Chapter 478-484 (Patreon)
Content
478. The Way of the Great Dao, A Struggle for Ascendance
The differential in the flow of time had its uses. Immersed in the second layer of the dream state, Lin Fei began to meticulously study his world laws. Having recently plundered three additional world laws, his internal laws were now rich and dense. Utilizing these laws for combat required research and practice to unleash their full potential.
In this second layer of the dream state, Lin Fei could simulate his own laws without fear of depletion or self-harm, a risk-free environment for experimentation. Any insights gained could be immediately applied in reality, progressively enhancing his overall strength.
Lin Fei understood his current situation well. He could barely survive a second Thunder Tribulation and possibly endure two additional bolts of thunder to plunder one more world law without much issue. However, attempting to plunder three laws would be incredibly challenging, nearly impossible.
Lin Fei also realized the significance of the robustness of his laws. It was not only crucial for his strength but also pivotal for achieving the status of a grand Martial God and, most importantly, becoming a Martial Ancestor.
A Martial Ancestor, akin to a true immortal, does not just integrate with a complete Dao but masters it. True immortals merge with a complete Dao, becoming immortal and eternal, existing as long as the Dao persists. Similarly, a Martial Ancestor, who controls a complete Dao, remains undying as long as the Dao endures.
Achieving mastery over a complete Dao is far more challenging than integrating with it, which is why there are fewer Martial Ancestors than true immortals. Many Martial Gods focus solely on surviving Thunder Tribulations, not realizing that this stage is not just a challenge but also an opportunity.
During the Martial Gods phase, plundering sufficient laws to build a profound foundation is crucial only then can one gradually construct the basis of a Dao and harbor even a slight hope of mastering a complete Dao. Otherwise, progressing routinely through tribulations may only lead to the limit of becoming a True Monarch.
In the methodical progression of tribulation, becoming a True Monarch was already the pinnacle. The aspiration to become a Martial Ancestor was nearly an impossibility, a common knowledge in the path of cultivation, no secret to many.
Indeed, some even kept meticulous records of such matters. To achieve the status of Martial Ancestor, one had to seize more than three laws during each heavenly tribulation, sometimes even as many as ten!
The Divine Realm was no stranger to astonishingly talented individuals. Lin Fei's capture of three laws in a single heavenly tribulation was a marvel to ordinary Martial Gods.
However, for those determined to ascend as Martial Ancestors, this feat was merely meeting the bare minimum. Of course, those who aspired to become Martial Ancestors found their cultivation progressing at a painstakingly slow pace at the Martial Gods stage. This was because their ambitions extended beyond merely surviving tribulations.
After all, the strength of a martial artist was finite, comprised of physical prowess and laws. With no external aids permitted during tribulations, what else could be done? They could only refine their bodies, strengthening them to stand a chance at seizing more laws.
Thus, Lin Fei had not yet considered facing his second heavenly tribulation, for he was not confident in his ability to seize three laws or withstand the third heavenly thunder.
"Refining the body is too challenging," he lamented. "Improving laws is even more improbable. I can only develop some techniques to utilize the laws a bit better, which helps increase my strength, but not by much."
What about the Saber World, then?
Lin Fei pondered over his Saber World, which had not seen improvement for a long time. The Saber World had reached its limit, but its integration with the world's laws seemed like a novel direction. If he could merge the Saber World with the world's laws, thus greatly enhancing its power, his second heavenly tribulation might just be within reach. However, this required repeated experimentation.
"The integration of Saber World and the world's laws can, in fact, draw inspiration from the Minor Worlds," he thought. "Take the Minor Worlds as a model. I have already created the Particle World, also based on the Minor Worlds. The Saber World, combined with the world's laws, could essentially be considered a Minor World. However, this Minor World is too weak; it needs further expansion to counter or consume the heavenly thunder.
Currently, my world's laws are abundant enough to support the expansion of the Saber World. But the Saber World has expanded to its limit, restricting the enhancement of the Minor World's power. If the Saber World could continue expanding, it might just withstand the third heavenly thunder!"
In the second layer of his dreamscape, Lin Fei experimented with one method after another, thinking outside the box in his quest to expand the Saber World. Remarkably, he stumbled upon a solution. His Saber World, born from the evolution of saber intent, was a manifestation of a martial artist's conviction, transitioning from the ethereal to the tangible.
Thus, the optimal way to expand the Saber World was to devour the Saber Worlds of other saber wielders. In other words, when other saber cultivators evolved their Saber Worlds, Lin Fei could use his own Saber World, augmented with the laws of the world, to forcibly assimilate them!
The experiments within the second layer of the dreamscape proved that this was feasible. He could indeed devour other Saber Worlds to enlarge his own. However, Saber Worlds were rare; typically, only a Martial King could evolve one. Although there were many Martial Kings, few wasted time on evolving Saber Worlds. Most were focused on achieving the status of Martial Gods.
Who would devote time to evolving a Saber World? Saber intent, saber force, Saber Domain, Saber World - to evolve these, one must be a true devotee of the saber. In reality, how many were passionately dedicated to the saber? Nonetheless, this was a viable method, and Lin Fei etched it into his memory. Should he encounter another Saber World, he would definitely vie for it!
Besides the enhancement of the Saber World, physical strength could also be improved. This was the method most Martial Gods relied on to survive heavenly tribulations. There were numerous ways to enhance physical strength.
Lin Fei's creation of the Particle World was also a means to bolster his physique. However, other Martial Gods, lacking the world's laws, could not create worlds. But they had their methods, too: they fought for Minor Worlds, plundering their essences to forcibly strengthen their bodies. This was an arduous task, as once the essence of a Minor World was seized, the world was on the brink of collapse, tantamount to the destruction of an entire Minor World.
Moreover, typical Martial Gods were incapable of annihilating an entire Minor World. In fact, such an attempt could provoke a violent backlash from the world itself, leading to its collapse and the simultaneous downfall of the Martial Gods involved. This was the risk they took for potential reward.
Usually, several Martial Gods had to collaborate to break a particularly weak Minor World. Worlds like the Ancient Continent were far beyond their reach, impenetrable even to true immortals, let alone Martial Gods. Most Martial Gods resorted to this method, plundering the essence of Minor Worlds.
Despite the difficulty and risk of perishing, it offered them a glimmer of hope. Similarly, the powerhouses of the Immortal Dao undergoing Deity Transformation also plundered essences, aiding in their comprehension of spatial laws, uncovering the secrets of space, and advancing towards the state of True Monarch.
However, Minor Worlds were the foundational bases of many forces and could not be destroyed recklessly. For instance, the Ancient Covenant occupied many such worlds and prohibited any destruction. Martial Gods and Deity Transformation beings born in these Minor Worlds, having ascended to the Divine Realm, naturally forbade others from ravaging their homelands.
Thus, the only option was to vie for ownerless Minor Worlds, increasing the intensity of competition. The emergence of an unclaimed Minor World often resulted in the fall of several Martial Gods, while Deity Transformation entities suffered countless losses of incarnations, enduring heavy casualties.
"Whether in the Ancient Continent or the Divine Realm," Lin Fei reflected, "the path of martial arts demands one thing for advancement - struggle."
With this realization, his resolve grew firmer. He knew he must seek out Saber Worlds and contend for the essence of Minor Worlds. Otherwise, what hope did he have of achieving the status of Martial Ancestor or realizing the Great Dao?
The path of the Great Dao, after all, was one of relentless struggle.
479. Clues of the Saber World
Great Dream City.
Lin Fei issued a task.
"A thousand contribution points, to seek the Saber World of Martial Kings! Any Martial King with Saber World. Or the Saber World left behind after the fall of a Martial King. As long as there are clues, and they are confirmed, one can receive a reward of a thousand contribution points! The mission is long-term effective!"
Lin Fei directly posted the reward mission in Great Dream City. A reward mission of a thousand contribution points seeking clues of the Saber World. Just clues are needed, once provided, a thousand contribution points can be obtained.
Of course, Lin Fei only has two thousand contribution points at the moment. He could only support two tasks. But it's okay. Lin Fei could still continue to do tasks. He would be able to earn more contribution points in the future.
Meanwhile, Lin Fei was also looking for some tasks in Great Dream City. And he was also paying attention to the news about some ownerless small worlds.
Information exchange in Great Dream City was very convenient. Soon, Lin Fei heard some news.
"Some people in Black Moon City have discovered an ownerless small world. It was directly auctioned and sold at a high price! As a result, the news leaked, causing a dispute."
"Tsk tsk, three Martial Gods fell. Eighteen Deity Transformation powerhouses were annihilated, countless avatars were destroyed, and the losses were heavy. In the end, the origin of that small world was obtained by the Initial Evil True Person. Once fully comprehended, it is feared that the distance from Transcendence is not far."
"There is also news of ownerless small worlds in Linglong City. Even without seeing the small worlds, violent fighting broke out. Many Deity Transformation powerhouses suffered losses of avatars, and the losses were heavy. As a result, it was discovered that someone had set a trap, and there was no ownerless small world at all, which caused a chaotic slaughter..."
Such messages abound in Great Dream City. Lin Fei also realized from them how difficult it is to contend for small worlds. The Initial Evil True Person was a top Deity Transformation powerhouse. It is rumored to have tens of thousands of avatars and numerous treasures. It has even slain Martial Gods before!
Such a fierce and unparalleled figure almost had all its avatars annihilated before barely seizing the origin of the small world. Lin Fei felt that with his current strength if he were to participate in the contention for the origin of a small world. It's afraid there would be no good outcome.
Deity Transformation powerhouses would suffer heavy losses, but they wouldn't die. But if a Martial God were to participate personally. Once their physical body perishes. Then they are truly dead!
Therefore, for now, Lin Fei focused on finding the whereabouts of the Saber World.
...
In Yuecheng, the Fang family, once a Martial King lineage renowned throughout the city and with a legacy spanning thousands of years, now faced a dire predicament.
The Fang family's dungeon was filled with their own kin, and Fang Yunshan, the young master, was shackled in specially crafted chains. His strength as a Martial Sovereign was thoroughly suppressed, rendering him incapable of breaking even the simplest of cages.
Covered in scars like a ghoul, Fang Yunshan's torment was evident. He harbored deep hatred, especially towards a woman who betrayed the family's greatest secret to a Deity Transformation being. As a result, this Deity Transformation entity, with just two of its incarnations, annihilated the Fang family and seized their secret realm.
Now a broken man, confined within the prison walls, what hope could Fang Yunshan possibly have? Exhausted, he drifted in and out of sleep in his cell. In a semi-conscious state, a mysterious scripture appeared in his mind. He recalled a time when he burned some books and unexpectedly found a golden page that remained unscathed by the flames. Filled with dense text, this golden page excited him, hinting at a great adventure.
However, as he attempted to memorize the words on the golden page, they vanished rapidly, leaving him with only a vague recollection. Over time, even this memory had almost faded. But now, in his despair, the words from the golden page resurfaced clearly in his mind: "Great Dream Heart Sutra." Whispering to himself, Fang Yunshan began practicing the sutra, following the mantra that emerged in his mind. Although the Great Dream Heart Sutra only had one level and seemed unremarkable at first, Fang Yunshan felt it was his only hope and diligently studied it.
After several days of practice, one night, Fang Yunshan felt a jolt throughout his body. Half-awake, he slowly opened his eyes, only to find himself in a vast city bustling with people.
Fang Yunshan was deeply shaken. He observed discreetly, unraveling the mystery over several days. The Great Dream Heart Sutra had led him to become a member of the Great Dream Sect.
However, to receive assistance from other members in the sect, he had to issue tasks with rewards. In this realm, everyone was a Martial God, and if a Martial God extended help, his family could be saved. But Fang Yunshan lacked the contribution points to offer as a reward; trapped, he couldn't undertake tasks to earn them.
Thus, he waited silently in the Task Hall, day after day, unsure of what exactly he was waiting for – perhaps an opportunity, but what kind he did not know. It was his only hope, the only hope for the Fang family. As he observed day after day in the Task Hall, an opportunity finally presented itself. His heart leaped as he spotted a task: "Seeking clues about Saber World." His intuition told him this was the chance he had been waiting for.
Without hesitation, Fang Yunshan accepted the task. Lin Fei, who had posted the task, was surprised that it was accepted so quickly. In the Dream City, within their shared dreamscape, the meeting was effortless.
"Lord, I have accepted your task," Fang Yunshan addressed Lin Fei, his voice trembling with emotion and urgency. "But I don't need the thousand contribution points. I only ask that you, Martial God, rescue my Fang family and drive away the Deity Transformation entity. In return, the Saber World left by our ancestor will be yours."
Fang Yunshan, nearly pleading, was visibly shaken and his voice trembled.
"Not a thousand contribution points, but just to drive away a Deity Transformation cultivator?"
Lin Fei's gaze flickered with interest. He asked Fang Yunshan to elaborate. Gradually, Lin Fei learned the full story. The Fang family's ancestor, a Martial King and a saber wielder, had failed to achieve Martial Gods status and perished, leaving behind a Saber World.
This Saber World, upon the master's death, gradually transformed into a secret realm, enriched with treasures by the Fang family. A Deity Transformation entity coveted this realm and easily sought to claim it, reducing the Fang family to ruins.
Fang Yunshan, imprisoned yet possessing the first layer of the Great Dream Heart Sutra, found a way into the Dream City and stumbled upon this opportunity.
"A mere ordinary Deity Transformation," Lin Fei pondered, "Since you have a Saber World, we have a deal. I'll drive away the Deity Transformation from your Fang family in exchange for your Saber World."
After agreeing to help, Lin Fei promised to soon arrive at Yuecheng, where the Fang family was located. He then disappeared.
Fang Yunshan awoke from his dream, still in the damp, dark, and cold prison cell, yet his heart was ablaze with excitement and hope. He knew that the Fang family might have a chance at salvation.
"There's hope, everyone wakes up, hold on a little longer," Fang Yunshan encouraged his disheartened relatives in the dungeon, offering them a glimmer of hope. However, the Fang family members were skeptical. In such dire straits, who would come to save the Fang family?
480. End of the Fang Family
In Yuecheng, belonging to the Yin-Yang Immortal Realm, Lin Fei delved into investigating the Deity Transformation entity, Daoist Mo Yu, who had ravaged the Fang family. Although Fang Yunshan had described Mo Yu as an ordinary Deity Transformation, Lin Fei wanted to confirm this himself.
Deity Transformation entities, while not the pinnacle of power in the Divine Realm, still held significant strength. Lin Fei utilized the resources of the Great Dream Sect for his investigation. It was soon revealed that Daoist Mo Yu was indeed classified as an average Deity Transformation, with no more than a hundred battle incarnations.
The strength of a Deity Transformation entity is often gauged by the number of these battle incarnations, which are comparable to the Deity Transformation level themselves.
Mo Yu, having only about a hundred such incarnations and having been a Deity Transformation for over fifty thousand years, suggested limited potential and power – at least, in Lin Fei's eyes. For Lin Fei, dealing with such an entity seemed manageable.
Deciding on his course of action without hesitation, Lin Fei left the Ancient Covenant, setting off for Yuecheng.
In the dungeons of the Fang family, the situation was dire, with members howling in despair. A beautiful woman, the cause of their downfall, stood coldly in front of Fang Yunshan's cell. His gaze upon her was complex, devoid of hatred but filled with guilt.
Despite this woman's role in the family's destruction, Fang Yunshan understood it as retribution. Her family had been annihilated by the Fangs, with only her, then an infant, surviving.
This woman sought revenge, aligning herself with Daoist Mo Yu and revealing the secrets of the Fang family's hidden realm, leading to its downfall. She was even behind the imprisonment and torture of the core family members.
"Seeing the Fang family in this state, does it pain you? Do you feel remorse?" the woman asked slowly.
Fang Yunshan, with a complicated expression, responded, "The debt of blood must be paid in blood. It was the Fang family who destroyed your family, and killed your loved ones. Your revenge is justified. But in doing so, you've sacrificed yourself too. Was it worth it?"
Fang Yunshan understood the immense sacrifices the woman before him had made for her revenge.
"Of course it was worth it!" she declared fiercely. "Without such sacrifices, how could I have brought down the Fang family? I know some of you still haven't given up hope, still dreaming of a miracle. So, I give you a sliver of hope, only to let you slowly descend into despair and die. That way, you can truly comprehend my pain!"
As she finished speaking, a figure appeared beside her - a black-robed elder, Daoist Mo Yu, or rather, one of his battle incarnations. Even though it was just an incarnation, it held the power of a Deity Transformation.
The difference in strength between a Deity Transformation and a Martial King was immense, a qualitative gap that was nearly impossible to bridge.
Daoist Mo Yu expressed his disappointment with the Fang family's secret realm, finding little of value, and coldly ordered to deal with the Fang family members, to avoid any further complications. The calm tone of his command sent chills down the spine - he intended to eliminate all the Fang family members.
The woman hesitated slightly but then resolved to carry out the order. Fang Yunshan's heart tightened, realizing that Daoist Mo Yu was hastening their end. The Martial God he had contacted in the Great Dream City hadn't arrived yet. Would it be too late?
Daoist Mo Yu, noticing the woman's hesitation, darkened his expression. Under his pressure, she immediately assured him she would handle it. Just as Daoist Mo Yu was about to leave, a breakdown occurred among the Fang family members. Desperation and hysteria erupted as they cried out, questioning Fang Yunshan's promise of rescue.
"Where is the person who was supposed to save us?" they wailed. "You said to hold on a little longer, but we're running out of time..."
Fang Yunshan was at a loss for how to respond to his desperate kin. Although the Great Dream Heart Sutra had given him a glimmer of hope, the others in the Fang family were not privy to the sutra and faced relentless torment and pressure. Now, with their impending execution, all their hopes and beliefs seemed to crumble in an instant.
Daoist Mo Yu, hearing the mention of a rescuer, halted and fixed his gaze on Fang Yunshan, inquiring about the identity of this savior. Fang Yunshan, realizing there was no escape and that silence would only hasten their end, decided to speak up, grasping at the only straw left: "Daoist Mo Yu, I belong to the Great Dream Sect, you cannot kill me!" he declared. "A Martial God from my sect is on their way to Yuecheng. If you kill me, I fear that senior Martial God and the Great Dream Sect will not let this go easily."
Fang Yunshan was playing his last card, invoking the name of the Great Dream Sect to deter Mo Yu. The mention of the Great Dream Sect caused Daoist Mo Yu to pause and recall. He had heard of this top-tier force within the Ancient Covenant, reputedly with a Martial Ancestor at its helm.
However, being from the Yin-Yang Immortal Realm and distant from the Ancient Covenant, Daoist Mo Yu was not fully aware of the details regarding the Great Dream Sect, having only heard the name.
But Daoist Mo Yu wasn't one to be easily swayed by mere words. He sneered, "Bold indeed. Whether you are a member of the Great Dream Sect or not remains to be seen. Even if you are, what of it? Would the Great Dream Sect really retaliate for a mere Martial Sovereign like you? Even if the Martial God you speak of arrives, I will still kill you. Let's see what they can do about it."
With a sinister glint in his eye, Daoist Mo Yu decided to act. He launched an attack directly at Fang Yunshan, not caring whether Fang Yunshan's claim was true or not. Today, he was determined to kill Fang Yunshan. Daoist Mo Yu's finger transformed into a streak of light, flying towards Fang Yunshan, enveloping him in the aura of death.
481. Lin Fei Strikes, Crushing Daoist Mo Yu!
In Fang Yunshan's mind, there was only one thought left. Today, he was going to die.
"Ptch."
The next moment, a sharp saber light flashed by. Immediately after, the finger thrust by Daoist Mo Yu was sliced by the saber light, dissipating into nothingness.
"Who?"
Daoist Mo Yu's expression turned stern, fixating on the distant figure. At that moment, in front of Fang Yunshan, a figure had appeared, unknown when.
He glanced at Fang Yunshan and said indifferently, "Had I arrived even a moment later, you would have been decapitated. Are you Fang Yunshan?"
Fang Yunshan also opened his eyes, and upon seeing the figure before him, his heart swelled with joy. He immediately knelt down and pleaded, "Senior, please save my Fang family! We have made a deal. You accepted my task, and I promised your request."
"Your request, was it to drive away Daoist Mo Yu?"
"Yes."
"Alright, then as you wish!"
Lin Fei took a step forward.
"Daoist friend, do you truly wish to make an enemy of me over a mere Fang family?" Daoist Mo Yu narrowed his eyes slightly.
But Lin Fei didn't speak.
"Boom."
The next moment, Lin Fei unleashed a punch.
Within Lin Fei's body, he utilized the power of only a hundred particle worlds.
Despite using the power of just a hundred particle worlds, this punch was still earth-shattering.
Daoist Mo Yu's battle avatar immediately let out a scream, like a paper figure.
"Ptch."
Daoist Mo Yu's battle avatar was annihilated.
Yes, completely annihilated, leaving no trace behind.
This battle avatar turned to ashes.
Seeing this scene, many were stunned, even frozen in place.
Daoist Mo Yu's battle avatar, just like that, annihilated?
Without leaving a single trace. Not even any earth-shattering noise. Crushed!
This was a complete crushing!
"Senior..."
Fang Yunshan's heart trembled. He faintly felt that this time, he really found an extraordinary and formidable senior. That was Daoist Mo Yu's battle avatar. Initially, just this one avatar almost destroyed the Fang family.
"Does he have another battle avatar? Let's deal with that as well."
Lin Fei's figure flashed. He had already flown out of the dungeon. At this moment, inside the dungeon, many exchanged glances.
However, many also quickly came to their senses. They immediately opened the prison and unlocked the shackles on Fang Yunshan.
"Yunshan, we might really be saved."
"Yes, that senior is truly a Martial God, perhaps even an extraordinary one!"
"Let's hurry out and see, hopefully, that Martial God senior can truly expel Daoist Mo Yu completely."
At that moment, the people of the Fang family rushed out of the dungeon in a hurry. Above the skies of Moon City, Lin Fei and the many avatars of Daoist Mo Yu were in a standoff. Among these avatars, only one was the battle avatar. To Lin Fei, the other numerous avatars posed no threat if they weren't battle ones.
"Hmph set up the formation!" Daoist Mo Yu snorted coldly.
The next moment, dozens of avatars quickly dispersed across the void, forming a large array.
Instantly, Lin Fei found himself within the formation. The advantage of a Deity Transformation powerhouse having numerous avatars is the ability to set up formations at any moment.
However, since there was only one battle avatar, the power of the formation was limited.
Lin Fei shook his head slightly.
"World Law, Seal!"
Immediately, he activated the World Law. Combined with the Saber World, it descended instantly, like a small world in itself, rapidly enveloping Daoist Mo Yu and swiftly shrinking. Daoist Mo Yu roared in anger, but within Lin Fei's World Law, it was futile. He could only watch as Lin Fei sealed him.
The terrifying sealing power could even annihilate his battle avatar. By now, Daoist Mo Yu had to recognize that Lin Fei's strength far surpassed his own.
"Fine, Daoist friend, your strength is formidable, I concede!" Daoist Mo Yu said. "But you can protect the Fang family for a moment, can you protect them forever? Once you leave, I'll annihilate every member of the Fang family!"
Daoist Mo Yu was seething with murderous intent. He was no match for Lin Fei, but as a Deity Transformation powerhouse, Lin Fei couldn't kill him either. Since he couldn't do anything to Lin Fei, he would vent his anger on the Fang family. He was determined to annihilate the entire Fang lineage!
Lin Fei frowned, his eyes turning sharp. He could have ignored the situation since driving Daoist Mo Yu away was sufficient. Whether Daoist Mo Yu sought revenge later was none of his concern.
However, Lin Fei couldn't just stand by. Now that he knew of the threat, he had to find a solution.
"Daoist Mo Yu, you have numerous avatars scattered everywhere. But if I decide to kill you, I can lock onto each of your avatars and hunt them down slowly. If you don't want a relentless pursuit and a lifetime of being hunted by me, let this matter end here. If the Fang family is exterminated, I will be the first to slay you!"
Lin Fei's demeanor was calm, But his words left no room for doubt.
Daoist Mo Yu was furious inside, but he had no viable option against Lin Fei. He could, at all costs, engage in a fight to the death with Lin Fei, even entangling with him indefinitely.
However, he was no match for Lin Fei. If he were truly locked on and all his avatars destroyed, it wouldn't be an empty threat.
There had been a case where a Deity Transformation powerhouse, locked in a relentless struggle with a Martial God, was hunted down, avatar by avatar, slowly over a thousand years. Eventually, all avatars were exterminated, and the Deity Transformation perished.
Indeed, with countless avatars, a Deity Transformation powerhouse is hard to kill. But if it comes down to a relentless pursuit, even at the ends of the earth, a Martial God could hunt and slay them.
Daoist Mo Yu had not gained any significant advantage from targeting the Fang family. Now, to engage in an endless feud with such a Martial God was not worth it.
With this in mind, Daoist Mo Yu gritted his teeth.
"Ptch."
The next moment, Daoist Mo Yu's battle avatar annihilated itself.
This was self-destruction. The remaining ordinary avatars also rapidly disintegrated.
"Daoist friend, you are ruthless!"
Daoist Mo Yu self-destructed all his avatars, implying he would no longer target the Fang family. It was a sign of yielding. He did not wish to engage in an endless feud with Lin Fei. After all, for a mere Fang family, it wasn't worth antagonizing a Martial God.
Lin Fei watched as Daoist Mo Yu disappeared. His only thought was that the survival tactics of a Deity Transformation were indeed strong. As long as one avatar remained, they could not die. As for combat power, it could be concentrated in the battle avatar.
Of course, against a Martial God of the same level, it was difficult to prevail. But the ability to not die was impressive.
However, such tactics were not something a Martial God could envy. Martial Gods don't have as many avatars as Deity Transformation powerhouses, not even one.
Martial artists, fighting against heaven and earth, concentrate their power within themselves. How could they possibly have avatars?
It's a case of advantages and disadvantages. But for now, the issue with the Fang family was resolved.
"Fang Yunshan, Daoist Mo Yu has been driven away, and he will no longer trouble the Fang family. Now, it's time to fulfill your promise. Where is the Saber World?"
Lin Fei stepped forward, coming before Fang Yunshan, his gaze calmly fixed on him.
482. Devouring Saber World, Coercing Taotie!
"Saber World?"
Fang Yunshan then remembered. His promise to Lin Fei was indeed about the Saber World.
Thus, Fang Yunshan solemnly said, "Senior, please follow me. Actually, Saber World is a secret realm left behind by the ancestors of my Fang family. This time, Daoist Mo Yu came for that secret realm. I hope he hasn't destroyed it."
Led by Fang Yunshan, Lin Fei arrived at the Fang family's ancestral hall. In the hall, a portal appeared, leading to the secret realm.
Lin Fei leaped into it, entering the secret realm.
Inside, the realm was in disarray. Daoist Mo Yu had nearly emptied it of its contents. And surely, Daoist Mo Yu had other avatars that had already left. The items were irretrievable.
But Lin Fei didn't need the items in the secret realm. He was more concerned with the realm itself.
Fortunately, although aged, the secret realm was still intact. Moreover, Saber World could exist independently as its own realm, even if its master died. This was why the Fang family's Saber World had not disappeared over the years.
But now, it was about to vanish. From this day forth, the Fang family's secret realm would be gone.
Lin Fei and Fang Yunshan exited the secret realm.
Lin Fei said to Fang Yunshan, "I am very satisfied with this Saber World. I am now going to take this Saber World away. From now on, your Fang family will no longer have this secret realm."
Fang Yunshan felt somewhat distressed, as the secret realm was a legacy of his ancestors. But only in this way could the safety of the Fang family be secured. So, Fang Yunshan gritted his teeth and said, "Please proceed, senior."
"Alright."
Then, Lin Fei took a deep breath.
"Hum."
At that moment, Lin Fei's Saber World descended.
Lin Fei also possessed a Saber World, and it was merged with the World Law. His Saber World was far stronger than the Fang family's secret realm. Especially with the integration of the World Law.
Lin Fei's Saber World, upon its arrival, directly overpowered the Fang family's secret realm.
"Crack."
The Fang family's secret realm shattered. But it was alright. Both were Saber Worlds. Once shattered, they could be completely integrated into Lin Fei's Saber World. This was Lin Fei's intention. He aimed to forcibly "devour" the Fang family's Saber World.
Indeed, as the Fang family's Saber World gradually crumbled, Lin Fei's Saber World swiftly devoured it, expanding ferociously. With every bit it consumed, it expanded wildly at an incredibly rapid pace.
Lin Fei's conjecture was correct. As long as he could find enough Saber Worlds to devour, His own Saber World could continuously expand, significantly enhancing its might. Now, it seemed his theory was proven true.
Quickly, the Fang family's Saber World collapsed. Lin Fei's Saber World devoured it entirely. In a short span of time, the Fang family's secret realm completely disintegrated and vanished.
In its place, Lin Fei's Saber World expanded more than twofold. Not just in size, but its power increased by far more than double.
Lin Fei could distinctly feel his Saber World had grown much stronger. He even considered trying to withstand the third heavenly thunder. Of course, it was just an attempt. Whether he could resist the third heavenly thunder, Lin Fei still wasn't sure. Unless he could devour another Saber World. By then, he would be confident in withstanding the third heavenly thunder, and smoothly proceed with the second thunder tribulation.
Fang Yunshan looked at the empty space before him, somewhat bewildered. The Fang family's secret realm was gone. The Fang family was preserved for now, But what about the future? What would the Fang family rely on later?
"Senior, could you take me as your disciple?" Fang Yunshan suddenly asked.
Lin Fei, with a half-smile, calmly said, "You might not fully understand the status of a member of the Great Dream Sect. Every member of the Great Dream Sect is, in theory, a disciple of the Great Dream Ancestor. Between you and me, we are also regarded as fellow disciples. So, I don't have the qualifications to take you as a disciple.
However, while the secret realm of your Fang family is useful, how could it compare to the Great Dream Heart Sutra? The Fang family's Saber World could at best make you a Martial King. But the Great Dream Heart Sutra starts from Martial Gods and even reaches beyond Martial Gods. Make good use of the Great Dream Heart Sutra and your status as a member of the Great Dream Sect. That is your only true reliance for rising to power, far stronger than any secret realm..."
Having finished speaking, Lin Fei's figure flashed and disappeared without a trace. He had given Fang Yunshan enough guidance. The rest was up to Fang Yunshan himself.
After all, while few were lucky enough to receive the Great Dream Heart Sutra, not many of them ultimately grew strong. Whether Fang Yunshan could seize this opportunity was entirely up to him. Lin Fei wouldn't intervene in such matters.
Soon, Lin Fei returned to the Ancient City. This time, he had gained a Saber World, which greatly enhanced his own Saber World and increased his strength considerably.
Moreover, he hadn't spent any contribution points, which pleased him. However, such good fortune wouldn't always be available. He still needed to continue taking on tasks from the Great Dream City.
For now, he wasn't entirely confident in surviving the second thunder tribulation and obtaining the three world laws. He decided to wait until he was more certain before attempting it. After all, he was still young and had become a Martial God not long ago. He had plenty of time.
With the Saber World task already announced, his next focus was on enhancing his physical body, which required the essence of world origins. This was a bit more challenging.
"World origins..." Lin Fei pondered. "I can't contest for small worlds right now, but that doesn't mean I have no way to obtain world origins." He had something in mind.
With a wave of his hand, a massive figure appeared before him – Taotie's avatar, which Lin Fei had been keeping confined.
"Taotie, your original body must want this avatar back, right?" Lin Fei asked.
Taotie glanced at Lin Fei and coldly responded, "Speak, what do you really want in exchange?"
Realizing Lin Fei intended to use it for trade, Taotie asked directly. "Simple, world origins," Lin Fei stated straightforwardly. "Give me world origins, and I'll release you immediately."
"What? World origins? Not just you, even I desire world origins," Taotie retorted. "In the Divine Realm, who doesn't want world origins? Even if you kill this avatar, my original body won't exchange it for world origins."
Taotie flatly refused.
"Is that so?" Lin Fei responded. "Then there's no use keeping you."
"Annihilate." Without hesitation, Lin Fei made his move. The World Law surged powerfully, instantly suppressing the area. The power from hundreds of his particle worlds erupted, converging into his palm. A terrifying aura enveloped Taotie's avatar, seemingly about to turn it into ashes with a single strike.
"Stop! Stop!" Taotie's avatar's face changed drastically, shouting out in fear and looking at Lin Fei with terror.
483. Obtaining World Origin, Physical Enhancement!
"Hmm? Do you have something else to say?" Lin Fei asked calmly.
Taotie finally breathed a sigh of relief, then gave a bitter smile and shook his head, "I was just trying to negotiate. You can't just demand world origins like that. You didn't even try to negotiate, just went straight to using force."
"Negotiate?" Lin Fei looked at Taotie curiously. So, Taotie's decisive refusal was a form of bargaining?
"Fine, deal or no deal, no bargaining!" Lin Fei declared. "World origin – as long as you provide world origin, I'll let your avatar go."
"Err... Of course, that's no problem," Taotie quickly agreed. "World origins are precious, but over the years, my true body has indeed collected some. But how much do you want?"
"As much as possible!" Lin Fei insisted. "Whatever you can give, I'll take."
"I can offer only one portion of world origin," Taotie replied. "Over these years, I've accumulated only one portion. I intended to use it myself, but haven't had the chance yet..."
A single portion of world origin typically refers to the origin of a most common small world. Frankly, Lin Fei hadn't expected so much. But since Taotie was offering a full portion, Lin Fei was more than willing to accept.
"Fine, one portion of world origin it is," Lin Fei agreed. "Let's meet outside the Ancient City."
"No problem," Taotie confirmed. "Give me no more than three days, and my true body will arrive."
Lin Fei nodded. He hadn't expected Taotie to be so "wealthy". He was just making an offhand remark, not really expecting to receive world origins, let alone a full portion! This was indeed an unexpected boon. To exchange a mere avatar for a portion of world origins was undoubtedly a great deal for Lin Fei.
In fact, Lin Fei was unaware of how difficult it is for an exotic beast to create an avatar. This process is significantly more challenging than for Deity Transformation powerhouses who can manifest billions of incarnations. For an exotic beast to cultivate a single avatar is exceptionally arduous, requiring an immense amount of time.
Moreover, once an avatar is destroyed, creating another becomes even more challenging. The destruction of an avatar can also impact the original body to some extent. Although the effect isn't too severe, there is still some influence.
Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, an exotic beast would not want its avatar destroyed. This is why Taotie's original body was willing to pay the "hefty price" of a portion of world origin for the safety of just one avatar.
If Lin Fei had been more knowledgeable in these matters, he might have been able to negotiate for more. However, a single portion of world origin was sufficient for his needs.
Time flew by, and three days passed.
Taotie's avatar informed Lin Fei, "My original body has arrived outside the Ancient City."
"Has it?" Lin Fei opened his eyes and stood up. With a flash, he flew out of the Ancient City. It didn't take long for him to encounter Taotie's original body. The original body was similar to the avatar, albeit with a slightly stronger aura.
However, Lin Fei, having already transcended a thunder tribulation, was not intimidated by Taotie. This was also why Taotie acted so "honestly." Especially the avatar, which knew full well how formidable Lin Fei was. Unbeatable and with greater potential, Taotie had no choice but to obediently hand over the world origin.
"Here is a portion of world origin," Taotie's original body said, presenting it to Lin Fei.
Lin Fei took it and immediately sensed the intense essence of the world's origin, confirming it was indeed from a small world. He then released Taotie's avatar.
"Whoosh." The avatar merged back into Taotie's original body.
"Martial God Lin, we have come to know each other through conflict," Taotie said. "But I must warn you – be careful of Kun."
After leaving this cautionary note, Taotie departed.
Despite losing a portion of world origin, Taotie harbored no resentment towards Lin Fei. The loss was a result of its own greed and a miscalculation of Lin Fei's capabilities.
Moreover, Lin Fei did not destroy its avatar, leaving no deep grudge between them. Taotie's decision to sneak into the Ancient Wilderness was risky; had the Ancient Covenant discovered it, the avatar would have been destroyed long ago.
In retrospect, Taotie considered itself fortunate that the avatar could rejoin its original body. And the instigator of all these events was Kun. Taotie held a grudge against Kun but felt powerless against it. Perhaps only Lin Fei could pose a challenge to Kun.
"Kun..." Lin Fei muttered to himself. He hadn't forgotten about Kun. Previously, he had annihilated one of its avatars. Though that avatar had been suppressed for a long time, avatar's destruction was still a significant loss for Kun, and it was unlikely to let this pass without retribution.
However, although Kun was part of the Ancient Covenant, Lin Fei hadn't yet thoroughly investigated its actual power. The main reason was Lin Fei's own strength was still lacking.
"Even though I know Kun is in the Ancient Covenant, I can't do anything to it," Lin Fei thought. "This portion of world origin should enhance my physical body."
Lin Fei returned to the inn and immediately began to integrate the world origin into his body. This portion, though ordinary, was the essence of a small world. Deity Transformation powerhouses use it to comprehend space, Martial Gods to enhance their bodies, and exotic beasts to strengthen their bloodlines and physical forms. Hence, the world origin of a small world is coveted by many.
"Let's begin." Lin Fei immediately started merging the world origin into his body.
"Hum."
Every particle of his physical body began to grow robustly. World origin represented the purest form of energy. Each strand perfectly integrated into his body, enhancing his physical particles – the foundation of his physical form. Thus, he was strengthening himself from the very core.
Lin Fei's physical body enhanced at a visible rate – 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 90%...
In the blink of an eye, his physical strength had doubled! This exponential growth then gradually slowed down. With his physical strength doubled and combined with the power of his particle worlds, Lin Fei's capabilities were now incredibly formidable. Facing the third heavenly thunder was definitely not a problem anymore, and he could even withstand the fourth thunder!
"It's about time. Surviving the second thunder tribulation and capturing three or even four world laws is quite an achievement," Lin Fei thought to himself. "There's no need to further enhance my physical body and world laws for now. It's better to transcend the tribulation as soon as possible to maximize my strength. After further enhancing my strength and becoming a second-tribulation Martial God, I might even be able to contest for the world origins of small worlds!"
Lin Fei's plan was clear. For each level of advancement, like the second or third stage, obtaining more than three laws during each tribulation would suffice. There was no need to suppress his realm to capture five or six laws. It was better to increase his realm and overall strength first, and then contest for a large number of world origins later.
Thus, Lin Fei left the inn and returned to the Ancient Covenant's free tribulation site. He entered the formation again, this time to face his second thunder tribulation.
484. Second Thunder Tribulation, The Fourth Purple Heavenly Thunder!
The news of Lin Fei facing his second thunder tribulation spread rapidly. The fact that he was attempting to transcend tribulations twice in such a short period naturally caught the attention of many Deity Transformation and Martial Gods. The community buzzed with various speculations and discussions.
"How long has it been since Martial God Lin of the Great Dream Sect transcended his first tribulation? Less than a month!"
"Such a short time to face two consecutive tribulations... What kind of confidence does he have?"
"But considering he withstood three heavenly thunders and captured three laws during his first tribulation, Martial God Lin is no ordinary Martial God. He must be sure of himself to do this."
"Surviving three heavenly thunders in the first tribulation is a sign of a potential Martial Ancestor!"
"How could his second tribulation be weaker than the first? Let's see how many heavenly thunders Martial God Lin can withstand this time and how many laws he can capture."
Many were intrigued to see whether Lin Fei truly had the confidence for his second tribulation or if it was a rushed and arrogant decision.
Unaware of the outside discussions, Lin Fei was completely immersed in his own physical state. He was acutely aware of his body's condition.
"Let's begin," he focused his mind. His consciousness perceived the vast sea of origin in the void.
"Boom!"
The first heavenly thunder rolled down mightily, striking Lin Fei's body with full force. His physical particles rapidly disintegrated under the thunder's impact.
However, Lin Fei did not utilize the power of his particle worlds; he chose to withstand it purely with his physical strength. After all, his body had absorbed world origin and enhanced several-fold, far surpassing the physical form of an ordinary Martial God.
Despite the strength of the first heavenly thunder, Lin Fei's particles, fortified by the world origin, were significantly stronger. He endured, and his body sustained damage to nearly two-thirds before consuming the first heavenly thunder, also capturing the first world law.
Lin Fei's goal was not just to capture a single law or merely survive the tribulation. His lost physical strength quickly recovered. At his current realm, recovery took only a short time, but the lingering power of heavenly thunder within his body would prevent complete restoration. This was the challenging aspect of the thunder tribulation.
"Boom!"
Another heavenly thunder struck down, and Lin Fei captured the second world law. This second thunder was significantly more ferocious than the first, its destructive aura pervading the void. It descended instantaneously, giving Lin Fei no time to dodge. The thunder struck him, annihilating a third of his body's particles on impact. The power of the four hundred particle worlds within him was fully activated.
"Boom."
The force from the four hundred particle worlds erupted, overwhelming the second heavenly thunder. Despite its destructive power, the second thunder paled in comparison to the might of Lin Fei's particle worlds and was promptly extinguished.
Lin Fei's eyes narrowed slightly. He had underestimated the power of his four hundred particle worlds and his self-created techniques. His particle world method, once combined, grew exponentially stronger with each additional world. Just four hundred worlds were this powerful; what if he had four thousand or even forty thousand? If he could transform all the particles in his body into particle worlds, considering he had billions of them, the required number of world laws would be unimaginable.
The second heavenly thunder was effortlessly countered by Lin Fei, and without hesitation, the third thunder descended, its power even more immense. It obliterated the force of the four hundred particle worlds in Lin Fei's body, but his Saber World intervened, annihilating the remnants of the thunder's power.
"Three heavenly thunders already," people observed. "Martial God Lin has endured three thunders? That was incredibly fast, even quicker than his first tribulation."
"Yes, so fast. It seems the power of these thunders was different."
"Different power? Try it yourself. Surviving even one is hard enough, let alone three."
"Surviving three thunders in the second tribulation is a feat only top Martial Gods can achieve!"
"Why hasn't Martial God Lin emerged yet? Could he be attempting to withstand the fourth thunder?"
This comment didn't seem to surprise everyone. Many grew silent, realizing Lin Fei hadn't yet come out. There was only one reason for this – the tribulation wasn't over after three thunders.
"Boom!"
As expected, another heavenly thunder descended from the void – the fourth thunder! This thunder was different; it was purple, a change that signified an increase in its might.
Unlike the previous thunders, the fourth purple thunder carried an overwhelming power, causing palpitations in everyone who witnessed it. Clearly, this fourth thunder was far more terrifying than the combined force of the first three.
"Fourth heavenly thunder!" Lin Fei looked up at the descending purple thunder, his expression turning solemn. He could tell that this thunder was unlike the previous ones, possibly underestimating its power. But there was no turning back, no room for retreat.
"Saber World!" Lin Fei instantly activated his Saber World, integrating world laws into it to form a barrier.
"Boom."
The purple thunderstruck, causing Lin Fei's Saber World to tremble before it completely shattered. It tore through the Saber World as if it were an unstoppable force, reducing its power only slightly.
The shattered Saber World could no longer resist the purple thunder, which then struck Lin Fei directly. His ordinary particles were no match for this formidable thunder. All four hundred of his particle worlds erupted in response. Even though these particle worlds were minute and couldn't be considered as complete worlds, lacking even life, their combined power was still earth-shattering. They collided fiercely with the purple thunder.
Lin Fei's physical body was torn apart, and his particles shattered.
10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%...
When over 80% of his body, almost 90%, was annihilated, the destruction finally ceased. The purple thunder vanished.
Lin Fei had withstood the fourth heavenly thunder!