Chapter 180: The Principle of Purity: The Dim Mirror Regains Clarity

Ming Yu, stepping in, paused as she saw the several people inside.

"Senior Jianzu, Senior Xiang Yuanjun, and… Senior Meng Xuan?"

Meng Xuan's presence surprised her.

According to what she knew, shouldn't Senior Meng Xuan be in seclusion right now?

Could it be…

"Senior Meng Xuan, have you… succeeded?" Her voice trembled slightly at the end.

No one could remain rational under such circumstances.

"No, I failed," Meng Xuan said calmly. "But thanks to Jianzu and Xiang Yuanjun, I've been given another chance."

As she removed her concealment, Ming Yu sensed her cultivation at Qi Condensation Ninth Layer.

Beyond the Qi Condensation Ninth Layer cultivation, there was another profound, elusive realm—like wiping dust from the spiritual altar, purifying the soul.

This is the Principle of Purity, the meaning of a dim mirror regaining clarity.

Having lost everything, one must begin anew.

Yet for one who has knocked on the Immortal Gate to re-cultivate—such an occurrence is unprecedented in history; the marvel of fate need not be spoken of.

Thus, the moment Meng Xuan stepped back onto the cultivation path, she immediately comprehended the Principle.

To attain a glimpse of the Dao-Union mystery while still in Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment—she would not miss the chance to gain extra advantage for her future Dao-Union.

This method is unique to humans; the Cang and the Demons both covet it, yet neither can obtain it.

"The Principle of Purity…" Ming Yu instantly recognized Meng Xuan's current state.

Her heart grew tangled and hard to articulate, so she could only say:

"Senior, please accept my condolences."

Meng Xuan shook her head slightly: "I failed to open the Gate, yet I've been granted another chance—this fate already surpasses many of my peers. If I'm still unsatisfied, wouldn't that be too greedy?"

"In short, there's no need to worry."

Hearing this, Ming Yu's heart stirred slightly.

Senior is rather resigned after all.

She then turned to Xu Xing and Xiang Yuanjun: "Thank you both, Senior."

This was spoken from the standpoint of the Righteous Alliance—she had every right to say it.

"No need for thanks."

Then Xu Xing added: "After the Alliance's Martial Tournament concludes, I will return to the Xiang Jianzong for a time, then proceed to Ling Yin Fang."

Upon hearing this, the people present each reacted differently.

"Yuan, would you like to visit the Xiang Jianzong? Though you've been there before, the current Xiang Jianzong is likely different from your memory."

After all, he's my hometown friend.

"I…" Yuan was about to speak.

But Ming Yu cut in: "No need, Senior. After the tournament, I will go to Ling Yin Fang ahead of Yuan."

A faint, peculiar smile appeared on her face.

"It's been a long time since I last saw Sister Wan Zhu—I miss her dearly."

"I see. Then so be it," Xu Xing did not press further.

Yuan: "…"

Friend, won't you try harder? I've only been to the Xiang Jianzong once before!

I really want to see the Xiang Jianzong.

Yuan screamed inwardly, yet dared not show any sign of unease on his face.

"Then we won't disturb you further," Xu Xing said to Xiang Yuanjun. "Xiang Yuanjun, let's go out and enjoy the bustle."

"Mm," Xiang Yuanjun nodded slightly. "Meng Xuan, would you like to join us?"

"No."

Meng Xuan refused with decisive clarity—she could tell when something was mere politeness.

And why would she go along? "I must stabilize my realm and prepare for the upcoming Collection Method."

The first two stages of the Collection Method require nighttime practice; she plans to perform the ritual at noon to capture sufficient solar essence, then tonight, with one decisive push, forge her Creation Dao Foundation.

A few minutes later, Xu Xing and Xiang Yuanjun departed, and Meng Xuan also found a quiet chamber to cultivate.

Suddenly, only Yuan and Ming Yu remained.

…………

A foreign star region.

Chi Jiuyu followed Li Wan, passing through a series of doors, walking down long corridors, and undergoing numerous verifications before finally arriving at the spacious, brightly lit simulated soul cultivation facility. "Miss Chi, this is the cultivation facility."

Miss Chi…

Such a title feels strange.

Chi Jiuyu couldn't help but grumble inwardly, but she was quickly drawn in by the sight before her.

It was a pure white room, its floor smooth as a mirror, lined with rows of silver-gray, airtight, coffin-like "iron boxes."

Their surfaces were embedded with intricate, faintly glowing blue circuits, winding like veins—utterly sci-fi.

"Are these the clones inside?"

"Yes."

The woman in purple stepped forward and waved her hand.

A beam of light flared, projecting images onto the white wall.

The heavens and earth were dark; at the center stood a towering mountain.

Mist and clouds curled around the mountains, countless illusory, transparent figures drifting within, roaring as they slaughtered and devoured each other.

It added an eerie quality to the scene.

"This is the Illusory Realm used to cultivate simulated soul fragments."

Since only low-grade simulated soul fragments are being cultivated, the Illusory Realm used is merely the most basic model.

The simulated soul fragments will slaughter and devour each other within it until a product of qualified quality is born.

On the Central Continent, it is said that some masters use Illusory Realms indistinguishable from the real world to cultivate high-grade simulated soul fragments.

In such Illusory Realms, the soul fragments of the clones take the forms of rare and exotic beasts, and possess strong self-awareness.

Some have even developed rudimentary civilizations, unique cultivation systems, and divine techniques.

But maintaining such Illusory Realms is prohibitively expensive.

As for why the soul fragments of the clones aren't human in the Illusory Realm…

It is said the Ancestor of the Demonic Dao himself issued a decree: simulated soul fragments used to forge demonic artifacts must not be of human origin.

Those who disobeyed mostly died horribly.

After all, for forging demonic artifacts, except for a few rare exceptions, human soul fragments aren't strictly necessary—something passable will do.

Nevertheless, secretly, many still quietly cultivate human simulated soul fragments.

Of course, she would never do such a thing.

She's already living quite comfortably.

"Hmm…" Chi Jiu Yu looked up at the projected image; it differed greatly from what she had imagined.

She had thought the Illusory Realms used for simulated soul fragments were all high-end, indistinguishable from the real world!

In short…

It's so cheap! Forget it—this part won't go in my *Memoirs of the Sect Leader*.

"This cultivation base has seven thousand nine hundred and thirty-five Illusory Realms," Li Wan explained, handing Chi Jiu Yu a remote control. "You may adjust them yourself."

Then she stepped aside.

The Illusory Realms are for viewing; what truly matters are the methods for stabilizing them and extracting the clones' consciousness.

The main costs are controlled through these two stages.

Judging by this one's demeanor, she likely has no interest in these two stages.

A black-haired young man with Soul Transformation Realm cultivation entered and walked straight to Li Wan's side.

"Greetings, Auntie Li."

Li Wan frowned slightly: "What is it?"

This fellow is his brother's nephew; his soul was damaged in childhood, so he's not very bright.

Not long ago, he foolishly offended a petty Void Return demonic cultivator, so his uncle sent him here for refuge.

The young man glanced at Chi Jiu Yu, who was continuously adjusting the screen, and lowered his voice.

"Auntie Li, when I returned just now, I noticed many things are wrong."

"Hmm?"

"The Star Domain Warden… she's been injured." His voice grew even quieter.

But a trace of excitement was utterly unmistakable.

"And?"

So what if she's injured? She herself said she needs to return to the Central Continent quickly to recover.

First chapter! (End of chapter)