In the grand hall of the Summerwind Ancient Kingdom’s imperial palace, the atmosphere had relaxed considerably after the conclusion of the three clans’ competition.
“You Fan Clan folks were really close—just a hair’s breadth away from losing six times in a row. Who would’ve thought that someone like Ying Shan Xueying would emerge at the last moment?”
“That’s destiny for you! It was fated that our Fan Clan wouldn’t lose.”
The high-ranking members of the three great clans exchanged words among themselves.
Meanwhile, many of the guests deliberately engaged Dongbo Xueying in conversation. Those invited as guests were at least of the caliber of rulers like the Firelight Monarch or the Maple Nest Monarch, individuals with vast experience and discerning eyes. Most had already formed their judgments: “This Ying Shan Xueying is so prodigious that the likelihood of him being a reincarnated soul is extremely high. Moreover, the ultimate void transformation technique isn’t something that could be leaked, whether from the Myriad Realms Ancient Kingdom or the Summerwind Ancient Kingdom! Where did he learn it? There’s no place he could have! Only one possibility remains—he’s a reincarnated soul who mastered it in another source world in his past life.”
A powerhouse from another source world, capable of executing the ultimate void transformation at the Chaos Realm level using only the principles of that realm, indicated that Ying Shan Xueying’s true strength was formidable indeed.
“That source world must be one where someone could create an ‘ultimate void transformation technique at the Chaos Realm level.’ Its foundation surely isn’t weak either. We must forge good relations with him.” The gazes directed at Dongbo Xueying were no longer those reserved for a mere youngster from the Southcloud Nation, but rather those accorded to a reincarnated powerhouse backed by a mighty source world.
“Guest Elder Feixue, I too specialize in the Dao of Void. If you have time, I’d be honored to host you at my Mist Fox Manor for a discussion on the Dao,” a portly, bald elder chuckled warmly.
“An invitation from a Venerable is an honor for Xueying. Once I’ve settled my current affairs, I shall certainly visit your esteemed manor,” Dongbo Xueying replied promptly. This elder was none other than the ‘Mist Fox Venerable’ of the Summerwind Ancient Kingdom. Though not from the three great clans, he was still a Great Venerable, his foundation perhaps not as deep as his master, the Southcloud Monarch, but his combat prowess was likely comparable. How could Dongbo Xueying dare slight such a figure?
Some exchanged a few words to establish connections, while others extended direct invitations. Dongbo Xueying was clearly held in high regard by these guests.
“The disparity…”
The other Chaos Realm cultivators who had participated in the three clans’ competition watched from the sidelines, a mix of envy and resignation in their hearts.
Those qualified to be guests here were no ordinary Universe Gods. Even before this, they had rarely deigned to converse with mere Chaos Realm cultivators—the gap in strength was simply too vast.
“These guests are all talking to Ying Shan Xueying, yet they still ignore us.”
“Well, Ying Shan Xueying’s strength is simply too monstrous. It’s only natural he’d receive such attention.”
They could only watch enviously. Most assumed Dongbo Xueying was being treated with such courtesy due to his prodigious talent, unaware that the guests regarded him as a peer.
—
As the banquet concluded, the high-ranking members of the Fan Clan naturally dispersed. Dongbo Xueying had made connections with a number of Universe God friends from the Summerwind Ancient Kingdom and received numerous invitations. He was more than happy to oblige—after all, the entire Heart Realm Continent was a blessed land for him to enhance his strength. Naturally, he would seize every opportunity to forge alliances and accumulate resources that might aid him.
“Guest Elder Feixue, let us return together,” the Skyrend Great Venerable offered, inviting Dongbo Xueying to share his carriage back to the Fan Clan’s Demon Mountain.
“Stop staring. If any of you had Ying Shan Xueying’s strength, you’d receive the same treatment,” Monarch Kuichen remarked with a glance at Fan Sanyuan, Fan Mozhu, Fan Yiqian, and King Salong. “Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
The four watched as the Skyrend Great Venerable and Dongbo Xueying’s carriage departed, their hearts a tangle of complex emotions before they boarded their own carriage under Monarch Kuichen’s lead.
—
At the Fan Clan’s Demon Mountain, beneath the shade of a deep-purple, stout tree—its trunk several zhang thick yet standing only a dozen zhang tall, its sprawling canopy covering nearly a li—the Skyrend Great Venerable and Dongbo Xueying sat cross-legged, facing each other. Fine wine and delicacies lay before them, attended by graceful maidservants.
“Hmm?” Dongbo Xueying couldn’t help but glance at the peculiar tree beside them—its trunk, branches, and leaves all a deep purple, as if carved from violet jade.
“Noticed something special about this divine tree?” the Skyrend Great Venerable chuckled.
“Indeed, it’s extraordinary,” Dongbo Xueying nodded. Beneath this tree, an intangible energy seeped into his body, nourishing his soul with an indescribable comfort. His soul was strengthening, albeit at an imperceptibly slow pace.
“This was seized by Master before the first Ancient Kingdom War,” the Skyrend Great Venerable explained. “He named it the ‘Heartflame Divine Tree.’ It was under this very tree that Master perfected his *Formless Mirage Art*.”
Dongbo Xueying was startled.
Such a history?
Given his status in the Southcloud Nation, he was privy to many secrets, yet he’d never heard of the ‘Heartflame Divine Tree.’ If the Fan Ancestor had perfected the *Formless Mirage Art* beneath it, this tree must possess truly unique properties.
“The Heartflame Divine Tree nourishes the soul, but that’s merely a secondary effect. After a year or so, the soul reaches its limit and can grow no further,” the Skyrend Great Venerable said, lifting his wine cup. Dongbo Xueying followed suit, and they drank together before the Great Venerable continued, “Its true uniqueness lies in ‘heartflame.’ The longer you cultivate beneath it, the more intensely you’ll feel its effects—especially for those pursuing soul-related paths. Even my master, at his level, refined his *Formless Mirage Art* here!”
“‘Heartflame’? Aiding soul cultivation?” Dongbo Xueying’s interest was piqued.
His Illusory Realm of Void was soul-based.
The soul was mysterious and exceptional.
Take the ultimate void transformation—where one’s body merges completely with the void’s essence, rendering it invulnerable unless the source world’s barriers are breached. Yet there was one exception: soul techniques.
Soul techniques were formless, soundless, and struck instantaneously. Even if Dongbo Xueying merged with the void, his soul remained. It could still be targeted—though the ‘ultimate void transformation’ made him undetectable, leaving no mark for soul attacks to lock onto.
Even if attacked, given his current soul strength and mastery of the Illusory Realm, during the first trial of the three clans’ competition, a single Universe God specializing in soul arts, even with a treasure, had failed to subdue him. It took three working in unison to bring him down.
Once he ascended to Universe God, his soul would undergo another metamorphosis, making it even harder to assail.
“That treasure of yours is the Demonheart Bell. You specialize in the Illusory Realm of Void?” the Skyrend Great Venerable inquired.
“Yes,” Dongbo Xueying confirmed.
“Paths involving the soul are all arduous,” the Skyrend Great Venerable remarked with a smile. “Cultivating beneath the Heartflame Divine Tree would greatly benefit you. However, there’s only one such tree. Its aura is typically sufficient for only one cultivator. If two were to absorb it simultaneously, the effects would diminish.”
“The Heartflame Divine Tree is incomparably precious. Usually, it’s rotated among us six Great Venerables. Only Fan Clan members or guest elders who’ve rendered significant service are granted the privilege to use it,” the Skyrend Great Venerable explained. “Given your recent merits, I can permit you to cultivate here for a year or so. Though the benefits to your cultivation may be limited, it will nourish your soul to its peak.”
“My thanks, Great Venerable. The Fan Ancestor has already rewarded me with thirty thousand great merits,” Dongbo Xueying said.
“I’m aware,” the Skyrend Great Venerable smiled faintly. “A year or so is trivial in the grand span of cultivation. But if you wish to achieve greatness in the soul’s path, you’d need to cultivate beneath this tree for hundreds of millions of years. Only then would the assistance be substantial. Alas, I lack the authority to grant you such a duration.”
Dongbo Xueying’s mind raced.
He understood: to gain, one must give.
“Your past life’s source world could produce an ultimate void transformation technique at the Chaos Realm level. Its foundation must be profound,” the Skyrend Great Venerable observed. “Our Fan Clan is always eager to acquire formidable, esoteric techniques. Offer us one, and we’ll reciprocate with commensurate rewards.”
“Peak-tier treasures? Time beneath the Heartflame Divine Tree? Even benefits not listed on your previous scroll—all are negotiable,” the Skyrend Great Venerable said amiably. “A fair exchange!”
The Dao was the root.
A sufficiently powerful secret art could tempt even the mightiest factions.
Normally, peak-tier treasures were strictly off-limits. Though the scroll mentioned ‘two hundred thousand great merits’ as the threshold, even the Southcloud Monarch hadn’t accumulated that much.
But with a valuable secret art as trade, many doors could open.
“Some techniques come with inherent restrictions against dissemination,” Dongbo Xueying noted.
“I understand,” the Skyrend Great Venerable replied, still smiling.
“As for those I can share, I’ll need time to consider,” Dongbo Xueying said. His *Nine Revolutions Indestructible Art* was self-created and thus eligible for exchange, but now wasn’t the time.
“Haha… All in good time. Fair exchanges are always welcome,” the Skyrend Great Venerable nodded.
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