189: Tongtiantai, the past cannot be described today

His figure did not stop, swiftly ascending towards the sky.

As he continuously climbed, Qin Jin's thoughts raced. Upon reaching a certain height, he sensed his surroundings, and his gaze sharpened.

Above the firmament, the spiritual energy was no different from that in the Great Wilderness, but as he ascended, a mysterious feeling arose in Qin Jin's perception. This feeling was extremely subtle, hard to grasp, as if a unique change had occurred above the firmament.

“It seems that, next, the Great Wilderness will undergo other changes.”

Having made this judgment, Qin Jin approached the Heavenly Membrane.

The protective layer beneath the Divine Cauldron's restriction now had sparse golden patterns on its surface, their purpose unknown. After passing through it, the scenes evolved from the Divine Cauldron fragments continued, recreating various magnificent sights from the Immortal Dynasty era, depicting the states of all living beings in the world.

Compared to the scene when Qin Jin first came here at the beginning of the world's upheaval, the current visuals were gradually becoming more grand. Qin Jin saw towering Celestial Cities perched in the sky, unparalleled divine swords standing between heaven and earth, and even majestic figures with their backs to all beings. These scenes were incredibly shocking, all demonstrating the former prosperity of the Tiancang Immortal Dynasty.

“Observing these re-enacted Immortal Dynasty scenes also helps increase my understanding of the Tiancang Immortal Dynasty.”

Muttering to himself, Qin Jin proceeded through the firmament, guided by the continuous call in his heart.

Above, the magnificent scenes continued.

Below, a lone figure walked.

After walking for a while, Qin Jin finally stopped.

The place where he stopped was precisely where he had previously made the exchange with Heaven.

In the sky, filled with Divine Cauldron fragments and chains, there was an area that seemed isolated from its surroundings, emitting a unique divine light, different from elsewhere.

It appeared that, after the last [transaction], this place had become an opening for the outside world to exploit. The final guidance of the call was here.

As thoughts flickered, Qin Jin stood below, and the call in his heart subsided at this moment.

He was not in a hurry, observing the changes carefully and waiting quietly.

Time passed.

Above the firmament, the divine light in that empty area grew denser, as if accumulating something. Until a certain moment, a brilliant light burst forth, and dazzling divine light descended, enveloping Qin Jin.

This was similar to Qin Jin's previous exchange with Heaven.

However, the quality and quantity of the descending divine light had significantly improved.

The refinement proceeded, from inside to out, from spirit to body. A feeling of comfort, like sublimation, continuously emerged. His physique improved, and his primordial power grew. Unbeknownst to him, the wondrous gift from Heaven and Earth once again allowed Qin Jin to break through the limits of life. At the same time, everything was replenished. Under the divine light, primordial power intertwined, forming a cocoon around Qin Jin's body.

The sixth transformation had begun.

It came without warning, yet it was a natural progression, because the gift from Heaven and Earth was far more generous than Qin Jin had anticipated.

Power formed a cocoon, enveloping his body. In this state of transformation, refined by the divine light of Heaven and Earth, the effect seemed even greater. During the refinement, he vaguely heard some sounds. These sounds were unclear, coming from all directions. After carefully perceiving them, he realized.

Those were... the sounds of nature.

He and Heaven and Earth had become closer.

“But why?”

The transformation proceeded naturally, and Qin Jin could clearly feel himself constantly growing stronger, but doubts arose in his heart.

He had already determined the reason for the previous gift from Heaven and Earth: it was precisely because the 'Calamity' character had completed the Heavenly Tribulation.

This time, however, he had no idea of its origin or reason.

If this was a [reward] from Heaven and Earth to someone it favored, then how could it surpass the effect of the first time?

He had done nothing, yet the reward appeared.

The transformation continued, from inside to out. In Qin Jin's perception, while the abundant divine light refined his body, some divine light surged into the Spirit Ruins, actually converging.

The divine lights intersected, gradually solidifying, and like the wondrous land Qin Jin had cultivated with his True Scripture, it gradually evolved into a high platform. The platform resided in the center of the Spirit Ruins, emanating a sacred aura. During its formation, Qin Jin clearly perceived that the Spirit Ruins became increasingly stable, with streaks of divine light originating from the platform and projecting in all directions.

As time passed, the platform officially took shape.

Looking at its appearance, it somewhat resembled an altar.

After obtaining those top-tier Immortal Dynasty True Scriptures, Qin Jin gained a deeper understanding of the Heavenly Azure Method. The core of the Heavenly Azure Method was the cultivator themselves, transforming their Spirit Ruins into a world.

During cultivation, due to some extremely rare opportunities, the Spirit Ruins could also undergo unique changes.

Now, Qin Jin was undoubtedly experiencing this firsthand.

As the platform formed, Qin Jin's spirit attempted to make contact. The moment he made contact, within his spiritual perception, characters imbued with the majestic Tian Wei appeared, imprinted in his mind.

[Heaven-Reaching Platform]

Within the Spirit Ruins, the Heaven-Reaching Platform.

As the characters appeared, information arose in his mind, bringing Qin Jin a sudden realization.

Human cultivators are closely connected to Heaven and Earth.

Those truly favored by Heaven and Earth, receiving their blessings, will be gifted by Heaven and Earth, and their Spirit Ruins will create a divine platform. This is a symbol, and also a foundation bestowed by Heaven and Earth.

Through this divine platform, at certain special times and in certain special environments, cultivators can interact with Heaven and Earth, completing a form of communication that greatly benefits themselves.

After the divine platform was generated, the divine light gradually subsided.

This time, the firmament instead returned to calm. The Heaven and Earth that connected the inner and outer passages seemed to be sealed. From within Qin Jin's Spirit Ruins Divine Platform, golden mist surged forth, leaping out of the Spirit Ruins, intertwining with each other, and taking shape.

At the same time.

The golden armor formed last time reappeared, seemingly covering and adorning Qin Jin's entire body. The golden mist surging from the Divine Platform this time gathered above Qin Jin's head, intertwining to create a jade crown, as if worn above Qin Jin's head.

This combination was certainly not beautiful, even a bit strange. However, after the jade crown formed, both the armor and jade crown disappeared, everything vanished again, becoming undetectable.

“This armor and jade crown should not just be mere appearances.”

“They should genuinely be able to protect me in some way.”

Everything calmed down.

But the transformation was still ongoing.

While Qin Jin sensed his own progress, his spirit touched the Spirit Ruins Divine Platform, and with a slight thought, he actively questioned.

“Why?”

He was eager to know the reason for this heavenly call and the bestowed gift.

According to the information that surged into his mind when the [Heaven-Reaching Platform] was generated, communication with Heaven and Earth was not possible at all times. But since such a peculiar [channel] had appeared, Qin Jin wanted to try.

His questions continued, but they were like a stone sinking into the sea. The Heaven-Reaching Platform stabilized the Spirit Ruins, yet it seemed to have fallen silent.

Until... nearing the end of the transformation, a scene suddenly flashed above the Heaven-Reaching Platform. It lasted only a moment before disappearing, but Qin Jin, being in the midst of transformation, was constantly observing the Heaven-Reaching Platform and keenly captured that scene.

Within the scene, everything was blurry and indistinct, as if obscured by a restriction, or as if Heaven and Earth themselves had concealed it.

Only a figure in the center of the image was slightly clearer, appearing and disappearing.

Qin Jin was extremely familiar with that figure. Although it was also blurry, Qin Jin recognized it at a glance.

That was... Venerable Observer's clone!

The 'Watcher' clone!

Waves stirred in his heart, and Qin Jin realized.

“This gift, it’s actually because of Venerable Observer?!”

“His clone went to that true Heaven and Earth. What did he do during this time?”

Qin Jin's thoughts raced. As his strength continuously increased, there were rarely times when his emotions fluctuated so intensely: “Could it be that Venerable Observer's clone also made a [transaction] with Heaven and Earth?”

“The gods in the Star Sea, each with different abilities, are extremely mysterious.”

“Now, the gods in the Star Sea have truly come to this Heaven and Earth, making an exchange with Heaven, allowing Heaven and Earth to be replenished in some aspect, leading to more changes. Because of my connection with Venerable Observer, or perhaps because I am Venerable Observer's [guide], I have received this gift from Heaven and Earth.”

This was the most suitable explanation Qin Jin could think of in a short time.

“It's also possible that other things happened.”

“But no matter what, Venerable Observer must have caused a big stir in the true Heaven and Earth. I might be an indirect beneficiary and have gained a lot, so what about Venerable Observer...”

“I wonder if his clone has established contact with the main body.”

Thoughts flickered.

His own transformation was nearing its end.

Qin Jin calmed his mind. Above, the Immortal Dynasty scenes alternated. At a certain moment, like a feather robe falling off, the cocoon enveloping Qin Jin dissipated, his aura returned to calm, but within, it was like a sea surface hiding surging waves. He suddenly opened his eyes.

As his eyes opened, a bursting sound actually echoed in the firmament ahead.

Qin Jin raised his arms, held them in front of him, opened and closed his palms, clenching them into fists, feeling the surging power within his body, his eyes slightly narrowed.

“Hmm...”

“If the Miracle Corridor were to open again now, facing the guardian [Martial], I would win even more easily.”

With a slight thought, his professional panel appeared.

[Martial Artist: Grandmaster Realm]

[Primordial Index: 41437]

[Number of Transformations: 5]

[Additional Transformations: 1]

Powerful.

Unimaginably powerful.

The gift from Heaven and Earth made Qin Jin's transformation this time incredibly perfect, bringing unparalleled ultimate effects.

Moreover.

Just as the professional panel displayed, Qin Jin clearly saw that the value after the 'Primordial Index' field was still continuously fluctuating.

This meant that he was growing stronger every moment.

“When soldiers come, we block them; when water comes, we cover it with earth. I will gradually possess the strength to face everything head-on.”

The panel disappeared. Qin Jin looked around, confirmed his direction, and then walked through the firmament, heading towards Dragon Gate Peak.

“According to the original plan, I will extract extraordinary factors and contribute to the creation of the new mech.”

“After returning to the planet, I will ask the Venerable Observer if the connection with the clone has deepened.”

Having made his decision, Qin Jin continued onward.

Along the way, the Immortal Dynasty scenes above became increasingly numerous, with actual sounds emanating from them, dreamlike and ethereal, as if reality and history converged here.

Upon reaching the underside of an extremely vast divine cauldron fragment, Qin Jin sensed something and looked up.

Here, a scene of the Immortal Dynasty also appeared, but it was exceptionally unique.

At a glance, within the Immortal Dynasty scene, there was a Heavenly Vault, and at both ends of this Heavenly Vault were two colossal figures, both humanoid and exceptionally dignified.

One of them had fiery red hair and beard, like burning flames; he wore a red robe with flame patterns, appearing incredibly vibrant, yet when one’s gaze focused on him, there was no sense of agitation, only peace, as if a power soothed the heart.

The other was a woman in a blue silk dress, seemingly not human, because Qin Jin clearly saw two dragon horns on her head; though she had taken human form, she retained traces of her original appearance.

The two colossal figures sat high at opposite ends of the Heavenly Vault, no sound emanating from them, nor did they engage in combat; they seemed to be in a [Dao Discussion].

“Powerful individuals from ancient times.”

“The Dragon Race also took human form.”

Thinking of Dragon Gate Peak and seeing this scene, he gained a deeper understanding of the Human Race’s prosperity at that time.

Withdrawing his gaze, Qin Jin prepared to continue forward.

Just then.

Within the Spirit Ruins, the Tongtian Platform flashed with light.

Before Qin Jin could investigate the reason, he clearly sensed an unconcealed gaze descending from the Heavenly Vault, landing on him.

“This is?!”

Qin Jin couldn't imagine who was looking at him under the divine cauldron’s restriction, where no one else was present.

His expression serious, he raised his head and looked up.

Within the lifelike Immortal Dynasty scene, the man engaged in the Dao Discussion slightly bowed his head, as if looking down at the world below him, or perhaps… looking directly at Qin Jin.

If this still couldn't make Qin Jin certain of what was happening, then in the next moment, he was no longer confused; everything became clear.

Because.

As the man moved, across the Heavenly Vault, the Dragon Woman with whom he was discussing Dao also looked down, her gaze focused on Qin Jin.

“Tongtian Platform.”

“What have you done?!”

Qin Jin felt a chill in his heart.

After the Tongtian Platform was forged, everything seemed to trigger a chain reaction.

Two beings of unknown realm, like figures from a painting, cast their gaze upon Qin Jin. The next moment… Qin Jin clearly heard sounds emanating from within the Immortal Dynasty scene, spoken in the ancient Heavenly Azure Method.

“Our Dao Discussion this time has yielded an unexpected harvest.”

“When heaven and earth meet, and ancient and modern converge, it seems to be a junior with whom we are fated.”

As they spoke.

Qin Jin clearly saw the red-haired man extend his hand, a giant palm reaching out from the painting-like Immortal Dynasty scene and hovering before him.

The meaning was self-evident.

Qin Jin looked up.

The red-haired man, a smile playing on his lips, looked at him across the ancient scene and softly said, “This is a rare opportunity, young friend. Why not come over for a chat?”

“Could it be that these ancient Immortal Dynasty scenes are similar to the ancient lands within the Great Wilderness?”

“Ancient scenes in the sky, ancient lands on the ground.”

In that Azure Wood Temple, he had already truly met [ancient people], and now here, triggered by the Tongtian Platform, he had just received a gift from heaven and earth. There was no reason for him to be sent to a dangerous place.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Qin Jin calmed his mind, stepped forward, and walked onto the palm.

The next instant.

The palm lifted, and silently, he was brought into the ancient scene.

The moment he entered, an incredibly abundant and pure spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged towards him, as if welcoming him, the new guest; a vortex of spiritual energy formed in the center of the giant palm.

The red-haired man watched this scene with interest.

Seeing this, Qin Jin actively controlled his Spirit Ruins, halting the absorption.

He opened his mouth, intending to speak, but found that no sound came out. His spirit and body were not restricted in any way, but it seemed that for some reason, after he entered this Immortal Dynasty scene, communication with the other party was one-sided.

He could only observe and hear, but not respond.

The red-haired man, seeing his expression, seemed to understand his state, a smile on his lips, and said calmly, “This is how heaven and earth meet.”

“Today, one can see the ancient, but cannot speak of the ancient.”

“Young friend.”

“My name is Zhu Futu, and you, you cultivate the Law I left behind.”

Qin Jin’s gaze sharpened.

As Zhu Futu’s words fell, behind his already majestic and vast body, a colossal Fire God, reaching the sky and treading the earth, slowly manifested.

The instant he saw the Fire God, Qin Jin understood.

Carefree View of Fire Mystic Scroll

One of the Immortal Dynasty true scriptures he cultivated.

A true scripture that could be recorded and preserved by a Immortal Dynasty imperial princess, how extraordinary! The person before him must be a great Human Race powerhouse from ancient times, a truly terrifying figure of grandmaster-level.

Thoughts raced through his mind. Qin Jin didn't know the ancient Immortal Dynasty etiquette, but having cultivated the other party's Law, he was also one of the inheritors. Unable to speak at this moment, he solemnly bowed in the Martial Artist’s Rei.

Zhu Futu accepted it calmly.

He looked at Qin Jin, his voice gentle: “Let me see the Fire God you have cultivated.”

“Let’s see if, through the long years, the Law I passed down has been modified by later generations, improved, and innovated.”

Qin Jin did as he was told.

The Spirit Ruins surged, the Fire God opened its eyes, and behind Qin Jin, the Fire God that had been continuously nurtured manifested, standing behind him.

Compared to Qin Jin himself, the Fire God he cultivated through the true scripture could already be called a giant.

But compared to this grandmaster-level figure before him, it seemed somewhat insignificant.

Zhu Futu’s expression showed no disdain. He looked at the Fire God behind Qin Jin and began to offer his critique.

“The Fire God you have cultivated contains a very peculiar power.”

“With external assistance, the Fire God becomes a furnace, with oneself as the furnace, refining oneself internally and all enemies externally.”

“A very good idea.”

“Although still a bit rough, it is being perfected. Not bad, not bad.”

He offered two comments, then looked at Qin Jin: “To meet is fate.”

“I have a few insights that might be able to help you.”

Qin Jin was already standing in his palm. At this moment, a glow rose from his fingertips, projecting onto the Fire God Qin Jin had cultivated.

The Fire God did not level up.

Because, what he called insights were truly insights; this was a gift that required Qin Jin to comprehend it himself.

Qin Jin bowed in thanks.

In the distance.

That Dragon Woman had been silently observing the scene.

Zhu Futu finished his actions and looked at her: “Qingzi, if I’m not mistaken, this young friend also has connections to your Dragon Race.”

“What?”

“Are you unwilling to help a junior of my Human Race?”

Hearing his words, the Dragon Woman’s expression remained unchanged. With a flick of her sleeve, a stream of light, the size of a fingertip, streaked across the sky, obscured by clouds, arriving before Qin Jin and entering his Spirit Ruins.

The moment it entered the Spirit Ruins.

Qin Jin clearly sensed a longing from the True Dragon Cave Heaven. The stream of light darted into the True Dragon Cave Heaven, obscured by clouds, and settled at the bottom of the Cave Heaven.

At the same time, within the Cave Heaven, the white dragon, which had been churning up and down, seemed to have obtained some treasure. Its dragon body descended, coiling beside the stream of light, and with each inhale and exhale, the Cave Heaven grew.

“Good, very generous.”

Zhu Futu praised, “Next time I see a junior of your Dragon Race, I won’t be stingy either.”

“Young friend.”

“It is time for you to leave.”

“The meeting of heaven and earth is rare, but if you stay here for too long, it will have some impact on you.”

“Go.”

His palm opened, and clouds formed from flames, exquisitely beautiful, carrying Qin Jin away.

In an instant, he detached from the Immortal Dynasty scene, leaving it and returning to the area below the divine cauldron’s restriction.

Everything was like a dream.

“When heaven and earth meet, and ancient and modern converge?”

Thinking of the words left by that supreme figure who created the Fire God Law, Qin Jin looked up again at the Heavenly Vault.

In the Heavenly Vault, the Dao Discussion continued, without movement, without sound, as if frozen above, like a floral curtain.

“Tongtian Divine Platform.”

Qin Jin took a deep breath: “The Tongtian Platform, forged by the gifts of heaven and earth, and this ancient Immortal Dynasty scene, have created an extremely wondrous reaction.”

“In the future…”

“Perhaps, while exploring the ancient lands, I can also try the ancient scenes.”

“This might be what it means to be favored by heaven and earth, a heaven-sent opportunity.”

Thoughts flashed.

He solemnly bowed towards the ancient scene above, then his figure vanished into the distance.

At the original spot.

Not long after he left.

Above the Heavenly Vault, within that ancient scene, the colossal figures of one human and one dragon, each occupying an end of heaven and earth, now retracted their vast forms, returning to normal human appearance.

The Dragon Woman, called Qingzi, looked at Zhu Futu, and her clear, cold voice rang out.

“He’s just a junior in the Cave Heaven Realm, is he even worth your attention?”

“Qingzi, you don’t understand.”

Zhu Futu’s smile remained unchanged: “This is the biggest difference between your race and mine.”

“True Dragons are born divine, with long lifespans, and their power continuously increases as their age grows.”

“My Human Race is weak at birth, but we have the will to rise, ascending step by step, which is how we achieved our current position.”

“To this day, within my Human Race, there are those with exceptional talent, born extraordinary, and also those who start ordinary but accumulate strength and burst forth.”

“To be guided by heaven and earth to meet you and me, how could his future be ordinary? One day in the future, perhaps we can meet again.”

“The Human Race’s Heavenly Pride, its peak powerhouses, have never been judged by superiority or inferiority.”

“It’s merely a matter of when they were born.”

“Who says later generations are not as good as their predecessors?”