Translator: CinderTL
"My Primordial Spirit has matured, and my Divine Sense has manifested, allowing me to fully comprehend the complete version of the Great Void Kunpeng Art."
In the cultivation chamber, Li Chunjun kept watch over Yu Jin and the other three, ensuring they wouldn't succumb to Heart Demons or suffer qi deviation. Meanwhile, he focused his Heart-Mind on the Void Refining Cultivation Technique he had obtained from the Artifact Spirit Liu Yu.
With a flicker of his Heart-Mind, the profound mysteries of the Great Void Kunpeng Art began to unfold before him, flowing like a river of wisdom.
Void Refining!
The third great realm on the path of cultivation.
In ancient times, countless millennia ago, reaching Void Refining meant mastering the laws of the Void and other esoteric principles, granting one the ability to traverse the Void freely.
Due to this extraordinary ability, breaking through to this realm was often seen as ascending to the heavens, a sign of impending immortal ascension.
Moreover, upon reaching Void Refining, one's lifespan extended to 129,600 years—an immeasurable increase compared to ordinary cultivators.
Just as a common person might regard an ancient being who could live for tens of thousands of years as a divine deity or True Immortal, the Void Refinement Realm came to be known as the Void Refining Immortal Realm.
This realm, like the Spirit Refinement Great Realm, is divided into three stages: Void Refining, Dharma Manifestation, and Supreme Sage. However, due to humanity's significantly less comprehensive understanding of the Void Refining Immortal Realm compared to the Spirit Refinement Great Realm, these three stages lack the clear distinctions found in Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Primordial Spirit.
In a sense, the second stage, Dharma Manifestation, can be considered the mid-stage of Void Refining, while the third stage, Supreme Sage, represents the late-stage.
The first stage, Void Refining, is the most widely known. Cultivators at this level use their Mind Power to bear the Grand Dao Law, mastering its power and resonating with the Grand Dao in every action, wielding immeasurable might. Upon achieving this stage, their status, position, and strength ascend to entirely new heights, making it effortless to serve as regional governors or oversee entire Realm Regions.
In the second stage, Dharma Manifestation, both Mind Power and the power of the Grand Dao Law reach even greater heights, manifesting externally as a Dharma Manifestation. Different Cultivation Techniques, Grand Dao Laws, and personal temperaments will each produce unique Dharma Manifestations. Examples include the Undying Flaming Phoenix Dharma Manifestation derived from the Void Refining chapter of the Flaming Phoenix Chaos Scripture, and the Great Void Kunpeng Dharma Manifestation derived from the Great Void Kunpeng Art.
Cultivators at this stage attain unprecedented destructive power, capable of shattering stars and churning galaxies with casual ease.
In the Profound Yellow Great World, the Sect Masters of major powers like the Chiyang Sword Sect, Piao Miao Sect, and Zhou Tian Sect typically possess this level of cultivation.
The third stage, Supreme Sage, also known as Supreme Being or Sage, marks a profound transformation. The Dharma Manifestation materializes from an ethereal construct into a tangible reality, becoming the cultivator's true form. At this point, they completely transcend the limitations of their physical bodies, achieving limitless metamorphosis, extraordinary power, and the ability to accomplish anything.
Within the Immortal Alliance, this realm is sufficient to qualify as a Supreme Elder of a sect. A single word or action from such a figure can determine the rise and fall, honor and disgrace, of ninety percent of the Alliance's member sects.
Moreover, due to the potential for Dao Rhythm backlash when Dao Unification experts enter the Great World, Supreme Sages are often considered the true rulers of the Great World. They are typically bestowed the title "Sage Venerable," akin to the "Dao Venerable" title given to those who have achieved Dao Unification. Even some Dao Unification Dao Venerables show them due respect.
"Void Refining."
Li Chunjun spent nearly half a month digesting this information.
The core principle of the Void Refining Immortal Realm lies in the Dharma Manifestation. Different Dharma Manifestations lead to vastly different combat power and potential. A powerful Dharma Manifestation can send a Supreme Sage fleeing in panic, while a weak one could be casually crushed underfoot by even a peak Void Refining cultivator.
The key to cultivating a Dharma Manifestation lies in the fusion of four essential elements: the laws of the universe, one's mental state, cultivation technique, and bloodline.
However, at this stage, the bloodline becomes both a boon and a shackle. A potent bloodline naturally facilitates the evolution of a formidable Dharma Manifestation.
A weak bloodline...
...might as well abandon all hope of future progress.
"The Great Void Kunpeng Art combines the three core attributes of the Void, Destruction, and Flaming Phoenix Bloodline powers to forge the Great Void Kunpeng Dharma Manifestation. Once formed, this Dharma Manifestation ranks among the strongest in the Void Refinement Realm," Liu Yu explained.
It's described as making one "among the strongest," but not quite at the very pinnacle.
Still, Li Chunjun had no intention of dismissing this technique.
If Void Refining Cultivation Techniques were divided into three tiers, this would undoubtedly rank in the second, surpassing the so-called Chiyang Sword Scripture and Piao Miao Immortal Scripture, and on par with the Taixu Sword Scripture and Flaming Phoenix Chaos Scripture.
He focused on studying the various transformations involved in comprehending the laws of the universe and deriving dao techniques during the Void Refinement stage.
The ultimate pursuit in the Void Refinement Realm is Dao Unification.
The mystical arts and powers cultivated during this stage are collectively referred to as dao techniques.
This doesn't mean these techniques can directly harness the Grand Dao Power; it's merely a hopeful aspiration and vision.
Li Chunjun studied the manual for a moment before quickly spotting an intriguing dao technique.
It appeared to be a Void Travel technique specifically designed for those with insufficient comprehension of the Void Law.
"Void Bridge?"
Unlike the Void Travel methods used by Void Refining Great Powers, this technique required a coordinate for the destination.
This reminded him of the Rainbow Light Teleportation Technique employed at the Frigid Jade Fortress. The two were remarkably similar.
The key was that the portion of the technique involving the Void Law could be activated through external forces or objects.
For example...
His Scarlet Sky Sword, imbued with Void Dao patterns and Shattered Flowing Gold!
"It still needs refinement. To truly utilize this special technique through the Scarlet Sky Sword, I must fully refine the Shattered Flowing Gold into the blade."
Li Chunjun gazed at the Scarlet Sky Sword, a decision forming in his mind.
Time waited for no one.
He needed to perform a Blood Sacrifice on the Scarlet Sky Sword using the Flaming Phoenix Nirvana Power as soon as possible, catalyzing its complete transformation.
Once the sword was fully transformed, he could rely on the Void Bridge. Even if he encountered another Starquake, he wouldn't be utterly helpless.
"Of course, the best approach would be to accelerate my comprehension of the Void Law. But... that process truly requires time."
Li Chunjun sighed inwardly.
In the days that followed, he devoted himself to comprehending the Void Bridge and the profound mysteries of the Void Law.
Half a month later, Li Chunjun sensed something amiss and turned his gaze toward True Monarch Huang Tian. After observing him for a moment, he understood the situation.
"Too hasty," he murmured, shaking his head.
These Heart Demons were among the weakest he had selected, and they had only recently awakened from dormancy, making them particularly vulnerable. Yet True Monarch Huang Tian was still gradually succumbing to their influence. This could only mean that his foundational strength was far from sufficient to grasp Mind Power.
What a pity...
In the Mind Realm, one could only rely on oneself. Any assistance from Li Chunjun would merely foster dependence, weakening Huang Tian's mental fortitude and leaving him vulnerable to the Heart Demons' opportunistic strikes.
Even as these thoughts swirled through his mind, Li Chunjun's actions remained swift. With a casual flick of his fingers, a surge of Divine Sense, imbued with Mind Power, crashed into True Monarch Huang Tian's spiritual world, instantly extracting the Heart Demon that had already begun to corrode his mind.
The moment the Heart Demon was purged, an uncontrollable fury seemed to erupt in Huang Tian's eyes. But Li Chunjun's stern shout, infused with Mind Power, pierced through the turmoil: "Awaken!"
The Ninth Tribulation True Monarch jolted awake.
He glanced at Li Chunjun, then recalled the events that had just transpired. A bitter expression quickly settled on his face. "Forgive me, Sword Prodigy Li," he said. "I've made a fool of myself."
"Go now and properly reflect," Li Chunjun said. "There are many Heart Demons here, and you'll undoubtedly have another opportunity in the future."
"Understood," True Monarch Huang Tian replied, bowing respectfully as he withdrew. As he departed, an indescribable sense of desolation lingered in his eyes.
Several days after Huang Tian's departure, Zuo Cheng's mental state began to deteriorate, much to Li Chunjun's surprise.
Among the four Ninth Tribulation True Monarchs, Yu Jin was undoubtedly the strongest in combat. Even Huang Tian and Su Fang, working together, would likely struggle to match him. Apart from Yu Jin, Zuo Cheng ranked second in overall power. As the adjutant to General Xuan Mi, a Void Refining Great Power, Zuo Cheng had received occasional guidance in cultivation, giving him a foundation far surpassing that of Huang Tian and Su Fang.
Yet now, the second to succumb to the Heart Demons wasn't Su Fang, but Zuo Cheng. This development puzzled Li Chunjun.
"Cultivation strength doesn't necessarily equate to mental fortitude," Li Chunjun mused. "Zuo Cheng has always been in a subservient position, attending to others. While he may not have dared to be overly deferential to General Xuan Mi, his inherently weaker status made him vulnerable to mental strain. Su Fang, on the other hand, has witnessed countless human dramas while executing judgment missions, his heart forged cold as iron. Perhaps... he's mentally tougher than Zuo Cheng."
Two days later, Zuo Cheng's Heart-Mind was completely eroded by a Heart Demon, forcing Li Chunjun to forcefully expel the Demonic Heart Force.
Having finally purged his Heart Demon, Zuo Cheng couldn't help but feel remorse as he recalled the moments his mental defenses had crumbled.
"Sword Prodigy Li..."
"Though you failed in your battle against the Heart Demon, your spirit has been tempered through the ordeal," Li Chunjun said calmly. "Take time to assimilate this experience, and you'll have another chance to fight."
"Understood," Zuo Cheng replied, bowing his head before quickly departing.
Fortunately, while Huang Tian and Zuo Cheng had fallen short, Li Chunjun was highly satisfied with Su Fang and Yu Jin's performances.
Yu Jin's achievement was particularly impressive. With his extraordinarily deep foundation, he had decisively defeated a fully manifested Heart Demon on the Mind Battlefield in less than a month.
The moment the Heart Demon was vanquished, Yu Jin's spirit underwent a profound transformation, spontaneously awakening his Mind Power. Moreover, by refining the residual Demonic Heart Force, his Mind Realm directly advanced beyond the consolidation stage.
After a few more days spent assimilating the Demonic Heart Force, Yu Jin opened his eyes, stood up, and bowed deeply to Li Chunjun. "I am eternally grateful to Sword Prodigy Li for this transformative grace! Yu Jin would gladly give his life for any future service you command!"
"Rest for now," Li Chunjun instructed. "Then take the Silver Leaf to investigate the surrounding Lesser Thousand Worlds."
While newly awakened Mind Power might struggle to completely eradicate Heart Demons, it was more than sufficient to resist their corrupting influence.
Moreover, it could protect those around them, promptly detecting their condition and ensuring they wouldn't be corrupted by Heart Demons in the short term.
"I'll depart immediately," Yu Jin replied solemnly.
"Very well," Li Chunjun said, without exchanging pleasantries. They had been stranded in this starfield for several months, and with aftershocks imminent, they needed to act swiftly.
After Yu Jin successfully awakened his Mind Power, Su Fang endured several more grueling days. As Li Chunjun had predicted, he finally vanquished his Heart Demon and, empowered by the Demonic Heart Force, successfully awakened his own Mind Power.
Two successes and two failures. This outcome was already satisfactory.
After another day spent stabilizing his Mind Realm, Su Fang bowed deeply to Li Chunjun and said, "Thank you, Swordmaster Li, for this opportunity."
Swordmaster? This title...
It signified a shift in Su Fang's perception of Li Chunjun's status.
Li Chunjun didn't correct him. "Now that you've cultivated Mind Power, go. You and Yu Jin will each take a direction."
He added, "Survey the surrounding area quickly. Ally with those you can, bypass those you can't, repair the Golden Crow Battleship swiftly, evade the aftershocks, and leave this place."
Meanwhile, Li Chunjun would perform a Blood Sacrifice on his Lifebound Flying Sword to comprehend the Void Bridge.
When Yu Jin and Su Fang reached their designated Lesser Thousand Worlds and transmitted news, Li Chunjun would activate the Void Bridge and traverse it directly.
(End of the Chapter)
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