Chapter 234: Rest

Chen Mo stood before a cave dwelling, the surrounding Heaven and Earth Qi constantly being purified and surging into the cave under his guidance.

The heavenly treasures stored within the Ancestral Realm had already been retrieved by him earlier.

Originally, he had intended to return to his own cave dwelling in the Ancestral Realm to see how Zhao Yu was doing.

Although many Innate Experts had long since left this place, she was still waiting in the Ancestral Realm for Chen Mo's return.

It was just that Chen Mo had not expected Zhao Yu to be in seclusion, practicing within her own cave dwelling.

And judging by the situation, she was already on the verge of a breakthrough.

Chen Mo would naturally not remain indifferent to this; he immediately drew upon the Heaven and Earth Power to assist her in her breakthrough practice.

For a Martial Artist to enter the Postnatal Realm from Tongmai Perfection, the most important thing is to open the mysterious pass, open the Heaven and Earth Gate, and allow the Heaven and Earth Power to enter the body.

Thereafter, a Martial Artist practicing Inner Qi no longer needs to rely solely on the essence of grains and their own circulation to accumulate Inner Qi.

Instead, they are able to draw Heaven and Earth Power to bring Qi into the body, accelerating their own practice.

It mainly depends on the Martial Artist's comprehension and their understanding and mastery of the Dao of Heaven and Earth.

"How do you feel? Is there anything unusual?" Chen Mo asked gently as he walked to her side, taking the opportunity to help her up from the Putan.

"With me here, don't be nervous." Chen Mo spoke softly through sound transmission; upon hearing this, Zhao Yu relaxed all at once, feeling a touch of joy in her heart.

Taking advantage of the situation, he could also use this Heaven and Earth Qi to temper her dantian, meridians, muscles, and bones.

However, the prerequisite for all of this is that Zhao Yu must be able to rely on her own strength to break through.

These Heaven and Earth Powers circled throughout the entire cave dwelling, waiting only for Zhao Yu to break through so they could be absorbed and refined.

In this way, her aptitude could also be increased.

For practice after the Innate Realm, physical aptitude has a certain influence, but it is not the main component.

Whether it was the Heavenly Court Secret Realm or matters concerning the Heavenly Palace, Chen Mo had not deliberately hidden anything from her; she naturally knew of these things.

And the time Zhao Yu had spent in seclusion earlier was merely to find this point of breakthrough.

Chen Mo could help her break through to the Postnatal Realm now, but after all, he could not stay by Zhao Yu's side at all times and could not help her practice forever.

Her mind was immersed within herself, controlling the flow and changes of her own Inner Qi.

According to Chen Mo's estimation, with sufficient practice resources and the fact that the Heavenly Law had changed, making it more suitable for Martial Artists to practice, she should be able to reach the Innate Realm.

Moreover, letting her break through on her own, so she could master her own power, could also be considered having a certain ability for self-preservation.

Even those relatively violent Heaven and Earth Powers became as docile as sheep after passing through his hands.

The mysterious pass was opened, and the external Heaven and Earth Power entered her body.

They would naturally compile the situations encountered during this breakthrough into volumes, leaving behind sufficient experience for later generations to refer to.

This power was extremely pure, and there was no difficulty in absorbing or refining it.

Now hearing Chen Mo's voice, she naturally could not hide the joy in her heart.

In just an instant, Zhao Yu felt the difference in the external Heaven and Earth Power.

But that would only be like pulling up seedlings to help them grow; those who break through by this method have power but do not know how to use it.

The breakthrough ended, and Zhao Yu, with a smile on her lips, slowly opened her eyes.

But in the end, she had not seen him with her own eyes, so it was inevitable that she felt some unease in her heart.

Although Chen Mo could use his own Creation Power to help her forcibly open this pass,

that would be the limit; unless there were other fortuitous encounters, it would be very difficult to break this shackle.

Although she had learned from the Innate Martial Artists who went to the Cangxuan World at that time that Chen Mo was fine,

"Very well." Zhao Yu said with attachment, hugging Chen Mo tightly.

Chen Mo mastered the surrounding Heaven and Earth Power, letting these forces slowly flow into Zhao Yu's body to baptize her meridians and flesh.

Chen Mo was refining the surrounding Heaven and Earth Qi so that after Zhao Yu opened the mysterious pass, she could come into contact with this relatively gentler Heaven and Earth Power.

Of course, as for the talk of practice aptitude, for a Martial Artist, it goes at most to the Innate Realm.

Zhao Yu had looked into it carefully long before preparing for the breakthrough, but the situation she was facing now was not any of those she had learned about.

The first thing that came into view was the face she was most familiar with, the one she missed the most, and the one she had already looked at countless times.

The vast and mighty Heaven and Earth Qi was continuously gathered; Chen Mo took action to refine these forces, removing the impurities within them.

"Boom!"

The actual process of the breakthrough was not very long; even including the time for the baptism by Heaven and Earth Qi, it was only a little over an hour.

This was completely different from the breakthrough situations she had learned about before; the Postnatal Realm is not like other realms, and many Martial Artists in the Cangxuan World have broken through this realm.

And from then on, they would be unable to rely on themselves to break through again; if they wanted to improve their cultivation further, they could only rely on the help of others.

Time passed second by second, and finally, there was a change in Zhao Yu's dantian.

Zhao Yu's aptitude was not bad, but it was not excellent either.

"Are you going to leave again in a while, to go into that Heavenly Court Secret Realm?" Zhao Yu asked softly.

"It's not that urgent; the world is still quite stable for now," Chen Mo replied with a smile.

"Then can I go with you?" Zhao Yu looked straight at Chen Mo, her eyes full of anticipation.

She still really wanted to accompany Chen Mo into that Heavenly Court Secret Realm.

"This..." Chen Mo pondered for a moment, then shook his head gently, "Not for now. Although there are no other crises at the moment, the Heavenly Court Secret Realm cannot be called very stable either.

And this secret realm comes from the Ancient Heavenly Court; there are many wonders inside, and there are many things I still haven't figured out yet.

Wait a while longer; once I have investigated the situation there, I will take you to the Heavenly Palace Secret Realm as well."

Chen Mo slowly explained the current situation; although the Heavenly Court Secret Realm is good, it also has its own risks.

If nothing else, the things experienced earlier are enough to show that.

Although the probability of such a situation is not very high, one cannot guarantee it won't happen.

Therefore, until now, Chen Mo still had no intention of moving the Heavenly Court Secret Realm.

In any case, with his current strength, traveling between the two worlds takes but a fleeting moment.

"Alright." Zhao Yu was quite happy to hear this; she knew that Chen Mo never broke a promise he made to her.

"Do you intend to continue cultivating here, or return to the Capital?" Chen Mo asked again.

"I still want to cultivate here for a while," Zhao Yu said.

The Ancestral Realm certainly cannot compare to the Capital in terms of prosperity, but it is a rare and precious place for cultivation.

Firstly, it is quiet, with few people around, so one will not be disturbed and can focus more of one's mind on cultivation.

Secondly, the natural environment within the Ancestral Realm itself is quite excellent, and after utilizing the Array for reinforcement, it is of great help to a Martial Artist's cultivation.

Zhao Yu has only recently made a breakthrough; staying in this environment is indeed enough for her to first cultivate her current minor realm to perfection.

"Good, then I will stay with you." Chen Mo smiled, took her hand, and walked out of the cultivation chamber.

Outside the chamber is an ordinary residence, though it is slightly empty inside; apart from Chen Mo and Zhao Yu, there is no one else.

Fortunately, there is a Self-Purification Array in the courtyard, so even if some places have not been stepped on for months, no dust accumulates.

"Go and rest; I'll see what's in the garden and get you something to eat."

Zhao Yu looked toward the garden in the courtyard, which she had cleared into a decent-sized vegetable patch, growing some seasonal vegetables and fruits.

Chen Mo smiled slightly and did not decline; he could feel that being with Zhao Yu allowed his entire body and mind to relax.

Walking into the hall to the side, he sat down on a recliner that had been placed there at some unknown time and let out a long sigh of relief.

With his spirit relaxed, his entire will became lethargic; Chen Mo initially dozed off, and then immediately fell into a deep sleep.

He slept very comfortably, his mind relaxed and completely unguarded.

Because there was absolutely no danger in the outside world, he was able to let down all his defenses.

Not knowing how long he had slept, when Chen Mo woke up, a thin blanket was draped over him.

On the table to the side, there was also a pot of clear tea.

Chen Mo habitually poured a cup of clear tea and drank it; hearing movement inside the house, Zhao Yu walked in.

"I steamed some buns and made a few cold dishes; make do with these," she said with a gentle smile.

With Chen Mo's current strength, he had long since achieved Inedia; the reason he still ate was merely to satisfy his appetite.

"Good, it has been a long time since I tasted your cooking." Chen Mo's appetite was whetted upon hearing this, and he rose to walk toward the kitchen.

The meal was, of course, not yet prepared; Zhao Yu had been waiting for him to wake up, worried that it would get cold if she made it in advance.

However, all the auxiliary ingredients were ready, and the buns were already wrapped; they only needed to be steamed.

Zhao Yu was busy, and Chen Mo helped out on the side.

After resting peacefully in the Ancestral Realm for nearly a month, Chen Mo set off once again.

He did not return to the Heavenly Court Secret Realm, but instead headed first to the Youming Blood Sea.

From his previous conversation with the Ancestral Spirit, he had already learned quite a few things, but if he wanted to know more clearly, it would be best to ask Fengdu Niangniang.

Chen Mo naturally intended to explore the Return Ruins next, because no matter where one is in the world, one can enter the Return Ruins as long as one possesses a Gui Xu Gate.

Not only that, but through certain specific Secret Techniques, one can also enter it.

Today, there are countless worlds within the world, but these worlds are like individual islands, separated by the water of the Boundless Mirage Sea.

Between countless worlds, unless one passes through the Heaven and Earth Profound Gate, it is impossible to establish any connection.

However, the Return Ruins is an exception; there must be many worlds in this world that possess a Gui Xu Gate.

To say nothing else, the number of Heavenly Court Fragments that can evolve into a Gui Xu Gate alone is not small.

Not to mention that some worlds themselves still have Gui Xu Gates remaining, or have methods for opening a Gui Xu Gate passed down.

Regardless of which possibility it is, one thing is certain: even in this era, there are still many powerhouses from various worlds coming and going within the Return Ruins.

This point is quite important; through the Return Ruins, one can communicate with powerhouses from many worlds and learn more information.

And among the powerhouses coming and going within it, there must be those whose cultivation and strength are far superior to his own.

Through them, he can learn more about the current situation of the world.

Even the general timing of the next arrival of the Mirage Sea tide.

The reason is simple: although the submergence of worlds by Mirage Sea Water does not have a stable pattern, there must be signs before it gradually submerges all worlds.

Those worlds that are lower in terrain and have relatively less perfect Heavenly Law will sense the arrival of the Mirage Sea Calamity in advance.

Through the situation of these worlds, Chen Mo can make evasive maneuvers in advance.

Of course, the premise of all this is that they are not the first world to be submerged.

Furthermore, there are countless rare secret treasures within the Return Ruins; whether left by powerhouses of this epoch or the previous one, their value is difficult to estimate in detail.

As long as he can obtain a portion, he presumably will not have to worry about Heaven and Earth Divine Liquid for a short time.

Stepping into the Netherworld, Chen Mo instantly sensed a difference; the territory governed by the Netherworld seemed to have expanded much more than when he last came.

Even though many areas submerged by the Mirage Sea would re-emerge due to the perfection of Heavenly Law, that definitely did not include the Netherworld.

Chen Mo looked in, his eyes flowing with brilliant golden light, and in an instant, he surveyed the entire Netherworld region.

The Netherworld was originally an overlapping space with eighteen levels.

Each of these eighteen levels of the Netherworld was built in imitation of the ancient Netherworld.

Although there were defects, and some places even looked quite crude, it could still function and allow all living things to undergo the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

However, at this time, outside of these eighteen levels, there was an additional continent.

That region was extremely vast, yet incomparably desolate.

The bleak, blood-red land was empty, and although the Reincarnation Power flowed, it had never truly exerted its effect.

Yet, sensing more carefully, Chen Mo could discover that the true source of this continent was that New World, the very world where his faith was constantly expanding.

Chen Mo had never expected that this continent would be related to that world, but upon further thought, he suddenly understood.

He had previously gone to seek the Lord of the Blood Sea, but ultimately only confirmed that she was within a secret realm; as for the specific situation within the secret realm, he knew nothing.

When the Master of the Blood Sea appeared once more, it proved that she had obtained a great opportunity; otherwise, she could not have displayed such formidable combat power.

If his own guess was correct, this continent was likely the opportunity she had obtained, and she had likewise obtained a fragment from the Netherworld.

The reason she was able to refine and master this fragment was likely because she also originated from the Youming Blood Sea and shared certain similarities with the Great Ability who had left that fragment behind.

Otherwise, even when he had wielded the Spirit of Heaven and Earth, he had not sensed the existence of that secret realm.

Given the strength of the Master of the Blood Sea, if it were not for her unique background, it would have been absolutely impossible for her to sense that secret realm containing the Netherworld fragment.

She refined the Netherworld secret realm fragment, and because she herself could be considered a living being born within the Netherworld.

Therefore, she could borrow the blessing of the Blood Sea within the other Netherworld to bolster herself, and only in this way could she erupt with power far exceeding her own limits.

"You have come." The Master of the Blood Sea suddenly revealed her form and asked in a focused voice.

"This Netherworld is the opportunity you obtained?" Chen Mo asked with a smile.

"That is correct. I govern this Netherworld so that the living beings of the other world may have a place to be reincarnated.

It is just that this Netherworld has been silent for too long; although it contains the Reincarnation Law, it has long been incomparably chaotic and requires me to slowly sort it out."

The Master of the Blood Sea did not conceal this and responded immediately.

Before she governed this Netherworld, the New World had no place for reincarnation; after all living beings died, their souls would gradually dissipate, leaving only a point of True Spirit wandering between heaven and earth.

But now that she governs this Netherworld, as long as reincarnation is rebuilt, all the living beings who die in the other world will enter the Netherworld, and they will no longer have to suffer the agony of their souls being worn away.

"This is a good thing." Chen Mo nodded in praise.

Being able to rebuild reincarnation is a rare and good thing for any world.

Dead living beings have a place for reincarnation, and their souls will not wander between heaven and earth, disturbing those living beings who are still alive.

Being able to be reincarnated with a complete soul makes it much easier to cultivate in the next life compared to being reincarnated with only a True Spirit.

"I do not know what specific business brings you to the Netherworld secret realm?" the Master of the Blood Sea asked softly.

"I have important business to discuss with Fengdu Niangniang." Chen Mo spoke directly.

"Very well." The Master of the Blood Sea agreed immediately, and in but an instant, Fengdu Niangniang appeared as well.

The two of them were identical in height and appearance, but their clothing and temperaments were vastly different.

"What business do you have with me?" Fengdu Niangniang asked in a gentle voice, her expression composed.

"May I ask if you know the specific situation within the Return Ruins, and why those powerful Mirage Sea creatures in the Mirage Sea now seem to be entangled, making it impossible for them to act easily?

Do you know exactly which Great Ability is using what means to entangle those Mirage Sea creatures?"

Chen Mo said a great deal in one breath, throwing all the questions in his heart to this Great Ability from the ancient era.

(End of chapter)