In the vast, deep, and mysterious void, the starship flew silently, like a pale blue star, crossing thousands of star regions in an instant.
Inside the starship, the discussion in the spiritual spring continued.
Qingyao Immortal Venerable’s words completely confirmed Qing Muling’s long-held suspicions.
The Great Void was not the only world. There were countless large and small worlds evolved from the chaos of the vast void, including the so-called upper realm, which was not much larger than the Great Void.
The Great Void had simply been born earlier and had endured more calamities, leaving it scarred and in worse condition compared to the upper realm.
As for the Misty Illusion Secret Realm, it was said to be a fragment of space-time that had fallen from the Heavenly Realm itself, coincidentally landing near the Great Void. Thus, under the control of the high-ranking members of the Heavenly Human Clan, limited exchanges between the two sides were possible.
“…The world itself can grow, right?”
Qing Muling leaned back into the embrace of a stunningly beautiful woman, asking softly.
Qingyao Immortal Venerable’s Three Corpses Avatar, though each was a beauty among billions, had differences. Her evil thought avatar was a sharp-featured, stern, and unparalleled elegant lady; her good thought avatar was a gentle, graceful, and dignified beauty; the third avatar had not yet fully formed and its true appearance was unknown.
Qingyao Immortal Venerable nodded slightly, “Of course, for instance, the Great Void continuously absorbs various spiritual energies and Dao Rhymes from the chaos of the vast void to strengthen itself and repair the damage caused by calamities. Other worlds are the same; this is an innate ability since their birth.”
“Senior Sister, are you saying that the world itself has life?”
“Yes, but unlike intelligent beings with complete self-awareness, they are mostly in a state of confusion and chaos, reacting slowly to external stimuli.”
“I see.”
Qing Muling understood in his heart; it was somewhat like a giant vegetative state, instinctively absorbing spiritual energies and Dao Rhymes from the chaos of the vast void to nourish and repair itself, rather than doing so consciously.
No wonder the Great Void was showing signs of recovery, with spiritual energy becoming more abundant. It was simply because the world itself had absorbed enough energy from the chaos of the vast void, and its wounds had healed to a certain extent.
Qing Muling pondered for a few moments and said, “It seems the gap between the Great Void and the upper realm is much larger than I previously thought, even though both worlds were of the same level at their inception.”
Qingyao Immortal Venerable smiled, “You understand correctly. Since its birth, the Great Void has faced various calamities at regular intervals, causing severe damage to the world itself. The upper realm, on the other hand, has fared much better in this regard, so its fortune is flourishing, and it is advancing in all aspects.”
It’s like two countries of similar size and resources, one in a peaceful and stable environment, developing rapidly, while the other is plagued by natural disasters and wars, with the government exhausted and unable to focus on development. Over the years, the gap between the two countries would be enormous, completely different levels.
The upper realm now was thirty times larger than the Great Void and still growing.
In Qingyao Immortal Venerable’s eyes, the upper realm’s foundation and resources were nearing a critical point. If it continued to develop steadily, it might complete a world-level transformation and ascend to a more powerful space-time world in about a million years.
The Great Void, however, had long been struggling on the edge of survival and destruction. Its vast lands had been shattered into countless fragments by numerous calamities. Even though it was now beginning to recover, it could not compare to the upper realm.
“So, when you mentioned last time that the ascended strong would return, and even the great figures of the upper realm might descend to the Great Void to seize its fortune and promote the fusion of the two worlds… could this lead to another round of bloodshed?”
Qing Muling pondered and asked. Those great figures were not benevolent, and if they acted recklessly in the Great Void, the damage to the world itself would be unimaginable.
The Great Void, just beginning to recover, might suffer further destruction in another calamity, falling into an even worse state.
Qingyao Immortal Venerable did not hide this possibility, “The fusion of the two worlds is inevitable. Since the great figures of the upper realm have decided, it cannot be changed. As for bloodshed, it is certainly unavoidable!”
“In essence, they can’t wait to merge other worlds to increase their world’s power capacity, paving the way for their own ascension to sainthood.”
“So, the Great Void is just the first target. Once this step is completed, more worlds in the chaos of the vast void will suffer, being swallowed one by one by the upper realm, becoming its nourishment for growth and transformation, right?”
Qing Muling sighed. It was said that saints were heartless, viewing all things as mere straw dogs. Those great figures were not even saints yet, and their methods were already extreme.
But in this regard, high-level cultivators were all the same. Just look at the leaders of the Supreme Dao Lineages in the Great Void; no one could criticize anyone else.
“The fate of the Great Void was originally sealed, but now with your appearance, the development of many things may not go as they wish!”
Qingyao Immortal Venerable looked at the beautiful young man in front of her with a smile, speaking softly, “Although the two worlds will still merge, who will dominate the new world after the fusion is uncertain! If you are strong enough, you might change the fate of the entire world with your own power?”
All things in heaven and earth have their fortune, and the world itself is no exception.
The upper realm’s fortune was now a thousand times stronger than the Great Void’s. Under normal circumstances, the Great Void could only be swallowed and digested, unable to resist.
However, with Qing Muling, the embodiment of the Harmony Creation Blue Lotus, the Great Void might have a chance to turn the tables. Though he had no self-awareness, his survival instinct would still drive him to make choices that best served his interests.
“…Junior Brother, about seventy percent of your fortune and blessings come from yourself, and the remaining thirty percent is the Great Void’s favor towards you,”
Qingyao Immortal Venerable continued, “As your cultivation grows, your fortune will become increasingly terrifying. The Great Void will value you more and invest more in you, provided you do not harm or betray the world’s fundamental interests and remain in this world to contribute to it, especially in helping to fend off external enemies.”
The Harmony Creation Blue Lotus had a high status, comparable to a great world. Though Qing Muling was still weak, the Great Void saw him as the same kind of existence. Protecting his growth would benefit both.
In theory, the Harmony Creation Blue Lotus could evolve into a grand, vibrant space-time world, one of the highest levels. However, this would take an extremely long time, perhaps measured in eons.
A melodious voice, like water dripping on jade, sounded with a hint of authority, “If the great figures of the upper realm learned of your true identity, they might consider capturing you and sacrificing you to the upper realm? This way, the upper realm could complete its transformation and ascend to a more powerful space-time world ahead of time?”
Qing Muling’s expression froze. He turned to look at the stunning beauty holding him. Though she was one of Qingyao Immortal Venerable’s Three Corpses Avatar, her perspective seemed different.
Qingyao Immortal Venerable pondered, “This possibility is unlikely. If the upper realm’s status is not as high as the Harmony Creation Blue Lotus, it would not be able to devour and refine Muling. Instead, Muling might turn the tables and become the upper realm’s heavenly will.”
“But the risk is too great and completely uncontrollable. Since there are no similar cases to reference, I do not recommend you try, Junior Brother.”
“I would never consider such a choice.”
Qing Muling said without hesitation. Becoming the supreme heavenly will, immortal and eternal, would mean losing all emotions and desires, becoming like a walking corpse or a cold machine.
Becoming the supreme ruler of a vast space-time world sounded tempting, but it was far from simple, and the price might be unimaginable.
Not to mention, he couldn’t bear to part with his beautiful and diverse Dao Companions and Senior Sisters.
Unless he lost his mind, Qing Muling would never want to become such an existence.
“I knew you would say that, Junior Brother.”
The stunning beauty smiled, her smooth, jade-like hand gently moving down, softly caressing, “It will take some time to reach our destination. How about we cultivate together, sharing some spiritual energy and Dao Rhymes? Your recovery ability is strong enough; it won’t hinder your cultivation.”
“Senior Sister, don’t tease.”
Qing Muling struggled to refuse, “Let’s focus on the main topic. I still have many questions to ask you!”
Even without going all the way, just playing around, Qing Muling couldn’t withstand her repeated teasing, given the vast difference in their cultivation levels.
Being endlessly drained by someone close to the Saint Supreme level was not fun.
“We are discussing serious matters now, aren’t we?”
The stunning beauty smiled seductively, her actions finally pausing, but her soft, fragrant body still held him tightly.
Qing Muling took a breath and asked, “How many great figures are there in the upper realm? I mean those who hold the power of the world.”
Qingyao Immortal Venerable replied, “Not too many. The Grand Palace Master of Phoenix Palace counts as one, the one from Origin Star Palace counts too, Dao Heaven, Buddha Land, Demon Court, Demon Ancestor, Witch Temple… all have similar figures. I don’t know the exact number. Some reclusive old monsters have been silent for billions of years. I have never seen them, and perhaps even the Grand Palace Master hasn’t.”
These high-ranking figures had completely severed their Three Corpses Avatars, and some had even merged them, being just a step away from the Harmony Saint Supreme realm. They possessed incredible power, capable of changing the world with a thought.
Of course, that one step was a vast difference. Some of these high-ranking figures had been stuck at this level for countless Yuanhui, unable to advance.
Qingyao Immortal Venerable was also considered a high-ranking figure, but she was still a step behind those old monsters. Only by advancing her cultivation and merging her Three Corpses Avatars could she stand on equal footing with them.
“…Under normal circumstances, merging the Three Corpses Avatars is almost impossible,”
Qingyao Immortal Venerable explained, “When I ascended, those who held power in the upper realm had been in control for billions of years. Now, those at the top are still the same people, with no change in their positions! Even at my level, there are very few new faces, showing how difficult the path to ascension is.”
Qing Muling nodded, “That makes sense, but with me here, Senior Sister, you should be able to achieve your goal soon, right?”
With his fortune aiding her, it wouldn’t be too difficult. In the upper realm, none of those great figures had something like the Harmony Spirit Seed, not even similar innate treasures.
“There are some innate beings in the upper realm,”
Qingyao Immortal Venerable seemed to read his thoughts, explaining, “But none as unique as you! Even those slightly close don’t exist!”
“So, Junior Brother, you are one of a kind!”
In the upper realm’s superpowers, their secret libraries were vast, containing records of Harmony Spirit Seeds, though most were ancient legends, and actual examples were rare.
But Harmony Spirit Seeds varied greatly in power and status. The Harmony Creation Blue Lotus was among the highest, unmatched in the chaos of the vast void or any space-time world.
That’s why Qingyao Immortal Venerable was confident in her path to ascension. As long as she took good care of her Junior Brother, what did she have to worry about? She was destined to win effortlessly!
Qing Muling thought for a moment and asked, “The Grand Palace Master of Phoenix Palace seems to have a good relationship with you, Senior Sister?”
Qingyao Immortal Venerable smiled, “Indeed, we are close friends and mentors. But when it comes to seizing the opportunity for ascension, she won’t hesitate.”
In other words, Qingyao Immortal Venerable would never give up such a unique opportunity as Qing Muling. At most, she would share some benefits after achieving sainthood, considering their past friendship.