Chapter 908: Chapter 908
At Li Yunyao's residence, the Yunyao Palace.
Due to the Eternal Oblivion Disaster, many departments had already relocated to the Myriad Astral God Hall. The Four Symbols Palace was no exception.
And with the recent rebellion there, many Heavenly Emperors, Sacred Monarchs, and Tyrants had fallen. Their former residences were confiscated, leaving behind a lot of empty space. Housing new personnel was no longer a problem.
In this situation, Li Pin specifically set aside a palace for Li Yunyao.
Hall Master Qing Yu, the Light of Revival, also took shelter here along with her lineage to avoid the disaster.
When Li Pin arrived, Qing Yu was guiding Li Yunyao in her cultivation.
Qing Yu wasn't alone. Three other Cosmic Radiances and one Sacred Monarch were also giving Li Yunyao comprehensive instruction, tailored to her current state of practice.
Li Yunyao had inherited the legacy of the Light of the Ark. In addition, she received unwavering support in terms of resources. Treasures like the Illusion Pagoda and the Profound Creation Crystal were provided to her without reservation.
At this rate, she was likely to achieve the True Spirit Realm within a few hundred years.
The only regret was that her future progress would be limited. Bound by the Light of the Ark, her path would end at the Cosmic Radiance Realm.
With the help of powerful divine weapons, she might be able to display combat strength on par with a Tyrant. However, in terms of cultivation realm, reaching the Tyrant, Sacred Monarch, or Heavenly Emperor level would be nearly impossible.
Within the entire cultivation system of the Astral World, Cosmic Radiance was one of the most stable and comfortable levels. Once someone formed a True Spirit, external threats and hostile intent were reduced to a minimum.
Unlike Tyrants, they didn't have to be careful with every word and move for fear of power overflowing. Nor were they like Sacred Monarchs or Heavenly Emperors, who stood at the peak of the Astral World and had countless people watching their every move, guessing their intentions, or copying their behavior. If they held office, they would be buried in endless responsibilities, barely able to rest.
Li Pin thought, Cosmic Radiance... is already something she can be proud to call the end of her journey.
Beyond that point, it only grew colder and lonelier. Especially given Li Yunyao's past. She wasn't suited for such heights.
From the beginning, she knew she wasn't good at studying, wasn't particularly bright, and feared hardship. So she figured she might as well make use of her youth and beauty, find a man who was excellent in every way, marry early, and live a quiet life as a dutiful wife and mother.
There was practically no comparison between her original goal and what she had already achieved.
Li Pin stood nearby, watching for a moment. Only then did Qing Yu and the gathered Cosmic Radiances and Sacred Monarchs notice his presence.
They immediately stepped forward and bowed with deep respect. "Greetings, Your Majesty, Divine Emperor Origin."
Li Pin gave a slight nod. "No need for formalities. Thank you for your efforts."
Qing Yu's gaze flickered with emotion. "It's the least we can do. Your Majesty, to be entrusted with this responsibility is both a profound honor and a testament to your faith in us."
She meant every word. As cultivators at the level of Cosmic Radiance, they naturally had their own channels of information.
They knew all too well what the lands beyond the human domain were like amidst the devastation of the Eternal Oblivion Disaster.
The destruction sweeping across those territories could be summed up in four words. Stars falling like rain.
Among those who had fallen were not only the countless Starshines and Solar Flares, who were regarded as the equivalents of their descendants or disciples. Even Cosmic Radiances, Tyrants, and Sacred Monarchs had perished amidst the chaos and conflict.
According to estimates, by the end of this era, more than ninety-nine percent of all Starshines and Solar Flares would be wiped out. Even among Cosmic Radiances and Tyrants, the death toll would reach twenty to thirty percent.
That might not sound like much, but with such a massive population, twenty to thirty percent was a terrifying number, enough to chill the heart.
And yet, within the human domain, the rebellion had been swiftly crushed, all thanks to the presence of the Divine Emperor Origin. After that, he quickly issued commands across the four continents, doing everything possible to rescue and heal the Astral Gods who had fled there.
He had even personally intervened to save the countless living beings of the Primordial World just as it was about to crash into the Material World.
Not long ago, he had completely thwarted the Astral Lord Council's schemes. Against the force that had already sown chaos and destruction among other races, he dismantled it in a single strike, elevating humanity's prestige in the Astral World to new heights.
Now, not even nearby alien races dared make a move. With achievements like these... it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he had held the collapsing heavens together.
He was worthy of any amount of respect. He deserved every bow.
Li Yunyao walked over and greeted him, "Brother."
"How are things?" Li Pin asked.
"I'm focusing on refining the Perfect Realm," she replied. "I want to fully master peak Solar Flare-level energy control as soon as possible."
"You can start shifting your focus to the True Spirit Realm instead," Li Pin said. "You're living in the Myriad Astral God Hall now, and there's no urgent need for you to fight. There's no rush for the Perfect Realm."
He paused, then added, "Besides, since you've received the Light of the Ark's inheritance, your understanding of True Spirit will come much easier than it would for others. You can start by comprehending True Spirit first, then use that understanding to reflect back on the Perfect Realm. That way, you'll have a real chance at overtaking others."
Li Yunyao was stunned. "Start with True Spirit?"
"I had Sasha run some calculations. With enough Profound Creation Crystal and the legacy you've inherited, it will actually be easier for you to reach True Spirit directly than it would be for others who wait to perfect their realm first," said Li Pin.
"I guess I can... give it a try?" she said.
"The True Spirit Realm is a state where you face your own heart," Li Pin said with a smile. "What matters most is how you feel inside. If you can't build up that confidence in yourself, it'll only become harder and harder to comprehend it."
Hearing that, Li Yunyao's eyes quickly grew calm and focused.
She nodded firmly. "I understand. I'll give my all to reach the True Spirit Realm."
She might not believe in herself, but she believed in Li Pin. If Li Pin said she could attain the True Spirit Realm, then she would absolutely be able to race ahead on the path to becoming a Cosmic Radiance.
"I'll be waiting for the day you become an ultimate lifeform," Li Pin said with a smile of encouragement.
What was karma? Karma was having a clear conscience. It was the peace to face all things with acceptance. To endure meeting one's enemies, parting from loved ones, failing to attain one's desires, and the unceasing cycle of birth, aging, illness, and death.
As the saying goes, "Let others praise or mock as they please. Just live freely, as yourself."[1]
Inside the conference room of the Myriad Astral God Hall, built from Divine Items forged from the power of Cosmic Radiance, Li Pin sat as he flipped through the planning document.
He had outlined the key directives himself, with Sasha handling most of the writing and First Galaxy assisting.
The plan had already been approved and sent to Emperor Xi, Divine Martial, Tai Yi, and the others. Now, he was reviewing it again, only to check for anything that might've been missed.
Before long, streams of radiant light shimmered through the room.
The projections of Emperor Xi, Divine Martial, Tai Yi, Chang Sheng, and Dong Xu appeared in the conference room.
The five bowed in unison. "Your Majesty, Divine Emperor Origin."
Li Pin lifted his hand slightly, then asked, "Have you finished reading it? Is there anything that needs to be added?"
Divine Martial replied with a cupped-fist salute. "Thanks to you, Lady Sasha, and Lord First Galaxy, everything has already been accounted for. As for the detailed execution, we will not let you down."
Li Pin nodded. "What I gave you was just a direction and a reference. There's no need to follow it word by word. Use your judgment and adjust as the situation demands."
"Yes," they all responded.
After they discussed official matters for a while, Tai Yi couldn't help but ask during a brief pause, "Your Majesty... are you preparing to transcend the Astral World and ascend toward Supremacy?"
"You can think of it that way," Li Pin replied. "But I'm not taking the traditional Supreme Path. After transcending the Astral World, what I aim for... using Miao Ya and their people's term, it should be called 'Creation.'"
They had mentally prepared for this moment, but hearing it directly from Li Pin still made them all draw in a sharp breath.
Creation, something beyond Supreme....
Even now, they could hardly believe it. Li Pin had just advanced way too quickly. They had thought it would take him at least a few hundred more stellar years before leaving. They never expected it to come so soon.
While they were just beginning their war against the Star Spirit Clan, the one anchoring their efforts, Li Pin, was already on the verge of transcending the Astral World and stepping into Creation.
With this, the rest of their plans might no longer be viable. They would have to shift their efforts toward cultural influence and slow infiltration.
But they soon regained their composure.
Li Pin wasn't their caretaker. The fact that humanity had reached this stage was already a great blessing. If they still couldn't lead the Human Race to rise above the other eight races despite having such a massive advantage, then they had no right to remain in their positions. They would be nothing more than dead weight.
Besides... Li Pin's pursuit of "Creation" was for his own future. It was a monumental step forward, and no one had the right to stand in his way.
At that moment, Divine Martial asked, "Your Majesty, when do you plan to break through?"
"I'll wait until the first clash between the Star Spirits and humans is over. If the situation stabilizes, I'll transcend immediately," replied Li Pin.
He paused for a moment, then added, "But my transcendence may not align with your understanding of the process. It won't have much value for observation, so I won't be holding any ascension ceremony."[2]
The Heavenly Emperors felt some regret, but they understood that Li Pin's path differed from theirs. Imitating him blindly might lead them astray.
Li Pin took out a jade talisman. "One more thing."
He explained, "This is a technique I developed based on the path I've created. I call it the Phantom Space Technique. So far... I've developed it to the sixth level, but that level is purely conceptual. I haven't even fully practiced the fifth level yet.
"To avoid taking the wrong step and leading others down the wrong path, I've only left behind the first four levels. Consider them the foundation. If cultivated properly, these four levels alone can already grant Supreme-level power. Once I've achieved Supreme and confirmed that this path is sound, I'll continue on to the fifth level."
The moment he said that, the eyes of the gathered emperors lit up with anticipation and fervent desire as they stared at the jade talisman.
Their hearts trembled. Each of them wished they could return to the Hall immediately to begin comprehending the technique that surpassed even the levels of Supreme and Transcendence. Chapters fırst released on NoveIFire.net
"A path pioneered by His Majesty Divine Emperor Origin himself..."
"The Phantom Space Technique!"
"So this is the technique that leads beyond Supreme?"
Li Pin continued, "The jade talisman will be kept by First Galaxy. Anyone who identifies as part of the Human Race and has rendered merit to it may cultivate this technique. As for what counts as 'merit,' you can discuss and decide that among yourselves."
He smiled. "Be it a technique or a path, it only becomes clearer and broader as more people walk it. So, there's no need to keep this method locked away. I only added the two prerequisites to prevent it from being misused. In my view, anyone with the ability should be allowed to cultivate the Phantom Space Technique."
"Anyone with the ability should be allowed to cultivate it..."
Emperor Xi, Tai Yi, Divine Martial, and the others felt the righteousness and clarity in Li Pin's words. One by one, they rose and bowed deeply again.
"Such selfless generosity will bless generations to come. Your Majesty Divine Emperor Origin, we offer our gratitude to you and will honor the title of Origin as the progenitor of all masters and the source of all methods."
"The progenitor of all masters... the source of all methods?" Li Pin shook his head. "I'm not worthy of such a title."
Perhaps when the sixth level of the Phantom Space Technique was fully perfected and he had personally walked the path to its end, the name "Origin" would truly be worthy of symbolizing the ultimate beginning—the true source.
1. This is a widely quoted line in Chinese culture. It echoes the idea that true karmic freedom isn't just about what happens to you, but how you carry yourself through it, with detachment, clarity, and peace. ☜
2. His process of transcendence refers to Liberation, but in this context, the term is less fitting. ☜