“Congratulations, Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor, on achieving the Hunyuan realm.”
“After countless eons of cultivation, we all strive to break free from our shackles and ascend to a higher plane of existence, yearning to witness and explore new horizons. Some of us even ventured into this Sacred Realm for a chance at this very breakthrough. Yet, the path is arduous, and many companions have fallen along the way. Today, witnessing your ascension to Hunyuan fills us with hope for our own futures.”
The gathered cultivators spoke one after another, their emotions complex. Though they had once addressed each other as brothers, they now understood that the Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor had transcended into a wholly different state of being.
“My achievement today is also thanks to all of you,” the Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor said, his gaze sweeping across the assembly before lingering briefly on Dongbo Xueying. “Without our combined efforts, we could never have slain the Lord of the Silent Ice Mountain. I once promised that if I ever attained Hunyuan, I would not forget your contributions. The treasures I’ve accumulated over my long years in the Sacred Realm are now of no use to me, so I shall bestow them upon you all.”
As he spoke, storage artifacts flew toward the surrounding cultivators—each a member of the group that had participated in slaying the Lord of the Silent Ice Mountain. Dongbo Xueying caught one and inspected its contents: rare treasures and a book. When he probed it with his consciousness, he was surprised to find a message:
*”Brother Feixue, by unifying the nine bloodlines of the Silent Ice Mountain Lord, I achieved my breakthrough. I’ve also gained unique insights into the Void, which I’ve recorded here in hopes they may aid you.”*
…
The cultivators examined their gifts, many visibly delighted.
The Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor had studied ten bloodlines in depth, even those he ultimately discarded. His mastery of bloodline arts was unparalleled—even among the innate Hunyuan lifeforms, few, if any, could rival his understanding. He had not only created an entirely new race but also forged a revolutionary bloodline by merging ten distinct lineages.
His genius was undeniable.
For a mortal to ascend to Hunyuan was extraordinary.
Before Dongbo Xueying’s arrival, the most dazzling figure in the Sacred Realm had been Fengyun Yiye. The Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor had not been highly regarded by existing Hunyuan powerhouses, as he had already integrated nine bloodlines without breaking through. Yet, against all odds, he had carved his own path, birthing a new race of innate Hunyuan lifeforms. Now, his brilliance even eclipsed Dongbo Xueying’s—for while Xueying’s soul path was fearsome, he had yet to attain Hunyuan.
In the eyes of many Hunyuan powerhouses, the Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor stood a strong chance of reaching the World-level Hunyuan realm—perhaps even beyond.
Now, the insights he had shared in his texts brought joy to many.
“Thank you, Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor.”
“Thank you, Brother Nine-Heads.”
One by one, they expressed their gratitude.
“I’ve only offered a small aid. Ascending to Hunyuan is no simple feat—it ultimately depends on your own efforts,” the Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor replied.
Wu Xiao nodded in agreement. Despite his illustrious background, he too remained stuck at the half-Hunyuan lifeform stage.
“Friends, my time in this world is short. Once the summoning envoy arrives, I must depart,” the Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor said, looking around. “We’ve fought side by side in this Sacred Realm for this very goal. If you have any questions, ask them now, and I shall answer each in turn.”
The cultivators stirred with excitement.
“Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor, regarding the ultimate awakening of bloodlines—do you have any guidance? How can one succeed?” one cultivator asked. The crowd fell silent, for in Chiyun City, most possessed Hunyuan bloodlines, with Dao-comprehenders being the minority.
“Awakening successfully?” The Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor hesitated. “There’s no direct guidance for achieving Hunyuan. If I must say—it’s the simplest truth: profound accumulation leads to sudden enlightenment. I studied countless Hunyuan bloodlines, deepening my understanding. I even collected and analyzed the blood of high-level Hunyuan lifeforms. Only with sufficient accumulation could I discern my path. Many of you were born with Hunyuan bloodlines, yet some remain at the Divine Emperor perfection level, while others rival top-tier experts. The difference lies in accumulation.”
“When the time is ripe, enlightenment may come in an instant,” he added with a smile.
The crowd nodded.
Profound accumulation leading to sudden enlightenment—simple in words, yet the essence of the Great Dao.
“Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor,” Xie Fan pressed, “what truly separates high-level Hunyuan lifeforms from us half-Hunyuan lifeforms? We’ve slain countless ordinary Hunyuan lifeforms in the Sacred Realm, yet they seem no different.”
“Yes, Brother Nine-Heads, what is the distinction?”
“Please enlighten us.”
Many leaned forward eagerly. Dongbo Xueying listened intently.
“Don’t mistake ordinary Hunyuan lifeforms for true Hunyuan powerhouses,” the Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor said, shaking his head. “As you know, only from the high-level Hunyuan lifeform stage can one be considered a true powerhouse—for that is a qualitative transformation. Ordinary Hunyuan lifeforms are mere ants among their kind. I could obliterate legions of them with a wave of my hand. They are weak, surviving only by the luck of their birth. Without delving deep into their bloodlines, they can never ascend. Only by evolving their bloodlines can they reach the high-level stage.”
“For them, a single bloodline evolution is akin to ascending to heaven in a single step.”
He then addressed the key question: “As for the difference between half-Hunyuan lifeforms and high-level Hunyuan lifeforms…”
He paused, gathering his thoughts.
The assembly waited in silence.
“Cultivators are born of worlds,” he began. “Some originate from Source Worlds, others from lesser realms.”
All nodded. Worlds gave birth to all life, and they were but one thread in that vast tapestry.
“A cultivator’s power stems from the world’s origin,” the Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor continued. “Our strength is borrowed from it.”
Those at Dongbo Xueying’s level understood this well. Techniques like ‘Body Splitting’ allowed multiple clones, each at peak strength—effectively multiplying one’s power. Yet in worlds like the Thunder World, such techniques were impossible.
Growth…
Comprehension of laws…
All were rooted in the world’s origin.
“Cultivators endlessly absorb energy within their worlds—energy provided by the world’s origin,” he said. “But upon becoming a high-level Hunyuan lifeform…”
His voice softened. “The sensation changes. It’s as if… I am now a world unto myself—a miniature Source World. Though my power pales before a true Source World’s depth, in terms of life hierarchy, I stand as its equal.”
“A world unto oneself?” Dongbo Xueying and the others pondered this.
“Consider Body Splitting. Before Hunyuan, we rely on the world’s rules to sustain multiple clones at full strength. Where does the extra power come from? The world provides it. But now, if I were to split myself, I’d be dividing my own essence.”
“I am now a complete entity—a world in my own right.”
“If I split into two equal clones, my power is halved. Each new division further diminishes me.”
He looked around. “Do you see? As cultivators, we lean on our worlds. As high-level Hunyuan lifeforms, we stand alone. Of course, our life hierarchy differs. Now, when I gaze upon this Sacred Realm, it’s like observing another Hunyuan lifeform. I perceive its surface clearly—every hidden prisoner, every corner, lies bare before me.”
“Perceive everything?”
Dongbo Xueying and the others knew of techniques like ‘World-Piercing Observation,’ which offered glimpses of a Hunyuan lifeform’s perspective. But a true high-level Hunyuan lifeform saw a world as one would a vast painting—every detail exposed.
…
The discussion lasted over an hour. News of the Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor’s ascension spread to the other four cities, whose inhabitants eagerly posed questions via communication treasures.
The Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor answered what he could, though as a newly ascended Hunyuan, his knowledge was still limited. Most of the exchange revolved around cultivation insights.
“He’s here,” the Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor suddenly said, looking up.
A flash of light streaked across the sky, and a red-nosed old man materialized above Chiyun City. A wine gourd hung at his waist as he descended leisurely. His mere gaze slowed the cultivators’ thoughts and silenced all sound.
“Nine-Heads,” the old man said, stepping beside the Ancestor. The others could only watch, their ears deaf to the conversation.
“I am Inspector Chifeng Daoist, of the Seventh Domain under the command of the Lord,” the red-nosed elder said with a faint smile. “To merge ten bloodlines into one, even birthing a new Hunyuan race—such a feat has earned you the admiration of many. Your mastery of bloodlines is profound, and you may yet reach the World-level Hunyuan stage.”
“I’ve only just broken through. The World-level remains distant,” the Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor replied.
“Our Lord, the last of the eight to ascend, now stands as the mightiest, his name revered across countless realms. He has taken notice of you and wishes to meet you in person.”
“I am honored, Inspector.”
“Chifeng will suffice,” the old man said. As an inspector, he seldom showed such courtesy to ordinary high-level Hunyuan lifeforms, but the Ancestor’s potential warranted it.
“Brother Chifeng,” the Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor said humbly.
“Let us depart.” With a wave, the red-nosed elder whisked him away, vanishing from the Sacred Realm in a flash.
…
Only after their departure did sound return to the cultivators’ ears, their thoughts resuming normal speed.
All gazed upward, toward where the two had disappeared.
They knew: the Nine-Headed Snake Ancestor had stepped into a new, boundless world—the realm of true Hunyuan powerhouses.
…
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