63: The legacy of the Immortal Palace tempers the body, and the depths of the Source Pool comprehend creation.

The moment he passed through the bronze light gate, Lu Qingxuan did not feel the expected spatial tearing or dizziness. Instead, it was as if he had plunged into a warm, viscous ocean filled with endless vitality and ancient Dao rhythm.

The scene before him suddenly opened up. It was no longer the destructive Chaos sight of the Guixu Sea Eye, but a tranquil and mysterious space.

The sky was a gentle color of Chaos, lacking sun, moon, or stars, yet naturally emitting bright, soft light. The ground was dark gold, solid and vast. In the distance, the undulating outlines of ruined palaces, constructed from a material similar to Bronze, were faintly visible. Although most had collapsed, their majestic Aura still spoke of past glory.

Most striking was a relatively well-preserved giant altar in the center of the space. The altar was constructed entirely of a white stone material, warm and jade-like, and was covered in runes that were older and more complex than those on the bronze immortal palace. These runes flickered like breathing, flowing with vast energy.

Directly above the altar, a pool about a hundred zhang in diameter floated. The pool water was not ordinary liquid; instead, it presented a strange state where Chaos and clarity intertwined, like liquid light or solidified Dao principles. Within the pool, threads of extremely pure energy, imbued with the Concept of “Primal Beginning” and “Origin,” continuously rose and circulated. This power was homologous to the Primordial Dao Source possessed by Lu Qingxuan, but far denser and more ancient!

Next to the pool stood a remnant stele, upon which three large characters were inscribed in ancient divine script—primal source pool!

“primal source pool...” Lu Qingxuan's eyes were blazing. He could clearly feel the intense craving and excitement emanating from the Primordial Dao Source entry within him, like a wanderer returning home. This source pool was clearly an unparalleled treasure left behind by an ancient mighty figure—likely the Azure Emperor or an ally—to nourish and temper the power of “Primal Beginning”!

Simultaneously, the bronze immortal palace core fragment and the azure emperor edict in his Sea of Consciousness produced an unprecedented strong resonance. Beams of clear radiance scattered, complementing this space and the primal source pool. The fragment transmitted a clearer piece of information:

“Dark Star Project: Forge the Nine Aperture Dao Foundation, absorb the Source of Primal Beginning, use Creation to overcome Termination, and suppress the Void Abyss in the Guixu...”

Although the information was still incomplete, the meaning was clear. This space was one of the important strongholds of the Dark Star Project, and this primal source pool was a crucial resource in the plan, used to cultivate top-tier experts to fight the Void Abyss! The so-called Nine Aperture Dao Foundation seemed to be a special Foundation capable of perfectly bearing the power of Primal Beginning.

Lu Qingxuan forcefully suppressed the urge to immediately leap into the source pool. His Divine Sense, like the most precise carving knife, meticulously scanned every corner of the altar and the source pool. In such an important place, it was impossible for there to be no protection.

As expected, under the perception of his Exquisite Dao Heart and the Dao rhythm of Primal Beginning, he discovered a clue. Around the altar, countless Dao principle chains, fine as silk threads and merged with the Void Realm, were hidden. They formed an extremely complex and powerful Restriction. This Restriction was not merely for defense or attack; it resembled a... detection and recognition mechanism.

What it detected was whether the visitor possessed the “qualification”—that is, whether they possessed power related to Primal Beginning, or whether they had received the recognition of the bronze immortal palace and the Azure Emperor.

Lu Qingxuan smiled slightly and stopped concealing himself. With a thought, the Aura of the Primordial Dao Source slowly released, and the warm, pure, supreme red Dao rhythm rippled out like water. Simultaneously, the core fragment and the azure emperor edict in his Sea of Consciousness burst forth with light.

“Buzz—!”

The entire altar trembled slightly. The hidden Dao principle chains, like awakened spiritual snakes, did not attack. Instead, like subjects paying homage to a Monarch, they manifested, bowed slightly toward Lu Qingxuan, and then quietly vanished. The Restriction was lifted.

There was no longer any obstruction!

Lu Qingxuan took a step, and his figure appeared at the edge of the primal source pool. Simply standing by the pool caused the extremely dense Primal Beginning energy to open the countless pores all over his body. His Cultivation Technique automatically accelerated its operation, and his Cultivation showed subtle signs of further Advancement.

He no longer hesitated and leaped into the pool.

“Boom!!!”

Like cold water dripping into boiling oil, the entire primal source pool instantly boiled!

The pure and vast Primal Beginning energy was no longer gentle. Instead, it was like hundreds of millions of invisible needles, frantically drilling into Lu Qingxuan's limbs and bones, internal organs, and even deep into his bone marrow and Divine Soul!

This was an extremely overbearing, yet incomparably precious Refinement!

“Ugh...” Even with the formidable Strength of Lu Qingxuan's current Intermediate Chaos God-Demon Body, he couldn't help but let out a muffled groan. This pain far surpassed any previous Body Refining session, as if his Physical Body and Soul were being completely broken down and then reshaped with the most perfect Primal Beginning Dao Principles!

He immediately sat cross-legged at the bottom of the pool, maintaining clarity in his Spiritual Platform, and fully circulating the Chaos Myriad Transformation Divine Art and the Primordial Dao Source.

The chaos immortal infant released boundless light in his Sea of Consciousness, frantically swallowing and spitting out the surging Primal Beginning energy. The Dao Patterns on it became more complex and distinct, subtly transforming toward a more perfect form.

Under the scouring of the Primal Beginning energy, the Chaos God-Demon Body emitted an overwhelmed “creaking” sound. However, each time it neared its limit, it was repaired and strengthened by the trace of “Creation” Characteristic contained within the Primal Beginning power, becoming tougher and closer to the Dao's Origin. Fine red patterns, homologous to the Primordial Dao Source, began to appear on his dark gold bones.

The Chaos Return to Ruin Dao Domain autonomously unfolded, enveloping his body. The Concept of the termination of all things and the Primal Beginning's power of Creation seemed opposed, yet they reached a subtle balance in the pool at this moment. Under the nourishment of the Primal Beginning power, the Chaos Return to Ruin Dao Domain was no longer just Destruction; it subtly contained the Supreme True Meaning of “opening new life within termination,” increasing its power and profundity once more.

And most importantly, the Primordial Dao Source entry within him itself.

This source pool was like the best supplement for it. The red light cluster visibly became more solid and brilliant. Lu Qingxuan's Comprehension of “Primal Beginning” deepened at an unprecedented speed.

He “saw” how a single point of “Primal Beginning” light ignited within absolute “Nothingness,” how it derived Chaos, how it divided Yin and Yang, and how it evolved all things... This was the scene of the Creation of Heaven and Earth, the Profound Truth of the Universe's birth!

He comprehended the power of “Creation,” verifying it against the Power of Return to Ruin that he excelled in. Destruction and creation are inherently two sides of the same coin. Knowing only destruction leads to the Demonic Path; knowing only creation is pedantic. Only by mastering both and understanding their cyclical nature can one touch the true Origin of the Great Dao!

He did not know how much time had passed; it felt like only an instant, yet also like ten million years.

Lu Qingxuan suddenly opened his eyes!

In his gaze, his left eye seemed to hold the Birth and Demise of Chaos and the return of all things to ruin; his right eye was like the light of Primal Beginning, illuminating Life! Two completely different Concepts perfectly merged in his eyes.

His Aura underwent earth-shattering changes. His Cultivation did not directly Breakthrough to the Soul Transformation Peak, but it became incredibly condensed and profound, as if he had laid down an eternal, indestructible Dao Foundation. His Physical Body Strength soared again. Solely in terms of toughness and power, he was likely no inferior to an ordinary Body Cultivator at the Body Integration Peak! His Divine Soul was even more crystal clear, seemingly directly connected to the Origin of the Great Dao.

Although the grade of the Primordial Dao Source entry had not changed, its light was restrained, and the spot of red at its core became increasingly deep, as if containing a miniature Universe. His Control and Understanding of the power of Primal Beginning were now vastly different.

With a slight movement of his mind, he raised his right hand, and a wisp of Primal Beginning light appeared on his fingertip. This time, the light was not just warm; it carried an indescribable “Vitality.” He pointed it at an ordinary rock at the bottom of the pool.

A strange thing happened. The rock was neither broken down nor purified. Instead, enveloped by the Primal Beginning light, its surface quickly became smooth and rounded, and its internal structure underwent subtle changes. In just a few breaths, it shed its Mortal Form and underwent Conversion, transforming into a low-grade Spirit Stone filled with Spiritual Qi!

Turning Stone into Spirit! This was the manifestation of a trace of true “Creation” Law!

Although it was only the lowest level of Conversion, and the consumption was considerable, this represented that he had initially touched upon one of the most core Profound Truths of the power of “Primal Beginning”!

“Hoo...” Lu Qingxuan rose to his feet and left the primal source pool. The pool water seemed slightly dimmed, but was still vast. He knew this was just the initial absorption; the energy of this source pool was far from being depleted, and he could return in the future.

This Refinement brought immense Gains! Not only did it strengthen him in all aspects, but more crucially, he comprehended the Dialectical Relationship between “Creation” and “Return to Ruin,” pointing the direction for his future Dao Path.

His gaze swept across this ancient space, looking at the ruined palaces. Undoubtedly, more secrets regarding the Dark Star Project and the bronze immortal palace were hidden here.

Just as he prepared to explore further, his expression shifted slightly, and he turned his head toward the direction of the bronze light gate.

He sensed that the powerful Auras he had detected outside the gate earlier were now very close, and... they seemed to be attempting to forcibly Breakthrough the Restriction of the light gate!

“They came quite fast.” Lu Qingxuan's eyes were slightly cold. Instead of worrying, he showed a hint of Anticipation.

Having just completed his Transformation, he needed some worthy Opponents to verify exactly what level his current Strength had reached!