The Celestial Sphere buzzed with commerce, almost every moment seeing dozens of voidships and hundreds of cultivators capable of independent void travel entering or departing the nearby boundary rivers. However, when the fleet consisting of nine Grand Unity Divine Thunder Vessels and the Qian Tian Great Ark arrived here in imposing splendor, everyone in the vicinity sensed that something was amiss.

The voidships that had been coming and going vanished entirely, and not a single cultivator dared to travel alone at this moment. Just outside the void of the Celestial Sphere, a formation of sixty vessels lay in strict wait.

There were not only numerous large, heavily fortified warships, but also sixteen massive ships akin to the Grand Unity Divine Thunder Vessel, categorized as Earth-tier warships. “Are these the Nine Luminaries Star-Shattering Vessels?

The ones famed as being on par with the Grand Unity Divine Thunder Vessels?” Zong Shou, seated upon the specially prepared throne at the prow of the Great Ark, clicked his tongue in admiration. This Celestial Sphere Cultivation Society was truly rich—rich to the point of overflowing!

The combat strength of the Nine Luminaries Star-Shattering Vessels was almost comparable to that of the Grand Unity Divine Thunder Vessels, yet their construction cost exceeded that of the Cold Crystal Shadow Blade Vessels by twenty percent, and they would be even pricier if purchased externally. The latter, the Shadow Blade Vessels, numbered only about seventy in total under the Nine Capitals Immortal Court, which governed over a hundred worlds.

Yet, the Celestial Sphere Cultivation Society, controlling merely ten locations, possessed void fleet strength equivalent to a quarter of the Nine Capitals Immortal Court’s. It was truly enough to make one’s mouth water— It was said, however, that this prosperity had only blossomed over the last millennium.

Previously, the surrounding worlds were largely in a state of wilderness. Thus, although the Celestial Sphere was strategically positioned, connecting dozens of boundary rivers, it was not highly valued, and its income was not substantial.

For the past few centuries, there had been covetous eyes cast upon the area. It was only due to mutual apprehension and the threat of raids from the Night Demons and Shadow Demons that the Celestial Sphere Cultivation Society had managed to maintain its independence through a strategy of shifting alliances.

Furthermore, its inherent strength was not weak, and it must have its own backing. Without sufficient power, how could it have survived until now amidst so many surrounding powers?

Zong Shou, however, couldn't be bothered with such matters. Regardless of how much strength the Celestial Sphere possessed or who stood behind it, he intended to shatter it with a single blow!

Since everyone else merely stared at this piece of meat without daring to consume it, he would swallow it first! “Aren’t you going to wipe your mouth?

Your drool is about to spill!” Zhao Yanran’s voice came from beside him, startling Zong Shou awake. He instinctively wiped the corner of his lips, realizing he had been tricked.

He turned his head and shot the madwoman a fierce glare, but she remained utterly unconcerned. “Zong Shou, you’ve only been in seclusion for a month, yet I feel like you’ve become an entirely different person?” Yuan Wushang, also nearby, finally couldn't help but ask with confusion.

The "different person" didn't refer to Zong Shou’s disposition or behavior, but rather the aura he now exuded. While still appearing somewhat languid and unconventional, Yuan Wushang could sense a fundamental shift within him.

It seemed Zong Shou himself couldn't fully control it, but the occasional burst of intent carried a sense of magnificent, boundless vastness. “A month of quiet contemplation yielded a small gain!” Zong Shou smiled humbly.

Unfortunately, Yuan Wushang’s cultivation was insufficient, and without the full protection of the Void Scripture, his divine soul could not traverse time and space. Otherwise, merely for Yuan Wushang risking life and limb to send him news, Zong Shou would willingly expend lifespan to take him along on the Dimensional Observation Tour from a few years prior.

Speaking of the harvest from this month, it truly wasn't much; most of its effects would manifest later. Yuan Wushang looked at Zong Shou with half-belief, sensing that his cultivation had improved.

However, the vibrant vitality he possessed before seemed to have diminished significantly. Shaking his head in confusion, Yuan Wushang decided not to probe further.

“If there is any place you need my assistance in this battle, do not hesitate to ask!” His jade puppet companion, though appearing somewhat battered and worn, still possessed genuine Saint-level strength. It could easily contend against seven or eight peak Immortal realm cultivators.

It even had the capability to challenge Divine realm cultivators. Zong Shou nodded solemnly.

If it truly came down to necessity, he would not be polite to Yuan Wushang. He then dispersed his True Force, rolling it forward to bring an individual figure before him.

It was Tan Jing, with disheveled hair, a gaunt face, and covered in wounds. His repeated breaches of trust and scheming had finally provoked Zong Shou’s absolute fury.

When Lie Que was subdued that day, Zhuang Yu had also captured and executed Hong Jiuchen and the others. While others were granted the swift release of death, only Tan Jing was kept alive.

Zong Shou specifically handed him over to the department specializing in torture and interrogation, where he was subjected to every manner of agony. Only when preparing to set out for the Celestial Sphere did Zong Shou bring the man out.

At that time, the man was clinging to life by a thread. However, judging by his current state after a month of recovery, this elder of the Celestial Sphere Cultivation Society had managed to regain some vitality.

“Brother Tan, ahead lies the Celestial Sphere, your old lair. However, it seems your brethren from the Celestial Sphere Cultivation Society do not appreciate solitary visitors.

Swords are drawn and bows are bent—this is hardly the way to welcome guests!” As he spoke, Zong Shou flicked his sleeve slightly, dissolving the restrictions placed upon Tan Jing. “I shall ask Brother Tan to serve as my envoy and make a trip for me.

Tell your fellow cultivators that I, the Solitary One, must have this Celestial Sphere. If they agree to surrender, I will permit them and their clansmen to leave safely.

I grant them half a day; after that time expires, I will commence the attack—” Upon hearing this, Tan Jing’s face turned deathly pale. He knew that if he genuinely followed Zong Shou’s instruction to act as an envoy, he would likely have no chance of survival.

His situation might even prove more miserable than the torments he suffered under Zong Shou. The Celestial Sphere Cultivation Society had invested immense effort and resources, losing nearly thirty thousand Dao Soldiers in the Primordial Lotus World.

—This was not just the culmination of countless spirit stones and elixirs painstakingly accumulated by the society; countless disciples and descendants of the society were among the fallen. Moreover, of the nearly one hundred Spirit realm cultivators and dozens of Immortal realm experts brought along, the majority perished.

The few Divine realm cultivators either died or defected. Never since its founding had the Celestial Sphere Cultivation Society suffered such a devastating blow—it had shaken the very foundations of the organization!

And this catastrophe, brought about by Zong Shou’s invasion, was triggered by Tan Jing’s repeated offenses against Zong Shou. It was easy to imagine that countless people now wished they could devour Tan Jing’s flesh and drink his blood!

Yet, he also knew Zong Shou harbored a hatred for him that ran deep; begging for mercy was utterly useless. After a brief moment of contemplation, Tan Jing made his decision.

He bowed deeply and said, “Your Lordship, by a fortunate coincidence, I have stumbled upon a monumental secret that might benefit you. I only beg that Your Lordship spares my life!

Or perhaps grant me a swift death!” Zong Shou had placed a restriction within his body; without Tan Jing’s permission, he could not even die if he wished. A sense of profound regret bloomed in his heart.

If he had known this earlier, he shouldn't have associated with that useless piece of trash, Hong Jiuchen. If he had sided with Zong Shou back then and cooperated, the circumstances now might be entirely different.

But what use was regret now? Who could have predicted that the Nine Capitals Immortal Emperor Liu Muchen, employing the strength of an entire nation, would meet such an end?

“A monumental secret?” Zong Shou looked over with interest, wondering if Tan Jing was merely babbling out of desperation to save his life. Yet, his demeanor did not suggest falsehood; he seemed quite confident.

“You may speak it first. If it satisfies me, it is not impossible.

But if you refuse, then forget it. I do not tolerate haggling here—” Tan Jing took a deep breath and began speaking without hesitation: “I happened to overhear that the Primordial Lotus World possesses the possibility of ascending to a Great Thousand World within a short period!

The Nine Capitals Immortal Court only learned of this before they expended such colossal effort, nearly their entire national strength.” These words caused everyone present to stir. Even Yuan Wushang, who usually showed little interest in such matters, looked over in surprise.

Ascending to a Great Thousand World? That was truly staggering news!

Even the weakest Great Thousand World possesses resources equivalent to ten Middle Thousand Worlds. Stronger ones might see a difference of twenty or even thirty times.

The Lu Family governed eight hundred worlds, yet only nine were true Great Thousand Worlds. The largest among them was the location of the Burning Sky Sacred Court, while the other eight housed the capitals of the Eight Great Sovereigns.

Its significance went far beyond mere resource abundance! Beings born in a Great Thousand World typically possessed a spiritual sensitivity unattainable in other realms.

This was why mythical beasts preferred to give birth in worlds rich in spiritual energy. The Cloud Realm was one of the supreme examples; it housed fourteen beings at the Ultimate realm, counting those who had vanished or those whose primordial souls were currently reconstituting their physical bodies after death.

Soon, two more would be added! The Cloud Realm could sustain several Divine Venerables possessing Ultimate realm power.

In other worlds, perhaps a hundred Middle Thousand Worlds combined could not achieve this. Knowing this, the shock felt by those present was understandable!

Zong Shou was also momentarily stunned. His memory did not recall such an event.

The Primordial Lotus World was already at the pinnacle tier of Middle Thousand Worlds. However, its ascension to a Great Thousand World occurred naturally about a thousand years later.

In a mere three centuries, its borders expanded by sixty thousand li in all directions—a magnificent spectacle that attracted countless cultivators to observe, a massive event that shook the entire cultivation sphere. Therefore, he remembered this event vividly.

His first instinct was to suspect Tan Jing was lying. Looking closely, he saw that Tan Jing, fearing disbelief, hurriedly continued, “Tan Jing absolutely dares not speak nonsense; this statement is entirely true.

If I am mistaken, once verified, Your Lordship has countless ways to punish this sinner. Why would Tan Jing seek such suffering?” Zong Shou narrowed his eyes and glanced sideways at Lie Que.

Since the latter had once served the Nine Capitals Immortal Court, he might know something. Lie Que pondered for a moment, then bowed deeply, “Lie Que has heard some whispers.

Liu Muchen seemed to intend moving the capital to the Primordial Lotus Realm. Although the area around the Primordial Lotus Realm is indeed fertile, this move still seems somewhat suspicious.

If the two points corroborate, Tan Jing’s statement might indeed be possible.” As his words fell, Ci Fang, Feng Taiji, and the others who had accompanied Zong Shou fixed their gazes—burning like fire—upon Tan Jing. A Great Thousand World, even one slightly inferior to the Cloud Realm, held immense value for them!

It signified a true foundation upon which they could rely, and meant that the average cultivation aptitude of disciples born there could approach that of the Cloud Realm! The benefits derived from such a world were too numerous to recount fully!