89: Enlightenment in the fantasy world, the Danta is in turmoil

Within the Illusionary Heaven Realm, time seemed to lose its meaning. Xiao Chen sat cross-legged amidst the chaotic void, surrounded by countless fragments of laws and ancient Soul Imprints, all shimmering with various lights. There were no sun, moon, or stars here, only the most fundamental rules flowing and precipitating. Each ray of light could be the residual enlightenment of an ancient powerful being on the profound truths of the world, or a manifestation of a fragmented law.

“This place… is simply the ultimate treasure ground for soul cultivators!” Xiao Chen was deeply shaken. His Spirit Realm Great Perfection soul power thrived here, greedily absorbing the massive information flow contained within this space. He did not rush to capture those lights, but instead calmed his mind, circulated the Myriad Souls Returning Flow Art and the Soul Emperor Canon, adjusting his soul to its most ethereal and sensitive state.

Gradually, his soul perception resonated with this chaotic space. The floating lights seemed to be attracted, slowly converging towards him.

The first to merge into his Sea of Consciousness was a light blue fragment of ice-element law. In an instant, he felt as if he was deep within ten-thousand-year-old profound ice, experiencing the extreme cold of annihilation and rebirth, and his understanding of ice-attribute energy instantly elevated to a new level. Immediately after, a blazing fire-element imprint surged in, and the artistic conception of burning the heavens and boiling the seas made his control over flames even more exquisite. Then came the lightness of wind, the profoundness of earth, the vitality of wood, the sharpness of metal… various attribute law insights came one after another. Although they were only incomplete fragments, they greatly broadened his horizons and solidified his foundational understanding of the world’s energies.

However, Xiao Chen was not satisfied with this. His core was always the “Heaven Opening Axe Intent” originating from his bloodline and the ancestral stone. He guided his soul power, actively seeking and capturing those law fragments and Soul Imprints related to “creation,” “severance,” “power,” and “battle intent.”

After an unknown period, an extremely dim, yet supremely sharp, dark-golden fragment, like a comet, streaked across the chaos and was precisely captured by Xiao Chen’s soul!

“Buzz—!”

The moment the fragment merged into his Sea of Consciousness, Xiao Chen’s entire body trembled violently! He seemed to see a giant axe born from the chaos, splitting with one swing, separating the clear from the turbid, and initially distinguishing yin from yang! That was the primeval scene of creation! Although it was only a fleeting, blurry imprint, it caused a qualitative leap in his understanding of the “Heaven Opening Axe Intent”! The previously somewhat hazy artistic conception now became incredibly clear and profound! He felt as if his soul had also transformed into a sharp axe, possessing infinite power to cut through illusions and break shackles!

“So that’s it… The intent of creation is not just destruction, but also creation, establishing order, and the beginning of bestowing vitality upon all things!” Xiao Chen’s heart was filled with sudden enlightenment. He no longer passively received, but actively used this newfound axe intent as his core to integrate and refine all the law insights he had previously absorbed. He merged the annihilation of ice, the ferocity of fire, the swiftness of wind, the bearing of earth… all into this single axe, intending to create a unique axe intent that encompassed all phenomena and destroyed all laws, belonging solely to him!

This process was extremely difficult. His soul endured immense pressure, and his Sea of Consciousness felt as if it was undergoing creation, with constant rumbling. But the Xiao Clan clan mark on his brow glowed brightly, his bloodline power boiled, and the Origin Qi seed deep within his Qi Sea also trembled slightly, releasing a trace of imperceptible power of creation, protecting the origin of his soul.

There was no concept of years in the Illusionary Heaven Realm. When Xiao Chen opened his eyes again, there was no longer any confusion in them, only a sharpness that pierced through reality and a firm resolve to forge a path forward. Although his soul power had not broken through to the Heavenly Realm, its essence had undergone a transformation, becoming more condensed and pure, carrying a sharp edge that could sever karma. His mastery of the “Heaven Opening Axe Intent” had already reached the “Form and Intent” Great Perfection, touching the threshold of “True Intent”! At this moment, even without using Dou Qi, relying solely on his soul axe intent, he was enough to severely wound or even kill an ordinary low-star Dou Zong!

“It’s time to go out.” Xiao Chen’s thought moved, and his figure gradually faded, disappearing from the Illusionary Heaven Realm.

Outside the Pill Realm, the trial had already ended. Ultimately, only a dozen or so people passed the three stages and were able to gain enlightenment in the Illusionary Heaven Realm. Han Xue, Ye Chong, Ice Talisman, and others were among them, each with their own gains, but their time spent in the Illusionary Heaven Realm was far less than Xiao Chen’s. When Xiao Chen’s figure was the last to appear at the exit, everyone’s gaze focused on him.

At this time, Xiao Chen’s aura was restrained, seemingly not much different from before he entered, but his eyes made the elders and geniuses present feel an invisible pressure, as if a single glance from him could pierce their souls.

“What kind of fortuitous encounter did this child get in the Illusionary Heaven Realm?” On the high platform, Heavenly Thunder Master’s eyes flickered with lightning, barely concealing his surprise. Mysterious Robe’s beautiful eyes also shone with brilliance. Xuan Kongzi stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes full of admiration.

“The Pill Realm Trial has ended,” Xuan Kongzi announced loudly. “Based on your performance in the trial and your enlightenment in the Illusionary Heaven Realm, the top ten will be admitted to my Pill Tower’s Inner Pavilion and become core disciples. The top three will receive an opportunity to enter the ‘Star Wall’ for comprehension.”

When the list was announced, Xiao Chen, without suspense, was ranked first! Han Xue was second, and Ye Chong was third.

Everyone looked at Xiao Chen with envy, admiration, and even a hint of awe. With a Five-Star Dou Zong cultivation, to overpower many peak sixth-grade and even quasi-seventh-grade geniuses and take the top spot, such talent could be called monstrous!

“Xiao Chen.” Xuan Kongzi’s gaze fell on Xiao Chen, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority, “Are you willing to become my registered disciple?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience was in an uproar! Xuan Kongzi, a Pill Tower giant, actually personally offered to take a disciple! Although it was a registered disciple, this meant that Xiao Chen had taken a giant leap, officially becoming a core member of the Pill Tower! With Xuan Kongzi as his backing, the Soul Hall would have to think twice before trying to harm him!

Xiao Chen understood in his heart that this was Xuan Kongzi fulfilling his promise, and also an investment in his potential. He stepped forward, bowed deeply, and saluted: “Disciple Xiao Chen, greets Teacher!”

“Good! Good! Good!” Xuan Kongzi said “good” three times in a row, appearing very happy. “From today onwards, you are my registered disciple under Xuan Kongzi. I bestow upon you the Pill Tower core disciple token, allowing you free access to most areas of the Inner Pavilion and the core disciple resource quota.”

He flicked his finger, and a purple-golden token and a storage ring flew towards Xiao Chen. “The token contains your identity information and contribution points. The ring contains some gifts from me, including a seventh-grade pill recipe scroll and a set of insights on soul cultivation.”

“Thank you, Teacher!” Xiao Chen solemnly accepted them. He knew that from this moment on, he had truly established himself in the Central Plains’ Pill Tower.

After the ceremony, Xiao Chen followed Xuan Kongzi to his exclusive courtyard in the Pill Tower’s Inner Pavilion. The courtyard was quiet and filled with abundant energy, far surpassing the outside world.

“Sit.” Xuan Kongzi gestured for Xiao Chen to sit, his expression becoming a bit more serious. “Xiao Chen, since you have entered my tutelage, there are some things I need to explain to you.”

“Please speak, Teacher.”

“You possess the Xiao Clan bloodline and have touched the ‘Intent’ realm, making you exceptionally talented. But because of this, you have become a thorn in the side of the Soul Hall,” Xuan Kongzi said solemnly. “The Soul Hall’s influence spans the Central Plains, especially in the Northern Region, where they are deeply entrenched. Even with my protection, they will never give up. You must be extremely careful when you go out for training in the future.”

Xiao Chen nodded: “Disciple understands.”

“Furthermore, do you know why the Soul Hall is so obsessed with you?” Xuan Kongzi’s gaze was profound.

Xiao Chen’s heart stirred, and he said: “Is it because of the Xiao Clan bloodline, and… Origin Qi?”

Xuan Kongzi’s eyes flashed with brilliance: “You indeed know about Origin Qi. That’s right, Origin Qi is the key to achieving the Dou Di realm. After ancient times, Origin Qi became depleted, and the path to Emperor was severed. And within your Xiao Clan bloodline, it is said that a trace of the secret of Origin Qi is hidden. The goal of the Soul Hall (or rather, the Soul Clan behind it) is to collect all bloodlines and treasures that might be related to Origin Qi, attempting to forcefully open the Emperor’s Path.”

Xiao Chen took a deep breath. Although he had long suspected it, getting confirmation from Xuan Kongzi still made him feel immense pressure.

“But you don’t need to worry too much,” Xuan Kongzi’s tone softened. “The mystery of Origin Qi involves a great deal, and the Soul Clan also dares not act openly. Moreover, the Central Plains is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers; it’s not entirely controlled by the Soul Hall. What you need to do now is to quickly improve your strength. Cultivation, soul, and artistic conception, progressing simultaneously, are the only way to protect yourself.”

“Disciple will remember Teacher’s teachings.”

“In three days, the Star Wall will open. Prepare well. There are Soul Imprints and stellar insights left by generations of strong individuals from my Pill Tower, which will greatly benefit you in consolidating your artistic conception and enhancing your soul,” Xuan Kongzi said. “Go now, and familiarize yourself with the Inner Pavilion environment.”

“Yes, Disciple takes his leave.”

Leaving the courtyard, Xiao Chen held the purple-golden token, feeling the authority and resources it contained, his heart surging. The Pill Tower would be his new starting point. However, he knew deep down that peaceful days would not last long. The shadow of the Soul Hall, and the long and arduous path to pursuing the peak of power and uncovering the mystery of his origins, still lay ahead.

He looked up at the highest Starfall Pavilion of the Pill Tower, his gaze firm. The next step was to utilize the Pill Tower’s resources to break through to higher realms and completely make the “Heaven Opening Axe Intent” his own!

And just as Xiao Chen settled down in the Pill Tower, outside the Pill Domain, undercurrents grew increasingly turbulent. The Soul Hall’s spies moved like specters, and a vast net targeting Xiao Chen was quietly being woven. The winds and clouds of the Central Plains were subtly changing color due to his arrival.