Courtyard Space

The essence of divine abilities was the power to seize the creation of heaven and earth, possessing all manner of unimaginable might.

Yet not everyone who obtained a divine ability could fully unleash its potential.

First Glimpse of the Path, Entering the Hall and Chamber, Reaching the Pinnacle, Transcendent Mastery, Near-Perfect Mastery—these five Divine Ability Realms were how cultivators classified their degree of mastery over divine abilities.

With every step into a new realm, a divine ability underwent a transformation. The difference between First Glimpse of the Path and Near-Perfect Mastery for the same divine ability was practically the difference between heaven and earth.

For example, Shen Yuan's Pot-Heaven Divine Ability, at First Glimpse of the Path, could at most create storage rings and Space Grenades. But once it reached Near-Perfect Mastery, it could carve out Grotto-Heaven Paradises and grant eternal life and enduring vision.

However, the fifth realm, Near-Perfect Mastery, had long since become legend, and only Heavenly and Earthly Fiend Divine Abilities could ascend to that fifth realm.

Because Heavenly and Earthly Fiend Divine Abilities were great paths that pointed directly toward immortals.

As for extraordinary Mystic Divine Abilities, they only possessed the first four realms.

With every advancement in realm, the Seed of Divine Ability dimmed a little. When the Seed of Divine Ability completely vanished and became a part of the cultivator themselves, one had reached the realm of Transcendent Mastery.

The Pot-Heaven Divine Ability Shen Yuan possessed was an Earthly Fiend Divine Ability capable of opening up Grotto-Heaven worlds, yet Shen Yuan had used it to make Space Grenades. In the end, it was because he had not even reached First Glimpse of the Path.

After consecutively creating two storage rings, Shen Yuan finally digested part of the Seed of Divine Ability, allowing his Pot-Heaven Divine Ability to truly cross the threshold.

After entering First Glimpse of the Path, the spiritual sense Shen Yuan expended when using the Pot-Heaven Divine Ability was greatly reduced. He could also predict simultaneous spatial collapses with far greater precision, allowing him to make better use of Space Grenades.

Beyond that, Shen Yuan's perception of space had improved tremendously. If he approached certain secret realms or blessed lands, he could detect their existence within a radius of a hundred meters.

In truth, the Pot-Heaven Divine Ability's entry into First Glimpse of the Path had not brought any qualitative transformation. After all, this was merely the beginner's stage.

Compared to his own growth, Shen Yuan cared more about the courtyard where he currently lived.

Looking around the entire courtyard, it was still that fresh and elegant residence. Even after the Fu family had rebuilt it, not much had changed here.

Yet in Shen Yuan's current eyes, this courtyard had become a priceless treasure that no amount of gold could buy.

When Shen Yuan had just digested the Seed of Divine Ability, a trace of the Pot-Heaven Divine Ability's essence had spread out, changing the surrounding environment.

The spatial fluctuations triggered by his momentary enlightenment of the Pot-Heaven Divine Ability had enveloped the entire courtyard, accidentally merging the whole courtyard into one on a spatial level.

To a certain extent, this small courtyard already possessed the rudiments of an independent space.

This was a completely unforeseen accident, but also a rare opportunity.

As things stood, Shen Yuan could use the Pot-Heaven Divine Ability to exercise shallow control over the courtyard.

Anyone who opened the courtyard gates without Shen Yuan's permission would be unable to enter the real courtyard.

Every living being that entered the courtyard was within Shen Yuan's perception.

And

Shen Yuan's thoughts stirred. He extended his right hand toward the empty air before him, his five fingers curling into a loose grasp.

Pitch-black fissures spread from Shen Yuan's palm in every direction, like a dense spiderweb that seemed ready to tear the entire courtyard into countless fragments.

The black rifts reflected unfathomably deep space, and the power of destruction seemed ready to descend at any moment.

Both the Maine Coon and Bai Xue trembled beneath the collapsing space.

They could feel the terrifying aura of destruction radiating from those black fissures, as though the entire courtyard were held within Shen Yuan's palm.

All life and death were controlled by another, and that terrifying power even left them feeling suffocated.

The next moment, Shen Yuan swept his hand, forcibly smoothing away the spatial fissures.

Everything in the courtyard returned to tranquility.

This was the greatest gain Shen Yuan had received from the courtyard becoming an independent space.

Within this independent space, Shen Yuan's use of the Pot-Heaven Divine Ability would no longer be suppressed by the rules of the present world.

Shen Yuan no longer needed to use storage mediums to create Space Grenades. Instead, he could directly damage this independent space itself, creating terrifying spatial fissures.

It could be said that Shen Yuan, who controlled space, was the true master of this courtyard. Even experts above the Qi-Refining Realm could perish at any time when facing those terrifying spatial fissures.

Yet in the early stages of this Spirit Tide, how many people could advance beyond the Qi-Refining Realm?

The only regret was that this independent space was merely a courtyard of a little over two hundred square meters. Unless an enemy voluntarily stepped into the courtyard, Shen Yuan could not unleash those terrifying spatial fissures.

Moreover, this method of creating spatial fissures could not be used often. The Courtyard Space's self-repair ability was far inferior to that of the Profound Yellow Realm, and frequent use could very likely cause the Courtyard Space itself to collapse.

Once the Courtyard Space collapsed, finding another independent space like it would be as difficult as climbing to the heavens.

"Its limitations are too great. I can only wait for further development."

Such a thought flashed through Shen Yuan's mind.

"If the Pot-Heaven Divine Ability advances to a higher realm, I will be fully capable of using it to reshape the Courtyard Space.

With the Pot-Heaven Divine Ability's great power to carve out Grotto-Heaven worlds from the void, I could completely turn this courtyard into a secret realm, even a Lesser Grotto-Heaven.

When that time comes, even if spiritual energy dries up once more, I will be able to sleep soundly within the Grotto-Heaven!"

A smile involuntarily appeared on Shen Yuan's face.

The birth of the Courtyard Space finally gave Shen Yuan a plot of land truly his own in this turbulent age of spiritual energy revival.

Even if he encountered a powerful enemy, retreating into the courtyard would be enough to protect himself.

Shen Yuan could not help glancing at the Dark-Bright Sword at his side, which resembled a bronze fire poker.

"The Pot-Heaven Divine Ability brought such immense gains upon reaching First Glimpse of the Path. If the Earthly Baleful Sword Art enters a realm, what kind of feedback will it bring?"

Yet Shen Yuan only entertained that thought briefly. He knew perfectly well that the Earthly Baleful Sword Art was the Primordial Spirit Sword-Controlling Method. To enter a realm, he would at least have to wait until he gave birth to a Primordial Spirit.

With Shen Yuan's current cultivation and spiritual sense, that would undoubtedly be a long process.

"Forget it. Rather than dwelling on the distant and unattainable Primordial Spirit sword control, I should first consider how to advance the Pot-Heaven Divine Ability.

I relied on opening storage spaces to capture that trace of spatial rhythm, thus entering First Glimpse of the Path.

To reach a higher realm, I will surely need more spiritual items to open storage spaces. Only by continuously comprehending the essence of space in that process can I advance my Divine Ability Realm.

And spiritual items of higher quality, because they can open larger spaces themselves, can also bring more insight into the spatial level."

"As for more spiritual items..."

At that thought, Shen Yuan looked toward the Maine Coon.

The Wave-Calming Dragon Lord wished to host a banquet for guests from all directions, so quite a few members of the Demon Race would certainly attend.

The Demon Race lived deep within mountains and ancient forests. They surely possessed no small number of spiritual items. When the time came, he could use storage rings for trade and obtain spiritual items from the Demon Race that would satisfy Shen Yuan.

Rising from beside the stone table, Shen Yuan casually picked up the Dark-Bright Sword and glanced at the still-trembling Maine Coon.

"Let's go!"

"Let's go see this so-called Dragon Lord Banquet!"