173: Dragon Burial Ground

The third Cave Heaven was fully formed!

In the cultivation of the Heavenly Azure Method, once a cultivator successfully opened three Cave Heavens, they could begin to attempt to brew a breakthrough and directly advance to the next major realm.

Divine Ability Realm!

And the Cave Heaven Realm was precisely the realm where Tiancang cultivators widened the gap.

With each Cave Heaven opened, the burden on the Spirit Ruins increased, and the risk of opening new Cave Heavens grew larger. Cultivators with insufficient natural talent and foundation could only measure their own limits and make a final decision.

However...

From the moment Qin Jin began his cultivation of the Heavenly Azure Method, he laid an incredibly solid foundation. After reaching the Cave Heaven Realm and understanding its cultivation methods, he had already made a decision.

He wanted to reach the limit in this realm, thereby making his future cultivation path smoother.

Given his current environment, he was undoubtedly capable of achieving this.

Above the Cave Heavens, his True Name shone brightly.

The power of feedback emanated from the Cave Heavens, enveloping him. Amidst Qin Jin's fluctuating aura, the Cave Heaven Treasure Technique continuously brewed and gradually emerged.

After a long while, everything returned to peace. Qin Jin's aura receded, and he descended, landing on the arched bridge of Dragon Gate Peak.

As he stepped onto it, in the distance, the boundary stele glowed, projecting a completely blank screen before Qin Jin, quietly suspended.

If he had just arrived at Dragon Gate Peak, he might have felt some confusion, but now Qin Jin had basically figured out the mechanism of Dragon Gate Peak.

Looking at the screen before him, he used his finger as a brush, and spiritual power as ink, pausing on the screen:

He pondered for a moment, then finally left his mark.

[Qin Jin, seeing the ancient today, leaps over the Dragon Gate here]

As soon as the sentence fell.

Qin Jin glanced at Dragon Gate Peak, confirmed his direction, left here, and returned to the Tribe.

Entering Dragon Gate Peak had high requirements for wish power, and the Dragon Gate on this Dragon Gate Peak was not something anyone could draw out; only true geniuses could.

His figure streaked across the sky.

Qin Jin's mind entered the Spirit Ruins, gazing at everything.

Three Cave Heavens stood in a triangle, firmly positioned at the edge of the Spirit Ruins, providing a consolidating effect. The Thunder Swamp Fire God bordered it, and there were also fragments of the Mountain and River Divine Cauldron, each with different functions, residing in the sky, playing their respective roles.

Finally—

Qin Jin's attention fell on the nine-story small pagoda.

At a glance, its middle section, which was almost hollow and dilapidated, now had illusory, semi-transparent pillars forming and supporting it, making it finally appear no longer precarious and on the verge of collapse.

“The establishment of Heaven and Earth, through its connection with Heaven and Earth, has finally been repaired.”

“Not long ago—”

“The power of blessing that surged into the Spirit Ruins from Dragon Gate Peak also seemed to have integrated into the small pagoda.”

Upon mental contact, the small pagoda remained silent, with no consciousness awakening.

Qin Jin was not anxious.

In a sense, the later this small pagoda's spiritual essence awakened, the more extraordinary it once was. As the small pagoda warmed within the Spirit Ruins without requiring any active effort from him, he had enough patience to wait.

His figure was in the air.

As he neared the Tribe, Qin Jin's thoughts stirred, and the massive body of the azure lightning dark halberd appeared in the sky.

The moment it appeared, the mecha plummeted downwards. Qin Jin instantly entered the cockpit, established a mental connection, and issued a command!

Flight module activated.

In the abdomen of the azure lightning dark halberd, the internal engine roared to life, runes flashed all over its body, the extraordinary module activated, its descent abruptly stopped, and it hovered in the sky.

Qin Jin experienced the effect of the flight module.

“It consumes a lot of the mecha's own energy. After maintaining it for a certain period, it needs to recover.”

“Alternatively, the mode can be switched, allowing the pilot to bear some energy consumption to increase endurance.”

The azure lightning dark halberd moved forward, and after reaching the sky above the Sacrificial Fire Tribe, it quickly descended.

The mecha descended from the sky, impossible for anyone to ignore. Seeing Lord Sacrificial Spirit appear so majestically, the Offering Fire tribesmen showed respect and bowed one after another.

The azure lightning dark halberd landed beside the Sacrificial Spirit Hall.

The entire Sacrificial Fire Tribe was now operating, with a hint more solemnity than usual.

Qi Chuan's residence was located in the central area of the Tribe. Qin Jin saw him immediately after landing. He was holding a communicator,

and communicating with the tribesmen who were out.

“Lord Sacrificial Spirit.”

Seeing Qin Jin return by flying, his eyes rippled. He put down the communicator, quickly approached, took out a beast hide scroll, and unfolded it.

“This is the area of anomaly near the Tribe that the tribesmen have investigated.”

Inside the beast hide scroll was a map drawn with the Sacrificial Fire Tribe as the center.

On the map, some places were now marked.

“Well done.”

Qin Chi's calm voice sounded, and his spiritual sense perceived his surroundings: “Where is Xia Yanh Tiger?”

“Yanhu has also led a team to leave the Tribe.”

“He needs to make full preparations so that he can provide support at the first moment if a conflict truly occurs.”

Qin Chi nodded.

Facing the old tribesman he had known for a long time, his voice was calm: “During this time, have the tribesmen prepare well.”

“If someone truly intends to cause trouble in our Tribe's territory, there is no need to hold back. If necessary, I will also take action.”

His voice was calm, yet it contained a hint of ferocity.

Qin Jin was never a weak person. After all, not long after he began cultivating martial arts, he experienced the cruel test of the Star God Chosen. If others did not invade, then so be it; his cultivation was more important. Coupled with his understanding of the nature of the anomalous land, he was not eager to proactively initiate conflict.

But if someone truly dared to invade.

He would also make the name 'Offering Fire' forge a fierce reputation in the Great Wilderness.

“I understand.”

Qi Chuan nodded solemnly.

After exchanging a few more words.

The azure lightning dark halberd stepped back into the Sacrificial Spirit Hall.

The moment he passed through the divine light, Qin Jin's heart stirred slightly.

“Will this divine light covering the anomalous land last forever?”

“Or is this actually a process of integration, and the divine light barrier will disappear after it truly merges with the present world?”

Wish power, as usual, formed another restriction, and Qin Jin entered the Sacrificial Spirit Hall.

He swept his gaze across.

Compared to when he first left, the spiritual energy concentration had slightly increased, and the appearance of the Sacrificial Spirit Hall seemed to have undergone some subtle changes; some originally crude areas had become more refined.

If it was previously a Sacrificial Spirit Hall, then after this anomaly, it began to gradually take on the prototype of a [Palace].

Qin Jin put away the azure lightning dark halberd and vanished.

Starship lounge.

Qin Jin left the portable base, walked out of the lounge, and softly called out: “Candle Kite.”

As the sound fell.

Before him, Candle Kite's small figure appeared, looking serious: “Captain, what are your instructions?”

“Has anyone contacted me?”

“A student from Wu Yuan contacted you. According to your instructions, I replied to them all with the reason that you were in seclusion for cultivation.”

Qin Chi nodded.

The target of this mission was located in another star system, a considerable distance away. He had already prepared for arduous cultivation in the Great Wilderness, so he had made arrangements in advance.

There was nothing in his communication list that couldn't be seen, so he let Candle Kite reply on his behalf.

After all.

Given his current identity within the Federation, if he suddenly went offline, it would likely cause a considerable stir, with unpredictable chain reactions.

“How much longer until we reach the mission destination in the Weiyang Star System?”

“Seventeen more days.”

Candle Kite's reply sounded.

Hearing this, Qin Jin nodded and said in a deep voice: “Continue to reply to others as I initially instructed.”

“I will come out of seclusion after arriving in the Weiyang Star System. Before then, do not disturb me.”

“Understood!”

Having a reliable artificial intelligence like Candle Kite by his side was undoubtedly a fortunate thing.

Qin Jin rested briefly, enjoyed a hearty meal, and then returned to the lounge.

Looking out the porthole, the Voyage was in warp, and outside was a dazzling display, with various strange lights intertwined.

“Weiyang Star System—”

Qin Jin's eyes deepened slightly.

If he were an ordinary first-year student, his mission scope would be limited to the Corridor Star System.

However, since he had prematurely encountered the academy missions of the next cycle, he truly witnessed Wu Yuan's mission system.

The Weiyang Star System was the latest star system incorporated into the Federation's territory during its recent expansion. It was quite distant from the Corridor Star System. To this day, the expansion there had not yet concluded, and the most numerous inhabitants were explorers from the Federation.

“Unfortunately, so far, I still don't have the means to achieve inter-world communication or surveillance.”

“I still cannot view the situation of one world while being in another. I can only travel between them more frequently to avoid missing any situations or unexpected events.”

“Otherwise, everything would be much easier.”

He slowly exhaled, muttering 'what a pity' in his heart, but his expression showed no disappointment.

Two completely different worlds, connected by the mysterious bronze door on the panel, the difficulty of truly breaking through the limitations of the world was imaginable.

Qin Jin had long anticipated this; such a thing would only be possible when he truly ascended to a high realm of cultivation, then he might have a chance to find a feasible solution.

Thoughts flashed, and Qin Jin re-entered the Great Wilderness.

Next, most of Qin Jin's time was spent in the Great Wilderness.

In the star sea, the starship sailed along the most official route within the Federation, with very few accidents. Even if something happened, Candle Kite's abilities were sufficient to handle it.

Wu Yuan's top-tier artificial intelligence was not an ordinary technological creation; Qin Jin had already understood this when he was brought before the Wu Sheng Stele.

Even if the Voyage truly encountered some accident, his teleportation anchor point was located within his portable base, and upon returning, he would have enough time to deal with it.

Therefore, Qin Jin focused on the Great Wilderness. The exploration range of the tribesmen became wider and wider, and more anomalous lands were discovered and recorded.

At the same time.

Ding Yang, who had initially explored the area after leaving the Tribe, also sent back multiple messages.

His strength was immense, and his power was his confidence. Under the guise of a visit, he conducted a rather bold investigation and gathered intelligence.

Around the Sacrificial Fire Tribe, among the places he had explored where the Sacrificial Spirit's residence had changed, there was only one other Tribe besides the Sacrificial Fire Tribe!

The Shi Ri Tribe!

Their Sacrificial Spirit was named Treading Clouds. He once sent a Wish Power clone to personally observe the Sacrificial Fire Tribe's ceremony, and after the ceremony, established contact with the Sacrificial Fire Tribe. The relationship between the two Tribes was quite harmonious, ranking as the best among the Tribes that had established contact with the Sacrificial Fire Tribe.

According to Ding Yang, the Eclipse Sun Sacrificial Spirit's residence was a tower-like structure built of large stones, which was now also enveloped by Divine Light, with an ancient aura within.

Ding Yang also sent back other information.

After the appearance of the areas of anomaly, various Tribes all embarked on explorations. Sacrificial Spirits from other Tribes made attempts, but after several tries, they failed to successfully enter the interior of the anomalous areas.

This coincided with one of Qin Jin's initial conjectures.

Whether it was ancient lands or anomalous areas, both originated from the Mountain and River Divine Cauldron. In other words, they came from the Tiancang Immortal Dynasty. This was a gift from the human ancestors of countless years ago to their descendants and to this world.

Sacrificial Spirits are inherently non-human. How could all Sacrificial Spirits enter and obtain the wonders within?

Apparently...

That Divine Light contained a method of evaluation.

Within the Sacrificial Fire Tribe, all the tribesmen were busy.

Qin Jin was also not idle.

While not neglecting his cultivation, Qin Jin journeyed across the Great Wilderness, following the results of the tribesmen's investigations, to personally examine the anomalous areas.

At the same time.

He also used his Blessing ability to bestow Wish Power upon outstanding tribesmen within the Tribe, granting them 'tickets' as well.

There is always a return for effort; Qin Jin had always understood this principle.

With the ability to fly, the progress of exploring the surrounding area was rapid.

Qin Jin confirmed one thing.

The areas enveloped by Divine Light were primarily ordinary anomalies. 'Ancient lands' like Dragon Gate Peak were a smaller, rarer proportion.

This was in line with common sense. In fact, Qin Jin even developed related speculations in his heart.

Could the anomalous areas also be ancient lands sealed by the Mountain and River Divine Cauldron, just not as extraordinary as Dragon Gate Peak? Over the long years, they underwent changes and reappeared in the world but could not sustain themselves, thus merely causing environmental anomalies without fully recreating their former glory.

This hypothesis has a high probability.

Perhaps the scene displayed during the ceremony made the surrounding Tribes wary. The Sacrificial Fire Tribe was prepared for battle, but so far, no one had dared to offend them.

However...

The other surrounding Tribes were no longer peaceful. Some Tribes already had existing conflicts, and the appearance of the anomalous areas became a new fuse. Disputes arose at every moment, and even small-scale 'wars' had already broken out.

The conflict between two Tribes also drew the attention of other Tribes. It seemed that undercurrents were surging, as if a great chaos was about to erupt.

Today.

It was early morning, and Qin Jin had already left the Tribe, traversing through the high sky, arriving at a familiar place.

Dragon Gate Peak.

Around the Sacrificial Fire Tribe, to this day, this Dragon Gate Peak remains the only ancient land. Other anomalous areas vary in quality, but none are as wondrous as Dragon Gate Peak.

Passing through the light curtain, he once again entered this place brimming with spiritual energy. Qin Jin ascended to the peak, came to the arch bridge, and looked towards the stele on one side.

The divine power was not activated, and the stele appeared ordinary, but Qin Jin's name remained on it. It was like meeting ancient human prodigies from countless years ago, writing a new chapter for this Dragon Gate Peak.

His gaze retracted.

A serious expression appeared on Qin Jin's face.

Dragon Gate Peak is extremely unique. Leaping over the Dragon Gate is most effective only the first time. Besides boosting one's own strength, it also provides hidden enhancements.

He came here, naturally, not to leap over the Dragon Gate again.

But to visualize!

The key to the Martial Dao Visualization Method is that while visualizing inanimate objects is more difficult, it is also safer than visualizing extraordinary life forms.

Eight Extremes Star is an example.

Dragon Gate Peak is extraordinarily unique, yet it is not a living being, thus perfectly meeting this condition. Moreover, after breaking through the limits of life and stepping into the Grandmaster realm, Qin Jin himself underwent a qualitative change, and his 'receptiveness' to visualization significantly improved.

His name was also left on Dragon Gate Peak, which counted as making an 'acquaintance'.

With all these conditions, Qin Jin believed this was a worthwhile attempt.

His gaze swept around, and Qin Jin found a large stone at the peak, sitting down cross-legged.

His mind calmed, and he adjusted himself.

Immediately, dense Wish Power surged around Qin Jin, forming layers of protection, blocking all directions.

He naturally wouldn't try recklessly.

Once a warning sign arose in his heart, once the situation felt wrong, he would immediately stop visualizing, using Wish Power to block and retreat from the place.

This power, which was greatly related to the Mountain and River Divine Cauldron, was one of his sources of confidence.

At the same time, other methods were brewing around him.

Sitting cross-legged in place, Qin Jin's eyes were slightly closed. The Secret Treasure and Enlightenment Treasure Technique were simultaneously cast, enhancing his comprehension.

His spiritual will settled on the Dragon Gate Peak below.

Previously, when performing visualization, as the Visualization Method operated, the object of visualization would reveal its extraordinary essence.

But now, in this visualization, Dragon Gate Peak remained in its original state in his perception. Qin Jin's intuition did not give any premonition of danger, nor did any changes occur, as if he hadn't performed visualization at all.

“Is Dragon Gate Peak simply impossible to visualize, or is the gap between me and it too vast?”

“So vast that my visualization cannot cause any change in it.”

The Visualization Method operated. Qin Jin changed positions. After first visualizing Dragon Gate Peak without any response, his object of visualization moved upwards, finally focusing on the stele.

This time!

Changes finally occurred.

In Qin Jin's vision, the phantom of the stele, inscribed with the names of various Dragon Gate prodigies, was triggered in another way, appearing in his visualization field.

All other messages were dim and dull, only Qin Jin's own message was bright. In the Visualization Method's field of vision, the characters floated up, transforming into streams of light, heading towards Qin Jin.

Qin Jin's spirit stirred slightly. These streams of light, within the perception of the Visualization Method, had similarities to extraordinary factors and were not polluting.

However, rather than saying it was something he gained through visualization, it was more like—Dragon Gate Peak actively bestowed it upon him!

Because he hadn't yet performed steps like analysis, and the streams of light hadn't transformed into his own power. Instead, after approaching, they attached to the outside of his spiritual will, seemingly forming a self-constituted protection.

This feeling—

It was as if this stele couldn't bear to watch his attempts and offered him a helping hand.

Outside his spiritual will, the floating light circulated.

The Visualization Method continued.

As it operated again, Qin Jin suddenly noticed a change.

Below, the always calm and still Dragon Gate Peak began to fluctuate in his vision. His own spirit felt a sense of sluggishness, but under the protection of the stele's floating light, he was not harmed.

The fluctuation was just the beginning. With the floating light's enhancement, he seemed to truly possess eyes that could discover the truth. As the Visualization Method operated, in Qin Jin's visualization field, cracks appeared on the surface of Dragon Gate Peak, on its cliffs. Rocks collapsed with a thunderous roar, like a precious jade hidden within a stone,

Beginning to reveal its true form!

After shedding to a certain extent, Qin Jin's spirit trembled.

He saw the true form hidden within Dragon Gate Peak.

Accompanying the falling stones, what gradually revealed itself was—

Bone!

It appeared to be the bone of a giant creature, of an unusual color, with sacred radiance surging.

Although he hadn't yet seen its complete true form, upon seeing this scene, Qin Jin already had a guess, and a ripple spread in his heart.

What giant creature's bone could be hidden within Dragon Gate Peak?

Named after a dragon, only dragon bones!

This Dragon Gate Peak was also a dragon burial ground!

Sacrificial Fire Tribe.

Today, the Tribe welcomed guests from another Tribe.

The visitors came from the Shi Ri Tribe, one of the guests who had witnessed the sacrifice fire ceremony.

Before him.

There was a figure who arrived before him—the Eclipse Sun Sacrificial Spirit, Treading Clouds!

At this time, with undercurrents surging among various Tribes and special relationships, the other party personally came with a Wish Power clone, appearing to be very sincere.

The Divine Light within the Sacrificial Fire Tribe could not be concealed.

Upon arriving here, this Eclipse Sun Sacrificial Spirit looked at the anomalous area in the center, his eyes clearly becoming more solemn, a thoughtful expression flashing across the star sea.

The Xingzhou smoothly sailed, entering the 'warp-state stargate' exclusive to star system traversal.

After traversing through the special stargate passage, the Xingzhou arrived at a new star system it had never visited before.

The Weiyang Star System.

Compared to the Corridor Star System, this place could only be described as desolate. Development had not yet finished, and it had not yet entered the 'migration' phase, nor had full-scale development begun.

Candle Kite piloted the Xingzhou forward.

As it proceeded.

Along with a rising notification sound, information from local communications was transmitted.

“Welcome to the Weiyang Star System.”

“Please proceed to the following location: [Star Map].”

“Wishing you all the best in the Weiyang Star System.”

Because it was a task issued by the academy, relevant registration had already been completed at the time of departure.

The Weiyang Star System was under development, so its various systems were more rigorous, to prevent accidents that could cause impact and delay development progress.

Following the pre-determined route, the Xingzhou sailed steadily through the star sea.