Chapter 212: The Great Thousand World
"Children? Brother Xuan, what are you talking about? I don't even have a wife, let alone kids!"
A Tavern in the Gu Realm
In a private room at the tavern, Xiao Tiance's astonishment was evident. He looked at Xiao Xuan with a mixture of disbelief and exasperation, as if to say, What kind of wild thoughts are these, Brother Xuan?
Seeing his reaction, Xiao Xuan burst into hearty laughter and waved dismissively. "I was just voicing a concern, that's all."
"Well, that's good then," Xiao Tiance said with relief. "Brother Xuan, you don't need to worry. I'm not planning to find a partner here in the Dou Qi Continent. When I get to the Great Thousand World, I'll think about marriage and kids.
"For now, my main priority is wiping out the Hun Clan, breaking through the spatial barrier to the Great Thousand World, and ascending to the Dou Di realm."
Xiao Tiance's tone was casual but firm, revealing his resolute ambitions.
He had pondered the possibility of internal strife arising if he had children in the future, but he dismissed the idea quickly. The Dou Qi Continent didn't have anyone who matched his standards or aspirations. He decided to delay such matters until reaching the Great Thousand World, where his horizons would expand.
As for his potential descendants, Xiao Tiance was confident that they wouldn't need to fight for the Xiao Clan's leadership. If they desired anything, they would either achieve it through their own efforts or through the opportunities he created for them.
On the Great Thousand World
Hearing Xiao Tiance mention the "Great Thousand World," Xiao Xuan and Mu Ling exchanged a glance.
"Is this 'Great Thousand World' the same place the Dou Di ascended to after leaving the Dou Qi Continent?" Xiao Xuan asked.
"That's correct," Xiao Tiance nodded. "Every Dou Di who ascended from the Dou Qi Continent went to the Great Thousand World.
"However, before Tuoshe Ancient Emperor ascended, he sealed the spatial passageway to the Great Thousand World and locked away the Essence of the Dou Di. Without this essence, no one on the Dou Qi Continent has been able to reach the Dou Di realm since.
"Even someone as exceptionally talented as you, Brother Xuan, couldn't ascend without the Dou Di essence."
As Xiao Tiance spoke, a trace of regret appeared on his face. If only he had been able to convince Xiao Xuan back then, perhaps the Hun Clan would have been eradicated long ago.
He often reflected on why Xiao Xuan had been so stubborn during that time, though even after a thousand years, the answer eluded him. Could it have been the will of the world itself?
The thought crossed his mind, but with no evidence to confirm it, it remained an unanswerable mystery.
Curiosity about the Great Thousand World
"So the upper world is called the Great Thousand World?" Xiao Xuan murmured, intrigued. "Tiance, since you know its name, you must have some understanding of what it's like there.
"Why don't you share with us what you know?"
Mu Ling's interest was equally piqued. "Yes! Tell us, what is the Great Thousand World like?"
Xiao Tiance pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "I only know bits and pieces about it.
"In the Great Thousand World, there's a new cultivation system entirely different from what we know. People there don't cultivate Dou Qi but rather use spiritual energy.
"Their cultivation system has evolved over countless generations, reaching incredible heights. Spiritual energy has become an inseparable part of daily life, used in ways we can barely imagine.
"There's also something called spiritual veins. Many individuals are born with them, allowing them to cultivate faster than normal.
"While these veins lose their significance at higher levels of cultivation, they become relevant again when someone reaches the Heavenly Sovereign realm. At that stage, they can refine their spiritual veins to achieve a perfect spiritual body.
"The most extraordinary veins are the Divine Veins, which are rare and often found in powerful ancient races.
"Those born with Divine Veins don't automatically become Heavenly Sovereigns, but their chances of success are significantly higher than most.
"Spiritual veins also grant unique abilities, akin to the bloodline powers or secret techniques we're familiar with. The strongest Divine Veins can rival the Thirty Six Absolute Divine Abilities, some of which are said to be on par with the Heavenly Source Arts of the Tianyuan World."
On Cultivation Realms in the Great Thousand World
Xiao Tiance paused, taking a sip of tea before continuing.
"As for their cultivation levels, here's what I know:
Sensing Realm: Comparable to our initial steps in Dou Qi cultivation.
Spirit Movement Realm: Divided into early, middle, and late stages.
Spirit Wheel Realm: Also divided into early, middle, and late stages.
Divine Soul Realm: Split into three stages.
Fusion Heaven Realm: Split into three stages.
Transforming Heaven Realm: Split into three stages.
Connecting Heaven Realm and Three Minor Challenges:
Early, middle, and late stages for Connecting Heaven.
Three Minor Challenges: Body, Spirit, and Soul.
Sovereign Realm: Divided into nine grades:
Grades 1 4: Early stage.
Grades 5 7: Middle stage.
Grades 8 9: Late stage.
Earth Sovereign Realm: Split into lower, upper, and perfect stages.
Heavenly Sovereign Realm: Split into lower, upper, and perfect stages.
Minor Dominator Realm (also called Controller Realm):
Beyond conventional cultivation, reaching the threshold of altering the rules of existence.
Grand Dominator Realm: The pinnacle. Achieving this requires fusing a complete domain world. Those in this realm are akin to gods, capable of almost anything.
"To my knowledge, no one in the Great Thousand World has reached the Grand Dominator Realm. The current peak of combat power is the Heavenly Sovereign's perfect stage."
Comparison to the Dou Qi Continent
Hearing this intricate hierarchy, Xiao Xuan's eyes gleamed with curiosity. After some contemplation, he asked, "In terms of cultivation levels, where does our Dou Di realm fit within this hierarchy?"
"Dou Di, huh?" Xiao Tiance smiled as he explained, "Based on my research and comparing the notes I've gathered, I estimate that the Dou Di realm corresponds to the Earth Sovereign level in the Great Thousand World. At that level, one's strength is sufficient to be revered as a founder or patriarch, able to dominate a region and reign supreme without much opposition."
Hearing this, Xiao Xuan's eyes lit up even brighter. He had been worried that the Dou Di realm might be the ultimate limit, leaving him with no greater goal to strive for.
"Whew!" Xiao Xuan let out a long breath of relief. Clenching his fists tightly, he said with determination, "The Great Thousand World must be incredible. If I can one day reach the pinnacle, the Grand Dominator Realm, I could die without regrets!"
"Hahaha!" Xiao Tiance laughed heartily. "Brother Xuan, with your talent, it's only the limitations of the Dou Qi Continent that have held you back. If someone as extraordinary as you had been born in the Great Thousand World, I have no doubt you would have already reached the Heavenly Sovereign realm or even higher!"
Xiao Tiance wasn't exaggerating; this was his honest belief. He genuinely thought that if Xiao Xuan had been born in the Great Thousand World, his strength would have surpassed even the prodigies of the Four Great Clans.
Xiao Xuan shook his head slightly and said modestly, "One's birthplace isn't something we can control. Regardless, I, Xiao Xuan, will never consider myself inferior to anyone.
"By the way, I've been meaning to ask those strange techniques you use, the ones you call Spirit Arrays are they also something exclusive to the Great Thousand World?"
Xiao Tiance nodded with a smile. "Yes, the profession of Spirit Array Masters is one of the mainstream professions in the Great Thousand World.
"Spirit Array Masters hold a high status, much like alchemists here on the Dou Qi Continent. Many factions rely on them for assistance, whether it's constructing defensive arrays, offensive arrays, or formations that enhance cultivation.
"Because of this, high level Spirit Array Masters are highly sought after and incredibly valuable in the Great Thousand World. However, even at the peak of their profession, Spirit Array Masters can only achieve the Perfect Saint Heavenly Sovereign realm in terms of personal strength.
"Currently, my level as a Spirit Array Master is at the beginner level of Spirit Array Grandmaster, which corresponds roughly to the lower tier Earth Sovereign realm or, you could say, the Dou Di realm."
Xiao Tiance's face showed a hint of pride as he continued, "That said, even though I'm just a beginner Spirit Array Grandmaster, I am the only Spirit Array Master on the Dou Qi Continent.
"The methods of a Spirit Array Master are exceedingly intricate. Unless one's strength matches or surpasses mine, it's nearly impossible to break the arrays I set up. And unfortunately for my enemies, no one on the Dou Qi Continent knows how to counter Spirit Arrays.
"So, even though I haven't fully mastered my craft, anyone below the Dou Di level is essentially powerless against me no matter how many of them there are."
Xiao Xuan's Insight
Xiao Xuan listened and couldn't help but sigh in amazement. "No wonder you didn't seem the least bit concerned when you heard about Hun Tiandi and the others planning to go to the Ancient Emperor's Cave to seek his inheritance. Knowing you, I bet you've already prepared some traps for them there, haven't you?"
Xiao Tiance chuckled lightly. "Indeed, I've left a little surprise for them. Whether or not they can even enter the Ancient Emperor's Cave remains to be seen.
"And even if they do manage to get inside, I've arranged for them to receive quite the 'welcome.' You know me, Brother Xuan I always like to leave a backup plan.
"Honestly, I'd be thrilled if they managed to bypass my tricks and enter the cave. That would give us the perfect opportunity to deal with them all at once."
"Hahaha!" Xiao Xuan laughed loudly. "You haven't changed a bit. If it weren't for that despicable sneak attack by Hun Tiandi back in the day, your talents would have seen him defeated long ago."
Xiao Tiance waved dismissively and smiled. "Brother Xuan, as the saying goes, misfortune and blessing are intertwined. If Hun Tiandi hadn't ambushed me back then, I might not have achieved what I have today.
"At best, I'd probably just be a peak Nine Star Dou Saint, far from being able to completely overwhelm him."
Xiao Xuan nodded thoughtfully. "True enough. Just like me if I hadn't recklessly attempted to break through without the Dou Di essence, I wouldn't have ended up in such a miserable state back then."
Xiao Tiance's Gains from the Cave
"By the way, since you've been to the Ancient Emperor's Cave, your harvest must have been significant, right?" Xiao Xuan asked.
"It was indeed fruitful," Xiao Tiance replied without hesitation. He had no intention of hiding his gains, though he wouldn't publicize them openly, either.
"I acquired many advanced techniques and Dou Skills most of them were treasures that Tuoshe Ancient Emperor had collected before his ascension.
"However, the most valuable item wasn't the Dou Skills or techniques. It was an Emperor grade Embryonic Pill.
"This pill contains the Dou Di essence. With a bit of refinement, it can become a true Emperor grade Pill. Consuming it would practically guarantee a smooth breakthrough to the Dou Di realm."
Xiao Xuan's Reaction
"An Emperor grade Pill?" Xiao Xuan gasped, unable to hide his astonishment. The efficacy of such a pill was well known to him, though he hadn't expected one to still exist after Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's disappearance.
Xiao Tiance smiled and retrieved the Emperor grade Embryonic Pill from his storage ring, tossing it casually to Xiao Xuan.
"Here, Brother Xuan. This is the pill. I also know the method to refine it into a completed Emperor grade Pill. If you're interested, I can teach you or refine it for you myself."
Before Xiao Xuan could respond, Xiao Tiance pressed a finger to his forehead, transmitting the refinement method directly into his mind.
Moments later, Xiao Xuan's expression froze as he absorbed the information. Then, after a long sigh, he said resolutely, "Forget it. I, Xiao Xuan, refuse to resort to such means to achieve the Dou Di realm."
Xiao Tiance's Thoughts
Xiao Tiance wasn't surprised by Xiao Xuan's reaction. "As expected," he thought.
"Xiao Xuan will always be Xiao Xuan proud and principled. Even when handed a shortcut to ultimate power, he would rather forgo it than compromise his ideals."
Xiao Xuan tossed the pill back to Xiao Tiance and said firmly, "Tiance, keep this. I won't be using it."
(End of Chapter)
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