Chapter 450-456 (Patreon)
Content
450. Return to the Feng Family, The Astonishment of Feng Ling!
Having retracted the Saber World, Lin Fei descended amidst the Kun clan, who were left in a state of disarray. They had not perished, yet their countenances bore expressions of bewilderment, torn between relief and sorrow.
The giant Kun, their ancestor, had fallen, having attempted to devour them in a bid to regain their strength.
Lin Fei paid them no heed and addressed the Azure Flood Dragon King and Green King, "Let's go. I shall escort you to Great Chang first."
Thus, Lin Fei, accompanied by the Azure Flood Dragon King and Green King, returned to Great Chang.
To Green King, Lin Fei said, "Green King, I am aware of your desire to transform into a dragon. However, without my permission, you shall not undertake the transformation. Stay with the Azure Flood Dragon King in Great Chang and guard it for ten years. After all, even if you attempt to transform into a dragon, success is not guaranteed. Perhaps one day, if I become a Martial God, I might lend you a helping hand."
Green King looked at Lin Fei, then bowed respectfully, saying, "I will heed Master's command!" Indeed, Green King knew well that transforming into a dragon was no easy feat. If Lin Fei were to achieve Martial God status, perhaps he truly could assist in its transformation.
Satisfied, Lin Fei recognized that while the Azure Flood Dragon King might not be the strongest, the Green King was a different matter. With its rich True Dragon bloodline, few under the divine level could rival Green King. With both the Green King and the Azure Flood Dragon King guarding the seas of Great Chang, the area was as secure as a fortress.
Contented, Lin Fei swiftly departed from Great Chang and headed back to the ancient continent, to the Ancient Origin Sect and the Feng family, ready to deeply ponder and seek his own Dao.
At the Feng family, the Feng Ling waited quietly day after day. Her cultivation had plateaued, so she focused on maintaining her condition, ready to attempt breaking through to Martial Gods at any moment.
As a descendant of the Phoenix bloodline, she followed the Phoenix's path, which provided a clear Dao for her to walk. Her success, however, depended on her own fate. Yet she refrained from attempting to ascend to Martial Gods, for she was waiting for Lin Fei to join with her in a yin-yang union.
Only after entrusting her most precious possession to Lin Fei, enabling him a chance for rebirth through fire, would she feel completely at ease to pursue her ascension. Thus, her days, though somewhat mundane, allowed her to manage the ordinary affairs of the Feng family.
With a whoosh, the Feng Ling felt a slight flicker before her eyes, and then she saw a familiar figure.
"Lin Fei, you've returned?" she exclaimed, momentarily taken aback before a wave of immense joy washed over her. She hadn't expected Lin Fei to return so swiftly.
"Feng Ling, I have returned," Lin Fei replied with a slight smile. The Feng Ling, her eyes widening in disbelief, seemed to have a bold conjecture. Could it be that Lin Fei had achieved perfection in all nine bloodlines, reaching the pinnacle of a Martial King?
Lin Fei responded not with words but with action. He slowly extended his hand, and instantly, nine bloodlines emerged as radiant beams of light in his palm. The massive aura of each bloodline, all signifying completion, left no room for doubt in Feng Ling's mind. Lin Fei had indeed achieved perfection in all nine bloodlines.
"Truly, you have attained perfection in all nine bloodlines, and so swiftly, in less than a year..." she murmured, recalling Lin Fei's promise. The ten-year timeline they had initially contemplated now seemed excessively long. She had underestimated Lin Fei's potential, which was astonishing.
Lin Fei shared a brief account of his encounters with the dragon gate, the Green King, the giant Kun, and even the Divine Realm. Each event was extraordinary, and Feng Ling listened intently, her expression growing solemn.
"Incredible, to think the legends are true," she whispered. "Encountering such mythical events as the carp leaping over the dragon gate... And the dragon gate itself, undoubtedly a world-shaking, unimaginable treasure."
She reflected on Green King's fate. Initially a mere carp, it had transformed into a dragonfish and finally became Green King, yet in the end, it became Lin Fei's subordinate.
"But it may not realize," she mused, "that serving you might be its fortune..." She knew well the terrifying potential of Lin Fei. Serving him would not demean Green King.
In fact, should Lin Fei ascend to Martial Gods or even surpass that realm, how far could Green King be from truly transforming into a dragon?
Even if there were a gap, Lin Fei might well help Green King achieve it. Thus, unbeknownst to Green King, its fate was not misfortune but perhaps a stroke of good luck.
On the contrary, Green King was fortunate to have encountered Lin Fei. Without Lin Fei, Green King's forced transformation into a dragon through the consumption of exotic beasts and the accumulation of True Dragon essence blood would likely have ended in failure. The difficulty of such a transformation was evident from the Azure Flood Dragon King, who had never considered it. This highlighted the immense challenge of becoming a dragon.
"Feng Ling, do you know of the Divine Realm?" Lin Fei inquired. "The Kun's final words pose a threat. If it truly returns from the Divine Realm, we could be in trouble."
The Feng Ling hesitated before shaking her head, admitting that there were no records of the Divine Realm in her family's archives. She suggested consulting the Phoenix, who might have knowledge of it. Given the Phoenix's current situation, trapped in a small world and reliant on Lin Fei for release, it was unlikely to withhold information or deceive like Kun might have.
Lin Fei, however, decided against immediate action. "There's no rush. Understanding the Divine Realm now serves no purpose. Once I achieve Martial Gods, I'll inquire with the Phoenix about the specifics." He pondered the crucial question of what 'Dao' truly meant for a Martial King aspiring to become a Martial God.
"Lin Fei, our Feng family has extensive records about Martial Gods," the Feng Ling offered. "You could consult them."
"Very well, deliver everything to my secret chamber. Starting today, I shall seclude myself. I will emerge from seclusion once I have gained enlightenment."
Lin Fei gritted his teeth and made a decision. If he wanted to become a Martial God, he had to achieve enlightenment. But first, he needed to understand what Dao truly was. Perhaps, this would take a considerable amount of time. Yet, this was also a part of cultivation.
Moreover, time was on Lin Fei's side now. And so, Lin Fei entered his secret chamber. Alone.
The door was tightly sealed. Not even Feng Ling would enter.
This was truly a crucial period of seclusion for Lin Fei!
451. Lin Fei's Dao, The Path of Longevity! Lin Fei's Law, The Law of the World!
Within the Dubhe Dao Artifact, Lin Fei was perusing the cultivation insights of Martial Gods, provided by Feng Ling. However, the information was limited, mostly common knowledge, without any profound insights.
This was hardly surprising, as the Feng family had never produced a Martial God. The records contained vague concepts like the need to comprehend one's own Dao, leaving Lin Fei pondering over the nature of his path and the method of enlightenment.
Fortunately, Lin Fei had the Dubhe Dao Artifact, crafted by the true immortal Dubhe, encompassing methods up to the level of a Dao Integration cultivator. Only a Dao Integration cultivator can be called a true immortal, placing Dubhe far above the Martial Gods.
In his secluded chamber, Lin Fei discovered many texts about how Martial Gods comprehend their Dao and even how to "realize" it. There were insights into specific paths, like the way of the sword, where amalgamating all nine bloodlines could potentially give birth to the sword law.
This was just a possibility, as merging the bloodlines might lead one to sense the sword law, allowing its integration into the bloodlines and mastery over it. The birth of such a law signifies the successful ascension to Martial Godhood.
Once a martial artist becomes a god, they command a law. The path of immortality follows a similar principle, where achieving Deity Transformation means merging oneself with a law, making oneself and the law one and the same. This state allows for a tremendous boost in survival ability and the use of the law's power.
Whether it is Martial Gods or Deity Transformation cultivators, the laws they command are just a fraction of the vast universe, a mere drop in the ocean.
Lin Fei now understood the concept of realizing the Dao. The question remained: what was his Dao? Lin Fei excelled in the art of the saber, even evolving his saber technique. Following the path of the saber could indeed be his Dao.
The Dao of the saber was indeed a formidable path of offense. The law of the saber, once condensed, was terrifyingly powerful. Yet, Lin Fei questioned himself: Was the saber truly his Dao? He had never felt a life-long devotion to the saber path. His practice of saber techniques and the evolution of the Saber World were merely means to enhance his strength, not a dedication to the saber itself. Unlike those truly obsessed with the saber, Lin Fei was not willing to devote his entire being to it.
To achieve Martial Gods, Lin Fei knew he must follow and comprehend his own path. He closed his eyes, reflecting on his journey from the start of his martial arts training, ascending step by step to the pinnacle of a Martial King, and now standing on the verge of attempting to break through to Martial Gods. What was his Dao? What deep conviction had he always held?
Lin Fei vividly remembered his initial motivation in martial arts: the pursuit of longevity. He sought eternal life, to live on endlessly and prosperously. This ambition had never changed over the years. Whether it was the martial or the immortal path, Lin Fei would choose whichever could grant him eternal life. Hence, the specific paths like the saber, martial arts, or the sword were secondary to his ultimate goal of longevity. His martial practice was for longevity, but what was his Dao in this pursuit?
"My Dao is longevity!" Lin Fei realized with conviction. No matter the means or treasures, his fundamental goal was eternal life. However, to ascend to Martial Gods, "longevity" was not a specific law. He needed to comprehend a concrete law that would eventually lead him to true immortality.
Lin Fei thought of his nine bloodlines and the Saber World. In his quest for longevity, he had always sought balance in martial arts — a balance in offense and defense, a comprehensive approach with diverse methods. He aimed to be flawless and well-rounded, without weaknesses, to ensure his survival. This was the core of his martial cultivation.
To ascend to Martial Gods, however, a vague concept wouldn't suffice. He needed to grasp a specific law, one that would ultimately enable his quest for true immortality. This, in essence, was the realization of his Dao.
"If I must choose a specific law," Lin Fei mused, "then my choice would be... the World. If I were to give birth to a law, it should be the Law of the World — encompassing everything, containing all, without any flaws, perfect and unblemished. This is the ideal law I envisage."
A light seemed to dawn in Lin Fei's mind, slicing through the darkness of uncertainty. The Law of the World! He thought of his Five Elements and Four Symbols bloodlines, which had given birth to the power of the world. Combined with the Saber World, even Kun's avatar was trapped. What more if it were the Law of the World?
However, could he really give birth to the Law of the World? And could he control it? Lin Fei wasn't sure. It was just an idea he had, but his nine bloodlines seemed fitting for the Law of the World. His path, focused on 'longevity,' was unique and challenging.
Even comprehending the Law of the World might not guarantee the realization of eternal life; it could be just one step toward it. Martial Gods had a lifespan of a hundred thousand years, which was a stride in the journey of longevity.
"As long as I succeed in realizing the Dao," Lin Fei resolved, "comprehending the Law of the World would be a significant step towards longevity. This is indeed the realization of the Dao. However, my path is too ambitious. Merely becoming a Martial God might not suffice to fully realize my Dao. Perhaps only at the level of Martial Gods or even Dao Integration can I fully realize it."
Lin Fei's understanding became clear. According to the cultivation texts, he was ready in terms of understanding and preparation, just waiting to merge his nine bloodlines and attempt to ascend to Martial Gods. But he knew the difficulty of this endeavor; many Martial Kings had faltered at this juncture. Despite feeling prepared, he knew the value of caution.
Lin Fei also remembered Feng Ling's wait. Though they were Dao companions, they had not yet united in the Yin-Yang union, which would grant him a chance for rebirth through fire. He wouldn't miss such an opportunity.
"Time to leave and seek out Feng Ling," he decided, standing up and leaving the chamber with renewed determination.
452. The Fusion of Nine Bloodlines, Witnessing the Origin!
Lin Fei emerged from his seclusion earlier than Feng Ling had anticipated.
"You've ended your seclusion so soon?" she asked with a slight change in expression, fearing that Lin Fei might have encountered some difficulties in his pursuit of Dao. It was common for even the most talented to face obstacles, especially when a Martial King attempted to break through to Martial Gods.
However, Lin Fei reassured her with a smile, "There's been no trouble; I have found my Dao. I'm even ready to attempt ascending to Martial Gods. To ensure absolute success and not let your long wait be in vain, I'm willing to try the opportunity of rebirth through fire. Success would be ideal, but even in failure, I can learn and lay the foundation for the next attempt."
Feng Ling understood Lin Fei's intention; he was preparing for their Yin-Yang union, to become true Dao companions. Despite having waited for this moment for a long time, she felt a bashful reluctance. Yet, being a Martial King herself, she quickly adjusted her mindset, knowing the gravity of the situation. Upon their union, Lin Fei would immediately attempt to ascend to Martial Gods. Success would make him a Martial God, but failure would rely on the rebirth opportunity from their union to recover.
"Let's go to the back mountain," she suggested. "It's a forbidden area where no one can disturb us."
Lin Fei nodded in agreement. Although entering the small world where the Phoenix resided would have been safer, they still harbored caution towards the Phoenix and chose the back mountain instead.
"Let's begin," Lin Fei said after setting up a simple formation. He gently took Feng Ling's hand, and their auras merged harmoniously — one Yin, one Yang. The union of Yin and Yang commenced.
As Lin Fei emerged from his seclusion earlier than Feng Ling had expected, she was initially concerned that he might have encountered obstacles in his path.
However, Lin Fei assured her that he had found his Dao and was ready to ascend to Martial Gods. He wanted to seize the opportunity for a rebirth through fire, provided by their Yin-Yang union, which would not only be a trial but also a foundation for future success.
Understanding his intention, Feng Ling prepared for their union, which was more than just a physical connection; it was a crucial step in Lin Fei's journey toward becoming a Martial God. They chose a secluded spot in the back mountain, a forbidden area free from disturbances, for their union. Though they could have opted for the safety of the Phoenix's small world, they remained cautious and chose the mountain instead.
As they began, a unique energy flowed from Feng Ling to Lin Fei. Every particle of his being seemed to rejoice in this energy, which made him feel as though he could recover from any adversity.
"Is this the rebirth through fire?" Lin Fei wondered, realizing this was the moment he had been preparing for. The energy was fleeting, urging him to act swiftly in his ascent to Martial Gods.
Without hesitation, Lin Fei unleashed his True Martial King Form, merging disparate bloodlines forcefully, even those that conventionally wouldn't combine, like the Supreme Saber Dao and Grand Yin Wind Dao bloodlines. Ignoring the conflicts between the bloodlines, he continued to merge them one after another, until all nine were unified. This fusion birthed an immense power within him, and with it, he could sense a profound transformation in his perception of the world around him.
Mountains no longer appeared as mere mountains, and the void was not just emptiness but a kaleidoscope of colors and invisible threads.
Lin Fei noticed similar threads extending from his own form, connecting him to the surrounding universe. Pulling on one of these threads, he sensed an endless dominance and sharpness, a testament to the overwhelming power he was about to command.
"Is this... the Saber Dao?" Lin Fei wondered in astonishment. These threads, did they represent a connection to a certain Dao or power?
Following one thread with his consciousness, Lin Fei extended it into the depths of the void. There, in the vast expanse, he sensed his thread connecting to a massive, luminous entity, radiating an endless aura of dominance and sharpness. It felt as though a mere glance could slice through his entire being, even his consciousness.
"This is the Origin of the Saber Dao?" he pondered. "If I follow this thread into the Saber Dao's Origin and comprehend the Saber Dao law from it, could I then achieve Martial Gods?"
However, Lin Fei was cautious. This was just speculation, and in his current state, he dared not attempt such a risky endeavor.
Suddenly, the thread vibrated intensely, and a terrifying saber edge seemed to surge along it toward his consciousness.
Instinctively, Lin Fei severed the thread with a thought, cutting off his view of the Saber Dao's Origin and returning his consciousness to his True Martial King Form.
"So, each of these threads represents a connection to an Origin," Lin Fei realized. "If it's not the law I need to comprehend, I must sever the thread immediately. Otherwise, the Origin's energy might cause trouble."
With caution, he began cutting off each thread.
"This thread is connected to the Fire Dao Origin, sever it!"
"This one to the Wind Dao Origin, sever it too!"
"This seems to connect to the Water Dao Origin, sever it as well!"
As he cut each thread, the last one brought a feeling of lightness. Looking around, he saw no more threads. He had severed all connections to any Origin, leaving him unable to sense any Dao Origin.
Yet, without sensing any Origin, how could he comprehend the law? And without comprehending the law, how could he achieve Martial Gods? Lin Fei found himself in a perplexing situation, struggling to find a way to ascend to Martial Gods without a clear path to follow.
453. Drawing Down the Origin, Physical Collapse, Rebirth Through Fire!
"No, there's still one thread left..." Lin Fei suddenly looked up. Above his head lingered a massive thread, linked to his entire being and intertwining all nine bloodlines within him. This thread connected Lin Fei's merged bloodlines to a mysterious Dao in the universe. But what Dao was it?
His consciousness rapidly followed this colossal thread, leading him to an infinite Origin, a vast ocean of Origin. This Origin seemed to encompass and contain everything imaginable. Lin Fei, cautious as ever, observed this sea of Origin, pondering the law he needed to manifest to achieve Martial Gods. Was it the Law of the World he sought?
Uncertain, Lin Fei decided to draw down a strand of this Origin. The moment this tiny portion of the Origin's power entered his body through the thread, a thunderous roar erupted within him, and various laws materialized on his being. Then, his body, like fragile glass, began to crack, starting from the particles, signifying complete annihilation from the very core.
With no chance of luck or anomaly, Lin Fei's physical form exploded into ashes.
"Lin Fei!" Feng Ling, unaware of what had transpired, only witnessed a massive aura rise from Lin Fei, followed by the fusion of his nine bloodlines and then the total disintegration of his True Martial King Form. Under normal circumstances, this would signify death — absolute and final, especially as even his particles had been obliterated.
Yet, Feng Ling watched on with intense anticipation. In the void, a flame appeared — the Phoenix Fire. As it burned, a figure gradually began to take shape within its core.
Lin Fei opened his eyes, stepping out from the flames. The Phoenix Fire that enveloped him dissipated.
"Rebirth through fire, truly miraculous..." he murmured, inspecting his body. He had reverted to his state before attempting to ascend to Martial Gods, back to being a Martial King, as if time had been reversed. The marvels of the abilities of god-level beings, especially entities like the Phoenix and the Dragon, were beyond his comprehension.
"Lin Fei, what happened just now? Did you fail?" Feng Ling asked cautiously, though the outcome seemed evident. Lin Fei's use of the rebirth through fire indicated only one possibility: his failure.
"Yes, I failed. I didn't achieve Martial Gods," Lin Fei admitted calmly, still somewhat bewildered about where he went wrong. "I don't know the reason for my failure," he confided to Feng Ling, hoping she could help analyze the situation.
Lin Fei recounted the entire process of his attempt to ascend to Martial Gods. Feng Ling listened intently, noting the details, especially his decision to sever all the threads.
"You cut all those threads? What law did you comprehend?" she asked, surprised.
Lin Fei explained the last thread he followed, which led to an infinite ocean of Origins containing various laws. "I drew a strand from this sea of Origin, trying to birth a law. But then my body collapsed, disintegrating from the particle level," he shared his experience with a tinge of helplessness.
Feng Ling, herself preparing for the ascent to Martial Gods, found this insight invaluable. Yet, the mystery of Lin Fei's failure and how to overcome it remained unsolved. The challenge of discerning the right path to realizing the Dao and manifesting the appropriate law was as daunting as ever.
"Wait, you tried to directly draw the Origin into your body?" Feng Ling asked in disbelief.
"Yes," Lin Fei confirmed.
"Ah..." The Feng Ling found himself at a loss for words. That was the Origin, the very World Origin! Even a mere strand or a sliver of it contained the power of the entire world. The world was not just the Ancient Continent; it encompassed countless places, infinite and vast. Just a thread of it possessed earth-shattering power. Not to mention a mere Martial King. Even for a god, it would be unbearable.
"How dare you attempt to harness the power of the Origin, a feat not even gods dare contemplate? To become a god, one only needs to comprehend the laws. Our consciousness entering that realm of Origin is akin to sudden enlightenment. Whenever we achieve this enlightenment, we naturally manifest the laws. Thus, becoming gods. Never, under any circumstances, should one try to draw power from the Origin. It's tantamount to suicide..."
Lin Fei frowned. The books within the Dubhe Dao Artifact never mentioned this. They all said that upon witnessing the Origin, one would comprehend the laws.
Lin Fei, in the Sea of Origin, had no such enlightenment and thought he needed to draw from the Origin. It turned out to be a path to his own demise.
"So, there's no need to draw from the Origin..." Lin Fei murmured softly, understanding now. He had figured out the entire process of becoming a Martial God. If given another chance, Lin Fei was confident in achieving the status of Martial Gods!
Of course, that was contingent upon successfully grasping the laws of the world within that mass of Origin.
Lin Fei's consciousness lingered there for a long time, yet still, no sudden enlightenment came. This was the perilous part. Without that enlightenment, one would become lost in the Sea of Origin. That was a failure. As for how long was "long," it varied from person to person.
"Feng Ling, when do you plan to make your attempt at becoming a Martial God?"
"I'm in no rush. With your experience, I am currently in preparation. When I adjust myself to the peak, it won't be too late to strive for the status of Martial Gods."
Lin Fei nodded in agreement. He was not in a hurry either. After all, this attempt had been a failure. Regardless of the reasons, a failure was still a failure. It was essential to learn from this experience. Thus, Feng Ling departed. Lin Fei then entered the Dubhe Dao Artifact to examine his own body.
"Hmm? What's this?"
Suddenly, Lin Fei felt a jolt in his heart. He "saw" within himself. It seemed as if a strand of mysterious yet familiar energy had emerged!
454. The Power of Origin, The Secret of Dao Integration!
This strand of energy was both foreign and familiar to Lin Fei.
Foreign, because he had seldom encountered it - this being almost his first, now second time experiencing it. Yet, familiar, because not long ago, Lin Fei had witnessed a vast expanse of terrifying energy akin to an ocean.
The Sea of Origin!
Indeed, this sliver of power was what Lin Fei had drawn into his body from the Sea of Origin, causing his physical form to collapse. But his body had already disintegrated. How could the power of Origin still be inside him?
Lin Fei's expression underwent a drastic change. He was acutely aware of the danger. He would have preferred not to possess this sliver of Origin power, for even a slight misstep could cause his body to collapse again. If Lin Fei's body were to collapse this time, he would not be able to rise from the ashes again. In other words, he would surely die!
"Wait, rise from the ashes?"
Lin Fei seemed to have a realization. He had indeed risen from the ashes before. His body, brought to the brink of collapse by the power of Origin, had undergone a rebirth of fire.
Consequently, he was "resurrected". Could it be that after the power of Origin caused his body to collapse, Lin Fei resurrected through the power of rebirth by fire, but that sliver of Origin's power remained within his body?
What to do in such a situation? Lin Fei was somewhat bewildered. This was the first time he had encountered such a scenario. It was beyond his understanding. Even consulting Feng Ling would be futile. Lin Fei thought of Dubhe. The spirit of Dubhe, well-informed and wise as a Dao Artifact, should have some solution.
"Dubhe." Lin Fei immediately summoned Dubhe.
"Master," Dubhe greeted respectfully.
"Dubhe, there is a strand of Origin's power within my body..."
So, Lin Fei elaborated in detail to Dubhe about the strand of Origin power within his body. Dubhe also found it astonishing.
"Based on Master's description, that strand of Origin power is quite extraordinary," Dubhe observed. "There are many types of Origin, but from what you describe, this strand seems all-encompassing, likely the World Origin itself. The World Origin is the core of a world, and even a single strand of it is remarkable."
Master, do you know what Dao Integration True Immortals integrate with? In fact, the Dao Integration True Persons in the path of Immortals integrate with the Origin Dao! Immortals perceive the natural order of heaven and earth. Integrating with the Dao of the world, they shine as brightly as the sun and moon. As long as the world is eternal, so are the true immortals. In a sense, once Dao Integration is achieved, they become immortal and eternal.
As for martial artists, they are more domineering. They attempt to capture a strand of the World Origin, like you did, for their own use. Mastering even a sliver of this Origin allows them to wield its power, and furthermore, use it to continually refine themselves, becoming even more powerful. In this respect, they might even surpass the Dao Integration True Immortals.
However, very few martial artists reach this stage. The challenge of integrating the Origin's power into the body is insurmountable for most. Ninety-nine percent of martial artists would undoubtedly perish in the attempt. So, Master having a strand of Origin power, even though it was obtained by chance, is truly inconceivable. Perhaps, this is a great opportunity for you. In the future, it may prove to be of great use."
Lin Fei was profoundly struck by this revelation. He knew the power of Origin might be strong, but he had not anticipated that it was a force only Dao Integration True Immortal-level beings could access.
But now, Lin Fei had not only 'drawn down' the power of Origin but had also integrated it into his body. Did this not mean that he had already surpassed countless martial artists just by this feat alone?
"I'll give it a try."
Lin Fei wanted to test the strand of Origin power within his body. Thus, he used his consciousness to approach it, attempting to harness this sliver of power.
However, as soon as his consciousness neared the Origin power, it trembled slightly, followed by a violent shudder through Lin Fei's entire body. His physical particles nearly disintegrated. Lin Fei immediately withdrew his consciousness, daring not to touch that strand of Origin power again.
"I simply can't manipulate this strand of Origin power," he realized. "Nor can I use this sliver of power. Moreover, its presence in my body might even pose a danger."
Lin Fei contemplated removing it, despite its potential immense benefits, unwilling to take such a risk within his own body.
If it were possible, Lin Fei would undoubtedly remove it. Unfortunately, as Dubhe had mentioned, only a Dao Integration True Immortal-level being could extract this strand of Origin power from his body.
Lin Fei pondered and decided to confine the Origin power within his body, securely trapping it so that no external force could reach it. Though he avoided stimulating the Origin power, this measure temporarily alleviated the danger within his body.
"With the bodily risk temporarily resolved, does this mean I can attempt to reach Martial Gods again?" Lin Fei wondered. Initially, he had planned to stabilize himself and try to reach Martial Gods after some time, especially after his recent failure. He thought it prudent to reflect on his experiences and adjust his state.
But after Dubhe's explanation, Lin Fei understood the instability of the Origin power within him. It could only potentially become an asset during his Dao Integration. Otherwise, it remained a latent hazard.
Therefore, Lin Fei had to continue his cultivation, striving for Dao Integration as soon as possible to fully resolve the danger posed by the strand of Origin power.
"My physical body is strong, and I am in good condition," he affirmed. "There's no need for adjustment. Moreover, my recent attempt at reaching Martial Gods is still fresh in my mind. I should strike while the iron is hot and try again immediately! This time, I am fully aware of the steps to reach Martial Gods and am confident of success without fail!"
With this thought, Lin Fei couldn't contain his excitement. He was about to make another attempt at reaching Martial Gods. No need for adjustments. No need for summarizing experiences. He was already at his peak.
What adjustments were necessary? As for experience? It was all etched in his mind. The memory of failure was the best teacher. Lin Fei had already experienced failure, and the memory was still fresh.
Thus, Lin Fei flew out of the Dubhe Dao Artifact. Inside the artifact, it was impossible to sense the Origin.
"True Martial King Form! Nine Bloodlines! Merge!"
With a resounding "Boom," the next moment saw Lin Fei in the back mountains of the Feng family's domain. He didn't hesitate for a second and immediately began merging all nine bloodlines. It was an all-or-nothing gamble, with no room for retreat. He didn't even inform Feng Ling. It was a strategy to put himself in a do-or-die situation to foster growth!
This was to demonstrate his resolve! This was what Lin Fei had lacked in his first attempt at reaching Martial Gods - determination! The power of the mind! The spiritual strength of a martial artist!
455. I Create the World, and the World is Me!
When the nine bloodlines merged together, a thunderous roar erupted within Lin Fei. His True Martial King Form instantly reached a hundred thousand meters, even surpassing that mark.
The colossal True Martial King Form spanned across the void, visible to all. Lin Fei made no effort to conceal his aura. Previously, Feng Ling had helped mask his presence, but now, with no one to cover for him, his aura spread far and wide.
"Is that the True Martial King Form?"
"Such a terrifying True Martial King Form, is that the Ancient Origin Saber King?"
"It must be the Ancient Origin Saber King!"
"The aura emanating from the Ancient Origin Saber King is too fearsome. What is he doing?"
"I've seen the Ancient Origin Saber King's True Martial King Form before, but it never had this kind of aura."
"All nine bloodlines have merged into one. Could it be that he's attempting to reach Martial Gods?"
"Yes, attempting Martial Gods..."
There was a wave of astonishment among the onlookers. No one had anticipated that Lin Fei, under their watchful eyes, was about to make an attempt at reaching Martial Gods. That was the realm of Martial Gods – the transformation of a human into a deity, a true metamorphosis of life with a lifespan of a hundred thousand years!
Should he succeed, not only would the Ancient Origin Sect benefit, but even the Feng family would reap immense rewards. For at least a hundred thousand years, they would thrive without any hardships. Such was the deterrent power of a Martial God, dominating an era.
No matter how exceptional the talents, without reaching godhood, they would be suppressed. Many Martial Kings had attempted this step, but without exception, all had failed. Many were in a turmoil of emotions, unsure whether to hope for Lin Fei's success or failure.
The Feng Ling, upon witnessing Lin Fei's True Martial King Form, had her expression change drastically. "Wasn't he supposed to adjust his state? Why the haste?"
Feng Ling immediately rushed back. She was well aware of Lin Fei's situation. Having just failed in his attempt to reach Martial Gods, she feared Lin Fei might recklessly try again, regardless of the cost. Originally, she had great faith in Lin Fei's self-control, but to her surprise, he had acted impulsively.
If he failed again this time, Lin Fei would no longer have the chance to be reborn from the ashes. The Feng Ling had already reached the back mountain, but it was too late to stop Lin Fei. All she could do was silently pray, hoping that this time, Lin Fei would succeed.
Inside Lin Fei's True Martial King Form, where the nine bloodlines had already merged into one, he experienced a moment identical to his first attempt. He saw many threads, one after another, densely packed and connected to the heavens and the earth. Each thread is linked to a certain "Dao" or a kind of "Origin." Lin Fei was clear about the "Origin" he needed now – the World Origin or the laws of the world.
With a loud shout, he slashed with his blade of consciousness.
"Sever!"
With a swoosh, he instantly cut all the threads except for the last one, formed by the integration of his nine bloodlines. Following this thread with his consciousness, Lin Fei soon witnessed a sight before him – an immense amount of Origin, like the Sea of Origin itself, seemingly endless. Each thread of Origin was filled with terrifying power.
These endless threads of Origin, when combined, actually contained the mysteries of the entire world. Whoever could fully grasp the secrets of this Sea of Origin and decode it, could even decode the entire world.
All the mysteries of heaven and earth would have no secrets before them. Of course, this was just Lin Fei's imagination. He understood that it was impossible. He was merely attempting to comprehend the laws of the world, which was already incredibly difficult.
Though the Origin was vast, Lin Fei sought only to take what was useful for him, the laws he could comprehend – the laws of the world!
With a swift motion, Lin Fei's consciousness, without any hesitation, plunged into the Sea of Origin. The Sea of Origin churned, creating towering waves.
Lin Fei's consciousness once again entered the Sea of Origin, that familiar sensation returning.
At this moment, Lin Fei felt as though he was perceiving countless laws, numerous familiar laws such as the way of the saber, the way of fire, the way of wind, and more, all contained within this Sea of Origin.
Lin Fei was fully aware that he could not afford to draw down the power of Origin again. His physical body would not withstand it. Thus, he began to comprehend the laws, choosing the World Laws as his focus. These laws are the key to the operation of the world, its core. So, what exactly constitutes a world? Lin Fei pondered this question.
Elements like earth, fire, water, and wind form the basic components of a world. The Five Elements constitute all things, including life, encompassing everything.
Yet, these are merely the elements that compose a world, one of the basic conditions, not the core. The core of the world, its fundamental essence, what could it be?
In Lin Fei's mind, countless sparks flew – a sign of sudden enlightenment. In the Sea of Origin, such moments of enlightenment were plentiful. Successful enlightenment usually led to mastery of the laws.
Failure to do so meant being forever lost in the Sea of Origin. This was true for every Martial King and even for every Nascent Soul cultivator. Those who could not break through would remain there forever. Only a few could awaken and grasp the laws.
Unbeknownst to Lin Fei, he was at the most critical moment of achieving godhood. One wrong step, and he would face irreparable catastrophe. He was now completely immersed in this atmosphere, his mind flickering with insights. Countless inspirations collided, and he sought to grasp just a single thread of inspiration. He wanted to know what constituted the essence of the world.
Lin Fei's mind revisited the Saber World he had evolved. Though Saber World was not a mystic realm, it could serve as a reference.
What is the Saber World? It is merely a form of energy, evolved by Lin Fei. And what about the small world where the Phoenix resides? Lin Fei had once sensed the small world of the Phoenix. It wasn't particularly large. From a distance, it might appear as a circle. If one kept shrinking it further and further, the circle might become a point.
A drop in the ocean. A vast universe in a speck of dust. A world within a grain of sand. The Phoenix had mentioned that a small world is like a world within a grain of sand. Every grain of sand could potentially contain a world. So, what is a world? Is it a circle? A point? Or maybe, a bundle of energy?
Lin Fei pondered deeply. He felt as if he was on the verge of a breakthrough, on the cusp of grasping something crucial. But he was just a bit short of it. This slight gap was like a chasm!
Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Lin Fei's mind. He realized what the core of the world was. A world could be a point, a circle, a grain of sand, even a piece of paper, or a bundle of energy. The world could be anything. However, all of this is predicated on the existence of "I" within the world, "creating" something.
The world I create is what it is. If I say it's a circle, then it's a circle. If I say it's a grain of sand, then it's a grain of sand. The world is me!
456. Lin Fei Finally Becomes a God!
With a thunderous "boom," as Lin Fei achieved enlightenment in the Sea of Origin, the sea itself trembled. His consciousness vanished from the Sea of Origin, returning to his physical body.
Lin Fei's body at this moment was in shambles, riddled with innumerable wounds. The eruption of the nine bloodlines exerted a terrifying force. With every passing second, his body endured more torment and was on the verge of collapse.
Finally, Lin Fei's body disintegrated, collapsing at the particle level. However, at the very moment of his body's disintegration, a mysterious force emerged within him. It wasn't the power of his bloodlines, nor was it a sudden outburst of the strand of Origin power within him. It was an unprecedented force - the power of laws! The laws of the world!
World Laws appeared within Lin Fei's body, and he wielded them as effortlessly as his own limbs. His mind was suddenly flooded with clarity and understanding.
"So, this is how it is," Lin Fei murmured. "Without destruction, there can be no construction. Only through the elevation of life can the true nature of Martial Gods be manifested. Reconstructing my body with the World Laws, this is the essence of the transformation from Martial King to Martial God..."
Lin Fei's physical body was being reconstructed, based on these laws. This was, in essence, the reconstruction of life itself. No wonder it led to a significant increase in lifespan.
No wonder the life level of Martial Gods was so superior to that of Martial Kings. The two were fundamentally different in terms of life levels.
Once the reconstruction was complete, Lin Fei's body would no longer be a mere flesh and blood body, but a body of laws, a divine body, so to speak. This was the essence of the saying, "The martial dao can lead to divinity."
The strength of the divine body constructed by Martial Gods depended on the laws comprehended. The foundation of laws used to construct the divine body determined the vast differences in power and abilities.
For example, if one used the laws of the saber or sword to construct the divine body, it would become a Saber Body or Sword Body, specialized in respective abilities.
This divine body was extraordinarily terrifying. With every gesture, it could unleash thousands of sword lights, each imbued with the essence of the Sword Dao, creating earth-shattering power, unrivaled in its capability for destruction.
Similarly, a divine body based on the Fire Dao could command all the fires in the world. Any fire would be harmless to it, whether it be Lin Fei's Triple Yin True Fire or the Phoenix's Fire. When such a divine body wielded flames, its power would increase exponentially, capable of incinerating everything with a mere gesture!
Once Martial Gods manifested their bodies, every move they made was intertwined with the laws, which was incredibly formidable. However, Lin Fei's new body was reconstructed based on the World Laws, a rarity almost unheard of among warriors. Hence, even Lin Fei was uncertain about the capabilities of a body built from World Laws.
As time ticked by, Lin Fei's physical body had completely disintegrated, but simultaneously, the laws were reconstructing a new body for him. Interestingly, the strand of Origin power within Lin Fei remained unchanged throughout the reconstruction of his new body, or divine body.
Now, Lin Fei's body was similar to that of an ordinary person, not the tens of thousands or hundred thousand meters monstrosity of before. But a mere glance at Lin Fei could send shivers down anyone's spine, a pressure emanating from the depths of their soul.
When Lin Fei opened his eyes, his gaze instantly fell upon Feng Ling. The sheer pressure of his gaze made her feel as though her body was about to collapse. She couldn't withstand such terrifying pressure from just a look.
"The difference between the immortal and the mundane," Lin Fei thought. Dao Integration signifies ascension to immortality, and true immortals even transcend gods. A mere glance from an immortal is unbearable for a mortal. How could they even interact?
The same applies to gods. Martial Gods are divine, existing on a fundamentally different plane from mortals. They no longer possess mere flesh and blood bodies, but bodies of law, containing the essence of laws within them.
Not only Feng Ling, but everyone in the vicinity of the Feng family felt the overwhelming presence of Lin Fei. No one dared to meet his gaze, trembling and shocked to their core, kneeling in reverence and awe.
"Too weak..." Lin Fei muttered to himself, acknowledging the vast chasm between his newfound divine status and the mortal realm.
Feeling the fragility and insignificance of the people around him, Lin Fei realized that a mere breath of his could probably end their lives. Such was the power of a Martial God, exalted above all beings.
"Today, I, Lin Fei, ascend to godhood!" he declared. "Let the heavens and earth celebrate! The rain of laws shall fall, and how much you comprehend and benefit from it depends on your fate."
Lin Fei's voice, grand and resonant, echoed in everyone's ears. The birth of a Martial God was a momentous event, one that even the heavens and earth would usually react to with anomalies.
However, Lin Fei suppressed these phenomena, fearing the damage they could cause. But he wasn't stingy; he was ready to bestow a rain of laws.
Thunder rumbled, and instantly, the sky was shrouded with dark clouds, and fierce winds howled. In a moment, a gentle rain began to fall. For Lin Fei, now comprehending the World Laws, summoning wind and rain was mere child's play.
But this was no ordinary rain. As the rain fell, many felt a chilling sensation that seemed to penetrate their bones, quickly merging into their bodies. They felt invigorated, filled with newfound strength. The sickly and weak found themselves revitalized, while martial artists felt their bodies breaking through to new levels. Even Martial Saints and Martial Sovereigns gained new insights, sitting down to meditate and comprehend.
Feng Ling, upon touching the rain, sensed an enhancement in her physical being and even gained some understanding of the "Dao." To her, this was no small matter. Everyone in the Feng family and the Ancient Origin Sect realized what this moment signified. Lin Fei had become a god!
"Congratulations to Ancient Origin Saber King on achieving Martial Gods status!" led by Feng Jiushang, everyone in the Feng family knelt and worshiped in reverence.
A god indeed deserved such veneration from all beings!