The Crimson Nightmare, an ancient primordial beast from the Primal Sacred Realm, was a fiery-red avian creature that soared through the void. With a single flap of its wings, it could unleash an aura so potent that weaker beings would instantly succumb, falling into an endless dreamscape. Often, wherever it lingered, vast regions around it would be plunged into illusions. If the beast was in a good mood, those trapped might be released. But if luck was against them, their souls could be forever imprisoned within the dream, never to escape.
“This legacy technique can cast illusions over an incredibly vast range,” Dongbo Xueying mused silently. “But at the same time, among the legacies suitable for me, this one offers the greatest enhancement to the soul.”
To expand the range of illusions, one’s soul must be strong enough!
Dongbo Xueying wasn’t pursuing the arcane intricacies of illusions, nor was he seeking physical enhancements. His sole focus was one thing—the stronger the soul, the better! A powerful soul aided cultivation. In battle, for instance, while he could currently unleash three Heavenly Punishment Blades, a stronger soul might allow him to summon even more. That, too, was a form of strength.
For the weak, they might chase more “visible” power-ups.
But what Dongbo Xueying valued was the auxiliary nature of this legacy.
…
In the years that followed, Dongbo Xueying first gathered resources through the Sevenstar Sea Pavilion—materials required to cultivate the Crimson Nightmare Legacy to the peak of the Unity Realm. The cost was staggering, over nine hundred Sourceworld Stones. No wonder ancient cultivators placed such importance on resources and treasures. Without them, even enlightenment couldn’t lead to breakthroughs.
Within the quiet chamber of the Elder’s cave on the back mountain of the Azure Roc Sect, Dongbo Xueying trained. His home universe was no longer suitable for his cultivation. Moreover, watching over his wife’s training often distracted him with worry. It was better to wait for news of her in the Eternal Sacred Realm. She had communication treasures and could contact him. Having slain many foes, he had no shortage of such artifacts.
A crimson aura swirled around Dongbo Xueying’s body.
Behind him, in the air, the faint silhouette of a fiery-red feathered avian spread its wings—the manifestation of the Crimson Nightmare.
“Ancient cultivation has reached the level of a True God Sovereign,” Dongbo Xueying opened his eyes, a smile of satisfaction on his face. The fiery avian behind him swiftly merged back into his body. “The progress isn’t bad—reaching True God Sovereign within ten years. The next steps, however, will be slightly more troublesome.”
Though the Crimson Nightmare Legacy was still weak, Dongbo Xueying could already feel his soul strength increasing by nearly ten percent. He believed the benefits would grow even more pronounced with further cultivation.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk…” Dongbo Xueying relaxed his right hand, letting fine powder drift from his palm. “Consuming the rarest treasures of heaven and earth to nourish oneself—this is the way.”
Why did ancient cultivators grow increasingly formidable? Naturally, it was because they absorbed the essence of the world’s most precious treasures.
“Xueying, when are you coming back?” A sudden message came through his communication token.
Dongbo Xueying jolted. “I’m on my way—I’ll be there soon!”
…
In their home universe, within the Blackmist Sea at the Dongbo Imperial Manor, in the grand hall, Yu Jingqiu stood up, clad in deep blue robes. Though countless insights into the Dao flooded her mind with a single thought, she had no heart for cultivation now. She had glimpsed the fundamental workings of the universe’s rules—and she knew what this meant.
“I… I can truly transcend,” Yu Jingqiu murmured, dazed.
Transcendence?
It was so difficult.
Her father, Lord Moxue, had ultimately failed and perished. She herself had undergone reincarnation. With her husband Dongbo Xueying’s help, she had been stuck at a bottleneck. Then, despite the dangers, he ventured into the Chaos Void, braved countless perils, and returned with treasures beyond measure. And now, she had broken through. Though her husband had said she could cultivate for up to three hundred million years, she had done it in just eight hundred thousand.
“Transcendence… eternity.” Yu Jingqiu walked to the hall’s entrance, and the doors opened automatically.
Gazing at the Imperial Manor, at the sprawling gardens, she took out her communication token and sent a message: “Xueying, when are you coming back?”
Almost instantly, space twisted in the distance, and a figure emerged—Dongbo Xueying.
“Jingqiu.” He strode forward, studying his wife intently.
“I’ve finally grasped the rules of the universe,” Yu Jingqiu said softly, then embraced him, resting her head against his chest.
Her emotions were in turmoil.
Unsettled.
Transcendence and eternity—the ultimate dream of cultivators, for it meant immortality. Even the lofty Cosmic Deities sought treasures to help their loved ones transcend. Such treasures were priceless, more valuable than the lives of Chaos Realm overlords.
“Father…” Yu Jingqiu whispered.
How many times had she trained, only to despair?
Her father had been the same. And now she had succeeded—but he was gone.
Time passed…
In the distance, Dongbo Qingyao and Dongbo Yu caught sight of their parents embracing but chose not to disturb them.
After a long while, Yu Jingqiu’s emotions steadied, and she released Dongbo Xueying.
“Better now?” Dongbo Xueying smiled at his wife. At this moment, the world seemed brighter, the stars more radiant.
“Yes.” Yu Jingqiu nodded. “But I haven’t yet emerged from the River of Time.”
She turned her gaze to the side.
*Hum—*
Before them, the vast, hidden River of Time manifested in the air. Within its currents, countless lives rose and fell, while others drifted in its depths.
Among them, a towering feminine figure stood out—the largest presence in this stretch of the river. It was Yu Jingqiu, identical in appearance.
“Come forth.” With a thought, Yu Jingqiu summoned the power of the universe’s rules.
The colossal figure began to rise. Though the river’s waters tried to drag her back, they could only churn futilely as she broke free, flying toward Yu Jingqiu and merging into her.
From this moment on, she had truly transcended. The River of Time could no longer claim her life. She was eternal.
Watching this, Dongbo Xueying couldn’t suppress his smile. This was the moment he had dreamed of. When his parents, younger brother, Uncle Zong, and Uncle Tong had all passed on, he couldn’t bear the thought of losing his wife and children too. What meaning would life hold then? Too lonely. His daughter, Dongbo Qingyao, had transcended early, and he himself had ventured into the Chaos Void.
By fortune, he hadn’t perished there. Instead, he had entered the Heavenly Palace of the Void, cultivated to this day, and achieved this outcome.
At this moment, Dongbo Xueying felt more fulfilled than when he had become a Cosmic Deity. No matter what the future held, at least he had his beloved by his side.
“Xueying, I never asked—what was the true value of the Scarlet Cloud Pomegranate Heart you had me consume?” Yu Jingqiu turned to him. She had guessed it was priceless but hadn’t inquired before. Now that she had transcended, she wanted to know.
“Guess,” Dongbo Xueying teased.
“It must have been incredibly valuable.”
“Not as valuable as you.”
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