Swallowing the Stars: Heart of the Martial God

Chapter 229 The Heavenly Eye and Secret Techniques

The Cosmic Ship, the Tomb of General Xuan Yan, deep within the Sea of ​​Law Return to Nothingness.

Time flows quietly here, as if an era has passed in the blink of an eye.

For the eternally living cosmic lords, the passage of time never brings despair, but only allows them to accumulate deeper insights on the path of pursuing the Great Dao.

Ling Xuan sat cross-legged in the center of a destructive vortex woven from countless "dark trajectories".

This is an area where the true meaning of the "Dark Heaven" lineage is relatively concentrated, and the surrounding area is filled with a terrifying aura that makes everything lose its color and return to eternal darkness.

His eight million years of meditation created a strange resonance between his divine body and this sea of ​​destruction.

The original dazzling divine power had long since been concealed, replaced by a deep, chaotic hue. Upon closer inspection, it seemed as if countless worlds were being born and dying within that hue, ultimately returning to eternal darkness.

During these eight million epochs, Ling Xuan was completely immersed in his understanding of the "Dark Heaven" lineage.

He was like the most patient scholar, observing the patterns of each "dark trajectory"; and like the bravest explorer, repeatedly using his own condensed "dark sky" conception to confront the true meaning of those dangerous destructions.

His life-and-death sword intent was constantly honed and refined in the process, and the true meaning of returning to the void, which represents destruction, became increasingly pure, and he had already faintly touched the threshold of a higher level.

At this moment, he is at the most critical juncture.

Before him, a “ultimate darkness” was slowly flowing like black silk.

This is not an ordinary dark trajectory, but a phantom image of the primordial imprint that naturally manifests after the true meaning of the "Dark Heaven" lineage has been condensed to its extreme here!
Wherever it goes, even the concept of "destruction" itself seems to lose its meaning and return to nothingness.

Ling Xuan's soul trembled slightly. This was not out of fear, but rather an instinctive reaction caused by being too close to the source.

He could sense that the true meaning contained within this primordial mark far surpassed any dark trajectory he had ever seen in the past eight million epochs.

"It's time," Ling Xuan murmured to himself.

He carefully extended the trace of his own "Dark Heaven" intent, which he had finally condensed over eight million epochs through countless observations, simulations, failures, and re-simulations, as if offering the most precious tribute, slowly reaching towards the illusory image of the primordial mark.

This process is extremely slow, and every moment seems to be stretched into eternity.

Ling Xuan's entire mind was focused on this subtle contact, and everything outside seemed to disappear.

There was no earth-shattering collision, nor the roar of the laws.

The moment his faint yet tenacious aspiration finally touched the primordial mark—

"boom!"

Ling Xuan's entire consciousness seemed to be instantly dragged into a state of absolute "nothingness".

There is no light, no darkness, no time, no space, no concept, no existence... everything is "nothingness," not even the concept of "nothingness" exists.

In this absolute "nothingness," time loses its meaning.

I don't know how much time has passed; it might be a moment, or it might be another million-year era.

A glimmer of light—no, it can't be called light—it's a kind of "cognition," a kind of "understanding," quietly emerging from that absolute "nothingness."

"To cause existence to lose its meaning and return to eternal darkness."

This was neither sound nor words, but a thought directly imprinted in the deepest part of Ling Xuan's soul!
This thought is so pure, so ancient, containing the most essential mystery of the "Dark Heaven" lineage!
At the same time, the illusory image of the primordial mark outside, which resembled a black silk ribbon, rippled slightly and actually separated a strand that was millions of times finer than a hair, silently merging into the wisp of intent that Ling Xuan had protruded.

"Om-!"

Ling Xuan's restrained divine body suddenly trembled!
An indescribable and profound aura emanated from his body. The trace of "Dark Heaven" conception that he had originally simulated now seemed to have been infused with a true soul. Although it was still weak, its essence had undergone earth-shattering changes!
It is no longer just an imitation, but truly contains a trace of the original essence of the "Dark Heaven" lineage!

Even more astonishingly, with the integration of this trace of primordial truth, Ling Xuan's understanding of the Way of Destruction began to improve at an alarming rate.

The Life and Death Blade Intent under the nourishment of this true meaning underwent a frenzied transformation, with the Return to Nothingness part experiencing a fundamental sublimation.

He could feel that his secret technique realm had broken through to a completely new level. Although his divine power cultivation was still at the level of the universe master, with the life and death sword intent containing the true meaning of the dark heaven, his combat power had far surpassed that of the strongest ordinary universe beings!
At the same time, in the struggle against the source of destruction over these eight million epochs, his willpower was tempered like never before.

That unwavering will to face ultimate destruction has reached an astonishing level.

At that very moment, the entire "Law Returning to the Void Sea" fluctuated violently, as if cheering for a true inheritor who had grasped the true meaning of "Dark Heaven".

The violent annihilation around him remained, but the extreme malice and repulsion directed at him suddenly dissipated by more than half.

An incredibly solid silver passage appeared out of thin air beneath his feet, leading to the next stage of the inheritance.

"This...how is this possible?!"

The Xuan Yan Wu Xu Ying, who had been hovering at an endless height, observing the trial with unchanging indifference, finally lost his composure and let out an incredulous gasp.

For the first time, a violent fluctuation appeared in his eyes, which had witnessed the birth and death of the universe. It was shock, disbelief, and even... a trace of horror that he himself was unwilling to admit!

"The time limit of one hundred million epochs... and only eight million two hundred and thirty thousand epochs have passed!" General Xuan Yan's voice trembled slightly. "Not only did he comprehend a trace of the Dark Heaven True Meaning more than ninety million epochs ahead of schedule, but he also directly stepped into the threshold of the Dark Heaven lineage! Moreover..."

General Xuan Yan felt the pure and incomparable "Dark Heaven" aura emanating from Ling Xuan, as well as the fact that although his divine power level was still that of a universe master, his secret technique realm had reached a completely new level, and his incomparably strong will after being tempered by the source of destruction. The shock in his heart was beyond words.

As a former saintly being and the personal disciple of the God King Wu, Xuan Yan Wu has seen too many geniuses, prodigies from various eras in the Cosmic Sea, successors of the great powers on the Origin Continent, and even himself, who was once hailed as a rare genius.

But... but he had never seen anyone like Ling Xuan before!
Without any guidance, in the harsh environment of the Guixu Sea, relying solely on his own comprehension, he not only completed the trial requirements in less than a tenth of the time, but also exceeded them, directly entering the inner sanctum!
Moreover, they achieved a qualitative leap in both their mastery of secret techniques and the strength of their will!

What terrifying comprehension! What astonishing talent!
“This child…this child’s talent has probably surpassed mine back then, and even…” General Xuan Yan’s voice lowered, but his eyes shone with an unprecedented light, “and may even be no less than my master’s when he was young!”

The idea shocked him, but the facts before him left him no choice but to believe it.

"Could it be...could it be that the hope for the revival of my Wu lineage really rests on this boy?" General Xuan Yan's phantom trembled slightly, filled with excitement, anticipation, and the fervent desire to see a glimmer of dawn finally appear in the endless darkness!

He immediately changed his previously procedural attitude, his voice filled with unprecedented solemnity and expectation: "Trial participant Ling Xuan! First trial, perfectly passed! You... are very good! Very good!"

Ling Xuan had just awakened from his profound insights when he heard General Xuan Yan's unusual praise.

He could sense the shock and expectation in the other person's tone, which made him realize that his performance seemed to have exceeded the other person's expectations.

"Thank you for your recognition, senior." Ling Xuan bowed respectfully, his eyes clear and firm.

He could sense that although he had not broken through to the level of divine power, his strength had undergone a tremendous change thanks to the new secret technique realm and his powerful will.

The phantom of General Xuan Yan stared at him for a long time before slowly saying, "Rest for a while and adapt to your new realm. When you are ready, we will begin the second trial. I... am looking forward to your performance."

This time, his tone was no longer cold, but rather carried the appreciation and expectation of an elder for a younger generation. Human territory, Heavenly Court headquarters.

The Nine Netherworld clone has been stationed here for over eight million epochs in place of the original, handling affairs of the Heavenly Court and the human race.

During this period, the human race developed by leaps and bounds:

The territory has expanded to include 1,009 intergalactic nations!
This number symbolizes a new level of power for humanity in the primordial universe. Countless life-bearing planets have been developed, and new star systems are constantly being added to the map.

The five major powers, including Giant Axe Arena and Virtual Universe Company, rose in power accordingly.

The Heavenly Court, founded by Ling Xuan, enjoyed immense prestige among the human race due to the leader's renown and his position in charge of punishments.

A new generation of outstanding individuals is constantly emerging.

Thanks to the memory stone left by Ling Xuan, the number of human kings and immortals and cosmic venerables has increased several times. Some have even begun to touch the threshold of cosmic lord. The Star Prison Demon Lord, one of the three top overlords, has comprehended the complete Path of the Beast God with the help of the Fire Sky Beast God inheritance bestowed by Ling Xuan, and has become the second cosmic lord of the Heavenly Court.

That's right, due to its special nature, the Star Domain Prison was also included in the Heavenly Court.

The entire community is brimming with vitality!
The Nine Netherworld clone stepped out of the Lingxiao Palace and stood atop the Heavenly Court, looking down at the divine palaces and celestial palaces that were faintly visible in the sea of ​​clouds below.

Eight million epochs of arduous cultivation seemed worthwhile when witnessing the flourishing state of the race.

"The Dark Heaven lineage... the Life and Death Blade Intent..." He felt his breakthrough in the realm of secret techniques, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "The foundation is in place, the momentum is rising. Once the crisis of the World Beasts is resolved, our human race will surely stand at the pinnacle of the cosmic sea!"

If he wanted to, he could break through to the True God realm right now and become an Eternal True God in one fell swoop, but since the crisis of the World Beasts has not been resolved, he dares not leave the Primal Universe prematurely.

If my miniature universe were fed to the World Beast, I'd be doomed.

Although the original work stated that the small universe of the Eternal True God would not be swallowed by the World Beast, what if it were?
What if the Beast King wants to try his own microcosm after consuming the primordial universe?

Moreover, he has only just broken through to 60,000 times the gene level. If he were to break through directly to become a true god, it would be a huge loss. His goal is to break through to 100,000 times the gene level. The only known method to break through to 100,000 times the gene level is to study the blood of the World Beast.

Unless his "Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Force" can continue to make breakthroughs.

He must deal with the Beast of the Realm before he can leave.

……

Ling Xuan's astonishing talent, displayed in the first trial, impressed Xuan Yan Wu's virtual consciousness.

After a brief rest, Ling Xuan stood before the silver passage leading to a deeper level of inheritance.

"Trial participant Ling Xuan." General Xuan Yan's voice carried an unprecedented solemnity. "In the first trial, you proved your talent in the 'Dark Heaven' lineage of destruction. This second trial will test whether you can transform this talent into a 'Dao' that truly belongs to you."

As he spoke, the light at the end of the silver passage gradually coalesced, transforming into a deeper and more vast starry sky.

That was not the real starry sky, but a "map of the Dao" woven from countless laws of destruction.

"This is the 'Map of the Return of All Paths to Ruins'," General Xuan Yan explained. "It contains my master's countless understandings and interpretations of the origin of destruction. You need to find the path that best suits you in this map, and along this path, walk your own 'Dark Heaven' path."

"Time limit: one billion epochs." General Xuan Yan's voice echoed in the hall. "If you can create a secret technique containing the essence of the Dark Heaven lineage within the time limit, you will pass. Otherwise... your soul will be trapped in this diagram forever, becoming part of the diagram."

The Billion Era!

Ling Xuan had never experienced such a time span before, but there was no fear in his eyes, only a yearning for a higher realm.

"This junior will certainly live up to your expectations, senior!" Ling Xuan bowed and then stepped into the vast "Myriad Paths Returning to the Ruins Map" without hesitation.

Within the "All Paths Return to Ruins" diagram.

Ling Xuan sat cross-legged at the center of a vortex of Daoist energy composed of countless dark runes, emanating a chilling aura of destruction. Time flowed silently here, and five million epochs had passed in the blink of an eye.

At this moment, Ling Xuan's face was still young, but there was already a trace of vicissitude between his brows. He slowly opened his eyes, his pupils flowing with the true meaning of Dark Heaven's Destruction, yet always carrying a trace of confusion.

“Five million epochs have passed…” Ling Xuan murmured to himself, his voice echoing in the empty diagram. “My understanding of the Dark Heaven True Meaning is profound enough, yet why can’t I create my own secret technique?”

In his mind, the understanding of the Dark Heaven Dao by countless Wu Kingdom experts shone like stars.

Each understanding contained profound truths, and Ling Xuan absorbed this wisdom with great eagerness.

He corroborated these understandings with his own sword intent of birth and death, especially the sword intent of returning to nothingness related to destruction.

He attempted to deepen the concept of "end" in the Guixu Blade Intent, trying to reach the level of "denial of existence" in the Dark Heaven True Intent.

"The Return to Nothingness Blade Intent emphasizes the end of all things, while the Dark Heaven True Intent renders existence meaningless..." Ling Xuan continued to deduce deep within his consciousness, "There seems to be some common ground between the two, but they always fall short of that final step..."

Beyond the diagram, the phantom of General Xuan Yan silently observed.

"Five million epochs, still in the exploratory stage..." General Xuan Yan nodded slightly, a profound light swirling in his double pupils. "Creating a twelfth-order secret technique is indeed no easy feat. It's commendable that this young man can calm down and accumulate experience."

Time continued to pass, and ten million epochs passed.

Ling Xuan's brows furrowed deeper and deeper. He tried countless combinations, fusing the Dark Heaven True Meaning with his own swordsmanship, but he still couldn't break through the bottleneck of the tenth level.

“Failed again…” Ling Xuan looked at the nascent secret technique that was collapsing again in his sea of ​​consciousness, a trace of weariness flashing in his eyes.

At this crucial moment, Ling Xuan suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

He recalled the mystery of the Heavenly Eye, which he had never fully comprehended, the last gift the Heart of the Martial God had given him, and his most important reliance.

"Perhaps... it's time," Ling Xuan murmured to himself.

He slowly closed his eyes, focusing all his attention on the depths of his brow.

There, an ancient celestial eye is slowly opening, emitting a hazy, mysterious glow.

"Buzz——"

The moment the Heavenly Eye fully opened, an unprecedentedly terrifying pressure suddenly descended!
The pressure was so strong that it even made the entire Myriad Paths Returning to the Void Diagram tremble!

Beyond the diagram, the phantom of General Xuan Yan suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with unbelievable light.

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(End of this chapter)