My Arts Evolve When Perfected

For instance, remnants from a previous epoch might have lost much of their heritage during the great cleansing, but they would also possess immense potential.

This is because their foundations are the deepest, and they might still hold secrets to techniques this epoch has yet to develop. They might even... understand the secrets of Transcendence.

As a myriad of thoughts converged in his mind, Tian Xing suddenly realized the terrifying implications of Tian Ming calling someone "New Ancestor." What kind of person could be addressed as "Ancestor" by a human suspected of being a remnant from the last epoch?

Then there was that world-creation-like description: a chaotic, dark world where countless members of the Human Race huddled in dilapidated tribes. Their fathers had fallen, and a world-ending volcano erupted, threatening to submerge everything.

Then, the New Ancestor slew all the Chosen Ones, ascended to the Peak of the Ancestral Realm, and claimed victory in the War of the Chosen. From that moment on, the heavens opened, and the light of day descended!

Such a magnificent narrative sounded just like a story from the transition between two epochs. He figured that the New Ancestor must have been a mighty expert from the previous epoch, one who had taken a stand to protect his race’s bloodline against the great cleansing.

For many years afterward, the New Ancestor remained dormant due to his injuries. When he reemerged, he had been reincarnated as the present-day Jiang Qiu and arrived in the so-called "Outer Realm"—places like the Yin Yang Great Realm and the Desolate Realm.

Having figured out the truth, Tian Xing’s gaze grew deeper, his desire to befriend him—and his wariness—intensifying. "Don’t worry, I’ll arrange the challenge matches for you. From now on, if you run into any trouble in Celestial Star Oasis City, just mention my name. No one will dare to cross you."

’I always knew Jiang Qiu’s identity wasn’t simple, but I never imagined it was *this* extraordinary. A supreme expert who survived from the previous epoch...’

’No wonder a mighty Harmonization Realm expert like me couldn’t determine his true Realm. No wonder he could instantly kill the Soul Race’s Saint Heir, who was at the Peak of the Fusion Realm. No wonder he could ignore the spatial suppression of Celestial Star Oasis City when he left for the Outer Realm.’

’How could the methods of someone who survived from the previous epoch be anything an ordinary person could fathom?’

Surviving from a previous epoch wasn’t impossible; it was just that ordinary Cultivators had no access to information at that level.

In truth, the great cleansing of an epoch was a cycle. Every so often, an epoch would be annihilated. And with each annihilation, all life perished. The so-called survival of the great powers referred to reincarnation.

Although Tian Ming, who came from a tribal era, hadn’t mentioned the transition from the Era of Dragon Fall, they must have undergone a massive reincarnation for an entire race to have survived. It was unheard of.

And all of this seemed to be inextricably linked to the New Ancestor, Jiang Qiu.

Sometimes, a peerless expert from one era will never remain obscure, even in the next. In fact, other Great Realms had whispers of experts reincarnated from the previous epoch. All of them had reached the Fusion Realm or even the Harmonization Realm, and they were usually very low-key—at least, compared to other Harmonization Realm experts.

No one knew what schemes these reincarnated experts were plotting in this new epoch, but they were certainly no ordinary figures. A Peak Race, the Primordials, who were on par with the Three-Life Race, once provoked a reclusive Harmonization Realm expert and had their race shattered and scattered. Only then did everyone realize that an expert from the previous epoch had been reborn—and had already cultivated to the Harmonization Realm in a short time!

Their brand of Harmonization seemed different from this epoch’s. It was said to carry a primordial aura and an extremely oppressive presence. This was mainly because their techniques were unheard of; one misstep, and even a Peak Race could be annihilated.

’Of course, such people are exceptionally rare, and they are usually very low-key. No one would announce they were from a previous epoch. They all seem to be lying in wait, biding their time. The number of suspected reincarnators I know of can be counted on one hand...’

’Therefore, I must build a good relationship with Jiang Qiu. At the very least, I must not offend him. It would be disastrous if he suddenly unleashed some heaven-shattering technique. The Three-Life Race might not be able to handle it.’

Tian Ming didn’t know what Tian Xing was thinking, but he could sense the wariness toward Jiang Qiu in his eyes. A jolt went through him, and the resolute light in his gaze intensified. He sighed inwardly, ’As expected. The New Ancestor’s figure is receding further and further into the distance. I’ve chased him for over five hundred years and only just reached the Fusion Realm. My pace is still too slow. For the New Ancestor now, I’m probably not outstanding enough, am I?

’Even a senior like Tian Xing, with his powerful and unfathomable aura, is so respectful when he speaks of the New Ancestor. I must work harder to prove my worth!

’To prove my Talent!’

The two chatted for a good while longer. Tian Xing, who was over ten thousand years old, found the conversation increasingly congenial. He instructed the Celestial Star Arena to treat Tian Ming with the utmost hospitality and stated that he would increase his support for the Blue Star Human Union.

With Tian Ming’s arrival, the Human Union now included all the humans from Blue Star and the Northern Boundary. Supporting the Human Union was, by extension, supporting the Northern Boundary Tribe.

Tian Ming was overwhelmed by the favor. Though proud of his own genius, he knew he was not among the strongest in Celestial Star Oasis City. There were likely many in the Celestial Star Arena who were stronger than him. Yet, Senior Tian Xing was showing him such care, all on account of the New Ancestor.

A wave of gratitude washed over him. He swore to rack up consecutive victories and carry on the New Ancestor’s legacy of invincibility. He hoped that when the New Ancestor returned, he would see all that he had accomplished and know that even a "native" could make a name for himself!

A video of the two strolling through the Celestial Star Arena’s main hall was soon filmed by a passerby and uploaded to the web. It hit the forums like a massive boulder dropped into a calm pond, sending up endless waves. "HOLY SHIT, Lord Tian Xing is personally giving someone a tour! Who is that guy?"

"No idea. He looks like one of the Human Race natives, but he’s at the Fusion Realm. Wait a second... that Fusion Realm aura is a little strange. Can’t quite describe it. It’s like I’m staring into an abyss. HOLY SHIT, that’s insane!"

"What bullshit about staring into an abyss? You’re just too weak. What kind of Fusion Realm expert gets that kind of treatment from Lord Tian Xing? He’s a Harmonization Realm expert, one of the pinnacles of the Desolate Realm!"

"Exactly! What Fusion Realm cultivator gets that kind of attention? Even that Soul Race Saint Heir with his forty-plus win streak didn’t earn this level of respect from Lord Tian Xing."

"So what’s the deal? Who is that person with Lord Tian Xing? Is he really one of the Human Race natives?"

"..."

The web was in an uproar. Because Tian Xing was so famous, the topic quickly shot to the top of the trending lists. Everyone was speculating about Tian Ming’s identity, but no official news came to confirm anything.

Instead, an official announcement for a challenge suddenly appeared: a Human Race member, newly entered into the Fusion Realm and heir to Jiang Qiu’s will, would be making his debut battle...

"HOLY SHIT, a clansman of Jiang Divine?!"

"Is Jiang Divine’s background finally being revealed?"

"I knew it! Jiang Divine’s fifty-win streak was to build hype for the power backing him! A Hidden Clan is preparing to emerge!"

"It was all to pave the way! I get it now, I get it! Jiang Divine is a fucking legend!"

"No wonder Lord Tian Xing personally showed him around. So he’s from Lord Jiang Divine’s clan! That explains everything. I bet he’s not just some ordinary clansman, either. Fucking incredible."

"Gotta be real, though, can this Fusion Realm guy really live up to Jiang Divine’s will? That fifty-win streak was arguably the pinnacle of our era..."

"Who cares if he can? Just being Jiang Divine’s clansman means he’s already won by stepping into that arena. Who would be foolish enough to go against Jiang Divine? Didn’t you see how the Soul Race, one of the Peak Races of the Desolate Realm, was annihilated without a whisper?!"

"This is so awesome! Is this what it feels like to have connections? I want to be one of Jiang Divine’s clansmen too, boohoo..."

"That’s easy. In a way, we natives of the Desolate Realm also have Human Race blood. Why don’t you go give it a shot?"