“After achieving the Nascent Soul Realm, those two minor divine abilities have become much less effective for me.”

After gauging his strength, Lu Qing’s heart stirred once more.

Upon stepping into the Nascent Soul Realm, both his fleshly body and divine soul had undergone a fundamental transformation.

This caused the two divine abilities he commanded through his Nascent Soul—

the Flesh-Body Divine Ability, Great Strength, and the Divine Soul Divine Ability, Phantasm—

to lose much of their former potency.

Especially Great Strength. When he activated his True Witch Body, the boost it granted was nearly negligible.

But this was within Lu Qing’s expectations.

After all, Great Strength and Phantasm were merely minor divine abilities. Back when he was in the Golden Core Realm, they could indeed serve as trump cards.

Now that he had entered the Nascent Soul Realm, his power had undergone an earthshaking transformation.

The blessings from minor divine abilities could no longer multiply his strength several-fold—or even tenfold—the way they had at the Golden Core stage.

“It seems the only way is to elevate these two divine abilities, refine them into major divine abilities, and make them trump cards once more.”

Divine abilities were divided into ranks.

Great Strength and Phantasm had been bestowed upon Lu Qing by the will of heaven and earth itself, when he had survived the Precelestial Tribulation.

Though only minor divine abilities, they possessed an exceedingly rare quality: the potential for growth.

Through arduous cultivation, their rank could be steadily advanced.

But divine ability cultivation was obscure and perilous.

After all, divine abilities were linked to the mysterious and unfathomable laws of the Great Dao. Training them meant enduring the backlash of the Dao itself.

If one’s realm and cultivation were insufficient, forcing a divine ability’s ascension could bring devastating consequences.

Even Lu Qing, back in the Golden Core Realm, could only polish these two divine abilities to perfection at the minor level. He could not raise them to the level of major divine abilities.

Now, however, having stepped into the Nascent Soul Realm, his strength had transformed beyond recognition.

His tolerance for the Dao’s backlash had risen greatly.

He could finally attempt to raise Great Strength and Phantasm to the level of major divine abilities.

Of course, this was not something to be done overnight. Even with his spiritual powers aiding him, it would take much time and comprehension.

There was no need to rush. Lu Qing decided to postpone this matter until he returned to his home world. Then he could study it at leisure.

With that plan settled, his attention shifted inward—to the Great Dao Chapter floating within his mind.

This time, after surviving his tribulation and stepping into the Nascent Soul Realm, no new divine abilities had been bestowed upon him.

But as expected, he had been granted another Great Dao Chapter—this one illuminating the mysteries of the Nascent Soul Realm.

Moreover, this new chapter had fused with the one he had obtained during the Golden Core stage.

In his mind, the chapter shimmered. At times it glowed like golden light, at times it became a grand scroll, spilling forth countless profound characters.

Lu Qing fell into deep contemplation.

Every word of the Great Dao Chapter was like a pearl, neatly arranged into layers, expounding upon the secrets of cultivation.

It did not seem like something naturally formed. Rather, it resembled a mystical scripture composed by some existence to explain the truths of cultivation.

But what kind of being could create such a chapter, then fuse it into the Great Dao itself, to be gifted to the worthy through tribulation?

Could it be that someone in this world could control the Dao itself, manipulate the heavenly tribulations?

Unbidden, Lu Qing recalled the eerie eye that had appeared in the tribulation vortex during his final soul tribulation.

Though it seemed devoid of emotion, as though a manifestation of the Dao’s will, he instinctively felt it was not that simple.

Sadly, his cultivation was still too shallow. Even with his spiritual powers, he could not uncover the truth behind the Eye of Tribulation, nor the origins of this Great Dao Chapter.

After pondering for a while, he gained no answers. He sighed and let the thoughts go.

It all came down to strength.

If he reached higher realms, then with his spiritual powers alone, he could pierce the veil of illusion and grasp many truths.

Steeling his heart, Lu Qing sank into the Great Dao Chapter, letting his spiritual powers immerse within it.

Suddenly, countless revelations of the Nascent Soul Realm flooded into his consciousness.

Time passed unnoticed.

At last, Lu Qing emerged from his insights, ending this round of study.

“The Nascent Soul Realm… truly profound, vast beyond words.”

His eyes shone with newfound clarity, and he could not help but sigh.

From his comprehension of the Great Dao Chapter, he had gained a clear understanding of the early tribulations of the Nascent Soul Realm.

In essence, the first four tribulations were primarily about tempering and accumulating one’s Nascent Soul body and spiritual power.

Each tribulation brought about a transformation.

Life span lengthened. Strength deepened.

The first four tribulations were, in truth, laying the foundation.

Nascent Soul experts would grind themselves down, building their strength, surviving tribulation after tribulation, until their power and foundation soared.

Once they passed the fifth tribulation, their Nascent Soul would have reached its peak. Then they could attempt to comprehend the Laws of Space.

Success meant a transformation akin to heaven and earth overturning.

One could open a Purple Mansion within, multiplying their spiritual power a hundredfold.

One could wield spatial laws to launch unfathomable attacks.

Generally, a Nascent Soul who grasped spatial laws was on a completely different level from one who had not.

It was only because of the Zhou Tian Star Array suppressing space in Zhou Tian City that Lu Qing had been able to assassinate so smoothly back then.

Otherwise, he could never have toyed with the Gongshu Clan ancestors as he had.

“The reason I was able to slay King Zhenwu and Elder Xing right after my tribulation, even though they were peak four-tribulation Nascent Souls—

was because my foundation before tribulation was so profound.

When I broke through, the power of my gray spiritual energy was already on par with a peak four-tribulation Nascent Soul.

Even comparable to a five-tribulation Nascent Soul who had yet to touch the Laws of Space.

Add to that my cultivation along multiple paths, my countless trump cards—how could Zhenwu and the others stand against me?”

After studying the Great Dao Chapter, Lu Qing had a clearer grasp of his strength.

And he now had a general direction for his future cultivation.

Having stepped into the Nascent Soul Realm, his Perfect Golden Core Technique had reached its end.

Next, he needed to create its successor—the Nascent Soul Technique.

At first, he had no clear path toward such a creation.

But now, with the Great Dao Chapter as his guide, inspiration flowed.

His gray spiritual power—born of the fusion of his three cultivation paths—was the key.

Strengthening it meant strengthening everything.

According to the Chapter, just like the Golden Core Realm had its Perfect Golden Core, the Nascent Soul Realm also possessed the concept of a Perfect Nascent Soul.

And his own Nascent Soul was clearly one. In fact, it was even stronger than the Chapter’s description.

Just like the Perfect Golden Core, the Perfect Nascent Soul’s limit was not the ninth tribulation, but the twelfth.

Therefore, the technique he needed to create should be the Perfect Nascent Soul Technique.

The path ahead was clear.

“I must draw upon my spiritual powers, fuse all the Nascent Soul methods I have mastered, including the Heavenly Witch Body of Ten Thousand Tribulations and the Divine Rune Sect’s soul cultivation techniques.

Then, referencing the Nascent Soul chapter of the Great Dao Chapter, I will forge the Perfect Nascent Soul Technique—centered on my gray spiritual power.”

His resolve was firm.

Lu Qing’s cultivation path was too unique.

In the history of cultivation, few, if any, had walked so many roads at once.

This meant he could rarely find techniques perfectly suited to him.

Thus, the best option was to create his own.

Fortunately, he had already succeeded once, with the Perfect Golden Core Technique.

With that experience, he was confident in forging the Perfect Nascent Soul Technique.

Without delay, he gave a few instructions to Xiaoli and the others, then went into seclusion to begin the attempt.

His foundation was immense—his knowledge and insight surpassed that of most Nascent Soul experts.

After all, during the battle at Sacred Tianxu Mountain, he had slain many Nascent Soul cultivators, seizing their techniques.

He had already studied them thoroughly while creating the Perfect Golden Core Technique.

Now, under the Chapter’s guidance, creating the new technique was even easier than forging the later transformations of the Perfect Golden Core.

In just a few days, Lu Qing had already sketched the framework of the first tribulation of the Perfect Nascent Soul Technique.

The outline in place, he only needed to refine the details to complete it.

But after laying the foundation, he chose to emerge from seclusion.

Cultivation required balance. He decided to relax his mind before continuing.

Dispelling the surrounding formations, he stepped out and saw Xiaoli and the White Flood Dragon playing.

Wuxing sat nearby, watching longingly, not daring to join.

But Lu Qing soon noticed something odd.

The White Flood Dragon’s body had shrunk dramatically. What had once been as thick as a tree trunk was now no larger than an arm.

“Xiaobai, you’ve learned a body transformation technique?” Lu Qing asked.

“Ah Qing, you’re out!” Xiaoli exclaimed, leaping toward him.

The White Flood Dragon, however, froze in nervousness.

“Yes, Master. These past days, Xiaoli taught me a body transformation technique. I’ve just begun to grasp it.”

“That’s right, Ah Qing! I taught Xiaobai some basics of the Nine Transformations of the True Dragon. He learned so fast—just a few days, and he can already shift his size at will!

Far better talent than that stinky snake, if you ask me!”

Xiaoli beamed, even taking a jab at Wuxing.

Wuxing stiffened awkwardly, while the White Flood Dragon grew more uneasy.

For in practicing this technique, it had realized just how exquisite it was.

Even more shocking—it could refine its own bloodline!

If the Flood Dragon Clan knew of this, they would stop at nothing to seize it.

And Xiaoli had passed it on without Lu Qing’s permission.

Would he be furious?

“Xiaobai is of the Flood Dragon Clan, with true dragon blood. Compared to Wuxing, it is natural for it to learn the Nine Transformations of the True Dragon more easily.”

To the White Flood Dragon’s surprise, Lu Qing only smiled.

“Then Ah Qing, since Xiaobai’s talent is so good, can I teach him the complete Nine Transformations of the True Dragon?” Xiaoli asked eagerly.

Lu Qing nodded. “That technique was given to you by a senior. Since he placed no restrictions, you may pass it on as you wish.”

Xiaoli’s face lit up. “Great! I was worried you’d disapprove. I’ll teach him the first full transformation next.”

“That’s fine. I’ll be in seclusion again soon. You handle it.”

The White Flood Dragon was dumbstruck.

The incomplete version alone was this powerful, yet Lu Qing allowed the full transmission so casually?

And he hadn’t even placed a soul imprint on it yet!

Didn’t he fear betrayal?

“Ah Qing, once you come out of seclusion again, can we finally go home?” Xiaoli asked, unaware of her friend’s turmoil.

“Yes, once I—”

Lu Qing began to nod.

But then, his expression changed sharply.

Before he could say another word, his hand swept, pulling Xiaoli, Wuxing, and the White Flood Dragon into the Li Huo Cauldron.

In that instant, the cave ceiling shattered.

Blinding light engulfed him.

The entire cave dissolved.

Even the mountain itself crumbled, exploding into pieces.

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