[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ancestor-the-times-have-changed":3,"chapter-ancestor-the-times-have-changed-ancestor-the-times-have-changed-chapter-617":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Ancestor, the Times Have Changed",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2299939,4498,"Chapter 617: Mystic Refinement of Heaven","ancestor-the-times-have-changed-chapter-617",617,"\u003Cp>\"Your spiritual affinity is highly compatible with this physical foundation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ling’s artifact-crafting skills go without saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although its exterior is merely a sphere, its internal intricacy and compatibility far surpass those of the vast majority of physical foundations sold on the market for ‘spirit-infused artifacts.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Heng’s current level, the assistance it provides is considerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Replacing it now would truly be a pity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had observed that Heng would only begin to derive diminished benefits once reaching the Nascent Soul realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only upon reaching the Soul Transformation realm would its spiritual strength reach the upper limit of this physical foundation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this assumes no further enhancement of the physical foundation afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once your spiritual strength grows further and you’ve fully adapted to Tai Xuan Realm, I’ll ask Xiao Ling to replace it with a physical foundation you prefer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heng merely wanted to switch to a human-shaped physical foundation—nothing unreasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Heng had already formed a complete self-identity during Task World 1 and frequently appeared in human form in the outside world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given all this, adapting to a human form is entirely natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humming~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A subtle spiritual energy fluctuation spread outward; Heng, perched on Zhou Kongming’s shoulder, slowly rose and rolled once across the table before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked up at him, its red eyes flickering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because numerous spiritual-nourishing energy circuits were engraved within, Heng’s own spiritual essence was confined within the spherical form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, it could no longer freely manifest as various shapes, as it once had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, such a trivial matter doesn’t require the mistress’s effort, does it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Kongming paused, but didn’t dwell on the title:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry—this is nothing to Xiao Ling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heng: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she hadn’t been clever enough to address her as \"mistress\" in time back then, she might not have made it back at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She might not even have remained a \"sphere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life is hard...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Heng turned to face the arena again, watching the images projected from the secret realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Kongming didn’t dwell on this matter, instead observing Ye Zhiwei, who had passed the second trial of \"Fasan Pass\" with an exceptionally high rating, and began to wonder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her Creation Foundation Establishment, barring unforeseen circumstances, she’ll likely be the top candidate in this \"Immortal Sect Special Recruitment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging from her performances, the principle she comprehended likely leans toward concealment and stealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard she previously trained in the \"Heavenly Net Sword Weave\" under the guarantee of our junior uncle ancestor—she’s on good terms with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that our junior uncle ancestor is cultivating a core faction in advance for his future candidacy as sect leader?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Zhou Kongming couldn’t help but feel a flicker of unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I... do the same?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>High cloud terrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Ruoheng, who was also observing the final trial of the \"Immortal Sect Special Recruitment,\" suddenly paused, frowning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, he had just felt a sudden unease in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not only did the feeling arise abruptly—it vanished just as quickly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could it be...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a Dao-Union cultivator; how could he have such a random intuition without cause?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something must have happened!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scanned the arena without expression, but found nothing amiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then again, who would dare cause trouble beneath the Ancestor’s gaze?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to discern the cause, he suppressed the odd feeling for now and continued observing the final trial, planning to investigate after the \"Immortal Sect Special Recruitment\" ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the \"Immortal Sect Special Recruitment,\" all divination and retroactive techniques are blocked to prevent cultivators from exploiting them for profit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even a Dao-Union cultivator could use a single divination technique here—let alone a True Primordial!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, outside the Sword Ancestor Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xing stood beside Mei Zu, facing Xiang Yuanjun, who was preparing to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gazes of other True Immortals had already withdrawn before this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had come here solely because Xuan had suddenly appeared on the Starry Frontline battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that the situation was understood, Xiang Yuanjun had no intention of staying long in the Sword Sect—she had already resided there for quite some time...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, her sister-in-law Dieyu and her elder brother’s second daughter had recently achieved Dao-Union.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having been in seclusion for too many years, her elder brother worried his daughter was unfamiliar with the current world, so he asked her to go and meet her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since the Sword Sect has no urgent matters, why don’t you and I go to meet Mengdie together?\" Xiang Yuanjun suggested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, thank you.\" Xu Xing shook his head slightly. \"My sister is in seclusion—I must remain to safeguard the sect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re being overly anxious, brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Sect, home to the most high-level cultivators, hardly needs constant supervision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was agreed upon—I’m better off staying here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well.\" Xiang Yuanjun didn’t press further, turning instead to Mei Zu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aren’t you leaving?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Zu blinked: \"Why should I leave?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never said she was leaving!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn’t the Huanhuan Sect in the midst of a critical succession?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t manage affairs anyway—her presence or absence made no difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Yuanjun: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Yuanjun said nothing more, bid farewell to Xu Xing, and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xing looked at Mei Zu:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really planning to stay a few days?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just fooling Xiang Yuanjun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She still needed to return for the sect leader succession—it wouldn’t do to let Yin Xue start nagging again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Zu gently drew closer to Xu Xing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t you find her gloomy expression amusing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xing’s eyebrow twitched: \"I don’t.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You simply haven’t experienced the pleasure yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xing: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For me, such things bring nothing but trouble—no other pleasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, Mei Zu seemed to recall something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pulled out a translucent, crimson leaf, glowing like fire, as if carved from jade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please give this to Jiu Yu later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I promised her.\" Mei Zu explained. \"Jiu Yu and I spoke—your romantic interests, Ling Zu and Xiang Yuanjun, both gave her gifts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression grew slightly more serious:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I certainly can’t leave her empty-handed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xing looked at the maple leaf Mei Zu offered, feeling a touch of exasperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thing really is...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m off!\" Mei Zu stepped back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the sect leader succession is over, I’ll spend more time at the Sword Sect—while the Sword Elder is in seclusion, we’ll enjoy some private time together!\u003C\u002Fp>",1066,"2026-06-20T06:44:15.330Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","df99a6a6a5816955decb78f4668b3ab5d09d34c0086a90345faaa3687979d56f","ancestor-the-times-have-changed-chapter-618","ancestor-the-times-have-changed-chapter-616",648,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fancestor-the-times-have-changed-cover.jpg"]