Grandpa, times have changed.

Yuan, who was standing nearby, was slightly moved upon hearing this.

"Then I..."

“Yuan, you stay here.” Hong interrupted her directly, “You’re not even at the embryonic stage yet, you’ll only be a burden if you come along.”

Even he himself couldn't guarantee that he would return unscathed.

Yuan:"……"

After this experience, she finally understood.

Dangers are everywhere in this world, and helpless things happen all the time.

Even those who cultivate Qi are powerless to protect themselves in this desolate Eastern Wilderness, let alone in the more prosperous Glory World, home to countless powerful races.

So, what she really meant was to say that she would stay here so that he wouldn't feel bad.

"Well, I see."

Since Hongdu had said so, Yuan naturally wouldn't contradict him.

“In that case,” Hong nodded slightly and looked at Wu Shi, “I’ll have to trouble you to take good care of me, senior.”

“These are all minor matters.” After a pause, Wu Shi frowned. “But isn’t it a bit too early for you to go out and make your way in the world now?”

"It's getting late," Hong sighed softly.

"If we delay any longer, we'll only reach the Ningyi stage. What difference will it make if we go out then compared to now?"

The Radiant World Domain has other, more prosperous domains that cannot compare to this remote Eastern Wilderness Domain.

The difference between fetal breathing and single-pointed concentration is nothing more than that of an ant or a larger ant.

Perhaps to some more powerful beings, a larger ant would be even more conspicuous.

"Since you've made your decision, I won't say any more."

She is also a very opinionated person, just like Xiao Xing, but even more decisive than Xiao Xing.

"I'll refine more Moon Crown Bamboo Essence later, you can take it with you."

"Traveling through the Radiant World Domain, and those even more prosperous domains, one cannot do without some spiritual resources."

Although the essence of the Moon Crown Bamboo is not considered precious, it is mild in nature and can be used for Qi cultivation and fetal breathing, so its value is still acceptable.

"Then thank you very much, senior." Hong did not refuse.

After all, refusing now would seem hypocritical.

He can repay the kindness of his predecessors when he is able to do so in the future.

Wu Shi waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to say these things.

"Eat up, you've been unconscious for so long, eat more to replenish your strength."

"it is good!"

……

……

late at night.

Perhaps because Hong had woken up, Yuan did not go out as usual today, but went to bed early.

On the contrary, Hong, who had just woken up from his coma, quietly came to the lakeside after everyone had gone to sleep.

The tranquil lake reflects the full moon, stretching to the horizon.

Looking out into the distance, the twinkling stars in the night sky and their reflections in the lake twinkle in unison, creating a rather picturesque scene.

He gazed into the distance for a long time...

Hong withdrew his gaze and sighed softly.

"Come out."

As soon as he finished speaking, a rustling sound came from the bamboo grove nearby.

Soon, Xu Xing walked over from there.

"Brother Xu, why are you still up so late?"

"Keep an eye on you, lest you do something foolish."

"Heh." Hong shook his head and chuckled. "I'm not that fragile."

"That's hard to say. Sometimes, a scene can trigger emotions, and you can get stuck in a rut in an instant."

"..." After a moment of silence, "How did you figure that out?"

He believed he had performed very well...

Spontaneous.

He didn't show much sadness, but the person in front of him still followed him the moment he left the bamboo house.

"It's a very simple principle: a person knows their parents have died, but acts very casually..." Xu Xing explained.

"Either he's heartless and inhuman, or he's just pretending."

"You... are clearly not the former."

The master had actually figured it out as well.

However, as an elder, and one who wasn't very familiar with Hong, he was really not suitable to play the role of giving advice.

"The reason you pretend not to care is because you don't want Yuan to worry, right?"

"..."

Hong fell silent again.

After a long while, he smiled wryly and said:

"You really can't hide anything from Brother Xu."

As the older brother, he had to be the strongest, especially in times like these.

Do you expect your sister to worry about you instead?

But then again.

Back when the settlement still existed, many people said that although he was young, he was mature beyond his years.

But this Brother Xu...

My father had mentioned before that his bone age was a few years younger than his own, yet his every word and action...

In a flash, Hong said:
When does Brother Xu plan to leave the Eastern Wilderness?

"Leave? Why should I leave?"

"The Eastern Wilderness is too barren. With your talent, staying here will only limit you."

Hong's tone was exceptionally serious.

“Father has paved the way for us to become gods, but we still have to walk step by step to reach higher realms.”

"But the environment of the Eastern Wilderness is not enough to support us to go that far."

"Don't you want to lead humanity to rise up and escape our current fate?"

Xu Xing: "..."

Wow, that sounds pretty cringeworthy.

What you're saying is too far removed from my reality.

He had wondered before whether he, this "transmigrator," was indeed the "savior" of humanity, as his master had identified him as.

But after being defeated by Yuan using swordsmanship, he came to realize his own limitations.

Xu Xing is just an ordinary person, content to do what ordinary people should do.

"Ok?"

"I just want to live a simple life with the people around me."

After a pause, Xu Xing finally uttered the words that had been hidden in his heart.

"If the sky falls, there will be tall people watching over it."

I'm just a nobody at the Qi Refining Realm right now.

In this dangerous world, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it's at the very bottom of the food chain.

“I think you and Yuan have a good chance of becoming the kind of ‘tall people’ who can hold up the sky when it collapses.”

"So keep it up, I believe in you."

With that, Xu Xing turned and left.

Hong was a little bewildered as he watched his retreating figure.

No.

They're leaving already?

After a long while, he finally realized what was happening and forced a smile, unsure of what to say.

All I can do is look into the distance again.

This Brother Xu...

At his age, he should be full of vigor and capable of doing things that others cannot.

Why does it look a bit gloomy?

but……

Do you want to live a simple, ordinary life with the people around you?

This is probably not simple either.

…… ……

In the days that followed.

Wu Shi used the refined spirit bamboo essence to exchange for a lot of moon crown bamboo with the moon crown bear clan.

They then refined it with true fire to prepare Hong for his journey to other great domains.

The remaining four people continued their cultivation in a methodical manner.

Brother Xu and Yuan would occasionally ask Hong about that special state, which is related to the "enlightenment" of Qi cultivation in later generations.

But this kind of thing really depends on the individual.

Therefore, Hong couldn't offer much advice, and in the end, the matter was dropped.

Finally, another two weeks passed.

Hong successfully broke through to the mid-stage of the Fetal Breathing Realm, while Wu Shi had prepared enough Moon Crown Bamboo Essence and handed it over to Hong along with several rare treasures he had collected when he escaped from the Azure Domain.

And so, Hong left.

Extremely carefree, without the slightest regret.

After all, hesitation only adds to your worries, so why bother?
On the night Hong left, Yuan went to the lakeside again.

After that, she seemed to have made up her mind and became even more diligent in her cultivation.

Wu Shi would also occasionally take her and Xu Xing out to train and hunt some Qi-refining beasts in the surrounding area.

And just like that, a year passed quickly.

Yuan successfully comprehended the principles in just over three months, and advanced to the fetal breathing stage in the fourth month.

Xu Xing, however, took a full nine months to finally 'comprehend the principles' while being chased by a strange beast with a breathing ability comparable to fetal breathing, and it wasn't until the tenth month that he finally caught up with Yuan's progress.

at that time.

Bie Xuening, however, had already reached the peak of the Fetal Breathing stage and was about to advance to the Condensation One stage.

Even Yuan had reached the late stage of fetal breathing.

Xu Xing's cultivation level once again fell behind everyone else.

One year!
Reaching the peak from the initial stage of embryonic breathing, one is only one step away from advancing to the first stage of condensation.

This exaggerated progress in cultivation greatly shocked Wu Shi, who believed that it was very likely the key to the rise of the human race.

However, it was only after contacting other settlements that they learned the truth.

After all this time, only two people have reached this state!
They are 'Hua' from the settlement founded by Yi Suo, and 'Kui', the child of Shi Qi and Si Shi.

It should be noted that these two settlements were much larger than the settlements founded by San Shi and Shi Jiu, with a combined population of several thousand!
Moreover, the people in the settlement had generally abandoned their spiritual practices.

Even so, only two people succeeded.

Even if we include the other settlements that we couldn't contact, the number of successful people would probably be less than ten.

After all, the other settlements even had their cultivation methods passed down by them. Most of the people there couldn't even speak before they met them, were poorly clothed, and had serious intellectual disabilities...

"So... this is a very difficult thing?" Wu Shi murmured.

Looking up at the three people cultivating outside the window, a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes.

He is Ningyi, and after two years of cultivation, he has reached the peak of Ningyi.

Therefore, he could not verify whether this matter was difficult.

But his two apprentices and his old friend's two children all succeeded.

"..."

I wonder how Hong is doing.

……

……

Heavenly Realm.

It is one of the four major domains of the Cang Clan, excluding the Cang Domain, and is also the most unpopular domain among the Cang Clan.

The main reason is that the Heavenly Domain is not like the other three major domains.

For example, the Taiyu region, ruled by the Cangzhi Ancestor Tai, is extremely xenophobic and adheres to the concept of 'Cang Clan Supremacy'.

While the Ancient Domain is not as extreme as the Tai Domain, it is still a place where the Cang Clan reigns supreme.

As for the Xuan Domain, since the Ancestor of Cang, Xuan, does not concern himself with worldly affairs, the Xuan Domain is not only the smallest in area among the four major domains, but also the freest and most peaceful of the seven major domains of the Tai Xuan Realm.

After all, the Cang Clan is the current overlord of the Tai Xuan Realm.

Not to mention the four ancestors of the Cang clan who were detached from worldly affairs and looked down upon the mortal world.

The numerous Heavenly Generals of the Cave True Realm, who alone sit in charge of the ten directions and whose might dominates the universe, are not something that other races can resist.

To put it bluntly, the entire Tai Xuan Realm operates according to the will of the Cang Clan.

Under these circumstances, there is nothing wrong with the Cang clan's supremacy.

However, the celestial realm.

The Azure Ancestor 'Heaven' who rules this region adheres to an absolute 'survival of the fittest' principle.

Moreover, this "survival of the fittest" does not only refer to strength and weakness, but also to the "value" of an individual living being in the eyes of Heaven.

Individuals of higher value can enjoy great convenience in the Celestial Realm.

Individual beings of lower value are inherently inferior, regardless of whether they are from the Cang clan.

Of course.

As the 'most perfect race allowed to be born within the Dao,' the Cang race has a very high innate value, far surpassing that of ordinary beings.

Even so, many Cang tribesmen were still dissatisfied.

After all, Cang is the overlord of the Tai Xuan Realm, how can he be compared with ordinary living beings?
Isn't this just reckless?!

But no way.

This is 'Tian,' one of the four ancestors of the Cang Clan, who transcends worldly affairs and looks down upon the mortal realm. Apart from the three ancestors of the Cang Clan, Gu, Tai, and Xuan, no other being can resist or shake His will.

……

……

Heavenly Realm.

Fuyue City is the location of a branch of the Myriad Races Academy.

A figure dressed in a black robe, whose shape and appearance were completely concealed, walked hurriedly on the open and flat street.

Besides him, there were all sorts of strange and unusual figures on the street, each with a different aura.

He blended in so well that he was completely inconspicuous.

However, a jade pendant hanging from his waist attracted the attention of those around him. After seeing the character "天" (heaven) engraved on it and three colored marks, their expressions changed and they quickly made way for him.

A divine decree!

Only individuals who are certified by the Myriad Races Academy and deemed valuable under the judgment of the great Azure Ancestral Heaven can obtain this 'Heavenly Decree'!
The Cang Clan receives this at birth, but it's nothing more than a mark.

Those with three engravings like these are all high-value beings who have been noticed by the Azure Ancestral Heaven and possess extremely strong combat power or potential.

Without the Heavenly Decree, that is, if a creature of no value under the judgment of the Azure Ancestral Heaven dares to offend, the Heavenly Realm will sense it and send down divine lightning until that worthless creature is struck to death!

The city lord of Fuyue City, a member of the Cang clan who reached the Void Transformation Realm at a young age, now only has four engraving marks.

Soon, the figure disappeared around the corner.

The other creatures on the street dared not give chase.

After all, the triggering condition for this 'offense' is quite peculiar; as long as he thinks you have offended him, you have offended him.

What if we catch up and that mysterious, high-value being gets upset?

Isn't it good to be alive?
"The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind"—this saying is certainly true...

corner.

The figure lowered his hood, a hint of helplessness appearing on his face.

But it was Hong!
Three months ago, he accidentally entered a spatial turbulence in the Huangshi Domain and was swept into the most brutal Tian Domain among the four domains of the Cang Clan.

I thought that as a mere early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, I would definitely find it difficult to make any progress in this Heavenly Domain where everything is determined by value.

result……

He inexplicably became a valuable being in the eyes of the Azure Ancestor Heaven, and a Heavenly Decree with three markings appeared out of thin air before his eyes!
He has lost count of how many trials he has faced in the past three months.

"Ah~"

With a soft sigh, he pulled his hood back up and headed toward the depths of the corner.

High up.

A level that is difficult for ordinary people to reach.

Its seven-colored, glass-like eyes surveyed the entire celestial realm, their gazes indifferent and devoid of any emotion.

But silently and without a sound.

One of the four-carved Cang clan members, who was dissatisfied and wanted to attack Hong, disappeared without warning.

Ultimately, the Cang tribe is a tribe created by humankind.

Although they possess extremely high innate talent, it is almost impossible for them to become enlightened beings.

If you don't reach that level, you have no value in His eyes.

If it weren't for needing to rely on the identity of 'Ancestor of the Azure Sky', He would have even labeled all members of the Azure Race as worthless individuals. (End of Chapter)