C14 Strength as the Supreme

In a world where might is revered, possessing sufficient strength means even the most esteemed individuals must bow before you.

Strength! Strength!

With strength, one can have it all!

Never before had Zhang Chen felt such an intense longing for formidable power.

"Senior Brother Zhang Chen has just entered the Master Stage. He must need Blood Nourishing Pills to enhance his strength. While these thirty Blood Nourishing Pills may not be enough to advance to the Energy Master Stage, they will certainly suffice for his cultivation for some time," Zhang Lin said as he stepped forward, presenting the Blood Nourishing Pills that had been given to him.

At that moment, Zhang Lin's manner of addressing Zhang Chen had shifted; he no longer called him by his name but respectfully as Senior Brother Zhang Chen.

"There's no need. These were given to you by Senior Sister Yuner; I couldn't possibly accept them," Zhang Chen said, declining the offer with a wave of his hand, despite the temptation.

Seeing Zhang Chen's refusal, Zhang Lin didn't press further. Zhang Jing, standing nearby, also breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that without the Blood Nourishing Pills, their own cultivation progress would inevitably be delayed.

"Now that Senior Brother Zhang Chen has reached the Master Stage, he could go to the Merits and Virtues Hall to undertake some simple sect missions. By doing so, he could earn Merits and Virtues to exchange for cultivation resources," Zhang Lin suggested after a brief pause.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen felt a spark of interest.

Outer Disciples of the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace might not receive a monthly stipend, but they could earn Merits and Virtues by completing sect missions assigned by the Merits and Virtues Hall.

The Ten-thousand Elephants Palace comprised three palaces and sixteen halls. The Spiritual Pill Hall was in charge of concocting Medicine Pills and managing the distribution of stipends, while the Merits and Virtues Hall rewarded disciples with Merits and Virtues Points based on their contributions to the sect, which could then be exchanged for cultivation resources.

However, these sect missions were often fraught with danger, and without adequate strength, the risk of injury or death was high. Only Outer Disciples at the Master Stage had the courage to accept missions from the Merits and Virtues Hall.

"Alright, I'll visit the Merits and Virtues Hall tomorrow to see if there are any suitable missions for me. It's getting late, and since Senior Sister isn't here, we should all get some rest," Zhang Chen said, gesturing for everyone to disperse before turning to leave.

Upon returning to his quarters, Zhang Chen did not succumb to sleep. Instead, he engaged in further cultivation to solidify his realm completely.

At the Master Stage, he had honed every muscle, bone, skin, and organ, along with the five viscera and six bowels, into a harmonious whole. The subsequent phase involved condensing all the blood and Qi within the body to a singular point and shattering the Barrier of The Dantian. In that fleeting moment of breaking through, a current of air would emerge within the Dantian, marking the birth of the first strand of Genuine Energy.

Reaching this milestone would signify entry into the Energy Master Stage, enabling one to soar through the skies on the strength of Genuine Energy, achieving true liberation.

Yet, this progression bore immense risk. A single misstep could lead to a catastrophic surge of blood and Qi, resulting in a shattered Dantian. Such an outcome could render one disabled, stripping away any future prospects of cultivation.

The Bone Refining Technique, a mere Middle Grade Common Level method, could only support advancement up to the Master Stage. To ascend to the Energy Master, one would require at least a High Grade Common Level or even a Supreme Grade Cultivation Method.

"How exactly can I reach the Energy Master Stage?" pondered Zhang Chen, post-cultivation.

"You've only just attained the Master Stage. Your Qi and blood, while potent, are not yet fully matured. Once you've sufficiently bolstered your Qi and blood, you'll need an appropriate cultivation technique to breach the Barrier of The Dantian and step into the Energy Master Stage," came a voice.

Amidst his contemplation, the Artifact Spirit of the Universe Diagram stirred to life and materialized before Zhang Chen.

The figure of the Young Man In White bore a striking resemblance to Zhang Chen, but now appeared far more tangible, clearly having drained Ning Feihong of his Qi and blood.

"Have you regained your strength?" Zhang Chen inquired.

"How could I? I've merely absorbed that youngster's Qi and blood, enough to manifest in this world. To fully restore my power, ten thousand Ning Feihongs wouldn't suffice! Only by slaying the Master of the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace could I significantly recover," the Young Man In White retorted.

Zhang Chen nearly stumbled backward at the suggestion. The notion of assassinating the Master of the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace was beyond his wildest thoughts.

Entering the Energy Master Stage is merely the beginning of one's cultivation journey. Once you've achieved the Ten-thousand Elephants Stage and are eligible to practice the Qiankun Spell, stepping into the Divine Transformation Stage is when you truly enter the path of cultivation! At that point, I might have the opportunity to restore my true form!"

"What exactly is your true form?" Zhang Chen asked, his curiosity piqued. The Universe Diagram's Artifact Spirit's devastating blow that killed Ning Feihong had left a deep impression on him, and he still felt a shiver at the memory.

The Young Man In White didn't rush to satisfy Zhang Chen's curiosity. Instead, he posed a question of his own, "Do you think the Profound Yin Fairy is formidable?"

"Absolutely! The Profound Yin Fairy is the only being who has ascended to the Immortal World in nearly ten thousand years..."

As per the Firmament Record, it had been over ten thousand years since any cultivator from the Yunzhou Continent had ascended. The Profound Yin Fairy was the sole exception, her power even surpassing that of the Master of the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace.

"Yet, even after ascending to the Immortal World, the Profound Yin Fairy is considered a minor entity," the Young Man In White said with a dismissive smile. "The Immortal World has its own sects, and the status of the Profound Yin Fairy there is roughly equivalent to your current standing in the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace. All sects are governed by the Immortal Court, whose Immortal Emperors reign supreme over the Immortal World, revered by a myriad of immortals!"

Discussing the revered ruler of the Immortal World, the Artifact Spirit of the Universe Diagram spoke confidently, prompting Zhang Chen to speculate about the Qiankun Emperor who had created it. What kind of being could he have been?

"The Qiankun Emperor sought transcendence and extracted the Dragon Vein that bolstered the fate of the Immortal Court to create the Universe Diagram. This act made him an enemy of the entire Immortal World, and he was ultimately eradicated by a mighty being," the Young Man In White explained, his expression turning grave. "My true form is that very Dragon Vein that once sustained the fate of the Immortal Court."

What?

Upon hearing the Young Man In White's words, Zhang Chen was in disbelief!

The Dragon Vein that suppressed the destiny of the Immortal Court was in his possession!

It was only then that Zhang Chen realized the true extent of the heaven-defying treasure he had acquired.

It made sense why the Universe Diagram had initially refused to acknowledge him as its master, and why even the Diamond Stage expert in the secret passage had looked down on him.

Without the severe damage to his body, Zhang Chen would have stood no chance of gaining the Universe Diagram's approval.

"The Universe Diagram possesses a myriad of incredible powers. To activate it, you must first help me restore my true form."

"How can I assist in restoring your true form?" inquired Zhang Chen, his curiosity piqued.

"It's quite straightforward. Consume a variety of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures, or the remnants of powerful beings!" the Young Man In White explained nonchalantly.

Zhang Chen's thoughts drifted to the skeleton he had found clutching the Universe Diagram. It dawned on him that the Young Man In White must have absorbed the skeleton's flesh and blood post-mortem, rather than it decaying naturally.

"Put these thoughts aside for now. Tomorrow, head to the Merits and Virtues Hall to take on a sect mission and earn Merits and Virtues Points. Use them to acquire cultivation resources. Focus on advancing to the Energy Master level and becoming an Outer Disciple first!"

Zhang Chen spent the whole night contemplating the Young Man In White's advice.

The ability to harness the Dragon Vein, which suppressed the fate of the Immortal Court for the creation of the Universe Diagram, indicated that the Qiankun Emperor's cultivation had reached an unfathomable level. Yet, even he was vanquished by some formidable entity, highlighting the vast and challenging journey of cultivation.