, but he couldn''t; he didn''t even feel numb¡ªhe simply did not feel his hand at all, as if it never existed. However, with his Heavenly Insight mode still active, he could see an unknown energy hidden deep within his hand, nearly reaching his body essence. Without hesitation, he used both his Dao Heart and the Fire Law to destroy that energy. Immediately, ash of the unknown energy rose from his hand and quickly dissolved away into nothingness. With the foreign presence gone, he gradually regained his sense of touch from his right hand, and then he was able to move his hand normally. The Axeman Prince, who had just risen from the floor, looked shocked by Hengsheng''s removal of the unknown energy. Hengsheng narrowed his eyes as he observed that the wound he had inflicted on the Prince healed instantly¡ªno different from the regeneration seen in God Spawn. Without a word, as their gazes met, Hengsheng and the Prince soared from the ground and collided in a split second. BOOOOOOOOM!!!! The crash caused the ground beneath them to crack, sending a massive shock wave in all directions. The low-level black-masked cultivators were thrown backward by the force of the impact. At the center of the chaos, Hengsheng exchanged blows with the Axeman Prince; each punch and palm strike caused the Axeman''s flesh to explode, only for the enemy to regenerate instantly, just as the God Spawn did. Every strike from the axe against his hand caused him to lose the sense of touch from the hit hand rendering him unable to move that hand, but he soon recovered them with the same method he did the first time. From the outside, the main battleground between Hengsheng and the Axeman Prince, other black-masked cultivators launched sneak attacks at Hengsheng with both long-range and close-range Qi techniques. Yet, whenever their Qi attacks reached Hengsheng''s body, a white rune shield appeared, intercepting the blows and sending them back to their owners¡ªrendering their plan to overwhelm him with numbers useless. Dozens of black-masked cultivators die from their own attack. Hengsheng fires his Sun gaze blast at the face of The Axeman, causing him to lose vision. Before he kicks him in the middle of the chest, sending him backward. This separates them for a second. He then uses this opportunity to tin out the black-masked cultivator army, manifesting a Qi Surge cannon with both hands and shooting them. BOOM!! Hengsheng''s eyes saw the krama thread link between him and some of the black mask cultivators, he immediately knew that these people were disciples of the Thunderclap Blade sect! After he notice this he shife the priority target of his Qi surge cannon to them! BOOM!! This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. The Axeman leaps into the air and smashes down his axe at Hengsheng, causing him to stop his shooting Qi Surge cannon and defense against the axe, the axe strike was heavy but Hengsheng smirks because he knew he was stronger! Then, an axe hacked down above his head. Hengsheng redirected the axe blade to the side with the back of his hand, and he used the other hand to slap forward with a powerful World Shatter Palm infused with Fire Law, aimed at the chest of the Axeman Prince. BOOM! A massive hole in the shape of a palm appeared in the Prince''s chest, and his body was thrown into the bamboo forest behind the camp and disappeared. The surrounding attacks gradually faded away. The fight was temporarily suspended due to the disappearance of Axeman, no one among the black mask cultivators dared to come forward to replace the Axeman position in this battle. When Hengsheng prepared to chase after the Axeman to finish the job, he noticed two more cultivators emerging at the edge of the battlefield. Their auras were just slightly weaker than the Axeman''s: one was a man with a small build but surprised the entire arm bigger than normal, he wielded a one-edged sword with a brutal aura, and the other held a sword along which lightning flowed, his face was giving the vibe of the innocence youngman but Hengsheng can tell from the Krama thread that entangles around this person it was full of the sinister sin, this guy totally scumbag. "Meow?" Yunsu, who obediently perched on his shoulder, cried out as if she had asked if he needed her help. "No, thank you, these weaklings can''t do anything to me," Hengsheng replied with an arrogant tone, rubbing the cat''s head, as though the whole situation were a joke to him. Yunsu''s eyes narrowed as she noticed something unusual about, her human. "Meow¡­" She said, be careful and lick Hengsheng''s face. Two newcomers, seeing this, wore angry expressions¡ªthey had not been in Hengsheng''s sight at all. "You must be Lan Hengsheng. I can tell from your dress and appearance that my junior brothers mentioned. I''ve been looking for you for a long time, but you seem too good at hiding. Now that you''re in front of me, there''s nowhere left to hide," the cultivator holding the lightning sword said with an arrogant tone, as if he had not witnessed Hengsheng just beat up the Axeman. Hengsheng recognized that this man was the "Senior Brother" mentioned by four Thunderclap Blade Sect disciples, and he smiled, having found his number one target. "Lan Hengsheng? I''ve never heard you before¡ªare you the Shadow Unit of the Golden Sword Sect?" asked the other man with a one-edged sword, who did not seem to grasp what was truly happening. "No, this guy comes from a second-rate force¡ª" Before the "Senior Brother" could finish his sentence, Hengsheng closed the distance and appeared right in front of them. They were stunned by Heng Sheng''s unparalleled speed and they stood there as if they were not ready to fight. Hengsheng was about to strike them with two palm strikes at once. He looked at both clowns who dared think they were better than him, Hengsheng''s face filled with a hint of arrogance. "You villains just shut up! your only purpose in existence is to be my stepstone! hahaha!" Hengsheng mocked and laughed at them when he saw their stupid faces. At that moment, Suddenly, his Primal instinct deep inside his true soul shouted a scream through his very being, allowing him to notice the presence of the Axeman who appeared behind him. But it was too late for Hengsheng to completely dodge the Axeman''s sneak attack, for the axe had already hacked down! His left arm was severed from his body! Hengsheng grits his teeth to endure the pain and he quickly stops the blood with his Qi and prepares his escape technique. "Hiss!!" Yunsu, still on his right shoulder, hissed and swiftly extended her Qi claw at the Axeman, forcing him to take a defensive stance. She unleashed her Beast Ball at the other two as well not giving them a chance to make a following attack on Hengsheng. BOOM! The two of them were attacked by beast balls at close range. their bodies exploded, but soon they began to regenerate just like The Axeman did. BOOM! Yunsu seeing this shoots another beast ball to the ground causing their unfinished regenerated bodies to fly far away from Hengsheng and her. BOOM! The ground shakes and massive amounts of dust fill the air disrupting the naked eye''s vision. Meanwhile, Hengsheng retreated using his Horizon Shift Technique¡ªmoving at a speed far beyond anything he had shown earlier¡ªand disappeared completely into the bamboo forest.
Jin Da-Shan gazed in the direction where he had last seen the spy before they even could react. He is about to shout the order to chase after the man, but he decides to against it since it would be useless if the one who chased was not him. "You should aim for the head. This guy is strong, and he will be an unexpected variable for our mission," Wei Bujia stated, holding the lightning sword as he mocked Jin Da-Shan for his failure. "How could someone like this appear out of nowhere? His strength should be on par with, or even stronger than, the Immortal Seed of the Golden Sword Sect," Bao Long, the Chosen of the Iron Edge Hall, spoke with curiosity. "But it doesn''t matter¡ªhe didn''t have time to become immortal." He smirk like he already win the game. Jin Da-Shan, now injured and with his regeneration ability greatly slowed by the damage to the Sense of Life from the Black Robe cultivator''s attack, said, "You seem to know who this man is. Tell me about him." He Ignored Wei Bujia''s mockery, he was interested only in learning about the man who had managed to hurt him so badly. Chapter 72 - The Second Coming of The Life Stealer! Hengsheng stepped into his cultivation cave¡ªthat he never expected to return so soon. His expression was grim because he had made a huge mistake. "Why did I become like this? I should have retreated immediately after being exposed, but why did I choose to fight? this is because I want to satisfy my own excitement?" Hengsheng had a countless thought inside his head, trying to reflect more deeply. He sat in the lotus position and observed himself using both his Divine Sense and [Heavenly Insight Mode] eyes. It wasn''t long before he detected a hint of unknown energy within his head¡ªthe same energy that had caused his hand to lose its sense of touch. He did not know how and when it had appeared inside his head, but he quickly removed it using his Dao and Law power. The amount of unknown energy was so small¡ªjust one touch from the power of Fire Law was enough to completely destroy it. Once the unknown energy was gone from his head, he began to regain his sense of self. He began to reflect on how careless he had been: in the enemy camp, he had walked as if it were a park, completely losing himself and believing he was invincible. His change began when he was struck by the battle axe with the strange aura during a counterattack. At first, the change was slight, but when two cultivators who seemed to be part of the leader''s group the same as Axeman stepped into the battlefield, he became completely full of himself. "Damn it! Stupid! Fuck!" he cursed, hitting himself hard in the face with the only hand he had left. A while later, he calmed himself down from the anger and thought carefully. The unknown energy seemed capable of taking away his senses¡ªboth physical, like a sense of touch, and spiritual, like a sense of danger¡ªendangering his very survival. If there is no sensation people will not know where the pain was. "What a dangerous power. Fortunately, my primal survival instinct has not been stripped away." "Mew.." Yunsu licked his hand as she tried to comfort him. "Thank you, Yunsu without you I might be dead by now." Hengsheng rubs his beloved companion, this time if not for Yunsu with him he might have been ganged up by the enemy when he lost his left arm and died there. When she heard his words of thanks her cat''s eyes turned sharp as she had a sinister plan. "Meoooow.. Meow?" Yunsu stood tall with her back legs, And she made a gesture with her front paws as if she were going to ask him for something, the smirk on her face showing that she thought she had the upper hand. "Meow! Meow mew¡­." Hengsheng observes Yun who acts like a silly cat, he could not help but laugh. "Meow!" Yunsu became impatient when she saw he did not take her words seriously. "Alright, but we don''t have time left, the enemy will be coming soon, and be ready when I call, understood?" Hengsheng reminded her that they didn¡¯t have much time left to play. "Mew" She answered, Then Hengsheng sent her into the System world, to enjoy her god-like life as a reward for her deed. "Master, are you alright?" Blue asked as she saw everything, that happened in the real world through her primary system node, Unfortunately, she couldn''t do anything to help him in the battle since the battle is not her specialty. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. "Thank you, but I am fine this wound is nothing to me" He looked at his left shoulder below it now devoid of the entire arm, but at the cell level, his body slowly regrown his arm, even if it was slowly if he left it to recover naturally it would take him a year to completely full recover with his arm back. This was an advantage of becoming a Metahuman, While his appearance looked like a human in truth, He was an entirely new species that evolved from a human¡ªa human with extra race traits like the ability to naturally regrow the lost limbs. But why does he need to wait that long since he has a better way to fix the problem faster? "Oh that''s right, Blue, could you help me create a new system?" He asks her. He has an idea to create a new system that will help him in the upcoming battle, one that will make him dominate the battlefield against an army of The God Spawn. "With pleasure master, but let me prepare the system creation panel for a minute, I have an idea about the new system feature, I want to integrate it into my system node" "Alright take your time." While he waited for Blue to be ready, he once again thought back to the previous operation and tried to think about what he gained from this but soon he had to admit that he really failed, only the information about the God Spawn that held real value nothing more. He decided to move past his failure and focus on preparing himself for the next obstacle he was about to face. Which is the army of the God Spawn. In fact, He did not have to fight these monsters since his only target was the Thunderclap Blade sect disciples and he already killed many of them with his Qi surge cannon while he fought with Axeman. But Hengsheng remembered about the quest he had gotten by the random quest generation, this group of black-masked cultivators brought the entire army of God Spawn with them, it was impossible to be just a small conflict with this much determination to destroy the overlord. "Something in-depth undercurrent is happening." If he did not mistake this event was planned not just happen because of fighting over the treasure inside the secret land. His theory was, that if these black-masked cultivators succeed in whatever they aim to achieve the Calamity Qi will descend to the secret land, as the quest had mentioned. "I will confirm my theory once I have enough AP to generate a new random Quest," he murmured. "What are you talking about master?" Blue asks as she puzzles why her master acting weird like talking to himself. "N¡ªNothing, I just had some thoughts. Forget about it¡ªlet''s get to work!" Hengsheng felt embarrassed; he reminded himself that he had, a living system in his head, and talking to himself was a weird action in front of others. He quickly opened the system creation panel and scrolled up and down to put a piece of function together to create a new system. Then, he noticed a new feature on the panel. "Blue, what is this [Awakening consciousness] function?" He asks curious about a new feature. "This function was used to turn the already created system into the system race¡­." She continued to explain the new feature to him and this was not the only one that had been added to the system creation panel. There are more features that he has yet to notice, but Blue began to explain each of the features to him, Each new feature gives a deep into his creation. He could even create a new system race through the system panel without going inside the system world. Hengsheng nods as he is satisfied with the new convenient tools used to create a new system. He continues his work, The new system he gonna create will be the one that focuses on the battle¡ªone that specializes against The army of the God Spawn. Hengsheng thought back to the Life Stealer system he had created when he first faced the God Spawn. The result of that system was an awful disappointment; it wasn''t weak, but the Life Stealer system was created when Hengsheng lacked sufficient knowledge and understanding of God Spawn''s traits and abilities. When he observed the army of God Spawn, he not only learned about their formidable army and potential danger but also, with [Heavenly Insight Mode], was able to see their essence and grasp their unique existence. These monsters'' existence was not entangled with the Laws or the Dao of the Heavenly Dao world at all; they existed under their own law¡ªsomething that should be impossible, yet the evidence was right before his eyes. To completely destroy them, he needed to damage their essence, which could only be affected by attacks infused with Law and Dao. Normal physical or energy attacks only caused the God Spawn to pause, while their life essence remained completely intact; they would continue to regenerate even after all their cells were destroyed. Now, he was ready to rebuild the Life Stealer system anew, with his newfound understanding, designing it to perfectly counter the existence of the God Spawn. Moreover, He did not aim only to counter the God Spawn, but this new system will be his first system that solely focuses on increasing his power and does it in a way that ignores the Heavenly Dao law completely! Ding! [System creation in progress¡­]¡ª[0.01%] Chapter 73 - A Job Offer! Ding! [System creation in progress¡­]¡ª[36.44%] While Hengsheng waited for the Primary node of his new system to be completely created, the System world seemed to have a commotion due to the appearance of a new member of the system race. "This is bad! Hunter is trying to enslave Drachroma with his system! Please quickly stop him, Master!" Blue, who is inside the system world witnesses the commotion with her own eyes and becomes angry as the new system race comes to harass her underling. Hengsheng narrowed his eyes and sent his words through his Spiritual Symbol to the System World directly to the target. "Enough, Hunter! don''t force other people to bind to your system!" "But, master, the world would be a perfect place if I just bind all existence under my control!" The voice of a young man full of eagerness replied to Hengsheng, he tried to reason his dictator action was for a great good. Hengsheng shook his head, and he became a headache because of the new System race personality, at the moment when he was born he thought of himself as some kind of hero born to save the world, this type of person was the hardest to deal with. Hengsheng thought "I should ask Blue to add the System race personality design into the next system creation panel update." "A¡ªHem, I understand your point but what point to become an evil themself and hope others to be good? Poison trees will always grow the poison fruit, So let things be and if something goes wrong we will fix it together isn''t that better?" Hengsheng speaks in philosophy that he remembers from somewhere in his past life which he also doesn''t understand. hoping it will do some magic. Hunter who stood in the Divine world next to him was Drachroma¡ªThe Primordial God of All Elements, the dragon god''s expression was full of shame as he was defeated by an unknown guy who just appeared out of nowhere. Hunter appeared to be a human¡ªa man around 25 years old he was dressed entirely in black theme on top with a black overcoat vintage, in his right hand was a long sword not like the one used by the cultivator, but a western-style long sword used by the knight. His eyes were sharp like someone who had lived through suffering for a long time but in truth, he had just been born a few hours ago his immature and naive inside was completely different from his outside image. His expression was serious as he thought about Hengsheng''s words like he began to understand the truth and finally, he replied. "I understood master" "I will stop my reckless action from now on I will first ask for permission and only bind myself to the one that has a heart of those who want to transcend themselves¡­" The young man''s eyes were filled with resolve as he found a new purpose in his life. Hengsheng eyebrows twitch as he does not know, what this edgy system race is talking about. "T¡ªThat right, now you obey your big sister do what she said, and don''t cause any more trouble, Alright?." "Yes! Master!" Hunter replied with determination to fulfill his goal to make the system world a great place! Hengsheng sighed as he finally relaxed. Hunter''s heroic personality really exhausted him, not his body but his mind. After dealing with the new system race rampage in the system world, he continued his work while he waited for the primary system node creation to be completed. He continued healing his left arm with the power of Timbergrasp. It wasn''t exactly healing, but he replaced his entire lost limb with a wooden prosthetic arm. It was a temporary measure until his new system was ready. Observe his wooden left arm as he continues strengthening it with his spiritual Qi he wants to make it as strong as possible but it would take a long time to make it as strong as his real arm since his trait power is still weaker than his cultivation realm. He gauged this wooden leg arm with his divine sense he found that now its power was around Peak Qi gathering realm Level, it wasn''t strong enough to be used with this level it would shatter by his own power before he used it to hit an enemy. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. However, he sensed that the wooden arm could still be enhanced further¡ªit hadn¡¯t reached its limit yet. He guessed the Wood''s strength should be strong enough to withstand his own spiritual Qi when his trait power nurtured the Wood to its peak. Aside from his wooden left arm, another unfamiliar presence inside the cultivation cave is the Blue Cube¡ªThe Primary system node of Hunter, now it floats in the air and keeps sucking spiritual Qi from the surrounding since he did not have any more spirit stones the creation process was a lot longer than when he creates primary system node of Blue. Ding! [System creation in progress¡­]¡ª[48.86%] But not a creation that made him stay alert but he waited for the reaction from the Heavenly Dao, the last time it sent him a ridiculous quest like a [Visa Fee] quest. and it demands a tier-3 system from him since now he still waiting to see what Heavenly Dao will do to his system. But Blue said the minor system node that she gave to Heavenly Dao still keeps moving with uncomprehension speed, even with her system race brain which has computing power more than all computers on earth combined can''t calculate anything from the minor node surrounding. She said that she would find out where the Heavenly Dao had sent the minor system node¡ªbut only once it stopped moving. While Hengsheng pondered what kind of system the Heavenly Dao would demand from him this time, the system creation progression reached 50%. Just then, he heard the system notification sound! Ding! ?[Heavenly Dao Offer]? ?OFFER SUMMARY? Your recent act of summoning the foreign entity into the realm of the Heavenly Dao poses a significant threat to the stability of the world''s cause and effect. However, despite the inherent risks, your actions and creations also reveal a new potential for the advancement of the Heavenly Dao world. After careful deliberation, weighing both the threats and benefits of your action, the Heavenly Dao has decided to extend an offer to you: [The position of Heavenly Craftsman [Rank 6] within the Heavenly Court.] ?BENEFITS?
  1. Unrestricted summoning of foreign entities under your control, privileges within the Heavenly Dao realm.
  2. Receive a position allowance every thousand years, In the form of a Heavenly Dao Essence.
  3. Title: The System Maker¡ªOfficially Granted Access to the Heavenly Dao''s Resources While Performing Duties Suited to a System Maker.
?Responsibilities?
  1. Created a System according to orders of the Heavenly Dao.
  2. As the members of the Heavenly Court, You must act according to the heavenly path.
[Accept] [Yes/No] Hengsheng was surprised by the surprising action of the Heavenly Dao. At first, he thought Heavenly Dao was going to send him another quest demanding that he create a system for it, but instead, it sent him a job offer! He carefully read through the entire offer. The benefits were remarkable: the first allowed him to bring the system race into the cultivation world without restrictions; the second, even though he did not fully understand what the Heavenly Dao Essence was, sounded like a Dao treasure that must be something valuable; and the third was a title¡ªessentially recognizing what he had already accomplished with his system module¡ªHeavenly Dao Connector, but now made official by the Heavenly Dao. Hengsheng thought deeply about the third benefit. Although the Heavenly Dao Connector he had created worked very well, it ultimately operated with just the power of Seven Dao out of the thousand Dao. He wondered if Heavenly Dao itself allowed him to access its resources directly, would the effect be any different? However, he did not accept it immediately. Instead, he read through the details once more. Hengsheng narrowed his eyes as he realized that if he accepted the offer, he would be joining a faction¡ªthe Heaven Court. He did not have a problem with that; he was just surprised that the tales of the immortal God who oversees the realm under heaven were real, not merely legends. "They work directly under the Heavenly Dao¡ªthey should be on the good guy side, right? No, Heaven is heartless." He thought hard before deciding to accept the offer, even though he was not sure if it was a good decision in the long run. For now, though, it was perfect. Ding! [You are appointed as a Heavenly Craftsman [Rank 6] within the Heavenly Court.] With system notice appearing his entire cultivation cave glowed with the Golden light from the Golden cloud that floated around him and shone its light on him. Hengsheng observed the Golden cloud with wonder, He knew it did something to him something that benefited him, With his Heaven Insight Mode still online he tried to see what the golden light really did. He shifts the power of the Eye to see the change, and he finds that the golden cloud is bestowing him Qi Luck! Normally, Qi Luck appeared like the white light of the North Star, shining brightly above one''s head. The bigger and brighter the light, the better the Qi Luck. But now, Hengsheng''s Qi Luck began to show a hint of golden light mixed into the North Star''s glow.