Chapter 266: Chapter 124: The Second Realm of the Sentient Fragments of the Heavens
“Could it be… that those tributaries you saw, are them?”
After a long while, the Space-Time Saint finally caught his breath, eyes wide with astonishment.
A river with many tributaries is indeed fraught with great hidden dangers, but… if all these tributaries are of the caliber of the Yangtze River, Yellow River, Lancang River, Nile River… then it’s not just tributaries, but more like water empire kingdoms, right?
“This, this…”
The Hall Master of the Source World was likewise at a loss for words.
Before them, the Immortal Supreme, Feng Yuanping, Miao Huansheng, Zhou Cang, and others, although their cultivation was not as profound and their comprehension of the fragments of the heavens somewhat inferior to theirs, were all renowned figures of the current era, each possessing endless strength. With so many of them unified, even they would not dare to offend lightly.
Initially assuming they were minor tributaries, mere shrimps, only to find out they were beings not weaker than themselves…
“We were hasty…”
The Hall Master of Source World and the Space-Time Saint were left speechless together.
Had they known how formidable Zhang Xuan was, what was the point of making threats?
After all the commotion, the joke turned out to be on them…
However, a strong network is worthless if you’re not formidable yourself; in the end, it’s all for nothing.
“Let’s go!”
Knowing that acknowledging it now would only bring more embarrassment, the Hall Master of Source World did not hesitate any longer; with a sweep of his hand through the air, Luo Ruoxin was enveloped by a force, and in the next moment, both vanished from sight.
The Space-Time Saint, taking Luo Qiqi alongside, closely followed suit.
“We shall take our leave too!”
The Immortal Supreme did not linger further.
One after another, Zhou Cang, Feng Yuanping, and the rest tore through space, and in a mere dozen breaths, everyone that followed Zhang Xuan—Liu Yang, Yuan Tao, Lu Chong, Wei Ruyan, Zhang Jiuxiao, Kong Shiyao, Dan Xiaotian, Bai Ruanqing, Dao Li, little yellow chick, Luo Ruoxin, Luo Qiqi… were all taken away.
Only Sun Qiang, Liu Mingyue, Yu Xiaoyu, and Hong Yi remained.
The fragments of the heavens comprehended by Sun Qiang did not attract the attention of the mighty figures. As for Liu Mingyue and the rest, though vastly surpassing ordinary individuals with Zhang Xuan’s assistance, they still fell short when compared to true geniuses.
Hence, even after comprehending fragments of the heavens, they weren’t too dazzling.
“Teacher… we’ve brought you shame…”
Liu Mingyue and the others’ faces flushed with embarrassment.
They had thought their talents decent enough to stand out in front of anyone until they met the previous disciples taken in by their teacher…
The gulf was more than significant.
Just hosting an examination, and the high-skilled experts had taken all the previous disciples, while they… all remained!
“As long as you practice diligently, there is no disgrace!” Zhang Xuan said with a gentle smile.
“Don’t worry, Teacher. I will definitely work twice as hard in the future, striving to become a genius like the many senior brothers and sisters!”
Liu Mingyue’s gaze was resolute.
Her father had died, the Liu Clan was finished, and now her task was to quickly become a formal disciple, focusing wholeheartedly on her practice.
“I will too, I’ll double my efforts, and I won’t be so playful anymore…” Yu Xiaoyu’s large eyes also blinked uncontrollably.
She was talented, but her flaw was her playfulness. She had never felt pressure in Baiyan City, but now she understood that keeping her old ways meant she might not even match the likes of those senior brothers, sisters, or even that Dao Li…
“I, I will work hard too!” Hong Yi nodded firmly.
The teacher had given him the right to choose his destiny, and he naturally didn’t want to give up.
Seeing them like this, Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction.
Zhao Ya and the others had started the same way, from initial confusion to eventual determination.
With confidence gained, the future was no longer distant.
“What’s going on? Why are we here?”
“I’m not sure either. The Heaven Mandate Hall collapsed; we must have come here looking for missions, to buy missions, right?”
“Yes, that seems right, let’s go over and take a look…”
At this moment, a series of voices filled with discussion began sounding around.
The onlookers were not protected; some memories were completely erased by the Hall Master of Source World and vanished into thin air.
Not only them, even Shi Yunjing and Qian Yuhuan were also utterly baffled.
The former furrowed his brows tightly and couldn’t help but look over: “Sect Master Qian, was it you who brought me here?”
“I can’t remember anything at all.”
Qian Yuhuan scratched his head and after a moment, as if remembering something: “Right, it seems like you brought people over to assess the Fate Masters’ examination status. How did the examination go?”
“Not bad. It’s for the examination’s assessment, but whom did I bring with me?”
Shi Yunjing fell deep into thought.
While the two were trying to recollect, nearby, Yan Sansan couldn’t help but tap his head: “I seem to have forgotten something, but it doesn’t matter. To think I advanced to the Galaxy Realm during this assessment. Who in the Zhou Yi Dynasty can boast of a greater talent than me?”
Seeing everyone had almost forgotten, which would naturally hide many things about himself, Zhang Xuan also breathed a sigh of relief and summoned the group with a shout. He then led Sun Qiang and the others to their residence.
On returning to Zhang shi’s residence, he went directly back to his own room.
Although his progress had been quick, he needed to work even harder, lest he start holding others back…
“Let’s focus on breaking through to the Galaxy Realm first!”
Now, he had reached the pinnacle of the Dharma Form Realm, and it was time to break through to the Galaxy Realm.
Understanding Tier 4’s Giant Wave Formation, Grade 3’s Mo Dao, Tier 2’s Flowing Light… the Pathos of Heaven which he wanted most to cultivate was ironically the weakest.
To go even further, it was imperative to rely on this.
Thus, promoting this heaven-commanded Pathos of Heaven to the second realm was the key to his breakthrough.
With a thought, his consciousness immersed itself in the Library of Heaven’s Path; although the Giant Wave Formation’s fragments of the heavens were massive, they remained motionless under the control of Pathos of Heaven, like an ensnared cocoon.
To break through the fragments of the heavens, one must first comprehend their profound quintessence, and then possess ample Heavenly Mandate Vitality.
His thoughts flowed gently along the Love Silk before him, and in the blink of an eye, a vague memory appeared in his mind.
It was a sunny morning, with clear skies and a fresh breeze.
Summoned by his father-in-law Nie Yun, he and Empyrean Kong shi materialized atop a mountain peak.
“Have you sensed the Source World?” Nie Yun, hands behind his back, gazed beyond the Firmament into the far distance.
After a moment’s hesitation, Zhang Xuan shared his sentiment: “Yes, all the power to create a New World comes from there… The power of this world is very mysterious, and if not completely controlled, it’s likely to leave a hidden danger that won’t be eradicated!”
Empyrean Kong shi nodded: “I feel the same, as if my destiny is controlled by someone else, and could be severed at any moment!”
Nie Yun said: “Your Sensing is not bad. This Source World is a bit odd. I was severely injured by a falling palm back then! Over these years, I’ve been pondering who the owner of this hand is and why they struck me… Finally, I’ve found an answer some time ago!”
Zhang Xuan and Empyrean Kong shi exchanged glances, their eyes simultaneously lighting up.
The one before them had his fate shattered with a single palm back then, giving them the opportunity to rise. Why this had happened, how he had been found, and whether they would be located in the future… had always been their greatest mystery and concern.
Nie Yun pointed, and two beams of light entered the minds of the two men.
“Indeed, I have sealed the answer within your minds. As your cultivation advances, you will naturally come to know. If you were to find out prematurely, you might easily be sensed by the other party, falling into crisis!”
“Alright, I will enter the Source World first; you should come after some time. Once there, try not to use the power of the New World, or else, the consequences will be endless…”
Whoosh!
Before Nie Yun finished speaking, Zhang Xuan’s memories suddenly collapsed and dispersed.
Having returned to reality, Zhang Xuan felt a sharp pain in his head.
These were the memories from before they entered the Source World.
Most of the content was sealed, and he still couldn’t remember it to this day.
Nevertheless, with enough power, everything would be clear.
Shaking his head, he stopped dwelling on it, focusing on the Pathos of Heaven.
Similar to the primordial Pathos of Heaven pathway in the Empyrean, countless strands of Love Silk intertwined to form a net with A Heart of Intertwined Threads, covering all other fragments of the heavens.
Where there is life, there are emotions, and where emotions exist, they are dominated by the fragments of the heavens of Pathos of Heaven.
Various thoughts spun through his mind, and after an indeterminate time, a glimmer of Spiritual Light emerged, and in the blink of an eye, the net-like fragments of the heavens radiated with dazzling light, becoming tougher.
If previously it was just ordinary spider silk, it was now akin to high-tensile threads. The same thickness, but with far greater strength.
Pathos of Heaven the second realm!
“Though I’ve succeeded…”
Zhang Xuan shook his head in resignation: “Without enough Heavenly Mandate Vitality, it will take who knows how long for Pathos of Heaven to transform!”
Others’ fragments of the heavens were smaller and easy to absorb. Just a few tens of thousands of Heavenly Mandate Vitality could enable breakthroughs, but for him, tens of millions were almost impossible!
In the Heaven Mandate Hall, he had absorbed around thirty million Heavenly Mandate Vitality. Now, after counting, he was short by ten million; which means, to advance Pathos of Heaven smoothly to the second realm, at least forty million streams of Heavenly Mandate Vitality are needed!
“I forgot to ask them for money… Such a failure!”
Slapping his thigh, Zhang Xuan was filled with regret.
No matter the Hall Master of Source World, the Space-Time Saint, or people like Zhou Cang, they were certainly wealthy. They took away their students, beast pets, and wives without leaving a dime, was that fair…
Just now, had he asked for it, billions, or even tens of billions of Heavenly Mandate Vitality might have been within reach!
But he missed the chance, simply because the sight of the River of Destiny was too shocking.
Of course, there’s a blessing in disguise, and not asking was perhaps for the best. Requesting just from Ouyang Hai, he would have asked for a lot; with more people, and asking solely for Heavenly Mandate Vitality, would inevitably provoke suspicion.
Once unable to explain, it could lead to even greater troubles. Leaving gracefully was probably the best choice.
Boom, rumble!
Just as Zhang Xuan was ruminating in regret, the ground suddenly shook violently, and a mighty force shot straight up to the sky, followed by a burst of seven-colored clouds rushing into the sky, blossoming out like lotus flowers.
“What’s happening?”
Zhang Xuan hurried out of his room to look outside, his eyes full of confusion and questions.
It seemed he hadn’t done anything… how did such a commotion arise again?