The sun had barely risen over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the rolling hills surrounding the valley where Hao Zan had bid farewell to Xue Jiying. The air was crisp, carrying with it the scent of dew and the faint aroma of wildflowers. Yet Hao Zan felt none of the peace one might expect from such a tranquil morning. His mind was alive with the memories of the past days, the strategies he had laid, and the sacred treasures waiting to be uncovered.
He stood atop a stone outcrop, his eyes closed, feeling the lingering energy of the Eternal Heaven-Devouring Sutra coursing through his body. The sutra was no ordinary cultivation technique; it was his creation, forged from centuries of experience, countless lifetimes of learning, and the unique knowledge gleaned from a world far beyond his own. Each breath he drew allowed him to sense the delicate threads of the universe, the shifting patterns of Qi, and the latent potential hidden within his own physique.
Opening his eyes, Hao Zan's gaze fell upon the horizon. This moment was not merely about preparation—it was about awakening. The Eternal Heaven-Devouring Sutra was designed not just to strengthen, but to transcend limitations. It was to bridge his current form with the potential of existence itself. He knew that mastery of the sutra would allow him to progress beyond the Deva Realm, to touch the precipice of the Nine Tribulations, and perhaps even glimpse the Mahayana threshold.
He extended his hands, palms facing the sky, and began the intricate movements of the sutra. Each gesture, each rotation of his wrist, each subtle shift of his stance channeled both internal and external energy. The world seemed to bend around him as the atmosphere thickened with Qi. Trees trembled, stones vibrated, and the winds carried a melody that only those attuned to the heavens could perceive.
The Eternal Heaven-Devouring Sutra had multiple layers, and today Hao Zan intended to awaken one he had kept dormant: the Soul-Physique Synchronization. This layer was designed to harmonize the body, soul, and mind, allowing for simultaneous breakthroughs across multiple cultivation thresholds. As he moved, Hao Zan could feel his muscles tightening, not from strain, but from the raw influx of energy that reshaped his very structure.
"Every motion must be precise… every thought must align with intent," he murmured to himself. The whispers of the sutra filled his mind like a choir, reminding him of the countless principles embedded within. One misstep, and the Qi could backfire, tearing at his meridians. Yet Hao Zan's confidence was unshakable. He had survived regressions, battles against forces that could have annihilated entire realms, and the treacherous plots of both mortals and immortals.
Hours passed, though time seemed irrelevant in the presence of such profound cultivation. Hao Zan's body radiated light, faint at first, then brightening to the intensity of a small sun as the sutra's power activated the core of his Physique. The Eternal Heaven-Devouring Sutra was not merely about strength; it was about harmony. His muscles, bones, and meridians were not just fortified—they were optimized, each unit of Qi finding its perfect resonance.
Yet the sutra demanded more than physical alignment. It required a perfect clarity of mind, an understanding of the soul's deepest desires and fears. Hao Zan closed his eyes again, recalling the faces of his wives, the promises he had made to Xue Jiying during their parting, and the future he intended to build. This emotional anchoring was crucial; without it, the sutra's energy could become chaotic, spilling outward uncontrollably.
A subtle smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he felt the first wave of breakthrough. The Qi within his body surged upward, condensing around his dantian, forming a brilliant sphere of pure energy. Every cell, every meridian, every fragment of his soul resonated with the eternal rhythm of the sutra. And then, like a dam breaking, the energy cascaded through his body, enveloping him in a cocoon of light.
Hao Zan felt an overwhelming clarity, as if the past, present, and potential future converged into a single point of understanding. The Eternal Heaven-Devouring Sutra allowed him to perceive the flow of his own cultivation in ways no other method could. He understood where weaknesses lay, how to optimize each movement, and the precise way to manipulate external treasures to enhance his progression.
By the time he opened his eyes again, Hao Zan could sense the profound shift. His Qi, once constrained within the Qi Gathering 7 realm, had ascended, pushing against the thresholds of the Deva Realm. The energy that emanated from him was no longer ordinary—it was a manifestation of potential, a declaration that he would no longer be bound by the limitations of mortal or even immortal cultivation.
He took a slow step forward, feeling the ground beneath him tremble slightly with the intensity of his aura. "Deva Realm… you are mine to conquer," he said, his voice carrying both confidence and an unyielding resolve.
With that, Hao Zan began the next phase of the sutra: the Soul Elevation. This required him to merge the newly strengthened physique with his mental and spiritual faculties. He closed his eyes, focusing inward, and felt the vast network of meridians and channels within him reorganizing. The Eternal Heaven-Devouring Sutra allowed him to accelerate the synchronization process, weaving his consciousness with his physical energy in ways that felt almost divine.
Hours became days, though time seemed to fold upon itself. Hao Zan moved seamlessly through the motions of the sutra, alternating between meditation, Qi manipulation, and energy projection. With each passing moment, his comprehension deepened, and the Deva Realm, once a distant horizon, now beckoned like a tangible plateau.
During a brief pause, Hao Zan allowed his thoughts to drift. He recalled the mid-level villains they had dispatched, some killed, some crippled, and the political intricacies that had accompanied each encounter. Every lesson, every challenge, had been stored within the sutra, feeding the Eternal Heaven-Devouring mechanism he had created. He realized then that the sutra was not just a cultivation technique—it was a repository of experience, a living testament to his resilience and intellect.
Hao Zan's eyes opened once more, a sharp glint reflecting the brilliance of the rising sun. He could now sense the potential in the surrounding lands: hidden treasures, latent Qi reserves, and subtle distortions that marked the presence of other cultivators. The sutra had awakened his perception to such a degree that even the smallest anomaly did not escape him.
"This is only the beginning," he whispered, his tone firm, unwavering. "The Eternal Heaven-Devouring Sutra is mine, and through it, I will ascend far beyond all expectations."
His first step after the breakthrough was deliberate. He moved through the forest surrounding the valley, each motion fluid and precise, as if he were gliding upon air. This was the sutra's final gift: unparalleled movement techniques that merged perception, agility, and combat readiness. Even if enemies were to strike without warning, Hao Zan would respond instinctively, every motion perfectly harmonized with his immense internal energy.
Suddenly, a faint rustle of leaves reached his ears. Hao Zan paused, scanning the surroundings. His perception techniques, sharpened by the sutra, instantly located the source: a small band of creatures hiding within the forest, remnants of the mid-level villains' minions. Without hesitation, he moved, his fist striking like a comet, his steps leaving afterimages that disoriented his opponents.
The encounter was swift but deliberate. Hao Zan's fists, sword strikes, and subtle pressure points demonstrated the profound synergy of his martial art and the Eternal Heaven-Devouring Sutra. Every action was calculated, yet fluid—death and control intertwined seamlessly.
After the skirmish, Hao Zan stood alone once more, the forest quiet except for the wind whispering through the trees. He took a deep breath, feeling the profound alignment of body, mind, and soul. With this, he had fully awakened the Eternal Heaven-Devouring Sutra, pushing his cultivation beyond the Qi Gathering 7 threshold and setting his sights firmly on the Deva Realm.
As the day waned, Hao Zan allowed himself a rare moment of reflection. The memories of Xue Jiying's farewell, the promises they had shared, and the warmth of her embrace filled his mind. He realized that even as he ascended to higher realms of power, it was not just strength or mastery that mattered—it was the connections, the bonds, and the love that anchored him amidst the chaos of the universe.
With renewed determination, Hao Zan moved forward, each step echoing his resolve. The Eternal Heaven-Devouring Sutra had awakened within him, and through it, he would carve a path that no one, not even the Devourers of Eternity, could obstruct. The horizon was vast, the challenges numerous, and the future uncertain—but Hao Zan, the Eternal Sovereign, would face them all.
For in his heart burned an unwavering truth: no enemy, no realm, no obstacle could match the will of one who had mastered the sutra, forged through regression, guided by love, and driven by the eternal pursuit of perfection.
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