204: Eternal catastrophe

Qin Jin nodded.

He had come to the Great Wilderness precisely because his True Dragon Cave Heaven was complete.

After he used some means to kill the Tie Chi Spirit Guardian, he sensed that his True Dragon Cave Heaven was becoming even more active. A dragon fighting in the wilderness; true dragons were inherently belligerent.

Seeing this, Su Changqing nodded, a smile on his face, and calmly said, "On Green Wood Temple, there are places for cultivation and secluded meditation."

"If you don't have a suitable place, you can stay here to break through."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and lightly tapped, projecting a watercolor painting into Qin Jin's mind, which was the scenery of Green Wood Temple.

Various sceneries and buildings were reflected in Qin Jin's mind, and within them, detailed information was contained.

Qin Jin closed his eyes slightly, browsing through it in his mind.

After a brief look, he opened his eyes and saw the youthful Su Changqing had already returned to the chessboard, participating in the game.

"Thank you, Senior."

Qin Jin said.

Su Changqing waved his hand without turning back, his voice carrying over: "Since you cultivate the Heavenly Book and have received the inheritance of my Green Wood Temple, you can call me Temple Master from now on."

Green Wood Temple Master, Withering Heavenly Lord.

These two titles represented an unparalleled past.

Qin Jin acknowledged him, and after calling him by his title, his gaze swept over the black and white divine tree.

Qi Shan was completely encircled by branches and sprouts, with black and white qi flowing around him, seemingly forming a cocoon.

Qin Jin let out a long breath and turned to walk down the stone steps.

Except for his first arrival here, Qin Jin had subsequently gone straight to the peak when entering the divine light. Now, descending the stone steps, he could clearly see that the entire Green Wood Temple had undergone tremendous changes.

Green Wood Temple stood against the mountain, with various ancient-style, enclosed buildings situated along the way. Near some of the buildings, Qin Jin even smelled an unknown, soul-refreshing fragrance.

Following the watercolor painting pointed out by Su Changqing, he reached the mountainside and stopped at an unoccupied platform. This place seemed to have once been a training ground, as traces left by weapons could still be seen on the ground.

Qin Jin stood in the center, his expression slightly solemn. At this moment, the black and white divine tree in his Spirit Ruins swayed, empowering his spiritual energy, which surged from his fingertips. Qin Jin used it as ink to sketch, eventually forming a black and white intertwined [circular lock].

This was precisely the information contained within the watercolor painting.

The circular lock formed and hung in mid-air. After remaining still for several breaths, it seemed to have completed some form of interaction with Green Wood Temple. As the circular lock rotated, it slowly expanded, its center continuously changing, somewhat resembling an intricate mortise and tenon structure gradually opening, forming a gateway.

The gateway formed, and white light bloomed within, shining upon Qin Jin. He sensed that his physique felt refreshed, and a sense of craving emerged from his very essence of life.

"Is this the secluded meditation place mentioned by Temple Master Su?"

A thought flashed through his mind, and Qin Jin stepped into it.

White light flickered before him for a moment.

The next instant, everything became clear, entering Qin Jin's vision. The air had a light and ethereal quality, merging into his physique. His gaze immediately focused forward.

There, stood a black and white divine tree.

If the black and white divine tree on Green Wood Temple, connecting heaven and earth within the divine light, could already be called a towering tree, then this black and white divine tree might just be heaven and earth itself!

Its branches and leaves expanded to an unknown distance, seemingly truly performing a heaven-propping act. Looking at it, this world had no discernible end, infinite and boundless. Besides this black and white divine tree, all around were things evolved from black and white colors, including both plants and animals.

As Qin Jin observed the black and white divine tree, complex insights arose in his heart. The small tree in his Spirit Ruins swayed, comparing itself and slowly growing.

Insights arose, and in Qin Jin's understanding, they clearly contained information on how to construct a Grotto-Heaven based on the black and white divine tree.

Qin Jin subconsciously activated his Enlightenment Treasure Art to comprehend it. As he comprehended, looking at the black and white divine tree, a thought suddenly arose in Qin Jin's mind.

"Here, this world—"

"Could it be one of Temple Master Su's Grotto-Heavens?!"

"Possessing a longevity seed and cultivating the Jupiter Green Law Heavenly Book, the foundation for a Grotto-Heaven for the truly top disciples within Green Wood Temple is already established. Temple Master Su should also have such a Grotto-Heaven."

Thoughts arose, but received no answer.

As Qin Jin comprehended, the branches of the central black and white divine tree swayed, and fine branches spiraled out, extending beneath Qin Jin. They intertwined, with black and white energies flowing, weaving into a meditation mat that floated before Qin Jin.

Qin Jin glanced at it and sat cross-legged upon it.

The moment he sat down, the world seemed to quiet down. All distracting thoughts unrelated to cultivation were temporarily suppressed, and his mind became clear.

In addition, various subtle forces aiding cultivation circulated around Qin Jin. In Qin Jin's perception, the surrounding spiritual energy rapidly grew dense, perhaps even surpassing Dragon Gate Peak if compared.

Dragon Gate Peak was more like a natural place, while here, this woven meditation mat clearly had the effect of [gathering spiritual energy].

"Regardless of whether this is one of Temple Master Su's Grotto-Heavens, this is a true holy land for cultivation, and it is extremely compatible with the Jupiter Green Law Heavenly Book."

"If I use the divine tree formed by the longevity seed as a foundation to create a Grotto-Heaven, there probably won't be a more suitable place in the world. What goes around comes around.

Even if it was just a trace, it ultimately came from a Heavenly Lord. Unless absolutely necessary, Qin Jin would not rashly disturb him.

He came today because of Qi Shan and had an unexpected gain.

Casting aside all distracting thoughts, Qin Jin closed his eyes and fully entered a state of cultivation. With full activation, the scene of his Spirit Ruins appeared above.

Enlightenment Grotto-Heaven, Divine Advent Cave Heaven, True Dragon Cave Heaven, and the black and white divine tree together formed the four cardinal points of heaven and earth.

At this moment, Qin Jin's thoughts stirred. His three Grotto-Heavens operated at full power. From within the Grotto-Heavens, surging power, like rivers, poured out, sweeping to all parts of the Spirit Ruins, consolidating it. The Grotto-Heavens themselves also bloomed with brilliant light.

This scene...

It was somewhat similar to the descent of divine light in the Great Wilderness.

The Fourth Grotto-Heaven.

This was the realm where Heavenly Vault cultivators truly widened the gap. Only those with sufficient foundation could establish a Fourth Grotto-Heaven and achieve a breakthrough. If one's own foundation was insufficient and they forcibly attempted it, there was even a risk of the Spirit Ruins collapsing.

Now, the Grotto-Heavens stabilized the Spirit Ruins, and Qin Jin's own power surged into the black and white divine tree. As power continuously poured in, the black and white divine tree, instead of growing, rapidly diminished in height. In an instant, it no longer resembled a divine tree, but had reverted to the form of a round bead.

longevity seed.

The divine tree was merely its external manifestation; the longevity seed was its true core.

However, compared to when it first entered the Spirit Ruins, the longevity seed's aura had completely merged with Qin Jin's. More patterns even appeared on the surface of the seed body.

Those were the gains from Qin Jin cultivating the Jupiter Green Law Heavenly Book.

The divine tree transformed into a seed, positioned at the four cardinal points of heaven and earth. As power continued to surge in, it trembled continuously, and ripples spread out, sweeping towards all directions of the Spirit Ruins.

However, Qin Jin's Spirit Ruins had already been consolidated to the extreme.

Using an external divine object as a foundation still required breaking it down and making it one's own, but the divine power cultivated through true scripture methods did not have so many concerns. The power fluctuations spread out, and after the initial adaptation, Qin Jin gradually reined them in and controlled them.

With each fluctuation, the trembling power vibrated into the embryonic form of a Grotto-Heaven.

Because this was a method he had already cultivated, and it was extremely compatible, there was no need to start from scratch when shaping the Grotto-Heaven.

In the future, when Qin Jin forged a Grotto-Heaven with the Fire God Method, it would be the same.

The embryonic Grotto-Heaven appeared as a phantom, standing in the Spirit Ruins. Qin Jin's spirit was highly concentrated as he sketched and perfected it, making it increasingly complete.

As he sketched...

Qin Jin could perceive relevant information entering his mind, coming from this [secluded meditation place]. And within that information, there were clearly various directions for constructing a Grotto-Heaven with a longevity seed, allowing him to refer to and comprehend them.

Every stroke, every line, consumed mental effort.

Gradually, the Grotto-Heaven took shape. The longevity seed within it once again grew roots and sprouts, supporting the Grotto-Heaven.

Qin Jin completely immersed himself in it.

Time passed.

At a certain moment, within the Spirit Ruins, the pattern of four cardinal points standing firm was completely formed.

The moment it formed, the Grotto-Heaven surged. From the newly formed Fourth Grotto-Heaven, immense power gushed out, transforming into a vast halo that swept in all directions.

Along the way, even spiritual energy was pulverized.

This was the final test of breaking through the Grotto-Heaven, occurring precisely when the Grotto-Heaven took shape.

Qin Jin's mind remained calm. He mobilized his own power to intercept and suppress it. In silence, everything was extinguished.

"The final test of the Fourth Grotto-Heaven is insignificant for my current accumulation."

"But the difficulty will greatly increase with each Grotto-Heaven opened, not just a simple doubling. Even the nature of the test's difficulty will change."

"When I truly embark on the cultivator's path, I will experience them one by one."

The Grotto-Heaven formed, solidifying from its ethereal state. This was Qin Jin's first time cultivating a Grotto-Heaven with a [method], and more thoughts couldn't help but arise in his mind.

He had personally experienced the difficulty of creating methods for humanity in the Longevity Chess Game.

But because of this, he also clearly understood that within this world, the path of cultivation carved out by human ancestors through countless difficulties and obstacles was by no means a narrow one; it could encompass myriad things and evolve into endless variations.

"The Heavenly Vault Law and Martial Dao already have many points of integration within me."

"So, can it go further?"

"Is there a chance to establish a Grotto-Heaven based on the Martial Dao?"

"From ancient times to the present, those who could truly establish nine Grotto-Heavens and advance further are extremely rare. Each of them must have walked a different path. I have already completed the initial breakthrough. Next, perhaps I can start to make some attempts."

"If I ascend to Martial Saint—"

Thoughts intertwined in his mind. Just then, Qin Jin's heart stirred, and his perception spread.

Within this secluded meditation place, supported by the divine tree and suspected to be a Grotto-Heaven, the divine light of heaven and earth descended.

The Grotto-Heaven was perfected, and heaven and earth bestowed its name.

Qin Jin clearly perceived that this time, the divine light of heaven and earth was exceptionally brilliant and dazzling, descending and shining upon him. Both its speed and [quantity] surpassed the previous three Grotto-Heavens, thus making the naming process faster.

"Could it be that because I am in this secluded meditation place, I am closer to the outside world, so the restrictions of the divine cauldron's prohibition have weakened somewhat?"

"Or is it because of the heaven-reaching platform's existence?"

In the flowing light on the surface of the newly formed Grotto-Heaven, as if written, as if carved, characters vaguely appeared. Just as they were about to fully form, within the Spirit Ruins, the Thunder Marsh churned with waves, and the character for 'Calamity' was reflected in the Grotto-Heaven.

Qin Jin's expression became solemn.

After accepting the longevity seed and cultivating the Heavenly Book Method, the Thunder Marsh Calamity character was thus perfected.

Now, with the Grotto-Heaven formed, the Calamity character gave its reward!

The linkage of methods.

The name of the Grotto-Heaven, which had almost taken shape, gradually blurred. In its place was a new name.

The characters were powerful and forceful, drawn by heaven and earth. When they finally settled, Qin Jin's gaze focused above.

[Myriad Ages Grotto-Heaven]

Enlightenment, Divine Advent, True Dragon, Myriad Ages. Qin Jin had advanced further.

Within it, a Grotto-Heaven Treasure Technique was conceived. At the same time, the Grotto-Heaven nourished his body. This was a completely different experience from Qin Jin's previous Grotto-Heaven openings, because in this nourishment, Qin Jin genuinely felt his lifespan continuously increasing.

"This true scripture, this Grotto-Heaven, will accompany my continuous growth. In the future, I will become a true [longevity seed] in the actual sense."

This 'seed' is not that 'seed'.

One refers to a tree seed, the other to a race.

The nourishment continued.

Time passed.

This time, the brewing of the Treasure Technique was exceptionally long. Even after the nourishment ended and Qin Jin's aura stabilized, the Treasure Technique was still being conceived.

The Grotto-Heaven Treasure Technique generated itself, so Qin Jin didn't need to waste extra effort on it.

His spirit lingered in the Spirit Ruins, sweeping past the [Myriad Ages Grotto-Heaven], then landing on a certain spot.

There, a nine-story small pagoda glowed faintly, slowly rotating.

This cultivation session attracted an exceptionally vast divine light from heaven and earth. This small pagoda, which had been quiet since entering Qin Jin's Spirit Ruins, finally stirred and re-entered Qin Jin's sight.

The pagoda rotated, and some of its damaged parts were now supplemented by the divine light of heaven and earth, though they remained illusory and incomplete.

It was evident that it had once been extraordinarily remarkable, which was why it still had a long way to go before being fully repaired.

However, Qin Jin was not in a hurry. His path of cultivation was also long, and it would gradually grow and eventually be perfected.

As Qin Jin observed...

The small pagoda's rotation gradually slowed. Two streams of light shot out from it, imprinting themselves in Qin Jin's mind.

Within those streams of light, two characters were contained, or rather, they could be seen as two incantations.

One was [Attack].

The other was [Defend].

After they were imprinted in Qin Jin's mind, Qin Jin familiarized himself with them, and his expression subtly changed.

The so-called [Attack] was precisely to manipulate this small pagoda to directly attack.

And [Defend] was more advanced, with the pagoda suspended around the body for defense.

"It seems its recovery is extremely limited."

"Otherwise, such primitive methods wouldn't be the only ones appearing."

He muttered to himself, Qin Jin stopped paying attention and opened his eyes.

After his cultivation ended, the meditation mat below returned to its normal state.

Qin Jin's thoughts stirred. Following the information in the watercolor painting, he summoned the gateway, stepped out, and left the place.

He returned to the entrance point.

The moment he returned, in his ear, as if carried by the wind, Su Changqing's gentle voice sounded.

"How was it?"

"Based on the longevity seed, what kind of Grotto-Heaven did you forge?"

Hearing this, Qin Jin's heart stirred, and he said, "Temple Master, heaven and earth bestowed its name, naming it 'Myriad Ages'." "Myriad Ages Grotto-Heaven?"

Su Changqing praised, "Not bad." "To have passed the Longevity Chess Game, you are indeed compatible with this Temple's inherited true scripture."

Qin Jin's eyes flickered with thought, and he asked the question in his mind: "According to the Temple Master's words, is it possible that for Grotto-Heavens established with the longevity seed as a foundation, each person's outcome is different?"

"Of course."

"People are all different, and divine objects also vary. They are ever-changing and unpredictable."

"From the effects of your initial Grotto-Heaven establishment, you have reached the limit."

"Passing a calamity is 'Thousand Autumns', transforming a calamity is 'Myriad Ages'."

"To establish these two types of Grotto-Heavens with a longevity seed is already a peak talent. Below them, in the history of my Green Wood Temple, there are also Grotto-Heaven names like Mortal Transformation, Dust Bone, Endlessness, and so on—"

Hearing his words, Qin Jin's heart stirred, and he thought of the reference information from the secluded meditation place during his cultivation.

"Temple Master."

He looked towards the direction of the peak: "What about above Thousand Autumns and Myriad Ages?"

"Listening to the Temple Master, there should be something even higher."

"Naturally."

Su Changqing answered: "The higher level is not something that can be achieved at the initial establishment, but rather through a long path of cultivation, allowing the Grotto-Heaven to complete its advancement."

"Above Thousand Autumns and Myriad Ages is called Longevity."

"The word 'Longevity' is extremely simple, yet it is the goal that countless beings strive for."

"One must know that only by being untouched by all calamities can one achieve Longevity."

===

Qin Jin left Green Wood Temple.

In the star sea, the starship sailed.

In the Great Wilderness, the people of the Si Huo Tribe were fully mobilized and began to get busy.

The integration of the Tu Yang Tribe into the Tribe, the incorporation of the Iron Tooth Tribe, and the Fei Xue Tribe that had been annihilated by the Iron Tooth Tribe—every task was a massive project, testing the Si Huo Tribe.

Time passed.

Today, after completing a jump through the stargate, Qin Jin had already traversed vast star rivers and arrived at the border of the Starfire Federation.

[Liuli Star System]