Sect Master Tongtian Summons

"I already know about what happened today," Sect Master Tongtian said slowly, his voice echoing in the grand hall of Biyou Palace, carrying an indescribable majesty and insight. "You did well. My disciples of the Intercepting Sect do not seek trouble, but we are never afraid of it. Those from the Heavenly Origin Sect who consider themselves noble need a reminder."

"This disciple merely defended the prestige of the Intercepting Sect and dares not take credit," Zhao Gongming replied, bowing his head respectfully.

Sect Master Tongtian nodded slightly, his gaze not leaving Zhao Gongming.

His gaze, though seemingly calm, appeared to contain the profound truths of heaven and earth, piercing through Zhao Gongming's physical body and directly into the origin of his Magical Power.

He clearly "saw" the trace of an aura within Zhao Gongming that, while different from the mainstream immortal path of the current Primordial World, was even more ancient and profound. He also "saw" the twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls.

These Sea-Calming Divine Pearls were Spirit Treasures he had bestowed upon Zhao Gongming. Now, they were subdued in brilliance, their aura as deep as an abyss. Within the pearls, a strange Dao rhythm flowed, reminiscent of the Chaos's primordial creation and the surging of wind, water, fire, and earth. They had almost merged with Zhao Gongming's Primordial Spirit, exuding an aura that made even him slightly raise an eyebrow.

"You have such responsibility, that is good," Sect Master Tongtian shifted his tone, his gaze becoming sharper as it fell directly upon the phantom image of the twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, as if trying to see through them completely. "However, Gongming, I have a question that requires your clarification."

Zhao Gongming's heart tightened, but his expression remained composed. "Master, please speak. This disciple will tell you all he knows."

"The twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls you possess were bestowed by me in the past," Sect Master Tongtian's voice was calm and unwavering, yet each word was clear, carrying the scrutiny of a Saint. "This treasure is indeed an Innate Spirit Treasure, capable of calming seas and stabilizing mountains, and evolving all sorts of phenomena. Its power is extraordinary. However, I have my own measure of its maximum grade. But observing it now..."

He paused, a flicker of inquiry and deep confusion in his eyes. "The aura of these pearls has changed. The Dao rhythm contained within is profound and vast, almost encompassing the universe and forming the nascent shape of a self-contained realm. Its potential power far exceeds what I know, and it even faintly touches the edge of an Innately Supreme Treasure. Such a transformation could never be achieved through ordinary nurturing and refinement. Gongming, how did you do it?"

The Saint's question, though seemingly casual, was as heavy as a thousand pounds.

This was not merely an inquiry about the enhancement of a magical treasure, but an investigation into the extraordinary anomaly surrounding Zhao Gongming that even a Saint found astonishing and beyond reason.

Zhao Gongming was prepared. He took a deep breath upon hearing the question and did not answer immediately. Instead, he pondered for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts. Then, he raised his head, his gaze meeting Sect Master Tongtian's squarely, though a perfectly measured solemnity and a hint of lingering fear flickered in the depths of his eyes.

"Master, please see, this disciple would not dare to conceal anything," Zhao Gongming said in a steady voice, beginning to recount his well-rehearsed explanation. "A few days ago, feeling a sense of inspiration, I sought an opportunity for breakthrough and ventured into a perilous forbidden zone. This zone was located at the intersection of the Eye of the North Sea and the Ruins of Guixu, where spacetime was chaotic and Sha Qi surged, making it difficult for ordinary Golden Immortals to stand. Relying on the protection of the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, I managed to press onward but accidentally fell into a spatial rift."

His speech was smooth, but the details began to elaborate. "Within that rift was not the Primordial World, but a nearly completely dead, shattered remnant of Chaos, like the remnants of a Dao field after the fall of a Chaos Demon God before the creation of the world, or a place left behind from a Great Tribulation not recorded in history. It was filled with violent Chaos Qi, fragments of broken laws, and... a very ancient, peculiar aura that seemed capable of devouring and assimilating all things."

"I was trapped within, facing certain death. The Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, to protect me, autonomously activated their power, resisting and absorbing that Chaos aura and the broken laws. The process was extremely perilous, and my Primordial Spirit was on the verge of collapse several times. Just as I could barely hold on, perhaps spurred by desperation, or by chance, a dim spiritual light emerged from the core of that shattered place. Attracted by the aura of the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, it unexpectedly merged into the pearls themselves."

Zhao Gongming showed a suitable expression of lingering fear and incomprehension at this point. "After that spiritual light merged, the twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls underwent a wondrous transformation. Not only did their power surge and their connection with this disciple become closer, but they also began to evolve internally, as if... as if they had the signs of creating and containing a universe. As for myself, under the residual effects of that spiritual light and the scouring of the Chaos Qi, my physical body and Magical Power seemed to have been imbued with a trace of ancient characteristics, and I obtained a fragmented ancient technique concerning Chaos body tempering and primal energy circulation, which I call the Nine Revolutions Chaos Art. I have been studying it day and night, which has led to my current progress."

He bowed again, his tone earnest. "Everything this disciple has said is the absolute truth. That secret realm completely collapsed afterward, leaving no trace. Such an opportunity is beyond comprehension; even now, when I think of it, it feels like a dream, impossible to fully describe its marvel. As for the transformation of the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, this disciple is still exploring it. I only know that their power and potential have greatly increased, but the specific profundities still require time to comprehend. All of this is due to Master's protection, a fortunate gain, not this disciple's merit."

With this explanation, everything was attributed to "Chaos Demon God remnants," "mysterious spiritual light," "ancient technique inheritance," and "desperate opportunity," making it logical and reasonable.

The Primordial World was vast. Since the World Creation, there were too many unknown mysteries, undiscovered treasures, and unpassed-down techniques. Even Saints could not know everything.

Especially concerning Chaos Demon Gods, their remnants were inherently mysterious and possessed the power to alter the essence of Spirit Treasures, which was not impossible.

Sect Master Tongtian listened quietly, his gaze deep, as if judging the truthfulness of Zhao Gongming's words, or perhaps deducing the origin of that "shattered Chaos land" he spoke of.

Silence fell in the hall for a moment, with only faint Dao rhythm flowing.

After a moment, the sharpness in Sect Master Tongtian's eyes slowly receded, returning to calmness.

He did not use his Saintly power to forcefully probe Zhao Gongming's Primordial Spirit memories; that would be a sign of distrust and harm to a direct disciple, which a master would not do.

Although Zhao Gongming's explanation had some vague points, there were no obvious flaws in its logic. Especially the ancient aura and the transformation of the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls were indeed not achievable through common methods in the current Primordial World.

"So that's how it is," Sect Master Tongtian nodded slowly, a faint smile appearing on his face. "Opportunities from Chaos are the most unpredictable and the most perilous. That you could obtain such fortune is your Destiny. The Nine Revolutions Chaos Art sounds quite miraculous. Since you have obtained it, you should cultivate it diligently, but also be cautious. The path of Chaos is profound and vast, yet also dangerous and unpredictable. Do not be overly ambitious or reckless."

"As for the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls," he glanced again at the phantom image of the twenty-four azure divine pearls, his tone carrying a hint of emotion and anticipation. "Since they have transformed and contain the mechanism of creating a universe, perhaps this is their destined fortune. The twenty-four heavens... if they can evolve successfully, it would be a grand event for the Primordial World. Nurture and refine them well, and perhaps they can reach a higher level. If you have any questions in the future, you may come and ask me."

This was his acknowledgment of Zhao Gongming's explanation. He no longer delved deeper, but instead offered encouragement and guidance.