116: Chapter 115 Entrusting the Kitten, Martial Arts, Exterior Scene, Interior Scene

Ye Qingxuan slowly withdrew the roaming Dao rhyme circulating around his body, and the pale golden halo floating on the sea surface gradually dissipated. With his hands behind his back, he walked across the sea, his steps exceptionally dashing.

Walking up to Duyuan, his tone was calm and straightforward, without a shred of politeness.

"Below Body Integration, you are already in a league of your own. Looking across the entire cultivation world, even if all Soul Transformation Cultivators joined forces, they couldn't withstand three moves from you.

With the True Dragon dragon soul matched with Buddhist divine abilities, the two are perfectly fused. Your Physical Body, Divine Soul, and dharma power have no shortcomings whatsoever. For now, you have no match within the same Realm."

As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar instantly erupted outside the barrier. Cultivators from various sects whispered to one another, their eyes filled with shock.

"In a league of your own? This evaluation is simply too high!"

"Think about the five-dragon encirclement and the ten-thousand-zhang golden body just now; whoever went up there would be instantly killed. This statement is completely true!"

"We are still lingering around the Soul Transformation Stage; we need to hurry up and make a Breakthrough."

"No match for now? That means there will still be opponents in the future!"

As soon as these words were said, everyone's gazes focused on Zhang Yuzhuo, Zhou Wei, Yun Huan, and Lin Yao.

As for Ye Qingxuan's Senior Brothers, they didn't look at them because they knew that once those few people broke through, they would definitely be above Duyuan. There was no other reason than the fact that they were all taught by the same Master.

When there were good things, could Ye Qingxuan forget his own biological Senior Brothers? Furthermore, Qingling's gaze was practically pulling strings; anyone with clear eyes knew that this person was definitely one of Ye Qingxuan's Dao Companions… one of them!

Ye Qingxuan raised his eyes, his gaze falling upon the dragon pattern on Duyuan's shoulder, and continued speaking:

"However, you should also be clear in your heart that there is a chasm of heaven and earth between Return to Void and Body Integration.

Just now, you poured out all your divine abilities with full force, yet you couldn't even shatter the Dao rhyme within three chi around my body. This is the fundamental gap in Realms. Unless you can reach Patriarch Lü's Realm.

If you face a Half-step Integration opponent, you can fight to a draw by pulling out all your methods, but wanting to win—difficult!"

Duyuan listened quietly, firmly engraving every single sentence in his heart. The scene of failing to break through the opponent's defense just now was still swirling in his mind, and at this moment, he thoroughly recognized his own strength.

"Within the National Destiny Space, against ordinary otherworldly demons and indigenous mighty figures, you can completely stand on your own without others having to look after you with divided attention. But if you encounter a formidable enemy who has stepped into the Body Integration level, remember not to bite off more than you can chew; run away at the first instance and rendezvous with me."

Ye Qingxuan paused, a bit more seriousness added to his tone, "You breaking through to the Late Stage of Return to Void is indeed very strong, but by no means let arrogance grow in your heart due to the surge in strength."

Duyuan put his palms together and bowed deeply: "Many thanks for Fellow Daoist's guidance, this poor monk has noted it down. After today's bout, I have finally figured out my own depth, and in the future, I will definitely act according to my capacity and never drag down my teammates."

Ye Qingxuan nodded slightly and lightly waved his hand. The thousand-li barrier enveloping the entire South China Sea shattered in response, dissipating between heaven and earth.

As soon as the barrier was withdrawn, hundreds of Cultivators outside swarmed over like a swarm of bees. Their gazes falling upon Duyuan were full of sour envy, while looking back at Ye Qingxuan, there was only a heartfelt look of awe and admiration.

Lin Yao ran over in a trot holding Xiao Jiu. In her arms, the Three-Flower Cat Xiao Jiu was limp into a ball, meowing nonstop with grievances. She couldn't care less about the kitten's complaints, and looking up at Duyuan with eyes full of adoration:

"Monk Duyuan, you are simply too strong! That golden dragon Buddhist fire just now looked terrifying!"

Beside her, Yun Huan bit her lip, the sense of urgency in her heart growing heavier. She turned around, grabbed Zhang Yuzhuo and Zhou Wei, and said anxiously:

"Don't delay, let's set off immediately for Shangqing to snatch the Reincarnation enlightenment spots. If we are a step slower, the gap will only get wider!"

Yuanhui, Master Yuanxin, and a few other people from Shangqing looked at each other and made up their minds: once they returned to the mountain, they would go into closed-door bitter cultivation; they must never be surpassed by the younger generation of Lingyin Temple.

Qingling went straight to Ye Qingxuan's side, directly reaching out to hug his arm, her whole body clinging to him. Ye Qingxuan only found it amusing; did this Sister Qingling need to be so fiercely protective of her food?

However, he didn't refuse. Mainly because the touch of her arm felt soft and quite comfortable, and he was quite enjoying it as well.

He reached out and pinched Qingling's cheek, smiling gently. This single action completely infatuated Qingling, causing her to hug him even tighter immediately.

Seeing this scene, Yun Huan gnashed her teeth in anger inwardly, yet she had not the slightest way to deal with it.

The others were stuffed with a mouthful of public displays of affection. Senior Brothers like Qingming, Qingyun, and Qingmo all wore expressions of not being able to bear watching.

Xiao Jiu was even more excited: You detestable two-legged Daoist beast, you're still acting all sticky over there, come quickly and save the cat!!

"Daoist! Sister Qingling! Hurry and save this meow!!"

Ye Qingxuan and Qingling directly ignored the kitten's cries for help.

On the other side, Master Yuanyi and Master Kongming walked to Duyuan's side, the smiles on their faces unable to be concealed. Master Kongming stroked his beard and smiled: "Through this battle, you have also figured out your own combat power. Our Lingyin Temple has finally produced a mighty figure who can hold up the facade."

"Junior martial nephew, the Water and Land Dharma Assembly can be put on the agenda."

Kongming: "Junior Martial Uncle, this Disciple understands, I will arrange it as soon as we get back!"

Duyuan nodded slightly, the golden dragon on his shoulder shimmering faintly, and Ao Ping's gentle consciousness deep within his Divine Soul responded softly. Man and dragon coexisted as one, accompanying each other on the path of cultivation hereafter.

High above in the sky, the monitoring data from various countries' satellites gradually fell back, and the wildly soaring energy values slowly returned to stability.

Inside the office of the China Cultivation General Administration, a group of leaders stared at the screen in silence for a long time, until finally one of them let out a long sigh:

"Return to Void, ah, is already the ceiling below Daoist Ye. It looks like a whole bunch of Return to Void mighty figures will soon appear. However, just how terrifying has this Body Integration Realm reached."

High-ranking officials of various overseas countries were similarly shocked, successively issuing orders to urgently retrieve all monitoring footage of the South China Sea, and urgently studying the combat power gap between these two top powerhouses of China, hoping to find a way to cope.

Ye Qingxuan swept his gaze across the restless crowd: "Since matters here are settled, everyone return to your respective journeys; there is no need to gather here any longer."

Hearing this, the crowd no longer lingered. Cultivators from various sects successively drove their escape lights and scattered in all directions. One batch of Soul Transformation Perfection Cultivators rushed to Shangqing to vie for the Reincarnation quotas, while another batch who had not reached Perfection hurried back to their respective mountain gates for closed-door bitter cultivation.

Master Yuanxin saw that there was nothing much left to do, so he might as well go back to Cultivate in seclusion.

"Qingxuan, we are heading back too, need to quickly go Cultivate in seclusion. Ah, the young people of today!"

Yuanhui and a few Senior Brothers also exchanged greetings and left together. Qingling stayed behind; she also knew that the National Destiny Space could open at any time, so she might as well take this time to spend a little more time with Ye Qingxuan.

Everyone in Shangqing knew her thoughts inside out, didn't say anything, and turned their heads and left.

Ye Qingxuan was also happy to have it this way; with a beauty accompanying him, why not? However, there was still one matter that needed to be handled, so Ye Qingxuan directly sent a voice transmission to Duyuan.

On the other side, Duyuan was just getting ready to set off and return with the people of Lingyin Temple when a Divine Sense voice transmission suddenly landed in his ears.

"Duyuan, wait a moment, there is still one matter to handle."

Duyuan paused his steps and immediately transmitted his voice to Master Yuanyi and Master Kongming: "Master, Junior Grandmaster, you guys go ahead a step; Fellow Daoist Qingxuan and I still have some matters to attend to."

Hearing this, the two did not ask further and directly led the Disciples away.

He stood quietly in the void, waiting for Ye Qingxuan's subsequent instructions.

The surface of the South China Sea quickly returned to calm, leaving only a faint golden light floating on the sea that lingered for a long time without dispersing.

Over the South China Sea, Cultivators of all sects had completely departed, and the sea surface finally became completely serene.

In place, there remained only Ye Qingxuan, Qingling, Duyuan, and Lin Yao holding Xiao Jiu.

Lin Yao was reluctant to let go. She cautiously approached Ye Qingxuan with a look of reluctance to part, gently supporting the Three-Flower Cat in her arms with both hands, preparing to return Xiao Jiu to Ye Qingxuan.

Before she could hand it over, Ye Qingxuan waved his hand, his tone casual: "Let Xiao Jiu follow you for now."

As soon as these words were spoken, Lin Yao was instantly overjoyed, immediately pulling back her hands swiftly and tightly hugging Xiao Jiu in her embrace.

The force was not well controlled, directly suffocating Xiao Jiu until its eyes rolled back and the whole cat wilted.

Xiao Jiu frantically kicked its little paws and madly accused, meowing loudly: "Unscrupulous Daoist! You simply favor sex over cats! You don't love this meow anymore!"

Seeing this, the corners of Ye Qingxuan's mouth slightly curved up, and he directly used his Divine Sense to quietly transmit a message to Lin Yao.

After hearing it, Lin Yao's eyes instantly lit up terrifyingly, and she immediately lowered her head and smiled sweetly at Xiao Jiu in her arms:

"Be a good cat Xiao Jiu, come back to Yaowang Valley with Sister to play for a few days, Sister will arrange the most delicious barbecue feast for you!"

Xiao Jiu was originally still aggrieved, but upon hearing the four words 'barbecue feast', its pupils instantly shone brightly.

Various fragrant roasted meats immediately surfaced in its mind, and comparing it to its currently suffocated and uncomfortable appearance, after struggling for two seconds, tears ungratefully flowed out from the corners of its mouth.

Only then did Ye Qingxuan speak, his tone as gentle as coaxing a child:

"Xiao Jiu, when you go to play in Yaowang Valley, you cannot slack off completely.

You saw a Dragon Undergoing Tribulation with your own eyes; I cannot help you with your Immortal Ascension tribulation.

If you truly fail the tribulation, I can ensure your Divine Soul remains undestroyed, but if your Physical Body is gone, don't even think about eating roasted meat ever again."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jiu instantly recalled the miserable sight of Ao Ping failing his tribulation and his Physical Body shattering just moments ago.

The mere thought of losing its Physical Body and never again being able to crunch on sizzling, oil-dripping roasted meat caused it to shudder violently on the spot.

No longer minding how tightly Lin Yao was holding it, its body trembled abruptly as it raised its tiny paw to pat its chest, wearing a solemn expression.

"Meow! Rest assured, Daoist! This meow will definitely Cultivate properly and will never slack off!"

Qingling, watching from the side, found it amusing, covering her mouth as she chuckled endlessly, her brows and eyes filled with gentleness.

Looking at the suddenly earnest little cat, Ye Qingxuan spoke calmly: "Lin Yao, I will trouble you to take care of Xiao Jiu these past few days. Remember to keep an eye on it and don't just let it play around."

Hearing this, Lin Yao was overjoyed, tightly protecting Xiao Jiu in her arms as she hurriedly waved goodbye to the three of them.

"Thank you, Brother Qingxuan! Sister Qingling! Monk Duyuan, then I shall take my leave first!"

With that, she was in high spirits, turning into a streak of escaping light and heading straight for Yaowang Valley with Xiao Jiu.

Watching Lin Yao and Xiao Jiu's escaping light completely vanish into the horizon, Qingling turned around and looked at Ye Qingxuan with confusion.

"Why did you suddenly hand Xiao Jiu over to Lin Yao?"

Gazing at the empty sea surface, Ye Qingxuan spoke with a calm and composed tone:

"Xiao Jiu has already broken through to the Soul Transformation Stage, making it a high-stage Cultivator. It cannot spend its whole life only knowing how to eat and play. I wasn't lying to it earlier; I truly cannot help with its Immortal Ascension tribulation."

"It's fine to let it play with Lin Yao for a few days to relax. Lin Yao truly dotes on it and won't wrong it. When the next National Destiny Space opens, I plan to bring Xiao Jiu directly into the arena."

"It doesn't need to Cultivate to be overwhelmingly strong, but the Immortal Ascension tribulation is a hurdle it must endure on its own. It cannot dodge it nor have it replaced; it must temper its mindset through trials in advance."

Hearing this, Qingling pondered carefully for a moment, then gently nodded.

Indeed.

Xiao Jiu was far too pleasing and cute. Staying in Shangqing, whether Disciples or Elders, no one could bear to restrain or reprimand it, let alone harden their hearts to teach it combat and trials.

If it continued to be pampered like this, it would undoubtedly die when undergoing the Immortal Ascension tribulation in the future. Playing with Lin Yao for a few days and then entering the National Destiny Space for trials was indeed the best arrangement.

At this moment, Ye Qingxuan turned to look at Duyuan, who was standing quietly to the side, and said: "Lin Lei is about to break through. His natal divine weapon has already been forged, and his accumulated foundation is sufficient to break through the Bottleneck."

"Once his Breakthrough is complete, he will most likely have itchy hands and look for someone to spar with. At that time, you can accompany him in sparring to understand it in advance."

Duyuan was slightly startled on the spot, then suddenly recalled that last time when Ye Qingxuan broke through to the Body Integration Realm, he had been in Shangqing and had briefly communicated with Lin Lei.

Back then, Lin Lei borrowed the Dao rhythm and Reincarnation comprehension, and also carried a massive amount of Heavenly Dao Karma. At that time, he was already at the Perfection of the Golden Body Realm, corresponding to the Nascent Soul Perfection in cultivation, and his foundation had long since accumulated to saturation.

Qingling, off to the side, also raised her brows in surprise and pouted slightly: "You geniuses are simply outrageous. Breaking through Realms is as simple as eating and drinking; it's truly depressing."

Hearing this, Ye Qingxuan chuckled softly without giving much explanation.

Inwardly, he reminisced: In just a few short months, he had gone from a minor Foundation Establishment Cultivator struggling bitterly in the Age of Dharma Ending to a mighty figure at the Body Integration Late Stage with the foundation of the Innate Human Race.

It seemed Heaven-Defying and rapid, but counting the opportunities along the way: the layer-by-layer enhancements of the National Destiny Space, the World Origin, the blessing of Heavenly Dao Karma, and the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil bestowed by the Holy Mother to elevate his foundation.

With so many top-tier opportunities piled up, it was not strange at all that he could reach this step; in fact, he had already been steady enough and conservative enough.

If he had been even slightly more eager in his cultivation back then, he probably would have already broken through the shackles of heaven and earth and achieved Immortal Ascension by now.

Duyuan looked at Ye Qingxuan and said:

"I remember last time in Shangqing, Lin Lei chatted with me, mentioning that he had already figured out the subsequent Realms of his martial Dao: Outer Scenery corresponds to Soul Transformation, and Inner Scenery corresponds to Return to Void. Has he already thoroughly polished these two Realms to Perfection by now?"

As the words fell, Ye Qingxuan abruptly turned his head to look at the northern horizon.

In the distant north, an extremely majestic surge of blood-qi abruptly soared into the sky like a beacon smoke piercing the void, tearing apart the clouds with matchless overbearingness.

"Beacon smoke of blood-qi?" Looking toward the north, Ye Qingxuan brought the two of them along with an instantaneous teleportation, descending directly into the territory of the Dwarf Race.

In the center of a plaza belonging to the Dwarf Race, Lin Lei stood quietly, firmly gripping a two-meter-long longspear in his hand.

The spear body was pitch-black throughout, entwined with wisps of gilded patterns, perfectly fusing the extreme yin of Mount Hei's true body with the extreme yang of Mount Shou's copper.

Coupled with the Dwarf Race's forging craftsmanship combined with cultivation techniques, the entire divine weapon had an unparalleled texture.

Under Ye Qingxuan's Divine Sense detection, the quality of this spear infinitely approached the level of a quasi-Immortal Artifact.

Ye Qingxuan: "Lin Lei is quite willing to part with things, fusing his own Heavenly Dao Karma and heart's blood entirely into the spear body. This can no longer be considered an ordinary divine weapon; it is a genuine Karma Magic Treasure, perfectly matching his own self."

Duyuan's gaze locked onto Lin Lei, his face full of shock.

At this moment, Lin Lei's surrounding blood-qi beacon smoke billowed into the sky, and strange atmospheric phenomena emerged within tens of miles around. They were not illusory lights and shadows, but solid, genuine scenery, and the phenomena were also filled with the elements of the Eight Extremes.

"This is his Fist Intent," Ye Qingxuan said slowly.

After the Perfection of the Golden Body, one condenses exclusive Fist Intent, allowing the Fist Intent to burst out of the Physical Body, project into heaven and earth, and evolve an exclusive martial Dao physical scenery Domain.

Within a radius of tens of miles, his own martial Dao Domain was generated. Being inside the Domain enhanced his own strength, Physical Body, and speed in all aspects.

Blood-qi soared into the sky like beacon smoke, and physical scenery phenomena such as mountains, rivers, battle beasts, and fist shadows evolved outside his body. Everywhere the Domain covered was entirely under his control.

In the center of the plaza, Lin Lei held the longspear, practicing spear Dao move by move.

He wanted to thoroughly run-in this weapon that would accompany him for life, pouring all his blood-qi and martial Dao Fist Intent into the spear body, making the divine weapon completely an extension of his own limbs and hands, achieving true seamless coordination and the unity of man and spear.

As the spear technique was executed over and over again, his martial Dao foundation completely erupted.

Billow upon billow of blood-qi beacon smoke surged into the firmament, and the physical scenery of heaven and earth within tens of miles around manifested. Mountains rose, battle beasts roared, fist shadows and spear lights crisscrossed and overlapped across the sky, and countless martial Dao figures traversed the long sky—this was precisely the phenomenon of the Outer Scenery Realm at its absolute Peak.

During the process of practicing the spear, the projected Fist Intent naturally began to restrain and precipitate, taking advantage of the momentum to touch a higher martial Dao Bottleneck.

Outer Scenery returned to the spirit, all phenomena hid within the body, and the Breakthrough of the Inner Scenery came naturally as water flows to form a channel.

In just a short moment, the magnificent Outer Scenery phenomena across the sky contracted layer by layer, completely retreating back into Lin Lei's Physical Body, spear body, and Divine Soul.

The violent aura quickly calmed down, and Lin Lei's Realm steadily rose, successfully stepping into the martial Dao Inner Scenery Early Stage, corresponding to the Cultivator's Return to Void Early Stage.

Qingling felt Lin Lei's aura, her tone carrying uncertainty: "Is this? Return to Void strength?"

Ye Qingxuan nodded: "The martial Dao Inner Scenery Realm corresponds to cultivation's Return to Void."

"Why did he stop right after entering the Inner Scenery? He still has surplus strength."

Duyuan, who was now at the Return to Void Late Stage, clearly perceived that the foundation accumulated within Lin Lei's body was immense; he could completely break through all shackles in one breath and reach the Inner Scenery Perfection directly.

After a brief thought, Duyuan instantly understood Lin Lei's intention and secretly admired him in his heart, truly worthy of being the Martial Ancestor.

Qingling was full of puzzlement, turning her head to look at Ye Qingxuan and voicing out to ask the reason behind this.

Ye Qingxuan slowly explained: "Lin Lei is far too young right now, and his cultivation speed is already Heaven-Defying enough. Reincarnation tempering is not of much use to a Martial Artist. A Martial Artist's cultivation relies on indomitable perseverance as well as the tempering of the Physical Body and mind."

"He has thoroughly grasped the Outer Scenery Realm, but he doesn't want to be greedy for speed and advance recklessly. His foundation is sufficient, yet he chooses to take it step by step, firmly rooting himself in the Inner Scenery Early Stage, slowly polishing his spear Dao and original heart, consolidating every single Realm, and preventing an unstable Dao path in the future."

It seemed like he had just entered the Inner Scenery, but Ye Qingxuan knew clearly in his heart that Lin Lei's Dao foundation was comparable to Patriarch Lü, and his true combat strength, if he were to go all out, would be completely no less than Duyuan's strength.

Looking at Lin Lei, who was consolidating his Realm, Ye Qingxuan muttered to himself: "Outer Scenery corresponds to Soul Transformation, and Inner Scenery corresponds to Return to Void. What about the subsequent Realms? Harmony between Heaven and Man, have you comprehended it yet?"