Chapter 442: Pangu Token

In the blink of an eye, fifty-three years passed like wind.

The Illusory Realm of Grand Void.

Upon the Cloud Platform, a thousand-meter-long black-and-red dragon battled a white-scaled beast with a deer's body and a dragon's head.

Splash!

In the end, the black-and-red dragon slammed down a claw, crushing the beast's skull—its deer body and dragon head resembling a qilin.

"Core Member Evaluation concluded… Rank One: Black Dragon!"

In the Illusory Realm of Grand Void, a voice devoid of emotion announced.

"Rank Two: Qiong Bai!"

"Rank Three: Ao Xin!"

…

Hearing this, Yun Futu clenched his fists.

He had pushed himself to the limit over these decades, yet his progress had hit an absolute ceiling.

Unless he broke through to Nascent Soul, further advancement was nearly impossible.

But… Nascent Soul cannot enter the Pangu Secret Realm unless one breaks through after entering!

Thus, even Qingdi Palace's Princess Qing had not broken through to Nascent Soul, waiting solely for the Pangu Secret Realm's opening.

Compared to the benefits within the Pangu Secret Realm, delaying Nascent Soul advancement by decades was unquestionably worth it.

Yet despite his relentless efforts, he could not surpass those three monsters.

"Perhaps… I should break through to Nascent Soul."

Yun Futu gazed at the three demonic ancestors ahead, his heart heavy with resignation.

"That Black Dragon's physique is utterly astonishing… not something cultivated naturally—he must have used some extraordinary artifact."

Above the heavens, countless celestial eyes exchanged thoughts:

"Hmph… Black Dragon is Qing Hua's disciple. Qing Hua once obtained a 'Yan Dao Mirror'—no doubt she used it to artificially accelerate his growth… How generous of her. If I had a 'Yan Dao Mirror,' I'd use it myself, never give it to a disciple…"

For Fang Xing, who frequently tested dangerous techniques from the Qing Hua Scroll and purchased rare materials in the Illusory Realm, he had no qualms about revealing some secrets.

Besides, inheriting the legacy of Lady Qing Hua was no shameful thing.

Even if Qingdi Palace now despised him, he had long since been their enemy…

The giant eye speaking now belonged to another Heavenly Demon—the master of Qiong Bai—hence its sour tone.

"Hehe… no need to be too harsh. Black Dragon has elevated his understanding of the Time Dao to the Third Level in mere decades—truly an extraordinary talent in the path of Time."

A gentle voice spoke—it was a female Celestial Immortal.

Since Yun Futu was destined for elimination, they could speak fairly, with no personal stakes.

"Hun Tian, what do you say?"

All other giant eyes turned toward the pair belonging to Hun Tian the Great Sage.

"Follow the rules. But personally, I'll offer extra sponsorship."

Hun Tian the Great Sage's gaze dropped to Fang Xing, standing at the head of all Core Members: "Black Dragon!"

"Humble salutations to Great Sage Hun Tian."

Fang Xing bowed respectfully.

"As Core Member Rank One, by the rules of the Illusory Realm, you automatically earn a Pangu Secret Realm slot."

Hun Tian the Great Sage declared: "Additionally, you may choose one treasure. But I have decided to replace it with ninety-nine units of Nascent Soul Elixir."

"Thank you, Great Sage."

Fang Xing's eyes lit up.

All mortal Emperor Sons entering the Pangu Secret Realm must break through to Nascent Soul.

But the power gap between Nascent Soul First Stage and Nascent Soul Ninth Stage is immense!

Thus, all bring ample Nascent Soul Elixir to accelerate their breakthrough within the Secret Realm.

Yet acquiring sufficient Nascent Soul Elixir is no simple task—even Heavenly Demons feel the strain.

Ninety-nine units of Nascent Soul Elixir is a massive sacrifice from Hun Tian the Great Sage.

"Black Dragon, Qiong Bai, Ao Xin… prepare yourselves. Soon, the Wujie Mountain will dispatch Heavenly Demons and Celestial Immortals to transport you to the Pangu Secret Realm via the Illusory Vessel."

After announcing the lavish rewards, the giant eyes vanished instantly.

The other Core Members exhaled in relief. A white jade dragon approached Fang Xing: "Brother Black Dragon, please look after little sister during this journey."

Compared to Black Dragon and Qiong Bai—both Emperor Sons—Ao Xin seemed like an afterthought.

Though her strength among Imperial Princes was quite impressive, and she had barely defeated Yun Futu through luck.

"Of course, of course. All three of us are from Wujie Mountain. Once inside the Pangu Secret Realm, we must unite as one."

Fang Xing exchanged a few pleasantries, then returned to his True Transmission Peak.

Physical rewards like Nascent Soul Elixir would be delivered to Baihou Mountain.

But within the Illusory Realm, his permissions had been updated—he could now access more information on the Pangu Secret Realm.

Several entries surprised even him:

"The Pangu Secret Realm is suspected to be left behind by an 'Eternal One,' perhaps even a 'Transcendent One'…"

Above Nascent Soul lies Celestial Immortal, above Celestial Immortal lies Chaos, and above Chaos lies Eternal!

As for Transcendent? Even more mysterious—only whispered among the mighty.

Even now, it's uncertain whether any Eternal Ones exist in the Qing Yuan Great Realm.

"Each opening of the Secret Realm may last decades, even centuries or millennia…"

"No wonder one can break through to Nascent Soul within—it's no wonder those with short lifespans can't survive even one opening…"

"The Pangu Secret Realm is divided into three zones. All enter first into the outermost 'Chaos Mountains'—vast and relatively safe, ideal for steady breakthroughs… The second zone is the 'Ancient God Temple,' a hall nine light-years tall, its interior infinite in space, filled with trials and legacies—yet also perilous. Even Nascent Soul Emperor Sons may die if careless… but the rewards are immense. The most common and most coveted prize, it is said, is the chance to contemplate the 'Great Dao Stele!'"

The Great Dao Stele differs from ordinary Dao Law Steles—it describes the 'Great Dao' itself—the path toward Chaos!

Even Heavenly Demons and Celestial Immortals yearn to contemplate the Great Dao Stele, yet they cannot enter.

"Additionally, there are countless legacies, Emperor Weapons, Royal Weapons, and extraordinary artifacts…"

"As for the most mysterious core zone, all who enter swear a Great Dao Oath—no information may be leaked. Nothing is known."

Fang Xing browsed through the details, then resumed his contemplation of the Time Dao.

…

"Come out!"

After an indeterminate time, a voice reached his cave.

Fang Xing unconsciously exited his meditative state and glanced at his status panel:

【Space Dao: 15682/20000 (Proficient)】

…

【Time Dao: 3497/20000 (Proficient)】

【Nine Sources Star Forge Secret Art (Black Dragon): 399/400 (Master)】

…

"Both Dao understandings are now Proficient. Time and Space are indeed harder than ordinary Dao…"

"And the Nine Sources Star Forge Secret Art… currently Master level, but when my True Spirit returns, it reverts to its original rank—what a trap. Still, experiencing higher-level effects early should greatly aid future cultivation."

"Was that voice signaling departure time?"

Fang Xing flew out of his cave and saw a massive silver-white vessel moored beyond Baihou Mountain.

On its deck stood several figures with terrifying auras.

Qiong Bai and Ao Xin's true forms mingled among them, like huskies among wolves.

"Go!"

Hun Tian the Great Sage spoke.

"Yes!"

Fang Xing nodded and flew onto the Illusory Vessel's deck.

"You're the last."

Ao Xin stepped forward, warmly greeting: "This expedition is led by Li Huo Celestial Immortal and Mo Wen Heavenly Demon…"

Before Fang Xing could reply, the Illusory Vessel plunged into the Illusory Void.

Splash!

Before the colossal vessel, space shattered like a giant mirror.

Countless spatial currents surged forth, striking the hull—yet dissipated like waves.

This was Wujie Mountain's war vessel: even a Nascent Soul pilot could rival a Celestial Immortal or Heavenly Demon!

Of course, it required thousands of Nascent Soul experts working in unison.

Even so, the technology was terrifying.

In the main universe, it would be like a group of Level 12 or lower professionals combining to match Level 13 power.

A technology even the Blue Star Federation had never developed!

Fang Xing had already obtained the blueprints, planning to bring them back to the main universe.

He knew he could never fully replicate it—not only because the fundamental laws of the two worlds differed, but because the special materials were unique to Qing Yuan Great Realm, nonexistent in the main universe.

Still, having the concept was better than nothing.

As Fang Xing pondered, a chaotic-colored token floated before him.

"This is the 'Pangu Token'... Upon reaching the location, only those holding the Pangu Token and below the Nascent Soul realm can be summoned by the secret realm..."

A ethereal voice sounded: "WuJie Mountain offers high prices for all treasures you obtain from the Pangu Secret Realm... Of course, you need not mention any inherited knowledge that cannot be disclosed..."

Fang Xing picked up the Pangu Token and saw it had a deep azure hue; its front bore an odd humanoid figure, within which countless primordial chaos surged.

As he pondered the token's material, the Tai Xu Vessel shuddered violently, arriving at the more elusive 'Illusory Void Layer,' and began hurtling forward.

"This distance... far exceeds my limits."

"How many trillions of light-years have we moved?"

Fang Xing couldn't help but marvel, even wondering if they were still within the Qing Yuan Great Realm.

"We've arrived!"

Suddenly, the Tai Xu Vessel halted, returning to the material layer.

Whoosh!

The heavens shattered, revealing a chaotic vortex hundreds of light-years in diameter.

Along the edge of the chaotic vortex, pavilions and towers stood proudly, while colossal figures loomed, blotting out sky and sun, radiating terrifying pressure.

"Qing Emperor Palace, Wei Huang Hall, San Ye Sect, Gui Ling Sect..."

Ao Xin counted them off one by one: "The top forces of the Qing Yuan Great Realm... they've all arrived."

Fang Xing gazed toward the Qing Emperor Palace and saw it was a sky-blue palace.

Outside the palace stood a deer-horned beast, its body larger than the palace itself.

Within the palace, Princess Shi Qing seemed to sense something and cast a glance outward.

"So... this woman has not yet broken through to Nascent Soul either—she's waiting for the chance offered by the Pangu Secret Realm."

Fang Xing understood clearly.

(End of Chapter)