“We can only see the simple combat scene,” Chi Qiubai smiled. “But that four-armed elder died from that very move, and he could better appreciate its power. If he suspects it’s a second-tier genuine essence or even a first-tier one, he must have his reasons!”
“First-tier? I wouldn’t dare even dream of it!” remarked Master Sikong Yang.
First-tier genuine essence.
Across countless worlds, even in the Divine Realm, this was the most supreme essence, the legend among legends.
Even second-tier genuine essences, such as ‘Great Annihilation Essence,’ ‘Cycle Essence,’ ‘Time Suspension Essence,’ ‘Yin-Yang Essence,’ ‘Spatial Essence,’ ‘Microcosmic Essence,’ and so on, their names alone hinted at their terrifying nature. Let alone those even higher—the first-tier essences. Each one represented the ultimate truth of some aspect of nature and the cosmos.
“Haha, probably that extraordinary native just lacked Insight,” Palace Master Gong Yu laughed. “But considering he completed the ‘Climbing the Sacred Path’ trial, Dongbo Xueying’s combat experience, weapons, and secret techniques aren’t particularly refined. Combining all that with the scene of the battle—I’d say there’s over an 80% chance it’s a second-tier genuine essence Prototype.”
“I also lean toward a second-tier genuine essence Prototype,” said the elder with black hair.
“Never thought our Xia Clan would produce another great cultivator with a second-tier genuine essence,” Sikong Yang sighed, offering a self-mocking smile. “And almost destroyed him myself!”
Previously, they had only suspected.
But after witnessing the combat scene and hearing the four-armed elder’s dying words, the likelihood that Dongbo Xueying had mastered a second-tier genuine essence Prototype had significantly increased.
“You did suppress Dongbo Xueying quite harshly before,” the black-haired elder remarked. “This time, you should make it up to him.”
“Of course. Recognizing one’s mistake and correcting it is only natural!” Master Sikong Yang nodded. “I will rank him first!”
“First, just like that?” Chi Qiubai chuckled.
“He will be first! Even if it’s not a second-tier, a third-tier genuine essence Prototype alone would be enough,” Sikong Yang replied. “None of the other young prodigies have even mastered a genuine essence Prototype, yet Dongbo Xueying has, and at such a young age! He deserves the top spot. And considering the high probability it’s a second-tier, we must keep the details of this battle scene confidential.”
” Rest assured., it’s limited to just the four of us,” nodded Elder Chen, the Palace Master. “We’ll publicly announce Dongbo Xueying as having mastered a third-tier genuine essence Prototype, and we’ll remind him to keep it quiet too.”
“There are also some life-saving treasures we should prepare,” Sikong Yang added. “That part will require Elder Chen’s help—we don’t have enough treasures at our Water Source Hermitage.”
“Of course,” Elder Chen didn’t object at all.
The authority of the Xinfu Palace Master was immense, as he was absolutely loyal and controlled some of the Xia Clan’s most treasured artifacts.
Clearly, Dongbo Xueying’s status had skyrocketed, making him worthy of the Xia Clan’s full protection!
…
The four demigods discussed and arranged every plan to protect Dongbo Xueying’s growth. Meanwhile, at the furthest end of the Sacred Path, atop the towering mountain, Dongbo Xueying himself was in no hurry to descend.
“Never underestimate a Saint-level cultivator,” Dongbo Xueying reflected, gazing at the corpse of the four-armed elder, analyzing the battle for lessons.
Like the two native cultivators he encountered in the second stage of the Sacred Path—though they were also at the peak of Saint-level—they had very low cultivation realms. They possessed strength and speed, but once their realm was overwhelmed, they were easily killed.
But this four-armed elder was different! The Xia Clan had even forbidden him from using any extraordinary weapons, forcing him to fight bare-handed! Despite that, because he had mastered the seventh-tier ‘Water Surge Essence,’ he could skillfully unleash his power, pushing Dongbo Xueying to the brink, and even leaving him severely wounded after weapon clashes.
If he hadn’t broken through, he might have had to surrender in despair and call upon the artifact spirit for rescue. If he had delayed even slightly, he might have lost his life.
“Although I did break through,” Dongbo Xueying mused, “the truly formidable Saint-level cultivators usually possess powerful weapons and have also mastered genuine essences. I still can’t afford to underestimate them.”
“I must continue refining my genuine essence Prototype.”
“I must grow stronger.”
Only when he mastered a full genuine essence would he have the right to laugh at the heavens. Right now, he was still too inexperienced.
“As for the genuine essence Prototype I’ve mastered…” Dongbo Xueying extended his finger, lightly tracing through the air. Three colors of mystery swirled around it, casually piercing through space, layer upon layer.
At the moment of penetration—
Dongbo Xueying’s soul and spirit sensed a phantom scene: in a vast world, there was only a slowly rotating colossal sphere…
The ultimate beginning and end of all things.
The origin of time and space.
All things in the universe converged into one, and every mystery he could perceive and understand coalesced into a single unity.
Cultivators gained insights into the mysteries of nature and the cosmos, yet in that moment, it felt as though all of nature and the cosmos had condensed into this single sphere—an entire ‘point.’
“The Singularity?” Dongbo Xueying still felt his heart racing.
His finger traced the air, and space rippled like waves, time’s flow disturbed. All natural forces in the heavens and earth seemed to part like water before this ‘piercing,’ easily pierced through.
“Is that truly the Singularity? The ultimate beginning and end of all things?” Dongbo Xueying couldn’t believe he had even touched the faintest edge of the Singularity. But no matter what, it was related to the Singularity Essence!
“This must be a branch of the Singularity Essence.”
“If I had to give it a name… I’d call it ‘Singularity Piercing Essence.'” Dongbo Xueying mused.
Singularity Piercing Essence, a branch of the Singularity Essence, should be a second-tier genuine essence!
The Singularity Essence itself was perfect—everything converged into one, possessing terrifying offensive power and formidable defense, even influencing time, space, and all things… after all, a first-tier genuine essence was flawless.
But the three mysteries of water, fire, and wind weren’t yet worthy of forming such a perfect genuine essence Prototype.
Water and fire complemented each other, greatly enhancing their power.
Wind fueled the flames! Fire also fueled the wind!
Wind enhanced the might of water waves, and water waves further intensified the wind!
They reinforced each other, continuously amplifying their power… ultimately merging the three mysteries perfectly into a single ‘point,’ piercing through and destroying all obstacles! Though it was merely a Prototype of a branch of the Singularity Essence—the ‘Singularity Piercing Essence’—its piercing might was already terrifying.
Singularity Piercing represented the purely offensive aspect of the Singularity Essence, containing terrifying penetrating power.
Under the Singularity…
All could be pierced!
It was a terrifying genuine essence purely for attack!
…
Genuine essences also had classifications. For example, Chi Qiubai’s ‘Spatial Severing Essence’ and Elder Orland’s ‘Life Essence’ were both third-tier genuine essences. Yet why was Chi Qiubai widely acknowledged as the undisputed number one under heaven? Because Chi Qiubai’s ‘Spatial Severing Essence’ was a genuine essence that leaned toward the extreme in offensive power, making his attacks terrifying in battle.
The same principle applied here.
The ‘Singularity Piercing Essence’ was an extremely aggressive and purely offensive second-tier genuine essence! That was why the four-armed elder found this Prototype so terrifying, even suspecting it might be a first-tier genuine essence Prototype.
In truth, it was indeed a second-tier genuine essence Prototype.
But it was a genuine essence that leaned toward extremes!
The three mysteries of water, fire, and wind… different combinations produced different results. Previously, in the realm of illusions, their combination allowed Dongbo Xueying to master the third-tier ‘Illusionary Essence Prototype’! Yet even then, Dongbo Xueying was not satisfied. Now, with this new combination, he had finally achieved what he considered the ultimate perfection of the union of water, fire, and wind.
Water, fire, and wind were naturally inclined toward offense. They would inevitably be weaker in defense and other aspects.
“The Singularity Piercing Essence is indeed remarkable,” Dongbo Xueying frowned slightly, his rational mind telling him it was already powerful, yet his heart still felt unsatisfied.
“I pursue the ultimate in spear techniques!”
“In terms of offense, I am satisfied.”
“But is offense alone enough for truly ultimate spear techniques?” Dongbo Xueying shook his head. “Yes, I will continue to refine the Singularity Piercing Essence, making my attacks even stronger! But I must also improve in other aspects!”
With his decision made, Dongbo Xueying took a step forward, soaring off the mountain peak, cutting through the sky, heading toward the distant Bamboo Mountain.
At that moment, four other figures flew toward him from the distance.
…
Bamboo Mountain.
Steam rose from the hot springs. Inside a bamboo pavilion, Sister Zhuo Yi, dressed in purple, stepped out of her house and stood in her small bamboo courtyard, gazing at the beauty of the world, her mood excellent.
“Brother Changfeng is such a good person, guiding others with such care,” Sister Zhuo Yi smiled. “He doesn’t even have a wife—I’m sure he’ll eventually fall for me if I just wait long enough.”
Zhuo Yi was very confident in herself.
She had long since looked down upon the cultivators of the Chiyun Mountain world. Situ Hong was a fickle fool, and although Dongbo Xueying was quite young, he had no future at all.
“Brother Changfeng is the best!” The more she interacted with Chi Qiubai, the more infatuated she became. Unfortunately, Chi Qiubai showed no interest in her, but Zhuo Yi still believed that with time, she would succeed.
“Hmm?” Zhuo Yi looked puzzled at the jade pillar in her courtyard.
On the jade pillar, the latest rankings of the Chiyun Mountain cultivators were displayed.
“Ranking #1: Dongbo Xueying, third level of water, fire, and wind mysteries, completed the ‘Sacred Path’ life-and-death trial.”
Zhuo Yi couldn’t help but widen her eyes, then rubbed them and looked again carefully.
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