The shimmering silver parchment, emanating an ominous aura, floated in the void. Despite years of observation, Xu Jingming couldn't shake the unsettling feeling it gave him.
As always, he carefully scrutinized the enigmatic silver parchment.
Over a millennium of study, he had come to understand the spearmanship inscribed upon the paper.
Over the past thousand years, I've gleaned some insights, but the more I comprehend, the more insignificant I feel. Xu Jingming sighed. I've also figured out how to reach the half-step third realm.
After departing the Myriad Species World, Xu Jingming swiftly mastered the 11th realm of the Heart Divine Weapon. He seemed a mere step away from the half-step third realm's 12th realm.
But he knew, having examined the paper for over a thousand years, that if he dedicated himself to understanding the Heart Divine Weapon, he likely wouldn't reach the half-step third realm for ten million years.
That's because the Heart Divine Weapon employs staff techniques, while I favor spearmanship. Though they share similarities and can be studied concurrently in the early stages, their differences only widen later on.
I need to forge my own path.
Truth be told, no legacy is a perfect fit for future generations. Xu Jingming gazed at the silver parchment before him. Guided by the spear techniques on the silver parchment, my years of research, and borrowing from the Heart Divine Weapon, I've finally crafted a psychic weapon technique tailored for me: 'Golden Halberd.'
Only by following my own path and creating my technique can I stand a chance at reaching the half-step third realm.
But a technique cannot materialize from nothing; it requires nourishment and knowledge. Xu Jingming shook his head. Ordinary high-dimensional beings are fortunate to obtain third-realm legacies, which serve as their sustenance. I may not possess a third-realm legacy, but I have a more valuable spearmanship.
His eyes blazed as he beheld the spearmanship on the silver parchment. This was the sustenance for his evolutionary journey!
The Myriad Species World had been both his trial and his destiny, smoothing his path ahead.
Of course… Given a choice, Xu Jingming would never willingly undergo another ordeal like the Myriad Species World.
I've only developed two psychic spear techniques for the current Golden Halberd, but I believe its power surpasses the 11th realm of the Heart Divine Weapon, Xu Jingming mused. Yet, I sense that I'm still a long way from the half-step third realm.
In terms of strength and realm, he indisputably stood at the pinnacle of the Eternal realm. Considering the Ultimate foundation of his Golden Halberd, Xu Jingming even believed himself the strongest among the peak Eternals.
But a chasm lay between the half-step third realm and the peak of Eternal.
Xu Jingming recognized his own inadequacy. He fell short in numerous aspects.
Sigh, many stand at the peak of the Eternal realm, but few reach the half-step third realm. Xu Jingming shook his head. For instance, the dean, Tower Master, and Island Lord all occupy the peak of the Eternal realm. They've advanced since acquiring the Eight Directions Map legacy, but remain far from the half-step third realm.
The dean and the others are patient, deliberate in their cultivation. How long have I been at it? Xu Jingming's eyes lingered on the silver scrap of paper. Progress is key; inch by inch, and I'll near the cusp of the half-step third realm.
Such constant improvement was the aspiration of many high-dimensional beings.
Many of these beings reached an impasse in their cultivation, a bottleneck that left them stagnant for prolonged periods. Xu Jingming, however, had yet to face such a challenge, advancing rapidly in his progress.
At times, Xu Jingming couldn't help but wonder why his journey was so seamless.
Maybe this is what it's like to be a genius, he mused. He was well aware that his comprehension came from attentive observation. Even before acquiring the silver parchment, he had nearly reached the peak of the Eternal realm.
…
Clouds swirled around Myriad Star Island, shrouding it in layers of protection.
"Jingming." The dean, Tower Master, and Island Lord sat together, watching as Xu Jingming approached.
"Dean, it must be something significant to bring the three of you together," Xu Jingming said with a smile.
The dean and the others had only one true body each, and they usually cultivated in seclusion. They would only convene when something crucial was at hand.
Following the species migration, the dean and the others primarily focused on their cultivation.
"It is important," the dean confirmed with a smile. "We've been in the new dominion for over 6,000 years, remaining on Myriad Star Island and rarely venturing out."
"Extreme calm breeds the desire for action," Tower Master added. "We plan on exploring the surrounding area."
Spacetime Island Lord chimed in, "Truth be told, we spent a fortune on the calamity's intel and the species migration. The three of us are now destitute, so we intend to delve into this dominion's perilous zones to gather resources."
Xu Jingming nodded in agreement.
The dean and the others had indeed exhausted their funds, even resorting to selling a forbidden weapon. Their current financial state was evident. The spoils of war from vanquishing Asinus and the Abyss Thousand-Eyed Spider Demon were limited, and over half had been spent on a few acquisitions throughout the years.
The dean and the others felt impoverished, lacking sufficient resources for cultivation. After all, they couldn't even afford a learning opportunity of a slightly more valuable legacy.
"This dominion harbors numerous dangerous locations. One such place is the Primordial Gold Mountains, which primarily yield precious materials like Primordial Gold and a few other rare resources. The three of us can handle any threat and have decided to mine in the Primordial Gold Mountains," the dean explained with a smile. "We'll need the assistance of a Heart Realm lineage powerhouse to scout the way, so we've invited you."
"Are you in?" Eternal Tower Master inquired. "You've only recently reached the Eternal realm, so you should be consolidating your foundation. If you don't wish to go, you don't have to."
"It's just a few clones. Of course, I'll go," Xu Jingming responded without hesitation.
He yearned for adventure after escaping the Myriad Species World.
Xu Jingming had previously declined invitations from other powerhouses due to their meager offers.
But for the dean and the others?
As high-dimensional human beings, there was no need to discuss distribution. They had always tacitly agreed on an allocation scheme.
Individual spoils belonged to the individual.
Spoils obtained through collaboration were divided equally.
"When do we depart?" Xu Jingming inquired.
Spacetime Island Lord replied, "We're ready whenever you are. How about you?"
"I have numerous clones, so naturally, I'm prepared at any time as well." Xu Jingming laughed.
"Very well, everyone, make the necessary preparations. We'll embark for the Primordial Gold Mountains in one hour," the dean announced. "Jingming, you'll be responsible for guarding Myriad Star Island."
With his many clones, Xu Jingming could handle scouting, protecting Myriad Star Island, and overseeing the human race…
The addition of a Heart Realm powerhouse was a tremendous asset to any faction.
******
Xu Jingming, along with the dean, Tower Master, and Island Lord, teleported through the Heart Realm. In mere moments, they stood at the edge of the Primordial Gold Mountains.
"This is my first time here at the Primordial Gold Mountains," Xu Jingming remarked, observing from a distance.
At first sight, the black sprawling mountain range seemed infinite. Even high-dimensional beings struggled to grasp the full scope of its size. Tossing a universe into it was akin to a droplet plunging into the ocean.
"The Primordial Gold Mountains is one of the ten most notorious danger zones in this dominion, famed for its vastness," the dean commented, eyes still locked on the distant mountains. "The greatest peril here is Spacetime Disorientation. The deeper one ventures, the more treacherous it becomes. That's why we need a pathfinder."
"Leave the reconnaissance to me," Xu Jingming confidently volunteered.
With the dean and the others in their true forms, he knew he had to step up. He had nurtured a total of ten psychic weapons, bringing nine of them along with over a hundred clones.
"Besides the terrain, there are other high-dimensional beings posing a threat," the dean cautioned. "Countless of them are perpetually scouring the Primordial Gold Mountains for mineral deposits."
Eternal Tower Master chimed in, "Weaker Firstborn realm powerhouses typically linger at the outskirts, where it's safer to search for minerals. Even though the area has been explored countless times, finding any Primordial Gold would be a massive windfall for a Firstborn. We'll have to venture deeper, where the deposits are more plentiful."
Spacetime Island Lord added, "Powerful high-dimensional beings also dwell in the depths, having constructed cave dwellings and palaces. We must be wary of them too."
Xu Jingming nodded in agreement.
The path to evolution was paved with fierce competition for resources.
"Let's move."
The quartet of high-dimensional human beings soared towards the Primordial Gold Mountains. With a whoosh, another Xu Jingming clone led the charge into the treacherous mountain range.
…
As the pathfinder, Xu Jingming approached the foreboding Primordial Gold Mountains.
The mountain range was riddled with innumerable shadowy crevices, from which the wind shrieked. Xu Jingming scrutinized his surroundings—after all, this was one of the ten deadliest locales in the dominion, where innumerable high-dimensional beings had met their demise over the ages.
Whoosh.
Selecting a gaping fissure, Xu Jingming soared inside. The chasm was easily ten times his height, and the depths remained elusive.
Boom.
A blaze burst forth from Xu Jingming's form, the protective Black Lotus Flame enveloping him. The fire radiated outward, sweeping through the void and probing for hidden perils.
Since departing the Myriad Species World, Xu Jingming had resumed his work on the Red Lotus Fire legacy, albeit without much focus. Instead, his attention was primarily on the silver parchment.
To his surprise, the Red Lotus Fire had advanced to the Eight-leaf Black Lotus Realm.
The outer reaches have been picked clean, Xu Jingming mused, accelerating through the mountains. As he sped along, the black lotus flames swept through the area, while he meticulously surveyed the environment.
Two days into the journey, Xu Jingming plunged into another crevice, delving deeper still.
Abruptly, he halted, sensing a unique aura in a recess to his left. The Black Lotus Fire swiftly spread, engulfing the area.
After a few moments, the black mountain rock fractured, unveiling a dark gold substance within.
A fragment of Primordial Gold. Xu Jingming reached out, and the Primordial Gold levitated into his grasp.
How heavy, he thought, gauging its heft. Just this piece alone is worth around 400 drops of Abyssal True Blood.
Why had the dean and his companions chosen this destination? It was the potential to strike it rich upon discovering a substantial mineral deposit.
A solitary chunk won't cut it. If we unearth a massive deposit, it could surpass the combined wealth the dean and the others have amassed over the years. Xu Jingming was well aware that finding such a deposit was no easy feat.
After a thorough survey of the vicinity, Xu Jingming pressed onward. Trailing behind, another of his clones accompanied the dean and the others.
