Tianming had three saint springs along with the Grand-Orient Vortex, so there was no comparison even if his lifebound beasts had expanded their beast saint springs. But as they continued growing in their cultivation, their physiques would get stronger and stronger. Tianming had to keep fusing with astralsources to train the Ancient Deepstar Godbody to keep up with them. As for others, there was no way their physiques would be comparable to lifebound beasts.
But Ying Huo was an exception. After all, lifebound beasts all grew to huge sizes upon reaching the Samsara stage. On the other hand, Lan Huang was the complete opposite. Using the word colossal to describe Lan Huang was an understatement, and it could now suppress stronger opponents with its body alone.
“There’s so many differences between Primordial Chao Beasts, each having their own merits. For example, the difference in size between Ying Huo and Lan Huang is huge. Still, as the Aeternal Infernal Phoenix, Ying Huo might not be weaker than the Primordial Terraqua Dragon. Although I can’t tell the differences in their sizes from my dreams, there’s a high possibility that as a Primordial Mountains and Seas World, Lan Huang might be a lot larger than the Aeternal Infernal Phoenix in size.”
Tianming had initially thought that the fourth lifebound beast would be the smallest one, but it might turn out to be the biggest. After reaching the seventh level of the Empyrean Saint stage, Tianming was only two levels away from the Samsara stage.
“Let’s continue working hard and reach the Samsara stage first. I shouldn’t place my eyes among geniuses beneath the age of thirty. I have to put it further away to obtain the capital to survive with Ling’er. After all, in this world where everyone’s hundreds of years old, those beneath the age of thirty only make up one-tenth of the continent.” Tianming felt that he could break free from the restriction of reality and make preparations for the future.
“The Number One Summit is just a battle between geniuses beneath the age of thirty. The Archaion Divine realm might be known as Monorigin Divine Realm, but it has nothing to do with strength. It’s just the sequence. The Archaion Divine Realm has experienced a lot over the past two hundred thousand years, and was even destroyed once. But it managed to survive over time and re-establish itself. It doesn’t mean it’s the strongest just because it’s called the Monorigin Divine Realm.
“I heard that the Archaion Divine Realm only lies somewhere in the middle among the divine realms. But the other eight divine realms are coming furiously for this Number One Summit.…” Tianming knew that he couldn’t relax. After all, the other divine realms were coming for Feiling and he had no choice but to stand with the Archaion Sect.
If the Archaion Sect falls, will there be another shelter for Feiling and me? I’ll have to pass through the Canal of the Dead to return to the Decimo Dao Nation, and it won’t be easy. That means we have no other choice but to fight. This time, we’ll be fighting for our survival! Tianming had different meanings to all his fights.
Back in Vermillion Bird, he fought for revenge. In the Grand-Orient Realm, he fought for the rise of the Li Saint Clan and to change his destiny. In the Divine Capital, he fought to overthrow the theocracy for all lives and righteousness. His calling only grew as he fought.
But when he came here, he had a small calling. He was just fighting for survival because survival was the foundation of everything. He needed to fight if he wanted to continue holding hands with Feiling; he needed to fight for freedom and dignity.
……
Tianming had completed his daily task of fusing four astralsources in the Deepstar Pool, and there was some time left before he could leave the Deepstar Pool. Tianming sat at the edge of the Deepstar Pool. Cultivating without stopping during this period had been exhausting, and he needed some rest.
After this, he would head to the Fiend Palace to establish his eighth soulshaker meridian. Everyone envied his talent, but he just wanted to survive in this place with Ling’er.
“How many astralsources have you fused so far?” Xuanyuan Muxue asked when she came out of the Deepstar Pool.
“Two hundred,” replied Tianming.
“Wow, I’m only at fifty-one, not to mention that you can perfectly fuse the different elements. They say that your Ancient Deepstar Godbody is even stronger than an Ancient Deepstar Godbody formed with over four hundred astralsources of one element,” exclaimed Xuanyuan Muxue.
“Do you have to flatter me? Your mother almost flatters me to the sky every time we go to Xuanyuan Lake,” smiled Tianming.
Xuanyuan Muxue’s mother was the Nine Divine Hall’s palace lord, Xuanyuan Yu. She had a position in the Archaic House of Xuanyuan, while her husband, Xuanyuan Muxue’s father, was a son-in-law married into the household.
“I’m not flattering you, just being honest. My mother has been talking about Her Eminence’s eyesight,” smiled Xuanyuan Muxue.
Their relationship had improved over time, but there was still a barrier between them called Xuanyuan Yufeng. It wasn’t a barrier that could be removed so easily, especially for Xuanyuan Muxue’s mother. Whenever Tianming spoke to her, he sensed the depression beneath Xuanyuan Yu’s passion.
“Muxue, I’m starting to regret what I did with your elder brother,” said Tianming.
“What makes you say that?” Xuanyuan Muxue asked.
“The Archaic House of Xuanyuan has been treating me well. Not to mention Her Eminence, your family members are pretty good as well. But what happened with your brother became a barrier between us. I’m not saying that I made a mistake back then, I just feel that perhaps we could be friends if that hadn’t happened,” said Tianming.
“Things are beyond your control sometimes, and no one can see the future. You’re not at fault for the matter. Let’s just take it one step at a time and see how it goes. There are many regrets in life, and I have no idea what I should feel bad for,” replied Xuanyuan Muxue.
“Sorry about that,” said Tianming.
“Let’s not talk about that. Why don’t we say something more pleasant?” Xuanyuan Muxue suggested.
“What should we talk about then? Oh, will you be participating in the Number One Summit? I heard that the other eight divine realms’ disciples have already entered the divine realm, and they’re currently heading over to the Archaion Sect. They’ll probably arrive in two days, and the battle will soon begin,” said Tianming.
“The threshold for the Number One Summit is the second life phase of the Samsara Stage, and I’ll see if I can achieve it before it starts. I’ll be free from the death tribulation in a few more days and reach life tribulation. If I succeed, I’ll definitely participate. We’re at their mercy this time, and they’re trying to humiliate us. I’ll have no regrets even if I have to die for the Archaic House of Xuanyuan and Her Eminence,” said Xuanyuan Muxue.
She pursed her lips together with a bitter smile and continued, “Personal grudges are nothing before the life and death of the entire sect. The Archaion Sect has survived for two hundred thousand years after the first god, and we’ve experienced many life and death trials. Only those who survive are qualified to be a clan passed on for eternity.”
“What are the dangers of the Number One Summit?” Tianming asked.
“You don’t know about it?”
“I’ve been focused on cultivating, and I haven’t looked much into it. We’re concerned that they might suddenly launch an attack on the Archaion Sect, right?” Tianming asked.
“That’s impossible. The eight divine realms’ masters who are appointed to come for the Number One Summit might be some of the strongest, but there’s still a limit to their strength. Not to mention that they’re bringing their elites along. They won’t dare to attack us without their army, even if the eight of them join forces. After all, this is our home ground,” said Xuanyuan Muxue.
“Then what are we afraid of? Isn’t it just an ordinary fight between disciples?” Tianming asked.
“It’s not the same,” replied Xuanyuan Muxue.
“What do you mean?”
“Among the eight divine realms, the Biritual Demon Sect and Hexapath Sword Sect reacted the most to Her Eminence’s return. But many people have allied with them in secret. The sect is also working hard to express our goodwill to the divine realms we have a good relationship with. I heard that some divine realms even made huge demands. We’ve managed to stabilize a few divine realms, but we’re not sure when they will change sides. My mother said that we have to be prepared to be attacked by the eight divine realms, and we’ll be able to see their attitude during the Number One Summit,” said Xuanyuan Muxue.
“How?” Tianming asked.
“Killing is allowed in the Number One Summit. But the divine realms have been coexisting peacefully the past few summits, and restrained themselves. But this time, those who want to go against our Archaion Sect won’t go easy. They’ll try to intimidate us.
“At that time, all our participating Heaven Branch disciples might be killed. That way, not only can they cut off our talents, but they’re also cutting off the Archaion Sect’s future. It’s to strike fear into us. So much so that the Archaic House of Xuanyuan won’t be able to bear the consequences,” said Xuanyuan Muxue gravely.
“What consequences?” Tianming’s voice turned cold.
“My mother said that they might try using this method to force us to hand over Her Eminence and allow them to kill her….” Xuanyuan Muxue was filled with concern.
“So they’ll kill all our disciples if we don’t hand her over?” Tianming felt rage building up in his chest.
“Yeah.”
“Since that’s the case, then why are we still holding the Number One Summit?” Tianming questioned.
“As I said, it’s only a possibility. The elders are communicating and trying to pull the other divine realms to our side. That’s just the worst possible outcome. Furthermore, the Number One Summit’s rules are fair, and we might not lose. We’ll be a laughingstock if we don’t even dare to host the summit. It’ll show that we’re afraid and give them an excuse to put more pressure on us.
“Furthermore, there’s different opinions in the sect. The upper hierarchy has discussed the Number One Summit numerous times, and I heard that the Heaven Branch’s Sect Master, Fang Taiqing, made the final decision,” said Xuanyuan Muxue.