NOVEL NEXT Chapter 338: Refining Void
Alkaid of the Penglai Immortal Sect was not familiar with the other members.
But the Penglai Dao Lord had helped him—even if this Dao Lord had only done so for a bit of fun, laying down a casual chess move in his own amusement.
Therefore, if there was a way to resolve the issue with the Heaven-Devouring Demon King, Alkaid would naturally lend his assistance.
However, even as a way to repay this favor, which could barely be considered a gesture of goodwill, it did not mean he had to risk his life.
The matter of the Heaven-Devouring Demon King would depend on Leng Qingqiu's efficiency.
If she was quick, perhaps Alkaid wouldn't need to step in, and this Deputy Sect Master of the Penglai Immortal Sect would solve it directly.
If she was slow...
Once he reached the Refining Void stage, he wouldn't mind making a trip out to search for this Demon King.
Whichever outcome it was, he would not put himself in jeopardy.
He believed that over time, the value of the help offered by the Penglai Dao Lord, casual though it was, would undoubtedly increase.
...
After ten days, Luli finally delivered the materials that cost him one billion to exchange.
When handing over the materials to Alkaid, this Hollow Void expert once again advised him, "True Monarch Alkaid, you might want to think it over. An artifact...is worth taking a risk for, and besides, with your strength, I believe that as long as you remain fully vigilant and cautious, even if you were to be suddenly attacked, you would have ample means to last a few breaths."
Alkaid did not engage in the discussion, but simply smiled and asked, "Has the reward for the Heaven-Devouring Demon King been announced yet?"
"It has."
Luli nodded, "This quick and elusive Demon King's reward is one billion Contribution Value, which is five hundred million of its own plus an additional five hundred million. Among several other Demon Kings, the one skilled in stealth is valued at seven hundred million in Contribution Value, the one adept in reconnaissance at six hundred million, and the others have all reached five hundred million."
"In other words, if the Heaven-Devouring Demon King's group includes eight Hollow Voids, are they worth forty-eight billion!? That's almost the value of a Dao Artifact."
Alkaid said with a smile.
"Indeed, that's the case."
Luli smiled slightly, "If it weren't for the fact that I am at a critical moment in nurturing my Dao Seed, I would have wanted to venture into the Outer Sea to try my luck."
Alkaid said nothing more.
After the polite exchange, he piloted his warship away from Biyou Fairy City.
"Hall Master, what do we do next…"
Qi Sha inquired with a bow.
"Many who have obtained plenty of Pure Yang Great Pills will need time to enhance their cultivation, so we'll stay active between the Inner Sea and the Deep Sea, hunting some Demons to make some extra money. We'll make our next decision once their cultivation levels off."
Alkaid instructed.
Qi Sha nodded, swiftly conveying the orders.
Alkaid then returned to his rest cabin.
The cultivation environment on the warship was naturally not on par with that of Nine Cauldrons Peak.
However, Alkaid's main task next was to condense the Dao Technique Dao Seed for Void Blink, which did not necessarily require a particularly tranquil environment.
After he set up a few basic formations in the rest cabin, Alkaid quickly focused his mind within the Cave Heaven.
"My original first choice was the 'Great Void Path.' This Cave Heaven was designed according to the Dao Seed relevant to the Great Void Path. With slight modifications, it will provide the right environment to nurture the Void Dao Seed."
Alkaid contemplated in his mind.
As he had already made a decision, he did not hesitate.
The mysteries of the Dao Technique Void Blink flowed continuously.
As the technique was executed, the fit between oneself and the Great Void Path, the triggering of Void ripples by the power of the Cave Heaven, and the True Spirit's control over the power of the Cave Heaven— every change was concentrated and merged.
Eventually, the entire Cave Heaven underwent changes, adjusting to the shape most suitable for executing the Dao Technique "Void Blink." At the same time, his true spirit, essence, and all the power of the Cave Heaven coalesced into a sphere of light.
This was the Dao Seed for the Dao Technique Void Blink. Enjoy new tales from My Virtual Library Empire
The Dao Seed held near the highest authority over his true spirit, essence, and the power of the Cave Heaven.
It was like having text pre-copied when typing; one only needed to paste it instead of inputting it letter by letter as one normally would.
As a result, the speed at which the Dao Technique Void Blink was executed became extremely fast.
...
While Alkaid was nurturing his Dao Seed, Qi Sha, a Hollow Void powerhouse, also vaguely sensed something.
The Void Force around the warship...
Seemed to become unusually active.
And the source of this activity was in the direction where Alkaid was secluded in cultivation.
This change...
"Has the nurturing of the Dao Seed been completed? It must be related to the Void Path."
The Hollow Void expert had an insight.
Then his eyes narrowed slightly, "Could it be... so effortless? Is it due to his special constitution related to the Void Category? Or has his understanding of the Great Void Path already reached a level where he can easily nurture the Void Dao Seed?"
He knew very well that nurturing a Dao Seed was by no means an easy feat.
In this process, a cultivator needs to remodel their Cave Heaven.
To mold the Cave Heaven into the perfect abode for the selected Dao to thrive in.
Even though Alkaid chose the Great Void Path, which has the minimal difficulty and most adherents, this process was still regarded as second only in challenge to ascending to the Hollow Void for many Hollow Void Realm powerhouses.
There were even some who would disrupt the structural balance of their Cave Heaven during this remodelling process, causing the Cave Heaven to collapse.
For Alkaid to complete the nurturing of his Dao Seed with such ease, as if eating or drinking...
It was practically unbelievable.
"Now that the Dao Seed has been nurtured, the next step is to properly balance the relationship between the Dao Seed and the Cave Heaven until the Dao Seed and Cave Heaven fully integrate, becoming the foundation of the Cave Heaven and providing feedback to it..."
Qi Sha murmured to himself.
Both he and Luli were at this stage now.
This step required a cultivator's deep insight into the Dao.
It is said that the criterion is to cultivate a Dao Technique to the stage of minor achievement.
Only with the understanding of a Dao Technique at a minor achievement level can the Dao Seed and the Cave Heaven fully integrate, allowing for feedback on the Cave Heaven.
Moving forward...
"With the Dao Seed's feedback, the Cave Heaven, reinforced by the power of the Great Dao, becomes more solid. At this point, one can proceed to the next step—Refining Void."
Qi Sha's eyes were full of longing, "Refine the Void to enlarge the Cave Heaven, enhancing the material, energy, and Dao charm of the Cave Heaven while also allowing the Dao Seed to absorb Void Force, growing rapidly. The two will benefit from each other and progress together until one day when both the Cave Heaven and Dao Technique are in full bloom. Then, with the power of the Cave Heaven driving the Dao Technique to shatter the Void... that would be the true Shattered Void Realm..."
Hollow Void to Refining Void, Refining Void to Shattered Void, two realm advancements that almost every cultivator who has achieved Hollow Void can step into Shattered Void Realm as long as they are not too lacking in talent, or do not bring disaster upon themselves.
But...
Just as simply studying well can get you into college, the actual chances of a child going from starting school to entering college are less than one in ten.
All sorts of factors and accidents could cause those in the Hollow Void Realm to never truly step into the Shattered Void Realm in their lifetime.
And setting aside accidents, for all the strong in the Hollow Void Realm, Hollow Void is actually more troublesome than Refining Void.
This is because Hollow Void focuses on deep comprehension, enhancing the understanding of the Great Dao.
Refining Void, on the other hand, is about improving the quality of Cave Heaven and promoting the rapid growth of the Dao Seed.
Although there are certain requirements for understanding the Great Dao, advancing from Hollow Void to Refining Void requires both the entrance and minor accomplishment of Dao Techniques, while advancing from Refining Void to Shattered Void only requires the minor accomplishment to major accomplishment of Dao Techniques, halving the difficulty.
As for the remaining accumulation of the quality of the Cave Heaven...
That's just a matter of consuming resources.
And as for the issue of resources...
Qi Sha looked at Alkaid in the rest room.
Displayed were already four Dao Artifacts.
And for this contribution value exchange, he unexpectedly chose not to get cultivator supplies like Void Dao Elixirs, high-grade Star Cores, World Stones, etc., but rather the materials for refining Dao Artifacts...
An astonishing conjecture emerged in his mind.
Although he quickly suppressed it, if this speculation were true...
During the Refining Void stage, he probably wouldn't face any shortages of resources.
Without worries over resources...
Wouldn't stepping into Shattered Void just be a matter of time?
At that thought, his figure couldn't help but sway slightly.
"Impossible, with his talent in cultivation already so remarkable, he couldn't possibly have such mastery in Artifact Refining... His Dao Artifacts must either come from an incredibly huge inheritance, acquiring several pieces all at once..."
This thought emerged only to be denied by his rationality shortly after.
Because the compatibility of Alkaid's Dao Artifacts with his Dao Techniques was too high.
To say they were tailor-made wouldn't be an exaggeration.
So...
"Behind him, there must be a top figure who can refine Dao Artifacts giving full support."
Qi Sha thought to himself.
But in a moment, he let out a wry smile.
Having the full support of someone capable of refining Dao Artifacts and being an Artifact Sage himself, was there any difference?
At least when it came to acquiring resources during the Refining Void stage, he wouldn't face any difficulties.
That means...
The Alkaid before him, it wasn't a question of whether he could achieve Refining Void within a hundred years, but rather, whether he could step into Shattered Void Realm after a hundred years.
"Sigh!"
Qi Sha exhaled a powerless breath.
A hundred-year Shattered Void!
In this world...
Such prodigies exist.
He thought about his own situation...
Considered a peerless genius, outstanding among the True Disciples, but due to his arrogance, confident that he could overcome all hurdles to reach the summit, the result...
Sentenced to the War Hall, where he has stayed for hundreds of years.
Now over a thousand years old, he wasn't even Refining Void.
This was the price he paid for his arrogance and pride.
Especially since...
His so-called peerless talent in front of Alkaid, did he truly have the right to be proud?
The other party was expected to reach Shattered Void in a hundred years!
What right did he have to be proud?
During Hollow Void Stage, his talent was somewhat useful, but for Refining Void...
Without identity, status, power, where would the resources for cultivation come from?
In the future, could he still achieve Shattered Void and envision the elegance of integrating the Dao and becoming a Dao Lord?
For a while, Qi Sha's gaze once again fell upon Alkaid's rest room.
Perhaps...
It was time to seek a way out for himself.
...
Alkaid was unaware of Qi Sha's internal turmoil.
All his time and energy were devoted to perfecting the harmony between the Void Dao Seed and Cave Heaven.
Time rapidly passed in his cultivation process.
With his cultivation realm now as high as "Shattered Void," the progress of harmonizing his Dao Seed and Cave Heaven was extremely rapid.
At every moment, the harmony between the Dao Seed and Cave Heaven could be enhanced.
As their compatibility increased, the boundaries between the power of Cave Heaven and Void Force also began to blur.
And when that boundary blurred to a certain extent...
The barrier was suddenly broken.
Alkaid abruptly reached out his hand, where the power of Cave Heaven flowed, and directly transformed into Void Force.
Then, with a sweep of his left hand, ripple of void shimmered, already refined into the force of Cave Heaven.
There was no longer any separation between them.
Such a characteristic...
"Refining Void."