Shortly after returning to the Body Sect's stronghold in Heaven Dou City, a disciple reported that Elder Guang Ling and Elder Chrysanthemum had arrived together.
Entering the living room, the two elders sat down once more.
Guang Ling's youthful face was now devoid of his former carefree smile, replaced by sincere awe and solemnity.
He looked earnestly at the seated Grand Elder.
"Today's trip to Seven Treasure City has truly broadened our horizons. I never imagined that Elder Yuan's spiritual power would reach such unbelievable heights."
"To reconstruct the spirit power system, divide it into five realms, and even touch upon the divine realm… For these feats alone, Elder Yuan's name will resound through future generations, praised by all the soul masters to come."
His words were not just polite remarks. Redefining a cultivation system used for nearly ten thousand years by soul masters would be impossible for any ordinary expert.
Reaching such a level required not only surpassing normal limits, but the courage and wisdom to establish a school of one's own, to become a true pioneer of the world.
If this "Five Spiritual Power Realms" gained widespread acceptance, Yuan Hua—known as Wisdom Brain Douluo—would become not just a titled Douluo, but a Dao Ancestor in the path of spiritual power, with an immeasurable place in history.
The Grand Elder took the praise calmly, simply shaking his head.
"Elder Guang, thank you for your kind words. It's simply fortune that allowed me to get a glimpse of the way ahead, earlier than others."
"The path of spiritual power is deep and complex. The five realms I described may not be the final answer, but I hope to blaze a clearer path for those who come after."
As the conversation shifted to matters of opportunity, a trace of bewilderment flickered in the Grand Elder's eyes.
Over a decade ago, he had merely been a Spirit Douluo, unsure of the road ahead, even considering ending his own life.
In just over ten years, he had broken through his limits and risen to become a top-tier Titled Douluo.
Who could have imagined such a glorious leap?
He had reached a level of spiritual power beyond his own imagination, becoming the first since the Angel God, in ten thousand years, to openly touch on the divine.
It truly felt like a different lifetime. The mysteries of fate were incomparable.
At his side, Chen Zhen glanced at his son from time to time, unable to hide his pride and satisfaction.
He knew well that the true origin and heart of all the sect's recent changes—the strength of the sect, the Grand Elder's breakthroughs, the Body Sect's dominance on the continent—lay with his son.
Without the opportunities brought by Chen Yi, the sect wouldn't just lack present-day glory, it would have struggled to maintain its heritage in the coming millennium.
Sensing his father's fervent gaze, Chen Yi could only rub his nose helplessly, redirecting the conversation.
"You didn't come all this way just to praise the Grand Elder, did you? That little maneuver by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect hardly seems worth a visit by the three of you."
In his view, Ning Fengzhi's display today was a farce under the Grand Elder's overwhelming might, not even worth mentioning.
Hearing this, Guang Ling laughed and shook his head.
"Brother Chen, you're right. The issue with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile isn't a concern anymore. We're here on a mission from the Grand Worship."
Now, Guang Ling's expression grew solemn.
"The Grand Worship said, 'Since you've come to the Heaven Dou, why not join forces to do something together? Make the most of your presence here.'"
The Grand Elder nodded, a look of understanding in his eyes. "Qian Daoliu means… Emperor Xue Ye?"
"Precisely," Guang Ling nodded. "Xue Ye Emperor has been bedridden for a long time, and medicine no longer helps. He survives only by force of powerful medicine and spiritual power."
"At that time, Ning Fengzhi's secret machinations meant to bind Heaven Dou have now completely backfired."
The Grand Worship believes that, instead of letting the Emperor linger in uncertainty, it would be wiser to help the Crown Prince succeed the throne as soon as possible, for the sake of stability and for our collaboration going forward.
The Grand Elder thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
"Very well. Xue Ye is nearing the end. Rather than wait for a natural passing, risking unpredictable complications, we should see it through and prevent any incidents. Let this matter be handled according to the Grand Worship's will."
And yet, something was nagging at him.
What had happened to Qian Daoliu? Lately, he had acted as if bewitched, taking ruthlessly hardline stances on all matters except those involving the Clear Sky Sect.
Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he looked at Guang Ling, a touch of irony in his tone.
"By the way, if this succeeds, Qian Renxue may finally be freed from the tedious world of politics and devote herself to cultivation."
"Born with innate full spirit power, a talent soon at level 20, yet only reaching Soul Sage at age 22…"
The frankness of the Grand Elder's words caused even Chen Zhen and Chen Yi to purse their lips in discomfort.
In truth, given Qian Renxue's talent and resources, had she not been embroiled in the Heaven Dou succession and court intrigues, her progress would not have lagged so far behind Chen Yi.
Guang Ling looked a bit embarrassed at the Grand Elder's blunt criticism.
This was indeed the collective result of Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong's efforts—Qian Renxue had sacrificed the best years of her cultivation for the "Grand Cause" of the Spirit Hall.
"Elder Yuan, you are quite right. Once this is resolved and the Heaven Dou settles, the young miss will be freed from such burdens. With her talent and temperament, and with full support from our Woship Hall, she will surely catch up and make up for lost time."
At that moment, a disciple came in to report,
"To the two elders and the young sect master: Ning Fengyu of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect seeks an audience outside."
...
Meanwhile, in the study at the Heaven Dou Palace.
Emperor Xue Ye dismissed his attendants, leaving only Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.
After hearing a detailed report from Xue Qinghe about the events in Seven Treasure City—particularly the Wisdom Brain Douluo's apparent revelation of the Divine Origin—the Xue Ye Emperor could no longer contain himself.
He leapt up from his dragon throne, body trembling, face flushed red, his eyes brimming with fear, disbelief, and an almost mad desire.
"Divine Origin… his spiritual power has touched the very realm of gods… has he truly reached the divine?"
The emperor's words echoed like the low growl of some trapped beast in the empty study.
Gods!
For the spirit masters of Douluo Continent—especially the sovereigns at the very top—just this word meant far too much.
It symbolized eternal life, supreme power, and a transcendence above the world, an authority ascribed only to legends.
For thousands of years, aside from the Angel God venerated by the Spirit Hall, no one had truly ever reached such a state.
As time went on, even many top officials came to question whether gods truly existed, or if the Angel God was merely a myth fabricated by the Hall for self-deification—much like how secular monarchies declared "mandate from heaven" as a tool of rule.
But now, someone had appeared whose spiritual power seemed to have truly touched the divine. It was no longer myth or fantasy—it was real.
This was a god—a figure without peer, spoken of only in epic tales and ancient fables throughout millennia.
Breathing raggedly, Xue Ye Emperor suddenly looked up, fixing bloodshot eyes upon his son, his voice shaking:
"Qinghe, listen well. From now on, no matter the cost—you must gained Chen Yi and the Body Sect. Never forget it, no matter the price!"
Grimacing, he strode forward two steps, his voice tense.
"You must also take your sister Xue Ke's affairs seriously; do everything you can to resolve them. Not just for the empire but for the future. Understand?"
Agitated and spurred by sudden hope, Xue Ye Emperor's thoughts began to churn toward his own interests.
"Understand!? Qinghe!" the emperor shouted harshly.
Xue Qinghe bowed deeply, meeting the emperor's near-crazed gaze with a solemn expression.
"Your son… understands. Please rest assured, Father. I will do my utmost."
"Good, good…"
Xue Ye Emperor suddenly deflated, sinking back onto the dragon throne, waving tiredly.
"You may go now. Leave me to some peace."
"Your son takes his leave." Xue Qinghe bowed and left the study. As he turned away, a flicker of light flashed in his lowered eyes.
"Of course, I'll seek to befriend Chen Yi and the Body Sect… but you will never see that day, my 'dear father'."
As Xue Qinghe's footsteps faded away, the imperial study once again fell into silence.
Xue Ye Emperor sat alone on the vast, luxurious dragon throne, his chest heaving violently.
After a long moment, he suddenly opened his tightly closed eyes.
All traces of prior agitation and confusion had vanished, leaving only the shrewd, calculating light of a true ruler.
"To become a god… is to gain eternal life.
So, if that Wisdom Brain Douluo can reach the Divine Origin Realm in spiritual power… could I also do the same?"
Immortality!
The idea burrowed into Xue Ye's heart like the deadliest poison, consuming his whole being in an instant.
He could already feel his body's rapid deterioration these past days.
Although the imperial doctors continued to hedge and equivocate, he knew in his heart that his time was near the end.
The shadow of death clung to him, torturing him day and night like maggots gnawing the bone.
And now, with the sudden appearance of a figure who had touched the realm of immortality, his most primal desire and greed for life flared into a raging inferno.