Chapter 444 - 366: Refinement of the Origin Pearls
Within the luminous Cloud Sea of the Celestial Sacrifice Platform in the Xuanhuang Realm, a cyan-golden figure is treading upon the clouds.
Peng Xiao is clad in the imperial attire of the Celestial Abyss royal court, with embroidery of a Golden-Winged Roc spreading its wings on his brocade robe.
As he approaches within a hundred feet of the platform, he is awed by the Yin Yang Dao Rhyme flowing around him, instinctively restraining his aura and bowing to the figure sitting cross-legged in the center:
"Your child, Peng Xiao, greets Father!"
On the platform, Chen Sheng is enveloped in a faint red-gold halo of Origin Light, with the Treasure Mirror of All Heavens suspended above his head, and the micro-light of the Dao Net flowing in his palm.
He slowly opens his eyes, with stars swirling within them, taking in the entirety of Peng Xiao’s form.
This is his second son birthed with Hu Qing, whose aptitude and comprehension are among the best of his children. Now, he has cultivated to the Late-stage Nascent Soul, standing out in several campaigns against the remnants of the Primal Saint Sect.
Chen Sheng speaks slowly, his tone indifferent:
"Rise, are you willing to become the lord of this Xuanhuang Realm?"
"Boom!"
Peng Xiao’s heart suddenly races, blood rushing to his head. He abruptly stands up, his eyes bursting with a fiery glow.
"I am willing! I will not fail the trust Father has placed in me and will guard the Xuanhuang Realm!"
Chen Sheng nods gently, flicking his fingertips as three lustrous Origin Pearls shoot out like meteors, hanging in front of Peng Xiao.
The pearls are entirely red-gold, with subtle Dao Principles Runes flowing within. Just their emitted aura causes the Spiritual Power around Peng Xiao to stir restlessly.
"Your Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivation is still somewhat lacking. After refining these three Origin Pearls, you should have the hope of breaking through to Divinity Transformation and stabilizing the situation."
Peng Xiao stares fixedly at the Origin Pearls before him, his breathing becoming rapid.
In the royal court, many a Demon Emperor broke through to Divinity Transformation after refining only one Origin Pearl, and he knows well enough the weight of these three pearls.
He hurriedly bows, solemnly taking the Origin Pearls with both hands. The pearls feel warm and smooth in his hands, their vast Power of Origin flowing through his palm into his body, bringing him great comfort.
"Thank you, Father, for the gift! I will refine them well and soon take charge of the Xuanhuang Realm!"
Chen Sheng nods, his gaze settling on the pathway formed by ninety-nine beams of light at the edge of the platform, where the faint starlight of the Celestial Abyss Realm is vaguely visible.
His tone softens a bit, carrying a hint of warmth:
"But there is no rush to take over the Xuanhuang Realm. First, return to the royal court of the Celestial Abyss and cultivate. Refining the Origin Pearls will be safer with the care of your mother and brother."
Peng Xiao is about to respond when he hears his father continue:
"In these recent decades, spend more time with your mother and be filial."
The excitement on Peng Xiao’s face gradually fades, a twinge of bitterness rising in his heart. He knows that after this separation, the chance of seeing each other again is exceedingly slim.
He tightly grips the Origin Pearls, bowing deeply to Chen Sheng, his tone carrying a tinge of solemnity:
"I understand, Father. After refining the pearls and spending time with Mother, I’ll advance to Divinity Transformation, stabilize the Realm, and then take charge of Xuanhuang!"
Chen Sheng nods with satisfaction, waving his hand, a Spirit Light enveloping Peng Xiao:
"Go now, the passage is open for you."
Peng Xiao feels his body lighten, as the Spirit Light carries him to the light gate.
He turns back to glance at the majestic figure at the center of the platform, grips the Origin Pearls tightly, and resolutely steps into the resplendent passage connecting the two realms.
...
Peng Xiao’s form completely vanishes behind the light gate passage, leaving the Celestial Sacrifice Platform suddenly silent.
Chen Sheng’s palm holds emptily, and hundreds of Origin Pearls quietly appear. He is in no rush to refine them but first sinks a wisp of Yang Divine Thought into his brow, observing his own Dao Foundation.
Within his body, the Yin-Yang Dao Domain turns slowly, black and white particles intertwining to form intricate Dao Principle patterns, yet under the suppression of the Xuanhuang Realm’s Law, there’s still a subtle stagnation at the edge of the Dao Domain.
"Let us begin."
Chen Sheng whispers softly, flicking his fingers as the Origin Pearls transform into vast red-gold warm currents, flowing into his body through his fingertips.
The power of the Origin Pearls is instantly encompassed by the Yin-Yang Dao Domain within him.
The black and white particles ravenously devour and decompose, transforming the Xuanhuang Realm’s Power of Origin and insights into Dao Principles within them into the purest cultivation essence.
The phenomenon on the platform arises again, with the Five Elements Clouds unfolding once more, yet retracting from its previous thousand-mile scope to just a hundred feet.
Within the clouds, black and white energy churns, faintly forming a miniature Yin Yang Tai Chi Diagram.
His Divine Sense sinks into the Dao Domain within, where once obscure nodes of Dao Principles now stand clearly visible.
Nurtured by the Origin Pearls, the Annihilation Dao Principle and the Five Elements Dao Principle within the Dao Domain begin to merge deeply with Yin Yang, intertwining like flowing water.
Simultaneously, minute Law Runes begin to emerge from the depths of the Dao Domain, naturally derived rather than carved intentionally by Chen Sheng.
Each Rune contains the ultimate truth of "Yin Yang Creation and Destruction," and as the Runes flicker, the might of the Dao Domain surges.
"In Void Refining cultivation, Dao Domain and Realm Domain complement each other and are indispensable, laying the foundation for the future ascension to Integration."
Chen Sheng, disciplined by an Integration Dharma Master, has a very clear vision of his cultivation path forward. He releases the full power of the Yang Spirit, penetrating the Dao Platform, reaching deep into the Great Void.
There, a realm domain he has created is suspended in the chaotic currents of the Great Void, containing only a barren land of black and white.
As Yang Divine Thought descends to the realm domain, the Yin-Yang Dao Domain within Chen Sheng erupts suddenly, with countless Dao Principles Runes pouring into the realm domain like a tide.
On the desolate land, the black and white energy begins to converge, gradually forming a Yin Yang River that traverses the realm domain.
Along the banks of the River, the Power of the Five Elements separates from the Dao Domain, transforming into five Divine Mountains of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth, which anchor into the land, thereby inciting the flow of Spiritual Qi within the domain.
The previously lifeless realm domain begins to thrive with the infusion of Dao Realm Power, faintly showing the rudimentary form of a "world."
"Only when the Dao Domain is perfected, can there be a chance of advancing to cultivate a Dharma Seed and governing all paths. When the realm domain is perfected, it opens a Small Thousand World, becoming the best vessel to carry one’s own Dao principles."
Chen Sheng ponders quietly, continuously forming complex Dao Seals, the Law Runes within the Dao Domain resonating with the Divine Mountains and River of the realm domain.
He refines the Origin Pearls into the purest Power of Origin, allowing the realm domain to expand quietly amidst the chaotic currents.
On the Dao Platform, the Treasures of the Heavens suddenly emitted a clear sound, actively flying above Chen Sheng’s head. From the treasure, a dazzling golden light was projected, connecting the Dao Platform with the realm in the Great Void.
With the assistance of the treasure, the Yin-Yang Long River within the realm began to nurture subtle Spiritual Rhythms, and faint star shadows appeared in the sky of the realm.
This realm had moved from the "embryonic form" to the stage of "initial birth".
After an unknown period, Chen Sheng finally stopped the Refinement, and the Yin-Yang Dao Domain within him became more solid, with the rune of the laws around the edge of the domain forming a complete closed loop.
In the Great Void, the realm stabilized, the Yin-Yang Long River nourished heaven and earth, and the Five Elements Divine Mountain supported the territory.
Chen Sheng slowly opened his eyes, a glint of sharp light flashed in his gaze. Although his aura still maintained the appearance at the early stage of Divinity Transformation, the realm and Dao Domain power hidden deep within were enough to make many Early-stage Void Refining Great Powers take notice.
"If I were to rely on my own evolution to reach this point, it would take at least several thousand years. No wonder they all prefer to harvest the Small Thousand Worlds."
Chen Sheng raised his hand and gently touched the Treasures of the Heavens, which transformed into a stream of light and merged into his brow.
He could clearly sense that he had established an unbreakable connection with the realm in the Great Void, providing him a foundation to settle and survive even when he leaves the Small Thousand World in the future.
Many Refining Void Great Powers descend into realms using their own realm in the Great Void as a medium!
...
A decade passes in the blink of an eye.
In the Xuanhuang Realm, above the Celestial Sacrifice Platform, the Dao Rhythms around Chen Sheng thoroughly resonated with the realm in the Great Void, even weakening the suppression of the Xuanhuang Realm’s laws.
On this day, his closed eyes suddenly moved slightly, not due to the invasion of external enemies, but because of a familiar aura coming from thirty thousand miles away.
That was the aura belonging to Chen Fengxing, Patriarch of the Chen Clan in Yunlan, enveloped in determined resolve as it invoked the Divinity Transformation Thunder Tribulation.
Chen Sheng’s Yang Spirit moved slightly, and the scene thirty thousand miles away appeared as if before his eyes.
Above a desolate mountain range, dark clouds spread like ink being spilled, with purple lightning darting like dragons and snakes through the clouds.
Each flicker caused ripples in the void, unique to the "Primordial Spirit Annihilation Divine Lightning" of the Divinity Transformation Thunder Tribulation, aimed at eradicating the Primordial Spirit.
Under the thunder tribulation, Chen Fengxing stood with his hands behind his back in a blue-gray Daoist Robe, a long ancient sword suspended in mid-air behind him.
"Boom!"
The first thunder tribulation, as thick as a water barrel, fell with a force that threatened to obliterate everything. A fierce glint flashed in Chen Fengxing’s eyes, and the Cyan Cloud Sword sheathed itself with a buzz, and the sword light soared like a curtain to the sky.
The sword’s body evolved the destructive light shadows of the Heaven and Earth Grinding Disc, faintly pulling the surrounding Power of Heaven and Earth, weaving together with the sword light into a Sword Net.
The thunder tribulation struck the Sword Net, and a deafening roar erupted. Chen Fengxing’s form trembled slightly, yet he stood firm, not retreating a single step.
Dozens of figures had already gathered around the mountain range.
The Red Scale Demon Emperor and the Blue Luan Demon Emperor transformed into human shapes and stood at the edge of the clouds, their large eyes filled with longing.
The Nascent Soul True Monarchs of the Human Race were breathing heavily; Chen Fengxing, who was one of them, could challenge Divinity Transformation when his lifespan was near its end, a determination to be admired.
The Seven Kills Demon Monarch was among them, dressed in a black robe with hands behind his back. Although his face was calm, his fingertips unconsciously tightened.
Among the crowd, some Demon Emperors’ eyes showed confusion:
"Why did the Emperor give him the Origin Pearl?"
"The Emperor seems to have the bloodline of the Chen Clan as well. Is that the reason?"
From thirty thousand miles away on the Dao Platform, Chen Sheng took all this in. He had indeed not bestowed the Origin Pearl.
Considering an old friend, he only regulated the Dao Rhythms of the Dao Platform, allowing that Dao Rhythm to spread along the Spirit Vein to Chen Fengxing’s cultivation area.
Only that, nothing more.
Chen Sheng sighed in his heart, his gaze returning to the thunder tribulation scene:
"A commendable disposition, breaking through the realm in decisive defiance just before the lifespan expires."
At this moment, Chen Fengxing had already endured seventeen thunder tribulations; his Daoist Robe was long soaked in blood, and the Cyan Cloud Sword was covered with cracks, yet his gaze remained ever brighter.
When the eighteenth thunder tribulation descended, he abruptly abandoned the sword, weaving Sealings with his hands, and the Chen Clan’s Clan Protection Array emerged around him.
The Array Pattern interwove with his Primordial Spirit, using the Primordial Spirit as the lead to activate the array’s final form—"Cyan Cloud Returning to the Void".
The thunder tribulation crashed into the array, and the Array Pattern instantly shattered more than half. Chen Fengxing spat out a mouthful of Essence Blood, but his Primordial Spirit, borrowing the power of the thunder tribulation, surged and reestablished a connection with the Cyan Cloud Sword in the air.
"Cyan Cloud Sword, witness my Dao!"
With a light shout, his Primordial Spirit merged with the long sword, the sword light soared tens of thousands of feet, carrying an aura of "My fate is mine, not heaven’s," forcibly shattering the last thunder tribulation.
The moment the thunder tribulation dispersed, the dark clouds in the sky retreated!
As golden flowers fluttered like snowflakes from the sky, countless golden lotuses sprouted from the earth, their fragrance permeating thousands of miles, marking the celestial phenomenon of breaking through to Divinity Transformation.
Chen Fengxing hovered in midair, Dao Rhythms flowing around him, his Primordial Spirit manifested, carrying the weight of a long-forged sturdiness.
He gathered his aura, respectfully bowing towards the direction of the Celestial Sacrifice Platform, his voice hoarse from surviving the tribulation yet incomparably resolute:
"Thank you, Emperor, for decades of enlightenment!"
Chen Sheng’s voice was loud and clear, reverberating through the thirty thousand mile expanse, clearly heard by every cultivator present:
"Your achievement of this realm relies entirely on your efforts."
"We cultivators must reflect Dao in our hearts, complement inadequacies with diligence, not rely on external objects, nor resign ourselves to the absence of a path."
These words exploded in the hearts of everyone like thunder!
All were enlightened that Chen Fengxing actually succeeded in his breakthrough due to his efforts alone, on the brink of his lifespan’s end, everyone was touched.
The Seven Kills Demon Monarch’s eyes flashed with understanding, realizing the essence of cultivation lies within oneself. He bowed deeply towards the direction of the Dao Platform, then stepped into the Daoist Palace, not even bothering to witness the breakthrough’s phenomenon.
The Red Scale Demon Emperor and others also bowed, their hearts devoid of any illusions, filled only with reverence for cultivation.
...