Chapter 82: Six Years

To transcend into the extraordinary realm is generally divided into two methods: one is physical transcendence, and the other is Aura of Rivalry (battle-qi) transcendence.

Many pseudo-extras are those who, by relying on external forces, barely survive the transformation and achieve physical transcendence. However, their battle-qi remains at the level of Title Rank (named realm). Therefore, compared to true transcendent warriors, their power is weak—roughly equivalent to the 500th rank on the Longshan List. Yet, many named warriors still risk their lives attempting this transformation.

Because once one becomes a pseudo-extra, their lifespan increases dramatically! Although they may not be able to defeat powerful named warriors in battle, they can at least escape. They, too, can soar through the skies and vanish into the earth.

“It’s said that a second awakening of the ancient bloodline can also lead to transcendence,” Dongbo Xueying murmured to himself. “Unfortunately, it seems extremely difficult.”

In the memoirs of Thunder Real person (True Master Lei Zhen), there were occasional mentions of a second awakening of the ancient bloodline.

A first awakening merely allows one to dominate among mortals.

Only with a second awakening can one truly display some of the might of the ancient beings.

It was said that among the ancient beings, the most powerful could rival true deities! However, the ancient bloodline within mortals was far too diluted and rare. A first awakening was already a miracle—achieving a second awakening was nearly unheard of. Lei Zhen’s memoirs did not elaborate further, but from scattered hints, Dongbo Xueying vaguely understood that it must be extremely, extremely difficult.

“I’m currently trapped in this ruined hall beneath the Blackwind Divine Palace, with no other options. I can only take the most conventional path—battle-qi transcendence,” Dongbo Xueying told himself.

Once battle-qi undergoes a qualitative transformation and becomes transcendent, it will permeate the muscles, bones, organs, and even the brain from within, causing the body itself to become extraordinary.

This process of transcendence…

was the safest.

Those pseudo-extras, when they had no hope of breaking through, used external forces to forcibly reshape their bodies—especially their brains—truly a matter of life and death. Most perished, only a fortunate few succeeded, becoming pseudo-extras with extended lifespans.

“Hu~~”

Dongbo Xueying sat cross-legged on the smooth stone floor of the hall, channeling the elemental fire energy of the world into his body, guiding it into his Dantian Qi Sea (dantian sea of qi).

Within his dantian, a tiny, perfectly round sphere rotated steadily.

This was the ‘Essence Core’—his named-realm battle-qi, fully materialized and condensed.

“I must continuously cultivate and refine this Essence Core until it undergoes a qualitative transformation. Once a thread of transcendent battle-qi is born within it, all of my named-realm battle-qi can be transformed into transcendent battle-qi,” Dongbo Xueying thought with some frustration. “Cultivating and refining… triggering a qualitative shift…”

This path allowed for no shortcuts.

Countless named warriors—like Xiang Pangyun, who had transformed from a magical beast, or others who had even ranked among the top fifty on the Longshan List—were all stuck in the named realm for long periods, constantly refining themselves until one day, they suddenly broke through.

“I’ve reached the Realm of Ten Thousand Things, and I’ve just happened to grasp the mysteries of the Fire of Ten Thousand Things,” Dongbo Xueying thought. “My battle-qi is flame-based, and I also have the spirit liquid from the dissolving of the Oceanic World Stone. I should be able to transcend more quickly.”

For ordinary named warriors, the probability of transcending was extremely low.

However, those who had mastered the Realm of Ten Thousand Things were all ranked within the top fifty on the Longshan List, and their chances of transcending were far greater. Many of those who had reached this realm were already over a hundred years old, while Dongbo Xueying was only twenty-two. He had plenty of time, and was almost certain to succeed. But how long would it take? Ten years? Fifty? A hundred? No one could say for sure.

“There’s no use rushing.”

“Just calm down and proceed step by step.” Dongbo Xueying sat cross-legged, absorbing the elemental fire energy of the world, nurturing the Essence Core within his body.

…

Time was merciless.

The snow on the Xueshi Mountains melted and refroze, refroze and melted again. The trees and flowers on the mountain withered and regrew in an endless cycle.

When Dongbo Xueying fell into the Blackwind Abyss, the reputation of Xueying Domain was already great. Within Anyang Province, and even beyond, people spoke of him.

But no matter how talented one was, a dead genius was no genius at all.

Within Anyang Province, it had become rare to hear discussions about Dongbo Xueying. Even in his hometown, Yishui City, people rarely spoke of him anymore. To them, he had become just another passerby. Only occasionally, over drinks, would someone sigh and say, “Well, at least our Yishui City once produced an extraordinary figure.”

Three years after Dongbo Xueying fell into the Blackwind Abyss.

A piece of news shook the entire Qinghe Prefecture, even reaching the ears of Anyang Province.

The heavenly prodigy of Qinghe Prefecture, the mage You Jingqiu, had achieved unity with heaven and earth, reaching the named realm!

Reaching the named realm was not particularly rare.

But to do so at only twenty-eight years old? That was extremely rare. Unlike knights, who could suddenly break through upon sensing the world, mages had to gradually accumulate knowledge, constantly dissecting and studying spell structures, only achieving unity with heaven and earth after reaching a sufficient level of understanding of the natural world.

Twenty-eight years old? Truly a monstrous genius.

…

At Changfeng Academy.

Spring rain drizzled, and the entire academy buzzed with discussion. All were talking about their female teacher, Mage You Jingqiu. Although she could not compare to Dongbo Xueying, a once-in-a-century genius of the entire empire, she was still extraordinary—rare enough that only one like her appeared every ten or twenty years across the vast territory of the Longshan Empire.

“Jingqiu,” a gentle voice called out.

You Jingqiu was sitting inside a pavilion, sipping tea and watching the spring rain fall outside. After her recent breakthrough, she was naturally excited, but soon her thoughts drifted to that peerless genius.

“Teacher?” You Jingqiu turned her head toward the source of the voice and immediately stood up. An old man with a white beard, holding an umbrella, was walking toward her.

“Jingqiu, have you decided yet? Which transcendent faction will you join?” the old man asked.

“You, the principal, and many named warriors within the academy are all part of the Shuiyuan Taoist Hermitage,” You Jingqiu replied. “Of course, I will go there as well.”

The Shuiyuan Taoist Hermitage was a vast transcendent organization.

“The Earth Temple also values you highly and has offered generous conditions. Won’t you go there?” the old man smiled.

“The Earth Temple imposes too many restrictions on freedom,” You Jingqiu gently shook her head. “I do not enjoy conflict or killing. I only wish to study spells and the mysteries of nature in peace.”

“Mm.” The old man nodded slightly. “Very well. Then prepare yourself. In a few days, I will take you to the Shuiyuan Taoist Hermitage in the northern snow plains. Once we arrive, you will immediately proceed to the Xinhuo World. I’ve already explained these basics to you before. Arrange your worldly affairs properly.”

“I understand,” You Jingqiu nodded.

…

At the bottom of the Blackwind Abyss, deep beneath the ruins of the Blackwind Divine Palace.

A young man in black bent over, holding a dagger in his hand, quickly cutting away his messy hair with practiced ease. With his mastery over energy and his perception of the world’s forces, he could sense every single strand of hair. In no time, his hair was restored to a simple, short cut. As a child, he had trained relentlessly in spear techniques and had long grown accustomed to keeping his hair short—long hair was simply too inconvenient, and he had no time to waste on such trivialities.

Then, flames appeared from nowhere around him, instantly reducing the cut hair to ashes.

Six years had passed.

Dongbo Xueying’s appearance had barely changed, but his gaze was more restrained, and his overall aura had become even more ethereal.

Trapped in one place for six whole years, accompanied only by two transcendent alchemical constructs, the days must have been unbearably dull. At first, Dongbo Xueying had found it difficult to endure, but having trained relentlessly in spear techniques since childhood, he gradually grew accustomed to the solitude.

“Monkey, come on, let’s spar again,” Dongbo Xueying called out, summoning the Feixue Divine Spear into his hand.

“Master, you only like to bully me,” the golden ape muttered unhappily.

“I feel like my spear techniques are still off. Don’t complain—just take my first strike!” Dongbo Xueying, still pondering his spear techniques, immediately launched an attack, clashing with the golden ape while continuing to analyze his form.

Initially, he had not noticed any flaws in his spear techniques.

But the more he trained in this hall, the more he felt that something was wrong—something deeply awkward.