That vast, overwhelming pressure, as if it could suppress the four seas and eight wilds and overturn the very fabric of the world, filled the entire cave abode. Even the restrictions he had laid down let out a strained, incessant hum.
"Good! Good! Good!" Zhao Gongming cried three times, his lofty ambitions blazing like oil-fed flames. "This is the very foundation of my survival and cultivation! This is the foundation for defying heaven and changing my fate!"
He had absolute confidence that, with the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls now optimized, he could fight even a Mid Golden Immortal cultivator—and might even suppress one!
And this was only the result of spending 1,000 points on optimization.
What would it be like once he had gathered 100,000 points and advanced them to the level of a Chaos Spiritual Treasure?
To evolve a chaotic sea of stars, turning the Twenty-Four Heavens into the nascent form of a chaotic universe...
At the thought of the scene described by the system, Zhao Gongming's heart pounded uncontrollably.
By then, let alone a mere Randeng—even those lofty Saints might... not be beyond his ability to stand against!
Once his excitement had passed, Zhao Gongming quickly regained his composure.
A meal had to be eaten one bite at a time, and a journey had to be taken one step at a time. His most pressing task was to accumulate Primordial Points as quickly as possible.
"Relying on absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy alone is still too slow." He furrowed his brow.
Though the Spiritual Energy around the Myriad Laws Return to Origin Pool was dense, it was a Saint's sacred ground. Sneaking there was ultimately not a long-term solution.
He had been fortunate this time: not only had he avoided punishment for breaking through, he had even received a reward. That was due to his master's generosity, but if he pushed his luck, he might incur his displeasure.
To obtain Primordial Points efficiently, he had to find another way.
According to the system, besides absorbing Spiritual Energy, he could also gain points by slaying enemies and completing fortuitous encounters.
Slaying enemies... The Primordial World seemed peaceful now. The Witch and Demon Clans had withdrawn, and the Human Race was on the rise, but beneath the surface, the waters still churned. As a disciple of the Interception Sect, if he went out and slaughtered indiscriminately for no reason, he would not only violate his Dao Heart but also risk incurring karmic consequences. He might even be mistaken for someone of the Devil Dao and be suppressed.
That left only one option... fortuitous encounters!
The Primordial World was vast and boundless. Who knew how many ancient ruins, Innate Spiritual Roots, and ownerless spiritual treasures lay hidden within it? Every time one emerged, it heralded a great opportunity and tremendous fortune.
"It looks like it's time to leave the island." A resolute gleam flashed in Zhao Gongming's eyes.
Jin'ao Island was a fine place, but in the end, it was only a comfortable nest.
Every true powerhouse had grown through trials of blood and fire, through repeated battles to the death and struggles for fortuitous encounters.
He knew the plot of Investiture of the Gods. That was his greatest advantage!
Though the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods was still a thousand years away and many events had yet to unfold, the Primordial World was still home to places of opportunity that had existed since time immemorial.
For example, the Buzhou Mountain Ruins, the coast of the East Sea, and the depths of the Sea of Blood...
With careful planning, if he found an ideal "treasure trove," whether gathering natural treasures or seeking Innate Spiritual Energy, he would gain Primordial Points far more efficiently than he did now!
At that thought, Zhao Gongming no longer hesitated. He carefully drew the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls into his dantian, where he nourished them with his Golden Immortal power. Then he rose, withdrew the restrictions, and gazed resolutely out of his cave abode toward the boundless East Sea.
Whether he emerged as a dragon or a snake would depend on this journey!
However, just as Zhao Gongming's Dao Heart had settled and he was preparing to find an opportunity to bid his master farewell and travel beyond the island, a voice tinged with respect came from outside his cave abode.
"Is Senior Disciple Brother Zhao there? Your junior, Shi Ji, has come to pay you a visit."
Shi Ji?
Zhao Gongming raised an eyebrow slightly. He remembered her: a stubborn stone born in the White Bone Cave of Skeleton Mountain. After enduring ten thousand years, absorbing the Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth and the essence of the sun and moon, she had finally taken human form. She later came to Jin'ao Island, joined the Interception Sect, and became an Outer Sect Disciple.
She was steadfast of character and pure of Dao Heart, an unusual one among the many Outer Sect Disciples.
But she had never had any dealings with him. What had brought her here now?
Though he was puzzled, Zhao Gongming had no reason to turn away a fellow disciple who had come to visit. With a thought, the stone door of his cave abode silently slid inward.
Outside stood a woman dressed in a plain blue gown. Her features were cool, and her demeanor as still as mountain stone. It was Shi Ji. Several unfamiliar Outer Sect Disciples stood behind her, each with a trace of awe and curiosity on their faces as they quietly surveyed Zhao Gongming's cave abode.
"Junior Sister Shi Ji, and all of you, please come in." Zhao Gongming smiled faintly and stepped aside to invite them in.
"I wouldn't dare disturb your cultivation, Senior Brother." Shi Ji inclined her head slightly and led the others into the cave abode. Her gaze swept across the exceedingly simple cave, and a hint of surprise crossed her eyes. She seemed not to have expected that the dwelling of a Senior Brother who had made a name for himself among the Outer Sect Disciples would be so plain.
"May I ask what brings you here, Junior Sister?" Zhao Gongming got straight to the point without exchanging pleasantries.
At his question, Shi Ji's expression grew more solemn. She bowed to Zhao Gongming and said, "Senior Brother, we've come to ask you to visit the Training Ground and offer us guidance in our cultivation."
"Guidance?" Zhao Gongming was somewhat surprised.
"Precisely." A burly, rugged-looking disciple behind Shi Ji stepped forward and said in a booming voice, "Senior Brother Zhao, you're our Outer Sect's Senior Disciple Brother, and a Golden Immortal as well. We've run into many obstacles in our cultivation, so we humbly ask you to share your wisdom and spar with us. That way, we can see the difference between us and work harder to catch up!"
At this, the others chimed in one after another. Their words were earnest, and their eyes shone with longing and fighting spirit.
Zhao Gongming glanced over them and immediately understood.
Most of them were at the peak of the Heavenly Immortal realm or had only just crossed the threshold into the Golden Immortal realm. They were all at a bottleneck.
Interception Sect disciples tended to relish a fight and value practical experience. It was only natural that they would seek a breakthrough by sparring with a stronger cultivator.
And he had just broken through to Golden Immortal and received a reward from his master. In their eyes, he was the ideal "strong opponent."
This works out perfectly...
Zhao Gongming's thoughts stirred, and an idea quietly took shape. Without letting it show, he asked the system in his mind, "System, can I gain Primordial Points by sparring with fellow disciples?"
[Ping! The host's question has been detected. Discussing the Dao or sparring with cultivators at the same or higher level can yield a small number of Primordial Points, depending on the intensity of the battle and its outcome. If you defeat a stronger opponent or gain insight during the spar, the points awarded will increase.]
As expected!
Zhao Gongming's heart immediately burned with excitement. He had been wondering how to accumulate points, and now the opportunity had come knocking on its own. The points might not be many, but every little bit counted. More importantly, this was a safe, steady way to earn them without incurring karmic consequences!
Besides, he wanted to test just how powerful the optimized Sea-Calming Divine Pearls really were!
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