Chapter 698: Future Path of Cultivation! Atonement

A single quota for a Star Guard Token is worth 3 million Eternal Crystals; ten would be 30 million Eternal Crystals... and according to what Li Yuan knows, 3 million Eternal Crystals is already the low-end price.

Outside, many Fifth-Rank Quasi-Saints spend tens of millions of Eternal Crystals, yet they might not even be able to secure a single Star Guard Token.

After all, this involves "deducing cultivation efficiency," which in a sense is life itself... These Quasi-Saints are trapped in the Eternal Ruins, their paths of cultivation nearly severed.

Yet, they ultimately retain a glimmer of hope.

They still yearn immensely to step into the Emperor Realm... Once they step into the Emperor Realm, they can defy the heavens and change their fate, but the difficulty of this path is unimaginable.

"Many thanks, Elder." Li Yuan cupped his hands, knowing that if the other party wanted to take all the Star Guard Token quotas, he would be powerless to stop it.

Ultimately, without sufficient strength, one lacks decision-making power in many matters.

"Haha, what are you thanking me for? You have made the Divine Hall powerful; I am the one who should be thanking you." Elder Huo Qu smiled: "You are a practitioner of the current era, and your time is precious. I won't delay you further; return to your mansion first."

"If you have any matters, just send me a message directly."

"Understood." Li Yuan cupped his hands and turned to leave.

Seeing this, God King Huanxin followed suit, bowing and exiting the palace hall with Li Yuan until they reached the outside of the mansion.

"Xinyuan, Elder Huo Qu has a volatile temperament. Usually, when he sees us candidate elders, he wears a cold face." God King Huanxin laughed: "But he treats you completely differently."

Li Yuan couldn't help but smile: "Brother Huanxin, when you step into the Emperor Realm and become a Mansion Master, all six elders will have to bow to you."

"Haha, then I'll take your word for it." God King Huanxin laughed: "Shall we return to our respective mansions? Send me a message if you need anything."

"Alright."

"If Brother Huanxin needs my help, you can also tell me." Li Yuan said, for he still had a very good impression of the enthusiastic God King Huanxin.

... Inside Elder Huo Qu's palace.

Apart from Elder Huo Qu, there was another enchanting and stunning figure, draped in thin gauze, smiling as she looked at Elder Huo Qu.

"Huo Qu, you are quite polite to this little fellow." The stunning woman said: "It's unlike your personality. I remember you are very cold to Long Hu and the others."

"Tsk tsk."

"He wanted to keep five Star Guard Token quotas, and you actually let him keep them. It's very unlike you." The stunning woman teased.

"Kong Yao, Xinyuan is different from Long Hu and the others." Elder Huo Qu said indifferently: "He is someone the Master, Mansion Master Xinmeng, and Mansion Master Juexing all value immensely, and they all believe he will step into the Emperor Realm."

"Moreover, he controls the Top-Tier Eternal Dao."

"Once he steps into the Emperor Realm, he will be a peak existence in the Emperor Realm... By then, crushing us would be easy." Elder Huo Qu said: "As for Long Hu? Huanxin and the others?"

"Hmph!"

"They seem to be only one step away from the Emperor Realm, but in my view, none of the twelve of them have any hope. Why should I respect them?" Elder Huo Qu sneered.

Elder Kong Yao pursed her lips and smiled.

Having spent long ages together, she knew Elder Huo Qu's personality too well... Even as a puppet, as an existence in the Emperor Realm, he possessed sufficient arrogance.

This arrogance made them look down upon the vast majority of low-rank Quasi-Saints.

Returning to his mansion, inside the quiet room, Li Yuan sat cross-legged.

Whoosh!

Li Yuan waved his hand, and Xiao Mu, in the form of a child wearing black robes, appeared by his side.

"I didn't expect it."

"Not long after arriving in the Immortal World, I've already obtained so many Eternal Crystals." Li Yuan smiled: "Xiao Mu, I currently have nearly 17 million Eternal Crystals in hand, plus some treasures I haven't sold yet... Is that enough to start the cultivation plan you mentioned?"

Li Yuan's two main true bodies carried most of the Eternal Crystals with them.

And his other seven true bodies, far away in the Xinmeng Universe, only carried a portion needed for recent daily cultivation... plus the 15 million Eternal Crystals just obtained.

This caused the Eternal Crystal wealth controlled by Li Yuan to soar to an astonishing level.

Li Yuan believed that even many Sixth-Rank Quasi-Saints, after accumulating wealth over long ages, would struggle to possess so much.

And on the way to the Immortal World, Li Yuan had been communicating with Xiao Mu, confirming some subsequent cultivation plans.

"Not enough!"

"Far from enough." Xiao Mu shook his head: "Li Yuan, it's not that I'm discouraging you... You've obtained quite a few Eternal Crystals, but to complete the cultivation plan I mentioned? You're still far off."

Li Yuan frowned.

Far off?

"It seems you still don't understand, so let me explain in detail." Xiao Mu smiled: "For your subsequent path-opening cultivation, the World Dao, it is best to use 'World Heart Void Fruit' long-term... And one World Heart Void Fruit has a redemption value of 100,000 Immortal Merits in the Immortal Divine Hall."

"Lower-tier treasures... are of little use to you, after all, you already have the Ancient Universe, and the evolution of your own inner universe is even more miraculous."

"You don't have many Immortal Merits right now, so you can put this treasure aside for the time being." Xiao Mu said: "Wait until you slay some alien lifeforms in the future."

Li Yuan listened quietly.

Although Xiao Mu had never truly cultivated, having followed a Supreme, his vision and knowledge were profound; the cultivation path he had formulated for him was absolutely a smooth one.

"The Ten Thousand Spirits Dao."

"What you need to do, just as your Senior Brother Dongmang suggested before, is to purchase the remains of countless life races and cultivation systems from various Dark Domains, or even living beings... and even Quasi-Saint remains, Emperor blood, and Emperor Realm remains." Xiao Mu said solemnly.

"Remains? Even Emperor Realm remains?" Li Yuan was stunned.

Let alone the Emperor Realm.

Even low-rank Quasi-Saints, in life-and-death battles, would likely have their bodies incinerated upon death; would they even leave remains?

"Hehe."

"If they are killed directly by soul destruction, wouldn't their remains be left behind?" Xiao Mu said.

Li Yuan was speechless... but then his heart turned cold.

Soul attacks, directly killing an Emperor Realm expert?

What kind of existence could achieve that?

"Purchasing these cultivation resources requires a massive amount of Eternal Crystals... for some unique Emperor Realm remains, you even have to specifically redeem them from the Immortal Divine Hall." Xiao Mu sighed: "And this is only regarding material research."

"If it involves research into the soul aspect of the Ten Thousand Spirits Dao... you had best also purchase 'Wang Hunyuan Liquid' and 'Emperor Soul Source Liquid'." Xiao Mu said.

Li Yuan's heart stirred.

Soul Source Liquid is a precious material extracted from the origin of a living being's soul... Wang Hunyuan Liquid is essentially extracted from the souls of Eighth-Rank practitioners.

If an Eighth-Rank practitioner's true body falls, that's one thing, but if they are controlled and their soul origin is forcibly extracted? It is not just pain and torture, but a form of 'pollution' to the soul origin, which would affect all their true bodies.

Therefore, no powerhouse is willing to endure it.

Emperor Soul Source Liquid is extracted from the souls of Emperor Realm powerhouses.

The difficulty is self-evident.

At the very least, when he was in the Xinmeng Universe, Li Yuan had never heard of any place where Wang Hunyuan Liquid could be redeemed... it didn't even exist in the Chaos Divine Court's treasury.

"Additionally."

"If you want to open the Heart-Weapon Dao next, you can also use Wang Hunyuan Liquid and Emperor Soul Source Liquid for cultivation. These Soul Source Liquids contain their soul mysteries, which will increase the hope of opening the path... You can also exchange for 18 types of treasures such as the Group Fate Picture Record and Void Fate Stone Slips." Xiao Mu said.

Li Yuan listened silently.

Any of the treasures Xiao Mu mentioned were rare wonders, and if one were to cultivate long-term, the amount required would be staggering.

In short!

Normally, deducing the mysteries of the Dao, wanting to open up a new Eternal Dao, or wanting to advance further in the Myriad Spirit Dao or World Dao, would all consume an extremely long time.

Relying on many rare treasures makes it faster and increases the hope.

On the path of cultivation, oneself is very important, but external objects are also very important.

"As for opening the Great Destruction Dao."

"If you can obtain Abyss Spirit Blood, then analyzing the mysteries of the Spirit Blood is best." Xiao Mu said: "Brother Beihe once said that Abyss Spirit Blood contains the secrets of the Abyss's endless destruction! Abyss Spirit Blood has a sense of endless destruction, yet also contains endless vitality."

Li Yuan shook his head even more helplessly.

Abyss Spirit Blood? That is a supreme treasure obtained by the Abyss Master from the Abyss... let alone himself, I'm afraid even his Master, God Emperor Juexing, would find it hard to obtain a single drop.

Let alone a batch of Abyss Spirit Blood?

"Xiao Mu, let's talk about something realistic." Li Yuan shook his head.

He had thought his wealth was not insignificant, but after listening to Xiao Mu's analysis, Li Yuan suddenly felt he was still a pauper.

He couldn't afford the vast majority of the treasures.

"Haha, alright."

"Don't be anxious. You don't need these treasures for cultivation for the time being. Like the Abyss Spirit Blood, wait until you truly open the Destruction Dao, or even take the second step, before studying it; perhaps the harvest will be greater." Xiao Mu laughed: "Next, let's prepare to head to the Divine Wheel Sea... You are only at the Heavenly God Realm, perhaps you will have unexpected gains."

"Divine Wheel Sea?" Li Yuan nodded.

This matter had already been decided before he came to the Immortal World... It is a strange place in the Immortal World, and many low-rank Quasi-Saints go there to roam and explore.

According to Xiao Mu, if a Heavenly God Realm expert goes to explore, the harvest might be even greater.

This was also the reason Li Yuan came to the Immortal World early.

Otherwise.

According to Li Yuan's previous thoughts, he would wait until he had completely stepped into the God King Realm before going to explore various Eternal Ruins.

"After we come out of the Divine Wheel Sea, we will go and retrieve the treasures I left for you."

"By then, you will be able to purchase treasures wantonly." Xiao Mu continued: "And before setting off for the Divine Wheel Sea, you must find a way to make your two true bodies stronger, striving to reach the Fifth-Rank Quasi-Saint level; the chances will be much higher... Therefore, my suggestion to you is to purchase one or two Emperor Weapons suitable for you to enhance your strength."

"Alright." Li Yuan nodded.

A normal Emperor Weapon, if it contains the four-step mysteries of a High-Stage Eternal Dao, generally has a value between 5 million and 10 million Eternal Crystals.

With Li Yuan's current wealth, it is enough to purchase one or two.

If it is an Emperor Weapon containing the four-step mysteries of a Top-Tier Eternal Dao, the value would soar more than a hundredfold... treasures at that level are usually only used by Emperor Realm experts.

"The remaining Eternal Crystals can be used to purchase some more Wang Hunyuan Liquid, as well as 'basic life materials' from other cultivation systems and Dark Domains. After purchasing... find a way to send them back to the Xinmeng Universe." Xiao Mu instructed: "There is no need for your two true bodies to waste time in the Immortal World."

"Understood." Li Yuan nodded.

Cultivating and comprehending in the universe's spacetime is where the efficiency is highest... all auxiliary cultivation treasures purchased must be sent back....

Just one day after Li Yuan arrived at the Chaos Mansion, before he had even set off for Qing Tian Luocheng to purchase treasures.

"Master." A voice suddenly sounded.

It was the voice of the Mansion Spirit.

"What is it?" Li Yuan said.

"Outside the Divine Mansion City, three Quasi-Saints have come to request an audience, claiming to be Quasi-Saint Xiajiang, Quasi-Saint Chu Yan, and Quasi-Saint Mo Yue, saying they want to offer atonement." The Mansion Spirit said: "A Star Attendant is already receiving them, asking if Master wants to go and meet them?"

Quasi-Saint Xiajiang? A Fifth-Rank Quasi-Saint? Li Yuan's heart stirred.

This is an important member of the Red Lotus Mansion!

Atonement?

"Alright, send a message to the Star Attendant, I will rush to the Reception Hall immediately." Li Yuan said.

Members of other factions are generally not allowed to enter the interior of the Divine Mansion City.

Therefore, visits from outsiders are unified at a "Reception Hall" on the edge of the Divine Mansion City.

While setting off.

Li Yuan also sent a message directly to God King Dongmang... since they were both attacked, Li Yuan naturally wouldn't make the decision entirely on his own.

... Not long after.

Inside a dedicated grand hall in the Chaos Mansion City, Li Yuan and God King Dongmang, led by two Star Attendants, arrived together.

"Three Quasi-Saints, Quasi-Saint Xinyuan and Quasi-Saint Dongmang have arrived." The Star Attendant said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"You may leave first." God King Dongmang said.

Inside the hall.

Quasi-Saint Xiajiang and the other two had been waiting for a long time, but there wasn't even common immortal wine or fruit on their desks... this was specifically ordered by God King Dongmang.

He was suppressing anger in his heart, so naturally, he wouldn't be polite to Quasi-Saint Xiajiang and the others.

"Fellow Daoist Xinyuan, Fellow Daoist Dongmang." Quasi-Saint Xiajiang stood up; even without receiving courtesy, he remained polite.

"Quasi-Saint Xiajiang, why are you not cultivating quietly in the Red Lotus Mansion, but instead came to my Chaos Mansion?" Li Yuan said indifferently.

"Am I not here under my Master's orders?" Quasi-Saint Xiajiang smiled: "My Master already knows about the incident where Quasi-Saint Chu Yan and Quasi-Saint Mo Yue attacked you, and is very furious... Therefore, he specifically ordered me to bring them here to offer atonement."

Immediately, Quasi-Saint Xiajiang looked at the two people beside him.

"The two of you, this matter was our fault, I hope you can forgive us." Quasi-Saint Chu Yan's body aura was very weak, and he lowered his head and whispered.

Quasi-Saint Mo Yue said the same.

Both of them were filled with anger in their hearts... clearly, they had suffered a huge loss, yet they had to bow their heads, but the situation was stronger than the person.

"Atonement?" God King Dongmang sneered: "Xiajiang, don't think you can scare us by bringing up the Emperor Realm; we are not afraid... I remember clearly that at the time, you wanted to take fierce revenge."

"Now, with one sentence, you want to resolve the grudge; don't you think it's a bit ridiculous?"

Li Yuan remained silent.

God King Dongmang was playing the bad cop; he could just watch the developments.

"My Master did not intend to pressure the two fellow Daoists." Quasi-Saint Xiajiang, dressed in red and very handsome, was full of smiles: "Before coming, my Master specifically ordered that he is willing to offer 500,000 Eternal Crystals as an apology to resolve the cause and effect... and use 2 million Eternal Crystals to redeem Quasi-Saint Chu Yan's eight Quasi-Saint puppets, how about that?"

Li Yuan remained silent.

"2 million Eternal Crystals to redeem eight Quasi-Saint puppets, that is acceptable." God King Dongmang remained cold: "But 500,000 Eternal Crystals as an apology? For a dignified Emperor Realm expert to act, it's too stingy. After so long, haven't you figured out my Junior Brother's identity?"

"Haha."

"I understand, Fellow Daoist Xinyuan's status is extraordinary..." Quasi-Saint Xiajiang remained unbothered, smiling: "Then I will make a decision on my own; 1 million Eternal Crystals as an apology? How about that?"

"Enough."

"Senior Brother." Li Yuan finally spoke, smiling: "Forgive others where possible... Let's give Emperor Chu Hong some face."

"Alright." God King Dongmang nodded and immediately stopped speaking.

In reality, let alone 1 million Eternal Crystals... even 500,000 Eternal Crystals, God King Dongmang actually felt was quite a lot.

After all, in the past, when he earned 100,000 Eternal Crystals, he usually had to risk his life.

Soon.

Both sides made the exchange; Li Yuan brought out the eight Quasi-Saint puppets he had imprisoned, while Quasi-Saint Xiajiang and Quasi-Saint Chu Yan together brought out 3 million Eternal Crystals.

Immediately.

Quasi-Saint Xiajiang took Quasi-Saint Chu Yan and Quasi-Saint Mo Yue and left the Chaos Mansion; only Li Yuan and God King Dongmang remained in this Reception Hall.

"Senior Brother."

"We were both attacked and both contributed to resisting; let's each take half of these 3 million Eternal Crystals." Li Yuan said.

"For the 2 million Eternal Crystals for those eight Quasi-Saint puppets, I'll take half, 1 million Eternal Crystals is enough." God King Dongmang shook his head: "But the 1 million Eternal Crystals for atonement? I don't want it."

"Junior Brother, you and I both know very well that the other party is willing to offer atonement only because of you, and it has nothing to do with me." God King Dongmang said solemnly: "If I take half, my heart won't be at ease."

God King Dongmang had his own pride.

He wouldn't be polite about what he deserved.

"Alright."

Li Yuan smiled helplessly; he also knew his Senior Brother's temperament, and immediately changed the subject: "By the way, Senior Brother, I just sent a message to Elder Huo Qu."

"Tomorrow, the Divine Mansion should send you a 'Star Guard Token'." Li Yuan said.

"Star Guard Token? For me?" God King Dongmang showed a trace of surprise.

He had long known that the Protector Order could allow the Chaos Mansion to have ten more Star Guard Tokens, but he had never asked Li Yuan for one... because he knew the value of the Star Guard Token.

In the Divine Mansion, a group of Fifth-Rank Quasi-Saints were all queuing up, let alone him?

Not to mention anything else.

Just the 3 million Eternal Crystals to redeem a Star Guard Token, he couldn't take out.

"Junior Brother, can I?" God King Dongmang hesitated.

"I have five autonomous quotas." Li Yuan smiled; he had also decided after some consideration to give his Senior Brother a Star Guard Token.

Although it would cause some criticism among the many Fifth-Rank Quasi-Saints in the Chaos Mansion.

But Li Yuan didn't care.

"Alright." God King Dongmang felt much more at ease upon hearing this; his true body was currently sleeping, so he naturally yearned for a Star Guard Token, but immediately, he showed some difficulty: "It's just, the 3 million Eternal Crystals, I'm afraid I'll have to give them to you later."

"Senior Brother, how much have you helped me along this journey?" Li Yuan shook his head: "Just accept this Star Guard Token, Senior Brother; if you talk about Eternal Crystals again, I will be angry."

"I only hope."

"This Star Guard Token can be of some help to you, Senior Brother."

Outside the Chaos Mansion.

"Senior Brother."

"That Dongmang is too arrogant." Quasi-Saint Chu Yan said with indignation, roaring: "1 million Eternal Crystals? They think too highly of themselves."

Quasi-Saint Mo Yue remained silent.

"Chu Yan."

"This wasn't decided by me, it was decided by Master." Quasi-Saint Xiajiang shook his head.

"Father really gave an order?" Quasi-Saint Chu Yan was shocked.

"Originally, there wasn't one." Quasi-Saint Xiajiang sighed: "But just today, Master received news... Quasi-Saint Xinyuan is already a Star City Protector."

"Star City Protector?" The expressions of Quasi-Saint Chu Yan and Quasi-Saint Mo Yue both changed.

They both knew what a Protector represented.

One must know, Li Yuan is not a member of the Qing Tian Luocheng Universe Alliance.

"Therefore."

"Chu Yan, Master has ordered... for the next million years, all your true bodies in the Immortal World must stay in the Red Lotus Mansion City, and you are not allowed to go out, as a punishment." Quasi-Saint Xiajiang said solemnly.

"Punishment? A million years?" Quasi-Saint Chu Yan was stunned, and hurriedly asked: "Why? Clearly, the grudge was resolved today."

A million years of not being able to leave the mansion is equivalent to being imprisoned, which was too painful for him.

"Resolved the grudge?"

"That's just what you and I thought; Quasi-Saint Xinyuan ultimately didn't make an Eternal Vow." Quasi-Saint Xiajiang shook his head: "Therefore, Master imprisoning you for a million years is just to prevent future trouble."

"Future?" Quasi-Saint Mo Yue suddenly understood in his heart.

"Wait until the future."

"If Quasi-Saint Xinyuan becomes a peak Emperor Realm expert and remembers this matter... discovering that you were punished and imprisoned for a million years, only then might his anger be completely dissipated." Quasi-Saint Xiajiang said.

Quasi-Saint Chu Yan fell silent.

"For the next million years, I will also cultivate in seclusion in the Divine Mansion." Quasi-Saint Mo Yue sighed bitterly.

Li Yuan knew nothing about Quasi-Saint Chu Yan being imprisoned.

Even if he knew, Li Yuan wouldn't care.

Since he had already agreed to resolve the grudge, as long as the other party didn't stir up trouble again, Li Yuan wouldn't bring up old scores based on his temperament.

At this moment, Li Yuan had already left the Divine Mansion and arrived alone in Qing Tian Luocheng, preparing to purchase Emperor Weapons suitable for himself.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 699 =====