"Nine Rings—achieved!"
Seated cross-legged atop the cliff, Li Qingyun emanated layer upon layer of profound ripples, surging upward like tidal waves. Behind his head, the Nine-Ring Grey Moon stood vast and constant, faintly radiating threads of undying intent.
The so-called undying state meant that, beneath the Nine Rings, no living being among all races—including the Twelve Superior Clans—could destroy him from this day onward.
Even existences at the Nine-Ring Peak such as Jia You and Pan Xiong could at most injure him, but could not obliterate him.
Across the vast, desolate ruins, only Shi Ji Buddha, who could enter Above the Nine Rings, could threaten him.
Such was the confidence that naturally arose within Li Qingyun at this moment.
What was supreme? This poor Daoist was supreme!
"Over these past years, my comprehension of the Primordial Mark has advanced by leaps and bounds. I have now verified five marks in total. If my judgment is correct, once all nine are complete, I will surely step into a higher realm. Perhaps that is the hidden mystery behind Shi Ji Buddha's ability to erupt into Above the Nine Rings..."
Li Qingyun carefully experienced the Nine-Ring Environment, then used that realm to compare it anew with the unfathomable trace of aura upon Shi Ji Buddha, falling into thought.
Shi Ji Buddha was the Past Buddha and must have long since verified nine Primordial Marks. By continuously devouring resources, containing fields, and restoring power, He could naturally break the "iron law" of the desolate ruins for a short time and enter Above the Nine Rings.
Now that Li Qingyun understood this hidden mystery, Shi Ji Buddha no longer seemed quite so mysterious in his eyes.
Nine Rings for a quasi-Saint—the number nine represented fullness at the level of the desolate ruins, and here, it