Chapter 319: Return to Perfect World, Continuous Breakthroughs, Invincible Below the Immortal Realm
The compensation given by the Giant Axe Creator was substantial, far beyond Shi Jian's expectations.
[Inorin's Note: The Giant Axe Creator is one of the 21 'Universe Masters' (strongest beings) of the human race in Swallowed Star, and the founder of the 'Battle-Arena' faction.]
Aside from the massive, astronomical amount of Mixed Yuan Units, there were also many other incredibly precious materials.
[Inorin's Note: A Mixed Yuan Unit is a high-level currency in Swallowed Star. One Mixed Yuan Unit is equivalent to 100 million 'Universe Dollars', and a single Universe Dollar can buy a planet.]
Among them, there was even a core material for making an Origin Supreme Treasure.
[Inorin's Note: An Origin Supreme Treasure (Yuan Shi Zhi Bao) is a top-tier treasure in Swallowed Star. Unlike offensive or defensive treasures, its primary role is to allow the user to connect more deeply with the universe's origin, massively accelerating Law comprehension and energy recovery.]
Origin Supreme Treasures are extremely precious; they are not used for defense, nor are they used for attack.
Instead, they allow powerful individuals to communicate directly with the Origin of the Universe and the Sea of Law.
Possessing an Origin Supreme Treasure would increase the efficiency of drawing energy from the Origin of the Universe and the Sea of Law by millions of times!
It can be understood as an ultra-massive, passive mana and health regeneration buff.
A Supreme Treasure of this level can be considered precious even for a Universe Overlord or a Universe Dominator!
Plus, there were all the other treasures and secret techniques.
It can be said that the Giant Axe Creator truly bled heavily to appease this group of monsters.
Anyway, the resources Shi Jian received alone were enough to push his main Perfect World body to the Supreme Realm.
...
The Virtual Universe Company (VUC) also reacted immediately after receiving the news.
They connected to modify the contract.
The 200 billion Mixed Yuan Units would no longer be used to purchase Earth.
Instead, that sum would be used to lease a single small island on Earth for their headquarters.
In addition, they also provided a series of support contracts, offering Earth advanced technology, resources, and protection.
At the same time, as a sign of goodwill, they also agreed to let Shi Jian and the others enter the Primal Universe early.
[Inorin's Note: The Primal Universe (Yuan Shi Yuzhou) is a special dimension in Swallowed Star where the universe is still in its initial, chaotic state. This makes the fundamental Laws of the universe visible and much easier to comprehend.]
...
"Is this the Primal Universe?"
Shi Jian and the others sat inside the Universe spaceship. The metal on the top of the spaceship automatically separated, revealing a transparent, glass-like outer layer, allowing them to see the outside situation by looking up.
It was a dim, primordial world.
Faintly, one could see the sky and earth splitting apart, with visible, glowing threads connecting them, and dense, complex patterns floating above, like a celestial weaving machine.
Universe spatial rifts were everywhere, tearing open and stitching themselves shut, revealing the raw, fundamental fabric of reality.
"Stars and planets have lifespans, and so does the Universe!" said the high-ranking Immortal-level official from the Virtual Universe Company who brought them here.
"This Primal Universe is a universe in its initial stage. In this stage, the universe will continuously improve itself, and the Universe Origin Law will manifest openly."
"These continuously repairing universe spatial rifts you see are the operating rules of the Universe Origin. Various Origin Laws exist within them!"
As he explained, he led them into the legendary Chaos City.
[Inorin's Note: Chaos City is the central city within the Primal Universe, where all human geniuses gather to comprehend the Laws. It's built around 52 'Chaos Steles'.]
In Chaos City, one could directly observe the operating Laws of the universe with the naked eye.
In addition, there were countless cultivation insights carved into the very stone of the city, recorded by powerful individuals during their cultivation, when inspiration struck.
These were all rare Opportunities.
Moreover, there were also the 52 Chaos Stele here, each recording a different path of Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques.
Under normal circumstances, those who passed the Universe Genius Battle could only obtain the qualification to cultivate in the Primal Universe for thirty years.
However, Shi Jian and the others were special.
The Virtual Universe Company granted them permanent residency in the Primal Universe.
In other words, they could come and go from the Primal Universe as they pleased from now on.
Everyone in the group was assigned a corresponding cultivation room near their chosen Chaos Stele.
Except for Luo Feng, the others clearly had no intention of cultivating here long-term.
And at this moment, the effect of the Heavenly Dao Power became apparent.
With the chat group's cheat activated, their Comprehension Ability skyrocketed!
As the Heavenly Dao Power burned, everyone's comprehension of the Laws—Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Space, Time, Light, Thunder, and Wind—was rapidly increasing, being carved into their very souls.
...
"Self-Severing Realm!"
[Inorin's Note: The Self-Severing Realm (Zhan Wo Jing) is a high cultivation realm in Perfect World. It involves 'severing' one's negative emotions, attachments, or even a past self to achieve a purer state and stronger Dao heart.]
Shi Jian and Shi Hao returned to the Perfect World.
After comprehending for many days in the Primal Universe and burning all their Heavenly Dao Power, everyone in the group returned to their respective worlds.
After their journey to the Swallowed Star world, Shi Jian's cultivation once again Broke Through, directly reaching the Self-Severing Realm!
In addition, he also had the pile of resources from Giant Axe, enough to break through to the Supreme Realm.
"Brother, after returning to this world, I feel that the Law Power has become dormant again. It's difficult to mobilize," Shi Hao said after a brief realization, standing beside him.
Shi Jian also carefully sensed it. "I can't directly mobilize Law Power to fight, but the boost from Law Power still exists, so it doesn't affect much!"
"We can still mobilize the power of time and space, just... differently."
The Origin of the two worlds was different, so the Laws derived from them were naturally also different.
In the Swallowed Star world, they could easily mobilize Law Power to fight directly.
But upon returning to the Perfect World, they found it difficult to directly mobilize Law Power.
However, the amplification of that Law Power on them still existed.
To put it more appropriately, in the Swallowed Star world, Law Power was a direct skill that could be used instantly, with direct Law Power clashes.
But upon returning to the Perfect World, Law Power became a passive buff.
It could not be used directly against enemies but could enhance their skill power.
It was like the Ten Fiends Precious Arts!
The Ten Fiends Precious Arts were created by the Ten Fiends and were the most suitable Precious Arts for them.
People of other races who learned the Ten Fiends Precious Arts could at most unleash 80% or 90% of their power.
Under normal circumstances, Shi Jian and Shi Hao's Thunder Emperor Law would be weaker than the original Thunder Emperor's.
No matter how deep their comprehension of the Thunder Emperor Law was, it was useless. As long as they were still using the Thunder Emperor Law, it would be weaker than the originator's.
However, with the buff of the "Thunder Origin Law," it was different.
Using the Thunder Origin Law to control the Thunder Emperor Law would be incredibly powerful. Even the Thunder Emperor himself would be stunned!
It's no exaggeration to say that after returning from the Swallowed Star world, Shi Jian and Shi Hao's skill trees completely transformed.
Any skill related to the ten great Origin Laws of "Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Time, Space, Light, Wind, and Thunder" all underwent a transformation.
They directly evolved into Pro max versions!
Shi Jian felt that his current strength was terrifying. An ordinary Supreme would definitely not be his opponent now.
After his journey to the Swallowed Star world, Shi Hao's cultivation also successfully Broke Through to the Void Dao Realm.
[Inorin's Note: The Void Dao Realm (Xu Dao Jing) is the realm before Self-Severing in Perfect World, where a cultivator merges their 'Dao' with the void, gaining immense power.]
In addition, he also had enough resources to break through to the Supreme Realm.
However, he was different from Shi Jian.
Shi Jian was a single man with no worries.
Shi Hao... he had a whole family to support.
The Little Pagoda, the God-Striking Stone, and the Supreme Vine...
Shi Hao looked at his hungry "family," who were all demanding treasures and resources from him. He wanted to cry.
Being the head of the family is hard!
After returning to the Perfect World, the two began to cultivate diligently, converting their insights from this period.
This time, their gains in the Swallowed Star world were immense.
However, the world Laws were different. After returning all at once, so many insights could not be digested immediately.
It would take some time to "localize" these insights.
After a period, when the two had mostly digested their insights, King Shi's injuries had completely recovered, and he summoned them.
[Inorin's Note: King Shi (Shi Wang), or the Stone King, is Shi Jian's ancestor, one of the 'Seven Kings of the Desolate Border' who guarded the Original Emperor City.]
Upon seeing the two, King Shi was bewildered.
"How much time has passed? How... how did your cultivation Break Through so much again?"
King Shi thought he hadn't been in seclusion for long.
How did these two, one Break Through to Void Dao, and the other Break Through to Self-Severing?
More importantly, their aura was extremely terrifying, with an inexplicable, profound Dao charm circulating around them.
Shi Jian and Shi Hao just smiled without speaking when they heard this.
King Shi's expression became solemn. "Originally, I was a bit worried about this Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth. But from the current situation, this tribulation might actually be an Opportunity for you two!"
"When the Foreign Realm invades in full force, it will definitely trigger a confrontation of Heaven and Earth Laws. Both of you can use this Opportunity to achieve Immortal Ascension!"
[Inorin's Note: 'Foreign Realm' (Yi Yu) or Alien Realm, is the primary antagonist faction of the Perfect World era, responsible for the fall of the Immortal Ancient Era.]
Shi Jian and Shi Hao pondered after hearing this.
Shi Jian thought for a moment and then asked: "So, is the Foreign Realm preparing to invade now?"
King Shi nodded, his face grim. "The Foreign Realm was already planning a full-scale invasion. Now that the Original Emperor City no longer obstructs them, it won't be long before they fully invade the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands!"
"Although I was in seclusion during this time, I also detected a trace of an unusual aura!"
At this point, King Shi's expression grew even more solemn.
"The Foreign Realm has already dispatched Immortal King level powerhouses!"
"Although I have fully recovered to my peak state and have Liu Shen's assistance, against the Foreign Realm... the chances of victory are still not high!"
[Inorin's Note: Liu Shen (Willow Deity) is Shi Hao's mysterious protector and mentor, an unparalleled powerhouse from the Immortal Ancient Era.]
"There is more than one Immortal King in the Foreign Realm..."
King Shi's tone was filled with worry.
Shi Jian, upon hearing this, felt nothing in his heart.
There are indeed many Immortal Kings in the Foreign Realm. But so what? Talking about quantity without quality is just being a hooligan, isn't it?
Although there are only two Immortal Kings in the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, Liu Shen alone is worth a hundred. Do you understand the value of an Immortal King who is about to Break Through to the Quasi-Immortal Emperor level?
There are also differences between Immortal Kings.
Immortal Kings are also divided into several Realms...
The weaker ones are at the Ten Fiends level: their Physical Body can reach Immortal King, but their Primordial Spirit does not yet match, allowing them to barely contend with an Immortal King.
Then there are ordinary Immortal Kings, whose Primordial Spirit and Physical Body are in Perfection without flaws. Most people who have just entered this Realm are ordinary Immortal Kings. (Like you, old man).
After an ordinary Immortal King cultivates for a sufficiently long time, they can advance further and become a Peak Immortal King. A Peak Immortal King is only a mid-tier existence among Immortal Kings!
Above Peak Immortal Kings, there are Immortal King Giants. As the name suggests, they are the Supreme among Immortal Kings, existing as leaders even among Immortal Kings. The Immortal Domain and Foreign Realm rarely see them.
Above Immortal King Giants are the even more terrifying Supreme Immortal Kings. Taking another step forward, Supreme Immortal Kings are renowned in any great Domain or great world, and can dominate a region even above the Boundary Sea.
It can be said that Supreme Immortal Kings are among the most powerful known figures.
Further up, there is also the Realm of Supreme Giant. Individuals in this Realm are infinitely close to the Quasi-Immortal Emperor.
And within this Realm, infinitely close to the Quasi-Immortal Emperor, there is another Realm called "Radiating Quasi-Immortal Emperor Light."
Liu Shen was originally just an "Immortal King Giant."
But now, she has entered the Realm of "Supreme Giant," considered infinitely close to the Quasi-Immortal Emperor.
Immortal King Anlan is not even an Immortal King Giant... So I ask you, even if the Foreign Realm has a bunch of Immortal Kings, do they have a Supreme Giant?
So I ask you, if I don't transmigrate, the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands will be beaten. If I transmigrate, the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands will still be beaten... Then wouldn't my transmigration be in vain?
Looking at King Shi, who was deeply troubled, as if the safety of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands rested entirely on his shoulders, Shi Jian really wanted to pat him on the shoulder and tell him, "You're overthinking it."
The Nine Heavens and Ten Lands don't actually need an ordinary Immortal King like you to save them.
However, out of consideration for King Shi's dignity as an Old Ancestor, Shi Jian ultimately did not say anything to discourage him.
It's good to have a sense of crisis! Only with a sense of crisis can one progress.
A several-million-year-old man, it's the time to strive...
...
Shi Jian had never been too worried about the Foreign Realm.
From the moment Liu Shen said she saw the path to the Quasi-Immortal Emperor, the Foreign Realm was no longer a hidden danger.
What Shi Jian was truly worried about were the three Quasi-Immortal Emperors and the Immortal Emperor-level Emperor Bone Brother.
[Inorin's Note: The Emperor Bone Brother (Di Gu Ge) refers to the 'Darkness Shi Hao', the future,corrupted version of Shi Hao who becomes the ultimate antagonist, an Immortal Emperor.]
The Foreign Realm dungeon could be cleared by relying on Liu Shen.
However, for the dungeons of the three great Quasi-Immortal Emperors and the Emperor Bone Brother, Shi Jian estimated he would have to do it himself...
To be precise, everyone in the group would have to do it together.
...
Not only King Shi, but also the Grand Elder and others at Emperor Pass had noticed the movements of the Foreign Realm.
[Inorin's Note: 'Emperor Pass' (Di Guan) is the new (current) line of defense for the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, which the Original Emperor City was moved behind.]
During this period, people from the Foreign Realm frequently crossed over through sacrifices, and several large or small battles had already broken out between the two sides!
The signs of a great war approaching were becoming increasingly obvious.
After conversing with King Shi, Shi Jian and Shi Hao once again went into intense seclusion to improve their cultivation.
With the resources compensated by the Giant Axe Creator, after a period of time, both of them Broke Through two Realms again, achieving unprecedented breakthrough speeds.
In just under a month, they Broke Through two Realms consecutively!
"Is this the One-Escape Realm?"
[Inorin's Note: The One-Escape Realm (Dun Yi Jing), also known as the Supreme Realm (Zhi Zun Jing), is the peak of the Human Dao realms, right before True Immortal. Shi Hao (Void Dao) broke through Self-Severing and then One-Escape (2 realms). Shi Jian (Self-Severing) broke through One-Escape... The "two realms" for him is likely an author's error, but the result is that both are now at the Supreme/One-Escape Realm.]
Shi Jian and Shi Hao felt a monumental transformation throughout their bodies. Within their Physical Bodies, streams of energy solidified, evolved, and surged.
Every Meridian was like a Giant Dragon.
Chaos Qi permeated his body, capable of transforming all Origin Qi. His Dominator Body, Dominator Domain, and a series of Divine Abilities all underwent changes.
[Inorin's Note: These are abilities Shi Jian derived from Yang Qi's Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength.]
Behind him, billions of planes seemed to continuously generate and perish, constantly shifting. Countless ancient gods chanted scriptures, and Holy Light, tempered by the eternal wind, grew increasingly dazzling.
His Dominator Body, like a sharp sword, became increasingly keen.
Powerful! Powerful! Powerful!
Shi Jian slowly extended a hand. All time and space, all planes, all existing and non-existing light and dark elements in the entire universe, were grasped in his hand.
This was the final strike of the Fist of Paradise, the Hand of God!
[Inorin's Note: The Hand of God (Shangdi zhi Shou) is the ultimate offensive technique of Yang Qi's cultivation system, wielding the authority of the 'Dominator'.]
The Hand of Destruction, wielding the authority of the gods, bestowing glory upon the gods, with the creation and destruction of all things and planes occurring in a single thought.
Previously, Shi Jian had been unable to unleash this move.
Now, after Breaking Through to the One-Escape Realm, he could finally unleash it.
In addition to the normal realm breakthrough, the power of the ancient Giant Elephant within him had reached an extremely terrifying level at this moment.
The power of the ancient Giant Elephant within him reached eighty million, and all eighty million ancient Giant Elephants evolved, breaking their genetic shackles.
[Inorin's Note: In Sheng Wang, the human body has 840 million particles. Awakening them grants the power of an 'Ancient Giant Elephant' (Yuan Gu Ju Xiang) per particle.]
Correspondingly, the number of his Caverns (Dongtian) also reached a staggering eighty million.
[Inorin's Note: Caverns (Dongtian) are a cultivation method from Perfect World where one opens 'heavenly caves' that fuse into a single, divine realm.]
When eighty million Caverns unfolded, absorbing the power of heaven and earth, that amount of absorption was immense.
Of the 840 million particles in the human body, Shi Jian had now awakened 1/10th of them.
Once all 840 million were fully awakened, he would be able to condense a Divine Elephant Primordial Spirit.
At that time, the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength would only reach the Minor Achievement Realm.
That's right, Minor Achievement!
Only when all 840 million ancient Giant Elephant powers are awakened can the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength be considered Minor Achievement!
Shi Jian carefully sensed his current combat power...
Absolutely invincible below the Immortal.
One-for-one above the Immortal.
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