So We Were This Strong All Along

"The situation to the south is unknown," Jin Yuan said.

He gazed at the dark sky, somewhat lost in thought. As a master at the Mid-Fifth Realm, he couldn't even grasp the true state of the world he was in.

Currently, humanity feels it has explored extremely far, but looking back, it seems to still be in a dusty corner.

However, according to Ancient Texts records, they should have lived on a planet, so how could they have such a vast territory?

Everything changed mysteriously as the Solar Yang disappeared, and many things simply couldn't be explained.

The limits of their current reach are already farther than the distance from the moon recorded in the books.

The long night was like an abyss, the mist spreading and expanding, not knowing where it led or merged with the land beneath their feet.

Qin Ming was puzzled and asked, "How can the south be unknown? Haven't you explored it before?"

"Everyone who went there has disappeared," Jin Yuan informed him.

To the south, the fog was thick, and all the creatures that ventured deep into the fog never made a ripple and never returned.

Qin Ming said, "Is this how the creatures of the surrounding areas perceive our place, a corner covered in dust?"

Jin Yuan nodded and said, "Don't worry about it. They're neighbors with us and haven't gone beyond this area."

Qin Ming frowned deeply, showing a sense of unease.

He began, "Our situation isn't much better. If we're targeted by some bloodthirsty tribes under the Long Night, or noticed by some powerful civilization, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Jin Yuan laughed and said, "So many years have passed, and nothing has happened, hasn't it?"

Qin Ming was taken aback and couldn't help but look at him.

Jin Yuan added, "Actually, everything is fine. Kunling, isn't it connected to Jade Capital?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming's heart stirred. The creatures that escaped from there were often Earth Immortal, and there might even be more powerful beings among them.

Jin Yuan said, "Jade Capital is not in reality, but it should have a considerable deterrent effect on some unpredictable creatures and immortal forces in the distance."

At the level of Earth Immortal, there are certainly no reckless fools. Before invading a territory, they will conduct thorough research and investigation.

Jin Yuan spoke slowly, "Under the night fog, even provoking certain unknown 'phenomena' could lead to devastating disasters, let alone myths and legends that haven't faded away and can still affect reality."

Qin Ming suddenly felt that his place of survival was no longer in a precarious situation.

Jin Yuan smiled and said, "Besides, we have a lot of vitality here. Our Ancestor are full of energy, just like the legendary Morning Dawn, with a red sun rising slowly. The future is promising."

Qin Ming remained silent, and the faces of everyone else on the spaceship twitched slightly. Old Man Jin really thought he could say anything just because the Ancestor wasn't around, huh?

Jin Yuan laughed and said, "I'm telling the truth. Don't underestimate the resources on your own territory."

Clearly, the young people had limited knowledge, but the older generation seemed to be deep in thought, and then they couldn't help but nod in agreement.

On another spaceship, an old man spoke, "Starting from the Sixth Realm, one can change their life state, become a god, or embark on the Immortal Path, but in this era, very few Ancestor make that choice."

He was a Mid-Fifth Realm the Immortal Path, named Qian Yuan. As Master-level figure, he naturally possessed considerable knowledge of various secrets.

Jin Yuan nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, the Ancestor were unwilling to change their physical form, wanting to remain 'human' and continue on their path. It can be said that most of the Ancestor of this era possessed great ambition."

Qian Yuan said, "Whether it's Esoteric Sect, the Immortal Path, or the New Life Path, all have received scriptures on becoming gods or immortals. If the Ancestor wanted to 'embark on the path,' there was absolutely no problem."

According to people's estimates, the "powerful Ancestor" of each path are already capable of dealing with the Insignificant God and the Feathered Immortal, so the powerhouses of the Sixth Realm have no sense of awe when facing gods and immortals.

Qin Ming immediately thought of the River God in the Shuyu River in the Great Yu Capital, guessing that the more powerful Ancestor was not afraid of her at all.

Some immortals and gods who have cultivated for a long time and accumulated profound Daoist cultivation should have firmly stepped into the Seventh Realm, such as the Mirage Immortal that the Ancestor slew.

Although it is not good at fighting, it has accumulated a wealth of experience and its ability to turn falsehood into truth is truly remarkable.

Jin Yuan said, "The biggest problem facing those legendary immortals and gods is that their potential is easily locked, and breaking through major barriers is extremely difficult. It can even be said that most of them can no longer see a path to advancement."

This is also why the Ancestor of the Sixth Realm were unwilling to come into contact with that realm.

For example, some Corpse Liberation Immortal endure long years of hardship in large tombs, their own lifespans nearly exhausted, accumulating what they consider to be profound cultivation, yet in the end, they can't even reach the edge of the Mid-Seventh Realm.

In fact, if we trace the upper limit of immortals and gods, it is mostly related to the "self" before changing form. Those who think about becoming gods or immortals as soon as they step into the Sixth Realm mostly become Insignificant God or Feathered Immortal.

Qian Yuan said, "A very small number of the Sixth Realm experts whose strength far exceeds the standard can already kill immortals and gods in the Early Seventh Realm. Regardless of whether such Ancestor are human or otherworldly, they have such abilities, so what reason or desire do they have to change their path?"

Clearly, the stronger Ancestor is on the original path, the higher their potential will be after they become a god or immortal.

Therefore, the Sixth Realm Ancestor, with their lofty aspirations, all yearn to forge ahead, and no one is willing to undertake the so-called "leap of life" unless they are in dire straits.

Jin Yuan sighed, "In a sense, whether you were human or an alien before, once you become an immortal or a god, you are no longer your original species."

Qian Yuan nodded and added, "The forms of immortals and the states of gods are incredibly diverse. Only a small fraction are sacred, transcendent, and ethereal. The appearances of most gods and immortals are best left unmentioned; they are far from the beautiful image you imagine."

"At what level is the strength of a being at the Earth Immortal level?" someone asked.

Qian Yuan pondered for a moment, then gave a range, saying, "At least the Mid-Seventh Realm, or even the late stage."

Everyone pondered that it was no wonder the Ancestor dared to face the Immortal Grave directly, calmly observe the Corpse Liberation Immortal, and converse equally with the Earth Immortal sealed in the main tombs; they had quite the confidence.

Jin Yuan spoke earnestly, "A few exceptionally advanced Path-Opening Ancestor, if they were to change the essence of life now and choose to become immortals, could eventually reach the realm of Earth Immortal."

This caused quite a stir, and many people looked surprised.

"We're so strong!" someone exclaimed.

Jin Yuan laughed and said, "It can only be said that we have a solid foundation and great potential. Our Ancestor are full of vigor and vitality, always looking towards the future, like the legendary rising Solar Yang..."

"Stop!" Qian Yuan quickly stopped him. This old guy had no sense of propriety; talking about the Ancestor like that behind his back was dangerous. If word got out, he might get into trouble when he returned to the Beyond the Mundane.

Someone spoke up, "Hearing that there are Earth Immortal level experts in the neighboring territories, I was quite apprehensive, fearing they would invade. Now I feel a little more at ease."

Jin Yuan's expression was serious as he said, "Earth Immortal and beings at the Earth Immortal level are completely different states. The former is manageable, but the latter's potential has not yet been fully utilized, making them truly terrifying."

Someone asked, "Since the Ancestor had not yet reached the level of immortals or gods, why did they identify their own path so early on and want to keep expanding it forward?"

Qian Yuan said, "Do you think we were just wasting our time by excavating so many ancient sites and rummaging through stacks of ancient books after pioneering the land? The Ancestor kept verifying and pushing forward, and we were bound to discover some truths."

When the strongest in the most advanced fields try to break through the barriers, they will sometimes see the regrets of the ancients. By comparing them with the Various Scriptures, they are having a dialogue with the sages of the past and can find various traces in the river of history.

Qian Yuan revealed part of the truth, saying, "Even the Insignificant God, Feathered Immortal, and Earth Immortal cannot achieve immortality; their lifespans are only slightly longer. Moreover, the reality seems less than comfortable."

Jin Yuan agreed, saying, "Therefore, some beings regret their actions and want to return, even at a great cost, to retrace their steps... Among them are not only Earth Immortal, but also Heavenly Immortal and Heavenly God."

Such words are quite astonishing.

At that very moment, a deafening roar, as if the heavens and earth were collapsing, echoed across the night sky. In the distant "Grotto-Heaven," a massive cloud of colorful mist surged and churned, accompanied by countless bolts of lightning.

At the same time, the passage connecting to it turned an even more tragically crimson, with red energy substances spilling down.

For some reason, everyone felt a pang of anxiety.

The expressions of Jin Yuan and Qian Yuan, both Master at the Mid-Fifth Realm, changed.

"It can't be that much of a coincidence, can it?" The two looked at each other, both seeing nervousness in each other's eyes.

"Retreat quickly, set sail!" the two ordered hastily.

What Earth Immortal Treasure, Extraordinary Sacred Object, Heavenly Immortal Scripture —these are all meaningless now. With such profound cultivation and extremely powerful Mental Field, both Master sensed an inexplicable terror emerging. This was truly an extremely bad omen.

What is that?

At this moment, some of the renowned figures tensed up, feeling as if a mountain was about to burst out of the colorful mist, or as if a colossal creature was about to crush their hearts.

"Now, there is a fourth explanation for the Dragon Sucking Water phenomenon," Jin Yuan said solemnly.

Within the terrifying colorful mist, crimson substances continuously flowed into the passage. Some of those who had mastered advanced pupil techniques widened their eyes in astonishment, all feeling a chill run through their bodies.

Was that a living creature?

A few experts witnessed a bloodied human skin detach from the massive cloud of colorful mist, drifting into the passage and constantly swaying its "body."

The human-skinned face, with its hollow eye sockets, shimmered with blood and intertwined with runes. It glanced at the two spaceships, a truly horrifying sight.

Others might not know, but Qin Ming certainly did. He had seen what appeared to be a handwritten note by Liu Mo in that thatched hut in Kunling Evil Land, mentioning these things.

He was somewhat stunned; he had actually witnessed such a thing in real life.

Jin Yuan, his head as large as a bucket, said, "The people and things of this world, and even all living things, are truly beyond our control. In this terrifying world of mist, whatever we talk about and fear will ultimately come to pass!"