396: Revisiting the Abyss of the Universe

Stepping into the Cosmic Abyss once more, Xun Xiuyuan arrived this time personally led by True Person Yuan Ling.

Recalling his first entry into this mysterious realm, he was then still in the True God Realm, his strength a world apart from now, almost too weak to mention.

At that time, he traversed that deep abyss and officially entered the fringes of the Cosmic Abyss; he couldn't help but feel a dizzy spell, utterly shocked by the surrounding colorful clouds and dazzling sights.

However, this time, Xun Xiuyuan was completely different; not only did he no longer feel the discomfort he once did, but he even became indifferent to the fantastical scenery around him.

True Person Yuan Ling's understanding of the Cosmic Abyss was truly profound; after all, it contained a large amount of cosmic stone, and he had spent many years here, knowing every corner like the back of his hand.

He turned to Xun Xiuyuan and said, "The coordinates Jiuyou gave you are located in the deepest part of the Cosmic Abyss. The danger there is extraordinary; even the demise of Saint King-level powerhouses is commonplace."

True Person Yuan Ling continued to explain to Xun Xiuyuan as he steadily walked forward.

After hearing this, Xun Xiuyuan nodded with a solemn expression: "A perilous place that can trap Jiuyou, its danger is naturally self-evident."

True Person Yuan Ling, however, gently shook his head, reminding him with a serious tone: "You must not underestimate these seemingly collapsed universes; their former masters were all peerless powerhouses whose strength far exceeded our current realm. Do you know what terrifying strength is required to manifest such a universe on the Cosmic Battlefield?"

Xun Xiuyuan was stunned by these words: "Universe manifestation?"

This was the first time he had heard such a statement; although he had similar suspicions before, no one had ever given him a definitive answer.

"Universe manifestation? Does Sect Master mean that these existing and those collapsed universes are actually the manifested inner worlds of some unimaginably powerful beings?"

Xun Xiuyuan asked True Person Yuan Ling for confirmation again with a solemn expression.

True Person Yuan Ling nodded slightly, his tone carrying a hint of profoundness: "I was fortunate enough to obtain some precious information and items while exploring ancient ruins. This information elaborates in detail on the formation of the Cosmic Battlefield and the origins of its various universes."

Upon hearing this, Xun Xiuyuan couldn't help but feel a strong sense of emotion; the strength and insight of these cultivators were indeed extraordinary.

True Person Yuan Ling turned his head, his gaze falling on Xun Xiuyuan, and continued:

"Do you know that when a Saint King cultivates to eight elements, his strength will undergo a world-shaking transformation? A nine-element Saint King is called the Return to One Realm, a ten-element Saint King is revered as the Hongmeng Realm, and an eleven-element Saint King reaches the pinnacle of the Supreme Realm. According to those ancient texts, only after a Hongmeng Realm Saint King perishes can their inner world successfully manifest and operate autonomously and endlessly. In other words, all living beings in that universe can actually be seen as an extension of that Saint King's will."

Xun Xiuyuan already knew about the three major realms of the late Saint King stage from Xiao Xuan, but the details True Person Yuan Ling described were new to him, and he couldn't help but feel shocked.

Just as True Person Yuan Ling's words fell, Xiao Xuan's voice echoed in Xun Xiuyuan's mind once more:

"Master, one point needs to be added: not all Hongmeng Realm Saint Kings can manifest their inner worlds. If this Hongmeng Realm Saint King fails to successfully integrate the light-element universe core, then even if their inner world manifests, it will only be a dead, lifeless, barren universe, utterly incapable of autonomous evolution and development."

Xun Xiuyuan immediately understood the meaning of Xiao Xuan's words.

Because the Hongmeng Realm of a ten-element Saint King is, after all, only ten elements; if the missing element happens to be the Law of Time, then a vibrant and energetic universe cannot be manifested.

If this crucial element is missing, then the situation Xiao Xuan described will occur, and the manifested universe will be devoid of any vitality.

Xun Xiuyuan looked at True Person Yuan Ling with a solemn gaze, asking with some confusion:

"Then, for what reason did the original master of this Cosmic Abyss choose to manifest his inner world? Is there some special reason behind it?"

True Person Yuan Ling glanced at Xun Xiuyuan with an expression as if looking at an idiot: "Does that even need asking? Of course, it's because he was about to die! Any being cultivating in our vast Great World, as long as they choose to manifest their inner world, their inner world will naturally appear on the Cosmic Battlefield.

This is a form of reciprocation to the universe.

Don't you understand?

If we cultivators only take resources from the universe without ever knowing how to repay and reciprocate, then the world we live in would have long since perished due to resource depletion."

After listening to True Person Yuan Ling's words, Xun Xiuyuan suddenly understood the profound rules of cosmic existence behind it.

It turned out that all of this was a delicate balance in the universe, a law that all cultivators must follow.

The two figures darted through the void like lightning, their speed astonishing.

In the blink of an eye, they had arrived at the majestic intermediate mountain range where the Silver Sea Universe was stationed.

Xun Xiuyuan was about to step forward and negotiate with the guards of the Silver Sea Universe to pass through this area smoothly.

However, at this moment, True Person Yuan Ling suddenly waved his long sleeve, and a powerful, incomparable force instantly erupted, annihilating all the Silver Sea warriors in the grand hall.

After doing all this, he turned to Xun Xiuyuan and said in a stern tone, "Don't be deceived by the Silver Sea people's so-called 'neutrality'; in fact, most of the wars we experience are instigated by those fellows from the Silver Sea Universe. If I hadn't been trapped and unable to escape, I would have long since gone to their lair and made them pay the price they deserve."

Upon hearing this, Xun Xiuyuan nodded silently.

He had also personally killed many Silver Sea people and had a deep understanding of the cruelty and cunning of these enemies, so he felt no burden in his heart.

Passing through the undulating mountain range, the two finally entered the deep reaches of the Cosmic Abyss.

Not long after, they arrived at the mysterious area where Xun Xiuyuan had unexpectedly obtained the light-element universe core.

True Person Yuan Ling glanced at Xun Xiuyuan, as if remembering something, and casually asked, "Regarding the five-element cosmic core, which ones have you integrated so far? And which ones have you not yet integrated?"