Chapter 299

The clamor and tremors at the entrance of the Myriad Methods Pool Secret Realm were like a massive stone thrown into a calm lake, sending ripples that swiftly spread throughout the Spirit Realm. As the center of the vortex, the Ninth Dao Academy now finds itself immersed in an unprecedented atmosphere of solemnity, joy, and reverence intertwined.

Deep within the academy, the bell tolled three times, its sound shaking the heavens, clear and lingering, containing the Dao resonance that purifies the mind and announces to all directions. This is the Ninth Dao Academy's "Welcome Hero Bell".

Only those with Guard Dao merit and peerless talent may ring it. The last time the bell tolled three times was three hundred years ago, when a senior of the academy achieved unparalleled martial feats on an extraterritorial battlefield.

As the bell's echo reverberated, countless palaces, towers, caves, and secret realms simultaneously lit up with a soft yet brilliant spiritual light.

Daoist rainbow bridges rose from each peak, colorful clouds filled the sky, and auspicious vapors streamed in thousands.

Countless disciples, dressed in clean Daoist robes, their expressions excited yet reverent, either riding escape light or walking on foot, all gathered toward the vast white jade plaza atop Inquiry Peak, known as the Nine Heavens Cloud Platform.

Today, the Ninth Dao Institute will hold here an unprecedented "Welcoming Hero Grand Ceremony" for the hero who has just returned with honor—Wang Ping!

On the Cloud Terrace, preparations have long been complete. In the center stands a towering gilded altar nine zhang high and thirty-six zhang wide, engraved with ancient totems of the sun, moon, stars, mountains and rivers, the state and myriad peoples, symbolizing the Dao Institute's duty to guard the spirit realm and pass on civilization. Before the altar are neatly arranged seats for the various lineage elders and true-transmission disciples of the Dao Institute.

Further out is the reserved spectator area, now filled with many cultivators of extraordinary aura who have come from the major powers on good terms with the Ninth Dao Institute, having heard the news and rushed to attend and celebrate; among them can clearly be seen the envoys of the Ancient God clan and the Fallen Immortal clan.

Around the square, banners flutter and snap, their faces embroidered with the emblem of the Ninth Dao Institute: an open Dao scripture bearing a perfect golden core and a straight sword piercing the heavens, symbolizing 'Seek the Dao, pursue truth; protect the Dao, wage battle.'

In the air, immortal cranes cry clearly and spirit birds dance; on the ground, spiritual springs trickle and rare flowers bloom in competition. The entire Cloud Terrace is enveloped in a thin yet extraordinarily stable formation light halo, both grand and secure.

When Wang Ping, accompanied by Lei Zhen and several senior elders of the Dao Institute, stepped onto the Nine Heavens Cloud Terrace, the tsunami-like cheers erupted like a volcanic explosion, instantly sweeping across the entire square!

"Wang Ping, senior brother!"

"Welcome the hero's triumphant return!"

"How magnificent is our Ninth Dao Institute!"

The sound waves surged like a tide, rushing straight to the clouds. Countless fervent, admiring, excited gazes focused on Wang Ping. He is no longer the miserable, gravely wounded figure who left the secret realm that day. After the Dao Institute spared no expense, employing top-tier resources for full treatment and recuperation, his injuries have fully healed, his aura now deep and restrained, abyss-like and mountain-steady.

He donned a brand-new robe representing the highest honor of the Ninth Dao Institute—the "Purple Gold Cloud Pattern Dao Robe"—and at his waist hung the "Xuan Huang Jade Pendant" symbolizing merit in protecting the Dao; his steps were steady, his gaze calm, naturally exuding a composed bearing forged through life-and-death trials.

After his left arm regenerated, it suffered no loss; on the contrary, by integrating a trace of the residual primordial chaos aura from the chaos-to-return process, a faint chaos luster flows beneath his skin, making it feel tougher and stronger than before, and greatly enhancing his capacity to accommodate and conduct the five elemental spiritual energies.

By his side, Lei Zhen was likewise spirited, wearing the solemn attire of a true-transmission disciple, his face full of pride, occasionally waving to the cheering crowd.

The procession passed through the automatically parting crowd corridor and arrived beneath the central altar.

At this moment, a figure silently appeared upon the altar.

He appeared to be a middle-aged man with a clear, sharp countenance and temples lightly frosted. He wore the simplest gray Dao robe, no ornaments, hands clasped behind his back; though not tall, he seemed the very center of heaven and earth.

Upon his appearance, the previously boiling square fell instantly silent, so quiet a pin drop could be heard. Not due to pressure, but everyone—including the visiting envoys from outside powers—spontaneously felt awe, holding their breath and focusing.

The head of the Ninth Dao Institute, one of the top experts of the human race in the Spirit Realm, a Unity-stage venerable—Jiang Mingyuan!

Jiang Mingyuan's gaze fell upon Wang Ping, bearing no sharp edge but a gentle scrutiny and unreserved approval. His voice was not loud, yet it rang clearly in everyone's ears, like the pronouncements of the Great Dao:

"The Heavenly Dao is ever-changing, calamities flow in cycles. Now a demonic fiend has seized the secret realm, plotting rebirth, devouring the Spirit Realm's elite. Fortunately, the heaven's pride Wang Ping upholds the righteous path, fearless in crisis; with his Golden Core body, he perceives the minutest details, unites all forces, battles the demon emperor's residual thought, ultimately slaying it, protecting fellow cultivators, turning the tide from collapse. This is great merit for the Dao Institute, great virtue for the Spirit Realm!"

His words set the highest official tone for this event and constitute the most authoritative affirmation of Wang Ping's merit.

"To manifest his merit, inspire future generations, upholding the Dao Institute's duty to inherit the protection of the Dao, after deliberation by the Council of Elders, our institute today here confers upon disciple Wang Ping the honor of 'Protector of the Dao Heaven's Pride'!"

"Protector of the Dao Heaven's Pride"—as soon as these four words were spoken, the crowd shook again; many Dao Institute disciples, even some young elders, showed looks of shock and envy.

In the Ninth Dao Institute, "Protector of the Dao Heaven's Pride" is not merely a title; it represents the institute's highest-level endorsement and resource tilt, bearing many privileges, its status comparable to a personal transmission from the vice-head, and in some aspects even surpassing it.

Over the past century, those who have received this title in the Dao Institute are few and far between, all having entered the late Nascent Soul stage and achieved outstanding battle merits for the institute as top true-transmission disciples.

Wang Ping, obtaining this honor with a Golden Core cultivation, can be called a breakthrough among breakthroughs!

Yet this shock pales in comparison to the rewards that follow.

Head Jiang Mingyuan slightly raised his hand; immediately, several gold-robed elders standing by the altar lifted jade trays and approached respectfully. Upon the trays, spiritual light misted, treasure aura shot to the heavens.

"Reward One: Permit Wang Ping to enter the core area of the 'Dao Origin Spirit Eye' and seclude himself for one month of cultivation." Head Jiang's voice was calm, yet it made all those in the know suck in a breath of cold air.

"Dao Origin Spirit Eye"! It is a top-tier cultivation holy land that ranks among the best even within the Ninth Dao Institute and the entire human domain!

Located at the very core of the Dao Institute's underground spirit veins, it is said to connect to a faint thread of the primordial source of heaven and earth; inside, the spiritual energy is so dense it condenses into liquid, and it contains strands of pure innate Dao rhyme, producing miraculous effects for comprehending laws and breaking bottlenecks. More crucially, the time flow speed in the Spirit Eye's core area differs from the outside, reaching an astonishing ratio of 1:10!

One month outside equals nearly a year of arduous cultivation inside! Such an opportunity, even an ordinary true-transmission disciple might not get a turn once in a hundred years, and even then the allotted time is often only a few days.

"Reward Two: Bestow upon him the upper-grade spiritual treasure, the 'Five Elements Wheel'." The second reward was announced.

A gold-robed elder lifted the silk brocade on the jade tray, revealing an antiquely styled circular dharma implement about a chi in diameter. The wheel is divided into five colors corresponding to the five elements; as it turns slowly, the five-colored light flows endlessly, faintly forming a perfect illusory image of a harmonious five-element cycle.

This treasure is not a weapon for attack but a supreme aid to cultivation! It automatically guides, refines, and balances the five-element spiritual energy, helping the wearer cultivate five-element arts more efficiently, deepening understanding of their mutual generation and restriction, and to some extent aiding in harmonizing mixed spiritual energy within the body to prevent deviation into demonic path.

For Wang Ping, who cultivates the five-element Dao, this item's value is immeasurable, far surpassing that of a top-grade offensive spiritual treasure!

"Reward Three: Grant Wang Ping one million Dao Institute contribution points." The third reward is equally astonishing. Dao Institute contribution points are hard to earn, have wide uses, and can be exchanged for techniques, divine abilities, elixirs, dharma implements, qualifications to enter various secret realms for cultivation, and so on.

One million contribution points are enough to let an ordinary disciple cultivate worry-free from the Qi Refining stage all the way to the Nascent Soul stage, covering most of the required resources! This is an unimaginable fortune.

"Reward Four: Activate the continuation deduction rights of the 'Dao Deduction Platform'. Permit Wang Ping, using his 'Five Elements Divine Light' technique as basis, to have the Dao Deduction Platform assist in deducing subsequent Nascent Soul cultivation methods, until the technique is deduced to the perfected Nascent Soul realm." The final reward left countless people envious and excited, yet they were nonetheless convinced.

The Dao Deduction Platform is one of the Ninth Dao Institute's inherited supreme treasures; it is said to be a relic left by an ancient master skilled in calculation, containing part of the Heavenly Dao's deductive ability. It can assist cultivators in deducing and perfecting their own techniques and divine abilities, reducing the risk of going astray, and for those who create their own techniques, it is nothing short of a dreamed-of divine artifact.

Yet the permission to use it is extremely stringent, and the resources consumed are enormous. The fact that the Dao Institute has opened continuation deduction rights for Wang Ping's Nascent Soul stage is not merely an investment of resources, but also a strong endorsement and wholehearted support for the potential of his self-created technique and his future path!

Each of the four rewards would make a Nascent Soul cultivator covetous, yet now they are all bestowed upon Wang Ping alone.

This is not only a reward, but also a proclamation: the Ninth Dao Institute will spare no effort in cultivating Wang Ping, regarding him as the future cornerstone!

Wang Ping drew a deep breath, suppressed the surge in his heart, stepped forward, bowed, and spoke in a steady, powerful voice:

"Disciple Wang Ping, thank the Head for his generous gifts! Thank the Dao Institute for its cultivation! I will diligently cultivate without cease, live up to expectations, protect the Dao and uphold righteousness, and glorify the sect!"

Head Jiang Mingyuan's face showed a hint of a satisfied smile as he personally handed over the gold token representing the status of 'Protector of the Dao Heaven's Pride' and the Five Elements Wheel to Wang Ping. The token felt warm and moist upon grasp, faintly connected to the Dao Institute's grand formation; the wheel then automatically shrank into a stream of five-colored light that entered Wang Ping's wrist, forming a faint five-element mark that can be activated at any time.

"May you hold this token, grasp this wheel, never forget your original intent, and forge ahead. The Great Dao is to be expected; the Dao Institute is with you." Head Jiang Mingyuan encouraged.

"Disciple will keep it in mind!" Wang Ping bowed again.

The awarding ceremony ended, and the Welcoming Heroes Grand Ceremony moved to the next segment — envoys from all sides came to observe and offer congratulations.

First to step forward was an envoy of the Ancient God Clan, a middle-aged man wearing a jade‑green robe, crowned with an azure wood headdress, his aura gentle and rich.

He, representing the Elder of the Ancient God Clan, presented a gift: a jug of "Life Source Liquid" (three drops, containing vast life essence, able to heal severe wounds, increase longevity, and strengthen foundations), and a rubbing of the preceding chapter of the "Ancient God Body‑Forging Art" (a segment of the top‑tier body‑refining method reaching the Nascent Soul stage).

He also expressed the Ancient God Clan's admiration and desire to befriend Wang Ping, inviting him to visit their ancestral homeland when he has leisure to exchange Daoist ideas.

Next came an envoy of the Fallen Immortal Clan, a female cultivator with a clear, aloof temperament and an ethereal, elusive immortal bearing. She presented a gift from the Fallen Immortal Clan's Immortal Maiden Yunzhi:

A bottle of "Nine‑Turn Jade Dew" (a holy medicine for healing wounds, also purifying demonic qi and stabilizing the soul), and a scroll of the preceding chapter of the "Immortal Spirit Array Explanation" (expounding the basic principles of the Immortal Spirit Array, exquisitely exquisite).

Similarly expressed the goodwill of the Fallen Immortal Clan, and subtly mentioned that Immortal Maiden Yù Liúlī acknowledged Wang Ping.

The public goodwill and generous gifts of these two top clans undoubtedly raised Wang Ping's status and prestige again, and sent a clear signal to the outside world: Wang Ping is no longer merely a heaven-chosen prodigy of the Ninth Dao Institute, but a future titan recognized by the top powers of the Spirit Realm.

Afterward, several human clans and families on good terms with the Ninth Dao Institute came forward to congratulate; though their gifts were not as precious as those of the Ancient Gods and the Fallen Immortal Clan, they were still valuable, expressing their goodwill.

However, not all factions were pleased with this development.

At the edge of the plaza, some onlookers from the Five Elements Clan, the Evil Nether Clan, the Monster Clan, and other forces (mostly branches or vassal representatives active in the Spirit Realm) had unpleasant expressions.

A Fire Pulse Elder of the Five Elements Clan (not a core leader, merely an external steward) had a grim face as he watched Wang Ping's limitless splendor on stage and heard the surrounding praise for the Five Elements Divine Light, finding every word grating. He had heard of the internal debate on how to treat Wang Ping; the Grand Elder's conciliatory policy left him stifled. 'The orthodox Five Elements—how can outsiders meddle!' he seethed inwardly, yet dared not cause trouble on the Ninth Dao Institute's turf, so he suppressed his discontent, plotting how to embellish his report to the clan's war faction.

An emissary of the Evil Nether Clan hidden in the shadows, his aura yin-cold, gazed at Wang Ping with eyes full of undisguised killing intent and wariness. Wang Ping's Solar True Fire, Yin Wood Divine Thunder, and Lunar Yin Cold Tide all greatly restrained the Evil Nether's techniques, and he had even slain part of the divine soul of a Netherworld Wraith, deepening this enmity. 'Let you enjoy your glory for a few days… your name will surely be on the list of the Shadow Killing Hall,' he thought coldly, his form growing more faint, as if merging into the shadows.

The representatives of the Monster Clan (including the Azure Dragon and Celestial Phoenix clans) had mixed feelings. On one hand, Wang Ping's strength and achievements forced them to take notice; on the other, the resentment lingered from the heavenly prodigy of their clan being severely wounded by him. The gifts they presented—Dragon Blood Regenerative Ointment, Phoenix Feather Heart-Protecting Pill, and the like—were mostly ceremonial, their attitude neither cold nor warm, maintaining a cautious watch.

The grand ceremony lasted an entire day, until the sun set behind the western mountains and the sky filled with rosy light, only then concluding amid another resounding peal of bells.

Wang Ping's name, accompanied by the honor of 'Protector of the Dao Heaven-Chosen Prodigy' and enviable rewards, shone like the brightest star, deeply imprinted in the hearts of all attendees and, through them, spread swiftly to every corner of the Spirit Realm. The prestige of the Ninth Dao Institute also rose with the tide, young disciples' morale soared, and they all took Wang Ping as their model, making the cultivation atmosphere even more fervent.

After the clamor subsided, Wang Ping did not indulge in glory and flattery.

He knew well that external things were merely aids; true strength lay within. On the third day after the ceremony, under the guidance of a gold-robed elder of the Dao Institute, holding the Head's Command Talisman, he entered the legendary Dao Source Spirit Eye.

Passing through layer upon layer of restrictions and spatial barriers, his vision suddenly opened up.

This is a strange space deep within the earth's core, not dark but bright and gentle. At its center is a spring no more than a zhang across; the spring holds not water, but a thick, substantive seven-colored spirit mist that constantly churns and rises! Within the mist, specks of crystalline light like stars drift—these are the Dao Source Essence, containing the innate Dao rhythm. Around the spring are arranged several white jade cushions, obviously meant for cultivation.

What's more marvelous, upon stepping into the core area of this space, Wang Ping felt his connection to the outside world's time blur, his thought processes seeming to speed up considerably—this is the perceptual change brought about by a 1:10 time-flow difference.

'The spiritual energy and Dao rhythm here are extremely rich and domineering; upon first entry, one must proceed gradually and not be greedy.' The guiding elder handed over a Calming Spirit Pill, saying it would help stabilize the mind and adapt to this environment, then withdrew, leaving Wang Ping alone.

Wang Ping took the Calming Spirit Pill and sat cross-legged on the cushion nearest the spring. Instantly, the vast, pure seven-colored spirit mist, as if finding its home, surged from all directions, pouring wildly into his body through his pores; at the same time, the specks of light containing Dao rhythm swirled around him, and threads of profound insight naturally flowed into his mind.

He did not dare delay, immediately activating the Five Elements Divine Light technique. The Five Elements Wheel Mark on his wrist glowed faintly, automatically assisting in guiding and organizing the incoming five-element spiritual energy, making it more orderly and peaceful, doubling efficiency.

In his dantian, the five-colored golden cores, like long‑drought meeting sweet rain, began to spin at an unprecedented speed, greedily absorbing the pure spiritual energy, becoming more solid and round, with surface Dao patterns spontaneously arising and perfecting. The five-colored divine light flowed joyfully within his body, mutually confirming with the inflowing Dao rhythm, and his understanding of the five elements' mutual generation and restriction, as well as the true intent of point‑spirit, deepened at a visibly rapid pace.

At his left arm, the trace of chaotic qi that had been integrated, in this extremely pure and rich energy environment, also seemed to be activated, slowly wandering; wherever it passed, the meridians, bones, and flesh seemed to take on an extremely faint, all‑encompassing chaotic trait, further enhancing his toughness and spiritual power conduction.

Wang Ping was completely immersed in deep cultivation, forgetting time and worldly distractions, his mind and spirit merging with the Five Elements Great Dao and resonating with the inflowing Dao rhythm.

One month outside, nearly a year inside the Dao Source Spirit Eye.

When Wang Ping opened his eyes again, the divine light in his gaze retracted, his aura becoming deep, tranquil, and vast; faint five‑element phantoms circulated and faded around his body, and an aura of perfect roundness and primordial unity naturally emanated.

Golden Core Perfected!

Relying on the Dao Source Spirit Eye's vast resources and time differential, plus his earlier deep accumulation and death‑life insights, he finally pushed his cultivation to the pinnacle of the Golden Core stage—the Perfected Golden Core realm! Five golden cores shone with equal size, their Dao patterns perfectly interwoven, forming a stable, perfect, endless five‑element circulation system. The five‑colored divine light grew ever more rich and rounded; a slight thought could send it flowing through his whole body, and its power and control reached a new level.

Moreover, his grasp of the five elements' mutual generation and restriction became more thorough, and his insight into the 'Chaos Return to One' strike was digested considerably; although he still cannot use it at will, his manipulation of five‑element power became more exquisite and subtle, even faintly touching the threshold for merging and evolving five‑element power into the embryonic form of his own 'domain'.

'It's time.' Wang Ping felt the surging power and perfected state within him, and a thought arose in his heart.

Leaving the Dao Source Spirit Eye and returning to his cave abode outside to briefly adjust and organize, Wang Ping did not alarm many; he only informed Lei Zhen and a few familiar elders, then set out alone once more toward the proving ground that had once witnessed his first entry into the Spirit Realm and his initial rise to prominence—

The Tower to Heaven!

This time, he intends to truly challenge the limit of this Spirit‑realm legendary trial with his Perfected Golden Core form, to shatter the record for the Golden Core stage that has lain sealed for a hundred thousand years!

Beneath the calm lake surface, the undercurrents surged even more violently. The Five Elements Dao Progeny Wang Ping, having enjoyed honor and resources, once again announced his rise and strength to the entire Spirit Realm in the most direct and shocking manner.