As Zhou Chen circulated his technique with all his might, absorbing the heavenly flowers and golden lotuses, he continuously unlocked new Stellar Particles. His body directly pulled in all the heavenly flowers and golden lotuses within the Upper Qing Palace. Although these flowers and lotuses constantly regenerated, the moment they appeared, Zhou Chen absorbed them once more.
This turn of events also drew the attention of Master Tongtian. It must be known that the heavenly flowers and golden lotuses appearing in the Upper Qing Palace were meant to supply the disciples of Jiejiao for their cultivation. Although the Jiejiao disciples were not yet at very high realms, their numbers were massive. The spiritual energy contained within these heavenly flowers and golden lotuses was supposed to be sufficient for all Jiejiao disciples to cultivate, with some to spare. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a slap to the Sage's face? To have insufficient spiritual energy while listening to a Sage preach? How humiliating would that be!
Yet, Zhou Chen absorbed all of it by himself, and the rate of regeneration could hardly keep up with Zhou Chen's absorption speed.
Master Tongtian was somewhat puzzled as to what kind of cultivation method Zhou Chen was practicing that could draw so many heavenly flowers and golden lotuses into his body.
However, Master Tongtian did not hesitate. He directly displayed great divine powers, shattering the void, connecting to Chaos, and guiding endless Chaos Qi to transform into pure Xiantian Spiritual Treasure spiritual energy to supply Zhou Chen's cultivation.
After all, Zhou Chen was not his only disciple. If Zhou Chen absorbed all the heavenly flowers and golden lotuses, what would the other disciples do?
Even though he was preaching the Dao of divine powers and techniques, spiritual energy was still required. Without spiritual energy to replenish them, how could these disciples listen to the preaching in peace?
While preaching the Dao of divine powers and techniques, Master Tongtian observed Zhou Chen, curious as to just how much Xiantian Spiritual Treasure spiritual energy he could absorb.
Aided by this endless supply of Xiantian Spiritual Treasure spiritual energy, the speed at which Zhou Chen unlocked Stellar Particles soared dramatically.
In three thousand years, he unlocked two hundred million Stellar Particles.
In five thousand years, he unlocked three hundred million Stellar Particles.
In eight thousand years, he unlocked five hundred million Stellar Particles.
In ten thousand years, all eight hundred and forty million particles were completely unlocked.
As all the particles were unlocked, a look of joy appeared on Zhou Chen's face. He then began to refine them, continuously inhaling more spiritual energy to compress and condense the Stellar Particles—compressing, condensing, compressing, and condensing again until they reached the ultimate limit of compression. Then, based on that refined standard, he enhanced the Stellar Particles.
Once the Stellar Particles were condensed to their absolute limit, Zhou Chen could clearly perceive that the space-time around his body was repelled by his own physical form. His physical body was far heavier and denser than that space-time, capable of easily tearing space apart.
At this moment, a Dao fruit emerged above Zhou Chen's head. With the appearance of the Dao fruit, the River of Space-Time directly manifested. Then, Zhou Chen's true spirit flew straight out from the River of Space-Time, merging into the Dao fruit, which instantly integrated into Zhou Chen's body.
Master Tongtian nearly popped his eyes out in shock. In his understanding, being able to tear apart the space of the Primordial World, condense a Dao fruit, and unite one's true spirit was something only achievable at the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm.
Only by reaching the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm—with the three flowers gathering at the crown, the five qi returning to the origin, comprehending the laws, leaping free from the River of Space-Time, uniting the true spirit, and being able to exclude space-time from the body—could one tear open the space of the Primordial World.
Yet Zhou Chen, merely at the Earth Immortal Realm, was able to tear open the space of the Primordial World, condense a Dao fruit, and unite his true spirit? What kind of situation was this?
Ignoring the astonished Master Tongtian, while absorbing spiritual energy to temper and strengthen his Stellar Particles, Zhou Chen was also pondering how to sublimate his physical body and primordial spirit to reach the realm of transcending time with a single proof.
He had already unlocked and condensed his Stellar Particles to the absolute limit and condensed his Dao fruit, which merged with his true spirit. From then on, his true spirit was no longer within the River of Space-Time, directly attaining longevity and coexisting with heaven and earth.
After pondering for a while, Zhou Chen formed an idea. Although he possessed a acquired physique and was an acquired living being, the transformation of the physical body and the primordial spirit made no distinction between acquired and innate; it merely involved the intersection between oneself and space-time.
Although he was not yet independent of space-time, the stellar magic power he had condensed could clearly perceive the existence of the power of time and space. Therefore, he only needed to absorb the power of time and space into himself, fusing it with his physical body and primordial spirit to forge his own power of time and space. Through this, he could become independent of the space-time of the Primordial World, and even transform himself using the power of time and space, reaching the realm of transcending time with a single proof.
Transforming oneself required a vast amount of Xiantian Spiritual Treasure spiritual energy and the power of time and space. His transformation of the physical body and primordial spirit aimed to fill every inch of his flesh and every part of his primordial spirit with a massive amount of the power of time and space. Only in this way could he forge his own unique power of time and space through it.
Thinking of this, Zhou Chen hesitated no longer.
As Zhou Chen made his decision, an even greater suction force erupted from within his body, accelerating the absorption rate of Xiantian Spiritual Treasure spiritual energy and pulling endless Xiantian Spiritual Treasure spiritual energy into his body in a continuous stream. Not only that, the River of Space-Time directly appeared, descending into the Upper Qing Palace.
With the appearance of the River of Space-Time, Master Tongtian also opened his eyes, gazed upon the River of Space-Time, and could not help but reveal a look of shock.
The River of Space-Time! That was the River of Space-Time! He had never expected that Zhou Chen, merely at the Earth Immortal Realm, could summon the River of Space-Time.
One must know that he himself had only come into contact with the River of Space-Time after breaking through to the Quasi-Sage Realm.
And even back then, he could only observe it; he was completely unable to borrow the power of the River of Space-Time.
Now, having attained Sagehood, he could borrow a portion of the power of the River of Space-Time and summon it just like Zhou Chen. But let us not forget what realm Zhou Chen was in.
At this moment, Master Tongtian was profoundly shaken, almost doubting his view of reality! Zhou Chen clearly looked to be at the Earth Immortal Realm, but at this moment, Master Tongtian deeply doubted whether this was truly the Earth Immortal Realm.
The Earth Immortal Realm, yet having the true spirit merge into the Dao fruit? The Earth Immortal Realm, yet standing independent outside of space-time? The Earth Immortal Realm, yet summoning the River of Space-Time?
Although Master Tongtian was filled with doubt and utter incomprehension, it was hardly appropriate for him to ask right now, because Zhou Chen was still in the middle of cultivation.
Besides, he was a Sage and Zhou Chen's master; how could he possibly lower himself to ask about such things!
In Master Tongtian's eyes, endless power of time and space was seen merging into Zhou Chen's body, assisting him in his cultivation.
Fortunately, he had just shattered the void and summoned endless Chaos power to transform into pure Xiantian Spiritual Treasure spiritual energy, which kept the spiritual energy inside the palace in an extremely dense state.
As Zhou Chen began to temper the endless power of time and space into his own body, his physique acted like a bottomless pit. Every inch of flesh, every cell, and every thread of magic power continuously devoured the power of time and space. Once the devouring was complete, he had to undergo an extremely tedious tempering process, refining this power of time and space into his own unique power of time and space, and integrating it into his physical body, primordial spirit, and magic power.
At this moment, Master Tongtian stopped preaching the Dao altogether. He directly condensed an avatar to take his place in the lecturing while he himself stared fixedly at Zhou Chen, as if attempting to see right through him.
As time passed, Zhou Chen's physical body and primordial spirit finally completed their transformation following the integration of the power of time and space.
His original shell directly shattered, revealing his newly transformed physique.
Meanwhile, the old shell automatically crumbled into nothingness.
Master Tongtian looked upon Zhou Chen's new physique, shock filling his eyes.
For at this moment, Zhou Chen's body contained an immensely powerful force. This force was extremely special, possessing certain characteristics of the power of time and space, yet it was far more dangerous than ordinary power of time and space. It also possessed stellar traits, yet was purer and more powerful than the starlight emitted by the stars of the Primordial World. In terms of quantity, this power could rival that of a Daluo Golden Immortal, while in quality, it was even more terrifying than that of an ordinary Daluo. Master Tongtian estimated that, aside from senior Daluo experts wielding powerful Xiantian Spiritual Treasures, Zhou Chen could roam the Daluo realm without a single match.
A smile then touched Master Tongtian's lips. Second Brother, your Chanijao accepted Daoist Ran Deng, but my Jiejiao now has a Daluo as well, and what is more, he is my disciple. If they were to spar, beating Ran Deng would probably be like child's play, haha!
Master Tongtian simply assumed that Zhou Chen had already broken through into the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm rather than remaining at the Earth Immortal Realm he displayed; that Earth Immortal Realm facade was merely one of Zhou Chen's little hobbies—he was just keeping a low profile.
Thus, Master Tongtian stopped paying attention to Zhou Chen, dismissed his avatar, and resumed his lecturing once again.
He assumed that Zhou Chen had gained enlightenment after listening to his sermon and broken through to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm.
After all, he was a Sage, and the Dao they preached was the Sage Dao.
Over these tens of thousands of years, which of the disciples he had taken in had not broken through their realms and advanced their cultivation?
Although the commotion of Zhou Chen breaking through his realm was somewhat terrifying, he could accept it—after all, everyone had their own fortuitous encounters.
Had Zhou Chen known Master Tongtian's thoughts, he would have bluntly said, "I really am at the Earth Immortal Realm; I haven't reached the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm."
After all, what he had created was his own unique Mythological Daluo cultivation method, and what he practiced was completely different from the Upper Qing Immortal Technique taught by Tongtian.
At this time, Zhou Chen had completed the integration of his own power of time and space, made his space-time independent, achieved the state of time-exclusive self-proof, and possessed a personal strength capable of moving the power of heaven and earth.
Now, all that remained was to condense a Dao body and step into the dimension of space-time, which would bring the Earth Immortal Realm to perfection.
Once Zhou Chen stabilized his state, Master Tongtian also stopped his preaching. This time, because of Zhou Chen, Master Tongtian had lectured for an extra five thousand years.
When the numerous Jiejiao disciples awoke from that wondrous state of listening to the Dao, Master Tongtian's gaze swept across them.
"No matter how powerful a divine power is, it is merely a technique; cultivation realm is the foundation. You must not put the cart before the horse."
"We disciples will bear this in mind!"
The many Jiejiao disciples answered in unison, though how many of them actually took those words to heart remained unknown.
"This preaching ends here. The next sermon will be in twenty-five thousand years."
With those words, Master Tongtian's figure instantly vanished from the cloud platform.
The immortals of Jiejiao also stood up one after another, left the Upper Qing Palace, and headed toward their respective immortal caves, with Zhou Chen naturally among them.
Upon returning to his immortal cave, Zhou Chen did not continue his cultivation; instead, he sat down to sort through the divine powers and techniques taught by Master Tongtian.