Chapter 424: Envy

Madam Sang was absolutely right. To reach such a high level of cultivation in less than ten thousand years, and to be born in a material world—it was almost certain that he was a Material World Lord.

“Just luck,” Dongbo Xueying replied with a smile, acknowledging it naturally.

“A Material World Lord? He really is a Material World Lord?” The other god-level experts who had passed the starfield preliminaries stared at Dongbo Xueying in shock and envy. Even the red-haired man with the half-mask had an indescribably complex look in his eyes—so much so that envy itself seemed inadequate. Even the highly esteemed Seventh Plum Rain couldn’t help but glance at Dongbo Xueying and remark, “I truly envy you, Brother Dongbo.”

“Hahaha…”

Seated high upon his throne, the Patrol Enforcer laughed heartily. “Young friend Dongbo, you are truly admirable—and enviable! To be so young yet so powerful, with boundless prospects ahead of you, is one thing. But to also be a Material World Lord? Even I am deeply envious! I would gladly trade all my treasures, even my position as Starfield Patrol Enforcer, just to become one. Alas, such a trade is impossible!”

“Even if you were born in a material world, Enforcer Guan, you likely wouldn’t become a Material World Lord,” the black-robed elder, General Tu, interjected. “In material worlds, there are no powerful god-level predecessors to guide you. As for demigod Transcendents? Their understanding of the laws of heaven and earth is fragmented at best. Their guidance might even make the path of cultivation more difficult.”

Dongbo Xueying nodded in agreement.

Indeed.

The higher one’s cultivation, the clearer it becomes—giving proper guidance is incredibly difficult. Only those who have transcended the laws of heaven and earth, like the mighty ones, can offer truly incisive and fundamental advice. As for the guidance he had received in his early days from Sikong Yang and others… while it might have sufficed for ordinary Transcendents, for someone with true talent, it could have been misleading.

Not that he blamed Sikong Yang—back then, they were merely demigods, their comprehension of the laws far too shallow.

“Without a proper master, one must rely entirely on self-reflection and personal enlightenment. To reach god-level peak within ten thousand years—that is an immensely difficult feat,” the black-robed elder sighed.

“Everything has its pros and cons,” the elegant woman seated at the highest position added. “Without proper guidance, cultivation is arduous. But once one succeeds, they become a Material World Lord. And once that happens, as long as they cultivate a clone technique—keeping one body in the material world while the other ventures out—no World God, no matter how powerful, can truly kill a Material World Lord.”

“Indeed.”

Every single person present—Enforcer Guan, General Tu, the other World Gods, and even those who had passed the preliminaries—was filled with envy.

Yes.

Below the mighty ones, it was impossible to kill a Material World Lord. Even the most exalted Fourth Heaven World Gods, whose strength neared that of the mighty ones, could at most slay a Material World Lord’s clone. The true body, safely hidden in their homeland, remained absolutely untouchable.

And how many mighty ones existed in the entire Divine Realm?

Provoking one was already a rare occurrence.

When venturing through the Divine Realm, the greatest fear was offending a powerful enemy—someone with formidable backing. But as a Material World Lord, one essentially possessed an invincible shield. Even if others wished to oppose them, they would hesitate—was it worth making an enemy who could never truly be killed? Moreover, a Material World Lord could fearlessly explore dangerous places, seeking treasures without fear of death.

“Envy indeed.” Everyone present felt it.

Being born in the Divine Realm or a material world each had its advantages and disadvantages.

In the Divine Realm, the energy of heaven and earth was far more abundant, making it easier to become a Transcendent. Those with sufficient talent could easily receive guidance from powerful predecessors, even being taken as disciples by formidable World Gods. World Gods, having mastered at least one First-Class Divine Heart, could provide invaluable guidance, making the path of cultivation ten or even a hundred times smoother.

In a material world? One had to rely entirely on oneself. Reaching god-level peak within ten thousand years was far more difficult than in the Divine Realm. However, even if one didn’t become a Material World Lord, the material world was at least safer—unlike the Divine Realm, which teemed with countless experts.

Everything had its trade-offs.

“Brother Dongbo, have you cultivated a clone technique?” Seventh Plum Rain suddenly asked.

The realization struck everyone present. Even the Patrol Enforcer quickly inquired, “Young friend Dongbo, surely this isn’t your true body here?”

“I have indeed cultivated a clone technique,” Dongbo Xueying admitted without hesitation.

“You—” The Patrol Enforcer shook his head in dismay. “Splitting your soul in two affects your cultivation and comprehension. You could have waited for the next Divine Court’s Myriad Blossom Feast!”

Dongbo Xueying smiled. “Wait another ten million years? I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but I believe I’ll have long since become a World God by then.”

“Hmm.” Enforcer Guan and the other World Gods silently agreed. With his current achievements in just over two thousand years, reaching World God in ten million was practically guaranteed.

“By then, I wouldn’t be able to participate in the Divine Court’s Myriad Blossom Feast or enjoy the Myriad Blossom Fruit,” Dongbo Xueying continued. “Right now, I’ve hit a bottleneck. I’m just one small step away from World God—yet that step feels like an insurmountable chasm. After much deliberation, I decided to cultivate a clone technique and participate now. First, to temper my strength through this opportunity. Second, if I can reach the Divine Court, given my cultivation age, I stand a good chance of being taken in by a mighty one.”

The elegant woman nodded. “Young friend Dongbo, once you reach the Divine Court, a mighty one will undoubtedly take you as a disciple.”

“With a mighty one’s guidance, I believe I’ll break through this final step much faster,” Dongbo Xueying said. “The experience of the Myriad Blossom Feast, the chance to enjoy the Myriad Blossom Fruit, and the opportunity to study under a mighty one sooner—all these reasons made me decide that cultivating a clone technique was worth it.”

“Fair enough.”

“A reasonable trade-off.”

“The benefits of the Myriad Blossom Fruit for the soul can easily compensate for the split.”

The World Gods all understood Dongbo Xueying’s choice.

Either silently cultivate in solitude for millions of years…

Or shine brilliantly in the Myriad Blossom Feast and be taken under a mighty one’s wing…

Most would choose the latter.

—

The starfield preliminaries continued, though only a few more passed. The high-ranking figures—the Patrol Enforcer, General Tu, and the World Gods—chatted idly, often engaging Dongbo Xueying in conversation.

Clearly, his status in their eyes had risen significantly.

Finally, after twelve full days, the Wushan Starfield preliminaries concluded.

“Esteemed guests,” the Patrol Enforcer declared, “the preliminaries for the Divine Court’s Myriad Blossom Feast in Wushan Starfield have officially ended. Sixteen god-level experts from our starfield have passed, including extraordinary talents like Dongbo and Seventh Plum Rain. I am confident that in the prefecture capital battles, our Wushan Starfield’s experts will demonstrate their strength—perhaps even earning the right to represent Anhai Prefecture in the Divine Court’s final battles before His Majesty and the mighty ones!” His voice brimmed with pride.

Below, the army soldiers maintained order as the countless spectators began to leave the Bloodblade Domain.

“Let us depart,” the Patrol Enforcer said, turning to the others. “The sixteen who passed shall accompany me to my estate. You will stay there for one year, after which I will lead you to the prefecture capital. You may bring any subordinates or friends—my estate is spacious enough to accommodate all.”

Powerful experts often had followers, and soon, the Patrol Enforcer, Madam Sang, General Tu, and the other World Gods took to the skies in a grand procession.

Seventh Plum Rain, Dongbo Xueying, and the other sixteen followed behind, each with their own entourage. Dongbo Xueying brought only Yun Hai, while Seventh Plum Rain had the largest retinue—a group of white-robed maids, each far stronger than the average soldier.

“Dongbo, I was so excited watching that I nearly lost my mind,” Yun Hai transmitted as they flew alongside Dongbo Xueying. “Should we inform the Xia Clan? Let them share in the joy.”

“Go ahead,” Dongbo Xueying replied with a smile.

“Good. I’ll tell them—Zi Lei and the others too. Let them all celebrate.” Yun Hai could barely contain his excitement.

Dongbo Xueying chuckled.

Under the Patrol Enforcer’s lead, their flight was unhurried, yet space itself seemed to shift around them. As the ruler of this city, the Patrol Enforcer manipulated their surroundings effortlessly. In mere moments, Dongbo Xueying spotted the luxurious estate in the distance—the residence of the Patrol Enforcer.