Chapter 161: Chapter 105: Great Dream of Thousand Years, 48,000 Gods

’At that time, my body will transform into a Celestial Human Body. I’ll achieve a preliminary form of immortality—a flawless physique, impervious to all techniques, with eternally sustained vitality...’

’The Candlelight Heart Eye is an ocular Divine Treasure, a Consciousness Divine Treasure, and even more, it’s of the heart... It occupies a position in my Heart Acupoint!’

At this moment, Zhong Ming only had a vague sense of something.

But as his Immersion deepened, Zhong Ming began to comprehend the more profound mysteries of the Daoist Canon.

Toward the end, his consciousness blurred, and he even perceived his body becoming Chaos, from which a world and myriad gods were being birthed.

’...The human body holds infinite mysteries and limitless potential. Thus, the body can evolve into a world, and Divine Treasures can evolve into myriad gods...’

’...If all forty-eight thousand gods are fully developed and combined into a Celestial Court with my Heart Spirit and Soul Intent as the core... then, having unlocked my body’s full potential and gained command over everything, I will be able to achieve physical apotheosis...’

Merging with the Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation caused countless insights and mysteries to flow through Zhong Ming’s mind.

Perhaps it was because his realm was too low, or perhaps his Heart Soul’s power was limited and his subconscious was protecting him. In any case, during the latter stages of this Immersion, Zhong Ming’s senses became extremely blurred, as if he were in a phantasmal dream.

The kind you barely remember upon waking.

This sense of forgetting left Zhong Ming feeling a little wistful after he woke up.

But in the next moment, he had no time to dwell on it.

As Zhong Ming’s consciousness cleared, a series of system notifications rang in his ears.

[You have recited the Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation. During your recitation, you activated Mind Reading and triggered Immersion. You have merged with the Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation...]

[You have gained new understanding and insight into the Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation. Your Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation Cultivation Technique progress +339, Reading progress +11.]

[Your Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation progress is full. You have advanced.]

[Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation, Second Realm: Insight (17/84,000). Traits: ① Divine Treasure: Candlelight Heart Eye, ② Divine Treasure...]

[You have entered a state of epiphany and are gestating a Divine Treasure...]

[Congratulations, your Divine Treasure has gestated successfully. You have obtained a new Divine Treasure—Great Dream of Thousand Years!]

After reading the system notifications, Zhong Ming had a sudden realization.

’So, the phantasmal dream I had toward the end wasn’t just because of the Immersion, but also the epiphany and the influence of the Divine Treasure: Great Dream of Thousand Years?’

Raising an eyebrow, Zhong Ming prepared to experience the specific abilities of the Great Dream of Thousand Years.

However, before he could calm his heart, his arm was gently shaken.

Turning his head, Zhong Ming saw Yi Yunya, who had shaken him awake. Her face was etched with anxiety and worry.

Before Zhong Ming could ask, she spoke up. "Senior Brother, aren’t we going to see Princess Qingyue anymore?"

"Of course we’re going, but it’s still early. We agreed to meet at 10:00 AM, and it’s only..." As he spoke, Zhong Ming glanced at the sky, and then he froze.

The Sun was already nearing its zenith, which meant:

’I’m going to be late? How did it get so late? It was just early morning when I was Reading the Daoist Canon... Is this the influence of the Great Dream of Thousand Years?’

...

Regardless of the reason, Zhong Ming could delay no longer. Forgetting about inspecting the abilities of Great Dream of Thousand Years, he informed the group from the Seven Profound Sect’s residence and led the way toward Princess Qingyue’s Mansion.

As a Cultivator, Zhong Ming arrived in just a few minutes.

But because he had started so late, he was inevitably late.

To his surprise, it seemed Princess Qingyue had been planning to take him to learn the technique as soon as he arrived, which meant she had already been waiting at the entrance for some time.

’This is my mistake.’

With that thought, Zhong Ming quickened his pace. But before he could get close, he heard a sharp, female voice dripping with cold sarcasm from a distance.

"Princess, a full cup of tea’s time has passed, and the person you’re waiting for still hasn’t arrived!"

Zhong Ming recognized the woman’s voice. It was laced with complaint, impatience, and a hint of accusation. She was the young attendant who had been with Ji Qingyue when Princess Qingyue first received the Seven Profound Sect.

Zhong Ming hadn’t forgotten that this disciple of Qianqiu Valley had also tried to sow discord between them at the end of their last meeting.

Now, her attitude toward Ji Qingyue was not particularly respectful either.

But this time, Ji Qingyue was indeed in a slightly awkward position, which made her give an apologetic smile. "He is indeed a bit late, but Young Master Zhong is not someone who breaks his promises. I believe he must have been delayed by something."

"Hmph!" Lin Qingqing was not convinced. She snorted coldly, her tone harsh. "What could possibly be more important than meeting you, Princess!"

"For you to recruit him is a blessing he’s earned over several lifetimes! It is his greatest fortune! For him to be so perfunctory and dismissive under these circumstances shows his vile character and narrow-mindedness."

"There’s no need to recruit such a useless piece of wood."

As she finished speaking, she swept her gaze over the people behind Ji Qingyue, her cold smile widening as she broadened her attack. "Princess, if I were you, I wouldn’t bother playing these childish games. If you’re counting on people from these minor sects, you don’t stand a chance."

"Only with the support of Major Sects like ours can you hope to achieve your goals, Princess."

"In my opinion, Princess, you might as well drive away this whole crowd of sycophantic freeloaders. It will save you from endless trouble in the future and prevent them from tarnishing your good name..."

These blunt words made Princess Qingyue’s expression turn ugly. The faces of the people standing behind her were ashen with fury.

However, they had their reservations and didn’t dare say a word.

Just as the scene fell into a tense stalemate, the crisp sound of clapping suddenly rang out.

"Well said, Princess! You really should clear some people out, lest they tarnish your good name... For example, some arrogant, conceited trash who do nothing but bark!"

"???"

The sudden voice silenced the entire area.

When someone had just seemed to agree with Lin Qingqing’s words about clearing out the trash, the Cultivators who followed Princess Qingyue had been scanning the surroundings with furious expressions.

And soon, they noticed Zhong Ming approaching step by step.

But just as they glared at him, before they could even reveal their Sha Qi, they heard the rest of Zhong Ming’s sentence. This made them realize in an instant that he wasn’t targeting them—the Cultivators from small sects—but rather, Lin Qingqing.

This scene left them utterly stunned, and a series of suppressed gasps erupted from the crowd.

"That person... that’s Zhong Ming, right?"

"It should be... But how does he dare?"

It wasn’t just the Cultivators from ordinary sects who couldn’t understand where Zhong Ming got the nerve to be so arrogant. Even Lin Qingqing herself, a disciple of Qianqiu Valley, never imagined someone would dare to insult her. She froze on the spot, the arrogance on her face completely replaced by disbelief.

It took her a long moment to react. When she did, her gaze toward Zhong Ming was as cold as a blade, and her tone was glacial. "Were you... talking about me?"