Zhuo Yi stared again and again, her heart in turmoil. She held a special fondness for Dongbo Xueying, her junior apprentice brother. He was young, and quite handsome too. However, after Dongbo Xueying stubbornly chose a divergent path in his cultivation, the two had gradually drifted apart.
Actually, if Dongbo Xueying had merely ranked first, she wouldn’t have been so shocked. But completing the deadly trial of the “Path of Ascent” truly rattled her.
Because finishing this trial meant…
He must have grasped the rudiment of a third-tier true essence!
She dared not even imagine the rudiment of a second-tier essence, but if Dongbo Xueying had indeed mastered the rudiment of a third-tier essence, it wouldn’t be long before he fully comprehended it! In the future, he might rival even Chi Qiu Bai. Even Chi Qiu Bai himself, back in his day, hadn’t grasped a third-tier essence so quickly. Dongbo was still so young! Perhaps, he might even one day forge the “Divine Heart of the Original Body” from a third-tier essence!
“How could this happen?” Zhuo Yi felt a bitter complexity.
At this moment,
She felt an immense distance between them, as if they no longer belonged to the same realm. Dongbo Xueying was destined to stand at the pinnacle of the Xia Clan’s world.
…
“Hahaha, just a minor matter, resolved in a single strike, not even worth mentioning!” Within a private room of a tavern in the capital city of Xia, Situ Hong was joyfully drinking with two other Skyfaring-level prodigies.
“For you, Brother Situ, it’s a small matter, but for us, it was a life-or-death crisis. Fortunately, Brother Situ accompanied us on the mission this time; otherwise, one of us might have perished,” laughed the stout, dark-skinned man beside him. “Come, come, let’s drink! We won’t say much about this life-saving favor—it’s all etched in our hearts. Cheers!”
“Cheers.”
“Brother Situ’s power is truly unfathomable. Among Skyfaring prodigies, I doubt anyone can rival you!”
“I’d say even a typical mid-stage Saint wouldn’t be a match for Brother Situ!”
“Mid-stage Saint? Hmph, I’m only lingering at the Skyfaring stage to refine myself further and solidify my foundation. If I truly wished to breakthrough, I could do so anytime!” Situ Hong boasted. His decision to remain at the Skyfaring level was also to consume more treasures and spirit essences within the Chiyun Mountain World. With his long cultivation and mastery of the third layer of spatial mysteries, his supernatural combat energy was already ripe for ascension.
But he held back! He wanted to enjoy those resources longer!
“Brother Situ is truly formidable.”
“To willingly delay advancement for a more solid foundation—truly admirable.”
The other two prodigies flattered him. In the realm of prodigies, strength dictated everything. Situ Hong indeed stood among the very top of Skyfaring prodigies, even a sure bet to ascend to the Saint level, naturally earning him praise.
Situ Hong was delighted, enjoying the company of these lesser prodigies outside his circle. He relished the feeling of being flattered.
“Hmm?” Suddenly, Situ Hong’s brow furrowed. Wen Yong’an, a fellow cultivator with whom he shared a good rapport in the Chiyun Mountain World, had sent him a message—”Ranking First: Dongbo Xueying, having reached the third layer of the mysteries of water, fire, and wind, has completed the deadly trial of the ‘Path of Ascent.'”
“Have you made a mistake, Junior Brother Wen?” Situ Hong hesitated before replying.
“Come to Chiyun Mountain World and see the Pillar yourself,” Wen Yong’an offered no further explanation.
“The trial of the ‘Path of Ascent’?”
Situ Hong couldn’t believe it. “Could this Dongbo Xueying really complete it?”
He had tried it himself—it was too difficult. The soul oppression of the second stage of the Path of Ascent had been unbearable. Those two were both native prodigies at the peak of the Saint level! And that was nothing compared to the even more perilous third stage of the Path of Ascent.
“Is he stronger than me?” Situ Hong was both furious and unwilling to accept it.
In terms of rankings, previously, Rourou had always been first.
But with his third layer of spatial mysteries, he believed himself the strongest in the Chiyun Mountain World! He had tried the trial of the Path of Ascent and knew how terrifying it was. He now realized Dongbo Xueying might truly surpass him!
“I haven’t even grasped a rudiment of true essence, yet he has?” Situ Hong clenched his teeth. He remembered the prophecy Chi Qiu Bai had given him—that mastering true essence would take at least ten times longer than reaching the third layer of the Myriad Things Realm!
“Just wait.”
“I will surely grasp the true essence of Spatial Rifts and one day rival the Windrider Knight, standing at the pinnacle of the Xia Clan’s world! Dongbo Xueying will still be crushed beneath my feet!” Situ Hong gritted his teeth, his heart gnawed at like by ants.
…
Leaving aside the reactions of the young prodigies in the Chiyun Mountain World upon hearing the news.
As Dongbo Xueying descended from the mountaintop, he encountered four Half-God existences.
“Hmm?” Dongbo Xueying was startled and halted midair.
Whoosh.
The four Half-Gods flew toward him together.
“Greetings to you all,” Dongbo Xueying respectfully bowed.
“No need for formalities, Xueying. You’ve truly astonished us old fellows!” Master Sikong Yang, the temple overseer, smiled warmly, his eyes brimming with anticipation.
Dongbo Xueying felt awkward and uneasy.
How long had it been?
Nearly fifteen years, right? Master Guan had never shown him a kind face since then. This gentle manner was something he had only seen in the earliest days.
“Dongbo Xueying,” the Palace Master Chen of the Xuehuo Palace quickly asked, “have you grasped the rudiment of a second-tier true essence?”
Instantly, Chi Qiu Bai, Sikong Yang, and Gong Yu fixed their gazes on Dongbo Xueying.
Dongbo Xueying was momentarily taken aback.
The Xuehuo Palace’s artifact spirit must have witnessed his battle! Master Chen likely already knew the general situation.
“It’s a rudiment of a true essence never recorded in the history of the Xia Clan,” Dongbo Xueying knew precisely when to be bold and when to be modest. In life-or-death battles among prodigies, giving his all was fine, but a second-tier true essence—there had only ever been one in the entire history of the Xia Clan. If he, being so young, had already grasped the rudiment of a second-tier essence, wouldn’t the Demon Beasts and the Demon God Cult target him?
“I’m not sure which tier it belongs to. I’ve named it ‘Penetration Essence,'” Dongbo Xueying explained.
While wielding it, he faintly sensed the presence of the “Pinnacle,” so he realized it was a branch of the Pinnacle Essence. He named it “Pinnacle Penetration Essence.”
Judging merely by its appearance, it was indeed difficult to assess, as no one had ever seen anything like it.
“Penetration Essence?” Chi Qiu Bai nodded approvingly. “Yes, it is indeed a terrifyingly penetrative rudiment of true essence.”
“That name is indeed fitting,” Sikong Yang agreed.
“Would you mind demonstrating it again?” Palace Master Chen asked.
Dongbo Xueying hesitated slightly.
He wanted to keep a low profile, but Master Chen held a unique position and was absolutely loyal to the Xia Clan. Since he had made the request…
“Go ahead and demonstrate it. Everyone here is trustworthy,” Chi Qiu Bai said. Moreover, once it was confirmed as the rudiment of a second-tier true essence, Master Chen would bestow upon Dongbo Xueying some of the Xia Clan’s most treasured artifacts, ensuring his survival in any danger.
“Alright.”
Dongbo Xueying no longer declined. He extended his finger and gently pierced the empty space before him.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~~~
Layer upon layer of space was pierced like ripples in water. All forces in the heavens and earth, including “time,” seemed to part like waves, all pierced through, their flow disrupted.
Chi Qiu Bai, Palace Master Chen, Sikong Yang, and Gong Yu were entranced, sensing the simplicity of the demonstration, feeling the mesmerizing mysteries hidden within.
“All forces, completely pierced?” Chi Qiu Bai murmured, “It seems as though all the mysteries I can sense are pierced through. No wonder there isn’t a single wound visible. This rule mystery of penetration renders even spatial dimensions meaningless.”
“A second-tier true essence rudiment,” Sikong Yang said excitedly, “This Penetration Essence pierces through everything, even more dominating than the Windrider’s Spatial Severance Essence!”
“Hmm.”
Palace Master Chen had already leaned toward believing it was a second-tier essence. Now, after witnessing the demonstration, he had no doubts left. Although within the divine realm’s ranking system, first-tier and second-tier true essences were legendary and rarely seen, they had ample experience with third-tier essences. They had personally witnessed the might of third-tier essences.
The rudiment of the “Penetration Essence,” even in its nascent form, was already this terrifying—it was undoubtedly beyond the third tier!
“He is worthy of these treasures,” Palace Master Chen no longer hesitated.
“Boom~~~” With a wave of his hand, the space beside him twisted, and two artifacts emerged from the warped void.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage