There is a progress bar in my cultivation of immortality

Chapter 1097 World Change
A cycle of sixty years has passed in the blink of an eye.

The frontline, the orbital sky of the Great Luo Star, where the hastily constructed defenses of the past are now as solid as a rock.

The form of warfare has also quietly evolved over sixty years of friction and confrontation. In order to deal with the treacherous methods of demonic cultivators and the hordes of demons, the Xuanmen, Tianmen, and even the demon race have invested huge resources in developing war machines.

In order to gain an advantage in the brutal war of attrition, the Xuanmen, Tianmen, and even the demon race all poured massive resources into establishing institutes dedicated to the research and development of war technologies.

Relying on its vast resource integration capabilities and profound wood element foundation, the Taiyan Sect established the "Cardinal Academy." This academy not only excels in traditional formations but also focuses on combining active spiritual plants with defensive fortifications to cultivate a "symbiotic barrier" that can self-repair and even devour weak demonic energy.

The "Weapon Institute" of Vajra Temple takes a more aggressive approach. They deeply integrate the Vajra power of Buddhism with rune knowledge to create heavy assault ships with super strong protection and anti-magic properties. The "energy cannon" on the bow of the ship has become a sharp blade to tear apart the demonic tide.

The Linshui Prefecture is skilled in water manipulation and concealment, and its "Research Institute" specializes in interference, disguise, and infiltration techniques.

The research of the "Kunyuan Pavilion" of the Underground Gate is biased towards the binding of the earth and the manipulation of gravity. Their research on "gravity traps" can instantly and greatly increase the gravity in a local area, causing enemy airships to slow down or even directly collapse.

The Qingwei Academy of the Yuqing Sect is an expert in the pure yang exorcising divine thunder and purification runes; while the Youxuan Institute of the Taiyin Sect is currently specializing in equipping flying boats with yin thunder runes that can be used at any time.

Even the demon race established the "Demon Form Hall," where they combined ancient bloodline talents with runes to develop various battle runes that could temporarily berserk demon beasts.

The most mysterious aspect is the research on "divine runes," which is mainly led by the Kongo Temple. They are secretly researching how to transform the power of faith into weapons that can be directly used in war.

Countless unorthodox sects have also established all sorts of research academies. The magical artifacts or rune formations they research are constantly being deployed to the front lines of Da Luo Xing for practical testing. While bringing about tactical innovations, they also make the form of war increasingly complex and brutal.

The Great Luo Star has become a massive military fortress and logistics center. Its surface is covered with fortifications, military camps, refineries, and healing clinics. Cultivators and craftsmen from all sides gather here, forming a distorted yet highly efficient wartime society.

The violent upheaval within the Xuanmen sect caused by the "theft of secret techniques" has gradually subsided over time. The chaos, purges, and mergers of the past have become a slightly wistful memory for the new generation of cultivators.

The changes in the mortal world are even more significant. Sixty years may be a period of seclusion for a cultivator, but for mortals, it is the time for two or three generations to change.

Thanks to the relative peace brought about by the stalemate on the front lines, and the massive demand for various resources from the cultivator war, many mortal worlds have ushered in an abnormal prosperity.

It is worth mentioning that the technical knowledge collected by Shen Xiaozhu was also spread to various sects and schools through the flying boats of Qianmu Temple. Although these sects were not capable of independently building flying boats, they could specialize in a single area, such as power or control arrays. This greatly increased the speed of flying boat manufacturing within the Dao Palace and indirectly strengthened the intensity of the war on the front lines.

The anvil of war not only forges magical artifacts of the immortals, but its sparks also quietly fall into the mortal world, igniting the flames of change in another world.

As time went on, a large amount of basic rune and array knowledge that was originally monopolized by cultivators gradually permeated all aspects of mortal society, either because of the urgent need for production by mortal workshops in the front lines of war, or because low-level cultivators opened lecture halls in the rear to earn resources, or because the technical classics compiled by Shen Xiaozhu, which aimed to standardize and popularize the knowledge, were widely circulated through the Thousand Wood Temple flying boat.

The first to undergo dramatic changes were in production and construction. The simple "spirit-gathering array" was simplified and improved to nourish crops, resulting in a doubling of grain production. Although it was not as good as the true seeds of the immortals, it was enough to save countless mortals from famine.

The prototypes of "Lightness Talisman" and "Great Strength Talisman" were engraved on tools and machinery, enabling mortal craftsmen to move giant stones and build magnificent bridges and buildings that were previously unimaginable; basic magic arrays for regulating temperature and humidity were used for storage, weaving, and smelting, which led to a leap forward in the level of craftsmanship in the mortal world.

Transportation and communication have undergone earth-shattering changes. Although true flying and escaping still require the methods of immortals, "wind-rail trains" based on the principles of "wind-traveling talismans" and "floating arrays" are already running across the continent, greatly shortening the distance between the mortal world and the mainland. Simplified "communication talisman array" networks have begun to be laid in major towns. Although they cannot transmit messages across borders, they allow messages from thousands of miles away to arrive instantly. The decrees of the dynasty and the information of merchants circulate with unprecedented efficiency.

Even healthcare and people's livelihoods were greatly affected. Due to technological innovation, "disease-curing talismans" and "water-purifying talismans" were widely used. Although they could not bring the dead back to life, they effectively curbed the spread of many plagues and increased the average lifespan of ordinary people. Daily necessities such as lighting, heating, and cleaning also became more convenient due to the application of various miniature magic arrays.

These changes will not happen overnight. Currently, only aristocratic families and nobles are enjoying them, but they are like a gentle rain, reshaping the lifestyles of ordinary people and the face of the world. It is likely that before long, new cities that integrate rune formations and ordinary craftsmanship will spring up.

Perhaps in the near future, the political landscape of mortal dynasties will be shaken as a result. Those nations that can quickly adopt and utilize this new knowledge will surely become strong, while the conservative and slow-moving will face elimination.

...

Wang Ping remained asleep throughout these years, the Dragon Lord still hadn't emerged from seclusion, and Yu Lian continued to shuttle between Wang Ping and Jupiter, spending her free time writing and selling storybooks with Hu Qianqian.

At this moment, Yu Lian was at Hu Qianqian's dojo, discussing her new work. She had called Sanhua Mao, Liu Shuang, and Shen Xiaozhu to give their opinions. The reason for such a grand display was that the story she had written based on Miao Qing Dao Ren's experience was very popular, especially among the Qi cultivators on the front lines.

"Uncle-Master, I think it would be better to continue releasing the previous stories. There are many Qi cultivators on the front lines waiting for it. Even if we release another 200,000 sets, we can still sell them all."

Liu Shuang offered her opinion tactfully, glancing at the spirit dog playing with the calico cat nearby as she spoke.

Yulian shook her little head and said, "You handle that. We need to write a new story now." She didn't care about money at all, since Jupiter now had inexhaustible natural treasures.

"My new work is bound to be a sensation!" Yu Lian said confidently. "Miao Qing's experience last time was just a trial run. This time, we're going to write... a story like never before!"

The calico cat lazily licked its paws, then lifted its eyelids slightly upon hearing this: "Meow?"

Yulian glared at her.

Liu Shuang covered her mouth and chuckled. Although her cultivation was gradually declining, her mind was becoming more and more peaceful. At this moment, she felt that this gathering was warm and interesting.

Shen Xiaozhu was more pragmatic. She took out her jade slip, which was filled with messages from various places: "Uncle Yulian, according to feedback from the bookstore, the most popular books nowadays are mostly about passionate battles, heroic legends, or... well... some romantic stories of talented men and beautiful women."

Yu Lian flicked her tail dismissively: "War? Fighting and killing are too vulgar. Romance? Vulgar! We need to write something elegant and profound!"

Hu Qianqian's eyes lit up, and she suggested, "Then... how about writing a story about a reclusive master who plays in the mortal world while secretly protecting it? Like Master?"

She has recently read quite a few similar stories.

Yu Lian thought for a moment, then shook her head and said, "I think we should write a story about food and adventure, where the protagonist travels across the starry sky in search of lost and rare ingredients, resolves grudges with his culinary skills, and touches the hearts of all beings with his delicious food!"

The dojo fell silent for a moment.

The calico cat stopped grooming itself, tilted its head, and meowed.

The spirit dog beside her looked at Yu Lian curiously. Liu Shuang's smile was somewhat stiff: "Well... delicious food is certainly important, but..."

Shen Xiaozhu traced some lines on the jade slip and said cautiously, "Uncle-Master, this kind of subject matter... seems to be quite niche. The soldiers on the front lines are probably more interested in reading something that... can boost morale."

Yu Lian, however, was engrossed in her own ideas and became more and more excited as she spoke: "You don't understand, this is what it means to return to simplicity!"

Seeing Yu Lian's high spirits, no one wanted to dampen her enthusiasm, so Hu Qianqian had no choice but to chime in, "Uncle-Master's ideas are unique, they must be... distinctive."

Liu Shuang and Shen Xiaozhu echoed this sentiment.

So, Yu Lian pulled Hu Qianqian along and began enthusiastically brainstorming details for their new work. The calico cat was getting sleepy listening to them, while Liu Shuang would occasionally drift off and look in the direction of her disciple's seclusion. Only Shen Xiaozhu diligently recorded some ideas that might be used to improve the logistics and meals of the flying boat.

A few months later.

The first hardcover edition of Yu Lian's new work was sold to the front lines and various Xingchen Bookstores through the Taiyan Sect's channels, but it disappeared without a trace. Moreover, some fans of the previous book cursed outside some bookstores.

When the news reached the lakeside dojo, Yulian was stunned for a while, then angrily plunged into the lake, caught ten of the fattest and freshest fish, and turned her grief and anger into a feast.

Hu Qianqian suppressed a laugh and comforted her, "Uncle-Master, it's alright. We'll write an even more exciting one next time!"

Yu Lian swallowed a fish, muttering indistinctly, "...Hmph...common folk, they don't know how to appreciate..."

She had failed countless times, and this setback was nothing more than a daily triumph for her. After eating and drinking her fill, she pulled Hu Qianqian along to continue her new work.

Time slips away silently, in a way that is imperceptible to most.

One day, twenty years later.

In the now stable starry sky, a light dragon roar suddenly rang out. Ordinary people would only find it strange, but for cultivators above the fourth realm, their primordial spirit would be struck as if by a heavy blow.

Above Mercury's orbit, under the cold starlight, an originally empty star field was stirred by an invisible force, and space rippled like water. Then, a huge and suffocating figure slowly emerged.

It was a giant dragon, pure white all over.

He simply hovered there quietly, his very existence causing a subtle shift in the laws of the surrounding starry sky. The thin interstellar dust and scattered tiny celestial debris nearby were silently covered with a layer of dark blue frost. Further away, the defensive array surrounding the Linshui Prefecture's outpost automatically activated, its light flashing intensely, clearly under some indescribable immense pressure.

Bai Long slowly opened his eyes, which were like two stars shrunk countless times, cold and indifferent, reflecting Mercury in front of him and the more distant starry sky, as if he had seen through the loneliness and vicissitudes of eternity.

This is not the Dragon King, but the Dragon King's eldest son, Ao Yi.

The next moment, a golden light flashed above the public Ascension Platform in Mercury's orbit. It was the Master of Heavenly Crafts. He approached Ao Yi, cupped his hands, and said, "Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on advancing to the fifth realm."

Upon hearing this, the enormous dragon's body transformed into a young man dressed in white amidst a flash of azure light. He politely returned the greeting, saying, "So you are the Master Craftsman. Greetings, Master."

After exchanging pleasantries, Tiangong asked, "Fellow Daoist, what brings you out of seclusion this time?"

Ao Yi replied, "My next stage of cultivation cannot be completed in seclusion, so I will naturally come out of seclusion. I sense that the battle at the front seems to be going poorly. The demonic army has actually set foot in the orbit of the Great Luo Star."

Upon hearing this, Tiangong's eyes showed some disappointment, and then he asked directly, "Does the Dragon Lord have any message to convey?"

Ao Yi shook his head: "Father just told me to cultivate diligently. I will handle the daily affairs of Linshui Prefecture in the future. Father needs to focus on his cultivation in seclusion." He paused for a moment, seemingly deliberately keeping him in suspense, "According to Father, in at most two hundred years, his cultivation will be able to advance another step."

He stopped there, then changed the subject, saying, "Master, would you like to come to my temple for a cup of hot tea?"

"it is good!"

Tiangong readily agreed.

A few days later.

The news of Ao Yi's advancement to the fifth realm and his emergence from seclusion spread to every corner of this starry sky. There was not much reaction from either the Taiyan Sect or its surroundings. The headquarters, like Linshui Prefecture, was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, because Xia Wenyi had also emerged from seclusion a month ago and officially advanced to the fourth realm.

Yu Lian did not participate in the lively Dharma assembly. She stayed by Wang Ping's side, writing new stories on her own, and said to Wang Ping, "Without your and Dragon Lord's interference, the various civilizations under the starry sky have developed faster than in the previous thousand years. You should wake up and see this world. It will definitely surprise you."

As she finished speaking, Xinghai's illusory figure suddenly appeared and said to Yulian, "Wang Ping should be waking up soon, no later than three hundred years."

Yu Lian looked Xing Hai up and down and asked, "Are you alright?"

The illusory figure in the starry sea transformed directly into a physical entity composed of various attribute energy particles, responding, "This much time is enough for me to establish a stable human consciousness."

After saying that, he pointed to the distant starry sky: "Look over there."

Yu Lian looked in the direction Xing Hai pointed, and her golden vertical pupils suddenly contracted.

Inside the Wood Spirit World where Wang Ping slept, countless dazzling emerald green light threads were born from nothingness, intertwining and spreading, slowly extending like a living neural network.

She could sense that within this interwoven network, the causal lives of all beings in this starry sky were connected.

(End of this chapter)