In Xu Jingming's Heart Realm territory, in the beast hide space.
Xu Jingming's hulking clone sat cross-legged in the vast cosmos. A ghostly gray spear hovered in front of him.
Chi! Chi! Chi!
Endless seemingly solid Heart Realm Force coiled around the gray spear's shaft.
Before I knew it, it's been over 5,300 years since I was dragged into the Myriad Species World. Xu Jingming looked at the spear in front of him. I've also cultivated Heart Divine Weapon for more than 5,000 years.
Most of my clones in the outside world are focusing on this technique, Xu Jingming thought.
When his body tempering technique reached an advanced level, it was like forging a psychic weapon to temper his body! He had also drawn upon the experience from the Fire Body Tempering technique created by Senior Thunderhorn Mountain.
His combat techniques also used the Heart Divine Weapon as a foundation and his body as a weapon in combat. Therefore, his strength in the Myriad Species World was also based on the Heart Divine Weapon research.
The Heart Divine Weapon, a half-step third-realm psychic weapon technique, is divided into 12 realms. With my mental realm, I have cultivated to the tenth realm in just over 5,000 years, Xu Jingming thought with a shake of his head. Only at the twelfth realm would I be considered half a step into the third realm. I'm still far from it.
In terms of mental realm, it's actually about the same. The only problem is my knowledge and understanding of the world. My knowledge is still too lacking, Xu Jingming thought.
Mastering the ultimate Great Freedom realm of the Eight Directions Map was the prerequisite for the Heart Realm lineage to reach the third realm. But in fact, most half-step third-realm powerhouses of the Heart Realm lineage hadn't reached the Great Freedom realm. For example, the father of the high-dimensional child, Liu Yufeng, had only achieved the Great Freedom realm after obtaining the Eight Directions Map and correcting himself.
Understanding everything, Xu Jingming thought as he looked at the faintly discernible spear in front of him.
The mind was only one aspect of cultivation for high-dimensional lifeforms.
The key was amassing knowledge in every aspect.
For instance, the Primordial Star lineage required an understanding of the Primordial Star itself. Some gravitated towards flames, some to light, and some to celestial bodies.
The Abyss lineage also needed an unfathomable grasp of the Abyss.
The Mother Stream lineage studied spacetime itself.
The Heart Realm lineage concerned the true self and encompassing all. The Heart Realm Force could outline an illusory abyss, construct an illusory Primordial Star, or even construct an illusory universe, a colossal world, an Infinite Mother Stream…
Every thought determined a path.
The Heart Divine Weapon demands knowledge of the world. A spear… is actually a mental world. The boundless might of a world condensed into a spear, rendering it invincible and indomitable, Xu Jingming pondered.
For example, the Granddreamer he had once encountered was invincible below the half-step third realm.
The psychic weapon lineage was extremely formidable in offense!
Weapons are crucial in the psychic weapon lineage. Xu Jingming reached out and grasped the spear before him. I spared no expense to purchase the Sin Bead and forged a spear with my mind. After such prolonged mental refinement, it is now a flawless vessel of my psychic force.
Sin Beads were a special material found only in the Heart Realm. Typically, they manifested amidst vast sins. They were the most suitable material for psychic weapons.
With this weapon as a vessel, my attacks can match those at the peak of the Eternal realm. But without this weapon, I'm much weaker.
Although he could also condense a spear with the Heart Realm Force, the capacity of the condensed spear was limited. Its might was ultimately inferior to a specially-forged psychic weapon.
The rules of the Myriad Species World differ from the outside world, Xu Jingming thought to himself. The body and mind are the two most fundamental aspects. Accumulating insights in other aspects is futile. Everyone stands at the same starting line.
Of course, be it in mind or intellect, half-step third-realm powerhouses far surpass other high-dimensional lifeforms. They will still swiftly dominate. But under the new rules, weaklings like us at least have a chance to eclipse them.
For example, as an Eternal of the Heart Realm lineage, he could still shine in the Myriad Species World.
It's time to fight for the championship in the sixth tournament coming up. Xu Jingming's eyes gleamed with determination. Now that he'd chosen to compete, he'd naturally give it his all.
******
In the Eastern Cloud suburbs of Jianghan City in Myriad Species World, hidden within the secluded manor, dwelled the greatest warrior of humankind, Jingming.
"Ancestor." The three members of the Jing family kneeled in deference.
Cloaked in black, Xu Jingming gazed at the blossoms and uttered softly, "For 6,000 years, the Jing family has stood supreme, the preeminent clan of humankind. From this day forth, you must restrain yourselves."
The family head of the Jing family questioned, "Ancestor, innumerable warriors idolize you. The prominence of the Jing family is inevitable. How can we restrain ourselves?"
Xu Jingming pivoted to face him.
The current family head was the great-grandson of his sixth brother, possessing Lv. 55 might.
With the dissemination of body-tempering techniques by the past tournament champions, and many higher-dimensional lifeforms propagating body-tempering methods, the overall power of the Myriad Species World had escalated. Even among the natives, there were anomalies surpassing level 60.
"I will partake in this year's Myriad Species Tournament," Xu Jingming declared.
"Ancestor, you are joining the Myriad Species Tournament?" The three members of the Jing family were startled and elated. Since shocking the world at the tournament, Xu Jingming had not participated again.
Five millennia had flitted by in the blink of an eye, and now their ancestor would compete again?
"Whether I succeed or fail, I will seclude myself after this tournament. You will see me no more," Xu Jingming pronounced. "With the Jing family's power, you cannot afford to antagonize many formidable warriors."
"Seclude yourself?" The three Jing family members were perplexed.
"Ancestor, why must you seclude yourself? The past five tournament champions went into seclusion after their victory. Do you also wish for seclusion, Ancestor?" The scions could not comprehend.
Xu Jingming offered no explanation.
Winning the championship meant leaving this world behind. This was what all higher-dimensional lifeforms yearned for after descending.
"Simply be aware of this. Regardless of victory, I will seclude myself," Xu Jingming asserted. "Make preparations."
Xu Jingming strode towards the aircraft in the distance. "The Jing family will lack my safeguard henceforth. Be wary."
"Ancestor!" they entreated.
Xu Jingming did not turn back.
He felt for his parents and younger siblings but less so for their descendants. As long as he remained in this world, he would shield the Jing family. Yet, there was nothing he could do for them once he departed.
I must let go of them eventually. Whether I become champion this year, I must let go completely. After 6,000 years of glory, what reason has the Jing family to feel dissatisfied? Xu Jingming entered the aircraft.
Whoosh.
The aircraft quickly accelerated into the sky.
"Set course for World Center City," Xu Jingming ordered.
"Yes, Master." The aircraft's AI responded tersely. In an instant, it transformed into a streak of light, hurtling toward World Center City.
"Ancestor…" The three Jing family members exchanged uneasy glances, stunned by the abrupt news.
In the past, others feared to cross their ancestor lest they incur his wrath. What would become of them without his formidable presence?
"Ancestor said he would go into seclusion after the tournament ends. Does he believe he will emerge champion like the previous five victors?" one of the Jing descendants asked, perplexed.
"Champion of the Myriad Species Tournament? No human has entered the main competition in the last 10,000 years save for our ancestor. How could claiming the title be that simple?"
"Yet, he swore to seclude himself regardless of success or failure. Could 'success' mean attaining first place?"
The three Jing family members shared troubled looks.
Their ancestor, tournament champion? Neither they nor any human dared envision such a scenario, much less nurture vain hopes.
…
The once-in-a-millennium Myriad Species Tournament was about to begin, and World Center City buzzed with excitement. High-dimensional beings from across the world flocked in droves as if celebrating a festival.
Though over 90% of the high-dimensional beings had long given up hope of clinching first place, they still came to witness the tournament.
I'm back again. Xu Jingming's aircraft landed in the Jing family manor.
Xu Jingming was the only living being in the vast manor, the rest mere automatons.
I remember that at the first tournament, Dad, Mom, my younger siblings, Ni Yun, and many others were there. Xu Jingming was in the living room, and the automatons had maintained the entire manor in pristine condition. It was 80 to 90% similar to back then.
In fact, the whole house had undergone numerous renovations over the years.
Xu Jingming sat alone in the courtyard.
You're creatures from the Myriad Species World, and I'm from a distant realm, Xu Jingming thought. We were destined to become family. If I can reach the third realm, I'll revive you all.
If I can't reach the third realm, our fated bond will have to suffice. Xu Jingming stood up and strode out of the manor. He walked down the streets and headed for the nearest registration point.
Though there were still many registration spots across World Center City, the number of applicants was far fewer than the first tournament after the descent.
Not many registrants around. Xu Jingming surveyed the empty registration stalls.
"I wish to register." Xu Jingming approached them.
The two employees at the registration desk lit up at the sight of Xu Jingming. "Mr. Jing Ming."
"Mr. Jing Ming, you've finally registered. Many viewers have been waiting to see you in action." The two attendants were extremely enthusiastic and promptly helped him register. They were professionals in this line of work and were well acquainted with all the renowned powerhouses in the Myriad Species World.
The nine weak species powerhouses who entered the main contest in the first tournament were all hugely famous. It was just that most of them didn't take part in subsequent tournaments.
After Xu Jingming successfully registered, he left the registration spot.
"Look, it's Human Jing Ming!"
"He's really here to register?" Three other powerhouses came to register. Spotting Xu Jingming, they conversed in hushed tones.
Xu Jingming was a celebrity in the Myriad Species World and highly prominent.
Human Jing Ming? An Ant walking on a distant street corner was 30 centimeters tall. He glowered at Xu Jingming—who had just left the registration point. I never imagined encountering Human Jing Ming in my first Myriad Species Tournament.
However, I shall be champion this year, Ant Havering thought.
If he didn't act, that was fine. But once he acted, he had full confidence.
