"This is the Immortal Gourd."
Looking at the tiny gourds radiating a chaotic hue—each no larger than a pinky finger when first born—it was clear that they truly grew from the tree. Their surfaces were etched with mysterious Dao patterns, emitting wisps of glowing radiance.
This time, not many, but not too few either, a total of 365 Immortal Gourds had emerged.
In other words, this batch of evolutionary elixir produced exactly 365 units, coinciding with the number of days in a year.
"The first maturity takes a thousand years to fruit, and then another thousand years to brew the evolutionary elixir. So, to obtain the first batch of evolutionary elixir, it requires a full two thousand years. After that, every thousand years will yield another 365 Immortal Gourds.If not harvested, after the first millennium of maturity, the elixir within the gourds will evolve from Tier 1 to Tier 2.To evolve to Tier 3, it needs another two thousand years.Tier 3 to Tier 4 requires three thousand more years... and so on, increasing each time.Reaching Tier 9 will require tens of thousands of years."
After estimating the growth cycle of the elixir, even Yi Tianxing couldn't help but take a sharp breath. The cycle was simply too long. For cultivators with insufficient lifespan, they might die before the elixir ever reaches Tier 9.
In short, to nurture a single batch of elixir from birth to Tier 9, it would take 38,000 years.
That kind of timespan could easily outlast a cultivator's entire life.
"Let's try it first and see."
Yi Tianxing shook his head and resumed watering the Immortal Evolution Tree with Life Immortal Dew, accelerating its medicinal essence.
Unknowingly, the tiny Immortal Gourds had already grown to the size of a baby's fist. Still small and exquisite, they had taken on a more mysterious, ancient appearance. At some point, a gray halo had naturally formed around each of the 365 gourds, radiating softly. Within the halo, faint Dao rhythms could be sensed—perhaps the very brilliance of immortality.
This single halo indicated that the elixir inside had reached Tier 1. Once plucked, the user would obtain a Tier 1 Evolutionary Elixir, perfect in quality and completely free of impurities.
Each additional tier would add a new halo in the following color sequence:
Gray, White, Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Gold, Purple, Violet-Gold.
Reaching this point, Yi Tianxing finally exhaled in relief. Over half of the accumulated Life Immortal Dew had already been used up. If he kept going, he wouldn't be able to afford it anymore.
"Let's try it first and see."
With a thought, he plucked one of the Immortal Gourds from the tree.
In the secluded chamber, a small gourd naturally appeared in his hand.
The gourd seemed wholly natural, with no visible openings. However, at the top of the gourd's neck was a stem. Placing a hand upon it, he could hear a crisp sound like rotating gears. Then, the stem popped off, revealing a narrow opening. At that moment, a burst of radiant light and a strange fragrance wafted out.
Just a sniff evoked a powerful desire—his very cells rejoicing in excitement.
His body even felt on the verge of immediate evolution.
Gulp!
"It doesn't smell medicinal, more like a spiritual fruit—completely natural."
Yi Tianxing couldn't help but secretly swallow a mouthful of saliva. Without hesitation, he brought the gourd to his lips. Once opened, the longer it was exposed, the more its medicinal essence would dissipate. That would be a waste.
He gulped down the evolutionary elixir in one go.
Delicious.
That was the first instinctive thought that flashed through his mind.
He could clearly feel the Gourmet Cell within him celebrating, absorbing the ambient spiritual energy, and rapidly strengthening his physical body. It was indeed a form of culinary ecstasy—delicious in a soul-stirring way.
At the same time, the elixir was absorbed directly by his Life Cauldron Life Aperture, and from the cauldron, a beam of evolutionary light burst forth, instantly engulfing both flesh and soul.
He could feel his meridians, bones, and even Divine Sea undergoing transformation under the light of evolution.
Unknowingly, though Yi Tianxing was already a top-tier genius with broad and powerful meridians, the beam still expanded his meridian channels slightly.
Not significantly, but a tangible improvement.
Given that his aptitude and cultivation were already exceedingly strong, the effect of a Tier 1 Evolutionary Elixir was naturally limited.
"The body is being purified, muscles and bones washed anew. The Divine Sea is refined again. Its space walls are now more solid. Life apertures all over the body are strengthened, giving a deeper foundation and greater life potential."
After a long while, Yi Tianxing slowly opened his eyes, a strange glint flickering within them.
He muttered, "The most important thing is, this elixir contains power that, if given to an ordinary person, could instantly open the Divine Sea, purify the body, unblock all meridians—and in the shortest time—reach the peak of Divine Sea Realm. It could even trigger the awakening of life apertures. This is true fortune."
And such a transformation came with no side effects.
One could imagine what a priceless treasure this was to any cultivator—it could lay the foundation for ultimate greatness. From personal experience, it was also clear that Tier 1 elixirs focused mainly on evolving the Divine Sea.
Thus, it stood to reason that Tier 2 would focus on the evolution of Life Apertures.
In the following days, cultivators in Xuanhuang City came and went from the Wandering Merchant's shop, purchasing all kinds of items. Jia Chengxin also saw numerous business opportunities in Da Yi, buying many unique Da Yi products in large quantities—stockpiling like any seasoned traveling merchant would.
After a seven-day stay, the enormous Wandering Bird once again took flight and disappeared into the distance, accompanied by its signature "Yoo-yoo" cry.
Not long after, following the Lantern Festival, the Second Imperial Examination officially began.
A great number of candidates participated in the preliminary assessments held in each celestial city. This was the first round of filtering.
Passing this round wasn't hard—the threshold was low. At the very least, one had to be literate to participate.
Compared to the previous examination, the number of participants had surged—people from all walks of life.
Upon learning that the previous round of scholars had not only entered the Imperial Court, but some had even become city lords, guarding entire regions—equivalent to high-ranking governors—countless talents in Da Yi were inspired to join.
Not just newcomers—many who failed the previous round also returned to try again, now better prepared.
With experience on their side, they naturally held some advantage.
Still, in the end, it would come down to one's own talent.
Meanwhile, in the Nightmare World...
In the boundless Nightmare Void, a single blood-red bubble suddenly burst.
As it ruptured, vast waves of Nightmare Power surged out. Simultaneously, many dream-life forms began to materialize—manifesting from illusion into reality. They would soon become inhabitants of real dreams within the Nightmare World.
Among them was a massive army.
A closer look revealed at least 400,000 to 500,000 troops, many clad in tattered armor—each emanating a brutal aura. These were elite soldiers who had survived countless battles.
One could clearly sense their battle-hardened spirit.
At the front stood Zhou Yu, donned in battle gear, a glint of joy in his eyes.
Surrounding him were numerous generals and strategists.
"Master Wenruo, you must now realize that the world we were in was merely a dream—an illusion bound to collapse. Only now are we truly real.Still, even this place remains within the Nightmare World. Only by leaving it and passing through the Nightmare Gate can we return to the Eternal World, where true reality begins."
Zhou Yu smiled as he spoke to a middle-aged scholar beside him.
This man exuded a natural charisma born from deep intellect.
"So this is why you abducted me?"The scholar scanned his surroundings, a strange look in his eyes.
With his intellect, he had already discerned much from earlier changes. Through the transitions between illusion and reality, he had also absorbed some of the Nightmare World's transmitted information. He knew now that his appearance here was an immense stroke of fate.
"Forgive me, Master Wenruo—it was out of necessity.There is no longer a distinction between the Han, Cao Cao, or Eastern Wu.I've already told you: the outer world is the Eternal Realm, where myriad worlds have merged.There are no longer separate nations, only a fierce struggle between the human race and countless alien tribes.Our people are still at a disadvantage. We need great minds like yours.If you join Da Yi, His Majesty will certainly place great trust in you."
Zhou Yu's tone was sincere.
"Is it really as you say—that myriad realms have merged and the human race suffers in misery?"A young man in silver armor riding a white horse asked. A silver spear gleamed in his hand, his eyes reflecting a sharp intelligence.
"You'll see for yourself once we leave."
Zhou Yu didn't hesitate in his reply.
"Then how do we leave?"
The middle-aged scholar finally posed the most pressing question.