“Then…,” Ling Ziyang stood on her toes. This woman, though without makeup, exuded charm in every part of her body. Even her toes, painted with a hint of pink nail polish and adorned with a ring on her middle toe, were incredibly seductive. “Since you’ve become Chief Regent, why aren’t you staying in the East? What are you doing coming to the South?”
“I’m here to find a divine artifact,” Shi Mingyuan said.
“A divine artifact?” Kan Ling finally emerged from the bathroom after finishing her bath. As soon as she walked in, she heard those words. “What kind of divine artifact?”
Since the entire spaceship was filled with women, Kan Ling was more relaxed, wearing only a white bathrobe loosely tied across her chest. Against the white robe, her already ample bosom appeared even more striking, making the two women unable to tear their eyes away.
“Ugh!” Kan Ling spat at them. “Perverted women, why don’t you look at yourselves?”
“Not as big as yours,” Shi Mingyuan giggled.
“Yours isn’t small either,” Kan Ling, in response, covered her chest with her hands, adopting a method to ward off perverts to prevent the two women from ogling her. “What divine artifact were you talking about earlier?”
Shi Mingyuan finally became slightly more serious and explained, “After the great battle on Elder Mountain, even the universe’s top divine artifact, the Flame Bow, was seized by the Supreme Ruler. Now, no one in the entire universe can rival the Supreme Ruler. The rebels in the East and the Shen Yu Autonomous Region in the West want to protect themselves under these circumstances, so they must find a more powerful divine artifact to have any hope.”
“But even the Flame Bow is in the Supreme Ruler’s hands, and the Ten Divine Artifacts collected later by the Dan Ding Sect fell into the hands of the Elder Council,” Kan Ling frowned. “What divine artifact is there now that could be more powerful than the Thirty Divine Artifacts of the Creator?”
“The Thirty Divine Artifacts of the Creator are indeed powerful, but their rankings are not fixed. Changes in spiritual power throughout the universe are common occurrences. Initially, the Flame Bow ranked last among the Thirty Divine Artifacts, but after a regular human sealed the Zhurong Divine Soul into it, it became the top divine artifact,” Shi Mingyuan rephrased the theories of the senior masters. “There are so many powerful figures in this world that new divine artifacts could be created at any moment.”
Kan Ling nodded thoughtfully, thinking of Yang Hao’s Shadow Moon, which had been created out of nothing and was no less impressive than any divine artifact.
“So, a new divine artifact has appeared in the South?” Ling Ziyang asked.
“Yes, according to intelligence from our spies within the Empire, a powerful new divine artifact has recently appeared in the South. This artifact has never been seen before, and its sudden appearance has caused a sensation,” Shi Mingyuan paused before continuing, “The Elder Council and the Supreme Ruler are both preparing to spare no expense to obtain this divine artifact.”
Ling Ziyang’s face paled slightly, thinking of her Master Rongzhe when she heard mention of the Elder Council.
“So, you came to the South to find this divine artifact?” Kan Ling thought for a moment and suddenly exclaimed, “The Elder Council is willing to go to any lengths to obtain the divine artifact. Isn’t it very dangerous for you to try to seize it alone?”
“Isn’t being a rebel even more dangerous?” Shi Mingyuan raised her chin confidently.
Kan Ling’s face suddenly flushed, as she thought that if she could obtain this divine artifact and personally hand it over to Yang Hao, then…
“If we’re already such good friends, how can I let you take such a risk alone?” Kan Ling looked determined. “That’s settled then. We’ll accompany you to find the divine artifact. With two Saint Realms by your side, the Elders will have to weigh their options carefully.”
Seeing Kan Ling’s resolute expression, Ling Ziyang and Shi Mingyuan understood exactly what she was thinking. The two women exchanged knowing smiles but chose not to speak further.
Outside the spaceship, the arcs of the stars in transit laughed so hard they bent over.
The Gemini drifted through the skies of the South, though they actually had no specific destination, so they treated it like a sightseeing trip.
The three women decided which direction to fly using a rather unique method. Basically, Ling Ziyang would spread out a star chart, and Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan would choose the most beautiful and elegant star river among the nearby galactic spiral arms. The Gemini was flying around aimlessly under such a ridiculous guide.
However, the search for a divine artifact clearly relied more on luck than planning. Even though the three young women were acting recklessly, when luck struck, it could not be stopped.
The Southern Star Region was the most primitive among the four outer regions, even more undeveloped than the East. Although the Eastern Outer Region had fewer intelligent species and more strange beasts, many planets there still had life.
But in the South, the most common were various white dwarf stars, which had no life at all. The only things existing on these planets were resources and elements within the soil and rocky crust.
Therefore, in the Southern Star Region, what flew around were not passenger ships, but cargo ships transporting resources and mining ships. The most common sights were grayish-white white dwarf stars.
As the Gemini passed a white dwarf star only a quarter the size of Earth, Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan suddenly jumped up and shouted to Ling Ziyang, “Stop the transit.”
Ling Ziyang slammed on the brakes.
The Gemini’s excellent performance was immediately demonstrated. The reverse nuclear device stopped within a second, and the deceleration system quickly activated. After the collision of these two forces, the Gemini only slightly slid forward a short distance before coming to a stop.
Below them was that unremarkable, nameless white dwarf star.
“What’s wrong?” Ling Ziyang asked in confusion.
“You felt it too?” Shi Mingyuan asked Kan Ling.
Kan Ling nodded, her expression serious. “Just now, there seemed to be a fluctuation of divine artifact power.”
“How do you know it’s a divine artifact?” Ling Ziyang, with a skeptical attitude, asked, “There are countless energy fluctuations in the universe. It might just be a solar flare storm from some star.”
But Kan Ling was certain, “There must be something wrong. We both felt the power fluctuation of a divine artifact. Moreover, this power fluctuation is even stronger than the Flame Bow.”
“What?” Ling Ziyang and Shi Mingyuan exclaimed together.
Shi Mingyuan had never seen the Flame Bow, while Ling Ziyang was not a Saint Realm and could not sense that powerful energy fluctuation. But considering the Flame Bow’s reputation as the top divine artifact in the universe, it should be powerful beyond anyone’s imagination.
Yet Kan Ling said that what she had just sensed was even stronger than the Flame Bow.
That meant the divine artifact on the white dwarf star below was more powerful than the Flame Bow?
Ling Ziyang did not speak further, her expression serious as she piloted the spaceship down towards the white dwarf star. This planet was surrounded by a faint blue hue, indicating an atmosphere, but the entire planet was gray and rocky, with no natural life present. Such a situation was common in the South.
On the unnamed planet, endless rolling gray stone peaks and many craters clearly formed by meteor impacts were present. In such a place, if a divine artifact could naturally emerge, it would be as if heaven itself had gone blind.
But Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan’s sense of the divine artifact became increasingly intense. They guided Ling Ziyang as the Gemini flew a full circle around the planet, arriving at the far side of the unnamed star.
The group suddenly discovered that the far side of the planet was completely opposite to the near side.
The near side of the unnamed planet was nothing but endless rocks and mountains, with not a trace of life to be found.
Yet when they turned to the far side, the mountains were still mountains, and the rocks were still rocks, but signs of life suddenly became numerous, and in great abundance.
Even Ling Ziyang, who was observing from the spaceship, felt a bit uneasy looking at so many so-called living beings.
Looking down from the spaceship, the landscape below was covered with black-cloaked followers of the Supreme Church. These people were densely packed, and from above, they looked like hundreds of thousands of ants. These terrifying ants filled an area of about ten square kilometers.
All the church followers held weapons, shouting and charging madly toward a strange mountain.
This peculiar mountain looked like a solitary pillar rising abruptly, with steep cliffs both at the top and bottom.
Normally, it would be impossible for anyone to climb it, but the followers of the Supreme Church were truly acting like madmen, actually climbing the sheer rock faces with their bare hands. Many of them fell during the climb, crashing onto their comrades below and crushing several people into a pulp. Yet those around them ignored the fallen and continued their frantic ascent.
Their target was a single person standing atop the peculiar mountain.
This person stood on the summit of the peculiar mountain, on a platform about one square kilometer in size. She stood in the cold wind, her pale face watching the swarm of church followers rushing toward her like insects.
This woman did not seem to possess particularly strong power. In fact, she appeared quite weak, so weak that she didn’t even have the ability of a swordsman. Her hair was short, with a hint of purple, and her eyes were a mix of purplish-blue and silver-gray, not resembling those of a naturally born intelligent being. Yet her figure was extremely well-proportioned, even surpassing Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan’s figures.
Although this woman’s own strength was weak, and she was facing an attack from several million church followers, she was completely unshaken by the apocalyptic shouts of the attackers and remained cold and composed.
The source of her confidence was the silver axe in her hands.
A gleaming silver axe, almost as tall as a person, radiating the brilliance of a divine artifact.
The divine artifact power fluctuations that Shi Mingyuan and Kan Ling had sensed earlier originated from this axe.
The woman coldly watched the church followers charging toward her like madmen and gently swung her long axe. At a distance of several dozen meters from her, more than ten church followers immediately fell dead.
And that silver axe didn’t even get a speck of blood on it.
No matter how many church followers climbed up the mountain, the woman just steadily and coldly swung her long axe again and again. Around her, within a radius of dozens of meters, a circle of corpses formed, almost piling up into a mountain.
However, Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan could tell that this woman was nearing the end of her strength.
The power of the long silver axe was rare in the world, but the woman’s weakness was also shocking. Generally speaking, those who could wield a supreme divine artifact should at least be experts at the Saint Realm level. But this woman was so weak that she didn’t even reach the level of a swordsman, yet she managed to obtain such a powerful weapon. No wonder she had become the target of others’ greed.
Now, although the woman had temporarily managed to keep her position from being invaded, her strength was nearly exhausted, and the followers of the Supreme Church seemed endless. Although she had already killed thousands, compared to the hundreds of thousands, it was like a drop in the ocean.
Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan left Ling Ziyang on the Gemini and quickly flew down.
Though they did not know who this woman was, the followers of the Supreme Church were undoubtedly enemies. The enemy of an enemy is a friend, and this logic was obvious.
Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan arrived just in time. The woman had just barely managed to hold on, swinging her axe for too long and becoming extremely tired. Finally, she could no longer swing it and had to sit down heavily.
The followers of the Supreme Church, no longer intimidated by the divine artifact, naturally did not miss this opportunity. They screamed and charged forward.
Fortunately, Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan arrived in time. The two Saint Realm experts simultaneously unleashed their powers, which were naturally formidable. The charging thousands of church followers were once again defeated.
“What is your name?” Kan Ling asked the woman, who was panting heavily and trying to recover her strength, while she summoned her sword spirit and fought fiercely.
The woman looked up, glanced at them, and spoke indifferently, “My name is Xin Mei.”
Neither Kan Ling nor Shi Mingyuan reacted to this name. At this moment, the followers of the Supreme Church began a new attack. Many people with certain martial arts skills had already been organized on the plain, throwing their comrades one by one up the mountain.
This crazy move naturally brought an unimaginable casualty rate, but at the same time, quite a few church followers managed to reach the summit directly through this method.
On the mountaintop, the number of Supreme Church followers had doubled.
Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan both felt unprecedented pressure.
At the same time as Shi Mingyuan and her companions were besieged by the Supreme Church, Yang Hao was also in the midst of a trial of blood and fire.
This story must start seven days earlier.
Yang Hao, wearing the simplest gray robe, stood in front of the Grand Dan Ding, appearing calm and composed.
“Are you really sure about this?” Tian Xuanzi and Yun Hezi stood behind Yang Hao, their faces filled with concern. “Entering the Grand Dan Ding for cultivation, even if you are not refined by the power of the stars during these seven days, you will immediately trigger a heavenly tribulation upon exiting, and under the force of a hundredfold tribulation, you will be in a situation of nine deaths and one life.”
“But there is still a chance for that one life,” Yang Hao said calmly.
Tian Xuanzi stroked his beard. Although the method of cultivation in the Grand Dan Ding was his idea, a plan from the old genius, he hesitated when the moment arrived.
After all, Yang Hao was the strongest genius in a thousand years to emerge from the Dan Ding Sect, carrying the hopes of reviving the sect. The expectations of countless generations of immortals and deities rested on Yang Hao’s shoulders. If he died, the Dan Ding Sect might truly perish.
Tian Xuanzi was hesitant; he had to be hesitant.
If successful, the outcome would be wonderful, but if it failed, the setback would be irreparable. All of Yang Hao and Hun Yuanzi’s efforts over such a long time, and the efforts of the entire universe’s rebel forces, might be destroyed in an instant.
“But it’s worth it,” Yang Hao said calmly, his hand gently gliding over the outer wall of the Grand Cauldron. “This world has given me more than enough. I possess powers that others don’t, and I’ve been granted authorities that others could never enjoy. Both gods and immortals have shared their abilities with me. Now it’s time for me to give back.”
Tian Xuanzi was about to speak, but Yang Hao raised his hand to stop him. “Master, my decision is final. This is my duty, a duty bestowed upon me by the universe itself. Long ago, the Supreme One used his ambition to establish his own order. Now, I must use my belief to end it. If this world truly needs change, if it truly requires a new order, I will be fine.”
Tian Xuanzi remained silent for a long while, then finally nodded heavily under the watchful eyes of a group of immortals. “Remember the Chenyue Bracelet I gave you.”
Thus, the matter was decided.
Though the decision had just been made, everything had already been prepared. Under the guidance of Yun Hezi, Yang Hao slowly climbed to the mouth of the Grand Cauldron. He turned back for one last glance at the grass below, where lush green blades displayed vibrant life force. Yang Hao seemed to grasp something profound, smiled, and then leapt into the Grand Cauldron. Yun Hezi almost trembled as he shut the copper lid.
The Cauldron’s mechanism locked from the inside. From this moment on, the Grand Cauldron was divided into two separate worlds, not to be opened for seven days.
Nearly fifty immortals, each performing their duties, began to operate the Grand Cauldron. This Cauldron, capable of revolutionizing the cultivation process of the Cauldron Sect, was naturally quite complex. In the past, even the Cauldron Sect might have struggled to start it, despite having the Grand Cauldron.
Fortunately, the Hidden Immortal Realm was full of immortals. With fifty of them injecting their spiritual energy into the talismans inside the Cauldron, the inscriptions carved on its surface began to form a golden network of light, eventually shooting straight into the sky.
At this moment, deep in the unseen universe, many stars responded to these inscriptions. The energy of many stars began to change; some stars suddenly dimmed, as if much of their energy had been drawn away, turning themselves into white dwarfs.
But these changes occurred quietly against the dark backdrop of the universe, imperceptible to people.
The real, monumental changes, however, were happening inside the Grand Cauldron.
After seven days of unimaginable torment, having endured seven days and nights of being refined within the Cauldron, Yang Hao was almost certain he would never fear any difficulty or feel fear again.
Because he had already experienced all kinds of hardships and fears.
In fact, before entering the Cauldron, Yang Hao had considered all the possible tortures, yet he had not expected the refining process of the Grand Cauldron to be this extreme.
On the first day, when the stellar energy slightly entered the Cauldron, Yang Hao merely felt heat and air expansion, which wasn’t too uncomfortable—just like entering the equator during summer. But by the second day, the heat multiplied exponentially. Gush upon gush of flames wildly surged inside the Grand Cauldron, turning it into an ocean of fire. However, even so, Yang Hao wasn’t afraid, since he mastered the essence of fire. Unless it was a flame fierce enough to scorch one’s soul, practically no fire could harm him.
On the third day, the fire inside the Grand Cauldron became Primordial Fire. This fundamental fire of the universe was usually hard to find, yet surprisingly, under the influence of stellar energy, it was refined in just three days. Yang Hao finally felt pressure. While he could endure a bit of Primordial Fire energy, the entire Cauldron being filled with this flame made him feel roasted alive. He could only rely on the power of his inner elixir and the essence of fire to barely endure.
By the fourth day, all the Primordial Fire transformed into Infernal Flame.
That was when Yang Hao realized his real trouble had finally arrived.
This Infernal Flame was far more dangerous than Primordial Fire. In the past, when Yang Hao possessed the Flame Bow, he often used Infernal Arrows to wound enemies. Those black flames were so fierce that even he dared not touch them, for the slightest contact would burn him to rot.
Now, his entire surroundings were filled with this Infernal Flame. This time, there was truly no way out. Yang Hao could only sit calmly at the bottom of the Cauldron, allowing the Infernal Flame to surround him.
For several consecutive days, Yang Hao felt the Infernal Flame had burned away his skin, muscles, and bones, even charring his body hollow.
“But it’s worth it.” Yang Hao’s face was calm as he gently stroked the outer wall of the Great Alchemy Cauldron. “This world has given me so much. I possess powers others do not, wield authority beyond their reach. Both the divine and the immortals have shared their abilities with me. Now, it’s time for me to give back.”
Tian Xuanzi was about to speak, but Yang Hao raised a hand to stop him. “Master, my decision is final. This is my duty, a responsibility bestowed upon me by the cosmos. Once, the Supreme One used his ambition to forge his own order. Now, I must use my conviction to end it. If this world truly needs change, if it truly requires a new order, then I will be fine.”
Tian Xuanzi pondered for a long while before finally nodding heavily under the gaze of the assembled immortals. “Remember the Chenyue Bracelet I gave you.”
And so, it was settled.
Though the decision had just been made, preparations had long been complete. Led by Yun Hezi, Yang Hao slowly climbed to the mouth of the Great Alchemy Cauldron. He turned back for one last look at the lush green grass below, vibrant with life. A faint smile touched his lips as if he had grasped some profound truth. Then, he leaped into the cauldron.
Yun Hezi’s hands trembled as he sealed the copper lid shut.
The mechanism inside the cauldron locked it from within. From this moment on, the Great Alchemy Cauldron became two separate worlds—inside and out—only to be reopened after seven days.
Nearly fifty immortals, each fulfilling their role, began the operation of the Great Alchemy Cauldron.
This cauldron was said to be capable of altering the entire cultivation process of the Alchemy Sect, and its complexity was immense. In the past, even if the Alchemy Sect had possessed such a cauldron, they likely wouldn’t have been able to activate it.
Fortunately, the Immortal Veil Realm had no shortage of immortals. Fifty were gathered effortlessly, each channeling their spiritual energy into the talismans inscribed within the cauldron. The intricate carvings on the cauldron’s surface began to form a golden web of light, shooting straight into the sky.
Deep in the cosmos, unseen by anyone, countless stars responded to these talismans. The energies of many stars shifted, some even dimming suddenly as if drained, transforming into white dwarfs.
Yet these changes occurred silently against the dark backdrop of the universe, unnoticed by all.
The truly monumental transformation, however, was happening inside the Great Alchemy Cauldron.
Yang Hao endured seven days of torment worse than death. After being refined within the cauldron for seven days and nights, he was certain he would never fear hardship or terror again—because he had already experienced them all.
Before entering the cauldron, Yang Hao had braced himself for suffering, but he never imagined the refinement process would be so extreme.
On the first day, the faint influx of stellar energy only brought heat and expanding air, akin to a scorching equatorial summer. By the second day, the heat multiplied exponentially, turning the cauldron into a sea of flames. Yet Yang Hao remained unafraid, for he had mastered the essence of fire. Unless the flames could sear the soul, they could not harm him.
On the third day, the flames transformed into Primordial Fire—a rare and elusive force. Under the influence of stellar energy, it had taken only three days to manifest. Yang Hao finally felt pressure. Though he could endure traces of Primordial Fire, the entire cauldron was now filled with it, roasting him relentlessly. He could only rely on his inner core and fire mastery to barely hold on.
By the fourth day, all Primordial Fire had mutated into Malevolent Flames.
Yang Hao realized his true trial had arrived.
These flames were far deadlier than Primordial Fire. Back when he wielded the Yanrong Bow, he had often used Malevolent Arrows to strike enemies. The black flames were something even he dared not touch—a mere brush would corrode flesh instantly.
Now, his entire body was surrounded by them. There was no escape. Yang Hao sat cross-legged at the cauldron’s base, letting the Malevolent Flames consume him.
For days, the flames burned through his skin, muscles, and bones, hollowing out his body. Yet the sensation was strangely liberating, as if he could soar at any moment.
But pain and terror soon overwhelmed him. By the sixth day, he sank into an abyss of eternal solitude. His soul, too, was being tempered and melted within the cauldron, plunging him into unbearable loneliness.
Yang Hao finally understood: true suffering did not come from the flesh, but from the heart. This loneliness was an endless night, like being trapped in a dry well, awaiting death day after day.
This despair gave him a profound understanding of Hunyuanzi’s millennia of drifting through the cosmos.
The excruciating six days finally passed just before Yang Hao’s complete collapse. It was only thanks to the immortals’ artifacts replenishing his life force that he survived. Many of those artifacts, cultivated over thousands of years, were utterly destroyed in the process.
Yang Hao’s ordeal truly ended on the seventh day. A golden stellar light pierced the cauldron, bathing him evenly. This light was not destruction but rebirth—not ruin but reconstruction. It was the light of life, repairing his charred body and soul, remaking him entirely.
If this step succeeded, Yang Hao would shed his mortal shell and ascend as an immortal—the first in history to achieve apotheosis through such a death-and-rebirth process.
But he hadn’t anticipated the final and most grueling trial—one not meant for him, but for Hunyuanzi.
The first six days of refinement had been inconsequential for Hunyuanzi. Already dead, he represented the force of death, a soul inhabiting Yang Hao’s body. While Yang Hao endured the transition from life to death, Hunyuanzi remained largely unaffected, even channeling his energy to protect his disciple.
But on the seventh day, everything reversed.
The golden light of life that entered the cauldron spelled doom for Hunyuanzi. He had never encountered such potent life energy—powerful enough to reshape existence, yet fatal to his spectral form.
As the light struck Yang Hao, aiding his metamorphosis, Hunyuanzi was left on the brink of annihilation.
Yet he endured silently, unwilling to burden his disciple. To Hunyuanzi, Yang Hao’s ascension was worth his own demise.
Fortunately, during inner meditation, Yang Hao sensed something amiss. “Master, what’s wrong?”
“I… cough… don’t worry about me.”
Only then did Yang Hao realize the golden light, so soothing to him, was lethal to Hunyuanzi. He summoned Yingyue, shielding his master from the radiance. “Master, what’s happening? You can’t touch this light!”
“This is the final step of ascension… it’s good for you.” Hunyuanzi gritted his teeth. “I can endure.”
But it was a futile struggle. Even Yingyue, a divine artifact, couldn’t block the golden light. It pierced through effortlessly, striking Yang Hao once more.
“Roar!” Yang Hao roared in fury. He knew if this continued, Hunyuanzi would perish. Channeling the essence of fire, he unleashed a torrent of flames to suppress the light.
“Useless… useless,” Hunyuanzi weakened further. “This light… cannot be blocked. It’s the source of stars… the energy of creation.”
“Then what do I do? Watch you die?” Yang Hao was gripped by terror, recalling their near-separation in the divine realm. Was history repeating itself?
“Listen… listen…” Hunyuanzi’s voice grew distant as he mustered his last strength. “Yang Hao… after ascension… you must… revive the Alchemy Sect… Because… because it fell under my watch. I cannot… be remembered as a failure.”
“Master!!” Yang Hao watched helplessly as the boundless light of life empowered him while mercilessly draining Hunyuanzi’s essence.
“I wandered for a millennium, enduring solitude… just to see the day… when the Alchemy Sect’s sword light would shine atop the Copper Furnace Mountain again… when I could… be with her once more…”
With these final words, Hunyuanzi’s voice faded, dissolving into the golden light.
Yang Hao’s mouth hung open, tears streaming down his cheeks, dripping onto his wrist. As the light refracted through his tears, he noticed a peculiar bracelet on his hand.
Chenyue!
The second-ranked artifact of the Creator Gods, the very one that had elevated Tian Xuanzi to Golden Immortal status.
Before entering the cauldron, Tian Xuanzi had reminded him: in times of crisis, activate Chenyue.
Now was the time.
Yang Hao twisted the bracelet, but it remained inert, dull even under the golden light.
Watching Hunyuanzi dissolve, Yang Hao grew desperate. He poured his entire consciousness into Chenyue.
Boom!
After a millennium, the once-mighty Chenyue artifact awakened.
Yang Hao felt his spirit plunge into an immense space—larger than the cauldron, larger than the Immortal Veil Realm.
It felt as if he had entered a universe.
Within Chenyue, stellar lights flickered, nebulae and star clusters whirling past him.
Before he could grasp his surroundings, a transformation unfolded before him.
The vibrant nebulae split into countless smaller clusters, each moving in its own rhythm.
Yang Hao shuddered with realization—this was the division of space.
The clusters fragmented further, splitting endlessly until their numbers became infinite.
Frowning, Yang Hao pondered. Though the division seemed impressive, each fragment held minimal energy, rendering it seemingly insignificant.
As if answering his doubts, the scene magnified, revealing every hair-thin subspace teeming with nebulae, stars, and cosmic wonders.
Yang Hao was stunned. Even the tiniest space contained its own universe.
This was the truth of existence—countless worlds within worlds, each a microcosm of the greater whole.
As he grasped the nature of spatial division, the scene shifted again. The fragmented worlds merged, and within the vast cosmos, another universe appeared—like a prism reflecting infinite realities.
This world mirrored his own, orderly and unchanging, yet distinctly separate.
The prism’s facets multiplied into hundreds, revealing dozens of similar yet chaotic universes before him.
“I understand!!!” Yang Hao roared.
Chenyue wasn’t showing him spatial division—it was revealing the fundamental truth of existence: dimensions.
It laid bare the myriad planes of reality, proving that even if he dominated one universe, countless others existed beyond.
His power, no matter how great, was confined to a single world.
And now, he had to decide—how to wield it.
But pain and fear quickly accompanied Yang Hao. From the sixth day onward, he sank into an eternal solitude. His soul seemed to be hammered and burned by the Grand Cauldron, rapidly dragging him into an inescapable loneliness.
Yang Hao finally understood that true suffering did not come from the body, but from one’s own heart. That loneliness was like an endless night or being locked in a dry well, day by day awaiting death.
That despair allowed Yang Hao to deeply understand the feeling of Hun Yuanzi drifting through the universe for a millennium.
These agonizing six days finally passed just before Yang Hao faced total collapse. This was entirely due to a group of immortals supplementing his life force with their treasures. Without this, Yang Hao would likely have died already. Unfortunately, those treasures, cultivated by immortals for thousands of years, were completely destroyed in this refining process.
Yang Hao’s suffering finally ended on the seventh day when a golden stellar light pierced into the Cauldron, evenly showering over Yang Hao’s body. This time, the light was not for destruction but rebirth, not for destruction but reconstruction. This golden light was the light of life, repairing Yang Hao’s burned body and soul, transforming his entire being.
If this step was completed, Yang Hao would completely shed his mortal shell and become an immortal.
This was the first time in history that a mortal had ascended to immortality in this manner, through this death-before-rebirth method.
But Yang Hao had not expected this to be the final test—the ultimate and most severe trial.
This trial was not aimed at Yang Hao but at Hun Yuanzi.
The previous six days of refining weren’t too bad for Hun Yuanzi because he had already been dead. If Yang Hao represented life, Hun Yuanzi was the embodiment of death’s power. He was a soul dwelling within Yang Hao’s body.
Therefore, during the first six days of transformation from life to death, the main sufferer was Yang Hao, whose body and soul underwent a transformation from life to death. Hun Yuanzi, however, did not endure much hardship. On the contrary, he constantly watched over his apprentice, ceaselessly transferring his energy.
However, on the seventh day, everything reversed.
When the golden light representing life force pierced into the Grand Cauldron, Hun Yuanzi’s doomsday arrived. He had never encountered such intense life force before. It was a force capable of reshaping life, but for Hun Yuanzi’s soul, it was deadly.
So when that golden light struck Yang Hao’s body and helped him transform, Hun Yuanzi was already on the brink of collapse.
But he stubbornly endured without uttering a sound, fearing it would distract his apprentice. In Hun Yuanzi’s mind, as long as Yang Hao could ascend to immortality, his own death wouldn’t matter.
Fortunately, Yang Hao noticed something amiss with Hun Yuanzi while observing internally with his divine sight: “Master, what’s wrong with you?”
“I… cough…” Hun Yuanzi strained, “Don’t worry about me.”
Yang Hao then realized that the golden light that made him feel so comfortable was actually harmful to Hun Yuanzi. He immediately summoned Ying Yue, circling around to block the golden light: “Master, what’s really going on? You can’t be exposed to these rays.”
“This is the final step of ascension; it’s beneficial to you,” Hun Yuanzi gritted his teeth. “It’s okay, I can endure.”
If he could endure, it would be a miracle. Yang Hao soon discovered that even the divine artifact Ying Yue couldn’t withstand the golden light. The ascension light could pierce through Ying Yue’s defense as if it were nothing, striking Yang Hao’s body again.
“Roar!” Yang Hao was furious. He completely realized that whether or not he became an immortal was uncertain, but if this continued, Hun Yuanzi would surely die. He immediately used the essence of fire, unleashing a massive flame force to counterattack the Grand Cauldron, trying to suppress the golden light.
“It’s useless… it’s useless,” Hun Yuanzi grew weaker and weaker. “This light can’t be stopped. It’s stellar… stellar essence, the Creator’s energy.”
“Then what should we do! Are we just going to watch you die?” Yang Hao suddenly felt an immense fear. The scene of parting with Hun Yuanzi in the Divine Realm returned to his mind. Was this time really unavoidable?
“But it’s worth it.” Yang Hao’s face was calm as he gently stroked the outer wall of the Great Alchemy Cauldron. “This world has given me enough. I possess powers others don’t have, wield authority others can only dream of. Both the divine and the immortals have shared their abilities with me. Now, it’s time for me to give back.”
Tian Xuanzi was about to speak, but Yang Hao raised a hand to stop him. “Master, my decision is made. This is my duty, a responsibility bestowed upon me by the cosmos. Once, the Supreme One used his ambition to forge his own order. Now, I must use my conviction to end it. If this world truly needs change, if it truly requires a new order, then I will be fine.”
Tian Xuanzi remained deep in thought for a long while before finally nodding heavily under the gaze of the gathered immortals. “Remember the Chenyue Bracelet I gave you.”
And so, it was settled.
Though the decision had just been made, preparations had long been complete. Led by Yun Hezi, Yang Hao slowly climbed to the mouth of the Great Alchemy Cauldron. He turned back for one last look at the lush grass below, vibrant with life. A faint smile crossed his lips as if he had grasped something profound. Then, he leaped into the cauldron.
Yun Hezi’s hands trembled as he sealed the copper lid shut.
The mechanism inside locked, dividing the cauldron into two separate worlds—one within, one without. Only after seven days would it open again.
Nearly fifty immortals, each fulfilling their role, set the Great Alchemy Cauldron into motion.
This cauldron was said to revolutionize the path of alchemy cultivation, and its complexity was immense. In the past, even with the Great Alchemy Cauldron, the Alchemy Sect might not have been able to activate it.
Fortunately, the Immortal Veil Realm was teeming with immortals. Gathering fifty was no trouble. As they channeled their spiritual energy into the talismans inscribed on the cauldron, the runes began to glow, weaving into a golden net of light that shot straight into the heavens.
Deep in the cosmos, unseen by anyone, countless stars responded to these runes. Their energies shifted, some dimming abruptly as if drained, even collapsing into white dwarfs.
Yet these changes occurred silently against the dark backdrop of the universe, unnoticed by mortal eyes.
The true transformation, however, was happening inside the Great Alchemy Cauldron.
For seven days, Yang Hao endured torment worse than death. By the end, he was certain he would never fear hardship or terror again—because he had already experienced them all.
Before entering the cauldron, Yang Hao had braced himself for suffering. But he never imagined the refinement process could be so extreme.
On the first day, the faint influx of stellar energy brought only heat and air expansion, akin to a scorching equatorial summer.
By the second day, the heat multiplied exponentially. Flames surged violently, turning the cauldron into an ocean of fire. Yet Yang Hao remained unshaken—his mastery of fire’s essence shielded him from all but the most soul-scorching flames.
On the third day, the fire transformed into Primordial Flame, a rare and elusive force. Under the stellar energy’s influence, it had condensed in just three days. Yang Hao finally felt pressure. Though he could endure traces of Primordial Flame, the entire cauldron was now filled with it, roasting him relentlessly. He could only rely on his inner core and fire mastery to hold on.
By the fourth day, all Primordial Flame had mutated into Malevolent Blaze.
Yang Hao realized his true trial had arrived.
This was far deadlier than Primordial Flame. Back when he wielded the Yanrong Bow, he had used Malevolent Arrows to strike enemies—black flames even he dared not touch, capable of corroding anything with the slightest contact.
Now, his entire body was surrounded by them. There was no escape. Yang Hao sat cross-legged at the cauldron’s base, letting the Malevolent Blaze consume him.
For days, the flames seared his skin, muscles, and bones, hollowing him out. Yet the sensation was strangely liberating, as if he could float away at any moment.
But pain and fear soon overwhelmed him. By the sixth day, he sank into eternal solitude, his soul tempered and melted by the cauldron, plunging him into inescapable loneliness.
Yang Hao finally understood: true suffering wasn’t physical—it came from within. This loneliness was an endless night, like being trapped in a dry well, waiting for death day after day.
This despair gave him a glimpse of Hunyuanzi’s millennia drifting through the cosmos.
The unbearable six days ended just before Yang Hao’s mind shattered. It was only thanks to the immortals’ artifacts replenishing his life force that he survived. Without them, he would have perished long ago. Pity those treasures, cultivated over millennia, now reduced to nothing in the crucible.
Yang Hao’s ordeal truly ended on the seventh day. A golden stellar light pierced the cauldron, bathing him evenly. This light wasn’t destruction—it was rebirth. Not ruin, but reconstruction. It was the light of life, repairing his scorched body and soul, remaking him entirely.
If this step succeeded, Yang Hao would shed his mortal shell and ascend as an immortal.
This was the first time in history a mortal had achieved apotheosis through such a trial—through death and rebirth.
But Yang Hao didn’t realize this was the final and most grueling test—one not for him, but for Hunyuanzi.
The first six days meant little to Hunyuanzi. He was already dead—if Yang Hao represented life, Hunyuanzi was death’s embodiment, a soul dwelling within Yang Hao’s body.
So while Yang Hao endured the transition from life to death, Hunyuanzi remained largely unaffected, even channeling energy to protect his disciple.
But on the seventh day, everything reversed.
When the golden light of life entered the cauldron, Hunyuanzi’s doom arrived. He had never encountered such potent life energy—power that could reshape existence but was lethal to his spectral form.
As the light struck Yang Hao, aiding his metamorphosis, Hunyuanzi was battered to the brink of dissolution.
Yet he gritted his teeth in silence, unwilling to burden his disciple. To Hunyuanzi, Yang Hao’s ascension was worth his own demise.
Fortunately, Yang Hao noticed something amiss during inner reflection. “Master, what’s wrong?”
“I… cough… don’t worry about me.”
Only then did Yang Hao realize the golden light, so soothing to him, was harming Hunyuanzi. He summoned Yingyue, shielding against the radiance. “Master, what’s happening? You can’t touch this light!”
“This is the final step of apotheosis… it’s good for you.”
Hunyuanzi clenched his teeth. “I can endure.”
But he couldn’t. Yang Hao soon found even Yingyue couldn’t block the light—it pierced through effortlessly, striking him again.
“Roar!” Yang Hao roared in fury. He knew if this continued, Hunyuanzi would perish. He unleashed fire’s essence, countering the cauldron’s energy to suppress the golden light.
“Useless… useless,” Hunyuanzi weakened further. “This light… can’t be stopped. It’s the source of stars… the Creator’s power.”
“Then what do I do? Watch you die?” Yang Hao was gripped by terror. Memories of their parting in the divine realm resurfaced. Was there no escape this time?
“Listen… listen…” Hunyuanzi’s voice grew distant as he spent his last energy. “Yang Hao… after ascension… you must… revive the Alchemy Sect… Because… it fell under my watch. I can’t… be remembered as a failure.”
“Master!!” Yang Hao watched helplessly as the boundless life light empowered him while mercilessly draining Hunyuanzi.
“I wandered a millennium, enduring loneliness… just to see the day… when Alchemy’s sword light would shine again atop Copper Furnace Mountain… when I could… be with her once more…”
With these final words, Hunyuanzi’s voice faded, dissolving into the golden light.
Yang Hao’s mouth hung open. Tears streamed down his cheeks, dripping onto his wrist. As the light refracted through his tears, he noticed a strange bracelet on his hand.
Chenyue!
The second-ranked artifact of the Creator Gods. Tian Xuanzi had once ascended to Golden Immortal with its aid.
Before entering the cauldron, Tian Xuanzi had reminded him: in dire need, activate Chenyue.
Now was the time.
Yang Hao twisted the bracelet, but it remained inert, dull even under the golden light.
Watching Hunyuanzi dissolve, Yang Hao grew desperate. He poured his entire consciousness into Chenyue.
Boom!
After a millennium, the once-mighty Chenyue awakened.
Yang Hao felt his mind plunge into a vast space—larger than the cauldron, larger than the Immortal Veil Realm.
It felt like he had entered a universe.
Within Chenyue, stellar lights flickered. Nebulas and star clusters rushed past him.
Before he could grasp his surroundings, a transformation unfolded before him.
The colorful nebulas split into smaller clusters, each moving in its own rhythm.
Yang Hao shuddered. He suddenly understood—this was the division of space.
The clusters fragmented further, splitting endlessly until they became infinite.
Yang Hao frowned. Though impressive, dividing space so finely diluted its energy, rendering it ineffective.
As if answering his doubt, the scene magnified until he could see every hair-thin subspace clearly.
He was stunned. Within each, countless nebulas and stars still shimmered—each subspace held its own universe.
Space was layered, yet even the smallest fragment contained a world.
As the saying goes: “Three thousand great worlds exist within a speck of dust, and beyond it.”
A mustard seed contains Mount Sumeru—such was the truth.
Once Yang Hao grasped this, the scene shifted again. The fragmented worlds merged, and within the cosmic expanse, he saw another universe.
It was surreal, like a prism reflecting multiple realities.
That universe moved as orderly as this one, neither more nor less. Yet Yang Hao knew—they were separate worlds.
The prism’s facets multiplied into hundreds, revealing dozens of similar yet chaotic universes before him.
“I understand!!” Yang Hao roared.
Chenyue wasn’t showing him divided space—it was revealing the cosmos’ deepest mystery: planes of existence.
It laid out each plane, teaching him that beyond this universe, others existed.
Even if Yang Hao dominated this plane, it was just one world among many.
“Master!!” Yang Hao watched as the endless stream of life-giving light brought him strength while mercilessly draining Hun Yuanzi’s vitality.
“I’ve wandered for a thousand years, enduring the greatest loneliness, just waiting for that day… that day when the sword light of the Cauldron would shine again from the top of the Copper Furnace Mountain, and I could… I could be with her again…”
After Hun Yuanzi spoke his final words, his voice faded, and slowly he dissolved in the golden light.
Yang Hao opened his mouth wide, tears streaming from his eyes, rolling down his cheeks, and dripping onto his wrist. When the golden light pierced through Yang Hao’s tears, he suddenly saw a strange bracelet on his hand.
Chen Yue!
Ranked second among the divine artifacts of the Creator God, it was the artifact that had once made Tian Xuanzi a Golden Immortal.
Before entering the Grand Cauldron, Tian Xuanzi had specifically reminded him that once he encountered difficulties, he should activate Chen Yue.
Now, it was finally time.
Yang Hao twisted the Chen Yue bracelet, but it showed no reaction at all. Even under the golden light, it remained dull and lifeless.
Watching Hun Yuanzi being slowly dissolved by the golden light, Yang Hao felt even more anxious. He simply plunged his entire spiritual consciousness into the “Chen Yue.”
Bang!
After a thousand years, the once mighty Chen Yue divine artifact finally activated.
Yang Hao felt as if his spiritual consciousness had sunk into a vast space, a space not only larger than the Grand Cauldron but even larger than the Hidden Immortal Realm outside.
Moreover, Yang Hao seemed to realize that what he had entered was, in fact, a universe.
Inside Chen Yue, there were flashes of stellar light, countless nebulae and star clusters whizzing past him.
Before Yang Hao could even clearly see the surroundings, a strange change occurred before him.
Suddenly, those colorful nebulae divided into many smaller groups, each operating according to its own laws.
Yang Hao was suddenly shaken. He suddenly realized that this was the division of space.
The star clusters were torn apart and continued to split into smaller parts, one into two, two into four, four into eight, until the number became infinite.
Yang Hao frowned in thought. Although the division of so much space looked impressive, the energy contained in each space became less, making it practically insignificant.
As if answering Yang Hao’s doubts, the scene before him suddenly zoomed in, expanding until he could clearly see the situations inside each hair-thin subdivided space.
Yang Hao was shocked to see that there were still countless nebulae and star clusters inside, still shining with the light of stars and the myriad wonders of the universe.
The space was layered and cut, yet even the smallest space still maintained its own world.
Just as the saying goes, the great thousand worlds are all in the dust, all beyond the dust.
The principle of one Mount Sumeru, one mustard seed, is exactly this.
When Yang Hao understood the essence of space division, the scene before him changed again. All the subdivided worlds merged into one, and within the vast cosmic expanse of stars, Yang Hao suddenly saw another universe.
“But it’s worth it.” Yang Hao’s face was calm as he gently stroked the outer wall of the Great Alchemy Cauldron. “This world has given me so much. I possess powers others don’t have, wield authority others can only dream of. Both the gods and immortals have shared their abilities with me. Now, it’s time for me to give back.”
Tian Xuanzi was about to speak, but Yang Hao raised a hand to stop him. “Master, my mind is made up. This is my duty—the duty the universe has bestowed upon me. Once, the Supreme One used his ambition to forge his own order. Now, I must use my conviction to end it. If this world truly needs to be changed, if it truly needs a new order, then I will be fine.”
Tian Xuanzi remained silent for a long while, lost in thought. Finally, under the watchful eyes of the gathered immortals, he nodded solemnly and said, “Remember the Chenyue Bracelet I gave you.”
And so, it was decided.
Though the decision had just been made, all preparations were already complete. Led by Yun Hezi, Yang Hao slowly climbed to the copper furnace mouth of the Great Alchemy Cauldron. He turned back for one last look at the lush green grass below, vibrant with life. A faint smile crossed his lips as if he had grasped some profound truth. Then, without hesitation, he leaped inside.
Yun Hezi’s hands trembled as he sealed the furnace shut.
The mechanism inside the cauldron locked, dividing the space into two separate worlds—one within, one without. Only after seven days would it open again.
Nearly fifty immortals took their positions, each contributing their spiritual energy to activate the Great Alchemy Cauldron.
This cauldron was said to revolutionize the path of alchemy cultivation, and its complexity was beyond anything the Alchemy Sect had ever attempted before. Without the abundance of immortals in the Hidden Immortal Realm, even possessing the cauldron would have been useless—they wouldn’t have been able to activate it.
As the immortals channeled their spiritual power into the inscribed talismans, golden light began to weave across the cauldron’s surface, forming a radiant net that shot straight into the heavens.
Deep in the cosmos, unseen by any, countless stars responded to the talismans’ call. Their energies shifted, some dimming as if drained, even collapsing into white dwarfs. Yet these changes occurred silently against the vast darkness of space, unnoticed by mortal eyes.
But the real transformation was happening inside the Great Alchemy Cauldron.
For seven days, Yang Hao endured torment beyond imagination. If he survived this, he would never fear hardship or despair again—because he had already faced the worst.
Before entering, he had steeled himself for suffering, but nothing could have prepared him for the sheer brutality of the cauldron’s refinement.
The first day brought only scorching heat and expanding air, like the equator at its fiercest. By the second day, the heat multiplied exponentially, turning the cauldron into a sea of flames. Yet Yang Hao remained unshaken—his mastery over fire allowed him to withstand all but the most soul-scorching infernos.
On the third day, the flames transformed into Primordial Fire, a rare and devastating force. Even Yang Hao struggled now, relying on his inner core and fire mastery to endure.
By the fourth day, the Primordial Fire mutated into Malevolent Flames—black fire so deadly that even a single touch could corrode flesh and soul. Surrounded by this lethal blaze, Yang Hao had no choice but to sit motionless at the cauldron’s base, letting the flames consume him.
For days, the Malevolent Flames burned through his skin, muscles, and bones, hollowing him out. Yet paradoxically, he felt lighter, as if ready to ascend.
But pain and terror soon overwhelmed him. By the sixth day, he plunged into an abyss of loneliness, his soul hammered and melted by the cauldron’s relentless refinement. He realized then that true suffering wasn’t physical—it was the endless night of isolation, the despair of waiting for death in a bottomless well.
Only the immortals’ life-sustaining artifacts kept him from breaking entirely. Many of these treasures, cultivated over millennia, were reduced to nothing in the process.
On the seventh day, salvation came in the form of golden starlight piercing the cauldron, bathing Yang Hao in its glow. This was not destruction, but rebirth—a reconstruction of his body and soul. If he endured this final trial, he would shed his mortal shell and ascend as an immortal.
But this last test was not for him—it was for Hunyuanzi.
The previous six days of refinement had been Yang Hao’s ordeal, but Hunyuanzi, as a wandering soul, had remained largely unaffected. Now, the life-giving golden light that healed Yang Hao was lethal to him.
Hunyuanzi withered under the radiance, yet he refused to cry out, unwilling to burden his disciple. “Yang Hao,” he whispered with his fading strength, “revive the Alchemy Sect… It fell under my watch… I cannot… be remembered as its destroyer.”
As the golden light stripped away Hunyuanzi’s essence, Yang Hao’s tears fell onto his wrist, illuminating the Chenyue Bracelet—the second-ranked artifact of the Creation Gods.
Remembering Tian Xuanzi’s words, Yang Hao activated it.
The bracelet, dormant for centuries, awakened.
Yang Hao’s consciousness was hurled into a vast space—larger than the cauldron, larger than the Hidden Immortal Realm, larger even than the universe itself.
Before him, nebulae and star clusters swirled, splitting and merging in an endless dance. He realized he was witnessing the division of dimensions—countless worlds within worlds, each containing its own cosmos.
Then, the vision shifted. The fragmented realms merged, and in the boundless void, another universe appeared—identical yet distinct. More followed, hundreds of them, overlapping yet separate.
“I understand!” Yang Hao roared.
Chenyue was showing him the truth of existence—the multiverse. Even if he ruled this world, countless others lay beyond.
And now, armed with this knowledge, he would face his destiny.
That world, like this one, operated slowly and orderly, neither more nor less, yet Yang Hao saw clearly that this world and that world were two different worlds.
The faces of the prism rapidly increased, eventually growing to hundreds of faces, and before Yang Hao, dozens of similar yet chaotic and different universes appeared in disorder.
“I understand!!!” Yang Hao suddenly roared.
What Chen Yue displayed before him was not merely the division of space, but the most profound essence in the world—the planes.
Chen Yue displayed all the different planes before Yang Hao, telling him that although he was in one universe, there were other planes, other universes.
Even if Yang Hao’s power could dominate this plane, it was still just one universe, one world.
Yang Hao suddenly understood. He comprehended everything completely.
Yang Hao suddenly understood—he grasped it completely.
He knew what the Supreme One’s ultimate goal was.
Although the Supreme One was the sole deity in this universe, the most powerful being, to a celestial immortal, he was merely a strong entity within this realm.
But upon witnessing the existence of countless realms, for someone like the Supreme One—a being with boundless ambition—he was not satisfied, and he would never be satisfied.
Yang Hao suddenly realized—he understood completely.
He knew what the Supreme One’s ultimate goal was.
Although the Supreme One was the sole deity in this universe, the most powerful being, to a celestial immortal, he was merely a strong entity within this plane.
But upon witnessing the existence of countless planes, for someone like the Supreme One—a man of boundless ambition—he was never satisfied, and would never be satisfied.
Yang Hao suddenly realized—he understood completely.
He knew what the Supreme One’s ultimate goal was.
Although the Supreme One was the sole deity in this universe, the most powerful being, to a mere celestial ascendant, he was just a strong entity within this plane.
But upon witnessing the existence of countless other planes, for someone like the Supreme One—a being with boundless ambition—he was never satisfied, and would never be satisfied.
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