On Myriad Star Island, a meeting was underway, with Xu Jingming, the dean, Tower Master, and Island Lord in attendance.
"We've reaped quite the harvest in the Primordial Gold Mountains over the past few centuries," the dean marveled. "Each of us got around 8,000 Primordial Gold Beads from the various deposits, worth more than three drops of Abyssal Mother Blood."
"I got more than that," Xu Jingming remarked.
"That's a gift from Thearch Dragon Island Lord. You earned it with your personal strength, so we can't ask to share it," Eternal Tower Master said with a grin. This was the way high-dimensional human lifeforms divvied up their spoils of war. Anyone who made a contribution received an equal share, while anything earned through individual effort belonged solely to them.
"When we go to Feather Fire City to exchange for legacies, we can always borrow from you if we're short," Spacetime Island Lord added cheerfully, her eyes lighting up with visions of a bright future.
According to Feather Fire City's rules, acquiring legacies required one drop of Abyssal Mother Blood for the first attempt, two drops for the second, and so on, doubling each time. Their current wealth allowed them at least two exchanges. Furthermore, they could always borrow from the exceedingly wealthy Xu Jingming if needed.
"Life has never been so comfortable for us humans." Eternal Tower Master sighed, remembering his own brush with the Abyss. Back then, their living conditions had been abysmal.
But once they discovered the scientific ruins, humanity's fortunes took a turn for the better.
"The future will be even brighter," Xu Jingming assured them. "Anyway, now that we're done with the Primordial Gold Mountains, isn't it time we all visited Feather Fire City?"
The dean, Tower Master, and Island Lord exchanged nods of agreement. Naturally, they all coveted a third-realm legacy and dreamed of securing one.
"Can we just send a clone to learn the legacy? Will a Firstborn realm clone suffice?" the dean inquired.
"Absolutely," Xu Jingming confirmed. "Firstborn realm high-dimensional lifeforms can learn third-realm legacies too. Plus, carrying a Firstborn puts less strain on me, and the Heart Realm's teleportation range will be greater."
The more powerful and numerous the lifeforms he transported, the greater the burden on the Heart Realm's teleportation.
"We should all send a Firstborn realm clone," Spacetime Island Lord suggested. The dean and Tower Master agreed. Since their aim was to learn legacies in Feather Fire City, there was no need to send their true selves.
"See if Senior Brother Redmond wants to come along," Xu Jingming proposed.
"Redmond? He's still at the Firstborn realm's limit but should be close to the Eternal realm. Should we let him study the third-realm legacy once he reaches the Eternal realm?" the dean wondered, hesitant.
A proponent of steady progress, he believed in taking things one step at a time.
As the first high-dimensional Eternal lifeform among humans, the dean had once endured harsh living conditions. He had learned to make the most of every resource he acquired! Given his nature, he would undoubtedly rely on his own abilities to reach the Eternal realm first and seek new legacies only when his growth began to stagnate significantly.
"I think we should ask Senior Brother Redmond himself and let him decide," Xu Jingming said. The dean, Tower Master, and Island Lord all agreed.
Before long, Redmond arrived and received the news.
"What?"
Redmond was taken aback. "Feather Fire City in that distant dominion has 128 third-realm legacies and 3,000 basic ones? The Eight Directions Map is just one of those 3,000 basics? I can choose any third-realm legacy to learn?"
The opportunity seemed too good to be true, leaving Redmond feeling overwhelmed.
"We've talked it over. Since you're only in the Firstborn realm," the dean explained, "you only need to exchange for one third-realm legacy. As for the cost, Jingming can lend it to you temporarily."
"That's more than enough. One third-realm legacy will suffice. I haven't even established my inner universe yet. If I want to study a third-realm legacy, I need to concentrate on just one," Redmond quickly replied.
He was aware of his limitations. Reaching the Eternal realm was already challenging enough, so trying to grasp multiple third-realm legacies simultaneously could cause interference.
Redmond had once considered himself a matchless genius and held great confidence. However, after witnessing Xu Jingming's meteoric rise, Redmond realized that he was merely a genius among his kind, while Xu Jingming stood as the ultimate prodigy across innumerable dominions.
In comparison, Redmond paled.
"So, you're set on going to Feather Fire City?" the dean inquired.
"Yeah." Redmond nodded. "I'm sure I'll find what I'm looking for among the 128 third-realm legacies. I can't pass up this opportunity."
Turning to Xu Jingming, Redmond said earnestly, "I can only borrow a drop of Abyssal Mother Blood temporarily. I know it'll be tough to repay you in a short time."
"Don't worry about it," Xu Jingming replied, smiling. "Just send a clone to learn the legacy in Feather Fire City. There's no need for your true body."
"Alright." Redmond agreed.
Eternal Tower Master asked, "Redmond, how long do you think it'll take you to reach the Eternal realm?"
"I've had everyone's help, and Island Lord has given me guidance in cosmic spacetime many times," Redmond replied. "I've also learned the Eight Directions Map, so my knowledge is steadily growing. I feel close to establishing it, but whenever I try, I feel like I'm just short."
"Don't rush," Spacetime Island Lord advised. "Every time you feel that close, it means you're not ready. Stay calm and prepare yourself slowly. Once you've gathered enough knowledge in every aspect, you'll naturally break through."
Redmond nodded.
"By the way, Redmond, you need to be cautious for now," the dean warned gravely. "Even when dealing with the natural high-dimensional lifeforms on the island, stay vigilant."
"What's going on?" Redmond asked, puzzled.
The dean explained their recent expedition to the Primordial Gold Mountains, not withholding any details. "We found a considerable number of treasures. Jingming even killed the five clones from Five Demons Planet on his own. Thearch Dragon Island Lord rewarded him with 60 drops of Abyssal Mother Blood. I suspect every faction in the South Pavilion 3609 Dominion has their eyes on Jingming now."
Redmond blinked.
What was the dean talking about?
"Sixty drops of Abyssal Mother Blood can be exchanged for a third-realm weapon! Wealth attracts danger, and we can't predict the chaos these 60 drops might cause. We need to be on guard for now," the dean added.
"Jingming has numerous clones in the Heart Realm lineage, so it won't be easy for a half-step third realm to tackle him. If someone truly goes all-out, they'll definitely set traps," Eternal Tower Master chimed in. "We, as fellow humans, must not burden Jingming."
"I understand." Redmond looked at Xu Jingming, finding his junior brother even more enigmatic.
He had witnessed Xu Jingming's growth, and Xu Jingming had even received help from his son. Who would have thought… Xu Jingming would become so formidable?
"Since we all agree, there's no time to waste. We'll leave today. Given my speed, I estimate it'll take 120 years to reach Feather Fire City," Xu Jingming declared. Among the Heart Realm's peak Eternals, his traveling speed was exceptionally fast.
Considering he would be transporting several Firstborn realm companions from South Pavilion 3609 Dominion to Feather Fire City, his prowess was indeed remarkable.
That day, Xu Jingming led the dean, Tower Master, Island Lord, and Redmond's Firstborn realm clones to Feather Fire City through the Heart Realm.
******
Myriad Star Island chose to keep a low profile, avoiding interaction with other high-dimensional lifeform factions for the time being. They focused on staying under the radar.
The dean and the others understood that with Xu Jingming's extraordinary talent, the longer he remained inconspicuous, the more fearsome his growth would become. As Xu Jingming grew stronger, many problems would simply vanish.
Whoosh. Whoosh.
However, just a day after the Primordial Gold Mountains' massive mineral deposit incident, a pair of figures appeared outside Myriad Star Island.
North River Boat Master was a tall, imposing aqueous figure. He had evolved from a mysterious river in high-dimensional space, gradually transforming into his current form.
The other figure sported disheveled cyan hair, each strand seemingly morphing into countless leaves and branches. His eyes were deep, and with a mere glance at North River Boat Master beside him, the latter bowed slightly. "Ancient Tree World Lord."
"North River, you're here as well," Ancient Tree World Lord said. His reputation was widespread, and among half-step third realm powerhouses, he was a formidable presence.
"Once I became aware of the incident at the Primordial Gold Mountains, I naturally scrutinized the timeline repeatedly. Although my strength is limited and my observations sparse, there's no doubt that this individual from Myriad Star Island is someone I cannot afford to offend. He's almost guaranteed to become an invincible existence in the half-step third realm in the future," North River Boat Master said, smiling. "If I don't visit him now, I likely won't have the qualifications to do so later."
Ancient Tree World Lord glanced at North River Boat Master and nodded. "Indeed, it's a blessing for our dominion to produce such an invincible half-step third-realm figure."
Invincible half-step third-realm powerhouses were incredibly rare, even more so than Abyss Sovereigns.
Abyss Sovereigns relied on sacrifices to receive Abyssal blessings, making them immensely powerful within the Abyss, but their strength diminished significantly elsewhere.
In contrast, half-step third-realm powerhouses drew their strength from within. No matter their location, they remained terrifyingly potent.
"That's right. It's a blessing for our dominion and an honor," North River Boat Master agreed, smiling.
The two engaged in casual conversation, careful not to divulge their true intentions.
Upon realizing that Myriad Star Island's Wu Ming was nearly guaranteed to become an invincible half-step third-realm figure in the future, they felt a mixture of awe and fear.
Either an unseen hand was guiding him, or his talent was simply overwhelming, making his half-step third-realm invincibility inevitable. With his rapid growth, he might even stand a chance of reaching the third realm. Regrettably, the third realm transcended the timeline and was impossible to peer into.
North River Boat Master and Ancient Tree World Lord were certain of one thing: Regardless of future developments, Wu Ming would become a force capable of shaking countless dominions. As residents of the same dominion, it was only natural for them to forge connections early and build a relationship.
They weren't as fortunate as Thearch Dragon Island Lord, who possessed a powerful background. Consequently, they could only rely on themselves and make every effort to curry favor with someone so formidable.
Whoosh.
The mist surrounding Myriad Star Island cleared, revealing the dean, Tower Master, Island Lord, and Xu Jingming, who stepped forward to welcome their guests.
"Ancient Tree World Lord, North River Boat Master, we never expected the two of you to visit Myriad Star Island," the dean said. Tower Master, Island Lord, and Xu Jingming also bowed.
"How could we not come when someone like Brother Wu Ming has emerged in our dominion?" North River Boat Master smiled. "Brother Wu Ming, you defeated Five Demons Planet before even reaching the half-step third realm. Once you attain that level… you'll be unmatched throughout our entire dominion."
The dean, Tower Master, Island Lord, and Xu Jingming were taken aback by this statement.
Xu Jingming, unmatched? What on earth did that mean? Especially with Ancient Tree World Lord standing right beside him!
"I'm still far from reaching the half-step third realm," Xu Jingming said hurriedly.
Ancient Tree World Lord cast a sidelong glance at North River Boat Master.
North River had definitely gone overboard with his flattery! As a half-step third-realm powerhouse himself, claiming that Brother Wu Ming would be unmatched was utterly shameless!
"Brother Wu Ming, there's no need for false modesty. In my eyes, you're already on par with a half-step third realm," Ancient Tree World Lord said. "You don't have to stand on ceremony with us. We can speak as equals."
