Zheng Qizi felt a pang of regret. After all, physical cultivation represented another path to greater power.
Though he could still access his existing physical abilities and draw condensed true qi from heaven and earth, these powers were now locked at their current level. It was similar to Xiao Xuan's situation—capable of using Dou Qi but unable to advance further to become a Dou Di.
Unless they became reincarnators who could invest Traverser coins to enhance their physical and spiritual attributes, they were at their limit.
After a moment of reflection, Zheng Qizi quickly employed his Dao method to seek the correct path, promptly identifying the direction to Middle Thousand World.
In the chat group:
Dongfang Yuechu: "Are you heading to your former battlefield?"
Zheng Qizi: "I can't even determine my current position. How could I possibly locate our former battlefield? I need to reach Middle Thousand World first to establish my bearings before I can find the Nine Regions Abyss."
Howard Stark: "Interesting. You can't pinpoint your own location, yet you can find the direction to Middle Thousand World. This suggests it must hold special significance in your world, functioning almost like a magnetic pole."
Zheng Qizi: "Magnetic pole? Though I'm unfamiliar with that term, Middle Thousand World is indeed a unique presence in the Great Thousand World. It alone represents the orthodox territory of humanity—beyond Thousand World lie the lands of barbarians."
Lo Pei: "A thought occurs to me—you don't maintain distance from these barbarian lands, do you? I advise against it. Be wary that a strong figure might emerge from barbarian territory."
Zheng Qizi: "No need for concern. The dynasties of Middle Thousand World have never abandoned their expansion into barbarian territories. However, formidable barbarian nations exist in all directions beyond Middle Thousand World, making humanity's expansion throughout the Great Thousand World exceedingly difficult."
Howard Stark: "I've just reviewed some information. These barbarians you mention—they're human too, aren't they? This terminology strikes me as rather unfriendly."
Zheng Qizi: "Barbarians share our human life form, yes, but they aren't pure humans. Ancient demon blood flows through their veins, which is why Middle Thousand World has never acknowledged them as truly human."
Sebastian Shaw: "Ancient demons? I presume the ancient demons of your world differ from those in ours?"
Lucas: "Essentially. Both emerged as immensely powerful beings with unparalleled strength."
Dongfang Yuechu: "Do these ancient demon gods still exist?"
Lucas: "No, they're virtually extinct. After humanity's rise, generations of powerful individuals dedicated themselves to eradicating the demons completely."
Dongfang Yuechu: "At the dawn of our world, demons subjugated humanity. Our innate capabilities simply couldn't compare to theirs. Only after discovering magic weapons and cultivation secrets did the emergence of Taoist priests give people a fighting chance."
Lucas: "The humans of this world followed a similar path! They discovered they could visualize demon gods in their minds to strengthen their souls, then channel soul power to cast spells."
Lucas: "Additionally, they explored the human body's mysteries, developing martial arts to enhance physical capabilities until their bodies rivaled those of demon gods, achieving combat prowess equal to their former oppressors."
Zheng Qizi: "We've arrived at Middle Thousand World. Let me inquire about the current timeframe."
Upon reaching Middle Thousand World, Zheng Qizi proceeded directly to a city where he used magic to confuse a high-ranking official. He questioned the man about the current era and past events.
From the official's responses, Zheng Qizi learned that hundreds of years had passed since the war between good and evil. Few people remained who recalled that conflict's history. The official knew nothing of the battle's outcome, only that both the once-flourishing good and evil factions had vanished from public knowledge.
Hearing this, Zheng Qizi turned questioningly to Lucas beside him. "Lord Group Leader, doesn't this suggest both good and evil perished together?"
Lucas: "No. After their fierce battle, the good and evil factions ultimately declared a truce. They remain in the Nine Regions Abyss, exploiting its resources to develop their respective powers."
Zheng Qizi: "They ended the war? Well, that's acceptable. Containing those evil demons within the Nine Regions Abyss is beneficial—at least it prevents them from spreading harm."
Lucas: "Not necessarily. Including your wife Yin Yunzi, there are currently three Taoist leaders, collectively known as the Three Ancestors of Taoism. Their purpose in remaining within the Nine Regions Abyss isn't to contain evil—it's purely to advance their own power."
Lucas: "They've oppressed the Taoist forces within the Nine Regions Abyss, attempting to annex them. They seek to merge all Taoist factions and establish a vision that serves only themselves."
Zheng Qizi: "Impossible! Yin Yunzi isn't that kind of person."
Lucas: "People change, especially after gaining power. The Yin Yunzi you remember no longer exists. She's become a ruthless woman willing to sacrifice her own daughter, consumed by her desire for power and strength."
Zheng Qizi: "..."
Senju Tobirama: "Another tale of corruption through power? Such occurrences seem universal throughout existence."
Lucas: "It's human nature—consistent across all worlds."
Zheng Qizi: "If that's true, I must stop them. They may have fallen, but I haven't forgotten my principles."
Leading the way, Zheng Qizi guided Lucas toward the Nine Regions Abyss.
In the chat group:
Xiao Xuan: "Is this Nine Regions Abyss some kind of special dimensional space? It appears the practitioners in this world possess remarkable spatial manipulation abilities!"
Zheng Qizi: "Those who cultivate the soul gain spatial powers after enduring four thunder tribulations, becoming capable of creating worlds through mere thought. After six thunder tribulations, they can breach the Great Thousand World's void, elevating their spatial mastery to higher realms. Seven thunder tribulations earn one the title of creator, able to manifest all things through thought—creating independent spaces like a Dou Sheng becomes entirely possible."
Xiao Xuan: "Thunder tribulations? In our world, powerful elixirs face thunder tribulations upon creation, but practitioners never experience such tests. And this Nine Regions Abyss seems more complex than mere space—other forces appear present, perhaps temporal manipulation."
Lucas: "The Nine Regions Abyss formed naturally as an independent space, structured similarly to a pagoda. Its name reflects its nine levels. The deeper you descend, the slower time passes, until reaching the bottom where time virtually halts."
Dongfang Yuechu: "The conditions in this nine-region space seem extraordinarily harsh! Environmental conditions worsen with depth. Can people truly inhabit such a place?"
Lucas: "Despite its harshness, the area abounds with natural materials and treasures. Both factions covet these rich resources. Their presence here serves one purpose—to harvest everything the Nine Regions Abyss offers."
Zheng Qizi: "I'm beginning to believe the Group Leader's assessment. This was indeed our battlefield. Compared to then, resources have grown significantly scarcer."
Howard Stark: "Resources? Are you referring to metallic minerals? Beyond that, I see nothing particularly noteworthy."
Lucas: "This world closely resembles Dongfang Yuechu's realm—magical artifacts exist here. The metals, stones, wood, water, and even creatures serve as excellent materials for crafting magical tools and medicinal pills."
Zheng Qizi: "What drives Yin Yunzi and the others to gather these resources?"
Lucas: "The three collaborated to create a supreme magical weapon called the Ancestral God Mountain. They aim to refine it into the King of Artifacts. However, this requires vast quantities of materials—more than the Nine Regions Abyss can provide. Consequently, they've begun coveting the ancestral magical weapons of various Taoist sects, intending to melt them down and incorporate them into the Ancestral God Mountain."
Zheng Qizi: "Is creating the King of Artifacts truly so simple? How naive! If it were easily accomplished, more than just two would have existed since ancient times."
Dongfang Yuechu: "What exactly is this King of Artifacts? From your description, it sounds like the pinnacle of magical items in the Yang God World."
Zheng Qizi: "Your assessment is correct! Only two Kings of Artifacts exist in legend, and rumors suggest both were destroyed together. I've never witnessed an actual King of Artifacts—I've merely heard they possess the terrifying ability to shatter stars with ease."
Liu Xing: "Easily destroy a star?"
Lucas: "Indeed. A fully powered King of Artifacts can obliterate a planet with a single strike."
Dongfang Yuechu: "Powerful magical weapons require substantial mana for activation. What happens if they succeed in creating this King of Artifacts?"
Lucas: "You're missing something crucial. The Yang God World features a special magical device called the Thunder Pond. It automatically harnesses the thunder power between heaven and earth, and once tamed, this energy strengthens and powers magical weapons. The two existing Kings of Artifacts incorporated such thunder pools, eliminating the need for human energy while maintaining their destructive capabilities."
Howard Stark: "A powerful force requiring no human input, extracting thunder to create perpetual motion for magical weapons? Such a thing couldn't possibly exist!"
Lucas: "Perpetual motion? Essentially. Don't overreact—don't the Infinity Stones similarly possess infinite energy?"
Howard Stark: "Fair point. If endless energy can exist, then perhaps perpetual motion machines aren't so impossible after all."
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