122: Lidongtian

“Teacher Gu.”

Qin Jin’s voice rang out.

Meeting his gaze, Gu Huang smiled kindly and praised, “You performed very well.”

“Your academy mission this time ended earlier than I expected, which is good, as we have more time.”

Upon hearing this.

Qin Jin pondered, “Teacher Gu means?”

“First, return to the academy and rest for a week.”

Gu Huang’s voice was steady: “Then, you need to be prepared.”

“I have already applied to the academy. Since it’s during the mission period, for a short time, I will personally guide your cultivation. After leaving your hometown, you probably haven’t seen the truly magnificent scenery of the Star Sea yet.”

“Next, you will be able to see it.”

At this point, her tone shifted: “All rewards for the academy mission will be distributed by Candle Kite upon your return to the academy. Additionally, because the mission involved the Evil God Sect, you will also receive merit points from the Federation.”

“Merit points?”

“Mm.”

Gu Huang nodded and explained, “Once the total amount of merit points accumulates to a certain level, you will receive a special medal issued by the Federation. This in itself is a position. Besides, merit points themselves can also be exchanged for resources.”

“However, this function is not very useful for you at the moment.”

“Within the academy, with your status, you won’t lack any cultivation resources. Merit points can be accumulated and, in the future, exchanged for rare items that are hard to find in the outside world.”

Qin Jin nodded.

“Pack up and prepare to return to the academy.”

After leaving the last sentence, Gu Huang’s figure disappeared.

Qin Jin was already traveling light, with nothing much to pack, but since he was leaving, he bid farewell to the personnel of the Cold Plum City Patrol Bureau.

The academy mission went so smoothly, and the early efforts of the Patrol Bureau personnel were equally indispensable. Detecting the traces was the first step in making a breakthrough, saving him a lot of time.

Declining the invitation to stay for the commendation ceremony a few days later, Qin Jin and Han Miao together took the Patrol Bureau’s star shuttle to the starship docking area.

After boarding the Martial Abyss’s starship, Han Miao, having gained something from this operation, went directly to the cultivation room.

While the star shuttle was starting, Qin Jin stood by the window and saw from afar that the students of Tian Ce Academy had also arrived, preparing to return.

Just as he was observing.

Silently.

Gu Huang’s figure appeared in the star shuttle.

She stood beside Qin Jin, her tone calm, and slowly said: “Among the students Tian Ce sent for this mission, there are two general-level students.

They each have their strengths, but observing their performance, they also both have shortcomings. It will be difficult for them to become your opponents in the future.”

“However, Qin Jin, don’t think that Tian Ce is merely like this.”

Qin Chi looked at her.

“Within each batch of Tian Ce students, outstanding performers all have the opportunity to be promoted to general-level, and then based on their subsequent cultivation progress, combat performance, mission evaluations, and other comprehensive conditions, it is decided whether they can maintain their general-level status.”

Gu Huang’s voice was long: “Relatively speaking, the evaluation method for [Commander] is much simpler.”

“Within Tian Ce, only those who surpass their peers in both literary and martial arts can be called Commander.”

“In one batch, there is only one Commander. To become the new Commander, one must defeat the old Commander.”

“When the Commander of this batch of Tian Ce appears, you will have an opponent.”

Speaking of this, Gu Huang’s tone shifted: “The item given to you along with Heavens Might can now be opened.”

“That item is called the Primeval Star Core. It is beneficial for your cultivation, helping with both the Breathing Method and the Visualization Method.”

“Before we return to the academy and depart, I hope you can adapt to it. Otherwise, you might suffer a bit in the future.”

Gu Huang stepped away.

“Commander of Tian Ce.”

“According to Gu Xiwun, the students of Tian Ce Academy in this batch have not yet produced a Commander-level student. I wonder what kind of person it will be when the final competition concludes.”

With that thought, Qin Chi walked towards the starship’s cultivation room.

After entering the cultivation room, the restrictions opened. Qin Jin’s thoughts flashed, and he took out the package from his spatial storage equipment.

This was precisely the item that was hung on Heavens Might and given to Qin Jin at the same time.

The surface of the package was smooth, like silk. The moment Qin Jin opened the package, brilliant light burst forth from within.

The cultivation room dimmed.

It wasn’t that the lights were off, but that the light from the item inside the package was too dazzling, obscuring other lights.

“This package itself has a restrictive effect?”

As the thought flashed by.

From the package, a special crystal, about the size of a palm, automatically rose and hung in mid-air. It looked like a shattered diamond, with countless facets, and within the facets, the scenery of the Star Sea was reflected.

At this moment.

As the Primeval Star Core hung in the air, the walls of the cultivation room, illuminated by it, also transformed into the appearance of the Star Sea, as if one were in the Star Sea. Qin Jin clearly sensed that the primal power within his physique was more active than imagined, circulating rapidly.

The next instant!

In Qin Jin’s perception, a surging, endless power surged out from within the Star Core. The aura of that power was somewhat similar to primal power, but in terms of both quality and quantity, it was overwhelmingly superior, and it contained many profound mysteries that were difficult to comprehend.

At this moment.

Under the surrounding Star Core power, Qin Jin was like a lone boat in a raging storm. His primal power rapidly depleted, while also becoming increasingly active and difficult to control.

In this process.

Qin Jin could perceive that his own primal power was also being tempered, a result of its interaction with the Star Core power.

“Teacher Gu, during this time, besides Heavens Might, was she preparing this item for me?”

A thought flashed through his mind.

Qin Jin tentatively operated the Breathing Method.

The moment the Breathing Method operated, the surroundings seemed to quiet down.

The next instant.

Under the surrounding Star Core power, he was already like a lone boat in a raging storm. In his spiritual perception, the surrounding sea surface experienced a tsunami. Huge waves rolled up, constantly climbing, and then violently surged towards him.

Intense pain struck.

His Dao Foundation trembled, and spiritual energy surged forth, aiding his cultivation. Beads of sweat seeped from Qin Jin’s forehead. After resisting for a moment, he quickly stopped the Breathing Method.

“Such a violent effect.”

“This is clearly a treasure that aids cultivation and helps Martial Artists improve their power control.”

“With such a violent effect, it’s no wonder Teacher Gu wanted me to get used to it beforehand.”

“According to Teacher Gu’s meaning, I will probably have to activate this item to assist my cultivation at any time from now on.”

Qin Jin adjusted his breathing and began the next round of adaptation.

The star shuttle entered the Star Sea, flying far away.

Martial Abyss Martial Arts Department.

Due to being in the mission period, the flow of people within the academy had noticeably decreased.

After parting with Han Miao, Qin Jin returned to his residence, quickly handed over matters with Candle Kite, then organized his personal belongings, leaving some in the room. He activated the no-visitor mode, and with a slight thought, he had already arrived in the Great Wilderness.

His figure appeared in the Sacrificial Spirit Hall, returning to this world filled with spiritual energy. Amidst the surging Spiritual Ruins, the spiritual energy consumed in battle began to rapidly replenish.

Qin Jin was radiant, his eyes filled with anticipation.

“Before this trip, it’s a good time to try to break through another realm.”

He muttered to himself.

The breakthrough of the Heavenly Azure Method, because it requires spiritual energy assistance, can basically only be carried out in the Great Wilderness.

Teacher Gu, this Celestial, is preparing to personally guide his cultivation. For the next period, it will undoubtedly be unsuitable to come to the Great Wilderness. Now that his state has been adjusted, it’s a good time to make a concerted effort.

Qin Jin had long been full of anticipation for the scenery of the higher realms of the Heavenly Azure Method.

Within the Spiritual Ruins, spiritual energy rapidly recovered.

Qin Jin reached out and grasped the tiancang jade pendant on his chest.

A warm sensation came.

Primal power surged into it. Within the space inside the tiancang jade pendant, Qin Jin’s attention fell on the third chapter. Focusing on the text above, during the process of spiritual energy recovery, he read it again, ensuring that his first attempt at breakthrough would not encounter any accidents.

Time passed.

At a certain moment, his spirit withdrew from the tiancang jade pendant. Qin Jin sensed the surging power within his body, his mind as still as water. With a slight thought, the azure lightning dark halberd appeared.

When he broke through to the Spirit Void Realm, the azure lightning dark halberd also benefited from it.

Now, Qin Jin naturally wouldn’t miss any possibility.

He did not enter the cockpit, but instead leaped up, using his hand for leverage, and landed on top of the azure lightning dark halberd.

The mecha stood beneath him.

Qin Chi sat cross-legged, his eyes slightly closed, his mind completely immersed in the Spiritual Ruins.

Within the Spiritual Ruins, two fragments of mountain and river hung high, emitting faint light. Spiritual energy of various elements evolved into extraordinary landscapes of mountain and river, truly magnificent.

As Qin Jin’s thoughts moved, the character [Enlightenment] hung before him, slowly rotating. Accompanied by a slight tremor in his Dao Foundation, attracting surging power, the character [Enlightenment] entered his Dao Foundation and then his Spiritual Ruins.

As it entered the Spiritual Ruins, it stirred the surrounding spiritual energy. The moment it entered, under Qin Jin’s observation, this character [Enlightenment] trembled slightly, and actually fled out of the Spiritual Ruins at a faster speed than it entered.

Divine treasures possess spirit.

The “spirit” here does not refer to sentience, but rather to spirituality. Any extraordinary object often possesses an ethereal spirituality. The character [Enlightenment] granted by the Enlightenment Stele, which was once a divine anomaly born of heaven and earth, has an extraordinary origin and naturally possesses spirituality. Now, it subtly sensed something and wanted to escape the Spiritual Ruins.

This was also the first step in establishing a Grotto-heaven with a divine treasure.

Subduing the divine object!

Qin Jin carefully read the Heavenly Azure Method, memorizing every step. He was already prepared at this point. Within the Spiritual Ruins, countless spiritual energies swirled, intertwining with each other to form chains, which wrapped around the character [Enlightenment].

If one observed closely, they would notice that these spiritual energy chains, which evolved, bore some resemblance to the chains in the sky within the mountain and river fragments.

As the highest-grade immortal treasure Qin Jin had encountered so far, even merely imitating its form was extraordinary.

The spiritual energy chains intertwined, and the character [Enlightenment] struggled to break free, but the more it struggled, the tighter they became, pulling constantly within the Spiritual Ruins.

Time passed.

At a certain moment, the character [Enlightenment] stopped struggling.

It gradually adapted to the Spiritual Ruins, and at the same time, its own spirituality was worn away in the process.

Subduing the divine object.

Qin Jin’s state of mind was calm. The moment the character [Enlightenment] stopped struggling, his thoughts moved slightly. His own primal power surged, entering the Spiritual Ruins, and combining with the spiritual energy, they intertwined to form flames within the Spiritual Ruins. Fire ignited in the sky, beginning to scorch the character [Enlightenment].

That was the Fire of the Spiritual Ruins.

In the past, the fire of inheritance forged the Dao Foundation.

Today, the Fire of the Ruins melts the divine object.

After subduing an external divine object and integrating it into the Spiritual Ruins, the next step is to use one's own power to melt out the most essential extraordinary power of the divine object.

Qin Jin’s Dao Foundation was extraordinary, and his Spiritual Ruins were vast and had been tempered by the mountain and river fragments, making their quality astonishing. Compared to ordinary Tiancang cultivators, he also had the assistance of primal power. Now, under continuous scorching and melting, cracks appeared on the character [Enlightenment]. Inside, an unquantifiable, strange power overflowed, confined to its original spot.

Qin Jin’s expression became completely serious at this moment.

This scene, seemingly ordinary, could harbor great danger.

Some divine objects appear calm on the surface, but may contain inexplicable strange powers within, which, once revealed, could exceed the control of a Spirit Void Realm cultivator.

The scorching continued.

At a certain moment, the character [Enlightenment] completely melted. The power it transformed into was azure blue. The moment it completely became power, this profound power vibrated, and an invisible ripple spread within the Spiritual Ruins.

However...

Amidst the ripples, Qin Jin did not suffer any harm. Instead, he clearly sensed that his mind became clearer, his state was better, and his thoughts became more distinct, having received a boost.

“This is...”

“This divine enlightenment character was born of heaven and earth, so it is extremely pure. Even if its power ultimately erupts now, it only performs its original function?”

“Viewed this way, using this enlightenment character as the divine object for the first Grotto-heaven is indeed a very appropriate choice.”

“If it were some violent and mysterious divine object, the eruption of its power at this moment might have caused the breakthrough to fail.”

As thoughts flashed through his mind.

After the last burst, the azure blue, strange powers remained within the Spiritual Ruins, becoming completely calm.

Qin Jin’s primal power surged, gathering these strange powers, and supplementing them with his own power, he chose a spot within the Spiritual Ruins and devoted himself entirely to sketching.

At this very moment.

He used his will as a brush, power as ink, and the Spiritual Ruins as a canvas, like painting, sketching and shaping within it.

To establish a Grotto-heaven with this!

If there were no divine object to assist, then one would shape the Grotto-heaven with one’s own power.

Through continuous sketching and shaping, a Grotto-heaven gradually took shape in the eastern part of the Spiritual Ruins, from nothing to existence, from small to large.

Just as Qin Jin was fully immersed in sketching.

As his progress increased, the tiancang jade pendant on his chest emitted a strange glow.

The sketching and shaping did not stop. As the tiancang jade pendant’s light rose, ancient Tiancang characters swam and entered the Spiritual Ruins.

That was precisely the method for breakthrough to the third realm of the Heavenly Azure Method, the Grotto-heaven Realm.

These characters entered the Spiritual Ruins, arranged and combined, hanging high in the air. Under their illumination, Qin Jin’s heart was filled with numerous insights regarding the Grotto-heaven Realm. His movements became more skillful, and the speed of shaping the Grotto-heaven increased.

At the same time—

Amidst the illumination of the characters, more information surged into Qin Jin’s mind.

The cultivation of the Heavenly Azure Method is greatly related to heaven and earth.

The human ancestors observed the Ruins and established the Spirit Void Realm.

And the name of the Grotto-heaven Realm, it is precisely derived from the meaning of “Grotto-heaven and blessed land”!

The Grotto-heaven within the Spiritual Ruins, as the cultivator continuously grows, will also produce various mysterious changes. If one day, the cultivator truly reaches a high realm and becomes a figure like a great power, then their Spiritual Ruins Grotto-heaven will be no less than a true Grotto-heaven and blessed land, containing countless mysteries.

Time passed.

Within the Spiritual Ruins, the majestic Grotto-heaven gradually took shape, standing in the east.

From afar, it resembled two towering cliffs, standing within the Spiritual Ruins. The middle part of the two cliffs was empty, with clouds and mist swirling around. In the flickering light, the character [Enlightenment] evolved into different forms, constantly changing. Below the cliffs was an azure, serene clear spring. At a glance, it evoked a sense of ethereal grandeur.

At a certain moment.

The Grotto-heaven took shape!

The moment it took shape, the entire Spiritual Ruins trembled. Under Qin Jin’s observation, the spiritual energy within the Spiritual Ruins transformed into various wondrous sights, as if celebrating.

As the Grotto-heaven took shape, spiritual energy surged through the Grotto-heaven, entering from the front and exiting from the back. In this process, it had already completed the tempering of the spiritual energy.

“This—is the Grotto-heaven Realm?”

A thought stirred in Qin Jin’s mind.

He had already completed the shaping of the first Grotto-heaven, but he had an ethereal feeling that his cultivation had not yet ended.

Just then, as if sensing something, Qin Jin suddenly opened his eyes on top of the azure lightning dark halberd and looked upwards!