The Heartshadow Sect Master truly admired Xinghuo Xunyi, not because of his background, but because Xinghuo Xunyi had remained at the second level of the Star Tower for five hundred billion years, only to experience a sudden and dramatic surge in strength during the Star Conference. This piqued the Heartshadow Sect Master’s curiosity. He didn’t believe in mere “unlocking potential”—he was convinced there had to be a special reason behind it.
Perhaps something like “inner demons” or “heart tribulations.”
With Xinghuo Xunyi’s talent, comprehension, and background, it was impossible for him to remain stagnant for so long under normal circumstances. The Heartshadow Sect Master was certain there had to be a unique reason—most likely related to inner demons or heart tribulations.
“To suffer such a major setback in mental state even after reaching the Unity realm?” The Heartshadow Sect Master was rather intrigued. “Perhaps he would be suited for the Heartshadow techniques I’ve created.”
In his time, he had been a peerless prodigy. In the history of the two great Sacred Worlds, only two Unity realm cultivators had ever reached the seventh level of the Star Tower—and he, the Heartshadow Sect Master, was one of them. The techniques he developed delved directly into the soul, requiring the mind to endure greater trials and setbacks. Each time one rose from such setbacks, their mental fortitude would grow stronger. That was why he had taken an interest in Xinghuo Xunyi.
“Haha, take your time to think it over. You may still choose to become my disciple before the Star Conference concludes.” The Heartshadow Sect Master stood up, and beside him, General Tianguang also rose to his feet.
Xinghuo Divine Emperor stood as well and said, “Brother Heartshadow, my son Xunyi can be rather stubborn. Please don’t take offense.”
“Cultivation is also the cultivation of the heart. A bit of stubbornness is a good thing.” The Heartshadow Sect Master smiled faintly. He was quite open-minded about it. He saw potential in this young man, but if the latter refused to become his disciple, he wouldn’t force the matter. After all, to a supreme expert like him, disciples were merely inheritors of his legacy. If they received his teachings, it was their fortune.
If not, then they simply lacked the luck.
“Xinghuo Xunyi.” General Tianguang, however, snorted coldly. “Think carefully. The Heartshadow Sect Master rarely takes disciples. If you refuse him and instead choose to follow Dongbo Xueying, you’ll regret it when he remains stuck in the Unity realm forever.”
Xinghuo Xunyi remained silent.
“Hmph.”
General Tianguang followed the Heartshadow Sect Master as they strode out.
Soon after, in the courtyard, Xinghuo Divine Emperor and his son Xinghuo Xunyi returned.
“Sit down.” Xinghuo Divine Emperor poured himself a drink, an uncharacteristic smile on his face.
“Father.” Xinghuo Xunyi obediently took a seat beside him.
“I never thought my son would one day attract the Heartshadow Sect Master himself to take him as a disciple.” Xinghuo Divine Emperor said. “I’m pleased that you stuck to your decision. However, I must tell you—Heartshadow is truly a monstrous talent. The ‘Heartshadow lineage’ he created is an entirely unique cultivation system.”
“A unique cultivation system?” Xinghuo Xunyi was puzzled.
Beyond the common systems—such as the Ancient Cultivator system, the Rule-Oriented system, the Supreme Warrior system, the Witch system, the Matriarch system, and the Devouring system—there existed extremely rare ones, like the Voidwalker system, which had very few practitioners. Some systems had even fewer, numbering only a handful across the entire Chaos Void.
The rarer the system, the harder it was to master.
“Indeed. His Heartshadow lineage is one such system. To my knowledge, there are only two practitioners of it in the Chaos Void—himself and his disciple, the ‘Nine Dragons Divine Emperor.'”
Xinghuo Xunyi was shocked.
The Nine Dragons Divine Emperor? That was a renowned powerhouse of the Blade Emperor City, a peak existence at the eighth level of the Star Tower!
“This lineage focuses directly on the soul,” Xinghuo Divine Emperor explained. “Thus, it is extremely difficult to enter. Typically, those who succeed in mastering it immediately ascend to the Chaos realm. Both the Heartshadow Sect Master and the Nine Dragons Divine Emperor have many disciples, but none have managed to enter the lineage. The Heartshadow Sect Master likely saw potential in you to do so.”
“In my opinion, becoming his disciple and attempting the Heartshadow lineage while also cultivating the Void Path might be the best path for you.” Xinghuo Divine Emperor looked at his son. After all, the Blade Emperor City was the foremost of the Six Holy Lands. If war ever broke out, it would be far safer than the Sky Void Palace.
“I still choose to follow Elder Dongbo,” Xinghuo Xunyi said firmly.
“Why?” Xinghuo Divine Emperor was puzzled.
“In this life, I have chosen the Void Path. And on this path, Elder Dongbo is the finest master I could ask for.”
—
Not only the Blade Emperor City, but even the Radiant Sacred Land and the Ancestral Island extended invitations—all of which were politely declined.
“What? He refused even the Heartshadow Sect Master?”
“He insists on following Dongbo Xueying?”
As rejection after rejection piled up, news naturally spread among the Chaos realm powerhouses attending the conference. General Tianguang, speaking among other Chaos realm experts, scoffed, “That fool refuses the Heartshadow Sect Master but insists on following a mere Unity realm cultivator? What a joke.”
To the Chaos realm powerhouses, some admired Xinghuo Xunyi’s unwavering resolve, but most found it laughable.
That was the Heartshadow Sect Master!
Only those who had reached the Chaos realm could truly grasp his terrifying might—a man who had pioneered an entirely new cultivation system, capable of facing a Universe God head-on and walking away unscathed.
Some even approached Xinghuo Divine Emperor to persuade him, but he merely shook his head and smiled. “He’s made up his mind. No words will sway him. Let him be.”
—
In a quiet chamber, Dongbo Xueying sat cross-legged, his Rule Domain enveloping the entire room. He had long since restructured it according to his newly created technique, “Flower of Destruction,” making its power extraordinary—surpassing even the Rule Domains of some Chaos realm experts. The Sacred World’s rules were completely expelled from the chamber.
Slowly, Dongbo Xueying opened his eyes.
The fourth form of *Void World*, “Frozen Hell,” had been completed long ago. However, with the Star Conference nearing its end, he had not rushed his breakthrough. Though he believed he could ascend to the Chaos realm with a bit more time, once he did, he would need to consolidate his gains—refining his Ancient Cultivator inheritance, techniques, and other aspects. The remaining time simply wasn’t enough.
Instead, he had spent his time studying the “Voidwalker system” and the *Panbo Diagram*.
“Three hundred years remain before the Star Conference concludes. It’s time to leave.” Dongbo Xueying stood. “Once the conference ends, I’ll return to the Sky Void Palace and enter seclusion to break through to the Chaos realm.”
With a rumble, the chamber door opened, and Dongbo Xueying stepped out.
“Elder.” A maidservant had been waiting outside.
“If any cultivators seek an audience, bring them to me.” Dongbo Xueying said. The remaining three hundred years were reserved for the talented participants.
“Yes.” The maidservant bowed.
Dongbo Xueying also sent a message to Hall Master Wentian, informing him of his emergence.
“Finally out of seclusion? Do you know how many Holy Lands have tried to recruit Xinghuo Xunyi? Even the Heartshadow Sect Master personally sought him as a disciple—yet he refused them all!” Hall Master Wentian replied. “He’s dead set on following you. Even Chaos realm powerhouses who visited Xinghuo Divine Emperor couldn’t sway him. He’s chosen you.”
“What?”
Dongbo Xueying was stunned.
Countless cultivators would kill to become the Heartshadow Sect Master’s disciple.
“This kid is truly obsessed with the Void Path—and he has the talent for it.” Dongbo Xueying smiled. “He’d make a fine disciple.”
Without delay, he left his abode and headed for Xinghuo Divine Emperor’s residence.
—
In the courtyard of Xinghuo Divine Emperor’s abode…
“Elder Dongbo, what brings you here?” Xinghuo Divine Emperor smiled as he sat. Beside him, Xinghuo Xunyi’s eyes gleamed with excitement at the sight of Dongbo Xueying.
“I was in seclusion and only learned of recent events upon emerging.” Dongbo Xueying turned to Xinghuo Xunyi. “Xinghuo Xunyi possesses great talent, and many Holy Lands have sought him. I’ve come to extend my own invitation—to join the Sky Void Palace under my tutelage, should he be willing.”
Without hesitation, Xinghuo Xunyi stepped forward, knelt respectfully, and kowtowed three times. “Disciple greets his master.”
“Good.” Dongbo Xueying nodded with a smile.
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