Chapter 455 - 454: Blood Loss Heavenly Path, Two Paths for Zhenyuan Tower

This unexpected turn of events caught everyone off guard.

Even Li Jing hadn’t seen it coming.

He knew that the status bar could absorb Heavenly Dao Qi.

But never before had it been so active or so direct.

The first time, Li Jing wasn’t even aware that he had Heavenly Dao Qi inside him.

It wasn’t until after Fu Yao had hinted at it after god knows how long, that the status bar absorbed it.

The second absorption happened with the Heavenly Dao from the Heavenly Saint Land.

That time, the Heavenly Dao Qi remained in his body for a while, then...

No.

To be accurate, the Heavenly Dao Qi was absorbed after the Heavenly Saint Land’s Heavenly Dao left.

Who would have thought that the usually "low-key" status bar would suddenly steal something right in front of them?

This...

It’s certainly a bit awkward.

Half of the Heavenly Dao Qi put into him by the Star Secret Realm to "modify" him was directly swallowed by the status bar.

This amount was far more than what the Heavenly Saint Land’s Heavenly Dao gave him.

Li Jing didn’t know what the Heavenly Dao Qi meant for a Heavenly Dao.

But he was sure.

It’s very important.

Just like Heavenly Dao.

Xia Ai also had Heavenly Dao Qi.

However, not long after she became a Heavenly Dao, the Heavenly Dao Qi in her body was even less than the trace of Heavenly Dao Qi left in Li Jing’s body by the original Big World’s Heavenly Dao.

The problem now is:

What to do next?

Tell the status bar to cough it up?

Li Jing had the intention, but the problem was that his status bar did not have a sense of intelligence, so there was no way to communicate.

Over there.

The Star Secret Realm’s Heavenly Dao, having lost half of its Heavenly Dao Qi, was stunned for quite a while before it managed to regain its senses. It looked up wordlessly.

"Mortal, you..."

"Ahem!"

Li Jing lightly coughed, saying,

"Sorry, some things are beyond my control."

???

Chen Yuran, who stood nearby, didn’t know what had happened inside Li Jing.

She only knew that both he and the Heavenly Dao of the Star Secret Realm had suddenly become awkward. She was utterly confused.

The Star Secret Realm’s Heavenly Dao frowned a bit at Li Jing’s vague response, raised his hand to calculate, and then his face fell, looking as if he was resigned to bad luck, his figure gradually disappearing.

?

Li Jing.

Obviously.

The Heavenly Dao of the Star Secret Realm had deduced something through calculation.

He had seen the same scene before.

Back then, the Heavenly Dao of the Heavenly Saint Land had a certain degree of control over his situation after calculation.

Now, it’s probably the same.

But from the resigned look on the Star Secret Realm’s Heavenly Dao, it’s not hard to see that the conclusion it deduced is not simply that he has a connection with the original Big World’s Heavenly Dao, but something else.

Recalling the Heavenly Dao of the Heavenly Saint Land hesitating to speak after calculating back then, Li Jing couldn’t help but wonder what the situation could be.

However, the Star Secret Realm didn’t say anything and just left.

Seeing that the Heavenly Dao of Star Secret Realm had left with a face worse than if he had eaten shit, Chen Yuran couldn’t help but ask in curiosity,

"What happened to the Heavenly Dao? He seemed quite happy when he appeared, but now..."

"Well..."

Li Jing hesitated, saying,

"He accidentally gave away some things he shouldn’t have, and he couldn’t take them back."

"Um... "

Chen Yuran blinked.

Ling Ling had said about the Heavenly Dao’s bestowal, and it seemed that Li Jing had received it.

But the Heavenly Dao...

Could it give away things it shouldn’t?

And couldn’t take them back after giving them?

This sounded unbelievable to her.

Without thinking too much, Chen Yuran asked,

"So, did you gain a lot this time?"

"Definitely some benefits, just not sure what it would bring me."

Li Jing gave a wry smile and tried to open the status bar.

As expected, a prompt box popped up in front of him.

"System upgrading, please try again in three months."

Seeing the prompt, Li Jing could only exclaim, "Goodness."

The first time the status bar absorbed Heavenly Dao Qi for an upgrade, it took twelve hours.

The second upgrade took seventy-two hours.

This time...

It took an entire six months!

This was clearly telling him that the upgrade time of the status bar was not influenced by the "version", but rather the amount of Heavenly Dao Qi absorbed.

This damn thing...

If we calculate the time...

The Heavenly Path Qi that the system has absorbed this time is two hundred times the gift from the Heavenly Saint’s Heavenly Dao.

The Heavenly Dao in the Star Secret Realm this time around...

Blood explosion!

No!

I need to get the hell out of here!

Otherwise, it’ll be super embarrassing when he gets his breath back!

Without giving it much thought, Li Jing pulled Yuran over.

"We’ve finished up here, let’s go back to the modern world."

"Hmm."

Yuran obediently agreed.

...

Upon returning to the modern Longyu Capital via the secret realm entrance, Li Jing did not linger on the streets with Yuran and ripped through the space to reappear at the door of his mansion in Jianghai North City.

The moment he had just settled himself, Yuran looked over at him with a smirk.

"I’m hungry."

"..."

Li Jing.

This familiar phrase brought back many memories.

But that’s secondary.

The main thing is...

Yuran is already in the Fifth Boundary and can completely abstain from food.

Her claiming to be hungry is entirely unreasonable.

So...

Does this count as her acting cute?

Yuran-style acting cute?

Gazing at the sweetly smiling Yuran, Li Jing said.

"Okay, I’ll get you some food. But there hasn’t been anyone at home for a while, and there’s no ingredients. I’ll have to go shopping."

"No hurry."

Yuran gave a satisfied smile and said.

"I need to go home too, tell my parents I’m safe, and by the way, bring back Stinky Tofu."

Hearing this, Li Jing nodded and asked.

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"No."

Yuran decisively shook her head, somewhat awkwardly saying.

"It used to be fine, but now if you go with me, wouldn’t it be like formally meeting the parents?"

Li Jing was speechless.

There’s really no one who can beat Yuran’s unfounded theories.

He thought to himself.

He’s met the elders of the Chen family before...

But if Yuran doesn’t want him to go, he naturally won’t insist.

Obviously, Yuran is a bit shy and doesn’t want to take him along.

He didn’t want to challenge Yuran’s boundaries.

And dealing with Aunty Chen, Jiang Jingxian, isn’t that easy.

Although he should face it sooner or later, he at least needs to prepare before visiting.

...

With a plan in mind, Yuran left to go home, and Li Jing didn’t rush out immediately and came to the place where Consonance Heart was located in the Little Universe first.

Ling Ling was now "quietly" sleeping on a tree branch.

Seeing the little creature sleeping there, Li Jing softly called out.

"Ling Ling."

Ling Ling didn’t respond, looking as if she were fast asleep.

However, her slowly pursed lips completely betrayed her.

Seeing this, Li Jing grinned.

Without thinking too much, he simply moved his mind and moved the Zhenyuan Tower out.

The Spirit of the Zhenyuan Tower was clearly aware of its own situation.

Its will to live was also quite strong.

Moved here horizontally from the edge of the Little Universe, it silently transformed into a small tower shape, falling into someone’s hand.

Li Jing looked down at the Zhenyuan Tower, moved his mind and plucked out all seven Taoist Origin Fruits from the tower, arranging them in a heart shape around the sleeping Ling Ling.

"Ling Ling, want some good food?"

"..."

The Spirit of Zhenyuan Tower.

This time Li Jing...

Reduced it back to its original pseudo-Taoist Item form!

Not leaving a single Taoist Origin Fruit for it, it can’t be considered an Taoist Item anymore.

It’s not exactly back to its original form, per se.

After all, the Taoist Origin Fruit tree is still there.

But before new Taoist Origin Fruits are grown, its control over time and space will hit rock bottom.

On the other side.

On the branch of Consonance Heart tree, Ling Ling reluctantly opened her eyes after hearing someone’s words.

Looking up and finding herself surrounded by Taoist Origin Fruits, her eyes lit up and she sat up quickly to confirm what she was seeing.

"Are these all for me?"

"Of course."

Li Jing chuckled and replied.

"Indeed, the Taoist Origin Fruit is precious, but for me, it’s not that useful. On the other hand, it is quite useful for you, Ling Ling."

Ling Ling raised an eyebrow at that, happily put away the seven Taoist Origin Fruits, flew over and landed on Li Jing’s shoulder, chuckling naughtily.

"You sure know how to act, at least I didn’t let you off cheap."

Li Jing laughed at her words.

Now, after successfully establishing the Heavenly Dao in the Little Universe, he no longer needed the Eye of True Vision to become omniscient and omnipotent within the Little Universe.

Once the Taoist Origin Fruits were brought into the Little Universe, he had complete control over their essence.

The fruit was commendable for its direct insight into the Tao’s wondrous uses, but whether one could gain from it depended on personal chance and comprehension.

Among these, comprehension is of utmost importance.

Li Jing knew his own abilities well.

It wasn’t impossible to let people like Chen Yuran consume the fruit.

However, they might not necessarily gain anything from it.

Li Jing has never been fond of gambling with probabilistic outcomes like this.

Furthermore, after signing the Symbiotic Contract with Ling Ling, he realized that she had a great demand for heavenly treasures like God Patterns and Taoist Origin Fruits.

Feeding her these would be greatly beneficial to her.

Not only that, Ling Ling’s growth would subtly accelerate the evolution of life in the world she resides in and benefit those who had signed the Symbiotic Contract with her.

So why not?

Instead of letting Chen Yuran and others gamble with probabilities, it’s better to feed Ling Ling.

Overreliance on external aid for improvement may not always be beneficial.

A crucial fact is,

People like Chen Yuran, either have a set of God Patterns waiting to be absorbed, or they have already absorbed God Patterns, their realms will soar rapidly.

What they need to do next is not to continue upgrading, but to solidify their current state.

After all, they are not Li Jing.

Magic Skills need to be learned and practiced.

And weapons too need to be nurtured judiciously.

Many of the Eighth and Ninth Realm practitioners held magic skills and weapons that were not proficient or too ordinary, people who are supposed to own immortal weapons only have lower-grade spirit weapons.

Isn’t this ridiculous?

Perhaps the authority granted by the God Pattern could give them certain advantages when dealing with enemies of the same realm, but the absence of suitable weapons and magic skills would be a fatal weakness.

Jiu Li, who had fully digested the God Pattern, was still staying in the Little Universe to remedy her own weaknesses.

Being a monster,

The magic skills and weapons used by humans had nothing to do with her.

But monsters also need to hone their own talents.

Her innate abilities are currently on par with the Seventh Realm, but her present realm is in the late stages of the Eighth Realm, the techniques she can use are far behind in keeping up with her actual realm.

Turning to look at Ling Ling, who was swaying her small feet cheerfully on his shoulder after being coaxed, Li Jing looked at the Zhen Yuan Tower in his hand and said.

"You are currently ownerless, but I have no interest in claiming you."

"..."

The Zhen Yuan Tower spirit.

If Li Jing were to take it in, it wouldn’t mind.

Even if it did mind, it had no choice in this Little Universe.

A Spirit Weapon backlash could be very dreadful.

The consequences of one at the Taoist Item level need not be specified in detail.

But however great its endurance, it couldn’t backlash against Li Jing, who was omnipotent in this Little Universe.

As an owner, Li Jing undoubtedly had the qualification.

Its previous master had been killed by someone, what right did it have to be choosy?

A Spirit Weapon choosing its master rarely relied on affinity, it mostly depended on strength.

The stronger the master, the greater the power the weapon could display and the broader its growth scope.

But Li Jing was just not orthodox...

Right off the bat, he told the spirit, I have no interest in claiming you.

This was simply bullying!

However, facing such a mouth, it didn’t dare to retort...

Just as it was unsure how to respond, Li Jing spoke again.

"Now you have two options, one is to stay in the Little Universe as a Cultivation Tower to benefit all beings in this realm, and the other is for me to completely destroy you and make you return to your origin and reforge into a new weapon."

"..."

Zhen Yuan Tower spirit.

Two options.

One was to stay as a tool tower.

The other was to be reforged after destruction and return to its origin.

Is this really his choice?

Zhen Yuan Tower Spirit seriously doubted whether Li Jing had the ability to reforge him.

Reforging a Taoist Item was no small feat.

But whether Li Jing had the ability to destroy him, Zhen Yuan Tower Spirit didn’t have any doubts.

Even if Li Jing lacked this ability,

There was still a daunting entity on his shoulder, looking over from time to time, continually swallowing.

At this moment, what Ling Ling was craving was the Taoist Origin Fruit Tree.

But if she was willing, eating a Taoist Item wouldn’t be a challenging task for her as she’s the one who could snack on even a Supreme God Pattern.

However, gnawing on common Taoist items was of little benefit to her.

But the Zhenyuan Tower was slightly different.

Having been influenced by the Taoist Origin Fruit Tree for many years, the Zhenyuan Tower had acquired its properties to some extent, gnawing on it would be somewhat helpful.

Before the unkind mob of one big and one small, like wolves and tigers, the Zhenyuan Tower gently swayed, transforming into an old man with white eyebrows and bowed, saying,

"I am willing to stay and follow the will of the respected one, to serve as a cultivation tower benefiting all beings in this realm."

Upon hearing this response, Li Jing’s mouth curled into a smile. With a single thought, he moved his body to the Qingyuan Fairy Palace, then looked back at the Spirit Weapon that remained in place.

"From now on, you will stay there and gradually level up inside the tower."

Having said that, Li Jing continued.

"I’m not a devil, and I won’t expect you to work for nothing. You’re not quite a proper Taoist item in essence, but you’re dependent on the power of the Taoist Origin Fruit Tree. There is a Heritage Stele in the location of Immortal Palace that can deepen comprehension, which is effective not only for cultivators, but also for Spirit Weapons to comprehend and even control the rules."

Hearing such words, the spirit of the Zhenyuan Tower was shocked.

The stele that Li Jing mentioned has the ability to allow a Spirit Weapon to comprehend and control the rules?

Do such strange objects exist in the world?

Secretly astonished, the spirit of the Zhenyuan Tower bowed and spoke.

"I thank the respected one for his kindness. Zhenyuan will certainly not disappoint and will fulfill its duty."

Seeing that the spirit of the Zhenyuan Tower was quickly becoming subservient, Li Jing waved his hand.

"Go now."

The spirit of the Zhenyuan Tower could not wait to see the Heritage Stele. Upon hearing the command, it bowed again, then moved towards its own body.

Li Jing watched it depart and let out a sigh of relief.

Without the Taoist Origin Fruit, the Zhenyuan Tower’s control over the rules had weakened considerably.

However, it could serve as a helpful tool for cultivation.

Previously, it was too strong.

Only someone like Li Jing, who has a cheat with automatic mode and various ways to restrain its power, could be safe and sound, and make gains under its influence.

If it were someone else.

Just staying alive would be an achievement, let alone gaining anything?

Even now, the Zhenyuan Tower needs to adjust its power output.

In terms of serving as a cultivation tower, the Zhenyuan Tower is indeed suitable now.

It can not only provide training through gravity and spatial rules, but also slightly adjust the flow of time, making the time inside the tower different from the outside world, thus accelerating the cultivation process.

Not only could Chen Yuran et al. go in to cultivate in the future, but Li Jing himself would also need to go in and rest after his realm improved, raising his body refining cultivation to the limit equivalent to his realm.

If Li Jing got hold of the Taoist Origin Tower, there would be no hesitation.

On one hand, he already has a Tower-type artifact.

On the other hand, the master of the Taoist Origin Tower was killed by him, and while the spirit weapon might not be a problem in the Little Universe, it could bite him suddenly on the outside, which he might not be able to handle.

As for giving it to someone else, he can’t ensure that the Taoist Origin Tower would be willing.

Having arranged for Zhenyuan Tower, Li Jing moved and left the Little Universe with Ling Ling.

With the existence of the Symbiotic Contract, he and Ling Ling are very close.

Not only did Ling Ling get more clingy, but he instinctively wanted to get close to the little guy.

This could, to a certain degree, be said to be a side effect.

But in essence, it was harmless.

Compared to this, the benefits Li Jing gained from signing the symbiotic contract with Ling Ling were enormous.

The so-called symbiosis is the sharing of life.

Ling Ling was almost immortal.

There were things in the world that could hurt her, but they were extremely rare and difficult to come by.

Of course, Li Jing could not achieve immortality because of this.

But being symbiotic with Ling Ling filled him with such an exorbitant amount of life force that it was astounding.

Though Li Jing had a strong life force, it wasn’t anywhere near this level.

Life expectancy became meaningless for him after he signed the symbiotic contract with Ling Ling.

Supported by infinite life force, he could indulge in various activities without worrying about draining his life force, and he was even able to transfer his life force to others.

The transfer of life force is something that high-level cultivators can do.

It’s essential in emergencies and can be used to save lives.

But the price you have to pay to do this could be quite painful.

For example, life force that could affect a hundred years of life expectancy can only extend someone’s life for half a year if transferred.

But now, for Li Jing.

Giving someone a life-span of ten thousand years is trivial.

However.

It’s best not to do things that can harm oneself.

Maybe he personally doesn’t care, but if he transfers life force to someone else, Ling Ling will also be affected.

...

Back in the real world, Li Jing immediately cast the Silent Shadow on Ling Ling, and then left the house.

This was also one of the benefits of the symbiotic contract.

His spells could have an effect on Ling Ling.

Now with the protection of Silent Shadow, there was no need for Ling Ling to hide in Li Jing’s clothes. She sat on his shoulder, examining the scenery of the real word with curiosity, while reaching out to grab a Taoist Origin Fruit and started gnawing on it with a crunch.

Meanwhile, Li Jing went straight to the Agricultural Market.

Chen Yuran had gone to her "maternal home" and it was unclear when she’d return.

Since he promised to cook, he naturally couldn’t perfunctorily perform this task.

To satisfy Chen Yuran after a long time, Li Jing was, of course, very attentive.

Moreover, he plans to stay in Jianghai for the next half a year instead of wandering around.

He was helpless.

The upgrade of his status bar won’t end until half a year later.

If it wasn’t for this, he wouldn’t mind travelling around to see if he could level up a few times and enter the Tenth Realm before he goes to the Immortal Realm.

...