Rise to God with Life Skill Professions-Chapter 436 - 426: The Secret Beyond Unity

"A gift, what gift?"

Qin An showed a look of confusion upon hearing the word ’gift’.

He couldn’t understand why the General Mansion would suddenly give him a gift, and he couldn’t make sense of it at all.

Lin Zhaoyao was also full of confusion, but he didn’t ask. He just stood aside, ears perked up, ready to listen to what the Lord of the General Mansion would say next.

Who would have thought that the Lord of the General Mansion suddenly turned his gaze to Lin Zhaoyao, shook his head: "There are some things you shouldn’t hear, hearing them would instead be harmful to you. You should step back first."

Lin Zhaoyao was slightly startled, then nodded and cupped his fists, saying: "I shall obey."

Soon, Lin Zhaoyao quietly exited the courtyard.

Leaving only the Lord of the General Mansion and Qin An.

It was only then that the Lord of the General Mansion poured a cup of tea for Qin An and pushed it across the table: "Let’s sit down and have some tea. Some things need to be spoken about slowly; they cannot be explained in a short time." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Qin An thought for a moment, then sat opposite the Lord of the General Mansion, lifted the teacup, took a sip, and said: "Good tea."

The Lord of the General Mansion smiled slightly: "You don’t actually understand tea, so there’s no need to pretend."

Qin An revealed a serene smile: "Perhaps people say someone like me is just pretending to be cultured."

The Lord of the General Mansion didn’t speak, just gazed deeply at Qin An, as if trying to see through him entirely.

Qin An sat casually in his seat, allowing the Lord of the General Mansion to scrutinize him with his eyes, appearing at ease.

After a long while, the Lord of the General Mansion finally withdrew his gaze and nodded:

"I originally thought you would come here seeking credit after eradicating Wild Boar Mountain, but I didn’t expect you to be so calm and listen to what I have to say next. This calm mind is quite commendable."

Qin An shook his head: "Compared to achieving merits, I am more curious about the news from the Lord of the General Mansion, unrelated to a calm temperament."

"Others would have eagerly agreed with me by now." The Lord of the General Mansion shook his head: "I didn’t expect you to differ. Anyway, let’s get to the business at hand. Do you know what level is above the Unity Realm?"

Upon hearing this, Qin An furrowed his brows, then shook his head:

"I don’t know."

As for the realm above Unity Realm, not even Xunyang Prefecture has any knowledge of it, be it in the miscellaneous books of the Confidential Library or elsewhere; Qin An had not learned about it.

It stands to reason that the Confidential Library of the Evil Extermination Bureau should have the most comprehensive information in Xunyang Prefecture, yet even it is silent on the matter.

Qin An had long suspected something was amiss, but he hadn’t reached that level, so he hadn’t pursued the matter.

Now that the Lord of the General Mansion was suddenly telling him about it, Qin An felt there might be other reasons behind it.

After saying this, Qin An spoke no more, patiently waiting for the Lord of the General Mansion to continue.

The Lord of the General Mansion pondered briefly before continuing: "Above the Unity Realm is the Void Shattering Realm, an extremely terrifying realm, just like I am now."

As he spoke, the Lord of the General Mansion raised his hand, and a wisp of translucent gas formed at his fingertip,

Qin An, looking at the translucent gas, was slightly surprised: "Isn’t this True Essence?"

He could feel that the gas condensed by the Lord of the General Mansion was akin to True Essence, yet entirely different from it.

After reaching the Unity Realm, True Essence and Divine Sense are intertwined, inseparable.

Each move can carry the power of Divine Sense, yet it’s still called True Essence.

But what the Lord of the General Mansion was now condensing was beyond comparison with True Essence.

Both in quality and power, it had ascended to another level.

Qin An could feel the overwhelming power within the translucent gas, enough to obliterate any cultivator in the Unity Realm with just a trace of it.

The Lord of the General Mansion nodded: "This is unique to the Void Shattering Realm, known as Void Essence."

"Void Essence?"

Qin An pondered: "This is the first time I’ve heard of this term. Please enlighten me, Lord of the General Mansion. What secrets does it hold?"

Each realm brings a qualitative leap, starting with True Qi, then True Essence, and now Void Essence.

Qin An was even more curious about the so-called Void Shattering Realm.

Yet the Lord of the General Mansion didn’t clarify immediately but changed the topic: "Do you know why there is no news about the Void Shattering Realm in Xunyang Prefecture?"

Qin An shook his head: "I don’t know either."

The Lord of the General Mansion continued: "Because it’s a requirement from above."

Qin An’s eyes slightly narrowed: "I think I understand now. The Lord of the General Mansion means that those above do not allow Xunyang Prefecture to know about the Void Shattering Realm?"

The Lord of the General Mansion nodded: "You’re right. Just as Xunyang Prefecture once balanced against Lingzhou, those above similarly balance against Xunyang Prefecture. They do not permit the appearance of anyone knowledgeable about the Void Shattering Realm, including the demon forces."

"If such knowledge is gained, it can only lead to a dead end, and this has always been my duty. Only upon reaching the General Mansion can one know about the so-called Void Shattering Realm."

"There have been many demon forces that learned about the Void Shattering Realm, but I have led the Evil Extermination Bureau to completely eradicate them."

"Why do this? Just to control Xunyang Prefecture?" Qin An pondered: "But if Xunyang Prefecture had more experts in the Void Shattering Realm, it might benefit more."

"It would also bring more benefits to the Daqian Kingdom."

The Lord of the General Mansion shook his head and said: "What those above need are people they can control, not those who can stir up the situation. This is difficult to explain, but those above absolutely do not allow people from Xunyang Prefecture to know about the Void Shattering Realm."

Qin An rubbed his chin without speaking.

He knew that all this might be the result of intertwined political schemes above.

On the surface, those above do not want Xunyang Prefecture to lose control. Going deeper, if too many reach the Void Shattering Realm in Xunyang Prefecture, they might not stay long, and the strength of Xunyang Prefecture would consequently be diminished accordingly.

As for whether this is good or bad, Qin An did not know.

Nor did he wish to know.

He was only interested in what the Lord of the General Mansion would say next.

After a brief pause, the Lord continued: "You are the most perfect talent I have seen and the most gifted, so I think you can go out as the Mountain Patrol Golden General."

"It doesn’t matter if I tell you these things; even if those above know, it won’t hurt, as you’ve already caught their attention."

Upon hearing this, Qin An understood in his heart why the Lord of the General Mansion said so.

There are two factions above, one that supports him and another that does not.

The faction against him wishes to eliminate him as soon as possible.

Even if he knew about the Void Shattering, it didn’t matter, for those who did not support him would never consider him, while those who did would hope for his breakthrough into the Void Shattering Realm.

After understanding this, Qin An asked, "So, Lord of the General Mansion, what exactly is this piece of Ironstone?"

The Lord smiled slightly: "Next, I’ll tell you about these Ironstones, but before that, let me tell you about the Void Shattering Realm."

Qin An nodded and said, "I’m all ears."

After a slight pause, the Lord continued: "The so-called Unity Realm, you know, is the fusion of Divine Sense and True Essence where they are inseparable. However, the so-called Void Shattering is about breaking down and rebuilding, shattering the intertwined Divine Sense and True Essence."

"Whenever a part is shattered, it transforms into an endless illusory power that fills the body, starting with the limbs, then the torso, and finally the head. When the shattered True Essence and Divine Sense permeate the entire body, it is called Void Essence."

"At that time, you have entered the Void Shattering Realm. Once there, the Void Essence forms and can be utilized at will. Whether for attack or defense, it is much stronger than True Essence—this is Void Shattering."

Upon hearing this, Qin An showed a look of enlightenment: "So that’s it, break to rebuild."

Those unfamiliar with the Void Shattering Realm wouldn’t know the next steps for cultivation.

After all, who would think to smash one’s own Divine Sense and True Essence to advance?

Without the Lord’s information, even a top genius would find it hard to fathom.

And even if they did, they might be erased by those above immediately.

"Then what is this piece of Ironstone?" Qin An asked again.

"From your beginnings in Ding County, every step you’ve taken has been steady," the Lord said meaningfully, "and every step you’ve built an ultimate foundation. This piece of Ironstone is likewise, a tool for forging an ultimate foundation in the Void Shattering Realm, the treasure of those about to step into it."

Hearing this, Qin An’s eyes revealed a trace of eagerness.

Since stepping out of Ding County, each step has built an ultimate foundation.

If he were to step into the Void Shattering Realm, he wanted to enter with an ultimate foundation posture as well.

After all, that’s how he could enhance his actual combat power.

Now hearing the Lord say the Ironstone is an ultimate foundation, Qin An’s eagerness deepened.

Seeing Qin An’s look, the Lord smiled slightly: "This is only part of it. Next, I’ll tell you what the ultimate foundation of the Void Shattering Realm is."

Qin An remained silent, waiting for the Lord to continue.

After a brief pause, the Lord continued: "As you have understood, the so-called Void Shattering, forging an ultimate foundation is actually simple. It’s about making sure the shattered Void Essence has something to connect, ensuring every piece links to one another."

"Should you truly forge such an ultimate foundation, when deploying your Cultivation Techniques, not only could you utilize Void Essence’s illusory powers, but also carry real effects. Your strength would not be comparable to ordinary Void Shattering Realm."

"This piece of Ironstone is precisely that; it’s called a Shattered Void Stone. In Xunyang Prefecture, finding one is as hard as reaching the heavens. The reason there’s one on Wild Boar Mountain is that it intends to connect all Power of Divine Souls, forming a massive entity for the behind-the-scenes Pseudo-God to use."

Hearing this, Qin An looked enlightened.

The Shattered Void Stone can connect Void Essence, and naturally, it can connect the Power of Divine Soul as well.

If it follows what the Lord says and connects all the Power of Divine Soul in Blood Pills together, it would truly be a terrifying existence.

Qin An asked again: "Does Xunyang Prefecture not have these things?"

The Lord smiled slightly: "How did you know?"

Qin An said: "It’s not hard to guess. If there were many of these things, someone would have deduced it from here long ago. Even the Pseudo-God behind only placed one on Wild Boar Mountain, indicating its preciousness."

The Lord nodded: "You’re correct. The formation of each Shattered Void Stone needs the perfect combination of time, place, and harmony. It’s a mysterious item. Some say it can form upon the death of a Void Shattering expert with extremely low probability, while others claim it’s formed by a mysterious force."

"In any case, the theories are many, but what I can tell you is that even above, there are very few. To step into the Void Shattering Realm with an ultimate foundation, six Shattered Void Stones are needed."

"They represent the arms, head, torso; the one I am giving you now will allow you to forge a part, but that’s also enough."

Qin An clasped his hands and said: "Thank you, my lord."

He didn’t decline courteously nor humbly refuse.

This item was crucial to him, and he wouldn’t let it pass.

The Lord tossed the Shattered Void Stone to Qin An and said lightly: "No need to thank, as I have an important task next for you, a task perhaps only you can accomplish."