Chapter 818: The Panbo Diagram

Many True God disciples and Outer Hall Elders of the Voidsky Palace gazed from afar at the most majestic palace, its radiance illuminating the entire Voidsky Sacred Land. They were all curious about what major event had occurred to summon so many high-ranking figures of the Sacred Land. Soon, those among them with well-informed sources received the news: “Dongbo Xueying has become an Inner Hall Elder?”

Word spread like wildfire, and soon, even Inner Hall Elders and Pavilion Masters began relaying the news to their subordinates or disciples.

“How long has he been cultivating?”

“Not long ago, he just arrived at the Voidsky Palace. The True God disciple battles ended less than a hundred million years ago, and now he’s already an Inner Hall Elder?”

“No wonder he’s a genius cultivator from the same universe as the Demon Ancestor and the Swordmaster. In such a short time, after perusing countless tomes in the Myriad Phenomena Hall, he immediately transformed into an Inner Hall Elder.”

“Incredible.”

“To become an Inner Hall Elder at the Void God Primordial Birth realm, one must pass the third level of the Star Tower! It’s said that even some Outer Hall Elders at the Unity realm need to cultivate for some time before they can clear the third level.”

The news shocked many True God disciples and Outer Hall Elders. This was an achievement lofty enough to make them look up in awe.

On Fool’s Journey Island,

Golden-robed disciples also emerged from their caves to gaze toward the Voidsky Hall, curious about the major event unfolding. Soon, they too received the news.

“Senior Brother Dongbo has become an Inner Hall Elder?”

“So quickly?”

These Golden-robed disciples had all crossed blades with Dongbo Xueying before, and now they were both astonished and envious.

“I always thought Senior Brother Dongbo was extraordinary. When he first arrived at the Voidsky Palace, his strength was already close to Senior Brother Rain Sword,” Junior Sister Qian Que said with a smile. “And now, in such a short time, he’s become a Void God and an Inner Hall Elder.”

“Junior Sister Qian Que, I told you before to get closer to Dongbo. Now you regret it, don’t you?” The plump Blood Blade laughed heartily.

Junior Sister Qian Que, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders and her bright yellow robes exuding elegance, merely smiled faintly at Blood Blade’s teasing.

Blood Blade then turned his gaze to the distant Golden Needle Demon and shouted, “Golden Needle Demon, weren’t you so arrogant and smug during the True God disciple battles? Senior Brother Dongbo never even spared you a glance! Now he’s not only a Void God but also an Inner Hall Elder. I doubt you’ll ever become one in this lifetime.”

The Golden Needle Demon snorted heavily and retreated into his cave without a word.

“Haha, left speechless by my words!” Blood Blade roared with laughter.

“Look!”

“Senior Brother Dongbo is coming out.”

Throughout the Voidsky Palace, many True God disciples and Outer Hall Elders watched as figures emerged from the grand entrance of the Voidsky Hall. Among them, Dongbo Xueying, clad in his usual white robes, appeared as composed as ever, conversing with the other Inner Hall Elders as they flew away together.

“An Inner Hall Elder… When will I ever become one in this lifetime?” Blood Blade murmured, his voice thick with envy as he gazed into the distance.

It was an incredibly difficult feat.

For a Primordial Birth realm cultivator to clear the third level of the Star Tower was nearly impossible.

For a Unity realm cultivator to clear the fifth level? What did the fifth level even signify?

The sixth level, slightly higher, was typically only achievable by Chaos realm overlords! Thus, those who could clear the fifth level were usually at the threshold of the Chaos realm. Even among the Voidsky Palace’s elite Unity realm combatants, only a rare few could accomplish this. The rest could only serve as Outer Hall Elders.

—

In the days following his promotion to Inner Hall Elder, Dongbo Xueying was frequently invited by his fellow Inner Hall Elders to various gatherings. However, during these events, he gradually sensed something amiss.

“These Inner Hall Elders seem to be hiding something from me.”

“When I pressed them, they simply said I’d understand once I cleared the fifth level of the Star Tower.”

Dongbo Xueying was inwardly puzzled.

Between socializing with friends, he also returned his Golden-robed disciple attire and token. As an Inner Hall Elder, during his time in the Voidsky Hall, Ancestor Tianyu had bestowed upon him three items: robes, a token, and a communication talisman. The Inner Hall Elder token, a symbol of his status, was also a life-preserving treasure, even more valuable than the Black Gourd.

Additionally, upon becoming an Inner Hall Elder, he was granted a one-time reward of one million merit points, which could be exchanged for various treasures and cultivation aids within the Voidsky Palace.

As for earning more merit points or treasures? He would now have to undertake missions!

Whether it was forging more powerful weapons or fulfilling other needs, he would have to strive for them himself.

“Hmm?”

In the Myriad Phenomena Hall, Dongbo Xueying browsed through the tomes on the fourth floor—a privilege reserved for Inner Hall Elders.

The fourth floor was far more significant, housing countless precious texts, including original copies of universe-level techniques. As an Inner Hall Elder, he was free to choose any of them.

“Meow.” A black cat leaped onto a bookshelf and settled down, peering at Dongbo Xueying from above. “Dongbo Xueying, don’t be greedy. Mastering a single universe-level technique requires immense effort. Greed will only hinder your progress.”

“Thanks for the advice.” Dongbo Xueying smiled.

He had already noticed.

There were nine original copies of universe-level techniques here. Among them, two focused on the Path of Slaughter: *Thirteen Swords of Annihilation* and *Crescent Moon Sword Scroll*. As he perused them, he found many contradictions between the two. He understood that, with sufficient mastery, he could reconcile them. But at his current Primordial Birth realm, comprehending techniques created by Cosmic Gods was still a daunting task.

“I’ll focus on these two for now.” Dongbo Xueying picked up another tome, its azure stone surface rippling with waves.

The two he chose:

One was *Thirteen Swords of Annihilation*, a technique he had already devoted countless hours to.

The other was a wave-based technique, *The Diagram of Rippling Waves*, the sole surviving legacy of the late progenitor of the Rule-Oriented path, the Azure Ancestor.

Dongbo Xueying had also hoped to find a universe-level technique for the Path of Illusions, but there were none. Throughout history, only three had reached the ultimate realm in the Rule-Oriented path: the Azure Ancestor, Ancestor Tianyu, and the Swordmaster—none of whom specialized in illusions.

“Dongbo Xueying, come to me.” A cold voice resonated directly in his ears.

“The Demon Ancestor?” Dongbo Xueying set down the rippling azure stone tome and swiftly descended the stairs.

The black cat on the shelf watched him leave, its eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Such a young Inner Hall Elder… Worth keeping an eye on.”

—

The Punishment Hall stood alone on a massive floating island, exuding an aura of icy severity that deterred most disciples from approaching.

Dongbo Xueying descended onto the island like a streak of light and strode toward the hall.

Inside,

a man clad in ornate black robes sat cross-legged at the highest point of the Punishment Hall. His expression remained cold as he opened his eyes to regard Dongbo Xueying.

“Demon Ancestor.” Dongbo Xueying bowed upon entering.

“Beyond cultivation, you must also temper yourself through experience. Do you have any plans for where to go next?” the Demon Ancestor asked indifferently.

“I haven’t given it much thought yet,” Dongbo Xueying replied.

The Demon Ancestor nodded. “Our Voidsky Palace has strained relations with the Ancient Sacred World and the Mother Goddess World. Until you reach the Unity realm, it’s best not to leave the Seven Star Sea Sacred World. That said, within the Seven Star Sea, our palace has established twelve Chaos Cities to maintain order. You may garrison one of them. Though Pavilion Master avatars and other elders are stationed there, there will still be ample opportunities for combat to hone your skills.”

“Very well. I shall choose a Chaos City to garrison.” Dongbo Xueying had already considered this matter.

The Demon Ancestor’s concern for him stemmed from the fact that, within the Voidsky Palace, the Swordmaster’s status was too lofty to bother with his affairs. Thus, Dongbo Xueying was implicitly aligned with the Demon Ancestor’s faction. However, the Demon Ancestor’s ruthless and cold-blooded nature, combined with Dongbo Xueying’s short tenure in the palace, made other Inner Hall Elders reluctant to join him. Most of his followers were Outer Hall Elders—Dongbo Xueying might be the only Inner Hall Elder among them.

Of course, Dongbo Xueying adhered to his own principles and would never cross his moral boundaries. Fortunately, the Voidsky Palace’s laws were strict, and the Demon Ancestor, at least within the palace, was far more law-abiding than he had been in his home universe.