Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Realm of Humanity

“Although my talent is nothing special, my judgment is razor-sharp.”

“Haven’t you noticed? The aura you unconsciously exude carries a faint scent of dawn.” Li Chengfu grinned.

“With a cultivation method of this caliber, as long as you master it before the age of twenty-five and reach the Treasured Body realm, you’ll far surpass the other disciples of the sect.”

“You have boundless potential.”

“Junior Brother Xu, you’re truly formidable!”

The interior of the beast-drawn carriage was spacious; Li Chengfu lounged comfortably, steeping spiritual tea.

Xu Chen glanced at Li Chengfu, making up his mind to practice a technique to better conceal his aura upon returning.

Lei Province’s capital was vast beyond compare, with three main avenues running east-west and three north-south, dividing the city into sixteen districts.

Li Chengfu’s residence lay in the most prosperous of these districts.

Only those who had embarked on the immortal path resided here; each grand estate’s gate was built to resemble the entrance to an immortal’s grotto.

Even outside the estates, the sights and atmosphere were like a paradise on earth.

The spiritual energy radiating from the various mansions elevated the entire district’s aura by several degrees.

“My residence, my grotto, is quite close to the Wei family. Tomorrow morning, we can head over directly.”

The carriage stopped at a grand and imposing gate, towering over thirty feet high—more magnificent than the gates of ancient city walls.

On either side of the gate, a dragon and a phoenix stood sentinel. When the doors opened, a portal shimmered within.

“Your home is impressive indeed. My opinion of your status as a second-generation immortal just went up a notch,” Xu Chen remarked, gazing at the majestic twin gates, feeling they even surpassed the Wei family’s entrance.

“Second-generation immortal? Hardly. I’m just a pitiful soul left behind.” Li Chengfu’s expression grew complicated as he looked at the imposing gate.

“Come on, let me show you something special.”

A squad of guards flanked the dragon and phoenix gates. When Li Chengfu alighted from the carriage, they immediately swung open the doors.

“Welcome home, young master!” the guards shouted in unison.

Li Chengfu waved dismissively, face expressionless, and led Xu Chen inside.

Passing through a shimmering barrier, they seemed to step into another world.

Dense spiritual energy thickened into visible mist, the scenery as enchanting as a celestial realm. In distant seas of flowers and bamboo groves, auspicious beasts frolicked; in the sky, illusory dragons and phoenixes formed of spiritual energy soared.

Xu Chen inhaled deeply, the rich aura invigorating him.

“There’s nothing much to see here. Follow me.” Li Chengfu led Xu Chen toward a distant bamboo grove.

Within the bamboo grove lay an illusory formation.

“Why did you bring me here? Don’t tell me you want to spar with me?” Xu Chen eyed the formation, his expression odd.

“You’ll know once you enter,” Li Chengfu replied with a slight smile.

The two sat cross-legged within the formation as it activated.

In an instant, Xu Chen and Li Chengfu found themselves inside a magnificent hall.

The hall bustled with people, each exuding an extraordinary presence, their attire and ornaments sumptuous.

On either side of the hall, countless portals glimmered with various lights.

“Where are we?” Xu Chen quietly activated his blood and energy, sensing all his possessions were still on him. It didn’t feel like an illusory world.

“This is the newly constructed Human Dao Realm, built by the Ninth Human Emperor, encompassing all continents of our race,” Li Chengfu explained.

“Here, every aspect of yourself can be perfectly replicated.”

“Due to the enormous resources required to maintain it, it’s only set up among major sects and clans.”

Hearing this, Xu Chen gazed in awe at the hall. Beyond its doors stretched an even vaster world.

“This is the Hall of Portals. The gates on either side lead to every corner of the Human Dao Realm.”

Following Li Chengfu, they stepped through one portal and arrived amidst a range of mountains dotted with countless training grounds.

Atop a peak of unfathomable height, three mysterious characters—Myriad Dao Mountain—were inscribed upon the cliff.

“This is Myriad Dao Mountain. Here, you can listen to virtual lectures on every blood and energy foundation method, art, and divine ability known to our people,” Li Chengfu introduced.

“A single lecture here must cost a fortune,” Xu Chen remarked. He recalled how, when he first learned the Six Sacred Ape Forms, his father had paid a steep price for a single-use Dao Resonance Pearl containing the teaching, costing five thousand spirit coins.

“A lecture here must be at least ten thousand spirit coins,” Xu Chen couldn’t help but ask.

“The teachings here are far superior to the pirated pearls sold on the market.”

“The most basic starts at fifty thousand spirit coins. For higher-level ones, you need military merit or contributions to the human race for exchange.”

“As it happens, I have a token for a top-tier blood and energy foundation method lecture.”

“I thought about it, and you’re the most worthy recipient.”

As they spoke, they had already entered the mountain range.

Upon hearing this, Xu Chen turned to Li Chengfu with a serious look.

“With my ordinary talent, aren’t you afraid of wasting such a valuable opportunity?”

“I trust my eyes, and my instincts.”

“Ordinary talent? The Sixth Human Emperor himself was of ordinary talent.”

“In my eyes, Junior Brother Xu, you are destined for greatness, to defy fate itself.”

“If I don’t take this chance to form a bond with you now, should I wait until you’ve risen to greatness and then regret it in tears?”

“I’ve already arranged it: a lecture on the Dao Resonance of the Sunlit Saintly Form. Hurry and go listen, Junior Brother.”

Listening to Li Chengfu, Xu Chen was deeply moved.

This guy—he understands me!

When he told his father he would achieve greatness in time, all he got in return was a dismissive curse.

Though it stung, it never affected the bond between father and son.

But now, he had found a kindred spirit.

Xu Chen slapped his broad palm firmly on Li Chengfu’s shoulder.

“I acknowledge you as a true friend!”

At a mountaintop training ground, Xu Chen sat alone at its center.

“Please adjust your state. In five breaths, the lecture on the Sunlit Saintly Form blood and energy foundation method will begin,” a mystical voice intoned.

Xu Chen took a deep breath, calming his mind.

Suddenly, the entire arena was plunged into darkness.

Silence. Depth. An utter absence of life, as if all creation had fallen to ruin.

Within this emptiness, Xu Chen could only sense the sound of his own breath and the flow of his blood and energy.

The formless darkness pressed upon his soul.

Gradually, he felt his consciousness dissolving into the void.

Just then, a faint glimmer of light appeared in the distance.

It was dim, yet instantly drew the whole of Xu Chen’s attention.

The light grew steadily brighter, and Xu Chen’s awareness began to rise from the darkness, striving toward that ray.

As the glow intensified, Xu Chen instinctively began practicing the Sunlit Saintly Form.

Sunlight that once felt as sharp as blades now suffused him with warmth as he absorbed it.

The light grew ever brighter, until a beam shone down upon Xu Chen.

Warmth flooded his entire body, soothing him as though he were immersed in a hot spring; he felt his soul would soar to the heavens.

The distant light grew stronger, finally coalescing into a Golden Crow.

The crow matured and transformed into a blazing sun.

The great sun banished all darkness, and the world once more brimmed with life.

By this time, Xu Chen’s consciousness had completely merged with the sun high above.