After comprehending the Dao within the Azure Lotus, Zhao Li was greatly rewarded.
Previously, his Dao had branched in two directions: one was the condensation of the Multitude of Body Deities, and the other was the evolution and ascension of his Inner Universe. His goal was to establish connections between them as much as possible, allowing each Deity to grasp corresponding Authority.
But now, with the Azure Lotus as his Foundation, he had transformed himself into Chaos, and his numerous Body Deities were conceived within the Chaos. As long as they successfully gestated, they would become Innate Demon Gods, eliminating the need for him to rack his brain trying to divide Authority among them.
Now, he had only one task: collect resources to nurture his Inner Universe. The growth of the Inner Universe would then naturally feed back to him.
Strictly speaking, Zhao Li's current Status had already surpassed the level of controlling a Plane Embryo and leaving his name on the Heavenly Rankings. He had already achieved a Status that transcended the Universe, though his Status was still quite weak at present...
In Zhao Li's understanding, controlling a Plane Embryo was called Dao Confluence, considered Heavenly Dao level. By transforming himself into Chaos and creating a Universe, he could be said to be at the Great Dao level, comparable to Pangu's tier of existence.
And all of this was merely the result of comprehending the Dao once within the Azure Lotus!
"What a shame, I can't take this Azure Lotus with me."
Zhao Li felt very regretful. During his Enlightenment, he had learned that this Azure Lotus was deeply connected to the Dou Qi Continent. Strictly speaking, it was the true Plane Embryo of the Dou Qi Continent. The Plane Embryo controlled by the First Emperor was actually just one of its Lotus Seeds!
And this was precisely why the Dou Qi Continent's Plane Embryo could regenerate. Of course, because of the First Emperor, the Plane Embryo could be reformed after Heavenly Flames merged, but merely the merging of Heavenly Flames was not the true Plane Embryo. The fundamental reason was whether the Emperor Flame would be nurtured and recognized by this Azure Lotus. If it received its recognition, the Emperor Flame would be sufficient to serve as a Plane Embryo; otherwise, it would just be a powerful Heavenly Flame, a pseudo-Plane Embryo like Zhao Li's former Golden Core!
Sighing, Zhao Li suppressed the disappointment in his heart and chuckled self-deprecatingly:
"I'm being greedy. Having received such an Opportunity, what more could I be unsatisfied with? Hmm, I wonder what the test Senior Ye mentioned is. Why haven't I encountered it yet?"
He couldn't understand it. Judging by the First Emperor's demeanor, he was definitely not joking, but after entering this Space, he hadn't felt any surprises at all. In fact, he had even gained an enormous Opportunity.
Moreover, he suspected that the Immortal Great Emperor had not received such an Opportunity. Otherwise, with his Talent, and the Dao of some Seniors from the Dou Qi Continent's past, even if he couldn't completely become a Dominator, he would still be able to directly contend with the Heavenly Evil God, who was unaccustomed to this environment!
"Could it be that I'm really the Protagonist?"
Zhao Li's thoughts began to wander. Just then, he felt the Azure Lotus beneath his legs tremble, and then a vague Will entered his mind:
"Replenish... still need..."
Zhao Li was startled. This Will felt so familiar. Then, Time in his mind began to flow backward. Event after event he had experienced replayed in reverse. Finally, his thoughts returned to the time he broke through to Dou Sheng. He suddenly realized; he had encountered this Will before!
Zhao Li remembered walking the Route of Transcending to Saint for many years. That was the first time he felt a bottleneck. It happened to coincide with the ten-year agreement between Yun Shan and the Cloud Mist Sect expiring. After sending him back, he traveled around the Northwestern Continent to relax. He reached the Ancient Emperor's Cave Dwelling, was tempered by the Heart Flame, and broke through to Dou Sheng.
Perhaps his accumulation was sufficient, as not only did his Cultivation Level break through, but his Soul Power, which had been stuck for many years, also stepped into the Emperor Realm at that time. And this Will had appeared then. It had also given Zhao Li a vague Will – Replenish!
But at that time, Zhao Li was still unaware of the many secrets of the Continent, did not know its origin, nor did he understand its meaning. Moreover, he didn't feel it again later, and over time, he forgot about it.
Zhao Li didn't expect to feel it again decades later. He muttered to himself:
"So, it was it. Could it be that it remembers me and gave me special treatment?"
Perhaps sensing Zhao Li's thoughts, the Azure Lotus swayed again, and fragmented Will appeared in his mind again. After a moment, he shook his head and smiled wryly:
"It seems I'm not the only one who's greedy. Letting you open an extra petal counts for something; it's not coming empty-handed. Since I've accepted your favor, I'll give it a try..."
Just as the First Emperor had said, the Azure Lotus was indeed recovering. It was once a Ninth Grade Azure Lotus, but now it was only Third Grade. Oh, it was Fourth Rank now, but even at Fourth Rank, it was still far from what it once was. It was also anxious to recover.
Its recovery, besides needing energy, also required Dao韵 (Dao Charm). The Dou Qi Continent had seen almost no Dou Di appear for Ten Thousand Years, and it had almost been wasted.
It was Zhao Li's Route of comprehending Rules that caught its attention, causing it to transmit its Will and entrust this matter to Zhao Li. It was just that at that time, Zhao Li didn't have the knowledge he possessed now and couldn't understand.
Perhaps having understood Zhao Li's words, the Azure Lotus swayed again. At the same time, Zhao Li felt a Will urging him to leave the Lotus Pedestal.
Hearing this, Zhao Li looked at the surrounding Dao韵. It was all that he had comprehended. Moreover, at this moment, he no longer had the state of Enlightenment he initially had. Thus, he stood up and left the Lotus Pedestal. He had already obtained the Opportunity, and it was time to leave.
After Zhao Li left, energy and Dao韵 intertwined and flowed within the Lotus Pedestal, gradually forming a swirling Mist. It seemed something was being conceived within the Mist.
Not long after, the Mist dispersed, and a delicate Lotus Seed appeared within it. Then, with a whoosh, it disappeared.
Zhao Li heard the sound of something breaking through the air, reached out, and firmly grasped the Lotus Seed in his hand. Along with it came the Will of the Azure Lotus.
He carefully put away the Green Lotus Seed, then waved goodbye, preparing to leave. The greatest Opportunity here was the Azure Lotus, but he couldn't take it. Staying any longer was useless.
With this Green Lotus Seed, Zhao Li had the second-highest authority over the Dou Qi Continent's Plane Embryo, second only to the Azure Lotus itself. With it, Zhao Li could also sit high above, observing all living beings, nourishing himself with myriad Dao.
Furthermore, it was a seed, capable of growing an Azure Lotus! If he could nurture it, the Foundation of Zhao Li's Inner Universe would undoubtedly become much more profound!
"This Azure Lotus is truly a good one. Unlike those Unscrupulous Bosses who only draw you a pie while making you work, it actually pays!"
Zhao Li sighed in his heart. He left the Space without even walking through the Gate he had entered through, and happened to meet the gaze of the First Emperor looking over.
Sensing the movement, the First Emperor suddenly opened his eyes and examined Zhao Li, discovering that his aura had become much more profound, reaching the Realm of Spirit Grade Heavenly Supreme. Knowing he had benefited, he inquired:
"How was it?"
Zhao Li's heart stirred, confirming that the First Emperor indeed didn't know the specifics about the Azure Lotus. He took out the Lotus Seed and said:
"My Strength has improved somewhat, and I also got this."
The First Emperor seemed unsurprised by this, even showing a look of "as expected":
"Indeed, a new Plane Embryo has been born. It seems you have received its recognition."
He was, after all, a Half-step Dominator, a truly invincible existence on the Dou Qi Continent. When he condensed Heavenly Flames to reshape the Plane Embryo back then, he had already discovered that a new Plane Embryo was being conceived within the Azure Lotus. It was just that his time was limited, so he hastily left behind a contingency plan for the future before leaving.
Seeing that he knew, Zhao Li didn't explain further, but simply relayed the Azure Lotus's entrustment:
"As Senior expected, the Dou Qi Continent is indeed still growing. Its growth is closely related to the Azure Lotus's Origin. The more powerful individuals on the Continent, the stronger the Azure Lotus's Origin, and the stronger the Continent will become, able to withstand more and stronger existences. It asked me to do this."
Plane Ascension, just thinking about it was exciting.
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