In the divine space deep within the Immortal Palace, Lu Qing's original body was emitting an incomparably terrifying aura.
The aura was like a physical substance, flowing tangibly within this space, churning the surrounding spiritual rhythm into a constant surge.
Above the space, the phantom of the Sea of Laws emerged behind him, vast and boundless. Countless threads of Law could be seen faintly intertwining within it, like a great net covering heaven and earth.
Nine Great Dao Laws coiled around his body like giant dragons.
A massive amount of the Power of the Great Dao poured out from the Sea of Laws, frantically flooding into his body.
Like a river flowing backward, it surged through his Meridians, flesh, and bones, pouring into every acupoint, causing his strength to climb steadily.
His Physical Body was continuously strengthened under the tempering of this power. Every inch of flesh was cheering, and every cell was undergoing a transformation.
If even a sliver of power leaked out, it could likely slash through a Small World, damaging its world origin and plunging its living beings into misery.
Fortunately, with the Immortal Palace's Restriction isolating it, these powers were firmly locked within the divine space and did not leak out.
Only after a long time did the outflow of the Power of the Great Dao gradually cease.
The phantom of the Sea of Laws slowly faded away, and the churning spiritual rhythm also gradually calmed down.
The aura on Lu Qing's body slowly returned to tranquility.
A moment later, he opened his eyes.
In those eyes, galaxies flowed, suns and moons rose and fell, and all things were born and destroyed.
Nine types of Great Dao Concepts flashed deep within his pupils before finally returning to silence.
At this moment, he was like a god looking down upon the mortal world.
However, these phenomena soon vanished, and Lu Qing's appearance returned to its original state.
“Finally, I've broken through to the Minor Achievement of the Dao Integration Realm.”
He murmured softly to himself, his tone carrying a hint of emotion.
“After consuming so many Top-Grade Spirit Stones, I've finally caught up.”
This period of bitter cultivation was not in vain.
From the Initial Stage of the Dao Integration Realm to the Minor Achievement of the Dao Integration Realm, it seemed like only a small Realm increase, but for a cultivation anomaly like him who integrated with nine Great Daos, every stage of Breakthrough was earth-shaking.
Now, if the Master of the Black and White Temple were to be reborn, he would likely be completely blown apart in just a few moves, without the need to reveal all his trump cards and endure a bitter battle like ten years ago.
However, this nearly ten-year period of cultivation had also consumed most of the Top-Grade Spirit Stones he had scavenged.
The remaining ones were no longer enough to support his next Breakthrough.
Of course, this was something Lu Qing was accustomed to.
Over the years, his cultivation had always been like this; after every Breakthrough, he would be penniless. During his last Breakthrough, he had almost exhausted all his savings.
To still have some Top-Grade Spirit Stones left over this time was already quite good.
“Next, there's only one last thing left.”
Lu Qing focused his mind and tapped his finger lightly.
A wisp of spiritual light flew from his fingertip, condensing into a tiny point of light.
The point of light emitted a faint glow, containing a wisp of his Divine Thought and a portion of his magic power.
It broke through the layers of the Immortal Palace's Restriction, pierced through layers of the Void Realm, crossed the endless distance of the vast starry sky, and flew all the way toward the Home World.
The speed of this wisp of spiritual light was extreme, faster than any Space Teleportation.
Before long, it penetrated the World Embryo Membrane of the Home World, silently sank deep into the earth, and finally entered the space where the world origin was located.
There, a primordial spirit mark was parasitizing the world origin, emitting a faint glow.
The mark had already parasitized about one-tenth of the world origin. Countless tiny roots extended from the mark, digging deep into the Origin and slowly absorbing its power.
The spiritual light fell, accurately merging into that primordial spirit mark.
With this assistance, the primordial spirit mark seemed to have taken a powerful tonic and suddenly surged.
Those originally tiny roots instantly became thick, growing and climbing rapidly like countless snakes, spreading frantically within the world origin.
In a moment, countless roots completely wrapped around the entire world origin.
Looking from a distance, that cluster of brilliant Origin light was covered by a dense net of roots, like prey caught in a spider web.
Many more roots directly reached toward the mysterious jade fragment in the core of the Origin.
The jade fragment was pure white all over, only the size of a palm, floating quietly at the core of the Origin.
It seemed to sense danger and suddenly jolted, with countless tiny runes appearing on its surface, emitting an air of resistance.
An invisible force gushed out from the jade fragment, trying to shake off those roots.
However, at that moment, the primordial spirit mark emitted a soft light that shone upon the jade fragment.
The light was not intense, but it carried a peculiar rhythm, echoing a certain aura within the jade fragment.
This was a trace of the aura of the Great Dao of Light that Lu Qing had obtained from Great Power Xuanhua's Legacy. Although he had not yet truly comprehended the Great Dao of Light, he could still activate this bit of aura.
Feeling this light, the mysterious jade fragment jolted suddenly and then quickly quieted down.
The emerging runes gradually faded, and the resisting force vanished without a trace.
Finally, the jade fragment allowed those roots to wrap around it for refinement.
Lu Qing smiled when he saw this.
The mysterious jade fragment within the Home World's world origin was actually a fragment of Great Power Xuanhua's Lifebound Treasure.
During that great war years ago, Great Power Xuanhua's Lifebound Treasure was shattered, and countless fragments were scattered everywhere.
One of them pierced through multiple spaces and fell into this Void Realm, absorbing energy over long years and eventually evolving into the Home World.
He had received Great Power Xuanhua's Legacy. Although he had not yet truly comprehended the Great Dao of Light, he could still use some simple techniques, which was why he could subdue and refine that jade fragment so easily.
A moment later, the primordial spirit mark completely refined the jade fragment.
All the roots quickly retracted, no longer extending outward.
The primordial spirit mark turned into a stream of light and suddenly drilled into the very core of the world origin, settling down there.
Finally, that stream of light transformed into a cross-legged Primordial Spirit Clone in the deepest part of the world origin.
The Clone's appearance was identical to Lu Qing's, only its form was illusory, with a hint of transparency.
He sat there quietly with his eyes closed and hands in a seal, like a sleeping divine statue.
And that mysterious jade fragment landed on his forehead, turning into a divine jade eye.
The Home World was originally evolved from the mysterious jade fragment absorbing endless energy. After the jade fragment was refined by Lu Qing, the entire world origin was also completely mastered by him.
Suddenly, countless pieces of information flooded into Lu Qing's mind.
About the evolution of the world, the progression of life, the changes of mountains and rivers, the birth and destruction of all things...
Everything appeared in his consciousness with unprecedented clarity, as if he had experienced it personally.
He saw how the Home World started from a desolate planet and, under the power of the jade fragment, gradually condensed mountains and rivers and gave birth to primitive life.
And how those lives evolved and multiplied step by step, from simple to complex, from the ocean to the land.
The Spiritual Qi tides that cycled every thirty thousand years, and the joys and sorrows of countless living beings were all seen by him and etched in his heart.
This experience was beyond words, as if he himself were this world, and this world were him.
Such a vast amount of information caused Lu Qing's original body, who was in the Immortal Palace and had just broken through, to involuntarily activate his Supernatural Ability and enter the deepest state of Epiphany.
Time flowed on, and soon another month had passed.
When Lu Qing, deep within the Immortal Palace, opened his eyes again, he let out a sigh.
“So that's how it is. I didn't expect that after refining the world origin, there would be such an Opportunity. It can be considered a great harvest.”
As he spoke, Lu Qing's hand flipped lightly, and an illusionary space appeared on his palm.
However, unlike the somewhat virtual illusionary spaces of the past, this one was incredibly condensed. Inside, there were evolving mountains and rivers, waterfalls and springs, lush vegetation, birds, beasts, insects, and fish—everything was there, looking like a real world.
In fact, it truly was so.
If Lu Qing were willing to consume Origin, he could truly evolve this illusionary space into a Small World with physical form and life.
However, the energy and time required would inevitably be enormous, and it was not something he should be doing right now.
Nevertheless, Lu Qing was already very satisfied.
He hadn't expected that the harvest after refining the Home World's world origin would be so great.
This Epiphany not only allowed him to successfully deduce his 【Perfect Dao Integration Method】 to the level of Dao Integration Perfection but also allowed him to grasp a trace of the Concept of Creation.
Creation—that was an ability nearly akin to world-founding.
Only those Great Powers who had touched the world origin and gained insight into the mysteries of life could possibly Master it.
He finally understood why 'Ji', that great existence of the Wu Tribe, was able to create such a vast Secret Realm space like the Trial Secret Realm.
Thinking about it now, it was likely because he had already mastered the means of Creation.
Now, he had also finally managed to slightly touch this level of Concept.
Although he was still far from the Realm of that great existence, he had at least seen the path ahead.
Truly stepping into that Realm in the future would not be too far off.
Lu Qing sensed the situation of the Primordial Spirit Clone in his Home World once more.
After the primordial spirit mark refined the world origin, the entire Home World was now completely under his control.
He could feel the pulse of every inch of land, the flow of every river, and the gathering and scattering of every cloud and mist.
The rise and fall of all things in the world were connected to his mind.
In this way, the hidden danger of the Home World experiencing a Spiritual Qi decline every thirty thousand years would also disappear.
The Spiritual Qi tides that had troubled countless generations of Cultivators would no longer occur.
He could even continuously strengthen the world origin as his Primordial Spirit Clone cultivated; it wasn't impossible to promote the Home World to a medium-sized world in the future.
Of course, the time required for that would likely be extremely long.
It might take tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of years...
But regardless, for Lu Qing, it was all worth it.
This Primordial Spirit Clone in the Home World could be considered a backup plan he left behind.
If he truly perished in the other world in the future, as long as the soul of this Primordial Spirit Clone did not dissipate, it would be his chance for Rebirth.
"Well then, next, it's time to keep the appointment."
Lu Qing raised his head and looked forward.
His gaze pierced through layers of space, falling upon that pitch-black crack traversing the Void Realm in the distance.
The Dark Demon Abyss still floated there quietly.
His figure moved lightly, disappearing from the miraculous space.
In the next moment, he had already arrived at the second floor of the Immortal Palace.
As his Divine Thought spread out, soon, the people practicing in various Immortal Caves were awakened.
The Old Doctor walked out of his Immortal Cave.
His aura was steadier than it had been ten years ago, and his Primordial Spirit Realm cultivation had been completely consolidated.
Little Yan also came out of her Immortal Cave. She hadn't been in seclusion these years, instead just accompanying her brother on his travels through the starry sky. At this moment, she wore a pale green dress, her hair tied simply behind her head.
Xiao Li also ran out of her Immortal Cave, squatting on Little Yan's shoulder and looking at Lu Qing.
Han Ling Shuang, Hu Zezhi, Wei Zian, and the others also emerged from seclusion one after another.
These old friends from his Home World had been brought to the Immortal Palace by Lu Qing one by one over the years to Cultivate.
The Spiritual Qi in the Immortal Palace was dense, and there were various Legacies left by Gui Xu Daoist, allowing their cultivation to improve significantly.
Han Ling Shuang was now at the Late Stage of the Golden Core Realm, while Hu Zezhi had reached Golden Core Perfection, only one step away from the Primordial Spirit Realm.
Although Wei Zian's Aptitude was slightly poorer, under the pile of massive resources, he had also reached the Golden Core Middle Stage.
Even Ma Gu was now a Golden Core Middle Stage powerhouse.
After everyone had emerged, the space fluctuated, and the figures of the Old Azure Dragon and the others also appeared on the second floor of the Immortal Palace.
The Old Azure Dragon was the first to speak: "Lu Qing, you've summoned us all, could it be..."
The Old Doctor and the others also looked toward Lu Qing.
They had also guessed the reason Lu Qing had called them out of seclusion.
After all, they all knew about the ten-year promise, and calculating the time now, it was about due.
"Indeed, ten years have passed. I am preparing to head to the other world."
As soon as these words were spoken, even though everyone was already prepared, their hearts couldn't help but sink.
The second floor of the Immortal Palace fell into a brief silence.
"Brother..." Little Yan's eyes instantly turned red.
Han Ling Shuang and the others also trembled, their eyes flashing with worry and reluctance.
Hu Zezhi opened her mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out.
Wei Zian stood to the side, his fists tightly clenched.
Xiao Li even pounced directly into Lu Qing's arms, burying her face in his lapel.
Lu Qing reached out to gently stroke Xiao Li's back, then looked at Little Yan and reached out to ruffle her hair.
"It's alright, didn't I tell you? I have a way to save my life. Cultivate here obediently and wait for me to return. A few decades will pass very quickly."
Little Yan could only softly agree, her voice carrying a hint of a sob: "Mm."
She knew she couldn't be willful; the place her brother was going was incredibly dangerous, and she couldn't distract him.
Lu Qing looked toward the Old Doctor again.
"Master, for the next few decades, I'm afraid your Disciple cannot serve by your side."
The Old Doctor looked at him with complex emotions in his eyes—reluctance, worry, and also pride.
"Go and return quickly," the Old Doctor urged. "No matter what happens, prioritize your own preservation. Don't try to be a hero; as long as you are alive, there is still hope."
"Your Disciple will remember."
Lu Qing nodded, then took out a jade token and solemnly handed it to the Old Doctor.
The jade token was emerald green all over, with a faint light flowing on its surface, and countless fine runes could be seen flickering on it.
This was one of the control cores of the Immortal Palace, which Lu Qing had specifically separated after refining the palace.
"Master, this token can control all the Formations and Restrictions within the Guixu Secret Realm. After you refine it, even if a Dao Integration Realm Great Power enters the Secret Realm, they will be subject to your control."
The Old Doctor did not refuse, took the token, and put it away.
Lu Qing looked at Han Ling Shuang, Hu Zezhi, Ma Gu, Wei Zian, and the others again.
He wanted to say something, but after a moment's hesitation, he only nodded slightly in the end.
"Everyone, we shall meet again."
Without waiting for a response, he patted Xiao Li in his arms again.
"Alright, Xiao Li, I'm leaving. You and Little Yan wait well for my return at home."
Xiao Li's claws tightly gripped Lu Qing's clothes, unwilling to let go. Her whole body pressed against his chest as she buried her head in his lapel, letting out a low whimper.
But in the end, she gently let go.
Lu Qing picked her up and handed her into Little Yan's arms.
Little Yan took Xiao Li, holding her tightly, and her tears finally fell uncontrollably.
Lu Qing turned and looked toward the Old Azure Dragon and the others.
"Seniors, let us go."
"Alright."
The Old Azure Dragon and the others quickly shrank their forms, and after a series of transformations, they appeared before everyone as three human figures.
The Old Azure Dragon took the form of an old man with white hair and beard, wearing a grey robe and holding a walking stick, looking just like an ordinary elderly Cultivator.
The brawny man with two horns was Man Niu; he was burly with knotted muscles, wearing a black short-sleeved shirt that revealed two thick arms.
As for Mingfeng, she was a peerless beauty wearing a plain dress with ice-crystal white hair, her face cold and her temperament elegant.
This was the first time the three Dao Integration Realm exotic beasts had appeared in human form, which even surprised Lu Qing slightly.
However, he only glanced at them and said nothing.
With a wave of his hand, under the spatial fluctuations, a spatial vortex appeared in the center of the Immortal Palace's second floor.
The vortex gradually expanded, swallowing the figures of Lu Qing, the Old Azure Dragon, Man Niu, and Mingfeng.
Watching this scene, Little Yan's tears, which she had held back for so long, finally burst forth. She held Xiao Li and wept silently.
The Old Doctor stood beside her, reaching out to gently pat her shoulder.
Han Ling Shuang also walked over and took her hand.
However, just as the spatial vortex was about to disappear, Xiao Li, in Little Yan's arms, suddenly leaped out.
Her speed was extremely fast, like a bolt of black lightning, rushing to the edge of the vortex in the blink of an eye.
This sudden change caught everyone by surprise.
Little Yan cried out in a hurry: "Xiao Li!"
She reached out her hand to catch her, but it was already too late.
Xiao Li's figure flashed and disappeared along with the spatial vortex.
The vortex slowly closed, eventually dissipating completely.
The second floor of the Immortal Palace returned to peace, leaving only Little Yan's outstretched hand still hanging in the air, her eyes blurred with tears.
The Old Doctor looked at the spot where the vortex had vanished, remained silent for a long time, and finally sighed.
"This child..."
