Chapter 693: They Have Arrived

Within the Sea of Consciousness.

The true divine heart sat cross-legged, surrounded by countless golden characters that materialized in the sea of consciousness, forming a complete technique.

In terms of length, this technique was far inferior to the vast amount of information contained in supreme arts like *Taihao*, *Annihilation of the Ultimate Dark Body*, or *Six Slaying Sword Techniques*. It seemed deceptively simple—merely a method to manipulate the ‘Black Gourd.’ Yet, as Dongbo Xueying began to study and comprehend it carefully, he found himself slowing down involuntarily. Each character’s fluctuation concealed profound mysteries, and their combinations allowed for countless interpretations…

By the time he finished reading the entire technique, Dongbo Xueying was left bewildered.

“How strange.”

He felt a sense of confusion.

In the past, comprehension had always been difficult, but this technique seemed unusually easy. Each character conveyed too many mysteries, and these insights coalesced into various methods!

“Just one reading, and I’ve already grasped sixteen different techniques.” Dongbo Xueying held the Black Gourd in his arms and attempted to manipulate it.

*Hum!*

Characters formed from Taihao Force materialized in the air, surging into the Black Gourd—only to vanish without a trace, as if swallowed by an abyss. They were utterly incinerated by the terrifying flames within.

“This method is wrong.” Dongbo Xueying wasn’t surprised. He continued his attempts, quickly testing all sixteen techniques.

“I see now. That Voidwalker gave me five years to master this technique. If I could comprehend it in a single reading, his trial would be far too easy.” Dongbo Xueying shook his head. This was expected. “But I didn’t anticipate how bizarre this technique is. It seems open to endless interpretations. Just one reading yielded sixteen methods, and without testing them on the Black Gourd, I couldn’t even tell which were right or wrong.”

The original technique lay before him.

Yet every interpretation seemed flawed!

“Five years…”

Dongbo Xueying had already descended the steps. He glanced back at the summit of the staircase, then at the Black Gourd in his arms, his heart still surging with emotion.

Even after comprehending the technique once, he remained awestruck.

The revelations were simply too unbelievable.

The universe that housed the Divine Realm and the Abyss was actually created by an ancient, unfathomably powerful being—the master of the Primordial Land, *Ancestor Tianyu*. No wonder the Primordial Land’s tokens were so extraordinary, allowing instantaneous travel from anywhere in the universe to the Primordial Land—and vice versa.

The opportunity he had obtained originated from a being likely on par with Ancestor Tianyu—the enigmatic *Voidwalker*.

“Voidwalker” referred to a rare and unique lineage of cultivators, their numbers exceedingly few.

“Just how vast is this world? And how far can cultivation truly reach?” Dongbo Xueying was filled with anticipation at the prospect of inheriting the Voidwalker’s lineage. Until now, he had only followed the orthodox path—comprehending the mysteries of the cosmos, forging his own way, and nurturing an inner world.

He had never practiced other systems. Though he had attempted the cultivation method created by *Master Pang Yi*, he had failed to even grasp the basics.

Clearly, the more esoteric the method, the harder it was to begin.

The Voidwalker lineage would likely be even more difficult. At present, Dongbo Xueying had only passed the first trial. Two more screenings awaited, and failure would mean the Black Gourd returning to this world—his chance lost forever.

“This stone gate is stuck and won’t descend.” Dongbo Xueying stood at the entrance of the inner sanctum of the Ancient God Temple, gazing up at the gate. Simultaneously, he sensed that the *Shadowfiend Palace Master* had already gathered the other four Venerables—*Venerable Xu Huang*, *Venerable Sword Emperor*, and *Venerable Scarletflame*—all of whom had cultivated avatars, prepared in advance with accelerated time to swiftly manifest them.

“If it descended, I could cultivate undisturbed within the inner sanctum.” Dongbo Xueying frowned.

In this entire world, there was no safe place for him to train in peace.

If he were constantly harassed by five Venerables, how could he possibly cultivate? Only his true self, far away in Red Rock Mountain, could practice undisturbed. This avatar’s cultivation would be negligible—effectively halving his efforts in facing the trial.

“Of course it won’t descend…” A crisp voice chimed in.

Dongbo Xueying was startled.

A chubby child, no larger than a palm, had appeared atop the Black Gourd in his arms. The child sat on the gourd, hugging its neck. Dressed only in a fiery red bellyband, the rest of his tender skin was exposed.

“Who are you?” Dongbo Xueying stared at the child.

“Who do you think I am? I’m the artifact spirit of your *Black Gourd*, your guardian treasure!” The tiny child in the red bellyband stood up on the gourd. “Did you really think I didn’t have one?”

Dongbo Xueying quickly shook his head.

Most high-level weapons and formations could develop sentience—though it depended on whether the creator allowed it.

“If you pass the three trials, without me, how would you know where the inheritance is?” The child plopped back down, grabbing his own tiny feet. “Without me, even with the manipulation technique, could you truly wield this guardian treasure? At its level, even True Gods and Paragons couldn’t control it without special guidance.”

“Of course, you only have the Black Gourd temporarily. If you fail to master the technique within five years—or refine it within a million years—I’ll vanish instantly. You’ll never find me again, because you won’t be permitted back into this world.”

“I understand.” Dongbo Xueying nodded.

A weapon containing power rivaling a *Solar Star*—he would spare no effort.

“The gate not descending is also part of your trial. You must secure the Black Gourd despite interference from other Venerables. And within five years, you must master the technique under their disruptions.” The child continued, “Don’t worry, this world can’t produce Paragons. Even if one miraculously emerged, they’d be forcibly expelled. So at worst, you’ll face obstruction from Venerables. If you can’t handle a few Venerables—or even die by their hands—you’re unworthy of becoming a Voidwalker.”

“I know. All of this is part of the trial.”

Dongbo Xueying smiled.

“Remember, the five years given to you are absolute—no time acceleration tricks allowed.” The child reminded him sternly.

Dongbo Xueying’s expression turned grave.

Having studied the technique once, he knew how bizarre it was. Mastery wouldn’t come easily.

The child giggled. “I’ll leave you to it.” With that, he vanished.

Dongbo Xueying glanced at the Black Gourd in his arms. With a thought, it disappeared into his storage treasure.

Then he strode out of the Ancient God Temple.

“They’ll be here soon. If I don’t deal with them, I won’t be able to cultivate in peace.” Once outside, Dongbo Xueying shot into the sky.

—

*Venerable Xu Huang*, *Goldenflame Palace Master*, *Scarletflame Palace Master*, *Shadowfiend Palace Master*, and *Venerable Sword Emperor*—these five Venerables had once stood at the pinnacle of this world, locked in covert struggles. Now, at least on the surface, they had united. The reason? The legendary *Black Gourd* within the Ancient God Temple had likely fallen into the hands of that *Flying Snow Realm God*.

“None of us Venerables obtained the Black Gourd, yet a mere Realm God did?”

“Relax. The Black Gourd isn’t so easily claimed.”

With the *Shadowfiend Palace Master’s* assistance, they traversed vast distances in an instant.

Soon—

*Whoosh!*

A single teleportation covered nearly a hundred million miles. They arrived at the capital of *Xu Huang Kingdom*, hovering mid-air. In the distance, atop the grand palace’s highest roof, stood a black-robed youth. He turned, smiling faintly as he regarded them.

“You’ve all come. Five of you—not a single one missing.”