Two luminous orbs floated before him, while the horrifyingly vitalized Rou Jing coiled into a circle, resting on the ground a Zhang before Gu Xiechen.

Gazing quietly upon these three rare treasures offered by the Grand Hierophant Luoman, Gu Xiechen’s eyes flashed with purple light, seeking to unravel the web of grievances, enmities, and karmic entanglements woven into them. Yet, perhaps because the cultivation of Gu Xiechen’s Divine Eye was insufficient, he could only perceive violent flashes of light tearing across the heavens and earth from these three objects, unable to discern any detailed scenes. Instead, his eyes ached unbearably from the glare, and tears uncontrollably streamed from the corners of his eyes.

Cursing the Luoman people under his breath, Gu Xiechen reached out and fiercely grasped the Rou Shang Jing. A tangible stream of vital energy transformed into a surging white wave that rushed into his palm, carrying a faint rumble of thunder as it penetrated his body. Gu Xiechen’s form suddenly distended slightly; the vital energy within his five major organs surged forward, instantly elevating to an inconceivable degree. Vast streams of multicolored airflow erupted from his heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and spleen, converging into a fierce, multicolored torrent that shot straight toward his Sea of Consciousness, tumbling in to merge with the Haotian Mirror and the Haotian Pagoda.

Immortal melodies intertwined, and the dense markings on the Haotian Mirror and Haotian Pagoda instantly faded significantly. Most of the fissures on the second layer of the Haotian Pagoda vanished, revealing a surface as smooth and new as if it had just been forged.

Gu Xiechen rejoiced, letting out a long, hearty laugh. “What am I afraid of? No matter how many schemes lie behind this, I will face what comes. I will utterly destroy these three treasures and erase all their auras. What can they possibly do to me then? After completely destroying the evidence, even if these three artifacts carried some entanglement, it won't implicate me!”

As soon as he spoke, Gu Xiechen laughed aloud and summoned the Haotian Mirror, releasing a violent surge of azure light that instantly enveloped the two orbs and the one Rou Shang Jing. Within the azure light resided the most profound, innate method for breaking seals. The countless restrictions on the three treasures began to shatter with loud crackling sounds, layer by layer. Although the Haotian Mirror had not yet recovered to its peak state, it was, after all, one of the paramount innate supreme treasures in the Three Realms, a divine object used by the Heavenly Emperor to suppress the destiny of the Three Realms. Even exerting a fraction of its power, within a quarter of an hour, it broke every single restriction on the three treasures.

Once the seals were gone, the two orbs illuminated for thousands of miles. If Gu Xiechen had not been deep within the most secluded cultivation chamber beneath the Earth Federation Headquarters—a chamber prepared for Du Lang, sealed by nearly a thousand meters of specialized alloy and reinforced with hundreds of layers of various formations—this radiant light would have already pierced the surface. Furthermore, the life force on the Rou Shang Jing churned wildly; waves of vital energy rolled around the chamber, eventually transforming into giant white dragons soaring and dancing everywhere.

“Good, good, good!”

After three loud shouts of approval, Gu Xiechen drew out the Taiyin Profound Orb and the Taiyang Profound Orb, allowing them to select one orb each to devour and integrate. The Taiyin Profound Orb and Taiyang Profound Orb were highly spiritual. Having obtained orbs that could immensely boost their power, they eagerly began absorbing the innate vital energy contained within. The two profound orbs, trailing streams of black and white energy, circled Gu Xiechen, gradually forming a hazy Taiji sphere around him.

Ignoring the two orbs, Gu Xiechen smiled as he looked at the writhing, coiling Rou Shang Jing, which resembled a living creature. He pondered wickedly, Could this be that part of the Roman Ancestor God? Judging by the words of the Luoman High Priest, it certainly was that object. What was bizarre was that the Luoman Ancestor God had perished; how did the Luoman people manage to sever this thing? Could it be that the Luoman people, like some aboriginal tribes on Earth in ancient times, had a tradition of consuming their elders?

But never mind all that! The crucial point was the incredibly powerful vital energy contained within this object. This vital energy was a supreme boon for anyone, but for Gu Xiechen in his current state, it held extremely significant meaning. The foundation of all his cultivation techniques lay in the Hanwu True Codex; the five-colored energy streams erupting from his five organs were the purest form of the Innate Five Elements Qi. This Innate Five Elements Qi was infinitely mysterious, the basis of all matter in heaven and earth. The mere fact that the Haotian Pagoda and Haotian Mirror had to absorb this multicolored energy to repair themselves demonstrated its immense benefit.

However, due to Gu Xiechen’s cultivation level, the innate vital energy his five organs could generate was insufficient, causing the repair of the Haotian Pagoda and Haotian Mirror to proceed very slowly.

But with this Rou Shang Jing, if even a portion of its vital energy was melted down and absorbed by Gu Xiechen’s physical body, the functions of his five major organs would instantly increase by a factor of ten million, and the vital energy nourished daily would increase tenfold. The repair speed of the Haotian Pagoda and Haotian Mirror would naturally rise accordingly. Gu Xiechen was already impatient to witness what these two treasures would look like in their fully restored state.

Thinking of the advantages, Gu Xiechen couldn't help but laugh towards the sky. He shook the Haotian Mirror, causing it to shoot out an intensely powerful beam of azure light onto the Rou Shang Jing. The Rou Shang Jing let out a massive rumbling sound under the clear light. Gu Xiechen disregarded everything, using the Haotian Mirror to refine it for an entire day and night, finally transforming it into a ball of the most fundamental vital energy. A ball of pure white vital energy floated before Gu Xiechen; the residual trace of true spirit and innate imprint within it had been completely scoured away by the Haotian Mirror, leaving behind only the purest, most primal vital energy.

With a sweep of his right hand across the vital energy, Gu Xiechen carved out one-third of the mass and swallowed it whole. It felt as if a blazing fire had surged into his five major organs; Gu Xiechen suddenly had the illusion that his body was expanding boundlessly. Although his physical body had not changed in the slightest, under Gu Xiechen’s divine sense scan, his physical form had expanded to cover tens of millions of li. This was an extremely marvelous sensation, an illusion only possible when the origin of one’s life force undergoes a complete transformation.

The Fire Crow, which had been standing stock-still on Gu Xiechen’s shoulder, suddenly shrieked and pecked sharply at Gu Xiechen’s ear.

Gu Xiechen shook his head, smiled, carved out one-tenth of the remaining vital energy to feed the Fire Crow, and then stored the rest in the Haotian Pagoda in one go.

Five streams of multicolored energy, resembling great rivers, erupted from Gu Xiechen's five organs. The multicolored radiance even pierced through his body, illuminating him in a kaleidoscope of colors, like a magnificent gem. Such powerful Innate Five Elements Qi surged into Gu Xiechen’s body; his Innate True Spirit trembled and instantly grew three feet taller. The Innate True Spirit had expanded too rapidly; the excessive energy could not be consumed, and with a gasp, he spat out a straight, sharp, sword-like beam of Innate True Spirit Qi.

Coincidentally, a massive golden star was passing before Gu Xiechen’s Innate True Spirit. This golden star enthusiastically swallowed that beam of Innate True Spirit Qi in one gulp, then joyfully shot out from Gu Xiechen’s brow, trailing a long mist of purple light. Gu Xiechen, completely focused on guiding the Innate Five Elements Qi into the Haotian Pagoda, started in surprise. He exclaimed, “Do I have any spare time to deal with you now? I—I don't have enough Immortal Power to waste on recreating your body!”

After the encounters in the Star Alliance, Gu Xiechen understood the importance of his own cultivation. This golden star had already received sufficient Innate True Spirit Qi to condense its own true soul and was now only waiting for enough energy replenishment to reconstruct its physical body. However, Gu Xiechen truly was unwilling to expend his own cultivation to help it rebuild its form; he had only just managed to ascend to the realm of Second-Grade Celestial Immortal! The Fire Crow, having just swallowed a mass of vital energy, burst into delighted laughter. It flew to the Azure Lotus Ring on Gu Xiechen’s hand, and with a few pecks, retrieved thousands of Divine Crystals of varying sizes. The Fire Crow opened its small beak and swallowed all the Divine Crystals. In a short while, it suddenly spewed out a dazzling torrent of black light, accompanied by an intense surge of energy that nearly knocked Gu Xiechen off his feet.

The golden star circling Gu Xiechen leaped with joy and swiftly plunged into that black stream of light.

“Marvelous!” Gu Xiechen clapped his hands and laughed heartily, feeling a wave of exhilaration. He had truly not expected the Fire Crow to be able to digest these Divine Crystals and convert them into primal energy. But then again, the Fire Crow was refined from the flesh and blood of the Sun God, naturally carrying a trace of the imprint of an innate being. Since that group of blood descendants in the Elder Council could absorb the power within the Divine Crystals, the Fire Crow naturally could too. The many Divine Crystals he now possessed were enough for Gu Xiechen to recast a new batch of capable and sharp Immortals.

After a few laughs, Gu Xiechen returned his attention entirely to the Haotian Pagoda, temporarily ignoring the golden star that was taking shape. Nourished by the suddenly increased influx of Innate Five Elements Qi—magnified by a factor of ten million—all the fissures on the second layer of the Haotian Pagoda were rapidly disappearing. Before long, the cracks vanished without a trace. The second layer of the Haotian Pagoda suddenly burst forth with vast quantities of Xuanhuang Qi. Wisps of black-yellow energy continuously integrated into Gu Xiechen’s body, washing it clean again and again. Gu Xiechen felt light and ready to fly, as if with every move, he could effortlessly tear open the heavens and earth or shatter a star.

A strong light shot from the second tier of the Haotian Pagoda onto Gu Xiechen’s Innate True Spirit. A complex torrent of data rushed in, causing Gu Xiechen’s body to tremble, then filled him with such joy that he nearly jumped up and down.

As expected, the second layer of the Haotian Pagoda contained the advanced cultivation technique for the Xuanhuang Indestructible Body. This section of the technique complemented the foundational method, not only accelerating the strengthening of the Xuanhuang Indestructible Body but also containing a divine application skill: the Azure Life Seal. This was an overwhelmingly domineering divine ability, created by extracting a wisp of spiritual consciousness from billions of living beings across the Three Realms, condensing the Xuanhuang Qi of heaven and earth, and forming an indestructible great seal to attack the enemy. To contend against this great seal was akin to fighting against the trillions of beings in the cosmos; with one strike, any living creature would find it nearly impossible to resist. If one achieved the cultivation level of the Heavenly Emperor of old, a single blow would instantly reduce even a top-tier Grand Unity Golden Immortal to dust, with no possibility of survival, unless they had transcended the Three Realms.

Especially since this seal method was condensed from the Xuanhuang Qi of heaven and earth, it specifically targeted and damaged the cultivator's primordial spirit and consciousness. If aided by the Haotian Mirror, then none under heaven could withstand it.

Of course, to refine this divine ability, the power would be exponentially greater if one could use a foundational, powerful, innate great seal as a focus. It could not only harm the spirit but also destroy the physical body; its might was simply immeasurable! As Gu Xiechen was intently organizing the cultivation method, he suddenly laughed until tears streamed down his face. His Qilin Seal finally had a purpose! Haha! Laughing heartily, Gu Xiechen followed the Azure Life Seal technique, tossing the Qilin Seal into the Haotian Pagoda to be nurtured. The Haotian Pagoda instantly flashed with streaks of black and yellow seals, countless seals gradually imprinting themselves onto the Qilin Seal. The originally crimson Qilin Seal slowly began to change color, gradually acquiring a trace of black and yellow energy on its surface.

After finishing all this, Gu Xiechen circulated the Xuanhuang Qi within his body for thirty-six major cycles, following the advanced technique of the Xuanhuang Indestructible Body, before he happily stood up and stretched his back vigorously.

As Gu Xiechen was letting out a comfortable yawn, his body suddenly jolted, and he nearly wrenched his back! Right there in front of him, within the confines of this secret chamber, a burly man had appeared at some unknown point. He stood over thirty meters tall, with a face as dark and ugly as the bottom of a soot-covered pot, covered in a beard as stiff as steel needles, a lion’s nose, round eyes, and a large square mouth.

How burly was this man?

To put it plainly: he stood over thirty meters tall, his shoulders were about eight meters wide, his chest depth was also around eight meters, and his waist circumference was roughly the same. Each of his two legs was about four meters thick. His entire body was square and angular, with bulging muscles like they had been split by a blade or axe. Every single muscle was pitch black, gleaming with a metallic luster unique to metal.

The fellow blinked his eyes erratically, staring intently and honestly at Gu Xiechen. Every breath he took seemed to stir up a fierce gale inside the room, blowing Gu Xiechen’s hair and robes wildly. According to Gu Xiechen’s estimation, the wind force generated by a single breath from this giant was equivalent to a Force 10 gale.

“High Venerable!” Seeing Gu Xiechen staring fixedly at him, the giant squeezed his eyes and smiled sheepishly: “This humble general, Ju Ling Shen, is here, having received the High Venerable’s summons!”

“Oh, it’s Ju Ling Shen!” Gu Xiechen nodded forcefully, then suddenly jumped back a step, shouting sternly: “You are Ju Ling Shen? The one who runs errands in the Lingzuan Palace?”

Ju Ling Shen paused, scratched his massive forehead, and mumbled quietly: “This humble general does serve in the Lingxiao Palace, that is true, but as a vanguard for the Heavenly Emperor, holding a position of great authority—when would I ever run errands?”

Gu Xiechen stared blankly at Ju Ling Shen for a moment, then suddenly laughed: “Very well, very well. Since you are here, that is good.” In an instant, countless negative stories about Ju Ling Shen flashed through Gu Xiechen’s mind, especially how that brute was toyed with by the Monkey King in Journey to the West? But this fellow’s sheer size was truly astonishing—from the top of his head to the soles of his feet, he was a solid, blocky mass! After offering a few words of admiration, Gu Xiechen scanned Ju Ling Shen’s body with his divine sense. Not bad. He didn't know how many Divine Crystals the Fire Crow had spent, but although Ju Ling Shen had just reforged his immortal body, he already possessed the strength of the peak of First-Grade Celestial Immortal. Moreover, his primordial spirit was exceptionally strong, faintly reaching the peak level of Fourth-Grade Celestial Immortal. Given a little time, breaking through to Fourth-Grade Celestial Immortal would be effortless for him.

Patting Ju Ling Shen’s muscle knots, which were far harder than alloy ingots, Gu Xiechen frowned and asked: “What weapon do you use?”

Ju Ling Shen laughed in a deep, muffled voice: “The Xuānhuā Great Axe. Heh heh, one long-handled one, and two short axes. Hmm, if they aren't heavy enough, they won’t suffice!”

Hearing Ju Ling Shen say this, Gu Xiechen hurriedly retrieved three of the heaviest axes from the inventory of the Tiangong Mansion. These axes were forged from the confluence of Silver Sand from the Celestial River and Black Iron from the Netherworld, mixed with the profound ice and cold iron from the sea-eyes in the four cardinal directions, along with Nether Silver and Frost Essence. They had then been meticulously tempered by the great clumsy hermit for hundreds of years, with the essence of three planets incorporated during the process. These three great axes were incredibly heavy; even Gu Xiechen couldn't lift them. But Ju Ling Shen gleefully seized the three axes and swung them around as easily as if they were light grass stalks.

“Such immense strength!” Gu Xiechen finally gained a direct understanding of Ju Ling Shen’s power. It seemed these three axes were still too light for him, but he couldn't find any heavier weapons. Helpless, Gu Xiechen could only produce a set of the heaviest armor available and have Ju Ling Shen put it on. Only then did the giant calm down slightly.

Just as he finished arranging these matters, a sound transmission order suddenly exploded before Gu Xiechen. A flash of golden light appeared, revealing the furious face of Yang Hua within a cloud of black smoke. He started shouting incoherently, rapidly explaining to Gu Xiechen how Ducat had sneak-attacked him and snatched the storage ring containing a massive quantity of Divine Crystals he was carrying.

“Ducat? How is that possible?” Gu Xiechen was startled, leaping up hastily. He transformed into an escape light and burrowed out of the ground using Earth Evasion technique, speeding toward the entrance of the Nine Hells Dao Sect.

Ju Ling Shen stared dumbly at the direction Gu Xiechen had fled. He frowned, mused for a moment, then shook his head helplessly: “It seems to be Earth Evasion? And… it seems Master taught me this trick once? Why can’t I remember it? Oh well, whatever! The High Venerable has left; I must follow quickly!”

With a tremendous boom, a rock layer spanning several dozen li in radius around the Earth Federation Headquarters building on Paradise Star was violently torn open. A slab of rock layer, a hundred li thick and spanning dozens of li in circumference, was lifted bodily and flung heavily aside. Ju Ling Shen joyfully hummed a little tune as he drilled out from underground, stretched his long legs, and began chasing after Gu Xiechen.

While running, Ju Ling Shen muttered to himself, complaining: “How strange, why have I also forgotten the method for Cloud-Treading Flight? Oh dear, I mustn't let anyone know, or someone will call me a reckless brute again. Ah, but it’s not my fault! Cloud-Treading Flight—how can it be as satisfying as testing my brute strength?”

Du Lang rushed out of the chaotic, ruined Earth Federation Headquarters building. He stared blankly at Ju Ling Shen dashing away like a violent wind, muttering to himself dazedly: “What in the world is that? An immortal? A monster… Hey, you bastards, hurry up and save people!”

Gu Xiechen had just reached the entrance of the Nine Hells Dao Sect when Ju Ling Shen, running entirely on foot, had already caught up to him. Gu Xiechen was utterly astounded by the man’s monstrous physical stamina and speed. How could he run so fast relying only on running? This fellow truly was unfathomable! Yang Hua, furious and flustered, rushed out from the entrance of the Nine Hells Dao Sect, hopping and shouting: “That Ducat must be insane! He actually ambushed me and snapped my neck!”

Suddenly noticing Ju Ling Shen standing behind Gu Xiechen, brandishing the long-handled Xuānhuā Great Axe menacingly, Yang Hua asked in astonishment: “Who is this giant? What is he here for?”

Gu Xiechen turned back, patted Ju Ling Shen’s massive toe, and smiled faintly: “This is Ju Ling Shen. How did he get here? Just like Xin Jia and the others! Hmm, where is Ducat?”

Before the words were even finished, the Earth Federation’s most urgent communication signal exploded on Gu Xiechen’s communicator.

“Lord Ducat has charged alone into the Roman Pantheon. In the areas we can observe, he has already killed nearly a thousand Roman priests!”

“He’s truly gone mad!” Gu Xiechen and Yang Hua exclaimed simultaneously, then both shot into the air.

Ju Ling Shen shouted in a flurry, hopping frantically as he tried to take flight. But the slight cloud-energy generated beneath his feet was immediately stomped into powder by his own heavy tread.

Gu Xiechen’s mouth twitched in exasperation. He swept Ju Ling Shen up with a wide sleeve and carried him, plunging into the nearest Dead Starship overhead.

Tens of seconds later, the Dead Starship accelerated rapidly toward the Thirteen Connected Star System.