Translator: CinderTL
Over the next two months, the eighty-odd Primordial Spirit True Monarchs on Blue Star were divided into four groups, each granted a precious opportunity to refine a Heart Demon.
A Primordial Spirit True Monarch's wealth typically ranged from tens of thousands to millions of Spirit Crystals, depending on their cultivation, status, and position. Those whose combat prowess rivaled Sixth-Rank cultivators on the Cosmic Light List might amass fortunes exceeding tens of millions. However, these were rare exceptions, not representative of the norm.
Most Primordial Spirit True Monarchs struggled to accumulate even a million Spirit Crystals. Yet a single Heart Demon...
...was worth a million!
Enough to purchase the life of a Nine Tribulation True Monarch!
Now, a cultivation resource more precious than their own lives was being bestowed upon every Primordial Spirit True Monarch present. This unprecedented favor deeply moved them, each striving relentlessly not to disappoint Swordmaster Li's high expectations.
Though many, even if they risked everything, might still fail to seize this chance to ascend to greater heights and secure a future opportunity to break through to the Void Refinement Realm, the collective determination of these eighty-odd True Monarchs still brought considerable surprises to Li Chunjun.
In addition to Huang Tian, Zuo Cheng, and Elsa, who had successfully refined their Heart Demons for a second time, three more True Monarchs had cultivated Mind Power!
Among these three, Chang Feng and Chief Technician Yuan Ji were expected, but Li Chunjun was particularly surprised by the third: Qi Qian Yu!
This Nascent Soul True Lord from the Taixu Sword Sect had truly demonstrated the power of accumulated potential.
Not only had he broken through two tribulations immediately after attaining the Primordial Spirit Realm, becoming a Three Tribulation True Monarch, but he had also accomplished something beyond the reach of over ninety percent of Primordial Spirit True Monarchs: cultivating Mind Power!
With Mind Power, Qi Qian Yu could now attempt to channel a Great Dao Law through it to break through to the Void Refinement Realm once he had mastered its rudiments.
Although the failure rate for first-level Mind Power remained astronomically high at 99.99%, he had at least gained a sliver of opportunity to challenge Void Refining.
This was far superior to True Monarchs who spent their entire lives unable to cultivate Mind Power or even grasp the basics of a Great Dao Law.
"Excellent."
Of all those who had cultivated Mind Power, Elsa brought Li Chunjun the greatest joy.
The moment she completed consolidating her Mind Power, Li Chunjun summoned her immediately. He instructed her to prepare to harness the power of the Spirits of Nature to gather information about other Lesser Thousand Worlds.
At that moment, Ri Ang, Liu Su, Bi Yan, and others from the Jade Hill Clan—who had relocated their entire clan to the Azure Star Minor Realm—approached Li Chunjun and presented him with a cultivation method.
"Master," Ri Ang said respectfully, "this cultivation method combines the unique characteristics of Azure Star with the inherent traits of the Immortal God Race. We developed it specifically for this realm and humbly request your review."
Li Chunjun accepted the method and glanced at it briefly, a peculiar expression flickering across his face.
"So, you're trying to mold me into an 'Immortal God'?"
"Precisely," Ri Ang replied. "An Immortal God must embody an ideal universally recognized by all. Only then can they become the collective will of sentient beings, bearing their spiritual power until the moment they crystallize into divinity, granting them a Divine Position!"
His eyes shone with reverence. "Throughout the entire Azure Star Minor Realm, you alone meet this criterion."
Liu Su, standing nearby, added excitedly, "Your illustrious reputation has already spread far and wide across Azure Star. Especially since news of your ascension to the Star Brilliance First Rank circulated, everyone holds you in inexpressible awe. With just a little guidance, this reverence can be transformed into the foundation for your Divine Position and Divine Authority!"
"Oh?" Li Chunjun looked at him. "Is it really that simple?"
"Forming a Divine Position is certainly not easy," Ri Ang replied, "but for you, it would be no difficult feat."
Ri Ang paused thoughtfully before continuing, "In some remote and backward regions, Heart Demons—and their entire lineage—are revered as Demon Gods, the antithesis of Immortal Gods. Whether Demon Gods or Immortal Gods, the key to attaining godhood lies in establishing a Divine Kingdom. And the essence of a Divine Kingdom is Mind Power!"
"Mind Power?" Li Chunjun's heart stirred.
"In the Immortal God Race's system, Divine Spirits are classified into nine ranks beneath the Imperial Lord. Theoretically, a Perfected Heart Demon is equivalent to a ninth-rank Immortal God. The superior and apex Perfected Heart Demons can even ascend to the eighth or seventh ranks."
Ri Ang gazed at Li Chunjun, his admiration seemingly radiating from the depths of his soul. "Master, you can use your own heart to embody the will of Heaven. Your Mind Power likely rivals that of a seventh-rank Immortal God. Establishing a Divine Kingdom would be effortless for you, and forming a Divine Position would be just as straightforward."
Li Chunjun listened, a sudden realization dawning on him.
Whether it was the Immortal God Race, the Heart Demon Clan, or even the Divine Race, their fundamental nature was remarkably similar. They prioritized the mind and spirit, placing less absolute emphasis on the physical body and the Great Dao Laws.
Of course, in this world, the Great Dao Laws were the foundation of all existence and the basis for the Cosmos' evolution. While prioritizing the mind and spirit could reduce their reliance on external conditions, their prospects paled in comparison to those who cultivated the Great Dao Laws. This disparity became particularly evident at the Dao Unification stage, where mental and spiritual cultivators struggled immensely.
The Immortal Gods and the Divine Race derived their power from the collective will of sentient beings, essentially achieving godhood through "crowdfunding." This method granted them rapid access to formidable Divine Sense and Divine Intent, but it also made them highly susceptible to the whims of the masses, hindering their ability to forge their own profound understanding of the Dao.
However...
"If I'm not mistaken, Immortal God Li Chunjun and the true Li Chunjun aren't truly one and the same, are they?"
Li Chunjun spoke, "Your Majesty saw through the true nature of Immortal Gods with a single glance."
Ri Ang said admiringly, "Indeed. As the Immortal God System has become increasingly refined, yet genuine Tenth-Rank Dao Harmonization remains elusive, a new theory has spread among the Immortal God Race's high command: 'Immortals are Immortals, and Gods are Gods; Immortals are the bones, Gods are the form.'"
"Bones and form," Li Chunjun nodded slightly.
Liu Su added, "In the Heavenly Fortune Immortal Dynasty, a Sixth-Rank High God named Qingmeng once manifested as the cosmos itself. He declared, 'Qingmeng is one with the cosmos, but the cosmos is not one with Qingmeng.'"
Immortal God Li Chunjun was a completely new, independent being, merely cloaked in Li Chunjun's appearance. He was fundamentally different from Li Chunjun in the Primordial Spirit Realm.
Of course, because this Immortal God Li Chunjun wore his guise, Li Chunjun could still intervene in his actions at any time.
After pondering for a moment, Li Chunjun stated, "Since 'Li Chunjun' is the optimal choice, let him proceed. We must swiftly grant the myriad beings of the Azure Star Minor Realm the ability to resist Heart Demons."
Though he could temporarily align his will with the will of the cosmos, he couldn't maintain that state indefinitely. Yet, Heart Demons from the Cosmic Void frequently strayed into the Azure Star Minor Realm, causing widespread death and destruction.
Although Li Chunjun, having replaced the will of Heaven with his own, could annihilate all Heart Demons with a single glance, the lives lost would not be restored.
"It is fortunate for all living beings in this Lesser Thousand World that you, Lord, have accepted this task," Ri Ang said sincerely.
The more he learned of Li Chunjun's extraordinary journey, the more he understood the unparalleled greatness of his master. First on the Star Glory List, first on the Star Brilliance List, Supreme Disciple—all achieved in just over twenty years, cultivating to the brink of becoming a Seventh-Rank lifeform. Such magnificence defied their wildest imaginations.
At its peak, the Jade Hill Clan boasted over a hundred billion members. Yet among those billions, barely one in ten billion could cultivate to the Primordial Spirit Realm, reaching the Fifth-Tier of existence. Moreover, each Fifth-Tier breakthrough required centuries of relentless effort. Compared to Li Chunjun's achievements, the difference was so vast that even the gulf between heaven and earth seemed inadequate to describe it.
"To better establish your image as our Lord and facilitate the future assimilation of more living beings, thereby strengthening and stabilizing your Divine Position, it would be best for you to choose a Divine Name and define your Divine Office, doctrines, and so on. We can refine the details later, but the Divine Name itself requires your explicit approval."
"Divine Name..."
Li Chunjun gazed at the cultivation technique, tailored to the unique characteristics of the Azure Star Minor Realm.
After a long pause, he finally spoke: "Reincarnation."
He added, "The Lord of Reincarnation, who governs life, death, and rebirth, resurrects the dead, and guides souls to their next lives."
"Life and Death Reincarnation?" Ri Ang, Liu Su, Bi Yan, and the others exchanged glances.
This scope of authority...
It was immense.
In the future, dealing with other Immortal Gods from the Immortal God Race who held similar authority would inevitably lead to conflicts over believers.
Even among the Six Great Emperors, the Antarctic Emperor and the Arctic Emperor shared dominion over life and death.
However, considering their master's human origins and uncertain future in the Great Earth Immortal World, this Divine Office was likely only temporary, making the potential conflicts less concerning.
"We shall proceed as you have instructed, Lord," Ri Ang declared with unwavering conviction. "Leave the rest to us. We will swiftly propagate this faith. While we cannot guarantee perfect results, as long as everyone reveres the Lord of Reincarnation, you will undoubtedly sense any Heart Demon corruption that threatens them."
As for those who stubbornly refused to heed the warnings about Heart Demons, even after being taught preventive measures, they deserved to be consumed by them.
"Go," Li Chunjun instructed. "If necessary, mobilize Huang Tian and the entire Blue Star Cultivation World to cooperate fully."
"Yes," Ri Ang replied, departing swiftly.
Shortly after Ri Ang and his team left to carry out their tasks, Elsa arrived outside Li Chunjun's cultivation chamber.
"Great Sword Master," she announced, "through sustained communication with Spirits of Nature from our world and other Lesser Thousand Worlds, we have gathered preliminary information on sixteen neighboring civilizations."
She paused, then added, "In total, we contacted thirty-nine Lesser Thousand Worlds, but twenty-three of them yielded no response."
"No response?"
"Correct. Worlds enveloped in Dao Rhythm typically give rise to life. It's possible that some of these realms have environments too harsh for Spirits of Nature to thrive, or perhaps..." Elsa hesitated, her tone darkening, "...those twenty-three Lesser Thousand Worlds have already perished, leaving no trace of Spirits of Nature behind."
No trace of Spirits of Nature...
It was as if the very bark had been stripped from the trees.
"Annihilation," Li Chunjun murmured, the word resonating with grim finality.
To inflict such complete destruction, sparing even the nascent Spirits of Nature...
He knew without a doubt that this was the work of a Heart Demon.
After a long silence, he finally asked, "Which Lesser Thousand World suspected of annihilation was the most recent to be destroyed?"
(End of the Chapter)
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