New Plan

Ten years passed in the blink of an eye.

That day, Jie Ning arrived at the garden. At this moment, a great many flowers in the garden were in full bloom, the entire space resembling a sea of blossoms.

But in his eyes, it seemed this beautiful sight held no attraction at all.

From Jie Ning's current perspective, wherever his gaze fell, the world was filled with Earth Element.

In the air, Earth Element drifted and floated; on the ground, it was everywhere...

Even the living things before him...

Jie Ning looked at the flowers and grass filling the garden—he could 'see' that a large part of their bodies was also composed of Earth Element.

Then, Jie Ning lowered his head to look at his own palm, smiled faintly, and said, "So am I, then."

Suddenly, Jie Ning scattered like dust, drifting apart and slowly vanishing from where he stood.

Jie Ning could feel that the profound secret of the 'Earth-walking Technique' was now fully within his grasp.

This time was different from before, when using the Earth-walking Technique only allowed him to briefly disappear, then reappear elsewhere as if teleporting. Now, Jie Ning's entire being had completely merged into the Earth Element...

He first drifted through the air, then descended to become part of the earth itself...

Suddenly, the Heaven and Earth Laws descended.

Jie Ning reappeared from the air, his whole body floating effortlessly, as if by instinct.

With practiced ease, Jie Ning gained another Earth God Avatar—the 'Earth-walking Technique' profound mystery was now perfected.

But this was not the end. Upon becoming a god, Jie Ning immediately immersed himself once more in the comprehension of the Earth Law.

Having fully grasped the 'Earth-walking Technique,' the world brought him a new and different sensation.

In Jie Ning's eyes, 'Earth Element' became even more vivid. Its transformations within nature followed a pattern he had never noticed before...

The Earth Element before Jie Ning began to gather, first turning into soil, then the soil into rock...

Finally, an identical 'Jie Ning' appeared before him, and this Jie Ning began walking around the garden...

I can be Earth Element, so Earth Element can be me.

Jie Ning's insight into the 'Earth Element' profound mystery soared. Unlike before, when comprehending two profound mysteries had felt like a clear, distinct boundary between them, now Jie Ning only felt one thing: the two were originally one. Every bit of understanding he gained about the 'Earth Element' profound mystery, the 'Earth-walking Technique' profound mystery could perfectly integrate into it.

The progress of merging the two profound mysteries also accelerated rapidly. Jie Ning even had the illusion of seamless, smooth flow.

The 'Earth Element' profound mystery let him understand the essence of Earth Element in all things; the 'Earth-walking Technique' further allowed him to become part of that Earth Element based on that understanding.

Immersed in comprehension, Jie Ning seemed unable to feel the passage of time.

At some unknown point, Jie Ning's body, which had been lingering in the air, scattered again. The next moment, it reappeared, and in the instant after, many 'Jie Nings' appeared in the sky, each seemingly indistinguishable from the others.

The Heaven and Earth Laws gathered once more. A Divine Spark flew out from one Jie Ning's body, while the other Jie Nings turned back into Earth Element and dispersed.

Earth Element surged upon the Divine Spark.

'Middle God, achieved.'

Jie Ning's main body gazed in wonder at his first Middle God divine avatar.

"Back then, I thought Earth Law would be the first to reach godhood, but instead, Life Rule and Death Rule became gods one after another, and Earth Law had to wait until now."

"Later, I thought the Life God Avatar would become a Middle God first, but now Earth Law has overtaken it. What a pity."

Though he said 'what a pity,' Jie Ning's face was full of smiles.

"Jie Ning, what is this?" Three years ago, sensing the fluctuation of the Heaven and Earth Laws, Arannis had already come to the garden. As she had guessed, Jie Ning had become a god again, but...

Arannis noticed that even after becoming a god, Jie Ning remained immersed in some kind of comprehension, so she naturally dared not disturb him.

Not until today, three years later, when she once again felt the fluctuation of the Laws and came to the garden, did she finally see Jie Ning end his cultivation.

"Why did the Heaven and Earth Laws descend twice?" Arannis asked, somewhat puzzled.

Jie Ning's Earth God Avatar waved his hand and condensed a 'Crystal Flower,' handing it to Arannis with a smile. "This time, it's not just that I became a god through Earth Law."

"This Earth God Avatar of mine is already a Middle God."

"Earth Law? Middle God?" Arannis couldn't connect these two pieces of information at once; she just stared blankly as she took the 'flower.'

Seeing his wife's stunned expression for the first time in many years, Jie Ning was clearly very pleased. Thinking about it, even though over a hundred years had passed in this life as his strength grew, his mindset seemed to be getting younger.

Of course, that didn't mean he would act childishly—rather, Jie Ning now savored the taste of life more and more.

"That's right." Jie Ning planned to give Arannis some time to digest this.

"But didn't you say before that becoming a Middle God through elemental laws usually requires comprehending two different profound mysteries?" Long ago, Jie Ning had shared information about the profound mysteries of elemental laws with everyone.

"I never said I only comprehended one profound mystery in Earth Law all this time." Jie Ning put on an innocent expression.

"But becoming a god... one profound mystery... two profound mysteries..." Arannis grew flustered.

Jie Ning reminded her, "It was never stipulated that one can only comprehend one profound mystery before becoming a god."

"So, you've been comprehending two profound mysteries all along?"

"That's right." Jie Ning nodded with a smile.

"I comprehend two types of profound mysteries: the 'Earth Element' and the 'Earth-walking Technique.'"

"You've seen me use the 'Earth-walking Technique' profound mystery when I was traveling before..."

As he spoke, Jie Ning pointed at the 'Crystal Flower' in Arannis's hand, "And this uses the 'Earth Element' profound mystery."

This flower could be said to have been deliberately crafted by Jie Ning—not only was it beautiful, but even its hardness ranked among the top on the entire Bana Continent.

Just as Jie Ning's Sanctuary Main Body became a god again, Korur and Dinar naturally sensed the fluctuation in the Heaven and Earth Laws as well. The two first glanced at the direction, then both looked toward Jie Ning's Life God Avatar.

Jie Ning revealed his white teeth, "My Earth Law has achieved godhood."

Korur sighed, "You really are a monster. Maybe for you, even becoming a Mid-God in a Material Plane isn't difficult."

After the sigh, the two immersed themselves back into their own worlds.

"Hm? There's another one!" Korur and the other looked over again. Korur found it somewhat astonishing—how could another fluctuation come just a few years later? The direction and position didn't seem to have changed much.

"Did someone else in your family become a god too?"

Jie Ning's smile grew even brighter, "It's my Earth God Avatar becoming a Mid-God."

"How is that possible!" Korur's face was full of shock.

Dinar's expression also held a hint of disbelief.

Jie Ning explained it all in sync.

Clearly, as God-level experts, Korur and Dinar had much stronger acceptance than Arannis.

Korur looked at Jie Ning with a strange expression, "Calling you a monster really undersells you—you're completely a freak!"

Dinar nodded in agreement, "Indeed."

Jie Ning could only maintain his smile, "It was also a stroke of luck."

Looking at Jie Ning's smile, Korur suddenly had a flash of inspiration, "Jie Ning, I have an idea!"

"Since your Earth God Avatar has already become a Mid-God, have your divine avatar come with me to Hell." As he spoke, Korur's eyes burned with anticipation toward Jie Ning.

"Let's go to Hell together and make a name for ourselves from the Bana Continent." Korur had originally felt a bit melancholy about going to the Hell Plane alone, but now Jie Ning's Earth God Avatar becoming a god showed him another possibility.

Jie Ning was somewhat tempted. Others didn't know, but he himself knew that he had already fully fused the two profound mysteries of 'Earth Element' and 'Earth-walking Technique.'

He could say that even if he encountered an ordinary High-God, he would have the strength to fight.

Of course, this referred to a High-God who had never fused any profound mysteries.

'And, what if, this time I get lucky and obtain an Overgod Spark?' A former thought jumped out again.

'No, calm down, I must stay calm.'

Although Jie Ning was very tempted in his heart, he still first controlled himself to calm down.

He never let himself make major decisions under impulse.

Looking at Korur's expectant eyes, Jie Ning steadied his mood, "I need to think it over some more, and my Mid-God avatar's soul also needs to be strengthened a bit."

Korur nodded understandingly, "No rush, at most it's just a few decades."

Hearing this, Dinar looked at him strangely, "Korur, didn't you say you didn't want to wait anymore?"

"Ahem~" Korur coughed awkwardly, "Uh, maybe I can wait a few decades after all."

On the other side, Arannis suddenly noticed that Jie Ning's mood seemed a bit off, "Jie Ning, what's wrong?"

Jie Ning had no intention of hiding it, "Lanni, I want to send my Earth God Avatar to the Hell Supreme Plane."

"Do you really want to go?" Arannis asked back.

"Mm, the Material Plane is still too small." Jie Ning's tone was somewhat distant.

"Then why are you hesitating?"

"Because..." Jie Ning suddenly realized that he really didn't seem to have a reason to hesitate.

He asked himself, 'Am I afraid of death? It's just one divine avatar. Even if I have no other avatars later, I still have two other divine avatars.'

'Transcendence? Earth, Wind, Water, Fire? I've already achieved godhood through two rules, so I clearly can't take that path either.'

'Then what am I afraid of?' Jie Ning felt as if he had suddenly become enlightened.

"Thank you, Lanni." Jie Ning pulled Arannis into his embrace, lowering his head to kiss her forehead.

"Then can I ask for a thank-you gift?" Arannis lifted her head, a peculiar smile appearing on her face.

"What do you want?" Jie Ning felt a bit strange.

Arannis stood on tiptoe, leaning close to Jie Ning's ear, "What do you think about that suggestion from Mother?"

"Let's have a child."

Jie Ning looked at Arannis's big, watery eyes and broke into a smile, "Alright."

I plan to change the plan a bit. I originally wanted Jie Ning to go as a High-God.

But the Material Plane storyline has been a bit uncomfortable to write lately.

So I'll just change the plan. As long as the general direction stays the same, it's fine.

Finally, as usual, I'm asking for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets.