Chapter 636: Opening Realm
Translator: Radiant Translations Editor: Radiant Translations
The white-haired old man looked carefully with his eyes wide open. He was not a true lifeform. Nonetheless, he had been following forefather for so long his horizons had expanded and become extraordinary. Thus, it was reasonable for him to attest to the scene that was happening in front of him like that when one attained the 'opening realm'.
"Directly leaping from the World Deity realm to the Opening realm?" The white-haired old man did not dare believe, "This brat who came this time has such high comprehension ability?"
Ordinary breakthroughs would be from the World Deity realm to the 'World realm'. After grasping hold of the complete law of the world, they would eventually jump out of the 'world prison' and open their Dao path that rode above the law of the world.
But as a stage four World Deity, he had yet to grasp hold of the complete law and had instead directly opened a Dao path beyond the law of the world! The difficulty was extremely high.
Those who could do this could be counted with one's finger even in a cosmos epoch!
Before Xue Ying, there was only Bamboo Mountain Prefecture Master in this cosmos epoch who had done so. One could see how tough it was! Naturally, this did not imply that the Bloodshed God Emperor, Temporal Island Lord, Primal Master, Pang Yi and the others had a worse comprehension ability as compared to Bamboo Mountain Prefecture Master. It was just that they walked the more conventional path of cultivation, transcending before opening their Dao path.
If Xue Ying had not come to the Starting Ground, without observing the defenses left behind by forefather at the three-story grass house, the 'illusory world', he might first transcend after gaining some enlightenment before opening his Dao path via a long period of accumulation to become a Paragon.
But there were no 'ifs' during cultivation!
After comprehending it, the lifeform would reach a higher level. There was no way even if he wanted to move back.
'This is the feeling of Paragons?' Xue Ying revealed a grin.
Very beautiful.
His body was just like an illusion and real at the same time. If the enemy came attacking him, they could not touch him at all! His body was genuinely illusory.
That was the realm.
Even the strongest World Deities with extreme strength and speed and were fiercer than White Sovereign King could not touch Xue Ying if they met him.
The moment the realm broke through, the gap between parties would become enormous.
'I should have comprehended the Mirage Dao?' Xue Ying silently pondered.
The Mirage Dao rode above the law of the world! A vast illusory world could encompass many ordinary worlds. Xue Ying could attack the other party, yet the other party could not strike him since he was located within the illusory world.
'My teacher can become the number one assassin in the entire Deity world and Abyss, other than his mighty direct combative strength, more importantly, it is because he specialized stealth with his Dao of Shadow.' Xue Ying thought, 'And now, I could use the Dao that I opened in the same way.'
"But this Mirage Dao does not increase my offense at all." Xue Ying shook his head inwardly.
The Dao of Mirage could construct a 'mirage world'. This mirage world was an independent world in itself outside the ordinary world, and naturally, it was very mythical. But it did not improve his offensive strength at all.
Sometimes, there must be losses with gains.
Like Bamboo Mountain Prefecture Master's 'Dao of Destructive Lightning, his body could turn into lightning, allowing his speed and offensive strength to reach a terrifying stage. His body protection was not bad, but that's it! He lacked survival capabilities! When compared to the 'Leaf Saint' who was supporting the floor of the Paragons, he could not even compare to him. That was why Bamboo Mountain Prefecture Master had to depend on a Ruler.
Paragon Huo Cheng was similar. He lacked in the survival aspect.
And those who could genuinely become independent without relying on any other Rulers, and even dared to challenge them like Monarch Green, Great Destruction Heavenly Emperor, Water Devil King and White Sovereign King all had their formidable survival methods. Rulers could hardly kill them.
'If discussing 'Dao' is for surviving, then the Daos which teacher and I have should be considered ranked in the top.' Xue Ying chuckled. But still, other than the Dao of Shadow, the Bloodshed God Emperor had the Dao of Destruction and Dao of Bloodshed too! Naturally, his strength reached a terrifying stage.
'But I have just opened up my Dao path and is still immature.' Because his teacher had given him detailed information regarding the experts within the cosmos, Xue Ying was able to determine how strong he was. Xue Ying felt satisfied nevertheless for being able to open the 'Dao of Mirage'. If Paragons could choose, they would be willing to select a Dao that improved their survival capabilities.
Survival is essential. As for offensive methods? One could improve his strength via many other ways.
"Hua."
Xue Ying stood there.
Illusions began extending in all directions. Because he was under the effect of the illusory world, the 'illusory world' which Xue Ying opened up had just spread to the extent of hundred meters wide before being forced to stop by the illusory world left behind by the forefather.
'This is the world that I created that is entirely my strength.' Xue Ying stood here firmly on the illusory world.
'The feeling is wonderful.'
Xue Ying chuckled.
'Why did teacher remind me not to seek power that much? And why is he so afraid that I'll open my Dao path first?' Xue Ying frowned inwardly, 'Opening up the Dao path first will only make it harder to transcend. That's all."
"Brat, you have reached the Opening realm?" The white-haired old man saw Xue Ying sulking before deciding to ask.
Only then did Xue Ying wake up from his contemplation. He replied, "I apologize for making senior wait here for me for so long."
"Hahaha, my life is eternal, so it doesn't matter if I spend more time with you." The white-haired old man continued, "I am asking you this. Have you reached the Opening realm?"
"Yes." Xue Ying nodded.
"You have truly jumped from the World Deity realm to the Opening realm." The white-haired old man praised, "Oh right, how long have you cultivated for?"
"More than a million years. Adding up the time spent in a time-accelerated environment, it should be a few dozen million years I guess." Xue Ying replied.
The white-haired old man was startled before sighing, "Cultivating for such a short period and yet you have reached the Opening realm. Formidable, amazing."
Xue Ying laughed and helplessly responded, "I am quite happy, though I feel a little troubled now that I have opened my Dao path… it will be harder to transcend."
"Isn't it okay if you just become a Ruler?" The white-haired old man said as a matter of fact.
"Becoming Ruler is too difficult!" Xue Ying felt worried.
"Difficult? You have reached the Opening realm within a million years, yet you aren't confident about becoming a Ruler?" The white-haired old man snorted, "You opened up a Dao path, and your true deity heart is much stronger than the True Gods! You can live until the cosmos collapse. Unless you are not confident about becoming a Ruler during this period?"
Xue Ying was clear on this point too.
Deity Heart had laws fusing into one's soul. Comprehending a Ddao' would cause it to become stronger.
That was also the reason why Bamboo Mountain Prefecture Master could survive until now! Those weaker ordinary World Deities had thought that Bamboo Mountain Prefecture Master must have some heaven-shattering absolute art that gave him the ability to survive for so long. Looking back, it was felt like a joke! The primary reason was that many World Deities were delusional about an absolute art that could elongate their lifespan.
"How long does this cosmos epoch have before it enters an apocalypse?" Xue Ying asked.
"It is still very early–only a little more than half the epoch has passed." The white-haired old man said, "Naturally, the length of a cosmos epoch isn't absolute. If this epoch suffers from huge destruction, it'll enter apocalypse sooner."
"Understood." Xue Ying was the material realm territory lord and naturally knew of this logic.
Similarly, mortals had differing lifespans.
A mortal world would also have a differing length of 'life'.
This cosmos epoch would naturally have a differing period before it would enter the apocalypse. If it were protected well enough and suffer from little damage, it would typically survive for a more extended period.
"You just cultivated for a million years before reaching the Opening realm. What are you afraid of? You have plenty of time to cultivate." The white-haired old man said, "As long as you become a Ruler before the end of this cosmos, it'll be fine."
"What if I don't become a Ruler?" Xue Ying asked.
"The moment a cosmos epoch ends, the River of Time will bring all those lives situated within it down together in annihilation! If you are stuck inside, you will naturally be exterminated too." The white-haired old man said.
"Those who transcended will not suffer from annihilation?" Xue Ying asked.
"Alright." The white-haired old man's expression suddenly turned solemn. It became much gloomy, "Don't ask anymore."
Xue Ying was stunned.
Ever since he came to the Starting Ground, this white-haired old man had always been amicable. The moment he asked about the end of the cosmos epoch and the fate of those who transcended from the River of Time, this white-haired old man became irate.
That caused many thoughts to arise in Xue Ying's heart.
But still, this conversation calmed him down.
That's right.
He had opened his Dao within a million years. Why could he not become a Ruler before the cosmos apocalypse? If he could not, then he could only blame himself.
"Let us continue." the white-haired old man continued walking on.
Xue Ying hurried behind.
This time, they walked at a faster pace. They were flying and crossing the world. He felt that this white-haired old man wasn't feeling good, and thus, Xue Ying did not let his mind wander on to ponder about this 'illusory world'. It would not be late to comprehend it after acquiring the treasure from the grass house.
"We're here." The white-haired old man stopped.
Xue Ying and the white-haired old man stood before the grass house.
"Have you decided?" The white-haired old man asked, "Regardless of whether you want the cultivation techniques from other cosmos or absolute arts, or even weapons and treasures and anything you can think of. Just choose one from the above."