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Chapter 563: The Path Ahead
Chapter 563: The Path Ahead
Within the void, Chen Mu's figure appeared hazy, almost like a mirage.
Before him, the fourth layer of the void was shattered, resembling a lotus with four broken petals.
At this moment, Chen Mu could clearly see the depths of the fourth layer of the void, where the void's tides were raging, far more turbulent than the surface he was currently on.
If he had ventured into this realm before attaining the Divine Realm, he would have been swept away, even with his power rivaling that of a Divine Realm expert and his mastery of the Void Path. It was certain that he would have perished within those chaotic forces, as they were utterly uncontrollable, like a raging torrent.
If one were to compare the void's power to water, then the normal void would be like a stable pond or pool, occasionally rippling with small waves. With even a basic understanding of the mysteries of the Void Path, one could manipulate a small amount of void energy.
However, at this moment,
Affected by the void's tides, the void energy on the surface was also turbulent, akin to a rushing river with rapidly flowing water. To harness this energy for oneself, one would need an even deeper understanding of 'water manipulation'.
As for the world within the fourth layer of the void, if one were to describe the void energy there in terms comprehensible to mortals, it would be like a high-pressure water jet, impossible to touch even for those highly skilled in water manipulation.
In fact,
The void energy within was so intense and turbulent that it didn't spill out, even when Chen Mu shattered the fourth layer's barrier. The surging void energy within continued to flow as it had, unaffected by the broken barrier.
The void's fragmentation didn't last long. As Chen Mu gathered his power, the fourth layer of the void began to mend swiftly, the shattered area sealing itself almost instantly.
"This Fourth Heaven, though vastly different from the previous three, is still within my reach with my profound foundation and roots. Now, in this vast void, I finally have some means to protect myself."
Chen Mu quickly dispersed the three types of primordial forces, returning to his original form.
By combining the power of the Void, Ethereal, and Vitality, he could shatter the Fourth Heaven's void upon entering the Divine Realm. Although he barely reached the threshold of the Fourth Heaven, he hadn't even utilized his divine armament yet.
Swish!
Chen Mu casually reached out and grabbed the Void Dart that had been floating beside him.
Divine armaments, in essence, were weapons best suited for the Divine Realm. While beings below the Divine Realm could wield them with a deep understanding of the Primordial Dao, their actual might was quite limited.
It was common knowledge that a Rank 7 Below Deity being wielding a divine armament could match the power of a Rank 8 Below Deity. This divine armament could enhance a Rank 7 Below Deity's strength by about two to three times.
Seemingly a significant boost?
In reality, it was quite mediocre.
The current Chen Mu could effortlessly annihilate a large number of Rank 7 Below Deity and even Rank 8 Below Deity beings in one breath!
There was now a qualitative difference between beings below the Divine Realm and him.
How much did this Void Dart enhance Chen Mu's power? After a brief test, he estimated that it could amplify his void energy by nearly fifty percent! This was truly terrifying.
The void energy Chen Mu could harness before reaching the Divine Realm was worlds apart from what he could command after attaining it, despite no change in his Void Path cultivation. With his full strength, he could now summon void energy equivalent to his divine energy! With a fifty percent boost, it was like adding five times his divine energy!
What did five times Chen Mu's divine energy mean? It meant that he, with his unique tenfold divine energy foundation and perfectly condensed divine energy, had a more refined and powerful divine force than the average Divine Realm expert. Even half his divine energy was enough to sweep through the Second Heaven and approach the Third Heaven.
When facing beings who hadn't entered the Divine Realm, it was a one-sided slaughter, whether they were Rank 8 Below Deity or Rank 9 Below Deity.
A divine armament in Chen Mu's hands amplified his power by five times, while in the hands of a Rank 7 Below Deity being, it barely provided a boost of half his divine energy. The difference was like night and day.
"With the power of the three Primordial Daos, I can barely shatter the Fourth Heaven and reach its threshold. With the amplification of these three Divine Armaments, among the True Gods of the Fourth Heaven, I should not be considered weak."
Chen Mu tested each of the three Divine Armaments, and the amplifying effects were extremely evident. With his current level and realm, and a solid foundation of tenfold Divine Energy, he could simultaneously wield these three Divine Armaments while maintaining the three states of Void, Ethereal, and Vitality. Doing so didn't exert too much pressure on him.
In other words,
When he fully unleashed the power of the three Primordial Daos and combined it with the three states, his strength could still be amplified by another fold! Chen Mu tried this, using this power to shake the fifth layer of the Void. However, the result was like a mud cow entering the sea, completely unable to affect the structure of the fifth layer of the Void.
This was normal.
In the Divine Realm, the power gap between each of the first three Heavens is nearly threefold.
As one ascends to the Fourth Heaven and above, the gap between each Heaven becomes even greater. It's common for the strength gap between the Fourth and Fifth Heavens to be tenfold. However, at the Fourth Heaven level, Divine Realm beings have some means of self-preservation, the most common of which is undoubtedly the External Avatar.
When all living beings cultivate to the Divine Realm, they no longer possess a soul or flesh. Their life is based on Divine Energy, and each basic unit of Divine Energy contains a complete life imprint.
In other words,
As long as one separates the most basic unit of Divine Energy and refines it into an External Avatar, or places it somewhere, even if their main body perishes, as long as any avatar survives or any life imprint remains unharmed, it cannot be considered a true death. They can slowly cultivate a new True Body over an extended period.
Even though there is a tenfold strength gap between the Fourth and Fifth Heavens, it's still difficult for a Fifth Heaven being to completely annihilate a Fourth Heaven Divine Realm being. The same goes for the Sixth Heaven.
As for below the Fourth Heaven?
That's impossible.
Although all Divine Realm beings have the ability to refine External Avatars, those in the Third Heaven either have insufficiently strong Divine Energy or lack sufficient understanding of the Primordial Dao.
Even if they have multiple Divine Energy avatars scattered in remote locations, when facing Fifth or Sixth Heaven Divine Realm beings, they are often directly annihilated, along with all their avatars and life imprints, through various means!
This is why a True God of the Fourth Heaven can be considered a formidable force in a realm, earning a formidable reputation and influential status, and even protecting the development and prosperity of a race.
After all,
Although Fifth and Sixth Heaven True Gods can eliminate the Divine Energy True Bodies of Fourth Heaven True Gods, it's difficult for them to completely annihilate them. Moreover, they are often unwilling to make enemies with Fourth Heaven True Gods, as they may hide in the shadows and target the disciples or races they care about for revenge, which is hard to guard against.
"As of now, I'm still quite far from the Fifth Heaven."
After roughly understanding his strength level, Chen Mu quickly calmed the excitement of entering the Divine Realm.
Although he has now stepped into the Fourth Heaven, gaining the ability to protect himself and the skills to thrive in the Vangu Empty Domain, that's all he can do.
Within the Vangu Empty Domain, there are not only one but several formidable Fifth and Sixth Heaven Divine Realm beings.
Above them are the Seventh Heaven beings! That's a completely different level, truly high above, able to overlook a realm and rule countless Major Realms.
If he were a Seventh Heaven Divine Lord now, he would have the confidence to stand firm in the Endless Universe. Even the powerful Demon Race would think twice before offending him.
"Divine Lord..."
Chen Mu murmured softly, quickly gathering his thoughts and considering how to improve his strength from then on.
Although he had discussed a lot with Xun Mu and learned a lot about the Divine Realm from him, and had indirectly obtained information from the beings of various races in the Origin Site, most of it was limited to breaking through from below the Divine Realm to above it.
Regarding the Divine Realm, he currently doesn't know everything, but he does know very little.
Since there is no realm division above the Divine Realm, and strength is solely based on the Divine Realm level, according to his rough understanding, there are three main factors that influence the strength of Divine Realm beings.
Divine Armament,
Secret Arts,
and Primordial Dao!
Chen Mu had first-hand experience with Divine Armaments, as the three he possessed could nearly double his strength, a significant boost. These three Divine Armaments were likely of the lowest grade, the most common type.
He once briefly inquired about Divine Armaments with Xun Mu, who responded that they were generally categorized into lower, middle, and upper grades. Lower-grade Divine Armaments were the most common and widespread, not particularly valuable, but middle-grade ones were extraordinary. Many True Gods of the Fourth Heaven might not even possess one.
As for upper-grade Divine Armaments, they were often held only by Demon Lords.
In the 16th book of the 9th volume, this information was undoubtedly correct!
At this thought, a sudden idea flashed across Chen Mu's mind. Xun Mu, this vast, crowned giant tree, was more like a wise Divine Armament than a powerful Divine Realm being.
No, perhaps Xun Mu's true nature is a Divine Armament, a Creation Dao Divine Armament. But this Armament has a unique nature; it is a pillar supporting a Demon Lord's Inner World, and it possesses complete life and wisdom.
If Xun Mu's essence is indeed a Creation Dao Divine Armament, possibly of middle-grade, could Chen Mu utilize it in some way?
That might not be feasible.
Xun Mu's nature is quite special. Even if it is genuinely a Creation Dao Divine Armament, it is not a combat-oriented one. Forcing it into service for offense or defense would likely be challenging and not very meaningful.
Chen Mu shook his head, quickly dismissing the idea.
However, with his current cultivation level and strength, he is indeed capable of wielding a middle-grade Divine Armament. If he could acquire one, it would significantly enhance his power. This would be an external boost, but he has no idea where to find one in a short time.
Aside from Divine Armaments, the other two factors determining the strength of Divine Realm beings are Secret Arts and Primordial Dao.
Chen Mu had heard a little about Secret Arts, also from Xun Mu. However, as he had not yet entered the Divine Realm at that time, Xun Mu only briefly mentioned it without elaborating.
Secret Arts, more accurately called 'Divine Power Secret Arts,' are specialized techniques for utilizing Divine Power.
When mortals ascend to the Divine Realm, the 'quantity' of their Divine Power becomes fixed, unchanging. However, Divine Realm beings can employ various methods to enhance the 'quality' of their Divine Power, and this is where Secret Arts come into play.
The same amount of power, when condensed differently, can exhibit vastly different levels of prowess.
Chen Mu had no Secret Arts in his possession, leaving him without a direction for cultivation. The system panel couldn't provide cultivation methods out of thin air, and this hadn't changed since he entered the Divine Realm.
"Xun Mu might know something about Divine Power Secret Arts..."
Chen Mu's thoughts returned to Xun Mu.
After all, Xun Mu was once a Demon Lord's creation, guarding his Inner World. Even if Xun Mu's cultivation level is ordinary, he might know a thing or two about Secret Arts.
Now, Chen Mu and Xun Mu are like old friends, both facing the Demon Race. If Xun Mu does know some Divine Power Secret Arts, he likely wouldn't hide them.
Chen Mu didn't dwell on Secret Arts for long, and his thoughts soon turned to the last topic.
Primordial Dao!
More important than Secret Arts, Primordial Dao forms the fundamental basis, as many Secret Arts and Primordial Dao are complementary. Without a certain depth of understanding in Primordial Dao, many Secret Arts cannot be cultivated.
Before entering the Divine Realm, the system panel locked his experience in Primordial Dao at the Dao Attainment level, preventing further accumulation or advancement.
But now...
Chen Mu summoned the system panel with his thoughts.
Scrolling down, he quickly found that the cultivation section for the three Primordial Daos at the bottom of the panel had undergone clear changes.
[Primordial Dao: Void (Dao Attainment)]
[Experience: 113 points]
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[Primordial Dao: Time (Dao Attainment)]
[Experience: 29 points]
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[Primordial Dao: Creation (Dao Attainment)]
[Experience: 77 points]
Experience points, once locked at zero and unable to accumulate further, are now accumulating anew!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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