259: Prepare

The Heavenly Illusion Sacred Art inherently possesses the Divine Ability of transformation, allowing Xiao Zhuo to change into countless forms at will. Furthermore, with the Free and Natural Heavenly Art complementing it, he can even simulate a portion of the power of the transformed object!

Such transformations are not limited to human form; any living being or object seen or heard can be conjured.

His exquisite technique, "Illusory Dream Space," can construct a phantom world. Anyone whose Divine Soul cultivation is inferior to Xiao Zhuo's will be forcibly dragged into it, sinking into an illusion until their Divine Soul is annihilated!

And the Breakthrough technique, "Illusory Dream Reversal," is even more astonishing—it can actually project the illusory creations within the Illusory Dream Space into reality!

Such methods have already reached a Realm that only those above the Golden Immortal can touch, containing a trace of the profound and unpredictable secret of creation.

A saint-grade high-rank Cultivation Technique is truly terrifying!

At the same time, after a hundred years of secluded cultivation, Xiao Zhuo's comprehension of the Great Thousand Soul Law finally broke through the ten percent threshold.

With this, the Foundation for cultivating the Free and Natural Heavenly Art was firmly established.

The Free and Natural Heavenly Art currently only has the first three layers, corresponding to the True Immortal, Heavenly Immortal, and Profound Immortal Realms, respectively.

Although Xiao Zhuo's cultivation Realm still remained at the True Immortal Early Stage, his Immortal Qi had long since been completely transformed into true "Zizai Immortal Power" under the tempering of the Free and Natural Heavenly Art.

This power is perfectly harmonious and unhindered; it can adapt, convert, and fuse with any Law and Cultivation Technique, operating without any stagnation.

It wasn't that he couldn't Breakthrough, but rather that he already had a plan in mind—to leave the Blood Demon Realm!

This place was, after all, Xue Tian's territory. Even with the Heavenly Illusion Sacred Art's concealment, once his cultivation Breakthrough caused a celestial phenomenon, it would be extremely difficult to hide it from that Old Ancestor's perception.

Only by fleeing far away and then using the Heavenly Illusion Sacred Art to mislead the Xue Tian mark within his body could he fully strive for a higher Realm.

Over a hundred years, Dark Thirteen, White Phoenix, and Yuan Tian had all broken through to the Mahayana Realm.

Among them, Dark Thirteen progressed the fastest, already reaching the Early Stage Peak, just one step away from the Middle Stage.

As Xiao Zhuo stepped out of his quiet room, Dark Thirteen, in a black robe, appeared like a ghost: "Congratulations, Saint, on coming out of seclusion!"

"Mm." Xiao Zhuo waved his hand indifferently, "How are things in the Palace?"

"Reporting to Saint, everything is well. Yuan Tian is currently training Young Master Cao in Yinluo Prefecture. Yesterday, a message arrived stating that Young Master Cao has already defeated Yinshizong's Prodigy, Yu Zhi, and ascended to the ninety-second position on the Blood Demon Human Ranking!" Dark Thirteen respectfully reported.

This Blood Demon Human Ranking was established by the Blood Shadow Tower in recent years, aiming to encourage Cultivators within the boundary realm to compete and select talents.

The Human Ranking includes young talents below the Body Integration Stage, the Earth Ranking encompasses Cultivators from Body Integration to Mahayana, and the Heavenly Ranking can only be occupied by Quasi-Immortals.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhuo nodded slightly, his gaze deep and calm.

Cao Xiaochuan possessed extraordinary talent. Over these past hundred years, except for a few instances where he came to seek guidance, he mostly cultivated on his own, which saved him a lot of worry.

His decision to leave the boundary realm was set, but his trusted subordinates and Disciple still needed proper arrangements.

Dismissing Dark Thirteen, Xiao Zhuo took a step, and his figure silently vanished.

Yuanchen Hall.

Second Holy Son Cao Yunqing sat in his study, the piled documents floating neatly before his desk, manipulated by his Divine Thought, turning pages at his will.

Suddenly, Cao Yunqing's gaze narrowed, and he abruptly stood up, crossing the desk to kneel on one knee: "Welcome, Master, out of seclusion!"

A blood-robed figure appeared out of thin air; it was Xiao Zhuo.

Xiao Zhuo glanced at the documents on the desk, understanding dawning in his heart.

Originally, he was Xue Tian's designated next Palace Master, but because he broke through to True Immortal earlier than Xue Qin, this position could no longer fall to him. Instead, he was seen by Xue Tian as a future asset to be cultivated for the Blood Palace.

As Ye Kongwu indulged in pleasure for the past hundred years and his cultivation stagnated, Xue Qin transferred most of the Palace affairs to Cao Yunqing.

This Saint, now, was the one holding actual power.

Xue Qin herself was in seclusion, adjusting her state, preparing to face the Immortal Ascension Tribulation.

"Yunqing, I will be leaving soon." Xiao Zhuo withdrew his gaze and instructed in a deep voice, "After I leave the boundary realm, I entrust the Mingchang Hall lineage to your care."

"Master's command, Yunqing will not hesitate to die!" Cao Yunqing responded decisively without any hesitation.

Xiao Zhuo nodded slightly, his Divine Thought stirring, and he perceived that Cao Yunqing's cultivation had reached Mahayana Peak, just a hair's breadth from Quasi-Immortal.

To have achieved such progress in a hundred years was worthy of the title Holy Son of the Blood Palace.

The secret connection between their Divine Souls was exceptionally stable, so there was no need to worry about betrayal.

After giving his instructions, Xiao Zhuo's figure faded once more.

With Cao Yunqing, a Saint with real power, looking after them, Cao Xiaochuan and the others could remain safe and sound in the Blood Demon Realm.

The next instant, Xiao Zhuo appeared deep within the Blood God Hall's underground palace.

As soon as he stepped in, a grand will directly entered his mind:

"Come in."

Xiao Zhuo's eyes flashed, his expression normal, his steps steady, as he walked directly towards Xue Tian's secluded cultivation chamber.

The heavy stone door silently opened before he arrived.

In the center of the secret chamber, Xue Tian sat cross-legged in a blood-colored imperial robe, his aura like an abyss, vast and unfathomable.

Xiao Zhuo vaguely sensed that this Old Ancestor seemed to have advanced another step compared to a hundred years ago.

That domineering aura that once looked down upon the world had now been internalized, revealing a profound simplicity.

"Greetings, Old Ancestor." Xiao Zhuo bowed respectfully, his reverence unchanged.

Only when Xiao Zhuo spoke did Xue Tian slowly open his eyes.

There was no longer any piercing sharpness in those eyes, only the wisdom of one who comprehended all matters of the world and the profound stillness of an ancient well.

"Xiao Zhuo," Xue Tian's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable insight, "It seems you are ready?" (Xiao Zhuo had frankly revealed his Yuan Realm identity during the hundred years)

"Indeed, Old Ancestor." Xiao Zhuo replied frankly, "I respectfully request Old Ancestor's permission."

Xue Tian gazed at the young man before him, a hint of surprise flashing in his heart.

Although Xiao Zhuo was still at the True Immortal Early Stage, he could feel that the other party's "Dao" had truly condensed into form.

This child's potential, perhaps, far exceeded his initial estimation.

Xue Tian did not directly reply but looked deeply at Xiao Zhuo and asked, "To which boundary realm do you wish to go?"

"Demon Realm!" Xiao Zhuo answered unequivocally.

"Demon Realm?" Xue Tian's blood-red eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly.

Xiao Zhuo had long since dispersed his Blood Dao Foundation, and what he cultivated was not the core Legacy of the Blood Palace, but a self-created Cultivation Technique based on his own Dao Principle.

The Immortal Qi of the Immortal Realm was peaceful, and logically, it should be more suitable for his cultivation.

This choice was indeed somewhat unexpected.

Although the Immortal-Demon Realm was the Yin and Yang of a single boundary realm, the Devilish Qi of the Demon Realm was violent, making it difficult for those who did not primarily Cultivate Demonic Technique to reside there for long.

However, Xue Tian did not ask further, merely nodding slightly: "Very well. If you encounter any troublesome matters in the Demon Realm, you can still activate my mark. Below the Grand Unity, I will ensure your safety."

At this moment, he completely adopted the posture of a mentor guiding a junior towards Xiao Zhuo, without a trace of the domineering presence that awed all boundary realms in the outside world.

"Thank you for your generous grace, Old Ancestor!"

"When will you depart?"

"Tomorrow!"

The conversation was concise and efficient.

After Xiao Zhuo's figure disappeared behind the closed stone door, Xue Tian's face remained calm.

He raised his hand and waved, and a vast star map unfolded within the secret chamber. Two prominent red dots on it continuously flickered—they were the coordinates of two newly discovered Middle Thousand Realm Domains.

"This child... perhaps he has truly exceeded my expectations. However, since you have received the benefit of my Dao, this Karma... you ultimately cannot escape." Xue Tian's gaze swept across the star map, looking into the depths of the Void Realm, "Go... go and become stronger!"

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