184: Star God asked

When one truly reaches an extremely high point, looking back at the cultivation realms of the past, and at the early stages of other cultivation paths, often brings different insights.

Qin Jin had also experienced this within the Wu Sheng Stele.

Everything around was shielded, and Venerable Observer traveled through the Star Sea, returning to its homeland.

Since Qin Jin was here, he made himself at home, simply sitting cross-legged in this spot. He had already gifted the Heavenly Azure Method to Venerable Observer, and now had no reservations whatsoever. His Spirit Ruins surged, and the shadow of his Grotto-Heaven faintly appeared, providing assistance.

If, just now, the Grotto-Heaven had grown due to external influences, then now Qin Jin was actively incorporating them.

As he acted, Qin Jin's thoughts raced.

“The rewards for the cleanup mission seem to be settling after some time.”

“Since Senior Su has spoken, I imagine the Pioneer Legion will contact me after a while.”

A thought flashed through his mind, and he considered more, muttering to himself, “Venerable Observer actually offered to let me return to its homeland with him.”

In the Star God Forbidden Zone, from meeting Venerable Observer who had just been born, until now, Venerable Observer had never proactively made a [request].

But now, he specifically mentioned this point.

“Could it be that Venerable Observer has other matters to discuss with me and is using this opportunity to bring me back?”

The thoughts of a God are hard to fathom.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Qin Jin pushed the thought to the back of his mind and focused on his cultivation.

If there was one entity he absolutely trusted in the boundless Star Sea at this moment, it was undoubtedly Lei Yu Watcher.

From the very beginning of the God’s Selection, through various events, his sincerity was evident.

His mind returned to tranquility, and Qin Jin entered a state of cultivation.

...

Above the sea.

In the sky, the Heavenly Gate closed, and the divine body moved away.

The strange restriction that enveloped the entire world disappeared at this moment. The warriors of the Third Battle Group resumed their movements, and everything returned to normal.

Above the ark, the moment the restriction was lifted, Zhou Yutang’s expression changed slightly. Others might still be wondering what had just happened, but he had received a message from the Legion Headquarters and knew more. How could a Battle Group Leader be foolish? In an instant, he thought of that terrifying possibility.

“Fortunately...”

His eyes flickered, feeling a lingering fear, and he whispered in his heart, “Fortunately, nothing irreversible happened. Otherwise, I, and our Third Battle Group, would all become sinners of the Federation.”

The arrival of Martial God Su had already shaken him immensely, and the personal presence of a Star God made him even more astonished.

This was not because one was superior to the other, but because Zhou Yutang also understood the importance of a birth planet to a Star God.

Numerous thoughts flashed through the mind of this seasoned Battle Group Leader. He looked at Martial God Su, his gaze serious: “Your Excellency Wu Shen, we will quickly conclude this operation. Afterwards, we will provide a satisfactory explanation to those who were lost due to this unexpected incident.”

Su Buqi, War God of Gui Xu nodded slightly.

His gaze turned to the other side. After Lei Yu Watcher left with Qin Jin, Candle Kite’s true form receded, and the [temporary vessel] that carried her true form was also dismantled and withdrawn. The restriction covering the academy's group was lifted, revealing their figures.

Su Buqi, War God of Gui Xu’s eyes swept over, lingering on Gu Huang.

“Perfect.”

His voice was calm: “Qin Jin has been temporarily taken back to his homeland. Next, you will come and cultivate with me for a period.”

As early as their first meeting on Eight Extremes Star, he had promised that Gu Huang would seek him out after her term of office ended.

Now...

With various matters concluded, he fulfilled his promise ahead of time.

Upon hearing this.

Gu Huang did not hesitate and performed a martial arts salute respectfully.

After a brief exchange, Wu Yuan and the others left. Su Buqi, War God of Gui Xu took a step, and his figure was nowhere to be seen.

Zhou Yutang and a group of high-ranking Third Battle Group officers returned to the command hall. His gaze swept across the light screen, looking at the strange space below that had already merged with reality, and said in a deep voice: “Where are the people from the Ancient Civilization Operations Department? When will they arrive?”

“Approximately one hour later.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yutang nodded slightly.

He pondered for a moment, his voice stern: “With Martial God Su’s intervention, everything was resolved quickly enough, but… this only exposes our incompetence.”

“To have a Wu Shen act for such matters is the greatest sin.”

“Now, the military has not yet held us accountable, leaving us an opportunity to atone for our mistakes. In the coming period, we will cooperate fully with the Ancient Civilization Operations Department to clarify all information about this ancient civilization in the shortest possible time, and understand why their civilization’s space chose to be attached to this planet.”

“This is of paramount importance!”

...

In focused cultivation.

Qin Jin clearly perceived the changes in his surroundings.

He opened his eyes; before him was a familiar yet strange environment.

The Star God Forbidden Zone, the former location of the Thunder Pool.

This was the birthplace of the Star God and the most extraordinary and special existence on Lei Yu Star. The speed of change here far exceeded other areas. Now, Qin Jin’s gaze swept across his surroundings; the place was vibrant, dreamlike, and extremely unique.

In front.

Most of Venerable Observer's divine body remained in an Different Space (different space), with only a small portion revealed, [looking] at Qin Jin.

“Qin Jin.”

His voice rang out, as gentle as ever: “How many Grotto-Heavens have you forged?”

“Three.”

Qin Jin did not hide anything and answered truthfully.

Upon hearing this.

Lei Yu Watcher’s divine body evolved text, rapidly assembling and transforming to form the characters [Grotto-Heaven].

“You are still in the Dao Foundation Realm.”

He slowly began: “The cultivation system you spoke of is extremely unique, containing myriad depths.”

“During this time, I have been diligently studying and comprehending it, attempting to recreate it step by step.”

As he spoke.

Within Qin Jin’s spiritual perception, a scene of the vast divine body’s evolution appeared, re-enacting the Immortal Dynasty’s method with a God’s body.

“The first four realms were quite smooth.”

Lei Yu Watcher’s voice echoed: “However, when attempting the fifth realm, some problems arose.”

“Some factors involved in the cultivation of the fifth realm do not exist in the Star Sea.”

“I tried to substitute them with other methods, but found that doing so would completely deviate from this cultivation system, leading to significant discrepancies.”

“Qin Jin.”

“This cultivation system was found by you. Do you understand more information about it? Do you know the reason?”

At this point, Lei Yu Watcher stopped speaking. In Qin Jin’s perception, he was looking at him, even with some anticipation.

Lei Yu Watcher had never hidden his [emotions] from him.

“I am truly being placed with high hopes by a God,” Qin Jin muttered to himself, his expression becoming serious.

Although he himself had not yet reached that realm, Qin Jin already knew its name: the fifth realm was called Dao Seeking.

The Grand Dao Seeking Realm!

This was the information written down by Senior Ji Lianxing.

Although he himself had not reached it, the moment Qin Jin heard the question Venerable Observer posed this time, he already had the answer in his heart.

The Heavenly Azure Method is intimately connected with [mountain and river]!

Clearly, the cultivation of the [Grand Dao Seeking Realm] should involve that [mountain and river]. It is precisely for this reason that it cannot be substituted in the Star Sea. After all… this is one of the original intentions of the Heavenly Azure Method, and even its very foundation.

Thoughts flashed through his mind. Under Lei Yu Watcher's gaze, Qin Jin closed his eyes.

He seemed to be making some kind of decision. When he opened his eyes again, only determination remained in them.

“Venerable Observer.”

“Do you trust me?”

Venerable Observer did not speak, because Qin Jin’s question, in his opinion, did not require an answer.

With a thought, Qin Jin also realized he had asked a foolish question. Perhaps, it wasn't even a question, but merely a final confirmation.

“Venerable Observer.”

“Please wait.”

After leaving a sentence, Qin Jin’s thoughts stirred, and he summoned his professional panel.

The next instant!

In the core of this Star God Forbidden Zone, under the gaze of a God, Qin Jin’s figure suddenly vanished.

The moment he disappeared.

Lei Yu Watcher was momentarily confused.

But then, his divine body stretched out, his perception instantly covering all parts of the planet, but Qin Jin seemed to have completely vanished, leaving no trace.

Remembering Qin Jin’s “Please wait,” his divine body remained in place, making no further movements.

Time passed.

Soon after.

Silently, Qin Jin’s figure reappeared.

“You…”

Lei Yu Watcher looked at him: “Where did you go?”

“I went to the birthplace of this cultivation system.”

Qin Jin answered word by word.

The Great Wilderness was his biggest secret, the source of his opportunities.

The Star God, similarly, was his opportunity. How rare it was to gain the attention and protection of a God.

As early as when he first gifted the Immortal Dynasty True Scripture, Qin Jin had already made preparations, and now, his two greatest personal opportunities finally began to truly interact.

Although Qin Jin had anticipated it, his emotions were inevitably complex when he spoke these words.

Facing the Lei Yu Watcher's attention, Qin Jin extended his hand, palm upwards.

"Venerable Observer."

"All your doubts about this cultivation system will be resolved there. Now... I will take you there."

Looking at Qin Jin's outstretched hand, the Lei Yu Watcher's divine body fluctuated, and ancient characters alternately changed, forming a ribbon that landed in Qin Jin's palm, which he grasped.

He was truly touching a divine body.

Once Qin Jin made a decision, he would not regret it. With that thought, the Great Wilderness... activated!

The next instant,

his body vanished from its original spot.

The ribbon formed by the divine body's characters floated in mid-air.

Lei Yu Watcher: ?

Within the Forbidden Zone.

Watching the vanished Qin Jin, the Lei Yu Watcher fell into contemplation.

...

At the same time.

In a remote area within the Great Wilderness, where no divine light enveloped it.

The moment he appeared, Qin Jin looked to his side.

The expected vast divine body did not descend with him; the surroundings were empty.

"Didn't bring the Venerable Observer over?"

Qin Jin's gaze narrowed slightly.

He had just entered the Great Wilderness for the first time, specifically to transfer his [teleportation coordinates] to a remote location.

Otherwise, if the Venerable Observer's massive divine body suddenly appeared in the Si Huo Tribe, it would cause an unknown amount of chaos and might attract other kinds of attention.

But now, the outcome deviated from Qin Jin's expectations.

"What caused this?"

"Is the profession panel's teleportation gate insufficient to carry a deity?"

He looked at the flashing profession panel in front of him, then felt that something was wrong.

Because the existence of the profession panel had never been known to anyone; even the Martial Gods and Star Gods within the Federation had never detected it, which implicitly proved the profession panel's tier.

"Then it must be other reasons."

Thoughts flowed through his mind as Qin Jin made various conjectures. His figure flickered, and he left the Great Wilderness, returning to the Forbidden Zone.

The Lei Yu Watcher watched as Qin Jin reappeared.

"Venerable Observer."

"Please create a clone."

Qin Jin, full of curiosity, said earnestly, "It's best not to contain your power; just a conscious attachment will suffice."

Qin Jin vividly remembered the Venerable Observer creating clones to observe the outside world during its slumber.

The Lei Yu Watcher was undoubtedly patient with Qin Jin. Characters flew out from its divine body, turning into symbols that landed in Qin Jin's again-opened palm.

A second attempt.

Still unsuccessful.

However, Qin Jin could rule out some problems.

"If we don't count more abstract concepts like [status] and so on, at least it's not due to the influence of power."

"Since that's the case..."

Qin Jin communicated earnestly with the Lei Yu Watcher, and a few minutes later, a small figure appeared in front of Qin Jin.

That was...

a Saber-toothed tiger.

It had just woken up and was still a bit bewildered. Upon seeing Qin Jin, a smile subconsciously appeared on its tiger face, and then... its vision was covered by power, and its perception was temporarily sealed.

"Raise an army for a thousand days, use it for an hour."

Looking at the Saber-toothed tiger, which lived a particularly leisurely life and had grown much fatter even in its shrunken state, Qin Jin said, "This time, it's your turn to cooperate and contribute."

The next moment, the teleportation occurred.

This time, the result was a success.

After bringing the Saber-toothed tiger back to the Forbidden Zone, Qin Jin waved his hand, letting it go play for a bit, while he fell into deep thought.

"Looking at it this way..."

"It's actually very possible that the failure of the crossing was due to reasons like [status]."

"But if that's the case, it definitely isn't the profession panel's fault. Could it be the Great Wilderness's self-protection? Or some other reason?"

He made a conjecture, and with a thought, an object flew out from within his Spirit Ruins, manifesting in the world.

That was...

a shan he remnant piece of the Mountain and River Divine Cauldron.

He had acquired a total of three fragments, and this was the one with the widest space, the fragment depicting the scene of the sermon's inheritance.

"Venerable Observer."

With the fragment suspended before him, Qin Jin said, "This is a piece of an extraordinary object, containing space within it."

"Please create a clone and, with my cooperation, enter it."

"The clone's power should not be too strong, or it will exceed the carrying limit within."

The Mountain and River Divine Cauldron was incredibly extraordinary. Qin Jin believed that the complete Mountain and River Divine Cauldron was entirely sufficient to carry a Star God.

However, this was merely one of countless fragments, so caution was naturally necessary.

Hearing Qin Jin's words.

Ancient characters flew out from the Lei Yu Watcher's body.

Qin Jin understood their meaning.

It was precisely the character [Guan] (Observe).

As the character approached, spiritual power surged out from Qin Jin's Spirit Ruins, attaching to its surface.

When he first obtained the shan he remnant piece, he still needed to attach wish power to enter it.

But once he truly cultivated the Immortal Dynasty Law, he no longer had such restrictions. In fact, when he went to the Divine Cauldron's forbidden zone in the Heavenly Vault of the Great Wilderness, he was no longer suppressed.

With a flash of light.

The character clone entered the Divine Cauldron fragment.

When the Divine Cauldron fragment's power had not been exhausted, it contained a myriad of wonders. After its power was depleted and it fell, it became a barren wasteland. The sky above was dark, and in the boundless darkness, broken thick chains coiled.

The moment it entered, the Lei Yu Watcher's gaze looked up at the sky, at those chains.

At the same time.

Qin Jin activated again.

His figure flashed, and he appeared in a remote area of the Great Wilderness. He looked down at the Divine Cauldron fragment, his spirit pouring into it.

The character clone, that [Guan] character, was continuously observing the sky above the fragment.

"It worked."

"Whatever the reason, the Mountain and River Divine Cauldron truly played a role in shielding."

"With the Venerable Observer here, he will naturally have the opportunity to find the exact reason."

Qin Jin let out a long breath, communicated mentally, and with a flash of his figure, the Lei Yu Watcher's [Guan] character clone appeared beside Qin Jin.

It was only palm-sized, suspended beside Qin Jin, truly situated in the Great Wilderness, looking in all directions.

"Venerable Observer."

"This is the origin of that cultivation system."

...

The Great Wilderness.

Shi Cang, accompanied by the wudao stele, greatly increased his combat power after truly ascending to the Dao Foundation Realm and entering the Heavenly Azure Method. He continuously delved deeper, advancing towards the central area of the Great Wilderness.

The world underwent a strange transformation, enveloped by divine light.

This created countless new places of opportunity within the Great Wilderness.

After the wudao stele was repaired, its own divine abilities began to manifest. As an ancient artifact born from heaven and earth and left over from antiquity, it followed Shi Cang and also recognized that some places enveloped by divine light were extraordinary, seemingly from antiquity, not places born in this era.

With it guiding the way, Shi Cang, after forging his Dao Foundation, found another ancient place and grew as a result.

Today.

Shi Cang's figure was agile, constantly galloping, approaching a place of anomaly. In his mind, the voice of the wudao stele rang out.

"It should be here."

Hearing this, Shi Cang did not hesitate. With the help of the wudao stele, he stepped into it.

Upon entering, vast spiritual power surged from all around. Shi Cang's gaze swept the surroundings, and a solemn expression appeared on his youthful face.

This miraculous place consisted of several continuous mountain peaks. At the foot of the mountains, where they entered, as far as the eye could see, there were groups of houses, forming a village. The houses were simple, but they appeared to be built by proper craftsmen, possessing architectural beauty.

Beside the village.

There were even well-maintained stone steps, winding upwards, leading to an unknown destination.

"Is someone living here?"

Shi Cang thought to himself.

"Someone must have lived here countless years ago."

The voice of the wudao stele sounded, "After all, this is also an ancient place."

The man and the stele communicated mentally. Shi Cang was just about to begin exploring.

Just then...

In the distance, from deep within the village, a creaking sound came, and a door was pushed open.

"There really is someone!"

Shi Cang did not hesitate at all, immediately turning to leave.

During this time, being alone outside, he had also witnessed the wickedness of human hearts.

Especially with the appearance of anomalous places, the undercurrents in the Great Wilderness were turbulent.

At the same time.

The person who pushed open the door seemed to have discovered him, and a shout echoed from afar, carried on the wind.

"Where did this child come from?"

"Wait..."

"You can enter here, are you a successor of the ancient law?!"