Chapter 687: Enlightenment
Chapter 687: Enlightenment
"Damn the Blackstone Association."
Imperator Guanglie's face darkened.
Encountering the Blackstone Association, they had directly lost two Monster Beast corpses, which was naturally very frustrating for the Fengxing Association members. After all, this was supposed to be a bountiful hunting expedition, but now with two corpses missing, their gains were significantly reduced.
"There's no other choice. Circumstances are stronger than us."
Someone shook their head and sighed.
The Blackstone Association's overall strength was indeed three times that of the Fengxing Association. If they were to engage in a battle, the losses would be unacceptable. Handing over two Monster Beast corpses made everyone inwardly resentful, but it was still within their bottom line.
"No matter."
Fengxing Shenjun spoke up, "With Brother Chen's addition, our Fengxing Association will only reap greater harvests and attract more members. Once we become stronger, we won't fear the Blackstone Association."
With a threefold difference in strength, they had no choice but to yield. However, if the Fengxing Association could have forty to fifty Nine Heaven Perfection Shenjuns, and thirty to forty of them participated in each hunting expedition, the gap between the two associations would immediately narrow.
As long as the strength gap wasn't too significant, there was no need to be overly submissive. The Blackstone Association would also be cautious, weighing the cost of engaging in a war with the Fengxing Association, and wouldn't forcefully take what they wanted.
"Blackstone Association..."
Chen Mu, walking at the back of the group, muttered to himself.
With three Dual Pulse Full Perfection experts, the Blackstone Association was indeed superior. Even if he fought with all his strength, he could only hold off one of them. Faced with such a raid, he could only endure for the time being.
Soon,
The group returned to Wuxiang City without any further incidents along the way.
Accompanying Fengxing Shenjun, they arrived at Ji Chang'an's shop and began to retrieve the Monster Beast corpses.
"Brother Chen, in such a short time, you've made quite a substantial harvest. Congratulations!"
Ji Chang'an greeted Chen Mu with a smile.
When Chen Mu took out the Triangular Rhinoceros Beast's corpse, Ji Chang'an's eyes lit up. He immediately approached, carefully examining it, and exclaimed, "Excellent quality! It's been a long time since I've seen such fine material. Just this one is worth 500 Source Stones."
Upon hearing Ji Chang'an's words, Imperator Guanglie and the others revealed delighted expressions.
Ordinary Monster Beast corpses were worth around 50 Source Stones each, but this Triangular Rhinoceros Beast's corpse was valued at 500 Source Stones, ten times more. Even with the loss of two corpses to the Blackstone Association, this expedition was still a great success. Fengxing Shenjun's previously gloomy expression eased considerably.
Soon,
After Ji Chang'an finished counting, he handed over the Source Stones to Fengxing Shenjun.
In total, there were 700 Source Stones.
Following Fengxing Shenjun, the group returned to their residence.
"For this expedition, we obtained a total of 700 Source Stones. According to our previous agreement, I'll take three-tenths, which is 210... Well, since we lost resources to the Blackstone Association, I also bear some responsibility. So, I'll only take 200 Source Stones, and Brother Chen will receive one-tenth, which is 70 Source Stones. The remaining 430 Source Stones are for you all to divide."
Fengxing Shenjun quickly distributed the Source Stones.
Chen Mu received a full 70 Source Stones, his first time seeing them. They were round and smooth, like colorful pearls the size of a fingertip. Upon closer inspection, one could see intricate patterns within, and a faint trace of Prime Source energy seemed to flicker within.
"Brother Chen, there are a few vacant rooms in the backyard. Feel free to choose one."
Fengxing Shenjun called out to Chen Mu.
"Alright."
Chen Mu nodded slightly, not being overly polite. He entered the backyard and selected a room from the available ones, then stepped inside.
The room was empty, a simple quiet chamber, which Chen Mu was quite satisfied with. He waved his hand, releasing a strand of Void Ether, and set up a simple Void Seal in the room before taking out the Source Stones he had received.
"Source Stones, containing Prime Source energy... I wonder where they come from."
Chen Mu examined the Source Stone in his palm.
It didn't seem like something that could be naturally mined, and it would be strange if it were artificially refined. After all, the Source Stones contained Prime Source energy, and even the most powerful Shenjun wouldn't be able to refine them.
Perhaps only a Da dao zun zhe would have the ability to refine such Source Stones.
Upon further thought, the ruler of Wuxiang City must have the strength of a Da dao zun zhe to control the entire city, ensuring that all the visiting Shenjuns and existences abided by the city's rules.
In the vast Cosmos, only those who attain the title of Dao Sovereign possess the strength of a Grand Master. However, in Yuan Jing, the world is exceptionally unique. If one were to receive the bestowment of the Prime Source Dao and wield the power of certain rules, they might also attain Grand Master-level strength.
In simpler terms, everything still depends on the evolution of the Dao.
Chen Mu had previously had a brief exchange with Fengxing Shenjun, and from their conversation, he learned that all foreign Shenjun feared the ruler of Wuxiang City. If one were to break the rules within the city, they would truly face punishment with no chance of escape.
Many speculated that the ruler of Wuxiang City was a primordial being created by the Prime Source Dao when the city was born, wielding a certain rule and comparable to a Dao Sovereign.
The existence of such beings, born at the pinnacle, is not uncommon. In ordinary worlds, primordial life can also be born, and Yuan Jing is no exception. Their rise and fall are tied to their primordial nature, and they typically lack the potential for further transformation. When the Cosmos faces annihilation, and Yuan Jing returns to desolation, these beings born of rules will also fade into oblivion.
Only those who truly rely on their abilities, comprehend the Dao, and cultivate into Dao Sovereigns can transcend the annihilation of the Cosmos.
"Let's give it a try and see what the effects of these Source Stones are."
Chen Mu collected the numerous Source Stones, leaving only one in his palm. He gently brought his palms together, enclosing the stone, and channeled his Divine Power to refine it.
In just a moment, he felt the Source Stone in his palm melt and transform into a strange force that instantly merged with his body. At that instant, he saw light!
Infinite light!
These lights were filled with myriad mysteries, representing everything in the world. There was the light of creation, the light of the void, and the light of time, all intertwining and forming a vast sea, infinitely expanding from a most primitive point.
In that instant, Chen Mu was immersed in these lights, filled with endless mystical insights that surged from the depths of his heart. One by one, sparks of inspiration rose and burst like bubbles.
"The Prime Source Dao..." Chen Mu murmured in awe.
He had once witnessed the manifestation of the Prime Source River upon reaching the Divine Realm, but that was just one form of the Prime Source Dao. What he saw now, through the refinement of the Source Stone, was another manifestation of the same Dao.
The Prime Source Dao is formless and boundless, with myriad transformations and appearances. It is the ultimate law of all forms and the origin of everything, transcending the concepts of form and formlessness, and surpassing all beings. Every extreme limit is but a part of the Prime Source Dao.
Time passed, and eventually, the light of the Dao in his vision began to dim. The feeling of countless lights surging also gradually faded, and everything in his vision returned to darkness, back to the plain quiet room.
Chen Mu took a deep breath, calming his mind, and then summoned the system panel.
[Mystic Fusion: Split, Converge, Extend, Overlie, Infinity]
[Experience: 3 points]
"It worked!"
Chen Mu finally smiled at the changes on the system panel.
Before entering Yuan Jing, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't gain experience in the Five Mystic Fusions. But now, by stepping into Yuan Jing and using Source Stones to directly observe the light of the Dao, he had finally taken a step forward.
Although three points of experience were minuscule, and completing the Five Mystic Fusions required a full one hundred million points of experience, the ability to gain experience was a crucial step from nothing to something!
One Source Stone could provide around three points of experience, and he had collected seventy stones, which meant over two hundred points of experience. This hunting trip took less than ten Realm Years.
Of course,
Not all seventy Source Stones could be used for refinement and comprehension. A small portion was needed to replenish the consumption of Prime Source Power, ensuring a prolonged stay in Yuan Jing.
Usually, the Prime Source Power contained in one Source Stone could sustain a stay in Yuan Jing for about one Realm Year.
For ordinary Shenjun like Guanglie Shenjun from the Fengxing Association, who had reached the Nine Heaven Perfection, a single hunting trip would yield around twenty to thirty Source Stones. Such a trip would take about ten Realm Years, and upon returning, they would need time to recuperate. Using Source Stones to comprehend the Dao would also consume time, so they could barely maintain their prolonged stay in Yuan Jing.
Those who do not reach the Nine Heaven Perfection have little chance of qualifying for long-term residence.
Of course, every living being, upon their first three entries into the Yuan Jing, receives a blessing from the Prime Source Dao, bestowing them with enough Prime Source Power to reside in the Yuan Jing for an entire era. This is indeed a substantial amount!
If one could directly 'cash out', it would be equivalent to over ten thousand Source Stones, or nearly a million experience points.
However, the strand of Prime Source Power granted by the Dao is not convertible into Source Stones.
Despite this, with this blessing from the Dao, he need not worry about replenishing his Prime Source Power for the time being.
Take Fengxing Shenjun and Imperator Guanglie, for example, they typically retain their presence for around a thousand eras, and any excess Source Stones are used for refining and cultivation, comprehending the Dao.
Retaining Prime Source Power for an entire era is undoubtedly extravagant and unnecessary.
"If I were to use all the Source Stones to comprehend the Dao, within ten eras, I would have enough experience to fulfill the requirements of the Five Integrated Sublimes. Even considering daily consumption, with a few dozen eras, success is within reach. This efficiency is higher than I anticipated... Hmm, but this is an ideal scenario. After all, this hunting expedition was fruitful, but there's always a chance of failure, and it might even cost over a hundred days with no gains."
Chen Mu began to estimate and evaluate the situation in his mind.
Without considering unexpected circumstances, he was satisfied with the current efficiency. In a short time, he could utilize the system panel to perceive the complete Void Dao, attempting to challenge the Dao Sovereign of the Void Lineage. Such a cultivation speed and efficiency would drive any of the Nine Heavens God-Kings in the Cosmos to madness.
However, taking into account unforeseen events, it's impossible to always be smooth sailing, so it's hard to predict the specifics. But his actual gains would be higher than they are now, as he possesses a perfect divine body and has achieved Great Perfection in the Void Lineage. If he were to reveal his full strength, he could claim an even larger share of the hunting expedition's rewards.
"Hmm, that's right."
Suddenly, Chen Mu recalled something and summoned the system panel again, checking the insights into the Dao of Time and the Zao-hua Dao.
【Integrated Sublime: Life, Ten Thousand Spirits, All Phases】
【Experience: 170,000 points】
...
【Integrated Sublime: Life, Ten Thousand Spirits, Cause and Effect】
【Experience: 140,000 points】
...
Although he hadn't checked the specific data beforehand, Chen Mu was well aware that the experiences from the Dao of Time and the Zao-hua Dao's Integrated Sublimes had also increased, and the experience gained was significantly more than that of the Five Integrated Sublimes of the Void Lineage.
After all, when refining Source Stones, one perceives the light of the Dao, which is not limited to the Void Lineage. It encompasses the Creation School and the Dao of Time, and even a fleeting glimpse grants a substantial amount of experience.
"It seems that even if I focus solely on the Void Lineage, the experience of the other two lineages will continue to accumulate."
Chen Mu contemplated as he observed the changes on the system panel.
The experience accumulation from the Integrated Sublimes of the Creation School and the Dao of Time was not a bad thing for him.
Previously, he hadn't considered dividing his efforts to cultivate the Creation School and the Dao of Time, nor had he thought of pursuing the paths of Dual Pulse Full Perfection or Three Pulse Full Perfection. After all, comprehending different Daos could enhance his strength, but it was merely a minor transformation compared to the path of the Sovereigns, not worth the effort.
However, in this situation, since he can gain experience in the Creation School and the Dao of Time without exerting any effort, it's an unexpected bonus. After all, the path to becoming a Void Sovereign is still quite long, and it's beneficial to be able to cultivate the Creation and Time Lineages to Nine Heaven Perfection along the way.
After all,
With increased strength, his survival in Wuxiang City would improve, allowing him to acquire more resources. In turn, this would accelerate his comprehension of the Void Dao, creating a mutually beneficial cycle.
"Continue."
After taking a deep breath, Chen Mu closed the system panel, calmed his thoughts, and held another Source Stone in his palm. He began to refine it slowly, infusing his body with Prime Source Power once more.
Soon, he witnessed the light of the Dao again, and as countless radiant lights appeared, his experience in comprehending the Dao began to steadily increase.
(End of Chapter)
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