"You said that the secret realm that is being nurtured on Mount Tian Shu is showing signs of unusual activity?"
"That's right. Just now, a fellow Daoist who returned from exploring the Tian Shu Divine Mountain said that the fluctuations emanating from the secret realm that is currently being nurtured have suddenly surged today and are becoming increasingly intense. It is very likely that it will be fully born in the next few days!"
"But didn't the Nascent Soul experts predict that the secret realm wouldn't appear for at least another half month?"
"This secret realm is extraordinary. Just from the fluctuations it exudes, we can tell that it must be a large-scale secret realm that is rarely seen in thousands of years."
Otherwise, those sectarian factions and powerful families wouldn't have traveled all that way to come.
Such wondrous and mysterious realms are inherently extraordinary, so it's normal that the calculations of powerful beings are not entirely accurate.
"So, it's possible that the secret realm might appear ahead of schedule? Then we'd better prepare to head to Tian Shu Divine Mountain!"
"But I just returned from the sacred mountain not long ago, and the 'mountain energy' in my body has not been completely dispelled yet. I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to enter the sacred mountain again in a short period of time. What should I do!"
"You're doing well. You've been back for seven days already. At most, you'll be able to go into the mountains again in a few days. I only returned yesterday. By the time the 'mountain energy' dissipates, the opportunities in the secret realm will probably have already been divided up!"
"There's no need to panic. It might just be a normal fluctuation. The calculations of the powerful beings aren't necessarily wrong."
...
The cultivators throughout Tian Shu City were abuzz with discussion.
The secret realm being nurtured by the Heavenly Pivot Divine Mountain is fluctuating so intensely that it cannot be concealed at all.
Therefore, any unusual activity would be immediately reported back to the cities at the foot of the mountain.
This time, the anomaly is even more so.
The intensity of the fluctuations led many cultivators to believe that the secret realm was likely about to emerge.
Immediately, many cultivators set off for Tian Shu Divine Mountain.
"Is a secret realm about to emerge?"
The Five Treasures Taoist priest, who would come out every day to gather information, was startled when he heard the surrounding discussions.
He hurriedly returned to the mountain peak where he lived, wanting to tell Lu Qing about the matter.
However, when he arrived at Lu Qing's cave, he saw a sign that said "No Visitors Allowed" hanging outside.
He called out a few times, but received no response.
He immediately realized that Lu Qing had probably entered a deep state of meditation.
For a moment, he dared not disturb him, fearing that Lu Qing was at a critical juncture in his seclusion.
If his interruption interrupts your enlightenment, it could easily lead to enmity.
Left with no other choice, the Five Treasures Taoist priest could only continue to closely monitor news from the city while anxiously waiting for Lu Qing to emerge from seclusion.
And he guessed correctly; at this moment, Lu Qing in the cave was indeed comprehending a crucial point.
At this moment, a mysterious domain was unfolding around him.
Countless sword energies weaved through it, moving along mysterious trajectories.
The sword intent permeated the air, its terrifying power held back yet unleashed, causing the surrounding space to tremble.
Several days passed before Lu Qing opened his eyes, a glint of sword light flashing within them, which subsided after a long while.
Lu Qing withdrew his domain, and the cave immediately returned to calm.
"Indeed, the sword energy domain is a perfect match for the 【Seven Star Sword Formation】. The cultivation tradition of the small world is not without its merits and has its own merits."
Lu Qing seemed to be deep in thought, then flipped his hand, and a small sword energy domain appeared in his hand.
The sword energy within surged and weaved, operating in a mysterious array pattern.
If any powerful figures from Tian Shu City were here, they would surely be astonished to witness this scene.
Because what was operating within the small sword energy field in Lu Qing's palm was none other than a variation of the 【Seven Star Sword Formation】.
Indeed, Lu Qing has now not only condensed the 【Seven Star Sword Intent】, but also...
Even the 【Seven Star Sword Formation】 has been completely mastered in its first three variations.
The Seven Star Sword Formation has seven variations.
The first three are Golden Core level sword formations, while the latter four are Nascent Soul level sword formations that can only be performed by Nascent Soul level cultivators.
Lu Qing had already mastered the first three Golden Core Realm sword formations.
Not only that, he went even further, integrating the sword formation into his sword energy domain, making him even more in control of it.
This has always been Lu Qing's idea.
The martial arts realm is my home world, in an era of depleted spiritual energy.
A unique power that generations of martial arts geniuses researched and comprehended in order to better control the power.
What they pursue is the state of harmony between humanity and nature, and the ultimate control over the power of heaven and earth.
However, there is no similar inheritance in the Tianyuan Great World.
After all, this vast world is filled with abundant spiritual energy, has existed since time immemorial, and has never experienced the depletion of spiritual energy.
The most prevalent methods of cultivating immortality in the world are all sorts of incredibly powerful ones.
What they pursue is a higher realm and a deeper level of cultivation.
There is absolutely no need to worry about a day when spiritual energy will run out.
Unlike their home world, in an era of depleted spiritual energy, the upper limit of cultivation has long been fixed.
Generation after generation of martial artists strive to break through and master even greater power.
They had no choice but to try every possible method to research various ways to enhance their own strength.
One way to achieve this is to perfectly control every bit of power one possesses and unleash power beyond one's own limits.
And one of the highest points on this path is the domain.
By using one's divine soul to comprehend the rules of heaven and earth, one merges with heaven and earth, controls the surrounding rules of heaven and earth, and forms one's own domain.
Once a domain is established, a martial artist can use their own strength as a fulcrum to leverage the power of heaven and earth, unleashing power far exceeding their own.
Don't underestimate this cultivation system, which was developed by martial artists whose upper limit is only the Innate Realm.
In reality, this is an extremely sophisticated path of cultivation.
This is something Lu Qing only realized after comprehending many cultivation methods in the Tianyuan Great World.
Therefore, he realized that the cultivation methods of each world have their own unique features.
The cultivation methods of a small world are not necessarily inferior to those of a large world.
However, the upper limit of the world restricts the upper limit of the cultivators' realm.
This prevented them from having the opportunity to develop these cultivation methods to a higher level.
This is why the cultivation methods in the small world are inferior to those in the large world.
"The foundation of my swordsmanship comes from the sword energy domain that my master comprehended."
The laws of the realm actually have extremely high limits, and their cultivation concepts are no less profound than those of the great worlds.
Perhaps, in the future, I can try to integrate both the 【Seven Star Sword Formation】 and the 【Heaven-Shattering Sword Qi】 into my domain.
I have cultivated a unique swordsmanship domain that is entirely mine.
Lu Qing held the small sword energy domain in his hand, playing with it, his heart surging with emotions.
If anyone knew what Lu Qing was thinking now, they would be shocked and would surely mock his arrogance.
Whether it's the Seven Star Sword Formation or the Heaven-Piercing Sword Qi, both are supreme sword techniques passed down by powerful beings at the Fifth Tribulation Nascent Soul stage.
Other cultivators, even those at the ordinary Nascent Soul stage, would be overjoyed to obtain even one of these, regarding it as an unparalleled inheritance.
I only dare to devoutly study and comprehend it, hoping to understand and master it.
They wouldn't dare to have any other ideas.
Lu Qing was merely a minor Golden Core cultivator.
Yet he actually dared to attempt to integrate these two top-tier primordial spirit inheritances into his own cultivation method.
What arrogance! What ignorance of one's own limitations!
However, Lu Qing never cared about any of that.
Even the inheritance left by a top-tier Nascent Soul expert, in his view, is no different from other inheritances; it is not necessarily perfect.
Otherwise, the powerful beings who left behind these legacies would not have been merely at the Fifth Tribulation Nascent Soul stage, but at an even higher level.
He condensed a perfect golden elixir, and his fundamental cultivation methods were all deduced and created by himself.
Taoist arts and supernatural powers can naturally be used as well.
His goal is to extract the essence and discard the dross from various lineages of cultivation methods, and deduce the cultivation path that is most suitable for him.
He has the confidence to back up his abilities.
After playing with the small sword energy field in his hand for a while, Lu Qing finally dissipated it.
They then prepared to leave the cave to take a look.
He naturally sensed the commotion that the Five Treasures Taoist had made outside a few days ago.
However, he was at a crucial juncture in comprehending the Seven Star Sword Formation at the time, so he ignored it.
Now that his comprehension has come to an end, he can go out and inquire whether something has happened.
Carrying Xiao Li out of the cave, Lu Qing arrived at the place where the Five Treasures Taoist lived.
Just as he was about to send a telepathic message to the door, he suddenly sensed that the aura of the Five Treasures Taoist was rushing back from outside.
He turned to look outside, and at that moment, the Five Treasures Taoist also saw him.
His face immediately lit up with surprise: "Fellow Daoist Chen, you've emerged from seclusion?"
"I just came out of seclusion. I was at a crucial stage in my cultivation a few days ago and didn't have time to respond to you, Daoist Master. Please forgive me," Lu Qing said with a hint of apology.
“Fellow Daoist, there’s no need for that. Cultivation is the most important thing. I’m afraid I might be disturbing you, Fellow Daoist Chen.”
When the Five Treasures Taoist heard that Lu Qing had indeed reached a critical juncture in his cultivation, he felt somewhat relieved.
Fortunately, he didn't forcefully call out to Lu Qing that day, otherwise, things might have really gone wrong.
"By the way, Daoist Master, what was the matter that you came to see me that day?"
"This is extremely important!" Upon hearing this, the Five Treasures Taoist's expression suddenly turned serious. "Fellow Daoist Chen, do you know that the secret realm nurtured by the Heavenly Pivot Divine Mountain has already manifested in the world!"
"What? It's already appeared in the world?" Lu Qing was genuinely surprised. "When did this happen? Wasn't it supposed to be at least half a month before the secret realm truly appeared?"
"It happened yesterday," said the Five Treasures Taoist. "As for the reason, I don't know either. Just a few days ago, news came from the Divine Mountain that the secret realm that was still in the process of being nurtured had suddenly undergone a strange change."
The fluctuations within suddenly surged, increasing dozens of times.
Rumors are circulating throughout the city that the secret realm is about to be revealed.
It was on that day that I wanted to tell you, my friend.
However, seeing that °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° you are in seclusion, I will continue to gather information in the city.
Sure enough, after the anomaly occurred, the fluctuations within the secret realm continued to intensify within just a few days.
Finally, just yesterday, that secret realm truly appeared in the world.
Currently, major forces and a large number of independent cultivators have all headed to the sacred mountain to enter the secret realm and compete for opportunities.
I will remain in the city for the time being, as I am waiting for you, fellow Daoist.
"So that's how it is." Upon hearing this, Lu Qing immediately felt apologetic. "I'm sorry, Daoist Master. It's all my fault for going into seclusion at such a crucial moment, causing you to miss the opportunity to enter the secret realm."
“You can’t say that,” Wu Bao Daoist hurriedly said. “We agreed to enter the secret realm together, how can we go back on our word?”
Moreover, entering the secret realm on the first day is not necessarily a good thing.
The fight is bound to be fierce, and there may be casualties.
"If we go in a little later, we can avoid them."
"That being said, it is ultimately my fault."
Lu Qing understood that what the Five Treasures Taoist said made sense.
But everyone knows that the first person to enter the secret realm will definitely have a better chance of obtaining opportunities.
Those who go in later might not even get to drink the soup scraps.
"Master, there's no time to lose, let's head to the sacred mountain now."
“Alright, a day has passed now, and there shouldn’t be many cultivators left on the outskirts of the secret realm. If we enter now, we shouldn’t encounter any danger,” Wu Bao Daoist nodded.
The two immediately transformed into streaks of light and flew towards the direction of Tian Shu Divine Mountain.
Along the way, Lu Qing also sensed the situation in the city below.
Then they discovered that there were very few cultivators venturing out from Tian Shu City these days.
This is a complete contrast to the bustling scene of just a few days ago.
Presumably, all the cultivators in the city have already gone to the sacred mountain to enter the secret realm in search of opportunities.
"Master, now that the secret realm has been open for a day, has any news about what's inside come out?"
During their journey, Lu Qing transmitted his voice to the Five Treasures Taoist.
"No, that's not true." Wu Bao Daoist shook his head. "The cultivators in the city, any ones with any skill, have already gone to the sacred mountain. No one has returned, and no one has brought back any news."
Lu Qing thought about it and agreed. This time, the secret realm nurtured by the sacred mountain was highly valued even by the top sects, so it must be extraordinary.
Having entered such a secret realm to seek opportunities, how could they easily come out?
The distance between Tian Shu Divine Mountain and Tian Shu City is not far. With the speed of their escape, it didn't take long before they arrived in front of the divine mountain.
As soon as he approached the sacred mountain, Lu Qing felt an invisible aura surge into his body, settling in his dantian and the acupoint between his eyebrows.
His natal magic weapon and the Five Elements Pearls showed no reaction whatsoever, offering no resistance and allowing the object to enter his body.
"This is the 'mountain energy' of the sacred mountain."
Seeing Lu Qing's frown, the Five Treasures Taoist priest began to explain.
"It is said that this 'mountain energy' is derived from the origin of the Heavenly Pivot Divine Mountain, and is extremely mysterious."
Neither magical artifacts nor powerful beings could prevent the 'mountain energy' from entering their bodies.
As the 'mountain energy' accumulates more and more in the body, cultivators will gradually show signs of spiritual stagnation and sluggish magical power circulation.
At this point, the cultivators must leave the sacred mountain.
Otherwise, if they continue to stay on the sacred mountain, too much 'mountain energy' will accumulate.
The cultivators would likely show signs of petrification, gradually turning into stubborn rocks and becoming part of the sacred mountain.
This 'mountain energy' is extremely strange; it will slowly dissipate once you leave the area of the sacred mountain.
Therefore, cultivators who venture into the sacred mountain for exploration must leave the mountain for a while every so often.
This is also the initial reason why cities like Tian Shu City appeared at the foot of the sacred mountain.
"So it really is 'mountain energy'? Even a spiritual weapon can't resist it."
Upon hearing this, Lu Qing felt a chill run down his spine.
According to the Five Treasures Taoist, they transformed into streams of light and completed a cycle.
Suddenly, everything became bright.
