99: Origin Star Sea

“To break through to the Congenital Realm, one needs to actively strengthen the connection between their physical body and spirit. During this process, one must perceive the subtle ‘spiritual spark’ to achieve the breakthrough.”

“The so-called ‘spiritual spark’ can be seen as a flash of insight. In the initial resonance between a Martial Artist’s physical body and spirit, they will clearly see the path ahead. With this flash of insight, they will grasp the true state of the Congenital Realm, thereby forming a goal and allowing the Martial Artist to confirm their direction of advancement.”

Gu Huang walked at the front, her voice meticulous.

“Many years ago, during the Ancestral Star era, the Congenital Realm was hard to find.”

“At that time, Martial Artists were still called ‘warriors,’ and they had no clear understanding of why the spiritual spark appeared. Breaking through to the Congenital Realm was naturally as difficult as ascending to the heavens.”

“In that period, there wasn’t even a realm like the Ningyi Realm. Martial Artists didn’t value, or rather, weren’t aware of the importance of spiritual cultivation. Only individuals with the most outstanding talent would unconsciously approach the optimal solution in their cultivation process, but even then, only after undergoing numerous trials and having their spirits tempered did they have a chance to reach the Congenital Realm.”

“Until today.”

“As successive Martial Arts predecessors pioneered new realms, they also continuously refined and perfected the foundational realms of Martial Arts.”

“The Ningyi Realm emerged during this process, allowing Martial Artists to temper their spirits, thereby establishing a path to the gateway of the Congenital Realm.”

“Regarding the Congenital Realm, many related secret methods have already been developed to help Martial Artists perceive the spiritual spark.”

Gu Huang paused slightly after saying this.

A flash of light appeared in her eyes.

Before Qin Chi, information at the spiritual level was transmitted.

Qin Chi clearly saw a black scroll appear in his spiritual perception. As he focused on it, the scroll opened, revealing elegant yet sharp handwriting on its inner surface.

As Qin Jin read the characters, they evolved, and tangible visual examples appeared in his spiritual world, making it easier for Qin Jin to understand.

“The secret method I am teaching you is called [Divine Intent Condensation].”

“This was taught to me by my former teacher.”

“It’s not too difficult. You can familiarize yourself with it first, and after entering the Origin Realm, use it as a foundation for cultivation to seek the spiritual spark.”

“Once you find the spiritual spark, use it to break into the Congenital Realm. After the transformation is complete and your Secret Treasure awakens, you can enter the Congenital Realm!”

“Secret Treasure is a special talent hidden within the human body’s origin, which completely disappears after birth.”

“But as a Martial Artist reverses to the Congenital Realm, the Secret Treasure will reappear. However, due to self-influence, it won’t be in its original state; it will undergo changes.”

Gu Huang meticulously explained the information regarding the Congenital Realm.

After her words completely fell, Qin Jin said, “I understand, Teacher Gu.”

At the same time, he mentally reviewed the content of the secret method, committing it to memory.

Hearing his response, Gu Huang said, “From now on, you can just call me Teacher Gu.”

“Since we have established a teacher-student relationship, we should differentiate ourselves from others.”

She spoke frankly.

Although it was a brief interaction, Qin Chi had some understanding of her character.

This Teacher Gu was undoubtedly a very direct person.

Hearing her words, he immediately nodded.

“Candle Kite.”

“Introduce the Origin Realm to Qin Jin.”

Gu Huang’s voice rang out.

The three figures had already walked out of the villa area. From a distance, Qin Chi saw Xie Wuhai’s figure.

Xie Wuhai also looked at him, intending to say hello, but after seeing Gu Huang in front, he hesitated for a moment and did not disturb them.

It was at this moment.

Qin Chi heard the sound of water droplets falling onto a surface.

He subconsciously looked down, only to see that the ground beneath his feet had, at some point, turned into a dark lake. That familiar sense of tranquility returned, as if he were isolated from the world.

“Gu Professor is taking us to the area where the entrance to the Origin Realm is located.”

This time, Candle Kite was not excluded. Her small body flew around Qin Chi.

Qin Chi looked at Gu Huang’s back.

“So, this is a type of Celestial ability?”

“The Sixth Realm has already mastered such extraordinary means.”

“How significant is the difference in Martial Arts evolution for the next few realms?”

Thoughts flashed through his mind.

Candle Kite’s voice rang out.

“Qin Jin, the Origin Realm is a special research project currently underway in the academy.”

“It was not designed for Martial Artists to break through to the Congenital Realm, but rather, this auxiliary effect was accidentally discovered during the research process.”

“Because the Origin Realm is extremely important, and the entry of ‘organisms’ into it also increases the pressure on the Origin Realm, it cannot currently be opened to a wider population. Within the academy, only S-rank students can come here and receive assistance when breaking through to the Congenital Realm.”

Qin Chi nodded slightly.

Candle Kite floated to his front-side: “However, in response to this accidentally discovered function, the academy has now also established a related research group.”

“One day in the future, the Origin Realm might potentially be opened to all Federal Martial Artists.”

“Just like how the Divine Martial Furnace assists in breaking through the Ningyi Realm, when that time comes, breaking through the Congenital Realm will also be much easier.”

At this point, Candle Kite’s voice changed: “The true purpose of the Origin Realm cannot be revealed to you.”

“For a Martial Artist like you who is preparing to break through the Congenital Realm, the Origin Realm can simulate the most suitable environment for them.”

“Humans are born Congenital, but after birth, they fall into the mortal world and transform into Post-Congenital.”

“And within the Origin Realm, you can experience your state before birth.”

She smiled slightly and said softly, “That feeling is very comfortable.”

Just as her words fell.

The dark lake surface beneath their feet rippled and quietly disappeared.

At this moment, they were standing in front of a specially designed gate with a strong futuristic feel.

This gate was a hundred zhang high, looking majestic and imposing.

Qin Chi’s gaze swept around.

At this moment, where he stood should be the Sky Island above the Martial Arts Department campus!

There was no one guarding the front. Data streams flashed in Candle Kite’s eyes, and at the corner of the large gate, a portal about one person’s height opened.

“Qin Chi, this is not a place specifically for breaking through the Congenital Realm. According to your authorization level, you have eight hours.”

“After eight hours, whether you successfully break through or not, you will be sent out.”

“However, even if you don’t break through directly, with this experience and your talent, the Congenital Realm will be like a blank sheet of paper to you, ready to be broken at any time.”

“Once inside, just keep walking forward, and you will reach the Origin Realm.”

Qin Chi nodded.

He looked at Gu Huang: “Teacher Gu, see you in eight hours.”

“Go.”

Gu Huang waved her hand: “Once you break through to the Congenital Realm, I will guide you to experience cultivation after the Congenital Realm. That is a completely different method of cultivation from what you practice now.”

Qin Jin nodded seriously.

Without any hesitation, he entered the portal under the watchful eyes of the two.

After he entered.

The portal closed.

Gu Huang stood still, looking at Candle Kite beside her: “Based on your calculations, what is the probability of him directly breaking through to the Congenital Realm?”

“99.86%.”

Compared to when she was interacting with Qin Jin, her voice became serious, and her expression also changed: “Qin Jin has displayed sufficient talent, but even with perfect preparations, accidents can still occur, so it cannot be absolutely certain.”

At this point.

It looked at Gu Huang: “Gu Professor, the news of your teacher-student relationship has not yet been announced. If other professors find out that you’ve already secured a student before the semester even begins, some people might be a bit displeased.”

“What if they’re displeased?”

Gu Huang’s expression was calm: “The academy hasn’t placed any restrictions on this. If someone is truly optimistic, why hold back due to their status and not be more proactive?”

“If anyone is displeased about this, then they can just ask my blade.”

Her right hand rested on the scabbard, and a look of anticipation appeared in her eyes: “Coincidentally, after I broke through to the Celestial Realm, I could only remain in the academy for employment according to the rules, and I haven’t had the chance to find a suitable opponent yet.”

After saying this.

She said no more, closing her eyes to rest.

Candle Kite’s figure quietly disappeared.

Above the Sky Island.

From their perspective, this technological gate obscured all vision.

But if one were to change perspective and go to the back, they would find that in this area, only this grand gate stood alone, with no buildings connected behind it!

The moment Qin Chi stepped into the portal, his surroundings darkened.

A moment later.

Before him, a soft white light illuminated the ground, extending forward step by step, forming a long corridor leading to an unknown destination.

At both ends of the corridor.

There seemed to be barriers, and beyond the barriers, various colors of light intertwined, looking like some kind of strange particles, dazzling and fantastical.

This scene was somewhat similar to the scene during the starship’s warp jump when Qin Jin traveled to the academy.

“It seems the Origin Realm isn’t on this Sky Island.”

“Is this some kind of teleportation method?”

A guess arose in Qin Chi’s mind as he walked along the softly lit corridor.

This corridor was about several hundred meters long. After Qin Chi quickly walked to the end, the space before him suddenly opened up.

There was no path ahead. Looking out, in the deep darkness, there were countless miniature planets, appearing as if scaled down countless times, in the far distance.

“Is this the Origin Realm?”

From Qin Chi’s perspective, it was like a miniature star sea before him!

He called it miniature because Qin Jin inferred it from the planets’ volumes. From a distance, the larger planets were about the height of several people, while the smaller ones could even be held in his hand. Qin Jin stood there like a giant, capable of even plucking stars and grasping the moon.

“I wonder what kind of research the academy is conducting.”

A subconscious doubt arose, but Qin Chi didn’t dwell on it. Remembering what Candle Kite had said, he no longer hesitated and took a step forward.

As he took this step, he truly seemed to step into the star sea. The surrounding gravity instantly disappeared, and his entire body floated up.

However, his breathing remained smooth and unobstructed.

At the same time.

Qin Jin clearly felt a warm sensation emanating from all directions. He felt as if he had arrived in the most suitable world for him. His life energy and spiritual power were exceptionally active, and his mood unconsciously became even more beautiful.

“This feeling—”

Qin Jin thought of what Candle Kite had said: “The state before birth, so it’s similar to the feeling of being in the womb?”

Being in this place, he felt increasingly comfortable.

After the initial adaptation, Qin Jin’s own power surged, helping him stabilize his body. In this miniature star sea, he sat cross-legged.

His eyes were slightly closed.

Ever since cultivating the Heavenly Azure Method, he had become increasingly skilled in this cultivation posture.

In his spiritual perception, information related to [Divine Intent Condensation] appeared. Qin Chi carefully observed and memorized it, while simultaneously activating it.

Spiritual power surged—

Within this star sea, behind Qin Chi, Divine Intent manifested!

The Golden God General stepped into the star sea.

Compared to its initial formation, its size had grown to nearly five meters. The lightning enveloping its body became even more turbulent, and within the golden halo appearing behind it, faint mountain and river scenery emerged!

At this moment, every movement it made contained astonishing power.

Divine Intent would continuously change as the Martial Artist improved!

With Divine Intent manifested, Qin Jin, following the information recorded in the secret method, divided his attention. Amidst the surging life energy, he made his physical body more active, while his spiritual power circulated in a unique manner.

Within the Origin Realm, there was complete silence.

This was an excellent place for cultivation.

As the secret method operated, at a certain moment, behind Qin Jin, the Divine Intent bent down!

Like Qin Chi, its massive body sat cross-legged, enveloping Qin Chi within this star sea.

At the same time.

As the secret method operated, a golden light emanated from Qin Jin’s body. The Golden Armored God General’s figure began to shrink, continuously diminishing until, at a certain point, its face perfectly aligned with Qin Jin’s own!

At this moment.

Looking from the far end of this miniature star sea, Qin Jin appeared as if he was clad in golden armor, wielding a lightning halberd, with the scenery of mountains and rivers shifting within the halo behind him.

At the moment of alignment, Qin Chi clearly sensed that his spiritual power and life energy had intertwined!

In the past.

In a Martial Artist’s attack methods, Combat Method and spiritual attacks were two completely different means.

But at this moment...

If Qin Chi were to strike with a punch, he could also imbue it with spiritual power, shaking the enemy’s spiritual world.

“Is this the unity of spirit and body?”

As thoughts flickered, with the help of the environment and the assistance of the secret method, Qin Chi’s spirit and physical body achieved their initial resonance. He perceived the [spiritual spark]!

This was an extremely profound feeling. In that instant, he seemed to see himself after ascending to the Congenital Realm!

The path of evolution, as long as there is a direction, can always move forward.

And this so-called spiritual spark guided every Martial Artist who wished to break through to the Congenital Realm.

In this instant, Qin Jin confirmed his direction of evolution, and his spirit and body began to naturally transform.

That was the human body’s inherent desire for evolution!

In this star sea, Qin Jin sat cross-legged, his golden armor eye-catching. The aura around him surged like waves, one after another,

Each wave was more astonishing, more extraordinary!

This was his own body beginning its metamorphosis, advancing towards the Congenital Realm.

Time passed.

At a certain moment.

Around Qin Jin, the light emitted by the fusion of Divine Intent suddenly dimmed.

His body returned to tranquility, with no abnormalities apparent.

But within his physique, as various powers converged, a special power began to manifest and gestate.

That was the [Secret Treasure]!

Qin Jin clearly sensed that all his powers were merging into the Secret Treasure, causing it to continuously transform and change.

After an unknown period of time.

Suddenly, within Qin Chi’s physique, a brilliant light burst forth. He seemed to have also become a star in this miniature star sea, drawing attention.

He suddenly opened his eyes.

His gaze was calm.

As he clenched his fist slightly, Qin Chi clearly felt a wave-like power surging endlessly within his physique.

Congenital Realm.

The first evolution of life essence.

During the evolution, Qin Chi could vaguely sense that his lifespan had increased.

The specific number was one hundred and fifty-seven years!

This was just the beginning; as Qin Chi cultivated in the Congenital Realm, this number would continuously increase.

His mind sank into his body. In Qin Chi’s perception, spiritual power and life energy had merged into a brand new, unique power—the true power of life origin—which was continuously flushing and tempering his physique.

Shifting his attention, Qin Chi inwardly observed his Dao Foundation.

Above the lightning-struck wood, the lightning patterns remained, but in this transformation, more branches regained vitality, bearing green foliage, unlike before!

Although the Dao Foundation was forged by the Heavenly Azure Method, once formed, it could be regarded as Qin Chi’s own source of power. In this transformation to the Congenital Realm, it also underwent extremely special changes.

The Spiritual Void, contained within the Dao Foundation, Qin Chi could sense that the spiritual energy within it had undergone some changes.

With the surging power within his body, Qin Chi had the urge to fight a grand battle and unleash his strength.

But at this moment, he was still in the Origin Realm, a crucial research area of the academy, so he couldn’t act recklessly.

Almost without any hesitation, the power around him surged, and his entire body, like an arrow released from a bowstring, instantly returned to the corridor, striding towards the exit!

While moving forward.

A thought flickered in his mind, and his professional panel appeared, displaying information related to Martial Artist.

[Martial Artist: Congenital Realm]

[Origin Index: 413.7]

[Number of Transformations: 1]

“The professional information has completely changed.”

“Is the Origin Index the new data after the fusion of spirit and life?”

“Does the number of transformations refer to that comprehensive evolution just now?”

Thoughts flashed through his mind as Qin Jin reached the entrance, pushed the door open, and stepped out.

Within the miniature star sea, tranquility was restored.

Some time after Qin Chi left.

In the depths of this miniature star sea, the countless tiny planets suspended in all directions, as if swept by a giant wave, swayed and drifted in one direction.

When the wave stopped, they rapidly returned.

Then another wave came, and they were sent out again.

This repeated process.

It seemed as if this rhythm was like—

Breathing.