Wang Wei continued his cultivation. With each passing second, he deciphered fate's deepest mysteries and intricacies. The process was faster and more enjoyable than ever, with merit as an aid.
Wang Wei did a few tests, restricting his comprehension level to understand the difficulty of cultivating in the Emperor Realm; he also compared the difference between using and not using merit.
According to his conclusion, merit can give a boost as big as a thousand times acceleration, and that boost is to someone of his Comprehension Level, which probably reached the ceiling of the Chaos Universe.
The difference was so big that Wang Wei wanted to cultivate a hundred percent of the time using merit. Unfortunately, such a thing was not possible.
After he finished the merit, he had a few achievements. First, his base cultivation reached 32% Grand Dao Source, two percent higher than the predicted 30%. The reason for this error was because of the Dao Discussion he had with Xu Shi and the others and the epiphany he experienced after talking to his ancestor.
Wang Wei's second achievement is he completed the Heavenly Dao Control of his Force Control Skill. Heavenly Dao had a natural affinity for wielding laws or Daos; controlling laws is no different from moving the limbs of any creature. Such affinity makes it possible for Heavenly Dao to do extraordinary things with the laws of Heaven and Earth with little effort.
Wang Wei took the opportunity of this retreat to study Old Man Tianji and this world's Heavenly Dao. Then, based on the previous foundation and a deeper understanding of Lou Cheng's Innate Talent, he created this level.
'This technique has more potential,' thought Wang Wei as he read the final product. 'So, what's next? Empyrean Control? Paragon Control?'
Wang Wei shook his head. Empyreans and Paragons were more powerful and had a deeper understanding of the Grand Dao Source than Heavenly Dao; However, it did not mean they had better control of it. After all, in some senses, Heavenly Dao was born or created from the Grand Dao Source.
'So, the next level of this technique will be True Heavenly Dao Control and Grand Dao Control. Maybe I will need to divide this realm because of the vast difference, but that's the outline.'
Wang Wei had a general outline of how to complete this Source Technique.
'The next modification is to elevate it to Rank 2.'
Source Techniques are divided into three ranks; the first rank corresponds to the Emperor Realm, and the third rank is applicable to Paragons. In other words, a Second Rank Source Technique allows Empyreans to fight above their percentage, and the third rank did the same for Paragons.
Wang Wei put away the book in his hand before checking his current strength.
'Still 69%. If I wanted to be specific, it should be 69.5%. However, I now truly reached the Ten-Fold Battle Realm.'
Most people who recognized his Battle Realm countered the extra five percent from his status as an Immeasurable Emperor. However, after this retreat, he truly achieved the Ten-Fold Realm, meaning even if his cultivation was only 20% Grand Dao Source, he could still battle 69%.
All of this is because of the 10% boost of his fleshly body after becoming on par with an Eternal Emperor and the completion of the Force Control Skill.
'The next step is the Taboo Battle Realm, and I have an idea of how I can reach it. But I need more information.'
Wang Wei no longer focused on his strength and took out another. This technique will be his main focus next.
'I always wanted to turn my Life and Death Wheel Innate Talent into a Longevity Ability.'
Most of his Innate Talents are useless, so he wanted to improve them. The direction he chose is to elevate this Innate Talent to a first-rank Longevity Ability, granting him extra lives in the Emperor Realm.
'I'm glad I exchanged knowledge about Monk Wuzhu's Nine Nirvana Heart; it should make things easier.'
Wang Wei did not know whether he could copy the monks' unique physique and acquire nine extra lives. However, he was happy as long he succeeded with three or more.
Wang Wei reviewed the information of the physique before putting away. He walked out of the room, ending his reclusion. As soon as he walked out, he saw countless golden threads floating above the court. Then, they rushed towards him.
"Thank you, Heavenly Emperor, for opening knowledge to the people."
"Lord Heavenly Emperor, bless me so I can get the promotion at work."
"Lord Heavenly Emperor, bless my child to be free from sickness and misfortune."
"Oh mighty Heavenly Emperor, ruler of Heaven and Earth, please bless with great wealth and multiple marriage fate line. I want to honor my family's bloodline by having as many children as possible."
There were trillions upon trillions of voices coming from every corner of the world, and Wang Wei listened to them calmly.
"The power of fate? It seems the sect's propaganda worked."
Wang Wei looked in the distance and saw he was not the only one receiving incense. People like Xu Shi, Feng Heng, Ao Shen, and Huo Fenghuang were worshipped by countless mortals in their respective regions.
These people competed for the incense by preventing others from receiving worship in their territory. Wang Wei was the only one who could receive worship from all five continents and five seas.
"Even after opening their wisdom, these mortals still worship Gods? Well, given how powerful cultivators are, it makes sense."
Wang Wei did not complain much. After all, Incense is another power that he can use to accelerate his comprehension of the Grand Dao Source. He decided to store the incense for his next retreat.
Wang Wei wanted to visit his family next but detected that someone was waiting for him. So, he invited the guest to come to the garden for tea.
A few minutes later, Wang Wei sat cross-legged on a cushion with a small table before him, fresh hot tea releasing steam.
"Zhen Biyu has seen the Heavenly Emperor," said the Five Element Balance Physique owner, using the highest courtesy. Wang Wei used his power to prevent her from kowtowing.
"Have a seat," said Wang Wei.
"I dare not," quickly replied Zhen Biyu. She knew any great being had karma, so it's not simple to sit on the same level as them, receive their bow, or any form of respect.
For example, if an Emperor bowed to a mortal, the karmic weight of their actions would immediately be the mortal. If the latter is a cultivator, their luck will instantly ruined, and they might die due to misfortune.
"There is no need to behave like this," said Wang Wei.
"I just want to follow the proper etiquette.'
Wang Wei looked at her and no longer insisted. He had absolute control over his karma, so she should be fine. However, he can't force her decision.
"I know why you're here, but I'm afraid you might be disappointed."
Zhen Biyu's face changed. Her worst fear had come true–the Heavenly Emperor did not want to repay his karma.
"It's not what you think," said Wang Wei calmly, taking a sip of his tea. "Right before I proved the Dao, Emperor Five Heart seemed to have sensed danger and ran away to the upper dimension."
"She left?"
"Yes," replied Wang Wei, not hiding his regrets. He truly wanted the artifact in her hands as it might be beneficial to his issue with the Balance Mechanism. Alas, the latter seemed to have an intuition for danger and ran away before he even became an Immeasurable Emperor.
Zhen Biyu did not expect this outcome. She had already panned her life. With the help of her sect, she successfully 'Purified" her second soul, returning it to the Pure Heart State. She even took the risk and revealed that she had a second soul that was full of wisdom and a strategic mind, showing the upper echelons of the palace that she was the perfect Heaven Chosen.
Now, all she had to do was wash her karma before sitting on the throne and becoming a Heavenly Emperor. But now, she learned she could not achieve complete freedom.
"Don't worry. Since I said I would repay my karma, I will keep my word."
Wang Wei raised his hand and held a red thread connected to Zhen Biyu and somewhere far away. Then, he crushed it with ease.
"Now, you're free; you are no longer a clone but your own self."
Zhen Biyu felt a heavy weight lifted from her shoulder. The karma binding her and Emperor Five Heart was crushed, and even their fate was separated and no longer entangled; she felt free and without any burden.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your benevolence," said Zhen Biyu, bowing ninety degrees. Wang Wei did not stop her this time and calmly nodded. Immediately afterward, she left the court and returned home.
"Is this the loneliness of being at the top?" muttered Wang Wei after watching her leave. He sighed deeply:
'Luckily, I have people who can keep walking with me until the end of this path.'
Wang Wei disappeared from the court, returning home.
